I'm settling the kids down for their naps. Sophie usually has a "quiet time" in my bed since she shares a room with Gideon and keeps him up the whole time.
Sophie snuggles down into my bed with her dozen dolls and grabs the sleep mask I use when I sleep. Nesting herself into all of the pillows on the bed, she puts the mask over her eyes.
Me: "Are you going to sleep with Mama's mask?"
Sophie: "Niy-niy!"
What a little cutie. She's imitating her Mama!
I kiss her sweet little forehead.
Me: "OK. I love you, sweetie."
Sophie: "I SAY NIY-NIY!"
*blink*
Me: (under my breath) "Have a pleasant nap, Missie Sahib."
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Monday, January 9, 2012
Get Out Of Jail Free
I'm sitting on the couch with Gideon snuggled under my arm. We soon realize that he's asleep and it's time to move him back to his crib for a nap. Ben comes over to pick him up and Gideon rolls over and snuggles onto my chest. My heart bursts into a million pieces and I hold my little man closer.
Me: "Awww...you look so cute and you're so sweet! Just for that you won't get in trouble the first time you wreck the car!"
Ben: "THAT'S IT! Give him to me!"
Ben hikes him up and mutters "Don't listen to your mother!" as he carries my baby away.
Me: "Awww...you look so cute and you're so sweet! Just for that you won't get in trouble the first time you wreck the car!"
Ben: "THAT'S IT! Give him to me!"
Ben hikes him up and mutters "Don't listen to your mother!" as he carries my baby away.
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Things That Made Me Smile
Watching Sophie knock on the door of the Little People Ark and announce loudly "Come in!"
Watching Milly take two wobbly steps and then drop to the floor to crawl psychotically fast to what she wants.
Looking around frantically for Gideon only to find him lying behind the couch cushion where I usually sit almost totally camouflaged.
Watching Milly take two wobbly steps and then drop to the floor to crawl psychotically fast to what she wants.
Looking around frantically for Gideon only to find him lying behind the couch cushion where I usually sit almost totally camouflaged.
Target Tantrum
*sigh*
Yesterday, I was That Mom.
Sophie and I had gone to Target to get just a few things. Meaning we went into Target with a list of 5 things and left with a cartful of stuff. That's just what you do at Target. We had just come into the store and Sophie was acting very good. She held my hand through the parking lot, counted the handicapped signs and tried to pick up the giant red ball at the front like she always does. We picked out a cart - Sophie requested the red one and I complied - and headed into the store. Sophie trotted beside me with a grin on her face. All is going well.
Then came that dadgum Dollar Spot.
Now I love that Dollar Spot. We find all sorts of cheap crap there. Sophie loves funky socks and I regularly pick out 4 to 6 pairs every few months for her because I don't care if they get lost or fall apart. We found 2 pairs of Minnie Mouse socks for Sophie and 2 pairs of Mickey socks for Gideon. Great. Now Mama's ready to leave and do the rest of the shopping.
Sophie has different ideas.
I take her hand and begin walking away and she somehow makes herself triple in weight. Seriously, she just willed her kidneys to turn to lead or something. So I tried the method of OK, I'm going to just leave you here!
Lalalala! Mama's walking away!
...
I glance back after 20 feet and Sophie is standing there. Defiant o'Pigtails with her arms firmly crossed over her chest and her little pigeon toed feet planted.
About that time, my Mama calls. I answer the phone and tell her what her precious gem of a granddaughter is doing. She tells me to go over and put her in the cart. I sigh and turn the cart around. The Little Nutjob just glares me down as I approach. As soon as I touch her arm, she goes completely boneless.
"Mama, I have to go. Your granddaughter is a jellyfish."
So, without ceremony, I haul my defiant little nutjob jellyfish up and dump her into the red cart. As I begin to push the cart down the aisle with a now scream-fake sobbing mental patient nearing 11, I lean down and whisper what every mother has said...
"I hope you have a daughter someday JUST LIKE YOU."
Yesterday, I was That Mom.
Sophie and I had gone to Target to get just a few things. Meaning we went into Target with a list of 5 things and left with a cartful of stuff. That's just what you do at Target. We had just come into the store and Sophie was acting very good. She held my hand through the parking lot, counted the handicapped signs and tried to pick up the giant red ball at the front like she always does. We picked out a cart - Sophie requested the red one and I complied - and headed into the store. Sophie trotted beside me with a grin on her face. All is going well.
