Book Club for October PLUS Craft Night

Hey ladies! Here is the plan for the upcoming month. Please note the change in book club retreat. Book club will be held OCTOBER 28 at Johanna's house at 7:00 PM. The book the month is The Help by Kathryn Stockett. Here is a short review of the book:

What perfect timing for this optimistic, uplifting debut novel set during the nascent civil rights movement in Jackson, Miss., where black women were trusted to raise white children but not to polish the household silver. Eugenia Skeeter Phelan is just home from college in 1962, and, anxious to become a writer, is advised to hone her chops by writing about what disturbs you. The budding social activist begins to collect the stories of the black women on whom the country club sets relies and mistrusts enlisting the help of Aibileen, a maid who's raised 17 children, and Aibileen's best friend Minny, who's found herself unemployed more than a few times after mouthing off to her white employers. The book Skeeter puts together based on their stories is scathing and shocking, bringing pride and hope to the black community, while giving Skeeter the courage to break down her personal boundaries and pursue her dreams. Assured and layered, full of heart and history, this one has bestseller written all over it. (Feb.)

I know there are copies of this floating around. Comment here if you need a copy.

Also, we are going to have a craft night and make this craft:
From this blog: Eighteen25

We will get together on October 8 at 8:00 PM at my house. You are in charge of getting your own supplies. Look at the blog listed above for what you need. I will provide the glue and glitter and little foam brushes. I will have green, orange and black glitter. If you want something different you will have to bring it. If you have questions leave a comment. I will be gone until Oct. 6, so if you have questions you need answered before that I know that Amy has made one of these and Linda also knows about them.  Have a good week ladies!

8:00 pm !!!

I am really worried someone will show up at 7:00 at my house for book club this Thursday so I thought I better do an official post.
BOOK CLUB IS AT 8:00 PM AT SHANNA'S HOUSE THIS THURSDAY THE 23RD OF SEPTEMBER!
If I am not back from volleyball yet please come in and make yourself at home:) I will be there shortly. (Jake doesn't care, I promise).

Once Upon a Time...

Hey, ladies. I need your advice.

Because I simply CANNOT tell a short story, let me back up a bit.

Last winter, I read James and the Giant Peach to my son, James. He was only 2 1/2, but he did really well with it. It made me happy because:

a) My dad read "chapter books" to us as kids, and I fondly remember it.

b) It helped us pass those dreary, never-ending winter days.

c) James learned to sit still for a decent amount of time, and

d) to use his imagination a bit since there weren't all that many pictures.

There are more reasons, but those are a few.

Anyway, I now want to read another "chapter book" to him (and Jolie) this winter- possibly giving him one for Christmas. But (now here's where I need your help) I don't know what book to choose.

What suggestions do you all have for a book that I can read aloud to my kiddos? I want one that is interesting to a 3 1/2 year old boy, one that has some pictures scattered throughout, and one that won't bore me to tears reading it. I want him to get it. He is only 3ish, but he's pretty smart. I just don't want the general concept to be beyond his comprehension level (ie. excessively magical, necessitating that he have a good grasp on what's normal in order to get the magic aspect, etc. Does that even make sense?) I want it to be a fun, memorable experience for all of us. I know that many of you similarly read to your children, and all of you have some pretty sweet "book smarts," so I figured I'd ask you.

Let me know your ideas, and THANK YOU!

PS. I have considered the following (but am very open to other ideas) in no particular order:

The Boxcar Children (the first/original)

Mouse and the Motorcycle

Amelia Bedelia (though I think the humor of it is over his head)

Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle

The Voyages of Dr. Dolittle

Charlotte's Web (too sad? The movie is...)

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Matilda

A Couple Items of Business...

FIRST:
Book club is at my house this month and I will be at Volleyball (yay for volleyball) until 8:00ish. Are you all fine with starting that late, or would you like to change it to a Wednesday night or....??? I am sorry. I would much rather be with you all, but that is the way it is. So let me know if you have any ideas.


SECOND:
When we went to dinner with Bonnie to say good-bye we talked a little about the Snow Canyon 1/2 Marathon in St. George. Linda and I are for sure doing it (right Linda?!) and we think it would be great if more people came. If you don't think you are up to the 13.1 mile run you could do the 5K they have that same morning or just come cheer (or stay in bed and be there to hang out:).

Here is the info:
Saturday November 6th
1/2 Marathon @ 8:30am
$35 Pre-registration (before 10/30)
$45 October 30th and after

5K @ 9:00am
$25 Pre-registration (before 10/30)
$35 October 30th and after

To register Google "Snow Canyon Half Marathon 2010" and it will take you to a link, or call Shanna if you have questions.

Book Available

I am not good with blogging, but... I have finished Shanna's copy of The Help (Oct book)- she said I can offer it to anyone that needs it. Let me know... otherwise I will be returning it to Shanna soon!
It is GREAT! Happy Reading!!

Pics from August's Meeting

Here you go, ladies... a couple of pics from last month's book club meeting. It was absolutely fun, and I'm glad so many of you could come! I really love you girls. Thanks for being so fabulous!