Monday, October 29, 2018

The Sunday Post [2]

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimberly at the Caffeinated Book Reviewer! It's an opportunity to share news, post a recap for the previous week, showcase books, and highlight your plans for the week ahead.

News:

Only a day late!

I know I haven't been around very much this week, but we've been enjoying the cooler weather and working around the house. It finally feels like fall! There's been a lot of rain this week, and even the few sunny days haven't been able to completely dry the ground. We can't go outside without squishing!


Jacob was off this weekend, so we took the kids to the museum. There's a really great dinosaur exhibit, and they even have an area where the kids can "dig up" fossils. There were other crafts for them to do, and we came home with quite a few butterflies made out of coffee filters. Our museum has a lot of hands-on stuff, so they were able to play quite a bit while we were there.


Halloween is this week! My son is going as Groot, while the girls will be dressed like black cats. They already had sparkly black leotards (an unused gift from my mother), and I found simple face paint at the store. I've been experimenting with different whiskers, much to their delight. However, there is one downside to going trick-or-treating -- the majority of the candy will not be vegan.

Speaking of holidays... it is way too soon for this. I feel like Thanksgiving gets overlooked each year, and it's my favorite holiday! Do people actually buy their Christmas/holiday decorations this early?


My in-laws are coming this week, so I'm feeling a little anxious. I always feel like I need to super-clean my house.

I've also been redoing all of my Book Blogger Icon Tags! After making the first set, I noticed a few changes I wanted to make (a bolder font, different images, additions, etc.) and spent a few days doing that. Also, the program I was using changed their prices, so I've been trying new ones.

Previous Week on the Blog:

Monday: Roomies by Christina Lauren ⋆⋆⋆
Tuesday: Watch You Burn by Amanda Searcy Blog Tour: Review & Giveaway ⋆⋆⋆
Thursday: Nothing!
Saturday: Nothing!

What I'm Currently Reading:

Jacob and I are both reading Artemis Fowl to our son. This is our first family read, because we both wanted to read this book with him. It's one we've both enjoyed in the past, and we've had fun alternating chapters at night. 

I started the audiobook for Love & Luck yesterday! I really loved Love & Gelato, so I'm hoping this one is equally as wonderful. It's been great so far! I like the family dynamics and how close she is with her brothers. I also think it's great that she's not afraid to brawl when the occasion calls for it.

I was nearly finished with the audiobook for Circe when my library hold expired! I thought I had one more day, but was unfortunately mistaken. It's a really amazing book, so you should definitely read it when you have time! I decided to get the physical copy from my library to finish the last few chapters. I didn't want to wait 6-8 weeks for the audiobook again.

Still trudging through Strange the Dreamer... I'm starting to think it's not a good fit for me.

What I Plan on Reading Next: 
Kill the Queen (Crown of Shards, #1) by Jennifer Estep, and The Boneless Mercies by April Genevieve Tucholke. I won both of these books from blog giveaways! Kill the Queen from Kimberly at the Caffeinated Reviewer (she did this giveaway for her birthday), and The Boneless Mercies from Jen from Jen Ryland (Spooky October ARC Giveaway).

I've read so many raving reviews for Kill the Queen, and I cannot wait to read it for myself! I haven't seen too many reviews for The Boneless Mercies, so let me know if you've read it! You can always leave a link to your review.

What I'm Watching:

Jacob and I finally started S3 of Daredevil! We're still working our way through S2 of Luke Cage and S2 of Iron Fist. He's been watching M*A*S*H this past week. I bought him the first season for his birthday! We've stalled on The Good Place, because Daredevil is a priority. Single Parents is short, so we're able to squeeze in one episode each week.

Challenge Updates:

Goodreads: 371 / 250
Ho Ho Ho Readathon: starts November 9th!

I hope everyone has a lovely week! I'll try to do some blog hopping this afternoon. <3

32 comments:

  1. Many great things for you to read and yes Christmas things are already here but well too soon for me

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    1. Why do they put the holiday stuff out so early? I love the holiday season, but it's annoying when they start so soon. It makes it seem like Christmas/December is a three month holiday.

