Vacation Update - Beach Fun

Little Miss loved having her cousin at the beach with her. Well, at first. Then, they went their separate ways, but they were always glad the other was there at least. They'll play more as they get older, too. They are at tough ages to interact a lot now.

Little Miss loves having her grandparents near her - both sets. Both sets spoil her and give her their undivided attention.

Nephew was great at the beach. He was definitely stylin'. Also, on the last day, I got quite a bit of cuddle time as he napped on my chest. Nothing more relaxing than hanging out at the beach with a baby sleeping on you.

After the beach every day, we went to the pool to extend the fun. Little Miss loved it. She's getting to be quite the little water kid. We definitely want to get her swimming next year. We were a little slow this year to sign her up. Husband wants to work with her through the off-seasons, too.

Vacation Update - Boardwalk Fun

The highlight was the ferris wheel which she was promised. The second time, she also rode the ferris wheel, but I did not have to ride twice which was nice. I used to love it when I was younger, but it's a little more terrifying riding with your child sitting next to you and wondering about all the things that could go awry. Little Miss loved the Boardwalk so we went twice. The first time, she played one carnival game and rode on a handful of rides.

The second time, she played the carnival game again and won her cousin a stuffed toy. She also got to watch fireworks which was a big thrill for her.

She also got to ride the carousel again which is another favorite. Unfortunately, the woman working the ride wouldn't let us go on with her unless we gave double the tickets whereas earlier in the week, Husband was allowed to go on with her for free to make sure she was safe. It's also the rule for kids 5 and under. So, Little Miss went on by herself. Another woman went on and made sure she was all situated. Luckily, she wanted to ride in the cart portion so it was relatively safe and safer than riding a horse by herself. You can see she didn't give riding by herself a second thought.

Weekend Update - Vacation #2

The following weekend, Little Miss had a birthday party. It was a rainy day so the kids were all cooped up in the house, but they had a blast. When the rain stopped, they got to run outside a little which helped. Little Miss loved seeing her friends from school. Just the previous Thursday, she had a school social and saw 3 of her friends from school and just loved being with them again. On Sunday, we left for another week-long vacation. This time, we head to the Jersey Shore. Halfway through the week, the In-Laws joined us as a surprise for Little Miss. She loved it. 

Little Miss also missed the first week of school to go on vacation. She didn't miss a thing, but we kept in contact with the school to make sure her transition was seamless once we came back into town.

Weekend Update - All Good Things Must Come to an End

It was a great vacation. We took a quick family shot in our New York Jets t-shirts. I'm going to have to get one in green to match everyone else!

Every year, we take a big family picture next to the American flag, and this year was no different though we're missing a cousin or two. I asked for a family picture to be taken as well. It was a good way to end a vacation. On the way home, we also stopped at Husband's hometown in New Jersey. We had brunch at a diner and visited the graves of his grandparents.

Vacation Update - Old Friends

In 1985, I moved from Massachusetts to Connecticut which meant I left all my friends.  It's funny because I moved maybe an hour or hour and a half away, but it was an eternity when you're 10.  My friend and I have kept in touch by phone, by letter and now by email and Facebook.  We're both married with at least one child (she has 3 additional than we do).  This past year, she moved to Maine so we managed to spend the day together during our trip.  It was so great to catch up and it really felt like only a short time had past since we saw each other.  We just fell into chatting and laughing like old times.  Our conversations, I hope, have grown a little more mature, but it was still one of the most fun days this summer.

Vacation Update - Fishing

Since the beginning of summer, Little Miss has begged to go fishing. Aunt picked her up (by way of my parents) a pink princess fishing rod. So, when we got to Maine, we tested that sucker out. We all loaded into two cars and sat. And sat. And then someone felt a raindrop and then more fell.

Still, it was fun.  Nephew had it down and did a great job.  However, no fish.  You'll see Little Miss sitting on a towel above.  The towel was in the fishing gear.  Little Miss took it out and spread it on the dock so she could sit on it.  She's still my little girl underneath it all!

