A Birthday Trip to Las Vegas

You might remember the rather brilliant idea I came up with last year to help myself combat the winter blues and celebrate my birthday: go somewhere warm and sunny for a few days in January. Last year, we went to San Diego, which ended up being one of the highlights of the year.

This year, we planned a trip to Las Vegas.

Before I tell you about it, I feel like I have to answer the question, "Why Las Vegas?" because it seemed like that's what everyone asked us when we told them where we were going.

Besides the obvious reason that it fulfilled the necessary qualifications (sunny and thirty degrees warmer than Salt Lake City), we also chose it because it was an easy day's drive away, it was cheap, and I'd never been there before.

In future years, I anticipate some of our January getaways to be a little more exotic (Hawaii? the Caribbean?), but I'm also a firm believer that you shouldn't overlook the destinations that are a mere hop, skip, and a jump away from you. It seemed silly to plan an expensive trip to somewhere far away when there was a city just waiting to be explored in the state right next door to ours.

People also seemed a little surprised that we were taking our kids with us--as if the only things to do in Las Vegas were restricted to adults. (The thing is, Mike and I don't drink or gamble or live on the edge, so it's not like going without our kids would have freed us up to "have fun" because we wouldn't have been doing those things anyway.) And after reading Janssen's post about 7 Places to Visit in Las Vegas with Children, I was convinced we wouldn't have any trouble finding family-friendly things to do.

And we didn't. In fact, we could have easily filled up several more days with fun activities (and when our day to return home dawned bright and sunny, I almost couldn't force myself to get back in the van). Highlights included:

Going with friends
We planned the trip with our dear friends, the Gardners. They also have four kids (two girls and two boys), and everything about the trip was made better with them along. For example: Our kids always had someone to play with (and Clark was obsessed with their baby); we shared the cost of the condo where we stayed; there were other adults to talk to (and they happened to be adults we really enjoy being around); we got to swap kids and go on a date (more on that below); they helped us navigate the city (they've been to Vegas countless times); and we had someone to share the memories with. You can be sure we made quite the scene walking down the strip while herding eight children in front of us, but, aside from a scary ten minutes where we were sure we'd lost the Gardner's three-year-old, we didn't have any major mishaps.

The condo
When we went to San Diego, we stayed in a teeny-tiny condo. Granted, it was just our family that time and also, the location was ideal (we were right on the beach), but the limited space was the cause of almost all our (read: my) meltdowns. This time we rented a much larger condo that easily fit our family and the Gardners. It had four bedrooms (but the master bedroom had an attached suite that we used as a fifth bedroom), three bathrooms, a large kitchen/family room, and a formal dining room. A few weeks before the trip, the owner contacted us and asked if we'd be willing to switch to a smaller condo, and I refused. I just had a feeling space would be the key to a good trip, and I'm pretty sure it was. The kids all went to bed really well each night because they weren't distracting each other, the adults could stay up late talking and playing games without disturbing anyone, the kitchen was great for fixing and serving meals, and I could always find a quiet place to recharge (very important for me). 

The Bellagio Conservatory
We loved walking through this small botanical garden. Right now, it is themed around the Chinese New Year, and the traditional costumes made out of flowers, as well as the giant fire rooster, were quite impressive. Afterwards, we stopped at Cafe Gelato for the cinnamon rolls and gelato (per Janssen's recommendation), and they didn't disappoint. (This is also where Clark sat on a rope and pulled a stanchion over onto his head. A passing security guard saw it and made us fill out an accident report. True story.)

The High Roller
After we got home, we talked about our favorite activities from the trip, and this competed for the top spot. Similar to the London Eye, this 550-foot high observation wheel gave us an amazing view of the city. Each compartment/pod can probably hold close to forty people, but it wasn't busy when we went, so we had the entire space to ourselves. Our kids danced and jumped and ran from side to side, taking everything in. We were up in the air for thirty minutes, and it was a party the entire time.

The food
When I was growing up, my family ate out very little when we were traveling, and that was totally fine. But now, food is a really big deal to me, and experiencing the tastes and food culture of a particular place is one of the things I love the most about traveling. So when it comes to budgeting traveling expenses, we don't scrimp in the food department. And I just have to say, I was wowed by the food in Las Vegas. Besides Cafe Gelato, we also ate at KoMex (a Korean/Mexican fusion restaurant that sounds a little weird but was so good), the Shake Shack (that lived up to all the hype), Gordon Ramsay Fish and Chips (I'd love to go back and try the seasoned fries), and Viva Chicken (which is actually in St. George--we stopped there on our way home). Just writing about these places makes me want to go back right now. So yummy.

The fountain show at the Bellagio
Although everyone loved the High Roller, this was actually the activity that topped the list for a couple of my kids. And we almost didn't do it! We had been meaning to but just ended up not being in the right place at the right time. On Saturday afternoon, we were driving back to the condo and thought that maybe we could time it right to just drive past and see the fountains going off. But as we got closer, we knew it wasn't going to work out. At the last minute, Mike said, "You know what? I'm just going to go park. We're so close, and we're not going to come back if we don't see them now." So we did. We raced through the parking garage so we could be by the water when the fountains went off at 3:00. We snagged a great spot and stood there waiting . . . and waiting. 3:05. . . 3:10. . . 3:15 . . . no fountains. We decided we'd hold out until 3:30 in case the 3:00 show had just been randomly skipped. But then, a few minutes before 3:30, something began bubbling to the surface, and within seconds, the water was transformed into a breathtaking show of dancing and exploding fountains. We were all captivated. It was one of those times where the actual thing far exceeded our expectations. But then, it got even better. After the song was over and the water was quiet once more, we decided that maybe that had been the 3:00 show (albeit twenty minutes late), so if we stuck around, we might still get to see the 3:30 show. Sure enough, in about two minutes, the fountains came back up, this time to a Frank Sinatra song. The music ended, but since it still wasn't 3:30, we decided to wait again, and once more, we were rewarded. So we saw three shows in the space of ten minutes, and our kids thought it was the best thing ever.

