Spartan Frost - Jennifer Estep

Why is Gwen on the cover of

Spartan Frost?

This is Logan's book.

Ok, not quite a book,

a novella.

But it's his.

We need a picture of him.

But I digress.

Spartan Frost is book 4.5

in the Mythos Academy series.

It takes place shortly after

Crimson Frost.

Logan has left Mythos Academy

and suffers nightmares from what happened.

This is his story.

It's his POV.

We see his fears,

and begin to understand who he is

a little better.

And it has a great lead in

to Midnight Frost

(where Gwen is once again a brunette).

The Sea of Monsters - Rick Riordan

I really enjoyed the first
Percy Jackson book
and it was such an easy read,
I thought I'd read another one
before I begin my summer courses.
Hmmm...
one of my courses is on
children's literature.
Perhaps this was research?

Well,
if I loved the first one,
I loved the second one.
I love how there's no fluff.
You get right into the story
and a fabulous new character.

Here,
Percy has,
almost,
survived his new school
without incident.
Almost.
The last day of school,
brings on a new adventure.
Camp Half-Blood has been attacked.
Zeus' daughter,
now a pine tree
that protects the camp
has been poisoned.
Only the Golden Fleece
can save the camp.
And while it should be up to
Percy to save the day,
Clarisse,
daughter of Ares,
is chosen.
But Percy is determined to save his friend,
Grover.
So, a new adventure is in store
for our favourite
half god.

The Happiness Project - Week 16

We're home!!!

Well Ethan and I are.

We arrived Sunday night.

We have a tad bit of jet-lag.

But we're home!!!!

And how does one celebrate

being back in Canada?

With Starbucks,

of course!

Happiness is being home

for the summer.

The Lightening Thief - Rick Riordan

For some time now,

my teaching partner has been talking about

a series her younger daughter loves.

She could never remember the name,

only that it was about Greek Gods.

Last week, 

she and another mate were chatting about the series.

My other mate

also could not remember the title

but recalled it was about the 

son of Poseidon.

So, of course,

I googled it,

and just had to read the first one.

The story is about

Percy Jackson,

who keeps getting kicked out of boarding schools,

has been labelled a trouble maker

and has all kinds of weird things happen to him.

One summer day,

he's going away with his mom,

and is attacked by a Minotaur.

He then finds himself at Camp Half-Blood

where he learns he is the son of Poseidon.

He is also sent on a quest,

to stop the impending war

between Poseidon and Zeus.

I can see why this book is loved by

kids.

I loved it.

I can't wait to read more.

The Happiness Project - Week 15

I know, I know

another Saturday Soccer

post.

But I promise,

this will be the last.

I'm just so proud.

Last year,

Ethan didn't want to join the

Saturday Soccer League.

He's not very coordinated,

and was worried he'd be teased.

This year,

he developed the confidence to join.

He still skipped a lot.

And often was afraid he'd get hit,

but he did try.

Saturday,

his team made it to the semi-finals.

They won,

and made it into the finals.

This is a team

we've played twice before,

and lost to both times.

So some strategical planning

was needed.

And guess what???

Sawpower won!!!!

Ethan was super chuffed.

This is his first medal and trophy.

Happiness is a successful

Saturday Soccer season.

 

Gone Girl - Gillian Flynn

Oh my..

Where do I begin?

I cannot decide

if I really liked this book

or really hates it.

Perhaps I loved

how much I didn't like it.

Does that make sense?

Gone Girl

is the story of Amy and Nick.

On their 5th anniversary,

Amy disappears.

The first third of the book

bounces back and forth

between Nick's views on the disappearance

and Amy's diary.

Nick is suspected of killing Amy.

Then we get to part two

where we learn that

Amy is in fact,

alive

and has framed Nick

for her murder.

She's a psychopath!

Part three:

Amy doesn't like her situation.

Nick has "convinced" her 

he loves her,

so she comes back.

With a story of being kidnapped.

And now,

the two of them 

are living

miserably-ever-after.

Here's my thing,

the story itself was great.

But I like great characters.

And I didn't like either character.

Not even the

I-love-to-hate-them

feeling.

Which makes this one

a tough one to gage.

Father's Day Interview

For the last three years,

on Father's Day,

I ask Ethan a bunch of questions

about his dad.

You can see last year's

reponses here. 

