It’s been a full week over here ~ books, brownies-that-aren’t-brownies, coloring pages, and a home improvement project for the squirrels.
So let’s jump in.
Modo and Jiblet: The Stormy Day ~ Paperback is Here!
I’m excited to share that the paperback edition of Modo and Jiblet: The Stormy Day is now available on Amazon. And starting tomorrow, the Kindle eBook will be free for a short time.
(🐿️ We recommend downloading it immediately. We love free things. Especially snacks. But books are good too.)
🤪 April Fools’ Day: Ace Strikes Again
Yesterday was April Fools’ Day, and Ace decided to prank his Grandpa Chris with a pan of “brownies.”
Except… they were literally brown E’s cut from brown construction paper. In our defense, we didn’t have much plan time so we worked with what we had.
I’ll post the picture below, because honestly, the commitment to the bit deserves an award.
(🐿️ We would’ve eaten them anyway. Paper is a food group.)
🎨 Coloring Pages & A Little Lesson on Creativity
Ace and a few of Lori’s kiddos have shared their colorings of the Modo and Jiblet page, and it was adorable seeing them bring the characters to life in their own ways.
But then Ace told me something that stuck with me.
He showed a boy at school a picture and asked, “Do you like it?”
And the boy said, “No.”
So I asked Ace, “Well… did you like it?”
He said yes.
And that’s the part I want every kid to hear and what I told Ace:
If you like what you create, that’s what matters.
Not everyone will understand your art, your ideas, your imagination, and that’s okay.
Creativity is personal. It’s yours.
(🐿️ We create things all the time. Most of them are questionable. We still like them.)
🦁 A Quick Zoo Adventure
The boys also got to spend a day at the zoo with their mom, their little friend, and her mom ~ and from all reports, they had the best time. I’ll include their adorable face paintings below, because honestly, they’re too cute not to share. And since their faces are painted, it feels like a safe way to show the fun they had.
(I also checked in with their moms to make sure they’re comfortable with it, which is always important.)
The little friend also has a story on the YouTube page wrote about her💛
(🐿️ We have never been to a zoo. We assume it is full of giant creatures who would not appreciate us stealing their snacks.)
(🐿️ But we support face paint. Especially if it makes you look and feel silly.)
🐿️ Squirrel Home Renovation: Phase 2
Speaking of creativity… the squirrel setup is coming along nicely.
Their soon-to-be renovated home is now safely inside a little fenced area, and I’ve added a few “accessibility upgrades.” Including ~ and I’m not kidding ~ a set of dog steps my daughter gave me years ago.
They now function as a tiny squirrel staircase.
(🐿️ We did not approve this construction. But we will absolutely use it.)
(🐿️ Also, we expect snacks on every landing.)
I’ll share the picture so you can see their new “luxury entrance”… for their dilapidated apartments 😂
(🐿️ We prefer the term “historic charm.”)
(🐿️ Also, we are filing a complaint with management about the draft in Unit 3.)
⭐ A Tiny Note About Reviews (and Downloads!)
If you or your little ones enjoy Modo & Jiblet: The Stormy Day or The Floating Leaf, leaving a quick review on Amazon truly helps more than most people realize. Reviews help other families discover the stories, and they mean the world to small authors like me.
And even if you’re grabbing the Kindle version while it’s free, just downloading it helps too ~ those downloads tell Amazon that people are interested, which boosts visibility and helps the book reach more readers.
(🐿️ We also download things. Mostly acorn inventory spreadsheets. Very important.)
💛 Wrapping Up
Books, pranks, zoos, creativity, and squirrels ~ honestly, that’s a pretty accurate snapshot of life around here.
Thanks for being here for all of it.
And if your kids (or you!) color any Modo and Jiblet pages, send them my way. I love seeing what you create and would love sharing them here as well.
(🐿️ Also, we would like to formally request more coloring pages.)
(🐿️ Respectfully. But also urgently.)
(🐿️ The children need them. WE need them.)
(🐿️ Please create more immediately. This has been a message from the Squirrel Committee for Artistic Expansion.)
(🐿️ We will also be reviewing submissions. We are very qualified.)
🎨 More Coloring Pages Coming Soon!
Today I’m going to have Ace pick a page or two for me to create and upload. My little break has lasted long enough, and I don’t want to lose momentum now ~ especially when the kids are having so much fun with these.
(🐿️ YES. Excellent decision.)
(🐿️ We have been waiting patiently. Well… squirrel‑patiently.)