A night out on the town
Because we went with friends, we could do a babysitting swap and each enjoy a night out. It was fantastic. Mike and I saw the Beatles Cirque du Soleil show, which was equal parts unbelievable, fun, and weird. On the way out at the end of the show, Mike said, "Well, now I know what it would have felt like to be a drug-addict hippie in the 60's." And while it's true that there were parts where we both turned to each other and mouthed, "What is happening right now?!" and also a couple of risque costumes that made me uncomfortable, we also spent a lot of the evening with our jaws hanging open in disbelief at some of the things people are willing to do in the name of entertainment. But mostly, we just enjoyed being together. It felt like such a rare treat to be on vacation with our kids but to get to spend an evening without them.

Playing outside
We had a little rain on our first morning, but other than that, the sky was blue and the sun was shining, and we soaked up every minute of it. The temperature hovered in the upper 50's, so most of us still preferred a jacket, but then we were quite comfortable. We played at a couple of different parks (the Container Park and Exploration Peak Park--both of them fabulous), and we also went on a short hike in Red Rock Canyon. It just felt so good to be outside without shivering the entire time.

Every time I go to a new place, I find myself melding my preconceived idea with the actual thing, and Las Vegas was certainly no exception. On one hand, it was totally different than I was expecting: the strip was cleaner, brighter, and more family friendly (particularly during the day) than I envisioned. At the same time, the whole city felt a bit fake: shiny buildings, replica landmarks, creepy costumed characters on every corner. You almost felt like it was wearing a mask--putting on this showy exterior to hide something ugly underneath. And then, in some ways, it was exactly what I was expecting: a city where anything goes, where illegal behavior is suddenly legal--the true Wild, Wild West.

But overall, I would say we were pleasantly surprised and the activities that we chose were a huge success. I remember when we got home from San Diego last year and I was able to take an objective look at the trip, I figured that 80-85% of the moments were good, and so the trip seemed worth it. This time, it would be closer to 97%. I'm sure it was a combination of friends, good weather, a spacious condo, fun activities, and good-natured kids (basically everything I mentioned above), but the whole thing went off with hardly a hitch, and I don't know if we'll ever be that lucky again.

I know we missed a lot of fun things while we were there, so feel free to share your favorite Vegas activities in the comments. I'm sure we'll be going back!

My Family and Other Animals by Gerald Durrell

Despite being made into a movie or television series no fewer than three times (with the latest one being released just last year), I had never heard of Gerald Durrell's personal account of his idyllic childhood in Corfu, Greece until this book was selected as the January pick for my book club.

After hearing it pitched by one of our book club members, I expected something that was light and funny and anecdotal, not necessarily description or fact heavy. What I failed to realize was that this book isn't shelved in the 500's section of the library (that would be the "natural sciences," specifically "zoology") for nothing.

When Gerald's family moves to Corfu from England in 1935, he is ten years old. His father passed away several years before, but the rest of the family consists of his mother, his brothers (Larry, age 23, and Leslie, age 19), and his sister, Margo (age 18). Upon landing in Corfu, they are fortunate enough to meet Spiro, a burly, headstrong Greek, who speaks English and is able to help them find just the kind of villa they're looking for (i.e., one that has indoor plumbing and a bathroom).

They get settled quickly and while Mother is gardening and cooking, Larry is writing, Leslie is hunting, and Margo is sunbathing, Gerry fills his days in the garden and on the hillsides and down by the ocean where he becomes acquainted with all the peasants as well as the animal life. Animals and nature are his first loves and he would rather be outside, lying quietly in the grass, than just about anywhere else.

Sometimes a deadline can be quite beneficial, and in the case of this book, it definitely was. I'm pretty sure it would have taken me at least two months to get through if I'd been reading it at my own pace. As it was, the pace was set for me because I really only had a week to read it, but the first half was so slow-going, I didn't think I was going to make it.

It wasn't that I didn't like it but rather that some of the descriptions of Corfu's animal life were so long and involved and detailed that I was only able to push my way through them by sheer willpower.

At one point, Mike, knowing that I was under a bit of a time constraint, asked, "Is it picking up?" "It's not that kind of book," I answered. There wasn't any plot or major drama, and I didn't expect any to show up.

But then, right around the halfway point, there was an ever-so-subtle shift, and the pace actually seemed to quicken. At first, I couldn't figure out what had caused the change: Larry was still complaining about everyone except himself, Mother was still doing her best to appease and calm family tensions, and Gerry was still bringing home the strangest creatures. On the surface, it seemed like the story was progressing just as it had over the first one hundred and thirty pages.

But I think two things had actually happened: first, by that point, I was really well-acquainted with all of the characters and had, I admit, begun to develop a real fondness for them, and second, the descriptions actually did get shorter, the witty dialogue got longer, and the stories were even funnier, and, if possible, more ridiculous. I usually wouldn't give a book one hundred and thirty pages before giving up on it, but I think I was enjoying it enough (the first half definitely had its highlights) and I really wanted to finish it for book club, and then the payoff came, so I'm so glad I stuck with it.

