Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Classics Bookclub
It's time for the quarterly Classics Bookclub at 5 Minutes for Books. At this point in the year, I am really glad I read several books in the first quarter because I didn't read any classics in the third quarter!
This was my original list for the year:
Jane Eyre (Readable Classics)
Little Women
To Kill a Mockingbird
Gone with the Wind
From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler
So far this year, I've finished Jane Eyre, From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler (I LOVE this book), and Little Women. I plan to meet my goal of five classics for the year, but I am going to adjust my list slightly by removing Gone with the Wind and replacing it with the Readable Classics version of The Scarlet Letter
. I have this book ready to read. I plan to reread To Kill a Mockingbird as well (I read this book in high school).I have been a slacker the last few months, but I know I can meet my goal by the end of the year. To find out how others are doing with the Classics Challenge, be sure to visit 5 Minutes for Books!
Labels: Books
Monday, August 30, 2010
Phone Calls
My Best Girl's description of the difference between mom and dad's phone calls:
"Mom, when Dad is on the phone it is just 'Hello. Talk. Talk. Talk. Goodbye.'
With you, it is 'Hello. Talk. Talk. Talk. Talk. Talk. Talk. Talk. Talk. Talk. Talk. Talk. Talk. Talk. Talk.' You talk forever!"
I guess she's picked up on the fact that mom and dad are very different when it comes to communication. :) In my defense, I don't talk on the phone that much. But any comparison between my phone calls and my husband's is bound to leave me looking like I talk incessantly!
"Mom, when Dad is on the phone it is just 'Hello. Talk. Talk. Talk. Goodbye.'
With you, it is 'Hello. Talk. Talk. Talk. Talk. Talk. Talk. Talk. Talk. Talk. Talk. Talk. Talk. Talk. Talk.' You talk forever!"
I guess she's picked up on the fact that mom and dad are very different when it comes to communication. :) In my defense, I don't talk on the phone that much. But any comparison between my phone calls and my husband's is bound to leave me looking like I talk incessantly!
Labels: My Best Girl
Friday, August 27, 2010
Chicago, Part Two
We recently visited Chicago. To read about the first part of our trip, click HERE.
On day three of our trip, we headed to the Museum of Science and Industry. This museum is HUGE! There were so many exhibits to visit that we couldn't do them all. My Favorite Boy could have stayed longer, but after three hours, my Best Girl was wearing down. We did visit a submarine exhibit, a farm exhibit, an area for young children, and a weather exhibit (plus others that I can't remember). Although the MOSI is a little further away than most tourist spots in Chicago, I highly recommend it!
After we left the museum, we went back to Navy Pier for a boat ride. Several years ago, my husband and I were in Chicago, and I wanted to do an architectural boat tour. Unfortunately, it rained, and we couldn't fit it into our trip. This time around, I planned for the architectural tour, but I chose a company that also included a speed boat ride on Lake Michigan. I knew that would interest the kids! I was pleasantly surprised when my Favorite Boy loved all the architectural fun facts. He listened to everything the guide said. My Best Girl did not, but she enjoyed seeing ducks and kayaks along the way, and she thoroughly enjoyed the speed boat portion!
On the fourth day of our trip, we spent most of our time at the Lincoln Park Zoo, and we also visited the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum. The Zoo was great, but I have learned that we really aren't a zoo family. My Favorite Boy doesn't really care for them at all, and even though my Best Girl likes them better than her brother does, the zoo is not a the top of her favorites list. I do, however, like this family shot at the entrance!
After dinner, we enjoyed one last fun outing: we headed to the Sears Tower (this is technically the Willis Tower now, but no one called it that). At the Skydeck, they have added some retractable glass boxes that stick out from the top of the building. These were so cool! It felt like you were suspended in mid-air. The kids loved this.
We had a wonderful trip to Chicago, and it was fun to end the summer with a bang. Next trip: Disney World in November. I am sure no one is surprised by that!
On day three of our trip, we headed to the Museum of Science and Industry. This museum is HUGE! There were so many exhibits to visit that we couldn't do them all. My Favorite Boy could have stayed longer, but after three hours, my Best Girl was wearing down. We did visit a submarine exhibit, a farm exhibit, an area for young children, and a weather exhibit (plus others that I can't remember). Although the MOSI is a little further away than most tourist spots in Chicago, I highly recommend it!
After we left the museum, we went back to Navy Pier for a boat ride. Several years ago, my husband and I were in Chicago, and I wanted to do an architectural boat tour. Unfortunately, it rained, and we couldn't fit it into our trip. This time around, I planned for the architectural tour, but I chose a company that also included a speed boat ride on Lake Michigan. I knew that would interest the kids! I was pleasantly surprised when my Favorite Boy loved all the architectural fun facts. He listened to everything the guide said. My Best Girl did not, but she enjoyed seeing ducks and kayaks along the way, and she thoroughly enjoyed the speed boat portion!
