Fireman Sam Heroes in Training Sticker and Activity Book

Edward loves stickers and fire trucks. He got to know Fireman Sam via Amazon Videos. And since it’s not readily available in the Philippines. I tried to look for it in Singapore. True enough I found it there. Kinokuniya is selling it for 12.95 SGD.

It has 4 pages of stickers. Apologies for the missing stickers, Edward was excited to use it.

Whenever you finish an acitivity, you get to earn a badge. I like the idea!!! Edward enjoys it as well. He knows that he have to finish it to earn the badge. Like a reward system.

Uncompleted Page

Finish Page

Honestly, the book is a bit pricey but it’s a fun activity. And there are lots of extra stickers we can transfer to his sticker album.

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Llama Llama Misses Mama

This book is part of the Llama Llama Red Pajama series. This is the first book of the series that we’ve read and I liked it. The story is about Llama Llama going to school for the first time and he misses his mama. When I told Edward the story, he said it’s papa. Yeah, that’s for his case. I told him it’s mama since The Llama has a pink bag…in the end he agreed.

Right after finishing the story, he asked me to read it again. The book is enjoyable and the rhyming is cool.

What I like about the story is it’s realistic. It covers what a child might feel on the first day of school. I recommend this book as a guide to show kids what would happen at school for them to enjoy their first day.

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Felt Books

I like these kinds of books, kinda reminds me of my childhood listening to stories. I looked and looked for books like this and was lucky to find it in Fully Booked.

The set consists of pages to put in the felt accesories. But it’s kinda small. The circle in front has the same size of the backdrop inside. The good thing, Scrotch Brite’s towel is able to hold the felt. So if you want bigger backdrop it might work.

I’m actually planning an experiment to see if felt paper would work as well. If it would… Then I’ll bring out my printables.

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Lunch in Paris

It’s been a while since my last book review. Honestly, I haven’t read much lately and I haven’t found the book that would interest me enough to write a review about it.

The book is about a simple love story of how the characters fell in love with each other and with Paris. Paris was described beautifully in this book that it makes me wanna drag husband, visit it and try the cafes for a date. I have always been London fan, I would choose it over any place before. It is my number 1 dream place to visit. But after reading the book, I really want to go to Paris and enjoy the French cuisine described.

I liked the recipes shared in the book as well, even if I don’t know if I can make those. I’ll probably try once the chef instincts kick in. Some of the recipes look simple enough, the problem would be on where would I get the ingredients.

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The Happy Little Yellow Box

My son love this book so much that we have two copies. Kidding aside, he accidentally sat on the large box when he lost balance that he can’t enjoy the book anymore. Every time we turn the page to the large box, he just points to the taped portion. Hence, I bought him a new one. Luckily, it was available in Fully Booked Fort branch for 440 Php. Cheaper alternative than shipping from Amazon which was one of my recourses.

This book of pop-up is amazing, it is interactive. I particularly like the large and small page as well because the page would have a 3D box with a door, inside it is a small box. It’s fun for me. Another favorite is the high and low, where if you slightly turn the page, the helicopter would go high and low. Near and far, Off and On are cute as well. Discover for yourself! This book is a good investment, both educational and fun.

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Suzanne Enoch – Lessons in Love

[tweetmeme source=”ibethyap”] I’m back to book reviewing. Lessons in Love captured my attention because book 1 is titled “The Rake” and since I’m into falling in love with rakes these days, I’ve decided to give this book a try. I am happy that I did try reading this series.

I like the idea of the ladies trying to find a notorious student to teach them on how to be a gentleman and in the end, they all fell in love with their student and married them. It’s a fun idea, by the way, listing the things you want to see in a guy and hoping that one day, you would actually see it in them.

The Rake – I like the contrast of the personality of Tristan, being notorious and lovable at the same time. I love his devotion to his family, ensuring everyone is safe and their future is secured. Although he doesn’t show it a lot, he’s a sensitive man who kept a memento from 6 years ago. I like the realization that his stupidity cause him to lose someone important in his life. The only drawback is he doesn’t have money. I don’t admire plots where the heroes have to rely on the downy of the heroine. It’s a turn off for me. Nevertheless, I admire Tristan’s love and devotion for Georgiana. It is super sweet, especially when he realized that she’s the one. The bickering between Tristan and Georgiana is super funny. I like these kinds of events, where they keep on fighting only to realize they love one another.

London’s Perfect Scoundrel – I super love Saint, he’s fun and wicked. I was scandalized by the “adventures” of him and Evie. I like his humor. He was so funny especially on the sonnet part. Made me read and re-read that part of the book. I can feel his loneliness, the mere realization that someone won’t miss you when you’re gone is a bit tough. Saint was super sweet and makes it a point to do everything for Evie. I was disappointed with the ending of the book, it was not enough for everything that Evie and Saint went through. I’m just glad that somehow their story is continued in the 3rd book. I could wish for a better ending for this book. I was not a fan of the kidnapping scene, I agree, it was one of the big twists but I just wasn’t a fan.

