May 17th, 2012

BHBC: Where She Went

photo via blogher.com

I have a surprisingly hard time with book reviews. I feel like no one reads them and no one cares and I don’t know if it is because of the books, the way they are written or the fact they are sponsored. I know there are more than a few people who skip/won’t comment/hate sponsored posts, but I don’t know how many people feel that way about book reviews.

I also wish I were from a y’all approved locale, because I really want to add “I sold my soul for twenty bucks y’all” to the end of that last paragraph. “It’s all about the bennies, yo” doesn’t have quite the same ring to it.

This month I’m reviewing Gayle Forman’s Where She Went. I must say, this book was weird. Well, the choice of this book was weird more than the book itself. The book was more generic young adult. It was a part two (book one is called If I Stay). Seems like a strange choice, I don’t know how many people are going to pony up for part one just to review the second. I would get it now, but somehow I feel like some of the suspense of the first might be ruined by having already read the second. I’M SO CONFLICTED.

So. The Book. Where She Went has all the makings of a young adult book I should like. I wanted to like it, but I am left feeling it was just ok. It’s the story of the unrequited love of a boy for his high school sweetheart. After high school, he became a wold famous rock star, she an accomplished cellist. I just didn’t buy their love as being that eternal-magical-wonderful. She has a tragic past! He sacrificed it all! Pretty people! Scandalous past! Everyone is just so sad. The CW should totally option this book and make a show. It would be perfect.

Oh, and the main character’s name is Adam Wilde because of course it is. His nickname is “Wildeman.” Really. I feel like this book could have used a stronger edit. Or maybe it is just for people who prefer to have absolutely no surprises in their books. I don’t know. This one has really left me a bit mystified as to how to recommend it. I would recommend borrowing it for sure, if your library or a friend has books one and two.

This is a paid review for BlogHer Book Club but the opinions expressed are my own.

May 14th, 2012

Very Quiet Mother’s Day

We spent mother’s day recouperating from a week of illness and my sister’s visit. The most shocking turn of event was Spencer sleeping in until 9 o’clock. I don’t think he has ever slept that late and despite a week of 6 am wake-ups due to my own cold, I was able to sleep in until 9 too! Awesome!

And then we flew a kite.

I was feeling a bit blue on mother’s day until I saw so many of you gardening online. It was too windy and cold to do much here yesterday. This is Southern California, anything under 65 requires hiding indoors under blankets. I think starting next year, I’m copying the mother’s day in the garden tradition. And maybe that mimosa tradition.

May 11th, 2012

S is for Spencer. And for Stubborn.

Spencer’s preschool show was last night and I must say groups of 10 or so kids ages 2.5-4.5 singing in organized groups might be the cutest thing ever. In each class, there was at least one kid solemnly standing on stage, with the class, refusing to sing. Sometimes there was even a bonus pout. For the last few days, we’ve been trying to get Spencer to tell us what song he was singing with his class and every time he would tell us the ABC song. I thought he was kidding, after all the program was called “Wee Sing for Jesus.”

Spencer is a little bear.

Spencer’s class performed first. They all went up, stood on their tape and most of them sang their first song. Spencer? Clearly was singing the alphabet song.  The song ended. They started their second song. Spencer again sang the alphabet song. He also decided this would be an awesome time to lift his shirt and show off his belly. He might have been inspired by his classmate lifting her skirt. It was off-key chaos, but it was truly adorable.

Strike a pose.

The rest of the classes sang their songs, with one class doing some sort of interpretive dance routine as well. Then there was a slideshow and back to the classroom for refreshments and an art show. Spencer was mostly interested in a bonus opportunity for playing with the school toys. When we got back in the car, we asked him what song he sang. He answered “ABC Song.” We asked him what song the rest of his class sang and he replied with a smile, “Jesus song.” So, he knew what he was doing all along. S is for Stubborn.

Art or tribute to twitter, you decide.

We grabbed some dinner on the way home. It’s always a gamble taking a toddler out to eat at 745 at night, but we we hungry. It all went so great until we were leaving and had to exit past the gumball machines. There was much screaming until he passed out cold in the car on the way home. ::shakes fist at sky cursing gumball machines everywhere:: Not wanting to provoke the beast, I just put him in bed clothes and all when we got home.

Still snoozing away the next morning.

I normally hesitate to post pictures of other people’s kids online, but that photo is so blurry and awful everyone is nearly unrecognizable.

May 7th, 2012

Park Stuff

I can’t be the only person who hates taking her child to the park because of the giant fit thrown when it is time to leave, can I? It’s gotten to the point where I actively avoid going to the park. Which sucks. We have fun at the park, Spencer gets some exercise and some sunshine, but leaving is so embarrassing. I have to threaten, cajole and beg. And that only works half the time.

Part of the issue is that he always seems to want to go at 4-4:30ish, which is theoretically fine, but then we can only stay about an hour because I need to get home to make dinner. The park is also packed with neighborhood kids then so the time to leave tantrums are extra excruciating.  I also don’t seem to know how to parent a toddler, so there’s that.

I’ve had the most success with countdowns. We talk about the time we are going to leave, I let him look at the numbers on the clock on my phone. Then I start doing, 10 minutes, 5 minutes, 3 minutes left. I ask him if he wants to do one more thing. We slide or whatever. I say it is time to go and he throws a fit: crying, yelling, hitting, sometimes throwing sand. I normally let him calm down a bit and then I have to threaten to carry him home over my shoulder before we can leave. I hate every minute of it.

The other thing that is really starting to drive me insane are rented jump houses on the weekend. I’m half tempted to try a petition to get them banned. The generators are noisy, it is super confusing to little kids and in some situations I think they’re a safety hazard. That one pictured about had about 20 kids in it ranging in age from 2-tween all running to one side and trying to tip the thing over. Ugh. And the generator noise drives me insane. In releated news, keep of my lawn you crazy kids. ::shakes cane::

So, how do you deal with the park? Any suggestions?