Let me just give you a little taste of the dialogue since it was the conversations that really made me love the book. This one is between Larry and the rest of the family. Larry, as you've probably gathered from what I've already said, has a very difficult personality. He is arrogant, never admits to any faults, and teases and criticizes his mother relentlessly. And she takes everything in stride and generally ignores his obnoxiousness:

"There should be a law against parking those loathsome beasts [donkeys] anywhere near a house. Can't one of you go and move it?"

"Why should we? It's not disturbing us," said Leslie.

"That's the trouble with this family," said Larry bitterly; "no give and take, no consideration for others."

"You don't have much consideration for others," said Margo.

"It's all your fault, Mother," said Larry austerely; "you shouldn't have brought us up to be so selfish."

"I like that!" exclaimed Mother. "I never did anything of the sort!"

"Well, we didn't get as selfish as this without some guidance," said Larry.

And for all of my early complaining about the long and detailed descriptions, I can't deny that Gerald Durrell has such a mesmerizing way with words that by the end, I almost felt like I'd actually visited Corfu (but instead of satisfying me, it just made me want to see the real thing in person). For example, this: "Lying spread-eagled in the silky water, gazing into the sky, only moving my hands and feet slightly to keep afloat, I was looking at the Milky Way stretched like a chiffon scarf across the sky and wondering how many stars it contained." And just a few paragraphs later, a whole pod of porpoises shows up and surrounds Gerry in a kind of ethereal and moonlit dance, which makes the whole episode even more magical.

Speaking of which, apparently life on Corfu was not as idyllic as Gerry made it out to be, which is, sadly, so often the case with real life. But then, aren't our childhood memories often sprinkled with just a touch more stardust than was actually there? And isn't that a blessing? For me personally, I hope my kids favor the good moments in their memories rather than the bad, and I think that's exactly what Gerry did. I'm sure some stories are embellished, some are idealized, and maybe some are even made up, but I think he got to the heart of what he felt like as a ten-year-old boy on the beautiful island of Corfu, and so in many ways, that's more accurate than if he'd made sure everything was chronologically and historically true to life.

By the end, even the animal descriptions had taken on a certain charm--so much so that when he began laying out the details of a battle between a gecko and a mantid, I was riveted to the page. The setup and relaying of the actual event took up a total of ten pages, and I didn't even care.  I had to see how it turned out.

Even if I hadn't started enjoying the book, finishing it would have still been worth it because the book club discussion was so delightful and wouldn't have been half as fun if I hadn't read the stories myself. We spent a good portion of the evening just reliving some of the funniest moments, and I can't remember a time when I've laughed so much at book club. There were times when I laughed out loud while reading, but somehow sharing those stories with friends who had also read them elevated them to something that was not just hilarious but worth remembering, too. 

One of my very favorite characters was Theodore Stephanides, a doctor and naturalist who becomes very close with the entire Durrell family. He's a bit eccentric, as are all of the characters, but he's also incredibly kind and can't resist telling a good joke. Because he and Gerry both share a love of nature, they develop a special bond, and he is one of Gerry's most beloved mentors.

One time, after sharing an especially ridiculous story about a play gone awry, Larry accuses him of making the whole thing up, but Theodore assures him it was true:

"'Here in Corfu,' said Theodore, his eyes twinkling with pride, 'anything can happen.'"

When I read that line, I knew that was really what this book was all about. Whether the stories are all entirely true or not, the point is that when Gerald Durrell was ten years old, he really felt like in Corfu, anything could happen, and as the reader, I felt like that, too.

Review x 2: The Whipping Boy and Basil of Baker Street

A few weeks before Christmas, I planned out which books I wanted to give to my kids. This is usually one of my favorite activities because, honestly, it's kind of like giving books to myself. It was fairly easy to select books for Aaron, Bradley, and Clark, but you can probably already guess that I struggled with gift ideas for Max.

He loves nonfiction, and I already had the 2017 TIME for Kids Almanac because the publisher had sent me a copy, so I knew that would be perfect, but I also wanted to give him some fiction. When it comes to fiction, we often have daily battles because he asks me for suggestions but then always turns down every. single. recommendation. I think it's kind of a game with him: How many ways can I reject Mom's ideas? So I knew I was doomed from the start.

In the end, I chose two books that I already had sitting in my Amazon cart: The Whipping Boy by Sid Fleischman and Basil of Baker Street (the first book in The Great Mouse Detective series) by Eve Titus.

And sure enough, on Christmas Day, he opened up the three books and cheerfully exclaimed over the almanac and instantly turned down the other two: "I don't like the movie so I know I won't like the book. It doesn't look interesting. I think it will be scary."

So I did what any good mom would do. When it came time to pick our next readaloud, I opened up The Whipping Boy and started reading. And then, a week later, after we'd finished that one, I picked up Basil of Baker Street and read it aloud too.

And he eagerly listened to both of them. Aren't I a clever mom?

1. The Whipping Boy by Sid Fleischman
We fell in love with Sid Fleischman over the summer when we read By the Great Horn Spoon, and this one was no less of a fast-paced, thrilling adventure (and out of the two, it's probably more well-known because of that shiny gold sticker on the front).

Jemmy is unfortunate enough to hold one of the worst positions in the palace--that of royal whipping boy. In some palaces, with nice, well-mannered princes who never get into trouble, it might not be such a bad job. But Prince Brat, as his name implies, is not that kind of prince, and Jemmy finds himself receiving proxy whippings almost daily. But Jemmy takes them all in stride and never cries out, which irks the prince something fierce.

Jemmy is just making plans to run away when the prince beats him to it, and of course he expects Jemmy to come along and serve as his manservant. Their plans quickly go awry, however, when they're kidnapped by a pair of cutthroats: Hold-Your-Nose Billy and Cutwater. Looking at the saddle of the horse the boys were on, the bandits realize they've laid hands on more than just your average passerby--a fact which, if handled correctly, could lead to a small (or perhaps very large) fortune.