Vacation Update - Boardwalk Fun

Little Miss loves carnival rides. Neither Husband and I are big ride people, but Little Miss LOVES them. She doesn't like the ones that go up and down (as we learned this year), but she loves getting dizzy.

She rode the Tilt-a-Whirl (or a version of it) with her cousins and then rode almost every single kiddie ride. She rode the carousel four times - in a row.

Vacation Update - Beach Fun

During the week, we spent as much time on the beach as possible. The kids mostly played well together.

Of course, playing hard results in being exhausted. So, occasionally, Little Miss would ask to cuddle and then would fall asleep. Life is tough for a toddler transitioning into a big girl.

The kids love to descend on the rocks at low tide. There are snails, crabs and other creepy crawly things living there. We collect them in a pail and then set them free later.  Even on the overcast day, we managed to get to the beach.

Weekend Update - On the way to Maine

We take the two day trip to Maine. This time, we stopped by our hometown of Fairfield, Connecticut to show Little Miss where we grew up. We had lunch at an old favorite spot. Then, we drove by where I used to work. We were a block away from where we got married, but we turned before we got to that block and forgot to show her that. After, we took her past my middle school and second place I worked and then she fell asleep before we hit my old house. She was in deep sleep when we drove by Husband's house.

We had some quiet time in the hotel before we went for a quick bite for dinner. Then, Little Miss spent the night in the pull out sofa all by herself. She looked so small in the big bed and started to look all grown up.

The next morning, we got a box of Munchkins for the quick ride to Maine. It was overcast the entire trip which made for a nice little nap.

Once we got to Maine, we did hit the beach for some quick fun. It was overcast, but that didn't stop the kids from enjoying the sand, the rocks at low tide or just running around.

Sexy Friday

I know Joseph Gordon-Levitt is an unconventional choice. I think he's very talented though. I really thought he was great in 50/50, but I'll admit that he kind of hooked me in 10 Things I Hate About You. You know, when I wasn't drooling over Heath Ledger. I love that he chooses varied projects in which to act and always keeps me wondering where he'll pop up next.

Sexy Friday

I mean, come on. Christian Bale. Who else can play Laurie and Batman? Not to mention Patrick Bateman who was a completely different animal. Also, I liked the fact that he had no problem with nudity during a lot of his career.  He may be a little too intense for me in real life, but on some days, I'm willing to give it a shot if he is.

The Mindset List for the Class of 2016

A friend posted this link on Facebook. I've posted an excerpt of it below. It fascinates me every year but more so this year for some reason. Maybe it's because I don't feel as old as I am - which I guess is a good thing. I'm not caught up on age, but there are moments when I realize more book characters and tv characters are younger, and not older, than I am. It's kind of a weird transition. Regardless, I'll leave that kind of pondering for another time.

The Mindset List for the Class of 2016

For this generation of entering college students, born in 1994, Kurt Cobain, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Richard Nixon and John Wayne Gacy have always been dead.

