Our Friday and Saturday

On Friday I babysat 8 kids, in addition to having my own at home as well.  I thought it wouldn’t be so bad, it is Spring and I could just send them outside.  Well, we woke to a snow storm that only continued to get bigger, so we were left inside.  Luckily, the Wells had brought over Just Dance for the Wii and that kept the kids entertained for awhile.

On Saturday, we had our first class party of the year.  It was to say good-bye to Nathan and welcome Sister Claudino.  Nathan is now serving as the Young Men’s Assistant.  We also had our new Primary President over to get to know the kids better.  It was a great turnout with 12 kids and 4 adults total.

Saving My Babysitting Money

On Thursdays and Fridays I babysit (they say “tend” here in Utah) two boys whose grandparents are in our ward.  I have been saving my babysitting money and recently made two purchases.  I bought the painting ‘He is Not Here’ by Walter Rane.  I also had a canvas print made of one of our wedding pictures to hang above our bed.

Another 4 down…

Through Black Spruce.  Minus the atrocious language, I really enjoyed this book.  It has somewhat restored my faith in the Reader’s Choice books from my local library.  Joseph Boyden is a powerful writer that captures the life of an Indian family through all of their twists and turns.

The Memory of Water.  Another wonderful novel by Karen White.  I thoroughly enjoy reading her books.  She has the talent of making the characters so real, their stories captivating and the cities where everything takes place in exist as though you’ve been there.  This story y intertwines the power of family and the ocean, and the need to honor both.

Unbroken Connection.  This is the next book after Taken by Storm by Angela Morrison.  This book was really good too.  Though I have heard negative comments about the last book (which the author blogged the entire book before it fets printed), I will still read Cayman Summer to finish the series.  The character, Michael and Leesie are pretty addicting and I want to see how their story turns out.

After the Rain.  Again, I am learning that a lot of books are part of a series I didn’t know about.  This book is kind of a continuation to Falling Home, based in the same small town of Walton, Georgia.  It has the same characters with one new character, Suzanne, who is just as animated and wonderful as the rest.

A Little Bit Tired

It seems lately that Avery has been more tired than usual and falling asleep anywhere and everywhere.  Perhaps she inherited this quality from her Uncle Andre!

Just Like Dylan

Recently, Avery has decided she prefers wearing Dylan’s pajamas to her own.  They are a little baggy because of the length, but she loves them.  Also, don’t you just love Dylan’s curls!  I will miss them when the weather warms and we have to cut his hair.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day

At preschool today, Dylan made these cute leprechaun masks.  I didn’t send him in green, but he was very excited that Miss Karen gave green stickers to any kids not wearing green.

 

THIS IS FOR YOU, DUSTY

When we went to the Pacers game I was given the following book and my brother said he expected to see the review on my blog.  So, Dusty, pursuant to your request…

When the Game was Ours.  Honestly, I didn’t think I would enjoy reading this book.  I love watching basketball, but I don’t keep up on stats or anything and didn’t really want to read about it.  However, I actually found this book really interesting.  The lives that Larry Bird and Magic Johnson have led and the experiences they had being such important figures in the NBA and how they got there – fascinating!  They have such different personalities that drove them both to be the best.

I think it is interesting that after reading this book I have 33 more to read to reach my goal.  33 is Larry Bird’s number.  Coincidence???… yes!!

Only 34 to Go

Here are the next four books I read.

Tainted.  I’m really beginning to wonder about these Reader’s Choice books from my local library.  This book was full of horrible language and wasn’t a very good story at all.  It took me a long time to read because I wasn’t interested in reading it.  I had to finish it because that’s just my personality.  Anyhow, don’t bother or waste or your time with reading this book.

A Painted House.  I’ve heard rumors this story is based on Grisham’s childhood.  Well, some stories are better left untold.  After my sister-in-law, Nedra, told me this wasn’t supposed to be one of his usual stories I thought I would like it better, but I didn’t.  I was bored and learned far more about picking cotton than I ever wanted to.  Of people I’ve talked to, they either love it or hate it, so I’ll let you decide.

The Chamber.  This book started off strong, perhaps because I had just read ‘A Painted House’ and then the book just ended up disappointing me.  It just dragged on and probably could have been 200 pages shorter.  I’m hoping the next book I read is a good one because I have not enjoyed the last three.

Taken by Storm.  This was really easy reading and a very cute, very funny story.  It was just what I needed after the last few books I read.  The book is geared toward a younger age group than myself and I think it is great reading.  I must say though, the guy and girl on the cover are nothing how I pictured the main characters, but that’s just me.

 

Saturday in Indiana

On Saturday we went to a fun place to run the kids, and the adults, tired!  I don’t remember the name of it.  Anyhow, it had this huge foam filled pit you could jump into, batting cages, a small indoor soccer court, and bounce houses.  It was a lot of fun.

PARKER

LAUREN

NEDRA

DUSTY

TAWNI

KATE, ELLE & MISC.

Later that evening we played this silly game where you try and get an Oreo from your forehead into your mouth without touching it.  It was funny and very entertaining!  I couldn’t do it though… sad.

Finally, after an incredibly loud Sunday night storm, very limited sleep, and tornado warnings in Indianapolis, I flew out at 6:00 am Monday and headed home to Utah.  Thanks for a wonderful trip!