Why God Made Moms

I had an excellent Mother's Day this year.... I got to sleep in while John and Braxton made me breakfast in bed. I got to share most of my breakfast with Braxton... John made his excellent hamburgers for our dinner and I got a LONG nap. I also got an adorable card and new kitchen knives. I'd say I'm probably one of the most spoiled moms out there..... :)

Anyway, I got this email about moms and I thought it was rather fitting for Mother's Day.

WHY GOD MADE MOMS
(Answers given by 2nd grade school children)

Why did God make mothers?
1. She's the only one who knows where the scotch tape is.
2. Mostly to clean the house.
3. To help us out of there when we were getting born.

How did God make mothers?
1. He used dirt, just like for the rest of us.
2. Magic plus super powers and a lot of stirring.
3. God made my mom just the same like he made me. He just used bigger parts.

What ingredients are mothers made of?
1. God makes mothers out of clouds and angel hair and everything nice in the world and one dab of mean.
2. They had to get their start from men's bones. Then they mostly use string, I think.

Why did God give you your mother and not some other mom?
1. We're related.
2. God knew she likes me a lot more than other people's mom like me.

What kind of a little girl was your mom?
1. My mom has always been my mom and none of that other stuff.
2. I don't know because I wasn't there, but my guess would be pretty bossy.
3. They say she used to be nice.

What did mom need to know about dad before she married him?
1. His last name.
2. She had to know his background. Like is he a crook? Does he get drunk on beer?
3. Does he make at least $800 a year? Did he say NO to drugs and YES to chores?

Why did your mom marry your dad?
1. My dad makes the best spaghetti in the world. And my mom eats a lot.
2. She got too old to do anything else with him.
3. My grandma says that mom didn't have her thinking cap on.

Who's the boss at your house?
1. Mom doesn't want to be boss, but she has to because dad's such a goof ball.
2. Mom. You can tell by room inspection. She sees the stuff under the bed.
3. I guess mom is, but only because she has a lot more to do than dad.

What's the difference between moms and dads?
1. Moms work at work and work at home and dads just go to work at work.
2. Moms know how to talk to teachers without scaring them.
3. Dads are taller and stronger, but moms have all the real power 'cause that's who you got to ask if you want to sleep over at your friends.
4. Moms have magic, they make you feel better without medicine.

What does your mom do in her spare time?
1. Mothers don't do spare time.
2. To hear her tell it, she pays bills all day long.

What would it take to make your mom perfect?
1. On the inside she's already perfect.. Outside, I think some kind of plastic surgery.
2. Diet. You know, her hair. I'd diet, maybe blue.

If you could change one thing about your mom, what would it be?
1. She has this weird thing about me keeping my room clean. I'd get rid of that.
2. I'd make my mom smarter. Then she would know it was my sister who did it not me.
3. I would like for her to get rid of those invisible eyes on the back of her head.

Update

I know. I know. It's been FOREVER since I posted. I've been busy keeping an active 2yr old entertained and out of trouble. Braxton doesn't necessarily want me to play with him, but wants me in the same room watching him play. He doesn't like it too much if I am trying to do other things when he thinks I should be giving him my undivided attention (which is always!)!

I used to be able to get a few things done when he was napping during the day. I didn't realize that at 2 years old he would be independent enough to decide he doesn't want or need to take naps. I thought for sure that eventually Braxton would decide that he still needed to take his daily naps... He didn't.
And, then I decided that I didn't want him taking naps when he wouldn't go to sleep until 10 or 11 PM when he did happen to fall asleep.

Anyway, so all of this means less time for me to do what I would like to do - like posting on my blogs or making my cards for card exchange.... the list is endless! The free time I do have is used for sleeping, cleaning (of course!), Scentsy, primary lessons and Cub Scouts.

So, if anyone has any extra energy just waiting to be used... please send it on over!

The Husband Store

Another funny email from Megan....


A store that sells new husbands has opened in New York City, where a woman may go to choose a husband. Among the instructions at the entrance is a description of how the store operates:
You may visit this store ONLY ONCE! There are six floors and the value of the products increase as the shopper ascends the flights. The shopper may choose any item from a particular floor, or may choose to go up to the next floor, but you cannot go back down except to exit the building!

So, a woman goes to the Husband Store to find a husband. On the first floor the sign on the door reads:
Floor 1 -These men have jobs.