With a synopsis like that, is it any wonder my kids loved this book? At every turn, there was more excitement, more danger, more tricks, and a great deal of outwitting on Jemmy's part. The chapters are very short, and each one ends with a bit of a cliffhanger, so it's almost impossible to stop once you start.

The funny thing is that, for all Maxwell's complaining and being sure he wouldn't like it, what did he do as soon as we were done? Turned right around and read it again.

(But P.S., I will say that, even though he ended up loving it, I don't regret reading it aloud first--and not just because I loved it too. I actually think he would have had a little trouble understanding the dialogue if he'd tried to read it on his own first, but after he'd already heard it once and knew what was being said, it was easy and enjoyable for him to read again. So maybe he knew best after all...but don't tell him I said that.)

2. Basil of Baker Street by Eve Titus
I grew up watching Disney's The Great Mouse Detective but didn't realize until a few months ago that it was based on a series of books written by Eve Titus in the 1950's and 60's. Unable to get the first book from our library, I put it in my Amazon cart and waited for the right moment to buy it (although, at less than four dollars, I think I could have justified an impulse purchase).

With a nod to the great super sleuth himself, Basil the mouse shares many characteristics with his idol, Mr. Sherlock Holmes: he has a loyal sidekick and friend, who also happens to be a doctor ("my dear Dawson"); he has a keen eye for detail; he's slightly eccentric; and he lives on Baker Street (where he can keep a close eye on Mr. Holmes and learn from him).

When twins Angela and Agatha go missing, Basil knows there's more to this kidnapping than meets the eye, but it's not until the ransom note turns up that he finds out exactly what that is. He and Dawson don't have a lot of time if they want to save not only the twins but also their entire mouse village, but the kidnappers obviously didn't take into account Basil's quick wit and brilliant disguises.

Although they're not the same stories, if you're familiar with the Disney version, you'll see the obvious influence of the book on the movie. However, I found the book much more charming. Also, there's a level of sophistication there that isn't found in most children's mysteries: the writing isn't formulaic, the dialogue is distinctly British, and the plot keeps its suspense to the very end. Plus, the characters are enough like their human counterparts to make the resemblances unmistakable, but they're still unique in their own way so that it doesn't feel contrived.

Something tells me the next book (or two) might be showing up at our house for Valentine's Day . . .

(Oh, also, in case you didn't notice, both of these books have better-than-average (actually, truly exceptional) illustrators. The Whipping Boy was illustrated by Peter Sis and Basil of Baker Street was illustrated by Paul Galdone, which basically means you're in for a treat all the way around.)

How do you deal with stubborn kids who turn down perfectly good books without a good reason? Also, which readalouds have been a success for you lately?

Reading Goals 2017

I've been brainstorming, compiling, adding, deleting, and narrowing down my reading goals for 2017 for awhile now. It's hard to find the perfect balance. Last year, I felt pretty good about my content-specific goals, but my numbers goal, as I've already mentioned, was stressful. I want to be pushed but not panicked, stretched but not stressed. Is that too much to ask?

Taking those feelings into account, I'm setting a similar number of content goals, but lowering my numbers goal to 48. Given my reading habits during the last five years, that number might seem so low that it shouldn't even be a "goal." Of course I'm going to read 48 books! The last time I read fewer than 48 books in a year was before I had kids. But I think I'm setting it low this year because I don't want the numbers to be my focus (but the Type A part of me still loves seeing that little tracker tick off the books, so I have to set some sort of goal). I'm also interested to see if I take a more relaxed approach to the numbers if I'll only squeak by with the bare minimum because I'm not as focused or if I'll surpass it by a lot. (Suzanne and I talked a little about the pros and cons of setting a numbers goal in Episode 3 of The Book Blab, and I'd love to hear your thoughts on this conundrum.)

Anyway, while I'm not sure how I'm feeling about a numbers goal this year, I'm very excited about my content-specific goals. These goals always help me tackle genres I've been avoiding, read books that I've been wanting to read for forever, and just generally help give some direction and structure to my reading life. I always consider just participating in a pre-made challenge (Anne Bogel has two excellent challenges to choose from this year), but I always go back to just setting my own goals because I want to stretch myself while still reading the things that are actually important and interesting to me. So without further ado, I present you with my reading goals for 2017:

1. Read two books about childbirth
I think the reason behind this goal is fairly obvious (hello, baby!). I just really find birth stories incredibly motivating and inspiring, and so one of the best ways for me to prepare for the birth of our new baby is by reading about the births of other babies. I already have two books picked out for this goal: Baby Catcher by Peggy Vincent and The Gift of Giving Life by Felice Austin, but I'm definitely up for other suggestions if you have one that you love. This goal does have a bit of a time constraint on it (beyond the general year deadline). I'm due April 24th, and as much as I love reading about birth, I don't think it's going to be as helpful if I wait until after the baby comes.

2. Read three books with Maxwell and three books with Aaron
One of my favorite goals from last year was reading some of the same books as Aaron (not to him--he would read on his own, and I would do the same). Not only did it strengthen our relationship (because shared books really do make you feel more connected), but it also helped me explore some books for that age group that I might not have otherwise and gave me some great titles to recommend. This year, I'm adding Maxwell to the mix, and I can already tell you it's going to be a much different experience. Aaron was basically on board with any book I threw at him, and consequently, I did all of the choosing. Max is not going to be such an easy sell. In fact, it will probably end up being him who does the choosing and me who does the following--which might mean I'm in for some . . . interesting . . . books.

