Odds and Ends!

#1) Have you all had cinnamon sugar toast?  We made this with my dad growing up.  It was very labor intensive.  First you had to toast the bread.  Then spread butter.  Then sprinkle sugar on your bread and carefully shake off any excess.  Then add cinnamon.  It was delightful.  My dad passed this delicious treat on to Paul and then found this at the grocery store.  Someone was smart and mixed cinnamon and sugar into the actual butter.  Paul is a huge fan.  Welcome home diabetes.  

2) Adnan Syed was granted an appeal?   And when does the second series of Serial come out?  I am so excited!! 

3) I have been going to the gym more than yoga lately (shocker).  It is really because I can go to the gym anytime I want to and don't have to wait for a specific class.  Sometimes this means I go at 5:00 in the morning.  It is exhausting.  Anyway, I obviously roll out of bed, throw some gym clothes on and go.  However, are you aware that some women wear a full face of make-up to the gym?  At 5:00 in the morning?  Why?  Don't people just sweat that off?  It is very confusing. 

4) This was my Sunday afternoon.  The kids were napping and the snow was falling.  I was reading a book and People and drinking hot chocolate.  Heaven.  

5) Ryan and I watched FIVE hours of The Bachelor Monday night.  FIVE.  It was about 4.5 too many.  Kelsey = crazy.  Britt = crazy.  Not sure about virgin and I like Whitney but unsure how she will be a fertility nurse in a town of 15.  

Any interesting things happen to you this week? 

What I Read in January

Six books in January.  I certainly cut it close, but I did it! :) Here is what I read: 

#1 The Kitchen House 

I gave this 3 stars.  I liked it and the characters but feel like I had read a similar story before.  

#2 The Silent Sister 

A fast read- a good story about a complicated family with different points of view (I love that).  

3 Stars 

#3 The Paying Guests 

This is a thriller?  I had no idea until Maureen told me.  I heard about this book from a podcast my Jenn sent me.  I tried to get into it once before but then it was due at the library before I had a chance to dig in.  When Maureen read it for book club, I knew I had to try again.  3 stars.  I did want to figure out the ending and it does get a suspenseful towards the middle, but it takes A LONG time for the action to start.  

3 stars...mostly for its unnecessary length 

#4 Saving Grace 

This was okay-- a fun book to keep me reading.  Didn't have to think too much and I was entertained! 

3 stars 

#5 Tiny Beautiful Things 

I loved this one.  It is an advice column, the advice written by Cheryl Strayed author of Wild.  She is funny and smart and always has a good message.  Worth the read! 

4 stars! 

#6 Fangirl 

I just love young adult.  This was about a subject I didn't know much about (fan fiction) but it was interesting and made me think I could write a young adult fiction book?  #dreams

4 stars 

What have you read lately?

What I Read in December

Well I read 5 books in December and most were pretty great!  Again I would like to ask, how do I read books for a living??????????  Anyway...

1) Leaving Time.  It might be time for me to stop reading Jodi Picoult.  The books are usually entertaining, but this one was mediocre and I felt like I was forcing myself to finish.  I wish I was the type of person who could just put it down and move on if I wasn't enjoying a book.  But that is just not me.

2) Yes, Please.  So good.  Read this book and feel inspired and proud that you are a woman and that you can be funny and smart and have a good job and raise children and support other women.  She is funny and self deprecating and makes you want to be her best friend.

3) Small Victories.  I love Anne Lamott because she is real real.  Sometimes it can be depressing (like how can she know so many people with cancer) but the message is good.  Which is to breathe.  Slow down and enjoy.  And not just say that you enjoy but really soak it in.  Because despite all the misery life can bring, it is also a beautiful journey.

4) Reunion.  This was a good book especially for Winter Break.  The main character rubbed me the wrong way at times, but this was an overall quick and entertaining read.

5) Not That Kind of Girl.  I was really excited about this but I STRUGGLED.  I think it is just too much.  Maybe I am getting older, but I am not sure I need to know the intricate details of some one's sex life.  I felt like she was trying too hard and I had to make myself finish.  Ugh!

There you have it!  Any good books you have read lately?