Then came that dadgum Dollar Spot.
Now I love that Dollar Spot. We find all sorts of cheap crap there. Sophie loves funky socks and I regularly pick out 4 to 6 pairs every few months for her because I don't care if they get lost or fall apart. We found 2 pairs of Minnie Mouse socks for Sophie and 2 pairs of Mickey socks for Gideon. Great. Now Mama's ready to leave and do the rest of the shopping.
Sophie has different ideas.
I take her hand and begin walking away and she somehow makes herself triple in weight. Seriously, she just willed her kidneys to turn to lead or something. So I tried the method of OK, I'm going to just leave you here!
Lalalala! Mama's walking away!
...
I glance back after 20 feet and Sophie is standing there. Defiant o'Pigtails with her arms firmly crossed over her chest and her little pigeon toed feet planted.
About that time, my Mama calls. I answer the phone and tell her what her precious gem of a granddaughter is doing. She tells me to go over and put her in the cart. I sigh and turn the cart around. The Little Nutjob just glares me down as I approach. As soon as I touch her arm, she goes completely boneless.
"Mama, I have to go. Your granddaughter is a jellyfish."
So, without ceremony, I haul my defiant little nutjob jellyfish up and dump her into the red cart. As I begin to push the cart down the aisle with a now scream-fake sobbing mental patient nearing 11, I lean down and whisper what every mother has said...
"I hope you have a daughter someday JUST LIKE YOU."
Monday, January 2, 2012
2011 Movie Review and 2012 Previews
MOVIES
2011:
Thor
Captain America
X-Men First Class
This was a banner year for superhero movies. I enjoyed every one of these movies but, if pressed to choose, I would take Captain America as my favorite. That's taking into account my previous deep dislike of Chris Evans so that's saying A LOT. That man drives me bonkers and I still enjoyed every minute of this movie. Thor was a pretty movie; not a lot in the way of story but very nice to watch.
No, Jessica, I don't just mean Chris Hemsworth's pectoral muscles.
Although those were very nice.
X-Men did a good job introducing the mutants that I hold so near and dear to my heart. James McAvoy is a wonderful young Charles Xavier with just the right amount of arrogance and intelligence. Michael Fassbender is heartbreaking as Erik Lensherr. I like movies that make me rethink how I feel about villains and this one did. I really hope they make this into a trilogy to go with the Singer movies.
Super 8
*sigh*
Oh, Jaybrams. Dude, I really want to like your movies. I liked Alias...the first two seasons and some select episodes of the remaining seasons. Star Trek made me weep with geeky tears of joy. Lost held my attention for more time than many other TV shows. I'm enjoying Person of Interest but we'll talk about that later.
I just couldn't get into Super 8. Kids that know a secret! Single dad who wants to know the truth! The military is hiding something! The girl is gonna kiss him! WHO LET THE DOGS OUT?!
Honey, please just let M. Night Shyamalan be M. Night Shymalan and go back to working on the Star Trek sequels.
Moneyball
At first I agreed to go see this movie because I knew my husband wanted to see it. Math and baseball combined? Dude, my husband is THERE. I actually ended up liking it. Good story, easy to follow during the technical parts and awesome actors. I would gladly watch this movie again and I'm even considering skimming the book sometime.
Bridesmaids
Cowboys and Aliens
The Muppets
Sherlock Holmes
MI4
Iron Lady
These are all movies that came out in 2011 that I have not yet gotten to see but have every intention of watching.
2012:
John Carter
Dude. Duuuuuuuuuuuuude. This movie is going to be so cool. The movie is based on A Princess of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs who also created Tarzan. The story is basically about a Confederate veteran who is mysteriously taken to Mars and caught in a battle with two races of Martians.
How can that NOT sound interesting?!
The Hunger Games
I've already talked about how much I enjoyed the books and I only have one thing to say about the movies.
PLEASE, GET IT RIGHT.
Don't lighten it up. Don't pretty up Katniss. Don't take out too much. Don't make Cinna overwhelming. Don't make the Arena any less terrifying.