1. They should keep their eyes open for Justin Bieber or Dakota Fanning at freshman orientation.
2. They have always lived in cyberspace, addicted to a new generation of “electronic narcotics.”
3. The Biblical sources of terms such as “Forbidden Fruit,” “The writing on the wall,” “Good Samaritan,” and “The Promised Land” are unknown to most of them.
4. Michael Jackson’s family, not the Kennedys, constitutes “American Royalty.”
5. If they miss The Daily Show, they can always get their news on YouTube. 
6. Their lives have been measured in the fundamental particles of life: bits, bytes, and bauds.
7. Robert De Niro is thought of as Greg Focker's long-suffering father-in-law, not as Vito Corleone or Jimmy Conway.
8. Bill Clinton is a senior statesman of whose presidency they have little knowledge.
9. They have never seen an airplane “ticket.”
10. On TV and in films, the ditzy dumb blonde female generally has been replaced by a couple of Dumb and Dumber males.
11. The paradox "too big to fail" has been, for their generation, what "we had to destroy the village in order to save it" was for their grandparents'.
12. For most of their lives, maintaining relations between the U.S. and the rest of the world has been a woman’s job in the State Department.
13. They can’t picture people actually carrying luggage through airports rather than rolling it.
14. There has always been football in Jacksonville but never in Los Angeles.
15. Having grown up with MP3s and iPods, they never listen to music on the car radio and really have no use for radio at all.
16. Since they've been born, the United States has measured progress by a 2 percent jump in unemployment and a 16 cent rise in the price of a first class postage stamp.
17. Benjamin Braddock, having given up both a career in plastics and a relationship with Mrs. Robinson, could be their grandfather.
18. Their folks have never gazed with pride on a new set of bound encyclopedias on the bookshelf.
19. The Green Bay Packers have always celebrated with the Lambeau Leap.
20. Exposed bra straps have always been a fashion statement, not a wardrobe malfunction to be corrected quietly by well-meaning friends.
21. A significant percentage of them will enter college already displaying some hearing loss.
22. The Real World has always stopped being polite and started getting real on MTV.
23. Women have always piloted war planes and space shuttles.
24. White House security has never felt it necessary to wear rubber gloves when gay groups have visited.
25. They have lived in an era of instant stardom and self-proclaimed celebrities, famous for being famous.
26. Having made the acquaintance of Furby at an early age, they have expected their toy friends to do ever more unpredictable things.
27. Outdated icons with images of floppy discs for “save,” a telephone for “phone,” and a snail mail envelope for “mail” have oddly decorated their tablets and smart phone screens.
28. Star Wars has always been just a film, not a defense strategy.
29. They have had to incessantly remind their parents not to refer to their CDs and DVDs as “tapes.”
30. There have always been blue M&Ms, but no tan ones.’
31. Along with online viewbooks, parents have always been able to check the crime stats for the colleges their kids have selected.
32. Newt Gingrich has always been a key figure in politics, trying to change the way America thinks about everything.
33. They have come to political consciousness during a time of increasing doubts about America’s future.
34. Billy Graham is as familiar to them as Otto Graham was to their parents.
35. Probably the most tribal generation in history, they despise being separated from contact with their similar-aged friends. 
36. Stephen Breyer has always been an Associate Justice on the U.S. Supreme Court.
37. Martin Lawrence has always been banned from hosting Saturday Night Live.
38. Slavery has always been unconstitutional in Mississippi, and Southern Baptists have always been apologizing for supporting it in the first place.
39. The Metropolitan Opera House in New York has always translated operas on seatback screens.
40. A bit of the late Gene Roddenberry, creator of Star Trek, has always existed in space.
41. Good music programmers are rock stars to the women of this generation, just as guitar players were for their mothers.
42. Gene therapy has always been an available treatment.
43. They were too young to enjoy the 1994 World Series, but then no one else got to enjoy it either.
44. The folks have always been able to grab an Aleve when the kids started giving them a migraine.
45. While the iconic TV series for their older siblings was the sci-fi show Lost, for them it’s Breaking Bad, a gritty crime story motivated by desperate economic circumstances.
46. Simba has always had trouble waiting to be King.
47. Before they purchase an assigned textbook, they will investigate whether it is available for rent or purchase as an e-book.
48. They grew up, somehow, without the benefits of Romper Room.
49. There has always been a World Trade Organization.
50. L.L. Bean hunting shoes have always been known as just plain Bean Boots.
51. They have always been able to see Starz on Direct TV.
52. Ice skating competitions have always been jumping matches.
53. There has always been a Santa Clause.
54. NBC has never shown A Wonderful Life more than twice during the holidays.
55. Mr. Burns has replaced J.R.Ewing as the most shot-at man on American television.
56. They have always enjoyed school and summer camp memories with a digital yearbook.
57. Herr Schindler has always had a List; Mr. Spielberg has always had an Oscar.
58. Selena's fans have always been in mourning.
59. They know many established film stars by their voices on computer-animated blockbusters.
60. History has always had its own channel.
61. Thousands have always been gathering for “million-man” demonstrations in Washington, D.C.
62. Television and film dramas have always risked being pulled because the story line was too close to the headlines from which they were ”ripped.”
63. TheTwilight Zone involves vampires, not Rod Serling.
64. Robert Osborne has always been introducing Hollywood history on TCM.
65. Little Caesar has always been proclaiming “Pizza Pizza.”
66. They have no recollection of when Arianna Huffington was a conservative.
67. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome has always been officially recognized with clinical guidelines.
68. They watch television everywhere but on a television.
69. Pulp Fiction’s meal of a "Royale with Cheese" and an “Amos and Andy milkshake” has little or no resonance with them.
70. Point-and-shoot cameras are soooooo last millennium.
71. Despite being preferred urban gathering places, two-thirds of the independent bookstores in the United States have closed for good during their lifetimes.
72. Astronauts have always spent well over a year in a single space flight.
73. Lou Gehrig's record for most consecutive baseball games played has never stood in their lifetimes.
74. Genomes of living things have always been sequenced.
75. The Sistine Chapel ceiling has always been brighter and cleaner.

