I'm Back

The month of July was busy...after our 2 Independence Day celebrations, we prepared for #2's Fourth Birthday. On her actual birthday, we went to a friend's house for a play date, then had a quiet family celebration. When I grew up, my siblings and I were able to choose our birthday dinner so I thought that would be a fun tradition to continue with my kids. #2 chose "sticky rice" which means Thai or Chinese rice. So we feasted on an awesome Thai dinner of Kanom jeeb, Kee moa goong gai, Bangkok beef, and Pad woon sen. The following weekend, we had a princess party with family and preschool friends. The snake swords, heart/star wands, crowns, and fairy tale finger puppets were a hit.

The day of the party, my HP book arrived...brought to me by one of my dearest friends who knew how much it meant to me. Once I had it in my hands, I was not able to put it down (I was not reading it, just holding it) for close to an hour. While I wanted to devour the entire thing in one day, I decided to try to take my time and fully enjoy it as it would be the last one. I was able to make it last for a week. It was just as captivating, if not more, than the previous books and as I read the final pages (I promise there is nothing here that will ruin it for those of you who have not yet read it) I felt completely satisfied and content. Never before have I been so taken by a series of books. Sure, I got into Anne Rice's Vampire Chronicles, John Grisham's lawyer dramas, and just about everything by Kurt Vonnegut and Tom Robbins, but not with the ferocity that I fell for J K Rowling's incredible tale. She is truly a talented woman. I hope and pray that many more stories "fall" into her head for us to enjoy.

Now that the book is done, I must attempt to crochet a baby blanket in 5 short days when I will be attending a middle school (that was 22 years ago) friend's baby shower. Hopefully I will remember to take a pic of it before giving it away. I keep meaning to start a portfolio of all the blankets, purses, hats, and misc items I knit/crochet as gifts, but since I am usually rushing to finish the item moments before the designated occasion, I have yet to be that organized.

On Saturday, we went to a party where the boys spent most of the afternoon dining on crabs while the girls played in the dirt (#2's white dress was brown). When he wasn't eating, #1 could be found playing by the fire pit. The evening was capped off with a terrific fireworks display. It was the perfect fun filled day spent with friends and family.