My Favorite Magazines

Another very important blog post today.  What magazines do you read?  In my earlier days I LOVED magazines.  Nothing seemed more indulgent than sitting on the couch and flipping through pictures! This is something that hasn't had much attention since Charlie has been born.  It is probably a good thing, but then the magazines start to stack in different places around my house BEGGING to be read and then I start to panic that I will never be able to read all the magazines I have.  There are real problems going on around here my friends. 

The two magazines that consistently come to my mailbox are US Weekly and People.  They are obviously not the most intellectual pieces of literature in the world, but it is a great mind escape.   

The other one that comes to my mailbox every Saturday is The Week.  It does a great break down of everything going on in the world in little snip its, so you don't feel like an uninformed idiot, but I don't always read this one (tsk tsk) 

My mom gives me her old copies of Real Simple and Oprah.  I love both of those although from where I am sitting I can see two editions I need to read.  Maybe fall break will come in handy to catch up?

And if I am really feeling wild and have some time on my hands (ha, ha), I love Vanity Fair and Elle. But I probably haven't picked those up from the grocery store in 18 months.   

What is on your magazine must read list?

What's In my Nightstand

Aren't you always so curious what people have around their house?  In their drawers?  In their nightstand?  Well I am about to indulge you with some very important pictures of what resides in my bedside table.  First, this is what it looks like on any given day: 

There is always a water bottle, some sort of water for Paul, magazines, books, and more books.  Don't you love that lamp?  I LOVE that lamp.  I feel like it is more disorganized than this picture is letting on, but oh well!! 

Inside the first drawer is a whole mish mash of things.  Charlie's baby video monitor which we never use anymore because he's such a good sleeper and I don't have to worry about if I need to let him cry or if he's doing crazy things in crib.  (I am not trying to jinx myself here universe.  I REALLY appreciate what a good sleeper he is)!  I have an old Kindle which I also never use because I use the Kindle app on my ipad.  Oops.  Also see some extra keys, some old notebooks, a lot of cords to random things and an amazing amount of pens!  Oh, do you also spy a Lightning McQueen pillow? That is where Paul sleeps.  Although for the past 3 nights he has started the night in his own room.  HIS ROOM.  But he still sleeps on the floor of his room.  Why won't you sleep in your freaking bed? And he still makes his way to our room at some point in the night, but I am feeling somewhat optimistic that he is at least starting in his bedroom?  Does this make me dumb?  Probably.  

The next drawer makes me feel a bit nostalgic because it holds all my old journals.  It would be nice to report that I still write, but I don't.  Pretty sure I haven't written one word about anything since Charlie was born.  Now I just write on here.  About my nightstand.  Not quite the same, but I guess it is something.

In case you are wondering the two books I currently have checkout from the library are Silkworm and What Remains.  I have only started Silkworm and I really like it.  Same author as the Harry Potter books but she writes under a pseudonym.  My goal is to read two books, so I better get on the second one.  What Remains is by one of the Real Housewives of New York City.  So it is probably very high brow.

So there you have it.  A little peek into my nightstand.  Anything interesting in yours?

Just the Sweetest Thing You'll Ever See

This is Paul reading his current favorite book, Bully Bear to his brother.  Watch how Charlie looks at Paul in that adoring brother way!  Love these two!

October Goals

I was teaching yoga last night and for the first time in awhile it was DARK when class ended at 6:45. Fall is here.  Oh and it was so freezing last night  I even wore my UGGS.  You know we are seriously when the UGGS are broken out.

Here are my little goals for the month of October: 

1. Read 2 books
- now this should be no problem but lately I have been reading TWO pages and falling asleep.  The struggle is real.  Perhaps less TV and more book time?

2. Carve pumpkins
- I think we meant to do this last year but never got around to it.  Paul is excited about any holiday so he will think this is special! 

3. Deal with the light situation in the dining room
- Who is tired of hearing about the light situation in my dining room?  Me!!!  But I need to deal with this in OCTOBER! 

4. Figure out Halloween costumes
- I am pretty sure Charlie is going to be whatever Paul was when he was Charlie's age (sorry 2nd child) but Paul's request changes every 10 seconds.  

