Looking Like a Two Year Old

Juliette is twenty months old, but she is starting to look and act like two year old. This little hair do just makes me smile. She is so sweet and cute. She won't be a baby for much longer.

Necklaces

What do you think? I recently started making jewelry. These are some of the necklaces that "turned out" all right. I like to experiment with new techniques and color combinations.

Easter 2008

Well, I try. I've got to go get some professional pictures taken or something. It's just too much work getting everyone all outfitted for Easter and then taking a few lame pictures before quickly hurrying off to church. We did have a nice little Easter though. The weather was perfect and I felt inspired after attending church meetings.

Peeps

Last year we started a tradition of baking cupcakes and decorating them with Peeps. Yum! The kids like to gobble them up and deliver some to their friends.

T Ball Time

I know the pictures aren't great, but I had to post something. Alex had his first T ball game last night. He was first up to bat and hit one quite a ways out there. The whole thing was fun to watch. The game was preceded by a parade of all of the teams and an opening ceremony. He is on the Red Sox.

Cute stuff

Juliette loves to be included in anything that the other kids are doing, so she does get dressed up and "pushed around" a lot.

Ducks

Spring is here. The girls and I went to feed the ducks yesterday. We tried to get Juliette to say "duck" but she instead called them "puppies" as she does all animals. She did say "quack-quack" though. She wanted to get so near the edge that it made it hard to take pictures.

Cultivating Young Minds

This picture warms my heart. The love of reading is something that I want to encourage in my children. It seems that even little ones enjoy a good book. Some of my favorite times are when I'm reading a book to one of them.

We bought a little table and chair set at Ikea on a whim. I wondered if it would get used or not, but to my surprise both girls like to sit and play or "work" at the table.

More Book Reviews

The Street of a Thousand Dreams by Gail Tsukiyama ****
I think that I have read every book that this author has written. I have never been disappointed by her stories. I have a love for Asian fiction and her writing is very captivating and intimate in it's style. I feel like I am there and can visualize everything that is going on.
This book was interesting since it took place in Japan during and after WWII. I had never considered this point of view before. Her characters were regular people, whose lives changed dramatically though out the course of the book. They were able to navigate and find their way towards their dreams though war and grief. I enjoyed this book for it's story and for the things that I learned about traditional Japanese culture.

March by Gerraldine Brookes ***
The whole idea of this book intrigued me. The author loosely used Little Women as a jumping off point for this book. It was basically the story of what happened to Mr. March when he leaves home during the civil war. It was all very interesting and over all a good story, but in some parts it was hard for me to continue reading since the characters did not act how I wanted them to act. I wanted a hero and did not find one within this book's pages.
As in the author's previous book, A Year of Wonder, I enjoyed all of the careful detail, but thought that the ending was poor. I wanted an ending that matched the rest of the book, not one that seemed that it was slapped on as an after thought. I also thought there were too many topics that were competing for attention - slavery, a nebulous Christian belief, vegetarianism, virtue, war, self-sacrifice, redemption, etc. It did contain a few thoughtful insights like the following that came near the end of the book, "...there is only one thing to do when we fall, and that is to get up, and go on with the life that is set in front of us, and try to do good of which our hands are capable for the people who come in our way." Overall, I guess I would consider this a book worth reading.

Christmas 2007

These kids are ready to roll. Bring it on! No pictures of trees, lights, or formality. These are the real thing - action shots!

Book Reviews

I think that I'm going to start doing some book reviews on this blog. Maybe I should just post them on Amazon, but I'd kind of like to keep track and this seems like the best way to do that.

Housekeeping by Marilynne Robinson ****
This is a book that you will either love or hate. It has no real plot. It is a story of loss and finding your path in life. The path that the main character takes is one that one that crosses the line into insanity or maybe just obliviousness. Is she predisposed to taking the path? Why did the original sisters turn out the way that they did? This story leaves a lot of questions unanswered as it meanders.
The book did capture my attention and grew on me. I loved the writing style that kind of developed as the story went along. The references to death, water, and drowning were absolutely amazing. The author made it easy to see how one can just drift. It is a book to reread for the words alone.


Digging to America by Anne Tyler ***
Anne Tyler books are always nice stories, that's why I read them from time to time. This book centered around two couples that adopted from Korea. As is her style, Anne Tyler told the story from several viewpoints. I enjoyed the story from the mother-in-laws perspective. I kept thinking to myself while reading, that the author must have done a lot of research into Iranian customs or have a close friend who was willing to share. I would have liked a bit more development of the story, instead of just another party. Also, the ending was lame. It was a decent, clean book though.

Master of the Spoon

Toddlers make such a mess when eating. Juliette did end up with most of this bowl of cereal all over, but she's learning. She still uses both hands, sometimes using the spoon, sometimes just grabbing a fistful when it's easier.

The Sweater

Finally it's sweater weather around here. As a knitter I feel cheated living in Arizona. There really isn't a whole lot that I can knit that is going to get a lot of use. Anyway, this is one of my finished projects of this year. I actually started it for Genevieve, but got it done in time for Juliette to use it.

Sisters

Genevieve and Juliette are home with me all day. Sometimes they get along and sometimes they pick on each other, but they really do love each other. Genevieve is always trying to take care of her baby sister. Even though she is only three, she looks out for her and tells me when Juliette is doing something dangerous, so that I can come and rescue her. So, every once in a while it is nice to be able to catch them together and capture a moment of sisterly affection.

Two Babies

Juliette at 15 months is still a baby to me. However she is a "mother" to her babies. She sits on this first step and tries to change the clothes and lays her baby down for a nap. It is the cutest thing.

Thanksgiving?

Alex came home from school with a number of Thanksgiving creations. This turkey hat was one of my favorites.

Thanksgiving Day was bright and sunny. Grandpa Cook made sure that the swimming pool was heated that day so that the kids could go swimming (although I was too much of a wimp to get out there).The kids had fun and think nothing of swimming outside in November, but I always think of the snow of Thanksgivings past and can't believe it's possible.

Joshua Tree Forest Parkway

We decided to go on a little adventure on Veteran's Day and find a unique spot to take some pictures for our Christmas cards. We headed up north and found a great spot along the Joshua Tree Forest Parkway. Luckily, I think we got a few good ones using our little tripod and taking as many shots as we could before the kids gave out on us. Later, to reward ourselves, we stopped for ice cream at quaint little coffee shop in Wickenburg on our way back home.

The Princess and the Potatoes

Juliette struggles to find something to do while I am making dinner, she usually whines and cries. Lately though, she enjoys taking all of the potatoes out of the bag and even sampling a few before dinner.

Aleah's Baptism

Aleah has been anticipating her baptism for weeks. She was so excited to wear her white dress and have her grandparents come. It was a wonderful experience. Aleah, Alex, and Genevieve sang When I am Baptized, Grandma Cook played the piano, and Grandpa Cook gave a talk on the Holy Ghost.