*I'm aware that I get the fewest comments on these and I'm sure if I put out a readers' survey, people would suggest these posts be the ones I don't write anymore. BUT, I'm writing these more for me to have a record of things my family and I did while the kids were growing up, so basically you all are stuck with them.*
Reading
Percy Jackson and the Olympians: Battle of the Labyrinth by Rick Riordan
We will finish this later tonight! I have to say that it's not my favorite book, but reading it through aloud to the kids (I always read them to myself first) has given me more appreciation for it. Book 5 is my favorite and we will start it next week. It's hard to write these reviews without giving away spoilers, but some of the things I have appreciated about this book (and its predecessors) have been the renewed interest my kids have in US geography, Greek mythology, and creative writing/play. Caroline has been writing Greek 'myths' all summer and acting out parts of the book with Elisa (and Tristan when she can rope him into it). And I love events in the book taking place in tourist spots I have visited with the kids: the St. Louis Arch, Arizona, Florida, etc...because the kids really relate to it. All in all, these books will represent the summer of 2010 to my kids and I'm sorry to see them coming to an end.
Watching-
19 Kids and Counting-
Do you think Jim Bob and Michelle took comfort in knowing that not only would their oldest set of twins be together in Southeast Asia, but that a camera crew would be there too? I'm glad though, I've really enjoyed seeing their trip. Also, I'm glad Baby Josie is almost ready to go home. And yes, it is amusing watching Jim Bob on his own with most of the kids, BUT he isn't nearly as inept as the commercial spoilers make him out to be and it irritates me a bit. Kind of like how their cover on People magazine read "WE ARE READY FOR MORE" (babies), but in their interview all they said was 'We aren't going to prevent more, that's not our decision.' (A viewpoint I respect, but lack the necessary faith to follow through with myself. I'm more of a "Let's quit while I still have bladder control" kind of gal. Anyway...) I also wonder why so many visits to the Bates? Could there be some kind of courtship involved? Just curious...
The West Wing, Season 6
I realize that one of the very telling hints as to how odd I am would have to be my love for these two very divergent TV series, but it's just part of the fun of being me. My husband may not love this show, but he bought all 7 seasons for me as a Christmas gift a couple of years ago. I flew through the first 5 seasons, then I got busy with other things and stopped watching them. It wasn't because I didn't love the show, I do! It's just a busy thing to have 5 kids and a job. A few weeks ago, I happened across the show on the Bravo channel and realized I was watching one of the final episodes. That reminded me that I still had two unwatched (and commercial-free) DVD boxed sets in my possession. I finished Season 6 on Saturday. Now that school has started and I start working tomorrow, who knows how long it will take to see Season 7? But I'm determined to see it through by Christmas. I think the writing, direction, and acting on this show made it the highest quality TV series I will see in my lifetime. And I wish the three branches of government who actually make our decisions in Washington DC were as principled as the characters on this show.
At the Movies
Anne of Avonlea
First, these were my favorite books. Then, they were my favorite miniseries on PBS and later The Disney Channel. They were loaned to me by a friend so that Natalie could experience them too. We watched Anne of Green Gables immediately, then we got distracted and busy. (As mentioned above.) No one was more horrified than me to realize that the DVD's were still in my possession when my friend sent out a FB message to several of us looking for them. Fortunately, she lives close to where I work, so we agreed to meet there while I set up my office last week so I could give them to her. (Did you see that? I have an office.) Natalie wanted to watch the rest of them before we gave them back, so we had a huge marathon on Tuesday. I loved Anne of Avonlea (aka Anne of Green Gables: The Sequel), but I could only handle the third one through Anne and Gil's wedding. I read and re-read Rilla of Ingleside about 100 times during my 8th grade year and it was Anne's sons who went to war, NOT Gilbert. I just couldn't wrap my mind around it, though it was nice to see how many of the original actors they gathered for the final movie. It shows on BYU TV from time to time, so I may still see it eventually.
Out and About
Back to School-
After all the supply and clothes shopping, we are now back into our school routine. I used to resent it. This year, it has returned a schedule and some normalcy to our lives-and this from a Mom who used to be desperate to home school. So far, so good...And also, spending $20 on backpacks with a lifetime guarantee seems to have been a better use of my money than buying one for $12 each year before school starts.
Back to Work
I start tomorrow, but taught for a couple of days last week and set up my desk and put the Exersaucer and a Pack n Play in my office for Alexis on the days she will be at work with me. I've never been so happy, so nervous, and so excited all at once! The timing and the circumstances worked out perfectly. I'm not sure how much I will blog in specific about my job, but know that it I am very happy with the situation. Especially the fact that "you can bring the baby to work on days you don't have kids to teach or meetings to attend."
Friday Night at Grandma's
Usually, I take the kids. They eat pizza, play computer games, and visit with their great-grandmother. This time, after they went home, Grandma, my uncle, and I talked for half the night about relatives my kids never knew and that even my younger sisters barely remember. I know I am lucky to have my grandmother and both of my paternal grandparents with me at my age. Not even my kids can say that. And I am very grateful for evenings like this. Also, I have one crazy, wonderful, loving family.
And that's all for this week. With a new job starting tomorrow, a Meatloaf concert on Tuesday, and four kids experiencing their first full week of school...who knows what will happen in the week to come!