The Talens' Tales

We had a great time celebrating Joash's birthday. He requested a Lego logo cake.   Oma and Opa came for coffee time and we had gifts and cake. So many great gifts for Joash. He was pretty pleased with all of them. We also went swimming in the afternoon and pretty much had the pool to ourselves. The life guards still opened the water slide for a little while, so that was pretty awesome. Both Joash and Mataya were brave enough to go down the slide by themselves for the first time. Then we headed to Boston Pizza a the request of the birthday boy. He gave it a big thumbs up!  And he was pretty thrilled with his first experience with a free birthday dessert and song from the wait staff. It was a fun day!

What is your favorite color? Blue What is your favorite toy/activity? Lego What is your favorite food? Pizza What is your favorite game? Sequence What is your favorite animal? Jackal What is your favorite book? The Treehouse Series by Andy Griffiths Who is your best friend? Ben What is your favorite thing to do outside? Ride bikes and skelters What is your favorite drink?   Juice What do you want for dinner on your birthday? Pizza from Boston Pizza What do you want to be when you grow up? Scientist 

As a working mom you can often feel like you're living stretched too thin. You want to thrive personally and professionally, but the day-to-day responsibilities and mental load can make that feel impossible. While periods of busyness are normal, if life feels overwhelming, it's time for a reset. And this book can help you do that. When I was asked if I wanted to have a copy of this book for review, I jumped at the opportunity. I am not a working mom in the traditional sense of the word. But as a the wife of dairy farmer, it does mean that my life is different from a traditional stay at home mom, too. My husband works crazy long hours and pretty much everything household and kid related falls on my shoulders. And I have started teaching part time again. So, there are days where I feel like am working more than a full time job without stepping out of my house. So, I was curious to see what from this book I could take away and apply to my life as a less than traditional workin

When Cohen Marah steps over his father's body in the basement embalming room of the family's funeral home, he has no idea that he is stepping into a labyrinth of memory. Over the next week, Cohen's childhood comes back in living color. The dramatic events that led to his parents' separation. The accident Cohen witnessed and the traumatic images he couldn't unsee. And the two children in the forest who became his friends--and enlisted him in a dark and dangerous undertaking. As the lines blur between what was real and what was imaginary, Cohen is faced with the question he's been avoiding:  Is he responsible for his father's death? In Shawn Smucker captivating style, he weaves together a fascinating tale of forgiveness,  reconciliation and hope even in the darkest time. I really enjoyed this story of real and broken people. It was a book that I quite enjoyed this book. I love how he weaves in some mystical and super natural elements with some of the ver