England’s Perfect Hero – Since The Rake, I have been fascinated with the personality of Robert, he is so mysterious. I like the idea that he danced with the wallflowers, making them feel special and in the end, his knees hurt. I find his sensitivity appealing and not. I don’t like overly sensitive guys, but what do you expect from a person who’s traumatize. He’s trying to forget a hard past slowly and I was so happy when he finally succeeded. I like the suspense in the series, it was actually adventurous that made me want to know what happened immediately. Being sensitive, he draw a shield around him. Hiding him from the rest of the world, when that barrier finally cracked; I love how he reached out to the rest of his family. Aside from Robert, I also liked Edward, he’s so sweet. Supporting Robert in anyway he could and would like to help out his family even if he was only 10 years old. I love how Robert tries to protect Edward and makes it a point to not disappoint him. Their relationship is super.

What this series lacks is an Epilogue. I guess I was used to seeing the life of the hero progress after the ending. It made me want to know what happened to the characters after the story.

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Justin Halpern – Sh*t My Dad Says

[tweetmeme source=”ibethyap”] I found this book really entertaining, hilarious even. I love the humor of the dad. This book is a collection of anecdotes and quotes from Justin’s dad. Someone who curses a lot but have a lot of insights in life. I find his teaching inspirational. Maybe I’m like the dad minus the cursing part. I curse, mind you, not to the extent of the dad where in a sentence there would be more than 3 F-words.

I found Justin’s dad really sweet, a bit harsh in words but overall a good dad. He makes it a point to support his son in everything. May it be a small employment or a small achievement, he encourages his son to do his best no matter where and no matter how.

Whatever the dad was saying makes sense if you think about it. Just ignore the offensive words for the faint hearted. But those words are really deep and useful. As the things happen in everyday lives, it becomes easy to understand the message the dad is trying to impart.

After the book, I’ve decided to follow Justin’s twitter as well as read some of the website. I still find the dad amusing. It’s nice to read about the anecdotes, it’s funny and educational. Teaches a lot about life and how to go about it.

This book is a bit short, I read it in less than a day. It was really entertaining.

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Regency Ton

[tweetmeme source=”ibethyap”]
Duke
Simon Pearson, Duke of Leighton – Eleven Scandals to Start to Win A Duke’s Heart (Sarah Maclean)
Simon Basset, Duke of Hastings – The Duke and I (Julia Quinn)
Anthony Courtland, Duke of Tremore – Guilty Pleasure (Laura Lee Gurhke)
Edward Penteith, Duke of Dinstable – The Perfect Rake (Anne Gracie)
Rhys de Winter, Duke of St. Cyres – The Wicked Ways of a Duke (Laura Lee Gurhke)
Ransom Seymour, Duke of Ainsley – Waking Up with the Duke (Lorraine Heath)
Greydon Brackenridge, Duke of Wycliffe – The Rake (Suzanne Enoch)
Simon Tremaine, Duke of Foxwood – Only A Duke Will Do (Sabrina Jeffries)

Marquis
Gabriel St. John, the Marquess of Ralston – Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake (Sarah Maclean)
Christopher Malory – First Marquis of of Haverston –  The Present (Johanna Lindsey)
Jason Malory – Third Marquis of of Haverston –  The Present (Johanna Lindsey)
Michael Halboro, Marquis of St. Aubyn – London’s Perfect Scoundrel (Suzanne Enoch)

Earl
John Stirling, 8th Earl of Kilmartin – When He Was Wicked (Julia Quinn)
Michael Stirling, 9th Earl of Kilmartin – When He Was Wicked (Julia Quinn)
Marcus Marsden, Earl of Westcliff – It Happened One Autumn (Lisa Kleypas)
Morgan Lyons, 8th Earl of Westcliffe – Passions of a Wicked Earl (Lorraine Heath)

Viscount
Anthony Bridgerton – The Viscount Who Loved Me (Julia Quinn)
Nicholas Eden, 4th Viscount of Montieth – Love Only Once (Johanna Lindsey)
James Malory, Viscount of Ryding – Gentle Rogue (Johanna Lindsey)
Tristan Carroway, Viscount of Dare – The Rake (Suzanne Enoch)
Anthony Dalton, Viscount of Norcourt – Let Sleeping Rogues Lie (Sabrina Jeffries)

Baron

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Laura Lee Guhrke – The Wicked Ways of a Duke

[tweetmeme source=”ibethyap”] Deny as I may want to… I’m a hopeless romantic. Still believing in true love and the idea of a happy ending. It might sound completely naive but I believe in the goodness of some people, cynical as I may be.