5. Finish Season 3 of Scandal
- Doesn't really go with #1, but I am sure everyone is also sick of me discuss this obsession so it will be good to be caught up! 

6. Bake something
- Nothing says fall like a chocolate something baking in your oven!  YUM

Anything you are dying to do in October?

Eleanor and Park

I just finished this book.  My friend Jenn recommended it to me and told me "it just has all the high school feelings."  And she is right.  It takes you back to the time where kids are mean but then nice at the same time, where the feeling of love is real and outrageous and where you are trying hard to navigate all the feelings.  It brings your right back to your own high school days, sitting in the desks with the chair attached, with fluorescent lights above you, trying to listen to your teacher but being distracted by so many other things and people.  You think I would be more sympathetic to my own students after reading this book.  BUT FOR GOODNESS SAKE LISTEN TO ME AND PUT YOUR PHONE AWAY.  Moving on... 

You'll read this book in two days and I hope you love it as much as Jenn and I did.  Check out more reviews here.  

Books I Read This Summer

This summer I read 25 books.  I think that is pretty good.  I love sitting outside and reading when my kids are sleeping.  Or laying on the couch.  Or on vacation.  So pretty much anytime and anyplace. Here are some of my favorites with a link to a synopsis.  I am currently reading Sharp Edges and it is freaking me out.

Read more about this book here! 

This is the same author of A Hundred Summers if you've read that! 

Read more about this book here.  

This was a really fast read and something different.  You are rooting for the main character the whole time even if he isn't always the kindest of characters. 

Read more about this book here. 

I also read this book really fast when we were in California.  I liked it, but at some points felt uncomfortable because the main character (a mother) is addicted to pain medication.  You just can't believe some of the decisions she makes as a mom.  Drugs are bad.  

Read more about this book here. 

This book is about a family who is troubled but go on vacation with one another.  It took a bit for me to get totally involved, but I enjoyed the writing style.  

Read more about this book here. 

This book was long people.  Over 700 pages.  But my two besties Tori and Maureen read it at the same time, so I knew I had to power through.  I really did like it, it was extremely well written but this poor guy.  Nothing ever good happens to this fellow.  But seriously, it is worth it if you can commit to the length! 

Read more about this book here. 

After the Goldfinch, I needed something light and this one was perfect.  Another fast read, you can relate to the characters fast and for some reason the ending really surprised me!  

Read more about this book here. 

This is actually written by J.K. Rowling but she wrote under the pseudonym Robert Galbraith.  It took me a little while to get hooked, but then I couldn't put it down as I was trying to figure out who did it!  I am waiting for the second one on the library hold list! 

What was the best book you read this summer?

Follow me on goodreads! 

My Boys, The Readers

Reading is so important to me and I would do many questionable things to pass that on to my children. So far I must be doing something right, because both children seem to love it.  Charlie now takes books and pretends to read them with all sorts of sounds and inflections.  You would die of adorable overload (it's a real condition).  

My mom gave Paul some early reader books which he memorized in 2 hours.  The other night he asked me if he could lay in my bed and read like I do.  Obviously I said yes.  He turned on the lamp and proceeded to read four books to me.  It was the sweetest thing I have witnessed.  I hope this love of reading continues.

Next week I'll share some of my favorite reads of the summer!

I hope you all read this about an incredible, thoughtful teacher and then I hope you hug your own child's teacher.  Or at least buy them a coffee.  

Tori sent me this gem of what Instagram pictures are "really" saying.  Scroll through the slideshow.  You won't regret it. 

These kids letters will also make you chuckle this morning.  

This is how our weekend went.  Charlie has pink eye in both eyes.  Getting drops in a one year old's eyes is our own Olympic sport.  And then he spilled this entire box of pasta on the floor.  And thought it was hilarious.  Oh boys. 

Friday Treats!

Friday Reads: 
A Mountain I'm Willing To Die On- by Momastery!  She is speaking at the Tattered Cover next week in Highlands Ranch and I'm thinking I need to be there!

Friday Laughs: 
10 Parent Social Media Fails.  Why is it so funny when our parents make mistakes on Facebook, Twitter, etc?  Someday Paul and Charlie will be laughing at our inability to master whatever the new thing will be.  That is sad.  But until that day, it's pretty funny.  