Just let it be.
The Avengers
Sweet mother of all that is Holy and Geekified. "Looking forward to this movie" cannot convey all of my emotions. Every time I watch the trailers, I get goosebumps and I squeal. I analyze screencaps to see what might be important. I study the backgrounds of the characters. I'm going into this one READY.
The Dark Knight Rises
"Oh Kelly, another geek movie?"
WHAT SITE DO YOU THINK YOU'RE READING?!
Chris Nolan is finishing his Batman trilogy. Gary Oldman, Michael Caine and Morgan Freeman are all amazing in these movies. Even Christian Bale makes a good Batman and I really never believed that he could. Anne Hathaway is the sultry Selena Kyle. This movie is going to rock my argyle socks off.
The Hobbit
I read The Hobbit for the first time when I was in eighth grade and now I have almost the whole book memorized. Peter Jackson is coming back after 10 years from The Fellowship of the Ring and putting his spin on this glorious tale. I'll be there to make sure Kili and Fili are as feisty, that Balin is as loyal, that Thorin is as fierce and that The Battle of the Five Armies is as epic as I remember.
2011:
Thor
Captain America
X-Men First Class
This was a banner year for superhero movies. I enjoyed every one of these movies but, if pressed to choose, I would take Captain America as my favorite. That's taking into account my previous deep dislike of Chris Evans so that's saying A LOT. That man drives me bonkers and I still enjoyed every minute of this movie. Thor was a pretty movie; not a lot in the way of story but very nice to watch.
No, Jessica, I don't just mean Chris Hemsworth's pectoral muscles.
Although those were very nice.
X-Men did a good job introducing the mutants that I hold so near and dear to my heart. James McAvoy is a wonderful young Charles Xavier with just the right amount of arrogance and intelligence. Michael Fassbender is heartbreaking as Erik Lensherr. I like movies that make me rethink how I feel about villains and this one did. I really hope they make this into a trilogy to go with the Singer movies.
Super 8
*sigh*
Oh, Jaybrams. Dude, I really want to like your movies. I liked Alias...the first two seasons and some select episodes of the remaining seasons. Star Trek made me weep with geeky tears of joy. Lost held my attention for more time than many other TV shows. I'm enjoying Person of Interest but we'll talk about that later.
I just couldn't get into Super 8. Kids that know a secret! Single dad who wants to know the truth! The military is hiding something! The girl is gonna kiss him! WHO LET THE DOGS OUT?!
Honey, please just let M. Night Shyamalan be M. Night Shymalan and go back to working on the Star Trek sequels.
Moneyball
At first I agreed to go see this movie because I knew my husband wanted to see it. Math and baseball combined? Dude, my husband is THERE. I actually ended up liking it. Good story, easy to follow during the technical parts and awesome actors. I would gladly watch this movie again and I'm even considering skimming the book sometime.
Bridesmaids
Cowboys and Aliens
The Muppets
Sherlock Holmes
MI4
Iron Lady
These are all movies that came out in 2011 that I have not yet gotten to see but have every intention of watching.
2012:
John Carter
Dude. Duuuuuuuuuuuuude. This movie is going to be so cool. The movie is based on A Princess of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs who also created Tarzan. The story is basically about a Confederate veteran who is mysteriously taken to Mars and caught in a battle with two races of Martians.
How can that NOT sound interesting?!
The Hunger Games
I've already talked about how much I enjoyed the books and I only have one thing to say about the movies.
PLEASE, GET IT RIGHT.
Don't lighten it up. Don't pretty up Katniss. Don't take out too much. Don't make Cinna overwhelming. Don't make the Arena any less terrifying.
Just let it be.
The Avengers
Sweet mother of all that is Holy and Geekified. "Looking forward to this movie" cannot convey all of my emotions. Every time I watch the trailers, I get goosebumps and I squeal. I analyze screencaps to see what might be important. I study the backgrounds of the characters. I'm going into this one READY.
The Dark Knight Rises
"Oh Kelly, another geek movie?"
WHAT SITE DO YOU THINK YOU'RE READING?!
Chris Nolan is finishing his Batman trilogy. Gary Oldman, Michael Caine and Morgan Freeman are all amazing in these movies. Even Christian Bale makes a good Batman and I really never believed that he could. Anne Hathaway is the sultry Selena Kyle. This movie is going to rock my argyle socks off.