On the fourth day of our trip, we spent most of our time at the Lincoln Park Zoo, and we also visited the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum. The Zoo was great, but I have learned that we really aren't a zoo family. My Favorite Boy doesn't really care for them at all, and even though my Best Girl likes them better than her brother does, the zoo is not a the top of her favorites list. I do, however, like this family shot at the entrance!
After dinner, we enjoyed one last fun outing: we headed to the Sears Tower (this is technically the Willis Tower now, but no one called it that). At the Skydeck, they have added some retractable glass boxes that stick out from the top of the building. These were so cool! It felt like you were suspended in mid-air. The kids loved this.
We had a wonderful trip to Chicago, and it was fun to end the summer with a bang. Next trip: Disney World in November. I am sure no one is surprised by that!Labels: Family and Friends, Fun, My Best Girl, My Favorite Boy
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
First Day of Kindergarten
My Best Girl enjoyed her first half-day of kindergarten! She looked like such a big girl as we walked into the school (except when she had her thumb in her mouth).
As soon as we entered the building, my Best Girl was greeted by one of my close friends who was working the school's welcome desk. She gave my friend a hug, and then we were off to her classroom. My Best Girl's teacher, Mrs. B., was very welcoming. She warmly greeted my Best Girl, and then they posed for a picture.
During the half-day, the children enjoyed centers, a story, a tour of the school, recess, and lunch. They also went over the rules of kindergarten. My Best Girl seemed to have a good day, but she was very tired. She is really going to be worn out next week when she starts full-time on Monday!
I am really excited for her, but I am going to miss her so much. It will be much calmer, quieter, and cleaner around here without my Best Girl to spice things up!
As soon as we entered the building, my Best Girl was greeted by one of my close friends who was working the school's welcome desk. She gave my friend a hug, and then we were off to her classroom. My Best Girl's teacher, Mrs. B., was very welcoming. She warmly greeted my Best Girl, and then they posed for a picture.
During the half-day, the children enjoyed centers, a story, a tour of the school, recess, and lunch. They also went over the rules of kindergarten. My Best Girl seemed to have a good day, but she was very tired. She is really going to be worn out next week when she starts full-time on Monday!I am really excited for her, but I am going to miss her so much. It will be much calmer, quieter, and cleaner around here without my Best Girl to spice things up!
Labels: My Best Girl
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
What's On My Nightstand - August
I'm running a little behind with my monthly Nightstand post, so here's a brief summary of the books in my pile.
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
: My Favorite Boy and I are reading the series together. He lost interest for a little while, but he's wanting to start again. I am reading ahead of him, and I am about halfway through this book. It's fun to read them together!
Maker's Diet
: Because of my new interest in food and nutrition, a friend recommended this book to me. I'm looking forward to reading it.
Between Two Worlds
: This book has been in my pile for a while, and I finally started it this morning. It's about a journalist who was held in a prison in Iran, and it's fascinating so far. More to come in a review soon!
The Lovely Bones
: This book has also been in my pile for a while. I will read it this month!
The Scarlet Letter: The Classics Bookclub is quickly approaching. I really want to participate, so I am going to start the readable classics version of The Scarlet Letter this week. I read the original in high school, so I am excited to read this.
That's my pile! Be sure to visit 5 Minutes for Books to find other book suggestions.
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
: My Favorite Boy and I are reading the series together. He lost interest for a little while, but he's wanting to start again. I am reading ahead of him, and I am about halfway through this book. It's fun to read them together!Maker's Diet
: Because of my new interest in food and nutrition, a friend recommended this book to me. I'm looking forward to reading it.Between Two Worlds
: This book has been in my pile for a while, and I finally started it this morning. It's about a journalist who was held in a prison in Iran, and it's fascinating so far. More to come in a review soon!The Lovely Bones
: This book has also been in my pile for a while. I will read it this month!The Scarlet Letter
: The Classics Bookclub is quickly approaching. I really want to participate, so I am going to start the readable classics version of The Scarlet Letter this week. I read the original in high school, so I am excited to read this.That's my pile! Be sure to visit 5 Minutes for Books to find other book suggestions.
Labels: Books
Monday, August 23, 2010
A Special Day
My Best Girl has had an eventful day. First, she got a call from her kindergarten teacher. She had her heart set on a certain teacher, and she got the one she wanted. I am hopeful this will help with the transition (she is very attached to me). She goes tomorrow for a half-day, and then she starts full-time next Monday.