Friday Looking Forward To: 
A Saturday morning haircut.  My hair is really losing its shine and luster (thanks baby Charlie) and falling out by the hand fulls.  Hope we can bring it back to life! 

Friday Recipe:
This is a healthy website I can finally get behind.  Warning: there is a whole of F word.  But it's worth it. 

Friday Picture: 

How big is this guy??

Friday Drinking Problem:
We have been officially potty training for 24 hours.  This has resulted in contemplation of drinking beer at 8:00 am.  I hoping today goes better, but I am not too optimistic.  Here's to an early happy hour! 

Friday Treats

Friday Reads:
This is guaranteed to make you laugh, How to Be a Perfect Parent in 5 Easy Steps... or Probably Never.  My favorite part is the chart.  

Dear Mom on the iPhone, I Get it.  I love this support of other parents, and doing the almost impossible of looking at the situation instead of judging an individual. 

Friday Eats:
Made this recipe on Monday that called for roasted broccoli.  Can you believe I had never roasted broccoli before?  So easy yet so good! 

Friday Picture:

My chunker baby, tummy time, and trying to get my friend Sarah to give me some advice on using the Moby Wrap.  What did we do before iPhones??


Friday Looking Forward To...
Meeting this new baby, and this lovely lady and her twins.  The play date is set for Tuesday morning.  That my friends, is a whole lot of PENIS.

Friday Video:

 

Someone can roll over!  

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend! 

Llama Misses Mama

Do you all know about these Llama Llama books?  They are so cute and funny and they rhyme. 
Llama Llama Misses Mama, is about Llama going to school for the first time.  Llama misses his mom while she is at work and gets really sad until the other animals rally around him and help him realize school is fun!

Paul has most of this book memorized since we have read it about a billion times.  But every time we get to the part where Llama realizes that Mama Llama has returned from work to pick him up, Paul always exclaims the words, "Mama Mama, you came back."  Then before he turns the page, he snuggles up to me and says, "Mommy, you're my baby." 

Love.  Every single time.

Here is a little clip of Paul "reading."  I pray everyday that he continues to love books as much as he does now! 

Friday Treats!

Friday Reads: 
In the theme of breastfeeding, I love this post about deciding to quit pumping.  Obviously breastfeeding is an emotional topic for everyone!

And everyone read this post and applaud Janet's dedication to breastfeed her twins.  I think it is difficult feeding one, I can't imagine tandem feeding two!  This post is so inspirational!

Friday Eats: 
I made this recipe for dinner this week and it was a big hit with everyone.  Or a big hit for Ryan and I since Paul has boycotted eating.

Friday Picture: 

My mom sent this to me when she was watching the boys while we were at work.  For some reason looking at this single picture solidified the fact that I have TWO children.  Crazy business.  This picture was taken right before Paul informed my mom he wanted to toot in her face.

Friday Shopping: 
I sent this shirt to Maureen with instruction to buy immediately.

Friday Video: 
My favorite big boy that loves reading! 

It Has Come to This!

Boxed wine.  Before you judge, let me explain:

1. It is kind of funny.  I mean, who buys boxed wine?
2. It is economical.  4 bottles in one box for 27 dollars?  Seriously.
3. It doesn't go bad.  If I just need one little glass a night, it stays in its airtight seal, and I don't have to worry about wasting wine.  (Who would ever waste wine?)

I think I have actually made a pretty mature decision going this route.  And I obviously was not paid to endorse the Black Box.  However, I think I would make a great spokesperson.  

Here is a little funny Friday read.  Happy Weekend! 

Friday Reads

Happy Weekend!  I am pretty sad/depressed/on an emotional roller coaster over here because today is my last day of maternity leave with just my sweet baby Charlie.  Tuesday I go back to work.  I can't believe the day is already here.  And although I only have to go back 3 days a week, my heart literally hurts about the thought of leaving my baby.

Dear Universe,
Please let me win the lottery this weekend.  Or just send a lot of money to my mailbox.
Thank you.

Seriously, how do I work from home?