She is intrigued, but continues to the second floor, where the sign reads:
Floor 2 - These men have jobs and love kids.

'That's nice,' she thinks, 'but I want more.' So she continues upward. The third floor sign reads:
Floor 3 - These men have jobs, love kids, and are extremely good looking.

'Wow,' she thinks, but feels compelled to keep going. She goes to the fourth floor and the sign reads:
Floor 4 - These men have jobs, love kids, are drop-dead good looking and help with housework.

'Oh, mercy me!' she exclaims, 'I can hardly stand it!' Still, she goes to the fifth floor and the sign reads:
Floor 5 - These men have jobs, love kids, are drop-dead gorgeous, help with housework, and have a strong romantic streak.

She is so tempted to stay, but she goes to the sixth floor, where the sign reads:
Floor 6 - You are visitor 31,456,012 to this floor. There are no men on this floor. This floor exists solely as proof that women are impossible to please. Thank you for shopping at the Husband Store.


PLEASE NOTE: To avoid gender bias charges, the store's owner opened a New Wives store just across the street.
The first floor has wives that love sex.
The second floor has wives that love sex and have money and like beer.
The third, fourth, fifth and sixth floors have never been visited.

When I Grow Up...

My friend Megan gets the funniest emails... I just had to post this one too!

This is the reply the teacher received the following day.

Dear Mrs. Jones,

I wish to clarify that I am not now, nor have I ever been, an exotic dancer. I work at Home Depot and I told my daughter how hectic it was last week before the blizzard hit. I told her we sold out every single shovel we had, and then I found one more in the back room, and that several people were fighting over who would get it. Her picture doesn't show me dancing around a pole. It's supposed to depict me selling the last snow shovel we had at Home Depot. From now on I will remember to check her homework more thoroughly before she turns it in.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Smith

Nine Words Women Use

1. Fine
This is the word women use to end an argument when they are right and you need to shut up.
2. Five Minutes
If she is getting dressed, this means a half an hour. Five minutes is only five minutes if you have just been given five more minutes to watch the game before helping around the house.
3. Nothing
This is the calm before the storm. This means something, and you should be on your toes. Arguments that begin with "nothing" usually end in "fine."
4. Go Ahead
This is a dare, NOT permission. Don't Do It!
5. Loud Sigh
This IS actually a word, but it is a non-verbal statement often misunderstood by men. A loud sigh means she thinks you are an idiot and wonders why she is wasting her time standing here and arguing with you about nothing. (Refer back to # 3 for the meaning of nothing.)
6. That's Okay
This is one of the most dangerous statements a women can make to a man. "That's okay" means she wants to think long and hard before deciding how and when you will pay for your mistake.
7. Thanks
A woman is thanking you - do not question, or faint. Just say you're welcome.
**I want to add in a clause here - This is true, unless she says "Thanks a lot" - that is PURE sarcasm and she is not thanking you at all. DO NOT say "you're welcome" as that will bring on a "Whatever."
8. Whatever
Is a woman's way of saying SCREW YOU!
9. Don't worry about it, I got it
Another dangerous statement, meaning this is something that a woman has told a man to do several times, but is now doing it herself. This will later result in a man asking 'What's wrong?' For the woman's response refer to # 3.

I've Been Tagged!

I've been tagged by my good friend, Megan Eddie. She is an amazing woman and so talented! If you need help with any home decorating, refinishing furniture or cooking (and pretty much anything else) she is the one to ask!

The rules:
1. Post the rules
2. Answer the six "8" items
3. Let each person know they have been tagged by leaving them a comment.


8 Favorite Shows
1. The Office
2. CSI
3. CSI - Miami
4. Law & Order
5. Law & Order - SVU
6. American Idol
7. The Biggest Loser
8. Sesame Street


8 Things I Did Yesterday
1. Visiting Teaching
2. Bonneville Craft Show
3. Had lunch at Johnny Carino's
4. Worked on Scentsy stuff
5. Went to dinner with John and some friends
6. Put Braxton to bed three times... :)
7. Read Primary Lesson for Sunday
8. Finished November's Book Club Book


8 Favorite Restaurants
1. Johnny Carino's
2. TGI Fridays
3. Texas Roadhouse
4. P.F. Changs
5. Jakers
6. Garcia's
7. Sol Rio
8. Mrs. Powell's