In other exciting news, my Best Girl had a swim lesson today, and at the end of the lesson, she passed the swim test! This means she can go down the slides and swim without me in the deep end. My Best Girl is very proud of this green bracelet!
In other exciting news, my Best Girl had a swim lesson today, and at the end of the lesson, she passed the swim test! This means she can go down the slides and swim without me in the deep end. My Best Girl is very proud of this green bracelet!
Labels: My Best Girl
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Chicago, Part One
The first week of August, we went to Chicago for an end-of-summer vacation. We had a wonderful time! The kids had never really been to a BIG city before, and they were amazed by the number of tall buildings and people and cars (and honking) everywhere. Although they thought the busyness was cool, my Favorite Boy did say it's too loud when you are trying to sleep in the city (I agree).
We arrived in Chicago on a Tuesday morning and headed to the Chicago Children's Museum. (We really took advantage of the membership to our local science museum during the trip. Most of the museums we visited have a reciprocal relationship with ours, so we got in free!) The CCM is geared toward young children, so my Best Girl especially liked it. She dug for dinosaur bones, played in the water area, and really enjoyed building things with Tinkertoys and large Erector sets. My Favorite Boy went for the physical activities, and he and Dad enjoyed the super-sized games. However, my Favorite Boy did not enjoy losing to Dad in checkers.
After the museum, we headed to Giordano's for my husbands favorite pizza in the world. I did break my healthy eating for one meal and had a couple of slices. I mean, you can't go to Chicago and not eat pizza, right? The kids couldn't believe how thick it was (we ordered a thin crust cheese pizza for them).
On Wednesday, we split up for some separate activities. My Favorite Boy and Dad went to the Cubs game. Thankfully, Dad now has a camera on his phone, so I have some evidence that they went to Wrigley field. The Cubs won 15-4, so it was a good day at the ballpark. The only downside was that it drizzled for most of the game. They were under the overhang, so they didn't get wet, but my Favorite Boy was hoping to run the bases after the game, and they cancelled this because they didn't want the field to get sloppy.
My Best Girl and I headed to American Girl Place for a special girls' day.
First, we took Sarah (the doll) to get her hair fixed. I was very impressed with most of our experience, but the hair salon was a rip-off. It only took the girl five minutes to finish. I did, however, learn that we should be spraying Sarah's hair with water when we brush it, so at least I got some helpful information.
As funny as it sounds, my Best Girl's favorite part of the American Girl Place was the bathroom. She loved it so much that we visited it four times. It was pink, purple, and completely girly. It was even equipped for the dolls: each stall had a doll holder. This was very well thought out, but amusing at the same time.
Our lunch was my favorite part. The restaurant was adorable, and my Best Girl and I enjoyed our four-course meal. The presentation of the food was so cute (the dessert was chocolate mousse in a flower pot with daisy, a flower shaped cake and butterfly cookie). Even Sarah got to enjoy the food.
We all met up in the afternoon and headed to Navy Pier for fun and fireworks. Both kids enjoyed the putt-putt course (even though it wasn't very nice). I guess it was an easy course because at some point, we all got holes-in-one. My Best Girl and I enjoyed the Ferris wheel while Dad and my Favorite Boy played a second game of putt-putt, and then we all watched the fireworks over Lake Michigan.
Our first two days in Chicago were so much fun! I'll post about the rest of our trip soon!
We arrived in Chicago on a Tuesday morning and headed to the Chicago Children's Museum. (We really took advantage of the membership to our local science museum during the trip. Most of the museums we visited have a reciprocal relationship with ours, so we got in free!) The CCM is geared toward young children, so my Best Girl especially liked it. She dug for dinosaur bones, played in the water area, and really enjoyed building things with Tinkertoys and large Erector sets. My Favorite Boy went for the physical activities, and he and Dad enjoyed the super-sized games. However, my Favorite Boy did not enjoy losing to Dad in checkers.
After the museum, we headed to Giordano's for my husbands favorite pizza in the world. I did break my healthy eating for one meal and had a couple of slices. I mean, you can't go to Chicago and not eat pizza, right? The kids couldn't believe how thick it was (we ordered a thin crust cheese pizza for them).
On Wednesday, we split up for some separate activities. My Favorite Boy and Dad went to the Cubs game. Thankfully, Dad now has a camera on his phone, so I have some evidence that they went to Wrigley field. The Cubs won 15-4, so it was a good day at the ballpark. The only downside was that it drizzled for most of the game. They were under the overhang, so they didn't get wet, but my Favorite Boy was hoping to run the bases after the game, and they cancelled this because they didn't want the field to get sloppy.
