roar!

Here are a couple of new Sadie videos:

Some exciting news- Mark's sister, Claire, had a baby girl this week: Rory Elisabeth! When we told Sadie, she started roaring dramatically! We tried to recreate this moment for video, but Sadie had toned down the drama by that point. We're so thrilled to have a new addition to the family!

Sadie got to go to her first Quinceanera last week! So fun! Happy Birthday 15th Nana! If you watch closely, you can watch the birthday girl walk by in her princess dress- she looked amazing! And the pork tacos were awesome!

This is a typical day in the life of Sadie- dancing, chattering, and playing contentedly with her toys. It's fun for me to watch her play.

XOXO, Rebecca

My New Blog about Literacy!

If it isn't apparent by now-I am such a literacy nerd. As a Literacy Specialist in an urban school district in California, I am particularly interested in community literacy, family literacy, and learning how to best teach my struggling readers (all of my students!).

Being passionate about literacy prompted me to start a second blog. This blog will be my professional blog taking up best literacy practices for teachers and families.

The blog is called Bedfellows and Pocketbook Companions, read along, if interested. I'd love any ideas you have about things you'd like for me to post about (or let me know if you to join in with the posting).

Here's the direct link: http://pocketbookcompanions.blogspot.com/.

XOXO,
Rebecca

Being Myself

My brother and his awesome wife, Sarah, came over for dinner last night. We usually have family dinner night on Mondays (with gma, brothers, sister, spouses, cousins), but since gma and team prinz had other things going on- we decided that it would still be fun to have dinner with Aaron and Sarah.

My hubby always comments about my behavior when Aaron leaves. He always says something to the effect of, "You're so you when you're around Aaron" or "You were so fun tonight." And I think to an extent, he's right. I am completely myself around Aaron. I'm not sure why that is. Aaron is Aaron- non-judgmental, excited about life, a little wacky sometimes, curious, thoughtful, and so untrendy that it's almost hip. It's just nice to be around him. We may gel well together because we played together a lot as kids, went to the same college, like playing (nerdy) board games, and get really excited about things we're excited about. But maybe it has more to do with who Aaron is, than having to do with Aaron and me (hmmm....); he is a pretty neat dude.

Last night the four of us ate meatballs subs of deliciousness together (see the recipe from Smitten Kitchen here ) and chatted about schema, iphones, education, playing games, and the nieces.

Thanks for a fun Monday night you two!

[Now Aaron- I'm putting the pressure on. You have to start that blog linking all the blogs that talk about you coolness! And you can also field test your book 7 out of 10 Doctors Recommend It.]

Besides your spouse, who do you feel the most you around?

Spring has Sprung

Folks have been asking for it....so here's more of Sadie!

While the photography is not particularly stunning in these recent shots, you get an idea of our life. We've been busy- going to the zoo, birthday parties, the Lindsey Museum, gmas, etc... The Bay has been a bit rainy...but the clear days have been warm and gorgeous. We've been trying to take advantage of the sunny weather, whenever possible.

This post is dedicated to Claire, Mark's sister! She's past her due date and a new little cousin (gender unknown) will be born any day now! Who hoo! We're so excited for her and her hubby, excited for Sadie to have another cousin (more=better!), and we're thrilled to be auntie and uncle to a newborn all over again! I'll update you all when the wee one is born.



Enjoy the photos!

XOXO, Rebecca

Scooby Doo, Where Are You?

     =        

Kindle you have been wonderful, but really, The Hangman's Daughter? Overall, it was pretty bad. And now I am spending precious minutes commenting on this poor novel with the hope that you too will not squander your life away.

When you have a Kindle, or probably any other e-reader, you can view the top rated downloads and instantly (but, of course!) read reviews. This book was #1 for Kindle downloads, only $3.99, and it had gotten one rave review after another.  After reading most of the book, I checked the reviews again, and the negative comments had multiplied. I came across a review that said the plot reminded him of Scooby-Doo-- The evil guy is after those pesky kids. That put the nail on the head.

The general gist of the book: A hangman from a long line of hangmen in a small Bavarian town has to execute someone he knows is innocent. In order to make peace with his conscience, he tries to find out who is guilty. The crime? Murdering small children and practicing witchcraft.

The plot plods on and on. The characters are 2-dimensional. The writing is unsophisticated- it felt like a middle school novel. But i did finish it (what if it got better?).

In the end I decided 2 things:

1. The book was translated, and it could have been well written in German. If the writing was elevated, it would have made the book a lot better. So it may be the fault of the translation.
2. It was a mostly true story about the author's family (which I didn't find out until after i finished it)...this makes it a lot more interesting in hindsight.

Sorry Germany, you'll have to wait a bit more for your Steig Larrson...but it may happen some day. On Goodreads I gave it 2/5 stars. I did finish it.

Now on to a (hopefully) better novel- Cutting the Stone. It's probably a good sign that this one didn't turn up on Kindle's most downloaded list.

xoxo,

Rebecca

Life in Waiting

Life has been true to form lately- rushed and hectic a lot of the time, and other time completely dragging. Life- what is with you?? I don't want to drone on and on about life's woes...because overall things are really great (wonderful husband, baby, family, job)...BUT...

Since September of last year we have been on the eternal journey of trying to sell our house. And all this trying to sell, has been quite trying (I know that was a lame-o pun). At first I was very idealistic and positive....but I'm so over it now (after 6 months of instability). I want to be in a house I'm going to be in for 20 years. I want to have the time and capacity to have friends over. I want to plant veggies for summer. I want to think about having other kids. I want Sadie to be able to play in the backyard. I don't want all my kitchen gear in storage (boo!). I want to leave my house a mess sometimes!! I want clutter and knick knacks suffocating my living space. Most days I feel like it's never going to happen.

I know I need to be patient, and I know this is of our own doing, our choice (and apparently at a really bad time for the market)- but it still feels therapeutic to complain. I was talking to my students about whining today. And one student said, "Adults don't like it when kids do that."  Ha! So true, so true. But it is so necessary sometimes.

So we'll see what happens. While we may be in the same small place with a couple babies for years to come, the upside is we do love our house and current 'hood, but just wish it had a little more space, and a yard to frolic in. I just need to remember to take my own advice not to whine, and that the grass is NOT usually greener (but sometimes it is!).

xoxo, Rebecca

Hold The Butter Part 2

I appreciate all your comments on the first post in this series. I feel like your ideas and reassurance quelled much of my anxiety about Sadie's diet. In  general, she eats pretty healthy. She loves her fair share of carbs (don't all toddlers?), she's still not a fan of green veggies, and I'm sure she's getting juice and the occasional preservative laden cookie at daycare- but I'm a little less stressed about it now.

I brought the issue up with her doctor, and she laughed. She said not to worry, that a cookie every day from daycare is no big deal. Really? She even suggest I lighten my load and have Sadie's daycare family give food to Sadie, instead of me providing the food. Ha! I love Dr. Tenney. She always knows how to put my slight anxieties at bay. It helps that she has 3 young children of her own, I think it makes her a lot more understanding, and helps to put issues like this in perspective.

Well, even though I have a hard time getting Sadie to eat veggies, she's discovered the joy of strawberries. She also says "nana" now for banana, so that's pretty dang cute.

Now I'm off to enjoy some Oreo cookies my mom bought for me...haha, no wonder why my daughter likes cookies- it runs in the family...

XOXO, Rebecca