Book Review--The Story of Edgar Sawtelle

I really liked this book, one of the better ones I've read in a while. Edgar is a mute boy and this is the story of him, his parents and their life together. It is patterned after "Hamlet" (I didn't know this until after I'd finished it but when I found it out I thought "oh! That explains a lot!" ). It was hard to let this book rest, I always wanted to know what was going to happen next. Edgar really is a tragic figure, thrown into a situation he didn't create but that he has to maneuver within. I could see him making bad choices and wanted to say "no!" But he is a boy and a product of his experiences and a slave to his emotions. A really good book, five stars out of five (I know!! It really is that good!)

Book Review--Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief

This is a Junior book, intended for grades 3-9, depending on the kid. I read it in preparation for a Kids' Book Club at the library that I lead. I really liked this book. It reminded me a lot of Harry Potter, but with Greek Gods. It was very enjoyable. For it's genre, four out of five stars.

Anja Updates

Oh, my sweet little Anja. She is a firecracker, this one! She will be three in the fall. For months I've been sitting her on the toilet and potty chair to try to start the potty training process. And for months she has willingly sat there, smiling the whole time, taking no action then saying "all done!" and hopping down. I didn't push it, figuring she would figure it out. And last Sunday, all of a sudden, she asked to sit on the potty and she peed!!! Every day since then she has peed right away in the morning, and before bed. I'm still not pushing the other times yet, I'm just so thrilled she's doing it at all! It just had to be her idea, I guess.

Elise Updates

I can't believe it is almost the 4th of July! When that rolls around I feel like the summer is on the downward slide.

Elise has had a busy summer. She loves soccer and scored a goal last week! She is also taking swimming lessons for the first time. She really loves swimming lessons. After the first day she came home and asked to go to bed at 6:00 because she wanted the day to be over so the next day would come and she could go to swimming lessons again!

We changed daycares in May, and it is really working out well. They transport the kids to summer activities, so Elise has been able to take tennis lessons as well. She is a busy girl and enjoys it all. Each night at bed time she asks "what are we doing after nap?" (meaning "what are we doing tomorrow?"). She likes to have something to look forward to.

SLC Trip: Day 5 Going Home

Day 5 we woke up, got packed up and drove to the airport. Fortunately the airport was not busy and everything through check-in went really smoothly. Unfortunately, my girls were really tired (I let them stay up too late the night before after the wedding, playing with their cousins). Anja was by far the worst. A two year-old who is tired is not a good fit with an airplane ride. She squirmed, whined, tried to run up and down the aisle, and cried any time I didn't let her do what she wanted to do. Oh, did I mention she has a temper and also hit me when she got mad when I told her "no"? We were about half way through our 3 hour flight. I was holding a squirming Anja on my lap because she kept trying to crawl under my legs to escape into the aisle. Elise was crying because she wanted to sit on my lap but couldn't because I was restraining Anja. It was at this time a man sitting kitty-corner behind me leaned forward and said "Ma'am? Could your children be suffering from painful ear pressure due to the altitude?" I turned to him, trying to restrain Anja as she pulled my hair and hit my face and screamed "LET ME GO!!!" And with all the self-control I could muster (which was not much, I admit) I said "No, they suffer from being over-tired. They suffer from being small children confined in an small space." I saw the wounded look on the man's face and I felt a little bad, so with my best faked smile on my face I said "but thank you anyway." And then the man said (can you believe he is continuing with this?) "I just thought, maybe if they chewed on some gum that might help." Yeah, buddy, that's just what I need, to give my two year old some gum. Then I wouldn't have to worry about her hands in my hair, because I'D HAVE GUM IN MY HAIR!!!!!! Oh my GOD, unless you are asking if you can help me by entertaining one of my children and therefore making my life easier, JUST LEAVE ME ALONE!!!!

Anyway, we did make it home. Very glad we went!

Trip to SLC: Day 4

Day 4 was Saturday, the day of the wedding. The ceremony started at 10:00 am, we had to be there at 9:00. When I woke Elise up that morning I said in an excited voice "Hey! Today is the wedding! You get to wear your pretty dress! Are you excited?!" She let out a big sigh and said "I guess." I started to get worried that she was going to be shy, or complain about doing her hair pretty. I was afraid for the answer, but I asked anyway"what's wrong?" She let out another big sigh and said "It's just so much work! Throwing those flowers." I couldn't help but laugh. I managed to get up her and her sister, and it was a little stressful getting them dressed and their hair done (Elise hates doing anything with her hair), but we made it.

Anja was supposed to walk in next to Elise, and in practice did just fine. With the ceremony, however, Anja balked. She clung to me in the hallway and would start to fuss and cry whenever I tried to get her to stand next to Elise. Nothing I said or did would get her off of me to walk in. I was panicking, then I finally realized it wasn't going to happen. I told Elise to just go. As Elise took her first step toward the center aisle Anja hopped down and walked in with her. Whew! She still had her pacifier, but at least she was in! Both girls stood beautifully during the ceremony.Elise always gets embarrassed when people kiss...