8 Things I'm Looking Forward To
1. Thanksgiving Dinner with my family
2. Going to Billings to see John's extended family
3. Christmas lights
4. Christmas with Braxton
5. Card exchange
6. Getting a treadmill
7. Reading the scriptures as a family
8. Bed


8 Things On My Wish List
1. Braxton would still take naps
2. To have my entire house clean all at the same time
3. Braxton will grow up to be a clean, honorable and humble man
4. I would always be happy and kind
5. A good memory
6. My 'To Do' List to be completely done
7. My own laptop computer
8. Dream house


8 People I Tag
1. Christi Billquist
2. Natalie Billquist
3. Angie Hansen
4. Jenny Vance
5. Korrie Davis
6. Jacob Davis
7. Pam Davis
8. Angey Lybbert

Book Club

October's book club was so good! When it was first announced what we would be reading I wasn't super excited. But after reading the book, and then going to book club... I thought it was one of the best books I have read in a long time!

The book we read is Same Kind of Different as Me, by Ron Hall and Denver Moore. This book could possibly be life changing...

I loved the blurb that was on the website (so I just copied it on over to here... but go to the website to read more about this amazing book!)

"It begins outside a burning plantation hut in Louisiana... and an East Texas honky-tonk... and, without a doubt, in the heart of God. It unfolds in a Hollywood hacienda... an upscale New York Gallery... a downtown dumpster... a Texas ranch. Gritty with pain and betrayal and brutality, it also shines with an unexpected, life-changing love."

_________________________________________

The book switches back and forth between the two authors lives.

Denver Moore is a black man who grew up in Louisiana and raised under plantation-style slavery in the 1960s. That fact absolutely amazed me... when was slavery supposed to end - wasn't it 1865? Anyway, Denver ends up hopping onto a train and heads to Texas - a man that has never learned to read and has no skills other than cotton-picking. Denver doesn't have a lot of options for jobs. So Denver ends up homeless and then in prison and then again homeless.

Enter Deborah Hall in 1998 - an amazing woman with a very good heart. She is married to Ron Hall, a very successful international art seller who began his career in 1971. Ron loves the money, the job, the prestige... Deborah finds it all a little too much and manages to keep Ron on the ground with it all. Eventually they start working at a homeless shelter....

And then you have to read the book! I don't want to ruin it by telling to much, but it is a great book. The beginning started out a little slow, but after three or four chapters I couldn't put it down! Also, you may need some tissues for the the last 1/4 of it. I did!

Card Exchange

I haven't posted cards from my last two card exchanges! Yikes!

In September, we made Halloween cards. It was hard to pick out my favorite ones, but I finally narrowed it down.

This one was made with a Cricut... isn't it adorable? It makes me really want to get a Cricut now!

John said this one didn't make any sense to him, but I thought it was cute. It's just Halloween-y!

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This month we had a free-for-all and you could make any theme of card you wanted. My favorites this month were just generic friend ones. I thought they were all so cute though!

The card I made was for a baby boy. I thought it turned out pretty well considering I used the same pattern for Jenny's baby shower invitations. I will post that one after I host Jenny's baby shower in November.

Cinnamon Cider & Snowflakes

I love getting packages!

Being a new consultant for Scentsy, I have signed up to receive the "scent and warmer of the month" combo... and I just got my first one today. So even though I knew it was coming, I was still pleasantly surprised!

For November, it is the cutest warmer! I received the blue one, and it is so pretty! It will go perfectly with my Christmas and January decorations!

I already have a few orders for the white one... so if any one else wants one of these darling warmers, they are on sale for $27.00 this month - Just let me know!

Now for the yummy scent - it's Cinnamon Cider and I think it smells so good! I can't wait to start melting it.... I will have samples to smell and I have received a few extra things for give-aways. So, if you want to host a party.... or know someone who will, I'll be happy to give you something in exchange! :)

Scentsy

I've been feeling a little adventurous these days... (which may or may not be a good thing!) and so have decided to try my hand at working from home. Luckily, I have an awesome husband who is willing to support me in my ideas....

I am going to be a consultant for Scentsy! If you have never heard of Scentsy - I can promise that you are going to love it! Scentsy products are so safe and affordable! I have a Scentsy warmer and just purchased the Spiced Orange Harvest bar. It smells so good!

