Summer Fun, Relaxing Away!

One of the great things about summer is how much down time the girls and I have. Last week there was a morning where Michelle asked if we could play a board game. Scarlett is at the age where she can start to understand how to play, so after the first one we ended up playing game after game all morning. Hungry Hungry Hippos, A Barbie Birthday Matching Game, Disney Princess Matching Game, Princess Chutes and Ladders, CandyLand, Princess Go Fish, Princess Yatzee, and Pretty Pretty Princess. Thats 8 games! In a row! We had so much fun!
Other changes include letting the girls stay up and play for up to a half hour, which means sleeping in the next morning (this has happened probably twice, but nice!) Reading a chapter of a chapter book before bed (Matilda) Long hours of coloring or some type of craft kit. Of course lots and lots of swimming! Michelle is an amazing swimmer! She can swim for long strides under water, no life vest or anything! We have dance parties that involve singing at the top of our lungs! The days are so active, but with fun relaxing activities! So much in fact, that sometimes they forget they get to watch a movie before bed and rather do something like play dollhouse for a few extra minutes.
We are normally so busy we have really been enjoying being able to just go over board with the fun stuff!

Speaking of fun, here are some great reads I've come across lately!

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo Series
This book took me a while to get into, but once I did I couldn't stop reading it! I love that Lisbeth is a very unlikely heroine. She is someone I would think I would never be friends with in the real world, but the great thing about books is that you get a look inside a characters heart and mind vrs their appearance. She is strong and brave and at times so vulnerable. This serious has some fun twists and turns that kept me at the edge of my seat. I'm looking forward to see the foreign films. I'm a reader who prefers to read books first because I like giving my mind a chance to truly interpret the characters and emotions vrs having that altered by someone else's view and imagination.

 

Wuthering Heights
I read at least one classic every summer. This year's choice is Wuthering Heights. My parents had a copy when I was a kid and I read it when I was 12 maybe? But I didn't remember much about it so I picked it up again when I saw this in a bargain bin. Funny side story, after finishing it I found the same copy at my parents house all these years later. Seriously? Haha! This is such a classic love story and one that is very relatable for me. Heathcliff is so mysterious and someone you just want to save! Aw! There are many twists and turns during the years but of course love can never be forgotten. Probably why its a classic?

11/22/63

This is actually my first Stephen King novel. Kind of a random place to start, but anything to do with time travel and the 60s, I'm all over! This book was so unbelievable! King is no doubt very intelligent and that comes through in this read. The concept of going back in time to stop something bad from happening is an idea that I always day-dream about. Its definitely a long one, so if you're looking for a quick read, probably wouldn't recommend. But if you love a book you can really spend time with and sink into, here you go! Loved it!

 

The White Queen
Another great story from my favorite author! Mrs. Gregory is always bringing life to the less visited areas of history. This story looks at the life of Elizabeth Woodville, mother of the Princes in the Tower. I love the bond you get with these historical characters through this style of writing. This is the 2nd time I've read this one, I'm gearing up for the next book!