Haircut

After much weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth every morning when it was time to brush hair, Gigi and I had both had enough. I cut her hair on Saturday and though I was intimidated by the task of trying to get it all even, it turned out alright. After I'd cut about six inches off, I asked her what she thought. "More cutting!" was what she said. I was sad to see her pretty locks go, but I have loved the easier maintenance. Her hair was always getting into her food and I had to wash it constantly. One morning, I even found a fruit snack in there. Now I understand my mom's rule that we could only grow our hair out once we were old enough to take care of it ourselves.

The Red Scarf

The Red Scarf by Kate Furnivall

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
I haven't read a book this good in a long time! I plan to rush out and get all her books now. Kate Furnivall is obviously passionate about Russia. She paints pictures you can almost see and touch. She isn't Russian, though, so she is allowed to have happy endings :) This story was so well told, I got lost in the book and hated to see it end. It's just the kind of book my husband hates when I get hold of, because if I'm not reading it, I'm talking about it. This time, though, he's to blame, because he bought it for me for Christmas. Thanks, Dirk!


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Outliers

Outliers: The Story of Success by Malcolm Gladwell

My review

rating: 3 of 5 stars
This book was excellent. It really was thoughtfully done and eye opening. My only complaint is that the author sometimes made assumptions or drew conclusions that were jumps from the facts he provided. Otherwise, I thoroughly enjoyed it. I think it was meant as an examination of success and the qualities of successful people, but it makes a great parenting book! Also, it made me think we Americans are too afraid of hard work for our own good!


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The Beautiful Things that Heaven Bears

The Beautiful Things That Heaven Bears by Dinaw Mengestu

My review

rating: 1 of 5 stars
Depressing and completely forgettable. So, probably very highly regarded literature :)


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A Good Day

Finally cleaned out the fridge! It had been since before Christmas and it was ugly. I kept wiping down the outside to make myself feel better, but I went on a marathon Costco trip today and it was time. I love January in San Diego! I get all the New Year's brightness and hope without the depressing dark and cold to quash all my good resolutions.

Christmas Break

We had a special treat for Christmas this year: Dirk's brother's family came to visit for several days from Utah. They arrived on Christmas Eve and shared a huge dinner with us of which I have no pictures, but I have witnesses that we ate the tastiest, juiciest turkey I have ever made, if I do say so. Dirk also smoked a turkey, but it was more of a 10 pm snack, since smoking takes a long yet unspecified amount of time. It was also amazing. You can find the recipe I used here. Dirk's is mysterious and I wouldn't even attempt to give a recipe. But it was fabulous and a good reason for you to come and visit us. Then we had pie and those who were not on Santa duty went off to bed.

Christmas morning was predictably wonderful with a houseful of children. Then, the next few days were filled with such unspeakable luxuries as a movie/dinner night out for the adults, a Thai lunch out for Shannon and me, hours of wonderful conversation, and morning 'til night Wii tourneys for the kids. One of my favorites was going to see the tide pools in La Jolla. On our way home from La Jolla, we stopped to watch the hang gliders and other flying things while we ate our lunch. Some of those crazy kids actually went swimming one day, too, even though to most of us it was COLD. They had the Del Mar beach all to themselves.

They left too soon and we wish they would come back.

Kidsville of Poway

I found this place one day when I was all mommied out. It's a warehouse that is set up like a mini village with little shops and dress-up stuff and tons of toys and ride-on vehicles. It was perfect for an afternoon of passive parenting, and the kids had a great time.