Book Review: No Girls Allowed

No Girls Allowed by Jayce O’Neal is a wonderful devotional book for boys. I loved the structure of this book. It’s organized well for both parents and kids. Each begins with a Bible verse that is the basis for the devotion. Then comes the devotion. Next is a prayer relating to the theme. Then there is some sort of game such as word searches, secret codes, and unscramble puzzles. Following that is a “Things To Do” list about how to put the topic into action in a boy’s life. Very practical and hands-on. Next comes “Things To Remember” which is full of other pertinent Bible verses relating to the theme. And finally there is a wisdom section which contains quotes from both historical and modern people from all walks of life.


I enjoyed the devotional stories which were the perfect length. They were long enough to get the point across while not being too lengthy for an active young boy. The content varied for all interests and covered many relevant issues.

This devotional book was not cheesy as I’ve found some to be. With the added sections as described above, the book is well-rounded and simply fun. I highly recommend this book.

This book was given to me to be reviewed by Tyndale House Publishers. I was not paid for this review. All opinions are my own.

Thorn Man

This year I am a leader at my Community Bible Study.  The kids and I were in a skit to help kick off the first morning.  That is where the mask came from.

But once the skit was over, the mask became a new favorite toy for my boy.

Add a cape and behold...Thorn Man was born.

I was a little taken back by the name.

But after thinking about it, it made sense.  Treyton has been out doing lots of yard work with Bryce lately.  Thorns are not fun.  They are sharp and dangerous.  They hurt when you touch them or accidentally walk through them.  So I could see where he came up with it.  In fact, I think it's rather creative.  Kudos to you, my superhero son!

Thorn Man can fly too.  He lays on the floor and kicks his feet.

Galina decided to get Brielle involved in playing dress up.    I found Brielle as Minnie Mouse and had myself a chuckle.

But then she found these sparkle headbands.  She and Brielle became Super Twins.

It's so fun being a mom!

Whole Wheat Cookies

I don't just have a sweet tooth; I have all sweet teeth.  So after talking to Mary, my sister-in-law's sister, I found out about her cookie recipe.  It's so yummy and easy and somewhat healthy.  And the coolest thing is that these cookies actually work for me.  Most All cookies I have made while living in Colorado have been as flat as a pancake.  Actually, more like as flat as a piece of paper.  And crunchy.  I hate crunchy cookies.

So I decided to try Mary's method and "healthy" cookie recipe.  They were a hit!  I decided to give some to Bryce and the youngens and sure enough, they even liked them.  Whoop, whoop!  Score!

Mary's Cookies
1/2 stick Crisco - not butter, Crisco
1/2 C sugar
1/4 C brown sugar packed
1 egg unbeaten
1 tsp vanilla
1 C whole wheat flour (OR 3/4 C whole wheat flour and 1/4 C oatmeal; you can add a little more oatmeal if you want a thicker cookie.  The 1/4 C makes a fairly thin one.  "Thin" should not be in the same sentence with cookie unless it precedes the word mint, for goodness sakes.)
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
chocolate chips or raisins or M&Ms

Cream sugars and Crisco with a fork.  Add egg and vanilla and stir.

Mix dry ingredients and add about 1/3 at a time to wet.  Stir in chips.  Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes.

After baking these I went around looking for people to share them with so I didn't eat the entire batch.  Look what I found.

Isn't there some sort of child labor law against this sort of thing?

Gone Fishin'

This summer Treyton and Bryce were on a mission.

They were bound and determined to catch a fish.

In Estes Park they didn't have much luck.

But when they switched over to Poudre Canyon, the story changed.

The fish were teeming.

Bryce, Treyton, and Galina decided it was worth their time.

Unfortunately I was not able to get a picture of Treyton's first fish but I was able to "catch" Galina's. 

Watching this brought me back to my early days fishing in Minnesota.  From the docks, the canoe, the borrowed fishing boats at the rented cabin, I remember my dad pulling in the fish, me squirming away, him throwing the sunfish and catfish back in after I would have nothing to do with them, and then going back to simply sitting and being.

There is something therapeutic about fishing.

You can be doing nothing but something at the same time.

Once the fish were caught, Daisy was let loose.

The dog actually smiles when she gets to go swimming.  I kid you not.

I was even able to sit still for a little while.

And Bryce's paternal grandparents joined us.  Ruth had a way with Brielle.

Every time the woman held her, Brielle fell asleep!  Just like that! 

It was a good thing too since nobody got any sleep in the camper.  Ahh, the joys of camping.