Book Review: Half Broke Horses

Let me just say, I love, love, loved this book. I actually started slowing down my reading when I felt the pages on the back end getting thin. I did not want it to be over! Not to mention the new season of the Bachelor started--one night of reading overridden. Which, might I add, I was starting to think I was getting too old for until I found out the Bachelor is 38. Yahoo!

Okay, but back to the novel. It was exactly my kind of read. I often find myself enjoying historical novels. Whether, they be emotional, light hearted, based on true events, basically anything. Some of my favorite novels were set way back...Sarah's Key, the classic Grapes of Wrath, and even an Amish series I adored.

This particular novel took place in the early 1900's and fits into the witty and interesting category. It is based on a real character with real events. The cover cleverly, says "a true life novel". I love that! It was a Laura Ingalls Wilder for adults of sorts, whom I devoured as a young child. Basically the novel was based on the author's maternal Grandmother, Lily Casey. Lily led an amazing life and her wit throughout the novel makes it even more fascinating to read.

I know I'm giving this novel little justice with my synopsis, but it was really a great read. Not to mention the author also wrote another of my other favorites, The Glass Castle, which too was a true story based on her insanely interesting family. If I could do it again, I would have read Half Broke Horses first and then followed up with The Glass Castle--more for chronological sake than anything.

Regardless of if historical novels are your thing, I truly believe this story could be enjoyed by anyone. And if you're not sure, do read The Glass Castle, which is a little more present day, and I guarantee you will be running to the book store for Half Broke Horses.

Happy Reading!

Crazy For Cousins

My precious Jack adores his cousins. And I can relate to him...my cousins were my playmates when I was little, my pseudo siblings as I grew up, and are my dear friends as an adult.

Thankfully Jack got some great cousin time this weekend and both he and Maggie were crazy about every minute. Uncle Matt and Aunt Catlin, along with Whit and Larkin, spent the weekend with us. Jack referred to it as a "sleep over" with "Whit and Lawkin".

They were busy, in a wonderful way. Whit and Larkin greeted Jack at 8:00am in his room each morning (which he requested), played hard inside and outside with him, and even read his goodnight books to the sacked out boy.

I think if it were up to Jack, they would have moved in with us. And I can't leave out sweet Mags, she was nearly as enamoured as her big brother. Smiles and giggles consumed her all weekend long. Three playmates are always better than one.

I just love this picture. Look at that blurry image back there running as fast as he can to keep up with cousin Whit on his skateboard. Hilarious! He did this over and over again too. Did I mention he was worn out by bedtime?

The girly girls cheered on from the sidelines. Aren't they pretty in their pink? Mmm...I just love girls.

A cousin group picture--this was not easy to come by. Of course in every picture someone was not cooperating. Naturally, I chose to post the only picture where my kids are actually looking in the right direction. There are about 15 other out takes where this came from.

Another of my faves...Larkin reading bedtime stories to Jack. He was in "cousin" heaven.

Dirty

After school today, Jack asked me if we "could play outside after lunch?". My immediate response was, "no, it's wet and nasty out there". We are coming off of a massive snow that has melted into mush, not to mention the couple rain showers we have gotten in between.

And in mid-sentence, I thought about it. Hmmm...we've been couped up indoors for days now, Jack has been bouncing off the walls, and who really cares if they get a little dirty...a little dirt never hurt. I can just strip them down before nap time, right? They really need this and honestly, I do to.

So we did it. And yes, Jack and Maggie both got REALLY dirty. And better than that, we REALLY had a great time.

Sometimes you just have to let it all go to have fun.

I told Jack to go get dressed for the great outdoors while I put Maggie's coat on and this is what he showed up with. Love it!

I get no greater joy than watching my two little ones interact. I think they truly adore one another.

All it takes to have fun at one is a bucket and a variety of toys to take in and out and in and out and in and out and...

Oh, the famous rock pile. We "assembled" this little area for Jack when he was a wee 20 months and at 3 1/2 years old it hasn't lost its' novelty. Something about rocks and boys.

I love this about Maggie...she is a dress up Queen. Give her a few hats, a couple pair of shoes, and some jewelry and she can happily entertain herself . But, an animated "that's beautiful", or something relatively close, is required from anyone nearby. She spent nearly 10 minutes vying for Jack's attention to show him her hat. And once he finally acknowledged it, all was well.

Jack mentioned he wanted to play outside so he could go "adventuring". I think "adventuring" looks something like this.

Maggie found Jack's sunglasses in the toy basket and that was all she wrote. Saying she was insistent on wearing them is being generous.

Again, how I love to watch my kiddos play together. Could they be any happier?

Questions

Three and a half has proven to be the year of questions around here. Jack is full of them from the minute he wakes up to the last minute when he is tucked in at night.

