Queen of Babble Book Series

Queen of Babble by Meg Cabot

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


The big rebel that I am read book #2 first. I didn't realize it was a series until well into the novel and there were several references to how the protagonist, Lizzie, met certain characters and the Sherlock Holmes in me detected (hmmm ... seems to me there was a book before this one!).

I was first introduced to Meg Cabot with her "Size 12 Isn't Fat" book series (my review here). A monthly pick for the Busy Books For Moms e-book club. From there I read that series and decided to try another of Meg Cabot's series.

Back to the Queen of Babble ... I have the second book read, the first well under way and the third in my book bag calling out to me.

The Queen (aka Lizzie Nichols) is an almost-college graduate who is a bit boy crazy while trying to find her career and future husband. Her inner dialogue is charming; even more-so when she (often) forgets to keep said thoughts inside her head.

Overall, a delightful light chick-lit read.
 
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Cleaning With Child "Helpers"

It was so nice this morning to have actual house cleaning helpers. My two (ages 4 and 2) walked around and lifted things up out of the way and then put them back as I vacuumed.

I'm not going to mention how they un-helped me earlier in the week when I finally got around to scrubbing all the four bathrooms and the floors only to have Ava puke on the floor and in one bathroom. Oh no - I'm not going to mention that.

Or how I finally put their toys away and 10 minutes later their toys, plus some other "hidden" toys, were strewn about the house.

And I really won't mention how they emptied the front hall closet of all the winter accessories and spread THEM across the house, wearing them all and chattering "ho ho ho" then later complaining the house was cold after their accessories were off. Ava came running up to me "mommy, there's sand on the floor!". How did sand get there with winter accessories? Sure enough, somehow Travis at one point or another managed to fill a mitten with sand and she dumped it out when she went to pick it up. Oh the joys. You can bet on it, I had just vacuumed the front hall earlier that afternoon.

At least with the winter stuff taken out, I finally got motivated to launder them for the fall. Is the end of July too late to get this done? Then I'll try to organize it for the fall in the handy dandy containers I got (out of the garbage) and haven't had a chance to put it into yet.

The Craft-Creative Low

I've been experiencing a craft-creative low. I opted to read books during this low period (hence the increase of book reviews). Thankfully my migraines are subsiding, the house is clean and getting stuff purged and I am ready to flex those creative muscles again. I have one more toy box to cover in fabric and then I can show you the finished toy shelves in our living room.

Then I really want to figure out how to finish the quilt I've started for Travis.

And I am crocheting an adorable Vanna White pattern dress for Ava that I need to "frog" a few rows of because I have seemed to have added several inches from the base to the point I am at now. Funny how that happens ...

What have you been crafting this summer? Or do you find the summer days luring you outside (like I have been finding)?

I have had a headache accompanied by some dizziness, black spots in my vision and nausea (when it is at its worst). I went to the doctor on Thursday and they told me to take Advil every 4 hours until the headache is gone. They also gave me an anti-dizziness prescription. I wasn't too impressed. I'm still dizzy and have my headache. The black spots come and go. I had to stay home from a family party and sent the hubby and kids without me because I could barely raise my head from the pillow. Today I'm laying low too. I've got some laundry on the go and I loaded the dishwasher but then I had to fall back onto the couch in exhaustion. The only reason I am on the computer is because I can touch-type and close my eyes and I can use the laptop on the couch. This is dreadful. I only hope my energy comes back while other symptoms get lost - especially before the family comes home and work starts tomorrow. I have a lot of books to read and crafts to complete! This would have been the perfect opportunity for some housework also - if only I could stand ...

The Hunger Games

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

SUMMARY (source: Chapters)
In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlaying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one girl and one boy between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV. Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she is forced to represent her district in the Games. But Katniss has also resolved to outwit the creators of the games. To do that she will have to be the last person standing at the end of the deadly ordeal, and that will take every ounce of strength and cunning she has.

MY THOUGHTS
Wow. I read this book pretty much in one sitting. I could not put it down. I never knew I was a science fiction fan but this book just grabbed my attention. The characters were fantastic and the story line moved at a fast pace. I cannot wait to read the rest of this exciting trilogy - and I highly recommend it!

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Carpe Demon

Carpe Demon by Julie Kenner
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

SUMMARY (source: Julie Kenner)
Carpools. Crabgrass. Creatures from the depths of hell. Suburbia has its problems too...

Lots of women put their careers aside once the kids come along. Kate Connor, for instance, hasn't hunted a demon in ages...

That must be why she missed the one wandering through the pet food aisle of the San Diablo Wal-Mart. Unfortunately, he managed to catch her attention an hour later—when he crashed into the Connor house, intent on killing her.

Now Kate has to clean up the mess in her kitchen, dispose of a dead demon, and pull together a dinner party that will get her husband elected to County Attorney—all without arousing her family's suspicion. Worse yet, it seems the dead demon didn't come alone. He was accompanied by a High Demon named Goramesh who, for some unknown reason, intends to kill off the entire population of San Diablo.

It's time for Kate Connor to go back to work.


MY THOUGHTS
This book was fabulous! A perfect mixture of the stay-at-home mom and a retired demon hunter who comes out of retirement. It didn't hurt that the little boy is 2-years-old (the same as my little boy). I could definitely relate to Kate Connor (minus the demon hunter part).

I already have the second book in the series on hold and waiting for me at the library. I can hardly wait.

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Hair Cut, Anyone?

Yesterday, my daughter Ava (4 years old) was quietly cutting paper with scissors. Do you have a sense where this is going? I was putting lunch away. Turned around. See hair. Freshly. Cut. 
She had cut her hair and one of the day care kids' hair! Thank gawd you can't tell and I caught her in time.

No scissors for that girl!!!

As I walk around I keep finding hair on the floor. I was only turned for a second!


So, I did what any responsible mother would do. I made her repeat that she is not allowed to cut hair unless she is a certified hair dresser. I also told her that her hairdresser (Jenn) would get upset if she knew Ava was doing her job ~ being an unqualified 4 year old and all. Then, almost immediately after she repeated the oath, I turned around to find her pretending to cut another boy's hair "with my fingers, mommy".

Egad! The kid is thick.

What To Cook For The Family?

I'm doing really well following the Jenny Craig program. Last week on Day 20 I had lost 6.6 lbs! The thing is, between the heat wave and having my food already prepared, I'm not being very creative with the family.

What do you do during a heat wave? My kids are 2 and 4 and then there is the hubby who is rarely hungry. Healthy ideas or sources for quick foods - especially when you don't want to start up the oven where possible?

Feeling Hot Hot Hot!

We're going through a heat wave here. It's been humid as well as hot. I'm not good in the heat. I get a sore stomach and my skin gets so sticky it makes me clausterphobic. My husband and I have an ongoing thermostat debate. I think 75 or 75.5F is appropriate while he would prefer 77F. We have compromised to 76F but it is just too warm some days for that. What temperature do you keep your home at and how have you come to this agreement with your partner, if you have one?

Amidst this heat wave, I am taking the kids to daily outdoor swimming lessons. Not just my two, either. I have the three day care kiddies too. They are all good kids though and it is nice that at the pool they have a big umbrella for shade and picnic tables to sit at while we watch the children swim. It's a fabulous outing for our mornings too. And they get so tired out. What are you doing to tire your kiddies out this summer? How do you cope with a heat wave?