The Hobbit
I read The Hobbit for the first time when I was in eighth grade and now I have almost the whole book memorized. Peter Jackson is coming back after 10 years from The Fellowship of the Ring and putting his spin on this glorious tale. I'll be there to make sure Kili and Fili are as feisty, that Balin is as loyal, that Thorin is as fierce and that The Battle of the Five Armies is as epic as I remember.
Sunday, January 1, 2012
2011 Book Reviews and 2012 Previews
2011:
Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan
Percy Jackson and the Heroes of Olympus by Rick Riordan
Let's take these two series together. I loved these books. In fact, when reading the first series the third time, I realized that I liked them better than the Harry Potter books. That's saying quite a bit. If you are a fan of Greek and Roman mythology and like YA fiction then I have no idea why you aren't at the library, bookstore or on an e-book site right this second. You must have these books in your life. You must know the story of Percy, Annabeth and loveable Tyson.
The Kane Chronicles by Rick Riordan
After falling so in love with the Percy Jackson series, I found and read the first two books in the Kane Chronicles. I wasn't as impressed by these books but they are still good. These books are based on Egyptian mythology. After reading these I truly wonder if Riordan is gearing up for a Norse mythology series. I would totally snap that up.
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
WOW. I read the first book on my Kindle after hearing about 9 gazillion friends tell me that this is a life changing series. I plowed through the first book and then bought and devoured the last two all within two days. I gave myself a few days to process the books and then spent two more days reading them again. I read this whole trilogy about 10 times during 2011 and will probably read it even more through 2012. I will give these books to my kids when they are ready. There is no age limit to me. These are difficult books to read in subject matter. I'll gauge how ready the kids are and introduce them when I believe they are ready. I could see these becoming required reading in schools at some point if they aren't already.
The Seven Realms by Cinda Williams Chima
Before Thanksgiving, I was whining on Facebook about having nothing new to read. A friend pointed me to this YA fantasy series and now I am in her debt. Chima has created a world of royalty, clans and wizards. There are traders, craftspeople and hunters in the clans. She weaves a story of warriors fighting for their lands; some with magic and some so opposed to magic that they kill anyone with a trace of wizardry. There is a line of queens ruling the land and the books focus on the latest heir. I was entranced with this new world and read quickly through the three books. I love authors that create a new world for me to explore.
The Redemption Series by Karen Kingsbury
This is a 5-book series about the Baxter family written by Christian author Karen Kingsbury. I read these books because they were on the Kindle I was graceously given by my MIL when she upgraded. They are very easy to read and great for people that like warm-fuzzy books where the family overcome hardships with grace, love and family togetherness.
YACK.
I read them because they were there, I was bored and I had a newborn so I couldn't turn pages. If this is your thing, then go for it. I will only poke a tiny bit of fun at you if I know you well enough.
2012:
Percy Jackson and the Heroes of Olympus by Rick Riordan
The Kane Chronicles by Rick Riordan
The third book in the Heroes of Olympus series is being released in fall of 2012. The third book in the Kane Chronicles trilogy will be released in the spring of 2012.
GET CRACKING RIORDAN. ALSO BE THINKING ABOUT THAT WHOLE NORSE MYTHOLOGY THING.
Divergent by Veronica Roth
Insurgent by Veronica Roth
A teen thriller trilogy set in dystopian Chicago. Chicago is divided into five "factions" all representing a different virtue. When children turn 16, they must take a test and choose a faction. The trilogy follows a young girl named Beatrice who just turned 16. I am on this like stink on Gideon's butt.
Inheritance by Christopher Paolini
It took him what felt like 385 years but that little butthead finally finished this series. Now I just have to read the last book and find out what happens to Eragon and Saphira.
I say butthead affectionately. I love this series and Paolini brought dragons back to the public eye. Dragons are awesome.
The Wilder Life by Wendy McClure
As did nearly every other young girl in America, I read the Little House books. I still read the Little House books and I can't wait to read them to my kiddos. Sophie has already listened to a chapter here and there. Wendy McClure took this to a new level and wrote a book dedicated to figuring out the truth and fiction surrounding Laura Ingalls Wilder and the Little House books. The woman made a green pumpkin pie, for crying out loud!