3. Read Rose in Bloom by Louisa May Alcott and The Blue Castle by L.M. Montgomery
Sometimes I prefer a more general goal to give me greater flexibility, but sometimes there are certain books I'm set on reading, and I know it won't happen without a goal. Such is the case with this goal. Last year, I read Eight Cousins by Louisa May Alcott, and a couple of you told me, "Eight Cousins is good, but Rose in Bloom is better." Recognizing that I have a dismal track record for reading sequels in a timely manner, I really want to get to Rose in Bloom before I forget all of the characters from Eight Cousins. Hence the goal. And The Blue Castle? It's there because every year I think I'm going to make time to read it, and I'm tired of letting other books get in the way.

4. Read a book about slow, conscientious living
I'm a homebody at heart. My favorite days are usually quiet, unscheduled, and filled with cozy activities like reading or knitting. I've been embracing that part of myself more this winter, and consequently have been really interested in reading books such as The Year of Living Danishly by Helen Russell, Chasing Slow by Erin Loechner, or Breaking Busy by Ali Worthington. I might save this goal for the fall, so there's plenty of time for you to add your own recommendations for books on this subject if you're so inclined.

5. Start a new mystery series and read another mystery by Agatha Christie
I actually enjoy mysteries quite a bit, but I don't read them too often (in 2016, I think I read a whopping zero, which shows the kind of priority I put on them). However, sometimes they're the perfect little reset when reading has begun to feel tedious. I've had my eye on a couple of series that I want to try (the Inspector Gamache series by Louise Penny or the Charlotte and Thomas Pitt series by Anne Perry). Also, every year I think, I want to read something else by Agatha Christie because the two mysteries of hers that I have read were so well-crafted and intriguing, so I'm finally going to read another one this year. This goal, as you can probably tell, is purely for fun. I love fun goals.

6. Read Home Comforts by Cheryl Mendelson throughout the year
I was really excited about this goal when I thought it up a couple months ago and put it on my "tentative 2017 goals" list. Anne Bogel has called Home Comforts the "best book you've never heard of on housekeeping," and I feel like I'm always searching for the best way to keep my house clean and my sanity in check, so it seemed like something I had to read. But in the interim, my enthusiasm waned a bit (possibly related to the behemoth 900-page size of this book--how could anyone have that much to say on keeping house?!). However, I already purchased it for my kindle, and I think I will feel a bit of guilt if I don't follow through with it. I am anticipating this book being a part of all of 2017.

7. Read a parenting book
It sounds like I'm being all nice and vague with this goal, but really I'm not. The only book I have in mind, and really the only one I want to read, is The Collapse of Parenting by Leonard Sax. You can try to persuade me to something else, but I'm pretty much set on it. I've heard such good things about it (including from my own mother), and Boys Adrift, an earlier book by Leonard Sax, is one of my favorite parenting books of all time, and this seems like a good follow-up.

8. Read two Young Adult novels
This goal was prompted by Mike's cousin (who also happens to be one of my best friends) who happened to say a couple of weeks ago, "I notice that you have a lot of children's literature and adult books on your blog, but you don't seem to read very much YA." It was an accurate observation. And it's actually a problem because people will ask me for YA recommendations, and it's like this gaping hole in my literary repertoire. It's not that I haven't read any YA, but out of the ones I have read, there are very few I actually feel like recommending. I like the idea of YA, but the books always leave me feeling annoyed and depressed: the content often shocks me while at the same time feeling so immature (maybe I just don't like teenagers?). So I have a (perhaps impossible) request for all of you, my dear readers: Please recommend your favorite young adult books. But here's the catch: I'm looking for clean, well-written, realistic fiction--not fantasy or fairy tales. Why? Because most of the YA books I already recommend are fantasy (they tend to be quite a bit cleaner), but I actually prefer realistic fiction--I just can't find any that I like. It's a tall order, I know, but please tell me it's out there.

9. Read the 2017 Newbery winner
I have no idea what this book will be, but I'll find out on January 23rd. On the slight chance that I've actually read the winner, I'll read one of the honors instead.

10. Read Glimpses into the Life and Heart of Marjorie Pay Hinckley
This one is directly tied to one of my personal goals and also my theme for 2017, which I'll hopefully share more about in a later post. But basically, I adore Marjorie Hinckley and am so inspired by her life and words. I can't wait to read and highlight and make notes in this book and, most of all, apply what I learn.

I have so many more books I want to read this year, and so there's a part of me that wants to keep adding more goals (I had to delete so many other possibilities!). But I've set these yearly reading goals enough to know that I will be stretching and challenging myself as is. Looking back over these new goals makes me excited, and I think I've settled on the ones that are truly important (or truly fun) for me. Plus, I want to still leave time for myself to read on a whim. Reading for me is all about structure, flexibility, and balance, and hopefully I've achieved that with these goals.

What reading goals have you made for yourself this year? And, equally important, what books should I read to fulfill my goals?

2016 Reading: Second Half

In 2012, I made the goal to read 52 books, and I read 55. In 2013, my goal was 55 books, and I read 66. In 2014, I set out to read 60 books but ended up with 64. In 2015, that goal was 65, and I finished the year with 68.

So naturally, in 2016 I thought I could inch up that number just a little bit more because that's what I'd done for the last four years, so I made the goal to read 70 books.

And it just about killed me.

I may have slightly panicked when, early in November, I did the math and realized that I was still fourteen books away from my goal. Fourteen! It shouldn't have been a big deal. I shouldn't have even cared. But there was something about seeing the tracker on the side of Goodreads that made me go crazy. I couldn't handle its mocking tone, "You are seven books behind schedule." And I hated the thought of seeing a great big INCOMPLETE at the end of the year.