The story revolves around Prudence, a seamstress who met Rhys, the duke in one of the balls. In a sudden turn of events, Prudence was in fact an heiress. Rhys, the duke had money problem, inheriting a dukedom that entailed numerous debts sending him in a tough situation. The solution to his problem is to find an heiress.

I like the concept of money isn’t everything. Prudence once lived a simple life. Although she is not able to live in luxury she was happy. She knows the people around her were true friends. Unlike the ones who suddenly appeared just because she was rich. Pretending to be kind to her for their personal gains.

I don’t like deception in any form, but this time around, it was more acceptable for me. Maybe it was because Rhys was sincere and he did it out of desperation. I like the character transformation of him. From a useless duke to someone who care about his tenants. I enjoyed his recollections, thinking about the stupidest things he did in his life. I like that moment a lot. Rhys made a lot of effort in his deception scheme, what he didn’t anticipate is that he would fall in love with Prudence.

I like the idea of Rhys throwing away everything for the love of his life. It was super romantic that he is willing to live poor but happy. Prudence is his ultimate source of happiness. I can’t help but be giddy thinking about it.

Rhys is a good person in general, he had a ghost of the past and had to carry on the burden of saving the De Winter family line. Despite his manipulative nature, he is knight in shining armor. He wants to be a hero. Even if it’s not his true personality. Hearing the perception of Prudence about him, makes him wants to live up to that expectation. I’m super proud of him trying to be a good person.

Prudence is naive. Being a romantic idealist, her decisions are clouded. Despite that, I like the idea of her standing firm on the ground to let others know what she truly wants. It takes a lot of guts especially during regency era to be opinionated. I love the fact that she can openly express her love for Rhys. And would want to comfort him  in anyway that she can. Understand the pain and loneliness of Rhys. It was amazing.

***SPOILER***
The ending might show a bit of lack of trust but I can’t think of a better way to truly understand a man’s heart. After all the deceit, he won’t be absolutely mad if she does the same.

I have to admit that some scenes of the book can be further improved. I was secretly wishing that Rhys would used the loan from the bank and would have a means of improving their lives. Although it’s sweet that he started to work, I’ve expected a lot from him since his personality is strong and he has a sense of pride. I would prefer him to be that way instead of living with his wife’s fortune.

The revelation of the truth was not perfect. Although I felt the hollow feeling of pain, banking on some emotional tidbits, the emotions can be  heightened.

***SPOILER END***

Overall, I liked the book. It has the emotions of a Laura Lee Guhrke book, it was easy to read and the plot is really interesting. The characters of Laura Lee Guhrke are lovable.

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Laura Lee Guhrke – And Then He Kissed Her

[tweetmeme source=”ibethyap”] I never thought that I would fancy this book. After reading a few historical romance. I’m certainly starting to write in Regency style.

This book stirred the DoM part of me. I like the tingling effect of – emotionally feeling the pain of other people. This book certainly did it’s part. The effect is almost similar to the Wedding of the Season book.

I like the character of Viscount Harry Marlowe. A guy turned into rake after a failed marriage. Falling in love with the girl he wants, getting married, only to find out the girl is in love with another man. And would even beg him to set her free. I can totally understand how hard it must be for him to open up his heart again. The connotation of marriage might simply be scary for him.

Harry is a funny and witty guy, he knows when to start speaking and what words to say to make a girl’s heart flutter. I certainly love his way of defying the traditional culture of Regency era and running towards his own happiness. He truly loves his family and would definitely do anything for them. I like his bickering with the family. It seemed fun to look at.

Initially, he took Emma Dove, his secretary for granted. Making her do impossible things like buying his mistress’s presents. She’s the perfect secretary, paying attention to small details and ensuring Harry attends all the important gathering with his family. She’s prim and proper and rather innocent. Growing up in a sheltered environment kept her to be restricted.

I also like the character of Emma, she’s not dependent on a guy. In fact, she has her own means of survival. Even if she was not earning a lot, she knows how to take care of herself. She’s practical and resourceful. In fact, I dream to have her job. It’s similar to blogging, looking for new stuffs and introducing it to everyone. I would feel accomplished to have influence over other people.

Emma is secluded. She doesn’t know a lot in the world. Her basis on what’s right and what’s wrong is from the teaching of her aunt. A traditional lady who is very strict on properness. I like the struggle of Emma on becoming a perfect lady for her aunt and defying all rules to chase her own dreams. Somehow, I can totally understand how she feels as it’s a common notion in our society nowadays. Please other people is hard.

I love the scene where she finally set herself free from everything and everyone. Standing on her own beliefs on what would make her happy.

I like the chemistry between Harry and Emma. They are completely different individuals yet they have a means to make each other happy and complete. It’s super romantic to be able to find that certain someone who would force the best out of you. Not afraid to let you know your mistakes, not afraid to teach and learn new stuffs and not afraid to accept whatever that person it. It’s truly perfect.

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