Copyright© 2012 Beloit College
Mindset List is a registered trademark

Sexy Friday

Joe Manganiello totally deserves this. I think the whole Sexy Friday should be just because he exists. He's a bit too tall for me (but almost like 2 feet), but I'd have fun climbing up him, I think. Between his growling on True Blood and his turn in Magic Mike, he's pretty much been responsible for getting me through summer.

Sexy Friday

I've seen Chris Evans in very little, but I think he's underrated. I sometimes don't find him sexy, but then sometimes I do. I think it has to do with his character. Either way, he plays superheroes and that's not something everybody can pull off.

Conversation with Little Miss

Little Miss was cuddling with me on the couch last night.  Under her breath I can hear the following:

"Anyway you want it, that's the way you need it.  Anyway you want it."

I sit up and look at her and asked, "Did you just have a Journey moment?"

"What?"

"I heard you.  You were singing.  'Anyway you want it, that's the way you need it.  Anyway you want it.'"

She started laughing.  "Oh, yeah.  You just had a Journey moment, too."

So, thanks, Journey and State Farm for contributing to our silly couch moments.  Little Miss dove right into "We Built This City" afterwards. 

Weekend Update - Last Quiet Weekend

Last weekend, Little Miss spent the night with the In-Laws on Friday.  I met a friend for a mani/pedi after work.  Then, Husband and I had a relaxing, quiet night at home.  

We slept gloriously late on Saturday.  Then, we picked up Little Miss and prepared to go to a friend's house for a housewarming party.  On the way, Husband had to go back home with some kind of stomach bug so Little Miss and I continued to the party without him.  We had a really good time.  

On Sunday, Little Miss slept late and then woke me up to play with her.  We played some board games and built a fort.  Then, she made brunch with Husband.  We had some grand plans to go to the store or take a walk, but Little Miss said she'd rather be lazy so that's what we were.  We took a nap and then cleaned up all her toys and her room and then pretty much ended the day.  

Starting next weekend, we're either traveling to vacation or home from vacation throughout the entire month of August.

Sexy Friday

Three for the price of one today with the cast of The Hunger Games. Don't tell Husband, but I may have bought the DVD for myself a month or two ago even after seeing it in the theater twice. Regardless, I've had a soft spot for Josh Hutcherson since Bridge to Terabithia. Man, that movies destroys me although not as much as the book did as a child.

   

Of course, joining him are Jennifer Lawrence and Liam Hemsworth. I haven't seen either in too many projects. Truthfully, I'm more into Chris Hemsworth than his brother, but it could be the Miley thing influencing my feelings.

