Random questions...
Saturday, May 23, 2009 at 09:27PM Me again. A few random questions for you:
1. As little boys become bigger, where do you (clothes) shop for them? To date, I've generally been hitting our local gently used shop and places like Gymboree, Gap Kids and the like. But. For boys at least, they appear only to go up to size 8 or so with any regularity. Where do you go once the boy is past size 8? (Note: Having the three boys, we tend to mainly buy clothes for Noah and pass them down. Fortunately, this appears to go over well with the other two who can't wait to wear particular clothes they've seen on their brother. Given all this, though, we also tend to try to buy higher quality clothes when we can so they'll last longer...for instance, the clothes I buy at Target don't tend to make it past one boy.)
2. If you participate in scrapbooking challenges (where the challenge is to create a layout), do you prefer month long challenges or shorter (like 2 weeks perhaps)? Why?
3. What good books have you read lately? I'm in need of some more ideas to get through the summer...trying to institute some silent reading time for everyone this summer that will carry over into the school year once I get it established better. (To clarify...I'm looking for book suggestions for me, not the boys. :) Thanks!)
So. It's rainy here...which fostered a lovely lazy day attitude today. We picked up the ice cream the boys helped make yesterday during our homeschool field trip to a local ice cream place and then took the boys to see "Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian" in the theater (which they loved). No other big plans and it feels nice. ;)
FYI, I feel like we're in a transitionary stage right now...winding down from the school year (though our homeschooling will officially continue through the end of June) and activities and trying to start up our summer routines. As I get more situated, I'm sure I'll have more to post. For instance, I expect to have 13 layouts due for assignments...and more that I hope to finish for my own sake...in the next few weeks...so hope to have work to share soon. :) In the meantime, I'd really, really appreciate any and all replies to my questions above! Thanks!!
Reader Comments (13)
Have you checked out Dandelion Toys downtown for clothes? I am not sure what size they go up to, since I don't buy Zach's clothes there. We only have the one kid so Target is our clothes stop. I'm sure Dandelion Toys could order bigger sizes if you need also. I always buy really cute little girl dresses there for my nieces when I need to get them a gift. They helped me order a suit for Zach one year too. Anyway, check them out.
Argh - not sure where my first response went; I'll try again! I'll only answer #2 and 3 since I don't have any boys to shop for.
#2- I prefer challenges on the shorter time frame, a week or two. Any longer and I lose interest. I tend to like challenges when the time permits and I'm in a creative rut, but I'm not a regular challenge girl.
#3 - Here are some that I've enjoyed: Fiction: Like Water for Elephants, A Thousand Splendid Suns, The History of Love, Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, Word Nerd (just read this for my book club - an easy, fun read), anything by Jodi Picoult
Non-Fiction: Three Cups of Tea, Outliers, the Last Lecture (I think this should be required reading for everyone), the Middle Place, This I Believe, 90 Minutes in Heaven, anything by Jen Lancaster or Laurie Notaro (they both are hilarious - tell stories of real life experiences)
Hope that helps - and I hope you're all enjoying the weekend!
1. I have no idea (helpful aren't i?)
2. I typically and trying to convince my DT to come up with challenges (thanks for always being so great at that stuff)
3. One of my fav books so far was the Time Traveler's Wife. A little confusing at first just because the perspective jumps each chapters - but seriously so great. Am reading Oliver Twist now - I like the classics in summer for some reason. Hope at least this one was helpful! haha.
. As little boys become bigger, where do you (clothes) shop for them? 1. The Children's Place. It's a great store, usually in the malls. They have absolutely amazing prices (target prices, gymboree quality) and they're always doing extra 30% clearance sales. They go from 0-14, and each line is meant to match for all sizes. Makes scrapbooking easy!
2. Shorter. I usually forget or put it off if I don't do it right away.
3. Um, I dunno? Anything by Michael Pollan. His are absolutely fascinating, and extremely well written.
1. ????? I do shop for the girls at the children's place and like the previous poster said, good prices and pretty good quality.
2. ?????
3. I'm reading Jodi Picoult's newest book (Handle with Care) now. It's great. I'm also going to read Harry Potter before the movie. I have some more, but would have to go look at the titles. I'll get back to you.
1. Old Navy is a good place for boys. My son is 10 and it's one of the few places I can buy slim jeans. (Target & JCPenny are 2 others)
2. I do scrapbook challenges sometimes. I think a month is too long. 1 or 2 weeks is good. With a month, you might end up forgetting to do it.
3. I'm looking for something myself. Have you read The Host by Stephenie Meyer (writer of Twilight?) It's not vampires, and it's written better. I liked it.
1. I can still shop at Gymboree for Kevyn - they go to size 10. Love the quality and that I can still get matching things for him and Sam once in a while. Not so easy to do with the 6 year age diff. Love Old Navy too. Land's End is pretty good, too.
2. Haven't scrapbooked in years, but if I did a challenge, I'd go with short time frame. I'm an awful procrastinator so need a quick turnaround deadline to spur me into action.
3. Anything Jodi Piccoult. I just finished Handle with Care - really good read. I like Philippa Gregory for historical fiction. The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards. Peony in Love by Lisa See.
1. Try Nordstrom Rack for quality clothes at (somewhat) reasonable prices. I also shop at Kohl's because we love the Tony Hawk line.
2. Shorter is better. If I have longer than a week, it generally doesn't get done. But that's if I'm in an ongoing series of challenges...
3. The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood. Just finished it and it's fabulous - look at the info on Amazon.
1. Gymboree, Children's Place, or Dillards are the stores I tend to frequent for B's wardrdobe. Sometimes i"ll buy his Levi's (brand name, not generic) at JC Penney. I like Levi because the knees don't wear out as quickly as other jeans.
2. shorter - easier to remember and I don't procrastinate as much.
3. for fluff: Debbie Macomber is always a great, easy read. I have her Cedar Cove series if you'd like to borrow it. I also like a new author from Cheyenne named Tina Ann Forkner. I have her two novels and they are really quite good (just bought them on Thursday and I read the first one and am partially thru the 2nd). I can also bring those down on the 6th if you want to read them. Nights in Rodanthe was awesome. I'd rather read to book than see the movie any day. I'll have to check out my bookshelves to see what else I've got. I almost have a library ;oD
1. Gymboree--I was so sad when my girls outgrew them, but my son is only size 7, so I have till size 10--I still think their clothes are the best bargain for quality & being able to hand them down (we hand down to younger cousins)
2. shorter, just easier for me
3. anything by John Grisham, Janet Evanovich's "one for the money," "two for..." series is fun, fast and easy to keep in the car to read while I'm waiting for one of the kids. I also just like to browse the bookstore & find new authors for an hour or so once in a while
1 - I have all girls -- sorry! :)
2 - shorter time frames are better -- I stew less and just get it done.
3 - I am reading a Debbie Macomber right now -- good story, light on the brain -- great for a busy time of year. I like Harlen Coban if you are a mystery person -- novels tend to be fun quick reads.
Books:
I picked up a copy of this (see web link) list of 100 top books as voted by New Zealander's. It's put together each year. I am trying to make my way through it. Yay for libraries!
Link: http://lists.whitcoulls.co.nz/top-100-list
I hope you enjoy them. Plus, they also have a top 50 list for kids books (as voted by kids!).
For boys clothes that last I always went to the LL Bean catalogue. It's a bit more, but the clothes held up and my son was hard on clothes! The knees will last and the shirts don't stretch out funny. Also as the clothes don't tend to be trendy, they never looked out dated when worn the next year. I found it to be well worth the money.