Anyway, to distract me from the big day I have been doing a bit of reading.  I am now obsessed with reading on my ipad and iphone.  They are perfect tools to read from while breastfeeding a baby.  Because I enjoyed Anne Lamott's Operating Instructions so much, I picked up Some Assembly Required from the library.  This book is about her son having his first son and what it is like to observe your child raising their own child/your grandchild.  I am enjoying it so far but I am not sure I would like Lamott as my mother-in-law.  She is certainly an opinionated woman to say the least.  

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I had heard so much about The Language of Flowers and it finally became free at the library.  I read it in two days.  It was a little hard to read because it is about foster care, adoption, and abandoning children.  My emotions are not quite strong enough to think about leaving a baby when I am holding my own little bundle of love.  Nevertheless, I really enjoyed this book.

 

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My friend Sarah sent me this article about how newborns are actually pretty easy.  Especially the second time around.  And in relation to your toddler.  I would have to agree.

These are all the reasons my child could be freaking out.  So true and good for a laugh.

Finally, here are 10 Lessons Everyone Learns in Their 20's.  I loved #4 and #8. 

Happy Weekend everyone.  Please send me lottery numbers.

Operating Instructions

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The other day a pregnant friend told me she enjoyed reading me blog because it was real.  A very nice compliment I thought.  Because of my obsession of reading, I've devoured MANY parenting books, sleeping books, developmental books, etc.  Frankly, I haven't found one that I loved.  They are either too optimistic, or too hard to implement, or so far away from reality that no one can relate.  However, I think my search is over.  Operating Instructions by Anne Lamott is simply her journal about her son's first year of life.  Her circumstances were a bit different than mine.  She was a single mother at 35 and her son had some bouts with colic.  Nevertheless, she does an incredible job of documenting the intense love she has for her son while being completely honest of how hard the role of parenting is or can be.  In fact, one of my favorite parts is when she writes about suffering from sleep deprivation and fantasizes about putting the baby on the porch for the night to see if he could survive.  A natural selection experiment of sorts.  Obviously she did carry out this plan, but how refreshing to share in that moment of despair when you are thinking that if this whole parenting thing was meant to be, the baby would survive a night outside by himself.  

That is the whole thing about parenthood.  You are constantly trying to find that fine line between thinking your child is perfect and so smart and we are such a happy family, nothing can get us down versus I am Ashley Judd in the Ya Ya Sisterhood and I am driving in my convertible away from my four small children to have a psychotic break.  Some days it is truly amazing.  Your babies are listening to you, they are smiling and happy and give you the best hugs, even choking your neck a bit.  And some days you want to put them outside with the dog with a bowl of water and hope for the best in the morning. 

I hope you find that balance this weekend!  Happy Friday!

The Reading Room

We moved this summer when I was pregnant and unmotivated.  It literally took us months to unpack boxes because lying on the couch was much more desirable.  We finally got our acts together, and put together the boy's rooms and the guest room.  We have an additional bedroom/office that was lacking any sort of decor.  The previous owners had used it as a craft room but since I don't even sew buttons, I didn't think I should carry on that theme.  As you can see, this was literally a blank canvas.

I did have some bookshelves in there and a random chair, but it lacked direction to say the least.  One of my former students is a freshman in college and studying interior design.  I had her over during her Winter break to see if she had some inspiration.  Of course she did.  This gal worked her tail off creating an amazing space just for me.  Since I now live in an all boy house she made the room a little retreat for me.  I love it.  The pictures don't do it justice because of all the natural light this room has.  I should get out my good camera and take better pictures, but I am too tired.  Trust me.  

These are my new white bookshelves, that still need to be mounted to the wall and then I will add all my favorite books! 

White frames that still need pictures of my cute family, and a custom made mirror! 

My comfy chaise lounge with white throw!  She made that side table and lamp using zip ties.  Isn't that crazy?  See that tiny little box on the side table?  It is decorative and pretty.  One day I opened it up and found 5 little cars in there.  I guess a certain 2 year old is not getting the "no boys allowed' message.  

The room is so nice and has a relaxing energy to it.  I can't wait to sit in there with wine and a good book and have a little girl time!