And so I did what any Upholder worth her salt would do and came up with a plan of attack: I mapped out all fourteen books--the audiobooks, the three I still needed for my reading goals, the novels I planned to read to my kids, the seasonal reads--and then I attacked them with a vengeance and dutifully checked them off one by one.

Some of them made the list because they were short, easy reads (desperate times and all that--this was no time to start The Count of Monte Cristo). I know some readers who don't count readalouds or children's novels or re-reads or even audiobooks among their final total, but I do and I don't feel any guilt about it, and here's why: All of those are books I want to read, and I know if I impose all these limiting rules on myself, I won't read them because if they can't count towards my numbers total, then I know I won't find the time to read them, and it actually feels really important for me to read them. So when I make my numbers goal at the beginning of the year, it's with the understanding that I'll be counting basically everything except picture books.

Whew, so with that lengthy explanation aside, here's what I ended up reading during the second half (if you missed the first half, you can find it here). Yes, I made it to 70 but just barely. All book titles are linked to my full reviews.

1. Tuesdays at the Castle by Jessica Day George, 6/10 (readaloud)
I think my expectations were too high for this one. In spite of its intriguing premise, it was quite a slow start. Luckily, it redeemed itself (some) in the end.

2. Owls in the Family by Farley Mowat, 8/10 (readaloud)
It had the same feel as Rascal (which we read during the first half of the year) but was shorter, faster-paced, and funnier overall. 

3. Lizzy and Jane by Katherine Reay, 6/10
My enthusiasm for this story gradually waned until I was quite thrilled when it was over.

4. Cinder by Marissa Meyer, 7/10
I almost quit two chapters in because it was just a little too strange for me, but I pushed through and ended up being really impressed with its creativity. That said, did I rush out to get the second book? Um, no.

5. Inside Out and Back Again by Thanhha Lai, 8/10
I'm a sucker for verse novels, so when you combine poetry with a subject I know very little about (the Vietnam War), it's a winner.

6. Where'd You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple, 7/10
This one gets points just because it was such a compelling read. I didn't love everything about it, but I couldn't put it down. 

7. Ramona Quimby, Age 8 by Beverly Cleary, 8/10 (readaloud)
These are the Ramona stories I'm probably most familiar with from my own childhood, so I loved revisiting them.

8. The Twits by Roald Dahl, 8/10 (readaloud)
So, so, so strange. But we loved it.

9. Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen, 9/10
Ah, Eleanor. May I grow up to be you one day.

10. The Monuments Men: Allied Heroes, Nazi Thieves, and the Greatest Treasure Hunt in History by Robert M. Edsel, 8/10 (audio)
Absolutely fascinating and added greater depth to some of the things we saw in Europe. I only wish it hadn't taken me three months to get through.

11. Charlotte's Web by E.B. White, 10/10 (readaloud)
I will be sad when I run out of kids to read this one to.

12. Dory, Dory Black Sheep by Abby Hanlon, 7/10 (readaloud)
I'm a big fan of Dory, but I didn't love this one quite as much as the first two. 

13. The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield, 7/10
I can see why people compare this one to Jane Eyre, but really, there's no comparison.

14. Mathematicians Are People, Too by Luetta and Wilbert Reimer, 6/10 (readaloud)
I have to admit, I'd never even heard of some of these mathematicians, but I probably should have.

15. The Wild Robot by Peter Brown, 8/10
Quite original, I must say.

16. The Night Gardner by Jonathan Auxier, 8/10
That's about all the scary I can handle. Perfect for October though.

17. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling, 9/10 (readaloud)
I'm starting to look forward to our annual progression in this series as much as my kids. So fun.

18. Creativity, Inc. by Ed Catmull, 9/10 (audiobook)
I'm still thinking about this book. A perfect read for January, book club, or really any time of the year.

19. Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt, 7/10
One of those books that, ironically, grows more thought-provoking with age.

20. The Great Ghost Rescue by Eva Ibbotson, 3/10 (readaloud)
This book could not be over fast enough for me. I'm trying not to judge Eva Ibbotson too quickly.

21. Ribsy by Beverly Cleary, 10/10 (readaloud)
A perfect ending to a perfect series.

22. Bread and Wine by Shauna Niequist, 6/10
I always love a good food book, but I expected to love this one a bit more than I actually did.

23. My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante, 8/10
Raw and emotional, this was a gorgeously crafted novel.

24. All-of-a-Kind Family by Sydney Taylor, 10/10 (readaloud)
I have no words for this book except I loved it.

25. Tumtum and Nutmeg: A Christmas Adventure, 6/10 (readaloud)
Short and cute but not much else worth mentioning.

26. Edenbrooke by Julianne Donaldson, 9/10
Turns out, I'm still a fan.

27. Eight Cousins by Louisa May Alcott, 8/10 (audiobook)
Oh my goodness, all those boys! Of course I liked this book!

28. The Mistletoe Promise by Richard Paul Evans, 5/10
It was about what I was expecting, which wasn't much.

29. The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson, 10/10 (readaloud)
This book. It makes me laugh, and then cry.

30. A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, 10/10
I think this book will always hold up to another reading.

31. Smile by Raina Telgemeier, 8/10
Raina Telgemeier completely won me over. I can't wait to read more of her graphic novels.

