In Which The Gracetress Has A New Hair Cut And Mommy Has A Girl's Night

On Saturday, Grace got a new haircut. Boy is she excited.
Oh wait.

Okay now, she is excited....



And now....



Yep. She still likes it.

Meanwhile back at the bat cave, Mommy was having fun with friends...

No worries, all, I was drinking diet coke (the modern milly's beverage of choice).

Fun With Books

I am loving the exploding genre of young adult and older children's books. It's so fun to relive a simpler time without the complication of having to live through it - again. If that makes any sense.

The discovery of new ideas. The struggle with adults and their choices. The excitement of first or new love - as can only be described by a teenager. It's a great time in life, that often is only appreciated once it's past (and one can rest easy it will never come back). Not that I want to go back to high school or junior high. Let us not be ridiculous.

I'm not talking about the classics, either. Purely the brain candy. There might be a discussion topic or two thrown in but nobody will be writing term papers about these books. These are the ones that end well rather than with a bunch of half-naked boys running around an island trying to kill a pig or a boy named Piggy (was that his name?). You also won't find handmaidens or WWII tragedies in the books I'm reading.

Fantasy. Adventure. Drama. Magic, sometimes. Happy Endings, always. That's the key. There must be a happy endings. And it can't be after a character I loved has died and everyone is making the best of it. Smiling through tears. No. That won't do at all. If someone dies the reader had better well be assured that the character is not in fact dead but in a in-between world and will be choosing to come back to finish off the bad guy (you know who I mean).

Yes. Fun books. It's all I seem to be into these days. I even checked out some real books and let them sit on the shelf until the due date and then returned them (GASP) unread. It's true. I checked out The Book Thief and it also sat on my shelf until it was recalled. Then suddenly I was interested again because, if someone else really wants it - it must be good -and I better get reading - library fine or no. However, even that faded when I realized that this was a very sad book. Great. But very sad. It too, went back to the library unfinished.

I can't do sad right now. Or heavy. I tried Slaughterhouse Five. Nope. Great writing, too heavy. And bitter. Oh the bitterness! Back to the library. Even the Secret Life of Bees is sitting on my shelf patiently. It came with such high recommendations that I went out and bought it. Some day I will be ready for it and it will be ready and waiting for me. Not today, though. Not even tomorrow.

I'm really hoping it's a phase. Because, seriously, I need to read books that I can discuss without a little shame or apology. Or maybe (as Justin has suggested oh so many times) I need to change my elitist attitude and just accept all books as valid and just be happy to be reading. Which is it? What is your feeling/attitude toward reading? Do you set expectations for your reading lists? Please share.

And because this post is not nearly long enough, here are a few of my favorites over the last six months or so. You can also check out my list at goodreads.com.

Shannon Hale
Stephenie Bray
Scott Westerfeld
Gail Carson Levine
Libba Bray
Cornelia Funke
Beverly Cleary
JK Rowling (yes, I re-read them)
Spiderwick author that I can't remember right now
Jessica Day George

others that I can't remember

and so on...

Watch Your Language Please

That's what I've been told. Grace asked me to not say "crap" anymore because she might say it if she hears it too much. Also, no more saying the word b**t**d.

So, how much is "too much"? And let's be clear. I've only said the "b" word in front of Grace once. (That I know of. Or can remember.)

I was playing Zelda last week and the red phantom guy got me. Without thinking, I immediately called him a "little b**t**d". Grace asked what that meant and I explained that it meant I was mad. Then she asked why I said it and I told her about being killed and losing a WHOLE minute.

"You're right, he is a 'little b**t**d'."

Ooops.

"Um Grace?, you really shouldn't use that word. I shouldn't use it either. Little kids who use it will get in trouble."

Justin went a step further and explained where that word came from and the historical context in which it was originally used. He wanted her to understand why people still use it as a bad word and that it really shouldn't be used as a bad word anymore since those social norms have changed. (Fortunately)

Yes. It's true. I need to clean up my language. It's a shame, though, 'crap' is one of my favorite go-to words. Stay tuned and I may share some of my new ones.

**Edited to add: Justin reminded me that the main reason he wanted Grace to understand why we don't call people the "b" word is that it makes people feel bad. And more especially back in the day when being called a 'b' or being labeled as one would affect your status in society.

All The Fun You Can Handle

Also formerly called "Mother-Daughter Day" at Arts Fest. Behold:

(For those of you not in the know, in pics 2-4, Grace is standing under slowly filling buckets of water. They all eventually fall and the process repeats. Hot summer day. Cold buckets of water randomly falling on you. What's not to love?)

Terrified of getting a face full of water. Terrified of not. So much fun.

Don't tell me a good time was not had by all. I'll never believe it.

The Mother-Daughter Day That Wasn't Really

Grace and I spent the day together on Saturday, as planned: a mother-daughter day. We went to the Arts Festival, which included playing under the water buckets, getting funnel cake, and walking around to ooohh and aahh. We went to Chili's for lunch. We met some friends at the theater to watch Kit Kittridge (which was great, btw, heavy topics -depression era -but great). We finished up with dinner at our house with said good friends.

On Sunday, Grace let me know this did not count as a "mother-daughter" day because we did things with other people. Never mind that she had a great time and she loves the daughter of the friend we went with (they are always having "private conversations"). No. We were not alone doing only us things therefore the day was null and void. Dead to her.

"Mom. I'm only going to be seven for a few more weeks. After I turn eight, I may not want to hang out with you any more. I'll want to do different things. You don't have much time left. You need to use this time now. We need to be doing stuff together. It makes me feel like you don't want to do stuff with me when we never get to spend time together. You got to have two whole years with Dad before I was born and you could spend everyday, all day together. You NEVER do that with me. It's not very nice."