Books Read in July 2012

1. Breaking Free, Lean on Me, Make Me, Sir and To Command and Collar by Cherise Sinclair (NOTE: This is part of the Masters of the Shadowlands series. The order can be found here.)
2. Summer Days and by Susan Mallery (NOTE: These books are part of the Fool’s Gold series. The order of which can be found here.)
3. At Last and Forever and a Day by Jill Shalvis (NOTE: This is part of the Lucky Harbor series. The order can be found here as well as on her website.)
4. The Great Escape by Susan Elizabeth Phillips. (NOTE: This is part of a greater series. You can find the convoluted order here, but you should at least read Call me Irresistible first as these two books take place during simultaneous periods of time.)
5. Try Me by Olivia Cunning (NOTE: This is the first short story in a new series.)
6. Jacked Up by Erin McCarthy (NOTE: This is the latest in the Fast Track series. The order can be found here.)
7. Outside the Lines by Amy Hatvany

Lots of books this month. The first is part of the erotica series I started last month. The others are all favorite authors – Jill Shalvis, Susan Mallery, Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Erin McCarthy. You can’t go wrong with any of them. Outside the Lines was for book club and the first time I’ve read the author. I really enjoyed it and look forward to finding more of her books. I’m on vacation in August so I’ll either read a lot of books or very little. I’m already one down and it’s the second of the month so we’ll see if I can keep it up (though probably not at a one a day pace).

Movies Watched in July 2012

1. Ted
2. The Amazong Spider-Man
3. Homeland
4. Magic Mike
5. The Decoy Bride
6. The Dark Knight Rises

I saw more movies than usual this month in the theater. It helps that there was a holiday in there and also movies I wanted to see. I also finally got Husband to watch Homeland which was a big hit in the household. I believe he stole the show from me and officially likes it more than I do. Last, I watched The Decoy Bride on Netflix Instant Play. It was a really cute little British movie.

Weekend Update - Friends and Family Plan

Last weekend was fun. We went to a friend's house for a housewarming party. Little Miss gets along with all the kids and just had a blast. We hardly saw her after the minute we walked in the door.

On Sunday, we had a nice morning and then I brought Little Miss to my parents' pool. She had such a good time with my dad, ran him ragged. The last two times we've been with my family, Nephew couldn't make it. As much as she loves her cousin, I think she also enjoys some solo grandparent attention.

Sexy Friday

I recently saw Emma Stone and Andrew Garfield in Spiderman and was surprised neither was Sexy Friday recipients before. So, here is their day in the sun.

I actually do like both actors a lot. Emma Stone in Friends with Benefits is practically my favorite part. I haven't seen Andrew Garfield in a ton, but I liked him in The Social Network and Doctor Who.

Weekend Update - Running Around Town

Last weekend, it was a little nutty.  On Friday, we pretty much just crashed.  On Saturday, we had a quiet night.  Little Miss and I played many, many (many, many) games of Chutes and Ladders (or Ladders and Slides as she calls it).  We went grocery shopping.  Then, we took a glorious nap.  After, I met a friend for dinner and a movie.

On Sunday, I dragged myself out of bed after getting home at 2AM.  I discovered I'm way too old to stay out that late though I did well enough thanks to my nap the day before.  Husband went to watch some golf with friends while Little Miss and I decided to bake.  So, we went to the grocery store again at which point I realized that I left my credit card at the restaurant the night before.  I called the restaurant which confirmed it was safe and sound there.  We then fought mall traffic to find a place to park, snagged my credit card and then rewarded ourselves with some frozen yogurt.  We wrapped up the evening baking and then having dinner and bedtime.  It was a good low-key weekend. 

Our Big Girl

Little Miss gets to wear a uniform this year for school. It has her school crest under the giant heart, but forgive me. I don't want my ones of followers to go and hunt her down at school. It's a navy skort and white collar shirt. This is all we have so far. I have to go back for the rest of the uniform and gym clothes next week.

Weekend Update - Family Fun

Two weeks ago, we had a very busy weekend. On Friday, Little Miss had her first trip to the dentist. Mixed results. She did have cavities despite our vigilant brushing. The dentist reassured us that we were doing everything right, but we've also made some small changes to our routine to prevent more. She goes again in September to get them filled. Anyway, she did great at the dentist until the fluoride, but even then we got it done.