I have learned to cherish his inquisitive little mind although, it can be painstakingly tough to answer everything he questions. Some of his inquiries are so deep that I have to stop and think, "okay, how do I put this in 3 year old terminology?". Other times I get the age old "because, why Mommy?" one hundred billion times in a row, until I finally realize, I don't have to play this game, and I turn it around on him..."why do you think, Jack?". Unfortunately this usually leads to a whole new discussion with a lot more, you guessed it...questions.

Regardless of the monotony of these conversations, I've come to realize Jack really is listening (so I better get this right), he really is learning (if I did get it right), and he really is eager for knowledge--he's an ever absorbing sponge right now.

I refuse to take this time for granted. I am not naive enough to believe that he will always be warranting my answers. Yes, there will come a day when 'Mommy does not know everything'. So for now, I'm taking it in and enjoying every minute of his 3 year old little brain. It is truly fascinating and honestly, a lot of fun.

I couldn't let this stage pass without noting a few of his "questions". This is just a snip it of what I am going through on a daily basis...

*Where does the sun go at night? (I got this while driving the car. Try using your fist as Earth and your other hand as the sun when they are suppose to be on the wheel.)

*Will Jesus be at church on Christmas since it is his Birthday? (this answer was followed by a very disappointed 3 year old frown)

*What is after space? (hmm....more space?)

*Is mice another name for mouse? (insert smile here)

*How does God make rain? (I was good at this one. I use to teach the water cycle in 1st grade.)

*Why are all those stones in that field? (asked while pointing to a cemetery--I got myself in deep with this one--no pun intended)

*Why are all of the dinosaurs gone? (because they are extinct) Why are they extinct? (and so on and so on...)

*How did the doctor get me out of your belly when I was a baby if your belly is closed? (thank goodness I had a C-section--it sure made explaining this one easier)

*When Maggie gets big, can we get another baby? (we'll see Jack)

And the list goes on...

Saturday Night Fever

Clay and I traded in our snow driven cabin fever for a little 70's style Saturday Night Fever. And boy, did it feel good to finally get out of the house.

We celebrated a surprise 40th birthday for one of Clay's dear friends from back in P'cola who now lives in town. It was great night of casino style gambling, 70's disco, and lots of eats and drinks. A night out was a long time coming.

Jack could not resist getting in on the photo op, even half dressed...gotta love being 3--no modesty! But, what was even better than Jack's get up, was how wide eyed he got when he saw Daddy's costume. It started with an animated, "I liiiike your purple shirt Daddy". And then, "I liiiike your purple pants Daddy!". And it ended with an "And I liiiike your shiny shirt Daddy". His expression and tone were absolutely priceless but,... should we be worried?

We met the Heilmans for a little pre-party dinner. A dinner out and costumes just don't mix--we got some very intrigued looks. The boys went incognito with fake mustaches and I could not resist a picture with my phone (hence the grainy look). How scary is it that Clay almost looks normal with a stach? Ha! He totally could have pulled off the disco era.

"Snow" Crazy

"snow" pre-school,

"snow" sports class,

"snow" baby gym,

"snow" music,

"snow" appointments,

"snow" leaving the house,

"snow" point in even looking at the calendar,

a Mommy can only take "snow" much,

5 days of this and I am going "SNOW" CRAZY!

"Snow" Much Fun

I couldn't resist the play on words. Forgive me. But, we really have been having a lot of fun in the snow around here...sledding, sliding, slinging. Hmm...anymore "sl"s?

It's been a big one--for these parts anyway ( and I THANK the Lord we still have electricity). We are now officially on a solid 3 days of school being closed which also means a solid 3 days of not going anywhere. So the snow is pretty much what we have relied on to keep us entertained. So much for returning to a "routine".

Although, our days have been filled with cold, wet, white fun, I would be lying if I didn't say, I'm just about on the verge of being over this snow thing. Cabin fever, anyone? Tomorrow might be the day that sends me over the edge. But, until that moment I will relish in the fun we've had thus far.

Happy Snow Days to all!

Book Review: Sundays At Tiffanys

What if your imaginary friend from childhood was your one true love?

This is the sentence that graced the cover of my most recent read. It was Sundays At Tiffanys by James Patterson. I was looking for a light hearted, feel good read and my Mom passed this on to me. And light hearted and feel good is exactly what it was.

I wouldn't say that I connected to it...I never had an imaginary friend, although I probably could have used one, being an only child and all. But it did remind me of a few things, like for one, how lucky I am to love my husband, and how there really are jerks in this world (and I am so thankful I didn't choose one), and following your heart isn't always a bad thing, and oh, how so bad I would love to take a trip to New York again soon!