Immediately after the ceremony the photographer wanted to take the large group joint family photo. There are at least 30 people on the Roden side, and Aaron's bride also comes from a large family, so there must have been 60 people in this photo. Of course the photographer wanted it just right and worked to get everyone in the right spot. One of the first people he placed were the flower girls, right in front of the bride and groom. After quite a while of standing, waiting for the photographer to get all of us in the right spots, I looked over at Elise and she was crying, I could tell she just couldn't take all of it anymore. I walked over and scooped up her and Anja (there was no way Anja was going to stand there without her sister!). I walked over to an empty spot next to Jason's sister, asked a brother for a chair and plopped down with one girl on each knee. When the photographer came over to me I said "we are going to sit here." I got both girls calmed down while the photographer got the rest of the people situated. He started snapping pictures, then came over and yanked Anja's pacifier out of her mouth. I thought "oh, boy, here we go." But she didn't do anything, I think she was so surprised. After a few snaps of the camera, Elise turned her whole body into me, turning her back to the camera. What was I going to do? I whispered in her ear "I will give you money if you look at the camera." And lickety-split, she was the perfect model! After that picture Elise asked me if I would give her a dollar whenever she looked and the camera and I said "No, but if you don't look at the camera I will take that one away" and whenever I wanted Anja to take the pacifier out of her mouth for a picture I just had to say "if you don't, that man will come and take it." Oh, playing on greed and fear. All in the line of duty!

After pictures there was food!!The cake was a big hit...By afternoon both girls were getting a little worn out...

It was a beautiful ceremony and we all had a great day!

Trip to SLC: Day 3

Our third day in Salt Lake, Friday, had us up early and headed to "This Is The Place Monument." It was a terrific park with tons of buildings from the pioneer days staffed with people in period costume. It also had a "train", Native American village, panning for gold, and tons of stuff. It easily could have been an all day adventure. We got there around 10:00 and left around 3:00 (good timing there, as it started to really rain as we were leaving). The girls and I went with Glen, Brittany, Jordan, Capri, and cousins Bridger and Sawyer.

The girls especially loved the farm yard

Pony rides

And Ice Cream

Trip to SLC: Day 2

Thursday we headed to the Dinosaur Museum with some of the Roden clan. Trisha knows how much Elise loves dinosaurs and thought she would like this museum. It was GREAT!!! Tons of exhibits, lots of interactive stuff (a huge water table and a room where the kids could participate in a "dig").That evening the guys took care of the kids and the ladies met at a restaurant to have a shower for Aaron's bride-to-be, Katie.

Trip to SLC: Day 1

Wednesday, the day we are to fly out to Salt Lake City...

Elise comes down right away in the morning to report: "Mom! I don't have diarrhea!" To be followed by an hour of her singing a song she has composed herself. The lyrics are easy: "Diarrhea, diarrhea, I don't have diarrhea." Repeat. Again and again and again. Finally I had to tell her to stop singing this song. She complied. Until we were in the car driving to the airport. I tried to follow the advice of "ignore bad behavior." I really tried. But after ten repetitions I just couldn't take it and sternly told her to stop and never sing that song again. Total quiet (Yes!) for about one minute then I hear Anja's tiny voice behind me sing "diaweeah, diaweeah, diaweeah." It was too much for me, and I cracked up laughing.

By the way, Elise never got diarrhea. Thank heaven.

Travels

Tomorrow the girls and I are off to Salt Lake for "Uncle Aaron's" wedding. I'm traveling alone with a 5 year old and 2 1/2 year old. Should be fun!

Elise and Anja are flower girls, I'll be sure to post some pictures when we get back.

On a minor note...I picked up Elise from daycare early today after I was called at work and told she had a temp of 101 and was complaining of a stomach ache. Because we are set to get on a plane tomorrow morning, I took her right to the doctor. I did NOT want to get to Salt Lake and then have some horrible illness set in. She has a virus. When the doctor listened to her stomach he said it was really churning. "So," he said, "about the time you are getting on the plane tomorrow she will probably be having diarrhea." I have put extra wipes and an extra set of her pants in my carry-on. I can't imagine how much fun it could be to rush them both into the airplane bathroom. Would we even all fit in that tiny closet? Pray for me.

Elise's Fist Soccer Game

Last year was Elise's first year of soccer, and my first year of being a soccer mom. I have no experience whatever with soccer. All I know is: 1)don't touch the ball with your hands 2)to score a point you get the ball in the goal.

Last year Elise had soccer practice once a week, and no games. This year she has soccer two nights a week, with one of those nights being a game night. She had her first soccer game last week. Turns out I'm one of those crazy moms, on the sideline constantly screaming encouragement to her child and every other child on her child's team. I tried to keep it under control, but I really could not help it. I hope I don't embarrass Elise too much. Or anger the other parents.

Elise looked really adorable in her jersey...

A Great Day At Itasca

We spent a wonderful day at Itasca State Park with my mom and dad, aunt, uncle and cousins. It started out a little rainy and I thought we might have to go home, but the weather cleared and it turned out to be a beautiful day!

