March 2016 Wrap Up

 

I honestly don't remember much of March. I am pretty sure it was the longest month in the history of ever. Baby Boy has been a giant handful, dealing with a possible dairy intolerance with a dash of tomato sensitivity. All I remember is a haze of screaming and bottle making. 

My BFF had her baby girl! It is so awesome that we had children so close together. We got to take bestie pregnancy pics and now tiny infant pics...though both are babies are growing FAST. I still want to plan the future, and inevitable, wedding but I SUPPOSE I could wait til they both turn six months.... :D

Easter was fun. Baby Girl just LOVES egg hunts so she had such a blast with it all. We took her to the city egg hunt again this year. Last year was.....pretty much a disaster. She just stood there and cried. This year wasn't much better, no tears, but she wouldn't pick up any of the candy that was just laying there. Don't think we'll attempt it again next year to say the least. 

December 2015 Recap

 

Hey, no diseases this month!! Well...Baby Girl just got pink eye yesterday, but I am not going to count that. Still, I'm happy with just that! Now if only I could give birth, all my discomforts would disappear as well. I can't see how I can possibly get any larger. My belly has become an excellent place to hold books and chocolate snacks :D

November 2015 Recap

 

November brought even MORE disease. The 24 hour stomach bug hit our house quite unexpectedly. Baby Girl got it first, and then of course I got it as well two days later. I don't think there is anything more unpleasant than being sick and pregnant at the same time. My non-existent stomach muscles ached all day and night :/

October 2015 Recap

 

What I lived in the month of October? DISEASE. I was completely wiped out of commission for two full weeks. The only good part about this was that it fell right after Baby Girl's birthday party and I was 95% better before my big murder mystery party. Apparently being pregnant and having a cold is a bad combo because it takes forever to get better with your lungs compressed. 

September 2015 Recap

 

September was a fun month! We got back in the groove and yet Baby Girl was throwing us curve balls left and right. First she had me worrying because she was being too clingy, and now I'm worried she's turning into a hyper brat when we go out. Potty training has been going very well with just the random accident here or there. Baby Girl still isn't 100% independent in this region, but being out of diapers is so exciting! We also started up our ECFE (Early Childhood Family Education...which is apparently unique to MN, but totally rocks!) class and Baby Girl and I are both loving it.

August 2015 Recap

August was a slow month for me. I didn't do too much, read too much, or go online much. But it was still nice. It was relaxing and that is what August reminds me of: slow, summer days lazy with heat and humidity. 

August started off with Baby Girl's first parade celebrating our city days. Of course she immediately fell in love with it as we got BUCKET loads of candy (I think I still have some...). 

June 2015 Recap

I usually post these on the weekends, but I am hoping you were out and about enjoying the Fourth and not reading blog posts! But it is a new week now ;)

What the crap happened to June?? Gone in a flash. Most of the month I felt pretty crappy which put a huge damper on all reading and blogging. My motivation completely vanished. Luckily, I had left myself pretty open book schedule-wise as I was anticipating a lot of INSPY reading and discussion. This last week of June however, the whole family has had a cold and I find myself wildly behind on reading and blogging. 

In June I got bookish mail left and right and was absolutely LOVING it! Anything better than bookish mail?? I think not. 

April 2015 Recap

April is over already?? In my desperate wishes for warmer weather, April slipped by in a flash. But all the cold weather (and brief snow storm) had me in a reading frenzy!

EASTER happened! And Baby Girl loved all the Easter egg hunts :)

As a family we went to our first bookish event together at the library. Then the next week Baby Girl and I attended 'Do Good Together' Night at one of the elementary schools nearby. We drew pictures for elderly folks, made signs thanking veterans, and put together after school snacks for kids who couldn't afford them. It was an easy, fun way to spend an evening, plus I got to teach my 2 year old how to help others. 

My father in law celebrated his birthday, I was a judge for the cheerleading team tryouts, Hubby applied for a new job, and we celebrated our 3rd Annual Thanksgiving in April which was a -busy- success! 

