Reviews of Books

The Remorseful Day by Colin Dexter.
      Ah. Great book. Great characters. This is the last in the Inspector Morse series. A series worth the time to read because of how well you get to know Inspector Morse and trusty Lewis. As Squirms says about Arnold Lobel (see below), they are my friends. I'd like to have a silent conversation with Morse and his blue eyes across a pub table. And to enjoy fish, chips, and eggs with Lewis after a long day at work.

Mornings on Horseback by David McCullough.
      I do enjoy reading about others' lives. And the more I read about Theodore Roosevelt, the more I respect him. I particularly liked that McCullough gives information on his family members too, like older sister Bamie. It seems Bamie might need her own biography written.

Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston.
      I read this because it is classified (in bookstores, school lists) as a classic. It's poetic. The writing is pretty. There are several phrases that are just beautiful. I had a difficult time getting drawn into the story and had to force myself to read. However, an english teacher / book lover that I trust assured me that it's one of her favorites so I'm glad that I finished it. If I read more of Hurston I may need to find her poems instead of novels though.

Capital Dames by Cokie Roberts.
      This is most current in my memory; and it's a book written from letters and historical documents about the belles of Washington DC in the 1860's so of course I loved it! Roberts follows the women of DC and others who come to DC, from before the Civil War through just after, and then thankfully gives a short epilogue for each. This book offers so much detail and insight to this time period, and so many facts that I didn't know about these women. It also showcases the heartbreak that the war caused, from her focus on one city and it's people - friends, coworkers, families all effected. It brings light to a side of the Civil War that I had not studied or considered.
      It also made me take note of a certain historical marker in front of a home for sale in our surrounding area. Virginia Clay-Clopton's former home. A belle during the Pierce administration and wife of a US Senator and then wife of an Alabama Supreme Court Justice, she became involved in the suffragette movement in her later years. Now, if I can just convince R that we should buy a house built in the early 1800's....

Mouse Soup and Owl at Home by Arnold Lobel.
      The Squirms whole heartedly approves of these books. One of them is read at least once a day, usually more, and she has declared that Arnold Lobel is my friend. After reading Mouse Soup she must know who paints each book we read. These are both gifts from R's parents, and it should be noted that it's nice to have a former elementary reading teacher in the family. And although I do have some concerns about the Owl and his seemingly complete lack of common sense, Squirms adores him and almost has Owl at Home memorized.




And in case anyone was wondering, Chaco does make boots (I haven't purchased any, just a discovery). And buying Halloween candy before the 31st is a bad idea (this I did purchase, and then eat).

We Rode a Train

So, the Great turned two. I'm pretty sure I should have devoted an entire blog post to this major life event. I need one of those shirts that says I'm an Okay Mom.

Of course we went to a train museum and took a train ride. And then ate hot dogs. And cake and ice cream.

 

Also. I need to know what shoes people wear for Fall and Winter. I've been wearing Chaco sandals for about nine years, year round - with running shorts, jeans, and sun dresses. In my fashion worldview, Chacos go with everything. Tonight at church my toes were turning purple during listening about the Christian Women's Job Corps, and I thought that it might be a good idea to find some closed toed shoes. I finally now understand why my favorite Auburn friend from Florida, Miss JS, walked around Auburn in 30 degree weather in flip flops her first year.

  

Thomas the Train came with us on the train ride. As did Grandpa and Gran, or Breat Branny (Great Granny) as the Great calls Gran. The train took us to a little pumpkin patch and the kids each chose a pumpkin. Our two year old thought that the pumpkins were there for a Pumpkin Throwing Contest.

  

And then we went to the beach. I mean the Gulf. The beach on the gulf.

The spoiled rotten angel children got to spend the weekend playing on the beach with both sets of grandparents. They were fed ice cream for snack, given legos by Auntie L, and allowed to stay up late. We also now own one million sea shell pieces.

Yoga, for the boy who loves the sand.

Sea shell hunting with Grandpa

Ten Things

Old Puppy

1. I'm really learning a lot from the Octonauts cartoon. I have considered watching it by myself while the angels are napping.

2. I'm planning on going to the toy store tonight to look for a birthday gift for our train loving boy. I'm so excited! I love choosing gifts for them!

3. My grandparents celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary this past week. And our favorite Welsh aunt and uncle were in the states to celebrate with everyone. Squirms now says that "Uncle R is my friend" and keeps planning what she will talk to him about next: volcanoes, her Bell Steeple, orcas, and the difference between orcas and okra. Orcas and Okra - both things we discuss often at our house, and difficult to say back to back. 

Everyone wants their picture.

4. Cabela's opened a store just down the road from us. So far I have purchased fudge from the new super store. Excellent choice.

5. The Great has been into building Towers and Tunnels from Lego blocks.....his towers and tunnels both look like towers.

This is what he thinks of selfies.
This look kills me. I love it.
Such a "I'm a man, don't bother me" look.

6. We visited the Green Mountain Nature Trail on Sunday evening. Picturesque. Idyllic.

7. I really really really need to go to the grocery store.

8. The Great is learning colors. So far every color is orange. And Squirms will no longer wear socks with any threads on the inside of the sock (so no designs on socks) or socks with "bumps" (writing on the bottom of the socks). Please help.

9. We still have not gotten the Great his first hair cut. I'm not sure that I want to. Can I end the sentence with to?

10. We are missing our Central Florida friends! There are some great people who live in Central Florida.

October the First

It's October!

After coffee this morning I moved boxes around in the garage to find my pumpkin door hanger and the kids halloween baskets. And then I hung two wreaths on our front door because a) I had forgotten that I had a fall decor wreath; b) I wanted to hang the pumpkin since it's October; and c) I could still close the door after layering the decorations.

The weather is cool and a bit dreary today. Perfect for the first day of October. 

I love it when she dresses herself.

Watch out Tanner - dump truck coming through!

Is anyone else just really excited about Fall?

Squirms received a package from Mamé yesterday with a Fall dress, including a pumpkin on the skirt, an Auburn shirt, and matching bows. She is ready for the pumpkin patch.

Just because. It's not raining.

October also means the Great has a birthday soon. Which also means birth parent update letter*. Which means I've been thinking how to describe with words our mischievous, sweet, active, sweet, always hungry, sweet, train-loving, sweet boy.

At almost two the Great loves to play peek-a-boo, read train and truck books, repeat everything his sister says, play chase, and in general just be as loud as possible. He is so very kind, quick to say he is sorry and give a hug, and asks to be rocked to sleep at nap time. He has a favorite soft blanket toy, carries Thomas trains with him everywhere, and uses "thank you" better than most adults I know. 

*The update letter is normally much longer than a blog post and we try to include, well, everything we can think of: health, personality examples, adventures and travel, favorites and dislikes, and I always to attempt to somehow convey how dearly we adore and love him (it's difficult to express the honor we feel at being his parents, and I think if I sent a vial of my tears they might think I was strange).

The Squirm's preschool teacher has used words like independent, strong willed, and the phrase she could be a lawyer when she grows up when describing our little girl. The other day as the Great and I were exiting the classroom after morning drop off I laughed and asked "What is the chance of having two children that are both incredibly strong willed?"

She replied "Maybe it has something to do with the parenting." 

Our silver faced Shelby Ann loves Fall too.