If you don't know about Itasca, it is the headwaters of the Mississippi River. This is where it starts out a very small creek/stream. People who visit Itasca can say they "walked across the Mississippi River."

Our day started with a visit to the Headwaters, where we all played in the water. It is set up really nice, with big rocks across the Mississippi where it leaves the lake, creating a spillway that everyone likes to walk across and climb on.

Then we had a picnic lunch...

Followed by a boat ride...

And a return visit to the headwaters...Elise spent most of her time at the water looking for shells and other interesting stuff (like the claw off some kind of animal...a cray fish?).

Anja loved walking in the water, crawling on the rocks and playing with the sand.

The girls were exhausted by the time we left at 5:00. Anja was asleep before we even drove out of the park, and Elise fell asleep and short time later.

Memorial Day Trip

Over Memorial Day weekend we drove to the Black Hills. My dad is from there, and we have a lot of relatives there. This was not a tourist trip, our intention was to visit family.

We left Friday morning, and drove the 12 hours to Rapid City. The girls did great! (Thank heaven for portable dvd players!).

On the way out we stopped in Mitchell, SD for a quick lunch and the girls HAD to get on this rabbit.

We visited Uncle Bob, and this visit was a huge hit with the girls. He and his wife have fish, several cats, and a ferret!

I tried a new sleeping arrangement with the girls. Instead of putting Anja in a pack n play and Elise in bed with me, I put both girls in one bed and I got a bed all to myself! It went really well! This was the first time Anja had slept in a "big bed" and she did great.

Saturday and Sunday, while Anja napped, my mom and dad took Elise out. They visited Dinosaur Park...
And Canyon Lake Park...

On the way back we made a stop and rested for a while near the Badlands.

At a gas station somewhere in South Dakota, I think (or maybe North Dakota?). The girls ran around a burned off some energy. I had hoped they would sleep after this, but neither girl slept a wink the 12 hours out or the 12 hours back. VERY different from me! I remember, as a kid, when we made this trip I would sleep pretty much the whole way!

Elise Lost Another Tooth!

In less than a week, Elise has lost two bottom teeth. She looks really adorable. She has one on top that is wiggly, I woder when that one will come out?

Book Review--The Three Weissmanns of Westport

This book just came out in the past couple of months. I read a review and it sounded good: an aging mother and her two grown daughters all going through life crises and living together while they do. Hmmm, that doesn't sound too interesting, but the review I read made it sound really good. And it was, I liked this book. An well-to-do, elderly woman is suddenly informed by her husband of nearly 50 years that he wants a divorce. One daughter sees her successful business brought down by scandal. I think the author wrote the story in a way that reflects real life--there are funny parts, there are sad parts, there are parts that catch you off guard. There are events that are so dramatic they changed the characters almost immediately. But much of life is repetitive and boring (but is this where peace is found? I think the author makes that point). And even when dramatic and sudden events change these characters immediately, the permanent changes take longer to set in, and are much more subtle in their progression.

Read it, you'll like it. Three out of five.

Elise Graduates from Preschool!

Last week Elise graduated from Preschool. It was pretty cute!

The kids sang about five songs, they were absolutely adorable!

Book Review--Shoot To Thrill

The author of this, PJ Tracey, is a mother/daughter writing team from Minnesota. This is about the fifth book in a series of murder mysteries, the first book is "Monkeewrench" (if you haven't read it, do. It is a reeeally good murder mystery).

This was a fun read, a great summer book. And there is a surprise at the end. Literally, I finished the last sentence and said "huh." Then had to read the last couple of paragraphs over to make sure I understood what I had read.

Three out of five stars.

Elise Lost Her First Tooth!!!!

Last week Elise lost her first tooth! This caught me a little off guard (as have many things in parenting...ok, most things in parenting). I didn't realize kids lost teeth this early!!! She just turned 5!

She looks pretty adorable. And she is VERY proud to have lost a tooth before any of her friends at preschool.

Book Review--Let the Great World Spin

This book won a National Book Award or some such thing last year. Was on many "must read" lists of 2009. Has been on my "must read" list (because of the preceding facts) for many months.

I finished the book and thought "really? That won an award? Why?" But two weeks later (yes, I am behind on blogging) I am still thinking about this book. When I finished it I was thinking about the characters in the book, but as it has percolated in my brain, I find myself thinking about life in general. The characters in the book got kind of thrown into their lives without being asked what they wanted but then were faced with situations where they did have choices. And the choices they made determined what direction their life would go. To a certain point. Each person is still greatly impacted by the decisions of others (things get thrown at them without asking them) but again each person has the choice of how to respond to the stuff that is thrown at them.

The central unifying event in this book is the tightrope walk between the World Trade Towers that occurred in 1974. Like the tightrope walker, each character in the book is walking a tightrope in their lives. The are balancing, swaying, trying not to fall off. Walking through their lives is just as precarious as the walk between the Twin Towers.

Read this book, then let it sit in your mind for a while. Or maybe you will "get it" long before I have. On my selfishly subjective scale...four out of five stars.