32. The Children of Noisy Village by Astrid Lindgren, 9/10 (readaloud)
One word: delightful.

33. Pax by Sara Pennypacker, 7/10 (audiobook)
Melancholy and sad, but hopeful just the same.

34. The Lincoln Hypothesis by Timothy Ballard, 6/10
A lot of facts, a lot of truth, some speculation.

35. Amelia Lost by Candace Fleming, 10/10
If only all nonfiction was told in such a compelling way.

36. A Time to Dance by Padma Venkatraman, 10/10
Said good-bye to 2016 with one of the best books I read all year.

I'd love to hear about some of YOUR favorite reads from 2016. Even though my to-read list is dauntingly long, I'm always looking to add to it. It's a problem. 

Review x 4: Creativity, Inc., Bread and Wine, The Lincoln Hypothesis, and A Time to Dance

These are the stragglers--the four books I read in 2016 that I still haven't reviewed. I'm ready to get on with 2017, so I'm just lumping these four, entirely random books together and making the reviews short and sweet.

1. Creativity, Inc.: Overcoming the Unseen Forces That Stand in the Way of True Inspiration by Ed Catmull
This was actually one of my favorite books of the year, so it's a pity this review was neglected until now (I finished it nearly three months ago). However, as a small consolation, I actually wrote up some early thoughts when I was still in the middle of the book and published them here, so at least there's that.

Ed Catmull is one of the founders of Pixar, and this memoir-of-sorts is a candid look at creativity--both in the workplace and individually. He examines what facilitates and hampers it and how creativity can be used to make a lasting difference.

I expected this book to be interesting (and it was), but I was surprised with how applicable it was to my own life (he talks quite a bit about effective ways to manage groups of people, but even this was amazingly applicable to my own position as manager of the home). Especially in this season of new beginnings and goals, I find myself thinking back on some of the things I learned, such as: action is better than motivational go-words; "always take a chance on better, even if it seems threatening;" analyze the mistake, not the person; there's a difference between creation and discovery; stay flexible, even while forming a plan; but when you plan, break it down into measurable goals and processes.

Ed Catmull uses personal stories to back up everything he says, and he's quite honest about the mistakes Pixar made along the way and how they used those mistakes to make improvements to the company rather than letting them completely debilitate them. (The account of all of Toy Story 2 being accidentally deleted was definitely one of the most memorable. Yikes!)

Anyway, if you're looking to kick off the new year with some reading that will inspire you to tackle some of those personal projects you've been afraid of, this would be a great choice. 

2. Bread and Wine: Finding Community and Life Around the Table by Shauna Niequist
This book has been on my to-read list for a long time. I intended to read it in 2015 when one of my reading goals was, "read a food memoir." But sadly, neither of my libraries had it, so I had to make a last minute substitution. However, I did do two things to help it happen this year: I requested the library to buy a copy (which they did), and I purchased it for myself when the kindle edition went on sale.

I was saving it for November because I love reading food books prior to Thanksgiving, but then I was so swamped with other books, it looked like I was going to miss it for the second year in a row (and I even wailed about it a bit when Suzanne and I did our food book episode). But a little determination can go a long way, and I was absolutely set on reading it, so I squeezed it in.

But for all I'd been looking forward to it and for all of the rave reviews I'd heard about it, I have to admit that it was just a tiny bit of a letdown for me. Maybe it had just been hyped up a little too much, but I actually think the real reason I didn't absolutely love it is that it felt a bit too much like the sort of book Brené Brown would write if Brené Brown wrote about food.

How's that for cryptic? To clarify, Brené Brown (author of Daring Greatly, among others) talks a lot about vulnerability and accepting oneself, and, mixed in with the recipes and the personal anecdotes, that's what Shauna Niequist talked about, too. And sometimes, in spite of the true genuineness behind it, it felt a little forced to me, and I found myself racing through those essays about embracing your own body in a bathing suit so that I could get back to the actual stories from her own life and the food that went with them.

I usually love self-help books, but this one just didn't jive the way I wanted it to. In the realm of food memoirs, I still far prefer Ruth Reichl or Molly Wizenburg.

3. The Lincoln Hypothesis by Timothy Ballard
This book will probably be of little interest to those readers who are not of the same faith as me. But who knows? In light of current political and world events, the message felt very timely.

The basic premise of the book is that the tide of the Civil War did not turn to the Union's favor until President Abraham Lincoln renewed the national covenant with God (the national covenant = God will bless this land if the people are righteous and acknowledge His divine hand). The war did not begin as a means to end slavery, but after much personal study and prayer, Abraham Lincoln realized that the equal treatment of all human beings was at the heart of the nation's turmoil. He knew the nation at large needed to repent and abolish any practices that would persecute any of its people (this included African-Americans, of course, but also other smaller groups, such as the early Mormons who had been driven from their homes and tormented while their appeals to the government went unheeded). The Emancipation Proclamation, as well as the Thirteenth and Fourteenth Amendments, eventually came about because of Lincoln's realization (and soon, the entire Union was behind him).

The author speculates quite a bit about what led Lincoln to his decisions (for example, apparently Lincoln checked out a Book of Mormon from the Library of Congress right around the same time he was calling the nation to repentance), draws comparisons between Abraham Lincoln and Joseph Smith, and ties together prophecies in the scriptures with historical events, and although I found it all quite fascinating, I also tried to look at it honestly and candidly, with a healthy dose of skepticism.

However, speculations aside, much of the book rang with truth, and I felt a deepening love and respect for Abraham Lincoln as I learned more about his character and his leadership. (I was so impressed, I asked Mike if we could name our new baby "Lincoln," but he says it doesn't fit well with our last name.)

The author's writing  style was not my favorite (a bit too conversational), but overall, it was a very enlightening and beneficial read.