My Best Girl and I headed to American Girl Place for a special girls' day.
First, we took Sarah (the doll) to get her hair fixed. I was very impressed with most of our experience, but the hair salon was a rip-off. It only took the girl five minutes to finish. I did, however, learn that we should be spraying Sarah's hair with water when we brush it, so at least I got some helpful information.
As funny as it sounds, my Best Girl's favorite part of the American Girl Place was the bathroom. She loved it so much that we visited it four times. It was pink, purple, and completely girly. It was even equipped for the dolls: each stall had a doll holder. This was very well thought out, but amusing at the same time.
Our lunch was my favorite part. The restaurant was adorable, and my Best Girl and I enjoyed our four-course meal. The presentation of the food was so cute (the dessert was chocolate mousse in a flower pot with daisy, a flower shaped cake and butterfly cookie). Even Sarah got to enjoy the food.
We all met up in the afternoon and headed to Navy Pier for fun and fireworks. Both kids enjoyed the putt-putt course (even though it wasn't very nice). I guess it was an easy course because at some point, we all got holes-in-one. My Best Girl and I enjoyed the Ferris wheel while Dad and my Favorite Boy played a second game of putt-putt, and then we all watched the fireworks over Lake Michigan.
Our first two days in Chicago were so much fun! I'll post about the rest of our trip soon!Labels: Family and Friends, Fun, My Best Girl, My Favorite Boy
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Kid Picks
My Best Girl went for her kindergarten screening this morning. Next week, she will go one half-day, and on August 30th, she starts full-time. Since her brother is already in school all day, we have been enjoying some extra mommy-daughter reading time. One of the books she currently enjoys is On the Way to Kindergarten
. This book was a gift from Grammy and Papa, and it is a great one to start discussions about kindergarten. I know I have several more books about kindergarten around here, so I plan to get them out in the next week. I can't believe my baby is going to school!I am only sharing one title this month, but you can find lots more suggestions for kids at 5 Minutes for Books today!
Labels: Children's Books
Friday, August 13, 2010
Woozy
Thanks to an EGD, I've been a little loopy this afternoon. I won't try to spell out the real name for an EGD, but basically, I had a lighted camera inserted into my throat, esophagus, and stomach. A few weeks ago, when my upper GI failed to show reflux, I quit taking Prilosec. Unfortunately, I have gotten worse and worse since then, and my throat feels like it is on fire ALL. THE. TIME.
Thankfully, the scope didn't show evidence of anything serious, but it really didn't show anything at all. So...maybe I do have reflux, maybe I don't. Who knows? I am so grateful that the doctor found nothing serious, but I do hope we can figure out something! It's frustrating because I know there is a problem, but I don't know what it is.
I guess my search for answers will wait until next week. For now, I am going to take it easy and go to bed early. My body hasn't recovered from my medically induced nap this afternoon!
Thankfully, the scope didn't show evidence of anything serious, but it really didn't show anything at all. So...maybe I do have reflux, maybe I don't. Who knows? I am so grateful that the doctor found nothing serious, but I do hope we can figure out something! It's frustrating because I know there is a problem, but I don't know what it is.
I guess my search for answers will wait until next week. For now, I am going to take it easy and go to bed early. My body hasn't recovered from my medically induced nap this afternoon!
Labels: Me
Thursday, August 12, 2010
First Day of School
My Favorite Boy started third grade today. You would think I would be used to the first day by now, but it doesn't get easier. Leaving him in that classroom makes me sad! I am excited about his teacher, and I know he will have a good year. I'll adjust soon enough, but for now, I miss him!
(The green bracelet on his arm is the bracelet that indicates he has passed the swim test and can use the slides and the deep end of the pool. He doesn't want to take it off. I guess he hasn't accepted that summer break is over.)
My Best Girl starts in two weeks, so we will have another first day soon!
(The green bracelet on his arm is the bracelet that indicates he has passed the swim test and can use the slides and the deep end of the pool. He doesn't want to take it off. I guess he hasn't accepted that summer break is over.)
My Best Girl starts in two weeks, so we will have another first day soon!Labels: My Favorite Boy
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
We Left. We're Back. We're Busy.
We spent last week in Chicago and had a wonderful time. I'll be posting about our fun adventures as soon as I catch up some around here. Since my Favorite Boy returns to school on Thursday, however, I am not spending much time catching up on things because we are trying to cram as much fun as possible into the next few days. In our district, kindergarten starts a few weeks after all the other grades, so I'll have a little time to spend with my Best Girl before she goes to school. I can't believe the summer is over. It flew by!
I'll be back in day or two to share about our trip!
I'll be back in day or two to share about our trip!
Labels: Me
