Elliott's Reading List April 12

Elliott and I have recently been adding to his book collection again.  We got rid of over 300 books that he decided he had outgrown earlier this year, and we've been working on adding more chapter books and looking for new ones to try.

This week he didn't read any new chapter book series, but he wanted me to tell you about  other books that he likes.  He's decided to help me write these blog posts, by doing book reports for me.




One of the series that he thinks is perfect for kids who like picture books is Pete the Cat by Eric Litwin.  He thinks that the books are appropriate for preschool to second graders.  The reading levels range from kindergarten to end of first grade.

We like that the books are upbeat and fun.  He also likes that the cat wears shoes.  He has two of them, and while they aren't books that we have ever read every week or anything, they are ones that he goes back to, and has read several times.



Another series that is relatively new to Elliott is Nate the Great by Marjorie Weinman Sharmat.  These books have been around since the 70's, so some of you probably remember them from your own childhood.

Elliott loves the Nate the Great books he has read so far.  He thinks they are funny, and he likes the mystery.  His favorite characters are Nate and his dog Sludge.  Elliott really likes it that Nate is independent and can do a lot of things for himself.  He especially thinks it's cool that Nate makes his own pancakes.

Elliott says this book was a little easy to read, and probably best for readers that are 7-10.  He thinks that preschoolers through third or fourth graders would probably like the stories.

Weekly Grocery Spending April 5-11

We didn't make it to the commissary for a big trip this week, due to neither of us being able to carry much.  It makes me very happy that we normally keep a very well stocked pantry, so it's not a big deal that we haven't done much shopping in nearly a month now.

We did go to Walmart over the weekend and spent $22.27 on groceries.  It turns out that the pets didn't need food quite yet after all, so we just bought yogurt and produce.

Then on Tuesday my husband went to the commissary for bread and more veggies.  He spent $11.40.  That was it for groceries this week.

So our weekly total this week was $33.67.

Our weekly budget is $100 per week for our family of three adults, one child, two dogs, and a cat.

Our total spent on groceries for 2013 so far is $1196.80.  

We are 14.5 weeks into the year, and our budget is $100 per week, so we are currently  $253.20 under our budget for the year.

Once we are up to carrying a bunch of groceries again, we will probably be making a huge shopping trip, but I'm still not sure how soon that will be.

When It Rains (Snows?), It Pours

As you all probably know, I had to have my gallbladder removed almost two weeks ago.  It was really inflamed and infected, and had stones, too.  The doctor said the stones probably developed while I was pregnant with Elliott, and they just hadn't bothered me before (they  saw them on a scan for the first time right around Elliott's fourth birthday, but they weren't bothering me then).  Anyway, I saw the doctor last week, and he kept me on pretty major restrictions.  Still no lifting, minimal bending, and no exercising, other than walking.  I'm about to go out of my mind! :) 

Then last Thursday, my husband started having back pain and some men's health issues.  So he's been in and out of the doctor's office.  Right now we are waiting to hear what his ultrasound and urine test said.  The doctor thinks he could have a kidney stone, along with a probable hernia or twisted vein. So now he is restricted from heavy lifting as well.

So guess what happened over the weekend?  Our basement had minor flooding. Just about all of our furniture is up off the ground to prevent it from getting damaged, but now we have no way of MOVING the stuff to get everything dry underneath.  My sister did what she could by herself, but the heavy stuff requires two people.  Add to that the fact that apparently I'm the only one in our house that can clean, so my house hasn't been cleaned in nearly three weeks (and yes I'm highly irritated by that)! I would be embarrassed to have anyone come over to help my sister move stuff!