The thing I love about this line is that it is safe. I have been wary to burn candles or even use a candle warmer with a little busy boy running around - I'm so afraid he'll find it and burn himself! But with Scentsy there is no wick, and the warmers are designed to melt wax at a lower temperature so there is never any danger of a child (or yourself!) being burned.

They have lots of cute warmers that will go with any decor and they now have new warmers that you plug in directly to the outlet. They are perfect for small spaces, or where there is no counter space!

The Scentsy line of products include:

Car Candles

Room sprays

Warmers

Plug-In Warmers

Bars and Bricks

I even have my own website: www.scentsy.com/LBillquist. So check it out and let me know if you would like to do a party or just place an order!

A Girl Named Zippy

Someday I'm going to get my life together again so that I can keep my blog updated! It just seems like I am constantly moving, and I feel so tired all the time! I'm sure most of it is due to a very sweet and handsome little boy who loves to play and run and the other part is probably my obsessive need for clean.
I got ambitious on Tuesday and rearranged the kitchen decorations. I decided I'm done with apples. I've had them for 9 1/2 years - wow! Anyway, I also decided I was sick of the grimy dust on my blinds. So I took the living room and kitchen blinds down, and washed them in the bathtub. And of course, I couldn't just do that... I had to clean the windows too. I AM A NUT!
And all I know is that sleep is going to come easy tonight! I am exhausted, but I keep putting off my blog and it's already been a month since my last entry.
________________________________________

For our September book club we read A Girl Named Zippy: Growing Up Small in Mooreland, Indiana by Haven Kimmel. It is a memoir about her childhood in a little town of 300 people.

"Nicknamed 'Zippy' for the way she would bolt around the house, this small girl was possessed of big eyes and even bigger ears. In this witty and lovingly told memoir, Kimmel takes readers back to a time when small-town America was caught in the amber of the innocent postwar period–people helped their neighbors, went to church on Sunday, and kept barnyard animals in their backyards."
-courtesy of ReadingGroupGuides.com


I thought this book was hilarious! I just kept laughing while I was reading. It was a quick read, and was well-written. I would recommend it for a good light-hearted read.

Anne of Green Gables

My book club went really well! I was expecting 2 or 3 girls to show up... but I was pleasantly surprised with 11! Book club was kinda short comparatively (only 2 hours), but it was fun.

The food... well, it was interesting. Remember how excited I was about finding the Anne of Green Gables Cookbook? I won't be recommending it to anyone for new recipes... It's only good for being cute!
The gingersnaps were a definite YUCK! They left a really gross aftertaste, and just weren't very flavorful. The raspberry cordial was really thick - it was like drinking watered down raspberry jam. It was good, just thick. And the plum pudding was good too, but the caramel sauce was thin and not very "caramel-ly."
I think the girls appreciated the effort though. No one really comes to eat anyway - and I didn't have hardly anything left over (which was my goal - I hate having lots of leftovers from things like that.).
Anyway...

Anne of Green Gables, by Lucy Maud Montgomery, has to be one of my most favorite books. It was pure, simple and just plain funny. I had a smile on my face after reading it, and I giggled through most of it. I wish I would have found this book earlier in my life!

I did a little research on the author and the book. I found most of my information from this website: Anne 2008

These were my favorite things we talked about:

Would you rather be divinely beautiful, dazzlingly clever or angelically good? We couldn't decide which one we wanted to be.. just like Matthew and Anne!

Anne symbolizes : a modern woman competing alongside boys for scholarships and working hard to ear her way to college; hope, optimism and the power of faith. She is determined to succeed despite all the obstacles! And finally, Anne represents the universality of the quest for all things we wish for in life - friendship, love, acceptance and a home.

Anne of Green Gables was published in 1908 - this year marks the 100th anniversary of it being published. Today, over 50 millions copies are in print in over 35 languages. There are 7 more books in the series, written by Montgomery.

Anne of Avonlea, Anne of the Island, Anne of Windy Poplars, Anne's House of Dreams, Anne of Ingleside, Rainbow Valley, Rilla of Ingleside

There is also a prequel, Before Green Gables, written by Budge Wilson and published in 2008.

I have checked all of these books out from the library, and so will be happily continuing my adventures with Anne for a while!

About the Author:

Lucy Maud Montgomery was born in 1874 on Prince Edward Island. Her mother died when she was only 21 months old. Her maternal grandparents took over her care, and her father moved to western Canada.