March Recap 2015

My month will look a little boring this month I am afraid because in the realm of blogging, reading, and TV watching...I didn't do much. Or at least I FEEL I didn't do much. I will let you be the judge :)

Another fun month! Just two days ago my very pregnant neighbor gave birth to her second child...at home! Yikes! It wasn't planned :/ But both Mom and baby are well! 

Overall, March was an ...interesting month. I took my sister in law on her first college visit and later in the month we took Baby Girl to her first egg hunt. She LOVED it. 

Hubby also hosted his very own Chopped Challenge. If you've ever seen 'Chopped' on the Food Network channel, it is pretty intense. Because of space and money limits, we could only have three chefs and three judges. The chefs went all out and made some crazy fun dishes. As a judge I got help pick the mystery ingredients. For the dinner round we picked: pork tenderloin, tawny port, fennel, and Lo Mein Noodles. For the dessert round we picked: frozen french toast sticks, pudding cups, dried mint, and green apples. We can't WAIT to do it again!!

February Recap 2015

Gosh golly, where did the time go??All I can really remember about Februrary is my daughter's obsession with Batman and Robin. She is, of course, Robin ;) I've been designated Batman, but just today she upgraded me to Batgirl. Daddy was just 'football' until a few days ago when he became 'ManBat', which YES is a real character. And because you are so gosh darned lucky:

*kissy face!*

January Recap 2015

Sooo..once upon a time I started trying to do monthly recaps. Let's see if I can do it again:

Not sure what I was up to this month, but it flew by! I did a lot of blogging. This post will be number 21 for me, which is a lot. 

I started to pick up my business again after the holidays. Last Saturday I attended Mega Regional which was super motivating! I really want to try and earn my way to convention in June! Let me know if you will help out??

I also took Baby Girl to Sesame Street Live! That was a hoot. Kids everywhere dancing, singing, crying, and downright partying. I'll be going again next year for sure. 

Otherwise, I hung out with friends, family, and food. Lots and lots of food. And I have more food ahead of me with SUPERBOWL tomorrow!!

In January I read 12 books. Five counted towards my Flights of Fantasy challenge. Two met my Library 2015 Challenge. And per usual, I'm behind on reviews :) My one review is linked!

5 stars:

A Thousand Pieces of You by Claudia Gray

The Dancing Master by Julie Klassen (audio)

Clutter Free by Kathi Lipp

4 Stars:

Cinder by Marissa Meyer

Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein (audio)

Beyond All Dreams by Elizabeth Camden

Romancing Your Better Half by Rick Johnson

Defenseless by Elisa Dane

Atlantis Rising by Gloria Craw

3 Stars:

Paper or Plastic by Vivi Barnes

2 Stars:

Both of Me by Jonathan Friesen

Reviews:

Lizzy and Jane Review: 4.5 stars

Emissary: 3 stars

Atlantis Rising: 3.5 stars

Starry Night: 1 star

Quick Reviews:

Ruta Sepetys Book Reviews

Blitzes, Tours, Reveals:

Garden Cover Reveal

How Not to Fall in Love Cover Reveal

My Ex from Hell Blast and Giveaway

Forever Now Book Blitz

2014 Wrap Up & Looking Ahead to 2015

2014 Let Downs
2014 Honorable Mentions
Favorite Books from the Second Half of 2014
Fave Covers of 2014
Donuts to 2015
2015 Releases to Watch Out For

Challenges & New Books
Flights of Fantasy Challenge
Flights of Fantasy Update-January 
Write On Review-a-thon
New on the Shelves (5)

Not much really. After wrapping up Gilmore Girls, I floundered a bit. I rewatched BBC's Emma which is always a fantastic idea. 

Hubby and I have been watching Alaska State Troopers during naptime and Stargate SG-1 at night sometimes. We are currently in season 5.  