Here's what Ethan had to say

this year.

What is something Daddy always says to you?

In the morning, he says

"How are you?"

What makes Daddy happy?

It's when I do a great job

at soccer.

What makes Daddy sad?

Is when Mommy and I fight.

How does Daddy make you laugh?

He makes me laugh when he acts

like a clown.

He trips over the soccer ball

and says 

"ta-da!"

What was Daddy like as a child?

He was smart,

and good at soccer.

How old is Daddy?

I can't remember,

40-something.

How tall is Daddy?

He's 29 feet!

(Apparently Daddy's a giraffe!)

What is his favourite thing to do?

Play soccer with me outside.

What does Daddy do when you are not around?

He goes to work

and he has a house with a swimming pool

so he goes swimming.

If Daddy becomes famous, what will it be for?

A striker in football.

What is Daddy really good at?

He is very good at the Wii.

What is Daddy not really good at?

Playing UNO.

What does Daddy do for his job?

He types on his computer.

What is Daddy's favourite food?

Pizza!

What makes you proud of Daddy?

He is so good at soccer.

If Daddy was a cartoon character, who would he be?

The dad of The Incredibles

because he is strong.

What do you and Daddy do together?

We play soccer.

How are you and Daddy the same?

We both like the Wii.

How are you and Daddy different?

He is older than me.

How do you know Daddy loves you?

He gives me higs and kisses.

Where is Daddy's favourite place to go?

Friday's Roast Beef House

is his favourite restaurant.

Happy Father's Day babe.

Love you to bits.

The Happiness Project - Week 14

Ethan is a July baby.

And for the last couple of years,

we have gone home to Canada

for his birthday.

Which means he misses out

on having a party with his 

school mates.

Now, 

June is also a busy month for me.

It's the end of the school year

and I'm writing reports.

Plus this year,

I'm also studying.

Planning a big party

is a bit hard.

Ethan really wanted a party

with his school mates.

So we agreed 

since he's turning 7,

he could invite 

7 mates.

We then decided to have it afterschool

on Friday.

School finished at 12:30 on Fridays.

So I took the 8 boys to Afrikolor

for pizza, ice cream and pottery.

We got there a little early,

so the kids got to bounce on the trampoline.

The pizza was fantastic.

There was lots of playing. 

But Afrikolor is about

the pottery.

I thought the kids would be given mugs to paint,

but nope,

they got to use the wheel!

Oh, and what would a party be

without cake?

Happiness is a pre-birthday

party.

Sports Day

Friday was Sports Day

at school

for the ELC - Grade 1s.

Ethan got to show off

his altheltic abilities.

Egg race with his eyes closed. 

Don't you just love the hand on the hip

The Happiness Project - Week 13

I am not a McDonald's person. 

I need that known.

However,

when we were in New York

McDonald's seemed to be the place

for us to grab a quick breakfast. 

And suddenly,

the Egg McMuffin

became my new friend.

Seriously.

I came back to Lusaka

wishing I could have an Egg McMuffin.

Sad,

I know.

But then,

one Friday,

I went to the Friday market

and guess what I found?

English Muffins!

Exciting right!

But here's the best part.

The english muffins are part

of Old MacDonald's Farm.

Yes,

that's right

MacDonald's!

Old MacDonald's Farm

is a project set up to look after

and support children

who have either lived 

on the streets

or are orphans.

Every Friday,

MacDonald's farm comes to school

and has wonderful baked goods.

All proceeds go to the farm 

and the kids.

Happiness is great baked goods

and a great cause.

Rebel: The Sensitives Triology 2.5 - Dawn Rae Miller

I have report cards to write,

but they had to wait a day

while I was busy reading

Rebel.

It's a short story,

part of the Larkstorm triology

that I am loving.

Rebel

was great.

It takes place

at the same time as parts of 

Nightingale

but from the viewpoint of

Annalise.

Up to now,

Annalise has been a cold one.

Heartless.

As evil as Malin. 

But now...

well....

I'm not sure.

We learn about Annalise and her loveless

marriage.

We learn how she does have a heart

and it belongs to Oliver.

But is she a dark witch?

Or white?

Is she a Sensitive?

What is her plan?

And.....

is she responsible for Malin's death?

Yes, so many answers

and still so many questions.

I can't wait until Phoenix

is released!