Maud (as she was called) found companionship in nature, books, her imagination and writing. At the age of 9 she started writing poetry and keeping a journal. Her first poem was published in a newspaper when she was 16. She went to school in Cavendish, and then attended Prince of Wales College where she studied for a teacher's license. She completed the two-year course in one year and graduated with honors.

In 1899, she was earning $96.88 for her writings (poems, short stories and serials). By 1903 her earnings had increased to $500.

Montgomery wrote her first novel, Anne of Green Gables, in 1905 and sent it in to several publishers who all sent her rejections! In 1907 she tried again, and finally it was accepted and became an immediate best-seller, selling over 19,000 copies in the first 5 months.

Montgomery married Reverend Ewan Macdonald in 1911. They had secretly been engaged for 5 years! After their marriage, they moved to Ontario. Along with being a mother, Montgomery assisted her husband in his pastoral duties, ran their home, and continued to write best-selling novels, as well as writing short stories and poems. She was faithful in recording entries in her journals.

Montgomery died in 1942, and returned to Prince Edward Island to be buried in the Cavendish cemetary - close to the site of her old home.

Thank You Card Exchange

I went to this month's card exchange this morning. It was so fun! There were so many cute cards... and so I've decided that I will only pick a couple of cards each month to post on my blog.

Thanks again to Christi for the idea on my card...

I love this card! It is just pieces of ribbon sewn around into a heart... how clever!

Anne of Green Gables

Tomorrow night is book club - hosted by me! I'm a little nervous, but hopefully it will go well. I chose the book Anne of Green Gables, by Lucy Maud Montgomery. My friend, Megan actually suggested the book to me. I had never read it before (or seen the movie!). Apparently it is quite a popular book for young girls... I guess I never was in the "in" crowd though!

Hosting book club basically means that I have to lead the discussion and serve treats afterwards. So I've been doing some research. And I discovered that Anne of Green Gables was first published in 1908 - that's right! It's the 100th year! How lucky of me to choose this book at this time!

I thought it would be fun for the treats to see if I could find some recipes for some of the food talked about in the book. And can you believe it? There is an Anne of Green Gables Cookbook. It was written by home economist and food stylist, Kate McDonald. Kate is also L.M.M's granddaughter!
It has quite a few recipes in it, and is an adorable cookbook. It is meant for younger cooks, or maybe even very inexperienced cooks so everything is pretty basic. It has quotes from the Anne books which really helped me decide what to make!

See if you can guess which things I'm going to make from these quotes:

"You'll put down the old brown tea set. But you can open the little yellow crock of cherry preserves. It' time it was being used anyhow - I believe it's beginning to work. And you can cut some fruit-cake and have some of the cookies and snaps." ANNE OF GREEN GABLES, XVI

Of course, I'm making the Maritime Gingersnaps.
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"But it isn't good manners to tell your company what you are going to give them to eat, so I won't tell you what she said we could have to drink. Only that it begins with an r and a c and it's a bright red color. I love bright red drinks, don't you? They taste twice as good as any other color." ANNE OF GREEN GABLES, XVI

And, naturally this is Diana Barry's Favourite Raspberry Cordial (you'll be relieved to know that there will be no mix-ups with it!).
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"Everything went right until I saw Marilla coming with the plum pudding in one hand the the pitcher of pudding sauce, warmed up, in the other. Diana, that was a terrible moment. I remembered everything and I just stood up in my place and shrieked out, 'Marilla, you mustn't use that pudding sauce. There was a mouse drowned in it. I forgot to tell you before.' Oh, Diana, I shall never forget that awful moment if I live to be a hundred." ANNE OF GREEN GABLES, XVI

And what kind of book club would it be without Marilla's Plum Pudding with Caramel Pudding Sauce (without the mouse of course!)?
____________________________________

Just reading these quotes gives me the giggles. I loved the book, and I am so excited for tomorrow!

Personalized Pottery

A few weekends ago I went to an Art Show with my mom. Most of it was the usual - stuff I would buy, but it's not in the budget; stuff I would buy, but I'm too cheap; and stuff I wouldn't buy for anyone on this planet, and of course, the usual unusual people.

At one of the booths, was some really unique pottery. My mom absolutely loves pottery, and has managed to collect quite a bit - so, of course, I'm always on the lookout for a gift for her. I also enjoy pottery, but have never really collected any.

