October Reads

My month started off really slow but in the last week I read 3 books. When I find what I like, I just can't stop reading! 

Second Life by S.J. Watson - I had high hopes for this book after reading S.J. Watson's debut novel, Before I Go to Sleep, with our book club. Well, I was sorely disappointed. I hated this book. HATED it. It's the story of a woman who starts a 'second life' in online chat rooms trying to discover who murdered her sister. The plot is ridiculous, the main character is hard to remotely like a little, it's just a mess. Skip this one, but make sure you read Before I Go to Sleep!

The Scottish Prisoner by Diana Gabaldon - This was a short-story {well, short for Diana and the Outlander world - it was still over 500 pages} about a period of time in between part of the main Outlander storyline. It was a slow read but enjoyable if you love all things Outlander, and I do!

The Hypnotist's Love Story by Liane Moriarty - Another winner by Liane! I don't know how she gets so creative with each of her books, but I love the stories she weaves. The title says it all - it's about a woman who is a hypnotist and her journey to finding love - you know, all while her love is being stalked by his ex-girlfriend. A fun read but always with a good message and heart-warming throughout.

The Night Circus by Elin Morgenstern - November's book club pick! I don't think I can even accurately describe this book without making it sound ridiculous {two magicians in a lifelong battle of skill on the stage of a traveling circus...yup, sounds ridiculous}, but it wasn't. I LOVED it! 

The Last Anniversary by Liane Moriarty - I couldn't put this book down, but it's my last Liane Moriarty book. Sob! I have really enjoyed {REALLY ENJOYED} all of her books. The plot of this one was totally quirky - imagine your ex-boyfriend's great-aunt passing away and leaving you her house in your will and the house is on an island with about 10 residents who are all apart of the same family and descendants of an unsolved mystery going back over 70 years. I told you it was quirky! But oh so fun. I also love that for the most part her books aren't predictable - just when you think you've figured out what will happen to the heroine, the exact opposites happen.

So now that I'm out of Liane Moriarty books to read...anyone have some new suggestions? Allison and I are going to do the Fall/Winter Book Challenge, and that always helps me figure out new books to read, so I'm working on formulating my list for that!

Boo! A Halloween Weekend Recap

I hope everyone had a great weekend! It is so fun having Halloween be on the weekend - it allowed us to pack in a lot of fun.

On Saturday, the family of a little girl in Drew's class had a party that I took the kids to. Drew got into her costume and then promptly pitched a fit about wearing her costume. Sigh. #toddlerproblems {Also: see fit thrown last year} I took her out of her costume and hoped I could get her back in it. Luckily after hanging out for a bit, we headed home to get Brent and his parents {who came over to trick or treat with us} and she finally agreed to get into her costume!

Ready for candy!

I think this is our 6th family picture of the year!

They were so cute getting candy. They loved ringing the doorbells and saying 'Trick or treat' and filling up their bags.

 Somebody got tired of her ears. {I so love this new smile of hers.}

We probably hit up 15 houses in our neighborhood and came home to find out from Brent's dad that exactly ZERO kids came to our house. We're off the main street in the neighborhood, so I guess people don't want to walk up our little circle. So now what do I do with the 5-pound back of candy I bought? Because TRUST ME, I will not be eating it! {I ate exactly 3 pieces of candy. #whole30control} I did hear about a dentist who takes any unwanted candy and sends it to the troops, so I am going to look into that for all this candy plus a big chunk of the kids' candy. Yes, I am that mom who doesn't let them eat most of it!

New pajamas from Nana...and ready for bed after way too much sugar

Sunday, Allison and I made plans to go to a movie, so I met my mother-in-law at her church with the kiddos and after a nice service, left them with her to meet Allison. She took Drew {Trent boycotted} to a local kids' amusement park {I had birthday parties there as a kid}. The pictures don't show it, but she had a great time.

 Do we think she'll give me this face as a teenager?

And this one?

Allison and I went to see Jem and the Holograms. Now before you laugh at us remember our age and that Jem was big when we were kids. I even had a Jem lunchbox back in the day.

Anyone else LOVE Jem? No? Just me?

Plot: As a small-town girl catapults from underground video sensation to global superstar, she and her three sisters begin a journey of discovering that some talents are too special to keep hidden.

If you didn't love Jem as a kid and aren't 12-15 years old, you will hate this movie. Allison and I called it 'terrible fun'. The plot is laughable {and we literally laughed out loud at the silliness more than once}, but the music is fun {I might buy some of the songs off iTunes} and any Jem fan will enjoy all the fun things from the cartoon being on the big screen. I was seriously dying that several times lines from the theme song were quoted on screen {'Your outfit is truly, truly outrageous.' and 'Jem is glitter and glamour, fashion and fame.' Yes, YES, yes...these were actual lines in the movie.}. I really think the only people who will like this are women who were kids in the 80s and watched Jem. So that's probably why it has BOMBED at the box office - there aren't many of us around. {grin}

After the movie, I managed to go to the grocery store, exercise, and make dinner all before my kiddos were returned to me. I'd say we had a great weekend!