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  2. That museum sounds awesome! Good luck cleaning and have fun w/ your in-laws :)

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    1. I don't mind having them over, but I feel like it's a lot of work! When my parents visit, they come over into the madness of my home. It's just different with in-laws, you know?

      The museum is awesome! They have a huge outdoor area that's interactive. There's a rock wall and a sky bicycle (you balance on the bike while it sits on a rope -- harnesses included, haha). There's an entire section dedicated to health and your body. You can sit on a seat and try to pull your own body weight with a rope -- super hard.

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  3. A family read, how fun! I adored Love & Luck. It had the charm and warmth of Love & Gelato, but where Gelato is more romance, Luck is more family centric.

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    1. I'm really loving that the story seems to revolve around Addie and Ian! I have a feeling Addie's plans are about to drastically change, but I'm curious where this road trip will take everyone. Clearly, they are all dealing with something! Love & Gelato was one of my favorite reads this year. <3

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  4. It definitely seems like the holiday decorations come out earlier every year! I have to admit, I've already started buying Christmas presents!

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    1. Eh -- buying presents in advance isn't the same as stores shoving the holiday down your throat. We like to buy our gifts in advance, too! We'll see something when we're out, and just buy it for later. It also keeps us from spending an entire paycheck on gifts at the last minute. ;)

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  5. I saw Christmas decorations in September at my local Costco. Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays as well. I get so mad when I see Christmas decorations up lol... Also that is a wonderful picture of the butterfly :)

    Elle Inked @ Keep on Reading

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    1. Thanks! I took that picture while we were at the playground. One of my daughters has started looking for them when we're out, and I try to snap pictures for her. The other day she pointed to one that was solid black with a really deep blue -- so pretty! I didn't have my phone on me, so no picture. I do love looking for them, though.

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  6. Ooh cool museum pics! And it's been the same here- squishy is a good word, it has rained EVERY day for almost a week.

    I need to get to Love & Luck. And I watched episode 4 of Daredevil S3 last night- all I can say is (if you're not there yet) wow!!!

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    1. Dinosaurs have always fascinated me, so it's great to see my kids getting so excited about them. My son loves choosing dinosaur books at the library! He doesn't care which section he finds them in. If it has dinosaurs on the cover, he wants it. Are you familiar with Story Bots? They have an episode about dinosaurs and they rap! I frequently find myself humming the songs during the day -- catchy!

      Yes! Love & Luck has been so much fun! I love that it focuses on a sibling relationship.

      We've only seen the first episode! Jacob's been working a lot, so we just haven't had the time yet. I'm super jealous of you right now. ;)

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    2. I have not heard of Story Bots! Sounds fun! And yeah you'll know what I mean when you see episode 4- I won't say anything else for spoilers. I watched episode 5 tonight and that was just okay- so some are definitely better than others. I'm not really feeling the Foggy subplot, but the rest is pretty good.

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    3. I liked Foggy's appearance in Luke Cage! I hate that his subplot isn't awesome.

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  7. I've heard so much about Kill The Queen, hope you enjoy!!

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    1. People have been raving about it, so I hope it lives up to the hype. <3

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  8. I bet your kids are so excited. We'll be handing out candy Tuesday night but it's always unpredicatible in our neighborhood how many kiddos we'll get. Looks like you're reading a lot of good books. I've been picking up things here and there but not able to make any real dent the past few days. Hope you all have a wonderful scary Halloween - and I agree, Christmas stuff should not go up until after the holidays.

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    1. Does your neighborhood do it a day early? This is our second year trick-or-treating (our son was always too young before), and he's really looking forward to dressing up! The girls are still a little young, but they love following their brother around.

      I've barely read the last few days, but now I'm nearly finished with Love & Luck! It's been wonderful so far. I love that it focuses on family. <3

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  9. I love that you're doing a family read. How fun is that? Your museum sounds like a lot of fun; that's awesome there are many hands-on activities for the kids! As for Thanksgiving, I don't like the holiday, but I think people jump to Christmas so quick because it's the next universally BIG holiday - with Thanksgiving being just an American thing that not everyone celebrates.

    -Lauren
    www.shootingstarsmag.net

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    1. The family read is really fun! We alternate chapters, so we both have an opportunity to read to him. If one of us misses a chapter one night, it's not too hard to catch up on our own.