The reason this pottery so unique was that it was personalized! The artists had several plates on display with different names and dates and occasions - births, birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, retirements - it was very unique! These are just a few of the pieces...

If you are interested in looking at more, check out their website: Personalized Pottery

Thank You!

When I went to AZ in February, Christi's house smelled absolutely amazing. So I asked her the secret... when she told me it was Exotic Coconut Wallflower from Bath & Body Works, I thought she had to be kidding! I detest the flavor and texture of coconut.... but apparently, B&BW knows how to get a great aroma out of it!
I decided that I was going to need some of these for my house I purchased a couple. And then I found out that they discontinued the scent. What is up with that? Actually, I know - it's because I found it and loved it... it's just one of those things.... (sigh)

Anyway, so I've been on the prowl for them... When I went to Florida in June I was able to score 12 of them on clearance...(mind you they are not the refill pack with 2, just the starter kit with 1). Well, yesterday, I get home from planning a camping trip, and John has discovered a box on our porch...

Inside was black licorice, along with a very handsome tie for my hubbie (she always picks out the best ties!), a new truck for Braxton, some soap, and my very favorite and hard to find Exotic Coconut Wallflower refill! So a very big thank you hug to my awesome sis-in-law! Now I won't have to ration out my remaining stock so much... :)

Speaking of thank you's... take a look at this adorable one Christi sent in the package!

I LOVE IT! and am seriously considering copying the idea for my card exchange in August....

Card Exchange

Yesterday I had my card exchange with a few girls in my ward. I was able to start this little group up with some encouragement and tips from my sis-in-law, Christi - she also does this in her ward in AZ, and she has gotten some very cute cards out of it. Anyway, I decided that if I was going to do this, that I would use the supplies that I have and not buy anything new. So far it has worked out - then again, we've only done it two times. It is a great way for me to use up all of my stuff, including the scraps!

We had it at Becky's house and she showed us her system of doing things. This girl has got it together! She exchanges supplies with her sister-in-law or friends, so that she always has what she needs without having to buy a lot. She also had some great tips:
1) Buy plain gold brads at Wal-mart (100 for $1) and then use fingernail polish to paint the tops the colors you want!
2) Put coordinating items in ziploc bags, then you don't have to search so much!
3) She uses every scrap of everything - paper, cardboard, slides.... etc. It was amazing!


It is always so fun to see what they come up with! I thought I would post a few of the cards that I received....

The card I made is the one with the Kool-Aid packet. I got this super cute idea from Christi, my awesome and very creative sister-in-law. She is so nice to let me copy her idea!

Our theme for this exchange was "summer/4th of July." I love that we all have slightly different styles of doing things... that's what makes this so great!

Next month, our theme is "thank you" cards. I am excited to start looking for some great ideas so I can get started!

Nursery Woes

Braxton is now 18-months old, which means he can officially go into nursery at church. Well, I never was that excited about it - and apparently neither is he! John has been taking him for a while, trying to get him to get used to it. It hasn't worked. Braxton starts crying the instant he sees the nursery door!
Today, the primary secretary taught my class so I could go into nursery and help out (they only had one leader and 12 kids). So, I did. Can I just say that no wonder he doesn't really like it? I didn't like it either!
It was very chaotic with that many kids! And, a few of the kids are quite naughty - constantly hitting and kicking the other kids, and taking away toys from other kids.... Before today, I was telling myself that nursery may be optional, but it could be good for him. Now I'm thinking - I'm glad nursery is optional, because there is no way this can be good for him! And since I have such a hard time keeping my opinions to myself, I decided to talk to the Primary President about it. So, I asked her if she knew what was going on in Nursery (she also has a daughter in there). When she told me she didn't really know, but was starting to wonder since her daughter didn't like it anymore, I went ahead and filled her in on what I thought.

