The Ultimate Guys' Body Book Not So Stupid Questions About Your Body by Dr. Walt Larimore

A great collection of answers to growing guys and their bodies with a good mix of humor to lighten the load a bit.

The boys haven't read all of them but as a mom who is clueless about guy stuff, it was great for me to read. Took away a bit of the anxiety and gave me a resource for when these questions arise.

The Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan

[Annabeth]"...But sometimes you just see the bad stuff, you know? And you start thinking the way Luke does: 'If I could tear this all down, I would do it better.' Don't you ever feel that way? Like you could do a better job if you ran the world? 
'Um...no. Me running the world would kind of be a nightmare,'"[Percy]

Dax was introduced to Percy Jackson and the Olympians series at school. I began to read them to know what the content was but mostly because I wanted to be interested in his interests.  The author-reader friendship between Mr. Riordan and myself surprised me in the first book, The Lightening Thief. I had begun the book to be in Dax's world, not expecting to find it interesting myself. It wasn't until page 200 of this second book, though, that I resounded so much with one line!!! I have  thought this line many times in my own life.  Unfortunately just because I don't want to run THE whole world doesn't mean I don't step in and try to run MY world from time to time.  That too is a nightmare! It is often in new times, beginnings, like at year's start when I begin to orchestrate and manipulate. Striking balance in motivation and dependence, influence and control is challenging. I can choose to turn the reigns over, though, and only when I surrender each day, sometimes moment by moment, does the nightmare lift.

"I told you these things so that you can have peace in me. In this world you will have trouble, but be brave! I have defeated this world."[Jesus] -John 16:33

"Some trust in chariots, others in horses, but we trust in the LORD our God."[King David] - Psalm 20:6 

"Trust the LORD with all you heart, and don't depend on your own understanding. Remember the LORD in all you do, and he will give you success. Don't depend on your own wisdom...[Solomon] -Proverbs 3:5-7a [Reminder to self: "He will give success'; I will not achieve; there is a difference.]

Riot Brothers sequel by Mary Amato

We read 3 of these books the summer of 2012 each day. Like King Arthur, Cole read the chapter title, Dax read the first page of the chapter, and I would read the rest.  We had SO many laughs with this one! There were many boy elements like bodily functions, etc., so I recommend that parents read it first. (I would read a chapter ahead when they were involved in some other activity). However, there were some good family elements as well. One that we picked up on was how often the older brother found ways to compliment and encourage the younger and how much the younger brother seemed to respect the older. They were also always a TEAM!! They may have gotten into mischief but they were completely TOGETHER the whole time.  I also loved the mom and felt for her as a mother of boys.  I did wonder why the father figure was missing (that could go either way depending on the family situation of the readers).

Farah: Angel food cake (so light and fun)
Dax: Funfetti Cake (such a fun playful book)
Cole: Chocolate Muffins with Chocolate Chips