6 Writing Tips from YA Authors along with 15 Ways to Find Writing Inspiration has been giving me a jumpstart on my creative juices

Getting ready for The Month of Love with these pins: The 10 Day Happy Habits for Couples Challenge, 30 Day Marriage Challenge, and also this older January LOVE Calendar. 

Trying to find ways to keep Baby Girl occupied during the winter. This can be done inside and this lets me eat a snack :) 

Welcome to 2015 :) Maybe the pace will slow down in February??

Flights of Fantasy Update-January

Hello dear friends. I am sharing my January updates on my Flights of Fantasy challenge. (See? I CAN do this!). I read FIVE of my 20 books for the year! WOO-HOO!! And the five were....

August Recap 2014

Okay. I am finally doing it...a monthly recap!!

August was a FUN month! I was waiting forever for my weekend up North and it finally came. Me and Hubby went up to Lutsen with two other couples. It was a blast! And the Sea Villa we stayed in was much nicer than I was expecting. So that was a bonus. We ate pizza, s'mores, fudge, grilled, bonfired, talked, and laughed. BEST. And hopefully repeatable. 

I also started a home business. *cross fingers it all goes well!* I am super pumped about it and want it to do well. 

And then cheerleading. Ah. Back in the swing of things. This will be my sixth year coaching I think. It all sort of becomes a neverending blur. I have high hopes for the season with a new batch of freshmen. 

Fantasy Football 2014 baby! Hubby and I weren't as prepared for the draft this year around, which we held at our apparently super small house. This was evidenced by our drafting two, yes TWO defenses. Sigh. Better luck next year, eh? Next year I think I will do my own team though. Love ya Hubby! ;D

I am closing out the month with seven new books on my Read shelf. Most of the reviews are still pending. I am so behind on posting reviews!

5 Stars:

Let's All Be Brave by Annie F. Downs

4 Stars:

Thirteen by James Phelan

Growing Up Social by Arlene Pellicane and Gary D. Chapman 

Velveteen Rabbit (audiobook)-no review pending

Heart Shaped Rock by Laura Roppe (linked to review)

3 Stars:

Bouquet of Love by Janice Thompson (linked to review)

2 Stars:

Parenting the Whole-Hearted Child Jeannie Cunnion (also a DNF)

I have managed 14 posts for August. Respectable :)

Reviews:

Speak-3 Stars....though I am thinking 2 is more like it...

Fire Wish-4 Stars

Bouquet of Love-3.5 stars

Heart Shaped Rock-4 stars

...and now do you see why I am behind on reviews??

Quick Reviews:

Team Us-3.5 Stars....more like a 3 now..

Jonah and the Great Big Fish-3 stars

Blitzes, Tours, Reveals:

Pieces of Me Blitz--giveaway still open!

Dream Boy Blitz--giveaway still open!

Kissing Frogs Cover Reveal

Kid Focused:

Power of Literacy and Announcement

Tot School: Letter A

Favorite Usborne Books so Far

And more...

New on the Shelves 4

Season Two of Gilmore Girls! I flew through season one, but somehow don't have as much time for season two. Still a great show, not a favorite yet, but darned good!

Also: SEASON EIGHT OF DOCTOR WHO!! No spoilers I promise! As much as I hate to admit it, Peter Capaldi isn't horrible. Everything I hated about the episode was on the production side. Like WOW. Horrible production. If I can tell the camera work is being used to make me think a scene is more hectic and crazy then  it really is...then no bueno. 

And yes, I have gotten sucked into the giant Simpson's marathon a few times :) 

Outstanding New Picture Books for Summer 2014 

I love these 8 Reasons Fairy Tales are Essential to Childhood

Time for me to get back to Yoga! I'm starting with some easy hip openers 

I made these and these and they were huge hits! 

Debating if I should do this

And who doesn't need one of these? Adorable! 

Looking ahead to September I don't have much planned. A nephew's birthday, a book party, some football (!!), some fall Caribou mochas, and hopefully some better organization! Goodbye dear August, you were humid as usual, yet I am still sad to see you go.