Maybe I have a crazy idea of what nursery is supposed to be - a safe, comfortable environment where the kids learn and play together, where they are taught basic principles and doctrines of the church. However, the nursery I went to today was more like a poorly run day-care. The kids played for an hour, if not more, with the toys - I'm not even sure I should say "played" since 1/2 of the time the kids were fighting and arguing and stealing toys. I try to have a reasonable expectation about how they should act and behave based on their ages, but they were absolutely out of control!
So, after that they had snacks. Now, I realize that I am borderline Nazi about what Braxton eats, so this may need to be taken with a grain of salt and a big sigh - but this is really what they feed them? Sugared cereal, cheese Nips, and maybe 5 raisins. Mind you, this all comes in their own little baggie - which is way too much for many of the kids. I thought it was "snack" time, not "meal" time. I just know there are so many better things to have the kids eat... is no one else worried about childhood obesity? This is the time to teach kids how yummy fruits and vegetables are, and how good they are for you. But instead, they are getting filled up with crap food. I am not opposed to treats (I love them myself!), but when they become the main dish I have an issue.
When I talked to my friend Megan, (who also has a daughter in there) she said "It's only once a week, so I don't care that much." Perhaps I need to spend some more time with her, so she can help me get over to the "sane" side of things! Megan is an amazing mom, and I often ask her advice on things. She is a great resource for me, and always puts things into perspective. She is also my nicest, politest friend ever - and so if I ever need some advice on how to say something and NOT be rude, she is the one I go to!

Anyway, back to the issue at hand:
Now, I'm not accusing the leader that was in there of being a bad leader. She was the doing the best she could with what she was given. But really - when she has her own two children in there that are on the needier side (I can say that because Braxton is extremely needy!), she can't really focus on the rest of the children, especially when there is that many!
Anyway, she did teach a lesson (which I missed due to Braxton's meltdown) and had a singing time. The kids loved it - they sang, they danced, they laughed and they were even nice to each other! This made me think that perhaps the kids need more activities to do like this, and less play time with the toys. The kids were having fun and they were learning.

Am I being unreasonable? I want the honest truth - I can take it!

The History of Love

This month for book club we are reading The History of Love, written by Nicole Krauss. It is one of the craziest books I have ever read. It was good... it just was wierd, and my head is still spinning thinking about it and trying to figure it out. I don't have bookclub until the end of this month... but I thought I'd try for some feedback from ya before I go to it.

The summary (courtesy of Wikipedia):

The History of Love is a novel in the form of a homage to things lost, as well as to unsolved mysteries. The novel within the novel, also named The History of Love is the basis for all these questions.
Leo Gursky is an old locksmith who feels as though he is disappearing. He tries at all costs to draw attention to himself, but he still feels he has a void in his life. Eventually, he goes on a quest to find his long-lost son and the novel that he wrote as a young man, now published in Chile under the name of Zvi Litvinoff. Alma Singer is a teenage girl who is trying to keep her family together after the loss of her father. Named after the heroine of The History of Love, Alma tries to console her widowed mother (who has recently been requested to translate the novel from Spanish) as well as keep her younger brother Bird (who believes he is a lamed vovnik) from becoming a social pariah.


Anyway, give it a try and see what you think!

The Scarlet Letter

I had book club tonight. It was fantastic - and can I send a great big thank-you! to my sweet sister, who would come over to my house and sit with a sleeping baby and two hairy dogs so I could go. I'm so lucky to have Jenny!

Anyway, the book - The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne. Now, I read this book in high school, and I'm certain that I hated every minute of it. It is written in 1850 wording, so it takes a little time to get the brain in the right mode. However, reading it this time (as a much more mature adult) was different - I actually enjoyed it!
I'm still an idiot and miss out on a lot of the symbolism that English teachers love to point out, but at least this time I liked reading it! I have never been good at picking up on symbolism. And I have to admit that as a teen I would get so annoyed 1) for not getting it, and 2) for having to pick books apart, instead of just enjoying them. I remember just wanting to argue that we have no idea what the author was intending, so why did we have to figure it out? Good thing I've matured a little....
The lady who hosted this month's book club, is in fact, an English teacher. She did a great job of pointing out important themes and symbols throughout the book. And I guess since I didn't have to write an essay on it, I was less intimidated (and less irritated) by all the theories and symbolism that it has. In fact, I enjoyed it and it really made the book much more interesting to me.

A quick synopsis (courtesy of Wikipedia):
"The Scarlet Letter, published in 1850 is an American novel Set in Puritan Boston in the seventeenth century, it tells the story of Hester Prynne, who gives birth after committing adultery, refuses to name the father, and struggles to create a new life of repentance and dignity. Throughout the novel, Hawthorne explores the issues of grace, legalism, sin, and guilt.

I would recommend this book to those who like to read the classics. But if you are looking for a thriller, this is not the book for you!