Holy Crap. This child is good. I've said it before and it's so true. She knows how to lay it on thick. I love that she assumes that Justin and I did nothing but stare into each others eyes for the two years before Grace joined our family. Lovely child.

I took the time to remind her that the whole year from ages three to four I stayed home with her all day everyday, even weekends. She politely reminded me that that was a long time ago and she didn't remember it. Only recent history, please.

Usually, the Mommy Guilt begins right away, when these speeches occur. (They happen regularly in the Halverson family and can be in regards to any number of things: "You don't want to buy my picture with the Easter Bunny? Why don't you want a picture of me?? And so on.) This time however, I had the laurels of yesterday to ride on and the presence of mind to bring it up. No. We spent the day together. I get credit for it. End of story.

Regardless.

Next Saturday you will find Grace and I on our very exclusive Mother-Daughter Day. No calls (again) please. Don't try to join us. We love you all. No matter how much fun we would have - this club admits no visitors.

I need to get my time in before it's too late.

The Amazing Gracestress

And now for the lovely and talented Ceri Grace. She loves a pretty dress (Sunday's only). She has made a very astute observation regarding children's clothing versus adult clothing. Clothes for children are mostly "cute" whereas clothing for women is "beautiful" (her words). She really wants to wear beautiful clothing.

Several times now she has asked that I keep something of mine so that she can have it when she gets older. Mostly I say "yes". I don't really want to get into the whole hopefully you'll never be my size or styles will most likely be different or the very real possibility that she will be way taller than me. Technicalities. For now, I'll just be flattered; we'll deal with reality when it hits.


Here's my sweetie in a horse barn. Pleased as can be to be in a stall. She loves an opportunity to be near animals and loves picture opportunities almost as much. So cute.

And she's wearing her favorite skort. Evah. She's loves this and keeps asking for more. My dilemma is; if I get her more she won't wear the clothes she already has and it seems wasteful. Naturally, I want her to have everything but this time I think my practical side will win out.





First horse ride. It certainly didn't happen soon enough for her but apparently well worth the wait. I'm so proud of her for getting on the horse. She was a little nervous but did it anyway and loved it. Anywho, she's a natural rider, no? Now she wants riding lesson. Perhaps some day (my standard answer to "Can I ___?)




Aaand badminton. We're working on it. The great thing about Grace is her enthusiasm for playing anything. Her favorite is still baseball and that we really don't play enough.





So that was our 4th this year. BBQ, horses and badminton. There were also puppies but I didn't get the camera out in time. Oh and fireworks.

I'm Not Reading Anything

Despite the embarrassment of riches that is our book collection, I'm not feeling inspired to read. At. All. I've got two books waiting patiently to be picked up from the library and two on my 'currently reading' list at goodreads.com and still; nothing.

Instead I have been playing Zelda: The Windwaker. Before two weeks ago, I would never had imagined that video games could be so fun. Since then, well, it's not unusual for me to ask to borrow Grace's game after she's gone to bed. I know!, right? Crazy. But it's so fun. What will be in the grass? Hearts? Magic? Money? What's behind the next door and can I defeat it? Who knows, but if I don't at least look, how will I sleep?

Are there any Zelda addicts out there who can suggest a way to maintain balance? It's not all that different from my reading habit but it's much more difficult to justify. Also, I can't bring it outside to watch Grace play. And I can't ride my bike at the same time. Or can I? Maybe I'm just not trying hard enough....

In Which Lucy Has Some 'Splaining To Do

It turns out I've not been following blogging etiquette. Please excuse the rudeness. Just to be clear, there are a lot of blogs that I love checking regularly to see how things are going. I haven't listed them all, before now, because I didn't realize I was supposed to.

So. I've tried to include everyone I read regularly on my side-bar. Apologies to other Holmes' who may not know many of them. Let me know and I can show you how to do your own list.

Now, I may have unintentionally left some off, for that I am so sorry. Let me know and I can fix it. I really am nice, usually. I promise.

There is a list, at the bottom, that I feel may need a disclaimer. However, when I tried to put it in the title there wasn't room for it. The list 'not for the faint of heart' is a list of blogs I have been reading for nigh unto four or five years. They are a group of brave, strong and, witty women who come from a variety of backgrounds. I'm not encouraging anyone to read or not read them. I would like to have them there for my own convenience. By way of introduction, I will summarize them by grouping.

I found feminist mormon housewives after feeling estranged from some of the people in my ward (not say they aren't all lovely people, just differently minded than I). I found this woman's blog (there was only one at the time, it has since grown in number of contributers) who, like me loves the church and the gospel but is a skosh more liberal and feminist in her thinking than a lot of the women around her. There are often great topics and ideas. I don't agree with everything but I do find myself nodding my head as I read from time to time. So, read or don't read but I heart 'fmhLisa'. Also, beware her 'poop chronicles', what?! she has little kids.

There is another group of women that I also love. A few of them originally called themselves the "vagina posse". These women were/are living with infertility and were articulate, brutally honest and so funny you'll snort your beverage out your nose. Pain, triumph, colorful lives, colorful language, beautiful women and writing. I'm not infertile but I have miscarried and had many disappointments. I have been, sometimes still am, very sad about it. These women gave me something else to think about and many things to laugh at/with. I found them when I needed it and have stayed to see how they're lives have turned out.

The rest are an assortment of LDS and not, bloggers that I enjoy reading. And, finally: Obama. I shall be voting for him come Fall and now you all know it. You have until then to give me any differing views and we can all try to convince each other to vote how we want. All I'm saying is, read or don't but no judging.