Happy Birthday, Harry

I'd be remiss if I didn't give a shout-out to one of my favorite literary characters on his birthday.

Last Summer Reads

Considering I go back to work in 4 days, I think I can count these 2 books as my last reads of the summer.  I loved them both.

Laurie Halse Anderson is amazing.  You should read all her books.  Including this one, which is about a teenage girl and her father who is a veteran with PTSD.

I also love Terry Pratchett, who co-wrote this book.  It's the first in a series and the premise is that a device is developed that allows you to "step" into parallel worlds- worlds without humans.  Very interesting science fiction.

Last day in Chattanoga

We walked from our hotel to the aquarium this morning and then walked to lunch at Taco Mamacita's. I have to say, I did an amazing job of picking out restaurants on this trip!  Korra's refusal to nap made the ride home rough, but overall it was a great trip!

Chattanooga Day 2

Went to Ruby Falls in the morning, ate lunch at the amazing Good Dog, dessert at Climpie's ice cream, rode the carousel, played at the fountain, checked out the amazing children's/teen's floor of the public library, and ate dinner at Lupi's Pizza. I think we all enjoyed the free stuff more than the thing we paid to do. We also enjoyed walking all over downtown. The weather has been perfect!

Trains

Rode a train today!

Chattanooga!

On our way!  Yay!

In Further Neighborhood Confrontations...

Our neighbors across the street daily have cars drive up and lay on their horns.  Morning, afternoon, night. Picking people up, dropping stuff off. Not even the same car every time. Apparently everyone they know is too lazy or busy to get out of their cars. About 9 PM tonight the horns start honking.  I go across the street and try to talk to the driver (who is delivering fast food and a bag of laundry?) and the neighbor. I tell the neighbor (because the driver won't roll down her window and nearly runs over my feet when driving away) that a lot of people on our block have small children and could she please have people come knock on her door instead of waking up our sleeping babies?  She gives such a non-response that I can't even remember it 30 minutes later. I think my campaign for Neighbor of the Year is on coming along nicely. 

Vandals

Caught a group of 8th graders trying to steal street signs. How do I know they are 8th graders?  Because they all go to my school.  Think I deterred them with 5 minutes of talking about books but they may have just moved on to an easier, less librarian filled corner. 

Beans

One of Korra's favorite activities this summer: playing with dry pinto beans.

Cranky

A friend and I (plus our 2 babies) went to Carrollton to have lunch with 2 other college friends.  We had a wonderful time, but Korra was very tired by the time we left.  She slept for about 30 minutes in the car on the way back but then refused to sleep any more this afternoon.  I finally gave in and am letting her watch Sesame Street until dinner because she is one whiny, cranky toddler at the moment.  I see a very early bedtime in our future.

SnowPiercer

Nate chose tonight's movie. It's weird.

Summer Day

Morning walk including trip to playground and watching a train go by, lunchtime nap, afternoon ice cream date, and grilled burgers topped with sautéed mushrooms and onions for dinner. Perfect. 

Potty Training Update

Korra is mostly potty trained when we are at home and she's naked from the waist down. Next step is to get her used to panties (which she currently just pees in). Baby steps, right?

Sleeping In

Of course Korra waits until the last 2 weeks of summer to start sleeping in past 6:30.  I'll be sad if I don't get to see her in the mornings before school but I know Nate will be happy not to be up at 7 am with her when I leave. 

Booked It!

Booked our hotel!  Heading to Chattanooga on Monday for 2 nights!

Daddy Daycare: Trial Run

Nate will be keeping a neighbor's 3 year old daughter in the afternoons during the school year. Today we are doing a trial run. I think Korra, Nate, and LN (little neighbor) are really going to have fun together!

Thank Goodness for Bangs

Korra ran into the bathroom, slipped, and smacked her forehead against the edge of the cabinet. Huge purple bruise. 

Last Minute Trip

Realizing how few days of summer break I have left is making me itch for one more trip.  I'm thinking Chattanooga for a few day!

More Cousins!

Guess who's getting another cousin in February?!  Yep, my sister is pregnant with #2!

"Ricycle"

Korra got this hand-me-down tricycle last night and has been itching to ride it all morning. Unfortunately, it's rainy so we're just sitting on it on our small front porch.

Ready for School?

I think my mind is subconsciously getting ready for school. I dreamed about giving book recommendations last night. 

Birthday Party

I had such a nice time at a neighbor friend's birthday party tonight. I ate great food, chatted, and enjoyed what turned out to be a beautiful evening. Korra enjoyed herself, too  She played with their dogs, threw balls, rode a tricycle, ate cake, watched several trains go by, danced, walked on a slack-line, and enjoyed being called adorable by a couple dozen adults. I know I've said it before, but I really love our neighborhood. 

Google Hang-Out Baby Shower

My college girl friends and I had a virtual baby shower today using Google Hang-Out.  It was so much fun to see everyone, watch the two pregnant gals open the gifts we mailed, and to talk and laugh.  Thankful for those ladies and for technology!

7th Inning

Made it to the 7th inning with the gentle sprinkling. Then Korra was too tired and it started raining harder so we missed the fireworks, but we still had fun. Good seats too!

This iPod Broken

I gave Korra the GPS to entertain her in the car. A few minutes pass and she announces, "This iPod broken!"