After the dentist, we had a quick lunch before the pediatrician. It turns out Little Miss has a couple of tiny warts. They come and go, but they're almost always behind her knee. The doctor said they would come and go and we could remove them, but it probably wouldn't be a Little Miss-friendly procedure so just go with them until they bother her. After that, we took the train into the city to visit Husband at work. Little Miss loved it and loved meeting all his co-workers. After this, Husband went home while Little Miss and I went out to my parents' house to meet up with my uncle, aunt, cousin and parents. Little Miss was a trooper with no nap.

On Saturday, we had a restful morning until Nephew's birthday party. He turned 2! Time certainly flies. Little Miss had a blast being the biggest kid there and the only girl. Plus, there was cake.

On Sunday, Little Miss and I woke up and had breakfast with Husband. Then, we took the train into the city to meet Aunt, Uncle, Cousin and my parents. We walked to the MLK Memorial in the high heat. I've never seen the memorial and thought it was a nice one, but the heat was stifling. We took the train back and then drove out to my parents' house again to have dinner. It was a long weekend but full of fun and family.

Apple-Pie Cake

I made this Apple-Pie Cake yesterday. I was looking for something to do with Little Miss and asked her if she wanted to cook or bake something.  She wanted an apple dessert and, after perusing recipes, she chose this one.  Thankfully, it was super simple. I think my pan was a little smaller because I had a lot of apples left, but it worked. I also need to build up the crust a little next time. Despite being difficult to slice, it is tasty. I brought in the bulk to work, but I kept some home for Little Miss and me.

Sexy Friday

OK, maybe Adam Scott isn't traditionally sexy. That said, I find him absolutely adorable. Sadly, I had no idea that the first project I remember seeing him in is Piranha though I must have seen him in his tv appearances and just don't remember. I really liked him in Friends with Kids and have been absolutely obsessed with him in Parks and Recreation. I just got to the point in the series where he made his first appearance and am flying through the next season where he was made a series regular. Do not confuse him with golfer Adam Scott - though that Adam Scott is also kind of attractive. See below:

Hey! That's two Adam Scotts for Sexy Friday - two for the price of one.

Little Miss's Sense of Self

We can only hope Little Miss's confidence and sense of self stays constant throughout her life. Last Sunday, she had some great conversations with Husband. I only wish I blogged about this closer to the weekend. Apologies for my memory. 

Little Miss: Mommy is pretty, but I'm the beautifulest. 

This next is the end of a conversation about how important and special Little Miss is to us. 

Little Miss: I'm important. 

Husband: You are very important to this family. 

Little Miss: I'm very important to every family. 

Yep, you heard her. Every family.

Sexy Friday

It's decided (well, by me) that Lenny Kravitz can make anything cool and sexy. He wore a purple jumpsuit type thing the first time I saw him. I also got to see him perform once and that was pretty sexy. He hasn't acted in too much, but I thought he was great in Precious and not everyone can pull off gold eye make up like he did in The Hunger Games. He's just the epitome of cool which is quite the accomplishment considering his name is Lenny.

Weekend Update - Hot Hot Hot

Last weekend, we had a lot planned. On Saturday, we babysat Nephew in the morning. Even though it was the hottest day this summer so far, I took the kids on a (very) short walk to the fountains where they proceeded to have a blast and cool off. Then, we took the shortest nap in history before going to the Inlaws' pool. It's too bad because Nephew and I were totally sacked out on the couch for a full 5 minutes before we were asked to move. It was so hot the pool was lukewarm and not much relief. Still, the kids were adorable and couldn't have been happier. Little Miss imitated her little cousin and started jumping under water. Previously, she didn't like getting her face wet. So, big strides in the water this summer. We did take out for dinner and it was delicious.

On Sunday, I drove a friend to another friend's new house. We had planned to see Magic Mike, but it sold out so we saw a substitute. It was a great lunch and relaxing friend time. It's so easy to get busy, and it's nice when we all have time to get together for low-key fun (lunch, movie and ice cream - what's better than that?)

Weekend Update - Fourth of July

This is quick.  Little Miss was picked up on Tuesday and spent four days with my family in Maryland.  She rode the paddleboat, went to the lake, and splashed in the hot tub.  She had a cookout with neighbors and had a great time with my family and her cousin.  