      I love Thanksgiving because it's the only time I see extended family. Everyone is usually too busy for the other holidays, and not everyone celebrates Christmas. Plus, my husband is a phenomenal cook, and he really goes above and beyond for Thanksgiving dinner! <3

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  10. I've really been wanting to read Circe, but just can't find a convenient time in my schedule. I hope you enjoy it. Halloween is a bit of a mess for us, too, in that D can't eat most of her candy because of her braces and M doesn't even like candy. So that leaves a lot of extra candy for my husband and myself. Groot is my favorite superhero. :)

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    1. I love teenage Groot the most! The surly attitude and video game addiction -- spot on. Baby Groot was adorable, and I loved his dancing.

      You really need to read Circe! It's really great! Do you like audiobooks? It's a good one.

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  11. The cooler weather has been wonderful! We're super dry though. It's always an extreme these days.

    I wish Christmas would slow it's roll. The stores have already gone to full on Christmas mode and I started getting holiday coupons and catalogs yesterday.

    Karen @ For What It's Worth

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    1. It hasn't rained in a few days, but the ground it still damp. The girls always manage to find a water puddle, too. I didn't mind as much when it was rainy and sunny, but now the rain isn't drying.

      Me too! I just throw them away. I'm not ready to think about the Christmas and everything it entails. I could barely get to the cat litter yesterday, because the store was unpacking so many holiday boxes.

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  12. We finally got more than a dusting of snow here in Colorado. I'm just looking forward to a blizzard! Enjoy your cooler weather, hopefully it will dry up a bit for your children to play.

    I haven't read Circe, but I would like to one day. I just have so many books to read, but don't we all?

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    1. Snow? What's snow? Lol! We live in Texas, so snow is a rare thing. A blizzard is unheard of! I hope you're enjoying your snow. I'll just sit here and be jealous of your winter wonderland.

      Right? There are so many books to read! I do highly recommend Circe -- lovely writing and amazing mythology.

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  13. Kill The Queen is high on my TBR list! Can't wait to see what you think.

    I go nuts when the mother in law visits too. I feel judged even though she never gives any sign of judging! lol Hope the visit goes well!

    I feel your pain on Christmas decorations in stores. We don't have Thanksgiving so I don't mind Christmas in November but some of the shops had decorations up and for sale in September! It was just unnecessary.

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    1. I cannot wait to start Kill the Queen! I'm just trying to get through a few others first.

      Right? I always feel like I'm being silently judged, so I try to make sure everything is perfect. I know it's ridiculous and I shouldn't care, but it's hard not to! The visit went well, it was just for two days. Phew!

      I really hate how early the holidays seem to start these days. I think they should stay in their designated month, you know? Keep Christmas stuff in December, Halloween stuff in October, etc. There's no need to sell lights and trees in September! It's insanity.

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  14. Great name for your blog. Glad to hear you've been getting out. I'm hoping to take my lil' one to a place called the Interactive gym. What a name, huh?

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    1. Thank you! And getting out feels great! I tend to stay at home more during the summer, because it gets too hot to go outside. My kids are still young, and too much sun exposure can be bad for them. We stick to indoor activities, going out really early in the morning, and occasionally swimming. During the cooler months we're outside all the time! We go for walks, ride bicycles, go hiking, etc.!

      The Interactive Gym sounds fun! Hang Indoor Playground is one we've been to before, but it wasn't as great as I thought it would be. We went to a place in Georgia that was fantastic! I don't think anything will ever be able to compare. I hope you guys have fun!

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  15. I love hands-on museums for kids. We read the first three Harry Potter books that way with my son. Reading like that was the best family bonding experience, ever. ๐Ÿ“š

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    1. My husband has read the Harry Potter books and watched the movies, but he's not in love with the series like I am. It's something I read to my kids before they're even born! I would sit and read aloud from a random Harry Potter book during both of my pregnancies.

      Hands-on museums are the best way for kids to learn! They get to experience it, so they're more likely to remember what they've done.

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“Stuff and nonsense. Nonsense and stuff and much of a muchness and nonsense all over again. We are all mad here, don't you know?”
― Marissa Meyer, Heartless