Night at the Museum

Last night, Sara's Brownie troop participated in the Perot Museum's Spooktacular Sleepover.  After school, we drove downtown with our sleeping bags and toothbrushes, ready for a night of fun (to be honest, I wasn't super ready ... I was coming off of 5th grade camp and really just wanted to sit on the couch, but I put on my big girl pants and tried not to yawn a lot).

We entered the museum just before 7:00.  After we checked in and dropped off our stuff, we started visiting the various booths.

 Sara tested out ghost bubbles and then watched a pumpkin explode.  That was a big hit!

 After a little while, we were free to roam all four floors of the museum.  Around 10:00, they showed "Hotel Transylvania" in the theatre, and we watched for a bit when we needed a rest.  However, Sara was determined to finish the scavenger hunt we were challenged with upon arrival, so she and I took off to explore the rest of the museum.  This isn't a great pic, but she loved standing among the stars and planets in this exhibit.

 The night ended with a Monster Mash dance party, and then Sara chose to sleep on the third floor with the rocks, minerals, and gems.   Lights out was just after midnight. The floor was pretty hard, and I woke up every so often feeling very old (complaining to myself about hip pain and things of that nature), but we made it through the night.

 After a muffin (Sara) and a little coffee (me), we were feeling revived - and a little silly - when they kicked us out just before 8:00 this morning.

Although this was a troop event, everyone sort of wandered in different directions, so Sara and I had a lot of time just the two of us.  It was so fun to watch her explore, dance, play, and just be a happy kid.  She's already not all that interested in me much anymore, so I'm grateful for these opportunities that allow us to just enjoy being together.

Book Talk

I recently read two books that my sister loaned me.  To be honest, I didn't really love either one, but I felt committed to finishing once I started.  The thing is, I think they are both probably really good books ... I have just been too tired and absent-minded to enjoy them.  So although that all doesn't sound very promising, I'm still putting them here because I think both stories could be pretty enjoyable.

 On Canaan's Side is told by Lilly Bere, and 85-year-old woman who has just lost her grandson, the last family member she has.  As Lilly mourns, she recounts her life, which has been marked by war, love, loss, and attempting always to find home.  Many interesting characters walk in and out of her life over the years.  This book was well-written, and while I tuned out in parts, I enjoyed the ending.  It was a good mix of history and modern-day.

The Hundred-Foot Journey, which is also now apparently a movie, is about a boy from India whose family experiences loss and is forced to travel to find a new place to plant roots.  Once they do so, they are nearly forced out because of the competition their restaurant brings to a high-brow town in France.  Hassan loves to cook in the restaurant, and through a series of events realizes that he's a very gifted chef.  This story follows him to the height of his career.  Again, I tuned out parts (especially the names of French dishes), but I can see how, if I had read this during a more relaxing time, I probably would have enjoyed it more.

"Don't just read the easy stuff.  You might be entertained by it, but you will never grow from it."

Jim Rohn

a few recent pics

For those of you who come here to see the girls ...

 

Sara has enjoyed learning more about volleyball.  I can tell at each game and practice that she's getting better.  

 Last Sunday, it was stormy all day, so we baked!  Unfortunately, I think I did most of the consuming of said baked goods.

 Emma was so excited to have homework one night last week.  She had to write (trace) her address and draw a picture of her house.

... more later!