While she was out of town, we went out with friends on Tuesday night.  We did happy hour, dinner and a movie.  We stayed out past midnight.  It was downright crazy (for us).  On Wednesday, we spent time at the pool with a friend which was perfectly relaxing.  On Thursday, I met Sister-in-Law for dinner and then we went to see The Hunger Games at the second-run theater.  Then, on Friday, I picked up Little Miss from my sister.  

We did pretty well being away from Little Miss.  She did great being away from us.  I think, for us anyway, it would have been more difficult if she had been away for a weekend.  Her absence would have been more noticeable. 

Weekend Update - First Weekend in July

The first weekend in July brought a big storm to this area (and others). The wind was out of control. There were trees down everywhere. Hundreds of thousands had no electricity. This also coincided with a giant heat wave so the timing and inconvenience was ridiculous. We were lucky. Little Miss slept through the entire thing. Our power barely blinked. We did lose Internet briefly on and off, but we came out unscathed. The Inlaws lost power. Brother-in-Law and Sister-in-Law were in the same lucky position we were in. My sister may have lost power, but it was up and running the next day when we visited. My parents were out (and they live around the corner from my sister). So, Saturday, Little Miss had a poorly-attended birthday party to go to. She had a great time seeing some friends from school. Then, we all congregated at Brother-in-Law and Sister-in-Law's pool to try to beat the heat. It was a pleasant day full of pool time. After, Husband and I drove to check out my family's houses and then we did take out for dinner.

On Sunday, I don't think we did anything. I can't remember. I know I spent time on the phone to see how everyone fared. Oh, Husband lost his iPad. He discovered this midnight the night before after we finished running all around. Early Sunday, it turned out that the lifeguard found it at Brother-in-Law and Sister-in-Law's pool. So, we went back to collect that and ran some errands. After, we picked up some lunch and had some family nap time. It was fairly low key though full of stress nonetheless. We were all definitely ready to call an end to that weekend!

Sexy Friday

I've only seen Alex Pettyfer in Beastly (though I look forward to seeing him in Magic Mike). He is kind of pretty, and I enjoy the extra bulk he added for his latest movie release. I didn't find him very captivating in Beastly so I'll have to see if his performance changes my mind in Magic Mike. I'm also going to ignore the fact that, according to IMDB, he's 15 years younger than I am which automatically makes him a little less attractive to me.

Spider Sympathy

There was an itsy bitsy in our car this morning - ON THE INSIDE.  I calmly got a napkin from the glove compartment and squished it.  Little Miss, from the backseat, goes:  "Oh, good, Mommy.  Now you can put it outside where it can remake his web."  

Uh, sure, maybe by way of the trashcan.

At Last

Jill Shalvis is one of my favorite authors.  I started reading her years and years ago - though to be honest, it was while I was a child and Jill was an author wunderkind so we're not as old as it sounds.  I will admit that I kind of drifted about 5 years ago.  I continued to buy the books, but somehow I didn't keep up with reading them.  Then again, about 5 years ago, I had a baby so I guess I can see that happening.  Anyway, one summer, I read 5 of the books on my shelf in a month and I was back.  It was like seeing an old friend you haven't seen in awhile and it feels like no time has passed at all.  The books make me happy.  Her heroes just get better and better.  

Her last book, At Last is in the Lucky Harbor series.  I will admit that it is very hard to follow up her last book, Lucky in Love, but I loved Matt and Amy all the same.  Of course, this book also left me wanting more, and I'm pleased I don't have to wait too long for Forever and a Day which comes out at the end of the month.  I always recommend Jill Shalvis's books.  These books are in groupings of 3 so you don't have to start from the beginning of the series, but I do suggest starting at Lucky in Love.  

I also got to meet Jill Shalvis in NYC last year.  I tried to meet her in DC, but she didn't make it in time to overlap when I was there.  I only have nice things to say.  The only negative is that her site is banned from my work computer for being porn which is only hilarious because I would say her books are PG-13, not even the most steamy of books that I've ever read.