This novel was a super easy read, I think I finished in less than a week (hence the reason it is tailgating my last book review). It definitely reminded me of a Lifetime or Hallmark movie and ironically, I just found out that they are/have made it into a Lifetime movie (not sure when it was published, therefore not sure if it's in movie form yet). But, if you are in to that kind of thing, this is definitely for you. And if you're not, I can't imagine anyone not smiling or getting a little giddy while reading it.

So, in the spirit of this novel...cheers to love and a very happy ending!

A Look Back: 2010

I like to take a look back at the previous year each January. I am always amazed by how much my kid(s) have changed and all that we have accomplished in 12 months.

I have to admit it was harder this go round to pick one single event that stood out to me in each month. With two kids, I felt like many times there was something special about each of them in each month. But, keeping true to my promise, I narrowed the list and found the one thing that reminded me of that month in the year 2010.

Some months were almost impossible, I couldn't believe all that had happened. And then there were a few months where I almost wondered "what did we do?". Then I would assume that either Maggie was teething or Jack was having a few 3 year old moments that month.

Regardless, 2010 was truly a special year for our family. 3 years old has proven to be Jack's year (most of the time, anyway). We relish in his company, his wit, his thought process, and everything he is becoming. He has been a true joy and a fabulous big brother. I couldn't be prouder of him. And then there is Maggie, oh dear sweet Maggie. She really became a part of the family in 2010. So many milestones were hit and so many hugs and kisses were passed around. Maggie's love permeates everywhere she goes. She has brought this family together like no other--what a special addition.

So with that being said, here is A Look Back at The Cibula's 2010...

January: My sweet 2 month old baby girl gave us her first smile and let me tell you...it was heaven!

February: What more could a girl ask for? I enjoyed a Valentine's date with my two boys at Jack's pre-school. Love was certainly in the air. And look at that baby face...it will amaze you how much it changes by the end of the year. My first baby sure is growing up!

March: Snow in March, really? This boy had more fun during this impromptu snow playdate. I had just picked him from school and we were headed in for lunch and nap and then this...I could hardly get him back inside. So, I gave in, went and grabbed my camera and now, I'm so glad that I did.

April: THREE...glorious 3! It has really been life changing around here. I can actually rationalize with the boy. Love it!

May: Our 3 family beach trip to Rosemary. Kids, sand, sunshine...What else can I say?

June: My all time favorite photo session...Maggie's sitting session. We got gorgeous pictures of the kids and even a family picture that I can tolerate. Not to mention my sweet Mags, who was just starting her separation anxiety, did wonderful. She must have known that it was all about her!

July: A trip up the East coast...to beautiful Maine...with my hubby...sans kids...perfection!

August: Jack going off to the 3's classroom was a hard one to swallow. Only one more year in Pre-school after this...what will I do? I'm already getting teary eyed.

September: I love that this is the way my kids looked after our annual "Babies & BBQ"/cookout this year. Do you think they had fun? Not to mention, this is just about the time when Jack and Maggie started to interact on a "higher" level. I use that term loosely:)

October: She couldn't have gotten any cuter on Halloween if she had tried. I remember being stumped as to what her costume would be when Jack said he wanted to be a spider. And then it hit me one sleepless night...and it could not have worked out any cuter!

November: So bitter sweet, but it's inevitable, right? My darling Magpie turned the big 1 turkey style. Mmmm...love that girl!

December: Okay, this might seem obvious for December. But, I didn't choose it for the reason you are thinking. I chose it because I was SHOCKED that Maggie let this happen. I was totally prepared to sit on Santa's lap with my kiddos in hand. So, needless to say, I was thrilled. Maggie?, not so much. But I did get that Santa picture...yay!

Christmas Again

As if Santa didn't deliver an entire sleigh full to the Cibula house, here come Grammy and Grampa with Christmas again. I'm not complaining and the kids certainly aren't either, but where am I going to put this second load of Christmas loot? Right now it is adorning my once living room. I'm hoping to transition part of it to the playroom in time.

So, with lots of Christmas goodies in hand, Grammy and Grampa graced us with a Christmas visit and it was as wonderful as always. I might have to let Grammy play Santa more often. Her toys were a hit with Jack and Maggie. She always knows just what they will actually play with!

I, along with the rest of the family, only wished they could have stayed longer. We celebrated our Christmas Part 2 with gift giving, family time, and busy kiddos....which I'm sure wore us all out. Clay and I were ecstatic about one of our gifts which was babysitting for New Years Eve night and sleeping in. We've come to cherish "free" nights out.

Clay made the plans so you can guess that it might involve football. Yes, we attended the Chick-fil-a Peach Bowl where FSU played. I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed it. Can't complain about a night sans kids! Thanks Grammy and Grampa! Looking forward to another visit.

Now, it's time to put Christmas to bed around here. Down with the decorations and an extreme attempt at returning to a routine. Jack is already longing for school (can't complain about that) and I am definitely ready to return to our "normal".

So long Christmas! It was a great one (both times)!