There are, of course, more books that I plan to read in 2012. I'm set up on Goodreads and have set a goal of 50 books for the year. Honestly, I would love to blow that out of the water but you never can tell when you're the mother of three.
Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan
Percy Jackson and the Heroes of Olympus by Rick Riordan
Let's take these two series together. I loved these books. In fact, when reading the first series the third time, I realized that I liked them better than the Harry Potter books. That's saying quite a bit. If you are a fan of Greek and Roman mythology and like YA fiction then I have no idea why you aren't at the library, bookstore or on an e-book site right this second. You must have these books in your life. You must know the story of Percy, Annabeth and loveable Tyson.
The Kane Chronicles by Rick Riordan
After falling so in love with the Percy Jackson series, I found and read the first two books in the Kane Chronicles. I wasn't as impressed by these books but they are still good. These books are based on Egyptian mythology. After reading these I truly wonder if Riordan is gearing up for a Norse mythology series. I would totally snap that up.
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
WOW. I read the first book on my Kindle after hearing about 9 gazillion friends tell me that this is a life changing series. I plowed through the first book and then bought and devoured the last two all within two days. I gave myself a few days to process the books and then spent two more days reading them again. I read this whole trilogy about 10 times during 2011 and will probably read it even more through 2012. I will give these books to my kids when they are ready. There is no age limit to me. These are difficult books to read in subject matter. I'll gauge how ready the kids are and introduce them when I believe they are ready. I could see these becoming required reading in schools at some point if they aren't already.
The Seven Realms by Cinda Williams Chima
Before Thanksgiving, I was whining on Facebook about having nothing new to read. A friend pointed me to this YA fantasy series and now I am in her debt. Chima has created a world of royalty, clans and wizards. There are traders, craftspeople and hunters in the clans. She weaves a story of warriors fighting for their lands; some with magic and some so opposed to magic that they kill anyone with a trace of wizardry. There is a line of queens ruling the land and the books focus on the latest heir. I was entranced with this new world and read quickly through the three books. I love authors that create a new world for me to explore.
The Redemption Series by Karen Kingsbury
This is a 5-book series about the Baxter family written by Christian author Karen Kingsbury. I read these books because they were on the Kindle I was graceously given by my MIL when she upgraded. They are very easy to read and great for people that like warm-fuzzy books where the family overcome hardships with grace, love and family togetherness.
YACK.
I read them because they were there, I was bored and I had a newborn so I couldn't turn pages. If this is your thing, then go for it. I will only poke a tiny bit of fun at you if I know you well enough.
2012:
Percy Jackson and the Heroes of Olympus by Rick Riordan
The Kane Chronicles by Rick Riordan
The third book in the Heroes of Olympus series is being released in fall of 2012. The third book in the Kane Chronicles trilogy will be released in the spring of 2012.
GET CRACKING RIORDAN. ALSO BE THINKING ABOUT THAT WHOLE NORSE MYTHOLOGY THING.
Divergent by Veronica Roth
Insurgent by Veronica Roth
A teen thriller trilogy set in dystopian Chicago. Chicago is divided into five "factions" all representing a different virtue. When children turn 16, they must take a test and choose a faction. The trilogy follows a young girl named Beatrice who just turned 16. I am on this like stink on Gideon's butt.
Inheritance by Christopher Paolini
It took him what felt like 385 years but that little butthead finally finished this series. Now I just have to read the last book and find out what happens to Eragon and Saphira.
I say butthead affectionately. I love this series and Paolini brought dragons back to the public eye. Dragons are awesome.
The Wilder Life by Wendy McClure
As did nearly every other young girl in America, I read the Little House books. I still read the Little House books and I can't wait to read them to my kiddos. Sophie has already listened to a chapter here and there. Wendy McClure took this to a new level and wrote a book dedicated to figuring out the truth and fiction surrounding Laura Ingalls Wilder and the Little House books. The woman made a green pumpkin pie, for crying out loud!
There are, of course, more books that I plan to read in 2012. I'm set up on Goodreads and have set a goal of 50 books for the year. Honestly, I would love to blow that out of the water but you never can tell when you're the mother of three.
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