4. A Time to Dance by Padma Venkatraman
In a fairly recent post, Anne Bogel mentioned A Time to Dance as a book her 11-year-old daughter was currently enjoying. I'm embarrassed to admit that it caught my interest because Anne said it was a verse novel, and I was on the hunt for faster reads since the end of the year was fast approaching and I was still a long way off from my numbers goal. I knew I could fly through a verse novel and quickly check off one more book, so I checked it out.

So maybe my motive for reading it was a little contrived (and, as it happened, it ended up being the final book I needed to reach my numbers goal, and I literally finished it at 3:00pm on New Year's Eve), but it ended up being one of the best books I read all year, and that is not something I say lightly.

Veda is an accomplished Bharatanatyam dancer. She lives for dance and feels a thrill like no other when she's in front of an audience. But one evening, on the drive home after a competition, the bus she's on is in a terrible accident. Veda's foot is crushed and has to be amputated, and when she wakes up and discovers what has happened, her dreams quickly evaporate as well ("I want to tell the nurses no scale can measure / the pain of my dreams / dancing / beyond reach").

This was as near to a perfect novel as you can get for me. Veda's personal growth throughout the book was beautifully slow and steady. Of course, there's the growth you would expect: somehow Veda is going to dance again. But while that's all well and good, it's also a bit selfish and shallow. Luckily, there's so much more to Veda than just her accomplishments as a dancer, and as the story progresses and she overcomes challenges and grief and pain, she blossoms as a person. She becomes selfless and compassionate and encouraging. She faces doubts in her personal faith and comes away triumphant.

There was one scene that I especially loved where Veda is performing two parts in a play: one is an old, sick woman who visits Buddha and who represents "the pain of all humanity;" the second is Gautami, a woman who goes to Buddha in the hopes that he will bring her dead son back to life. Veda's teacher wants her to acknowledge her own deep emotions as she enacts her roles, but that forces Veda to go places she doesn't want to go. I loved the way the old woman and Gautami provided a framework for Veda's own healing and growth.

I'm convinced the story would not have had the same emotional impact if it had been told in prose rather than free verse. The poetry added a quiet depth that left me breathless, and I'm amazed again by how much can be said with so few words.

I finished it as we were driving to my parents' for some New Year's Eve festivities. As soon as we got there, I pushed it into my sister's hands and said, "You have to read this book." And she did, finishing it just after midnight. What a perfect way to end (or begin) the year.

Have you read any of these books? As always, I'd love it if you'd share your thoughts and opinions in the comments!

A Little of This and That in November and December

The holidays are over, the boys are back in school, and the only thing holding the inversion at bay is the frequent snowstorms. Yep, January is here. But on a happier note, here's a little taste of what we filled our November and December with:

Soaking . . . up the November weather. It was unseasonably warm, and believe me, we didn't take it for granted. 

Enduring . . . family pictures. I asked our good friend, James Gardner, if he'd take some family photos for us. I stressed about what we should all wear (believe me, I'm longing for the days where you could dress everyone in white shirts and jeans and look hip). And then, on the day of the actual pictures, Max's genuine smiles seemed to have been replaced by monster grimaces. Plus there was just the usual chaos of trying to get six people all looking fairly normal and at the camera at the same time. After the shoot, I wailed to Mike that we'd probably bombed the whole thing and hadn't gotten a single good image. But then, James sent us the photos, and there were dozens of good shots. I guess he's a miracle worker, that's the only logical explanation.

Loving . . . my Christmas present. Mid-November, we finally made some essential decisions about what we wanted to do with our living room wall. The original goal had been to have it finished by December 1st so that we could decorate for Christmas. Mike attacked the project with a new zeal and determination. He took off a couple of days from work and used the Thanksgiving holiday, and, by golly, he got it done. And . . . I was kind of floored by how it turned out. It takes our living room to a whole new level, and I spent the entire month admiring it. Merry Christmas to me.

Knitting . . . a new hat. I've had my eye on this hat pattern for over a year. After I finished the epic vest, I decided I better knit a practice hat before I tackled my dream pattern. The practice hat went quickly and easily (I gave it to my sister for Christmas), and then I bought the yarn for THE hat. So far, it's been so fun, and once again, I've been expanding my repertoire of skills. I've done some stitch variations and knitted cables for the first time. I've also been following a chart (which has slowed me down quite a bit). 

Carrying . . . our love of The Great British Baking Show to new heights. I think this is the third update in a row where I've mentioned The Great British Baking Show, but we've been a little obsessed. As we were nearing the end of the second season, we were talking to our equally-obsessed friends, the Gardners, and found out they were almost done with it as well. So we decided to watch the finale together and precede that with dinner made up of recipes from the show. We had Mary Berry's scones and clotted cream and jam, Richard's pesto pinwheel, and Becca's focaccia (plus Mike made up some bacon bites as his "signature dish"). It was probably one of the most fun dates Mike and I have ever been on.

Sending . . . out 160 Christmas cards. Every year I have to twist Mike's arm a little to get him to help me design the actual card, but after that I do all the stuffing, addressing (I love addressing), and stamping, so he shouldn't complain, right? And in return, I have a wall filled with Christmas cards from friends and loved ones. It was such fun to get the mail in December.

Finding . . . out that we're expecting our fifth boy. I wrote about the grand reveal here and divulged some of my complicated feelings here. But overall, we're just so thrilled and happy. My friend, Kathy, described it best: It's "like getting a Yahtzee!" Exactly. Bam.

Enjoying . . . Clark's sweetness. He loved everything about the holidays, and it was a delight seeing them through his eyes. He especially loved Mary, Joseph, and the Baby Jesus. He would search for them in books, play with them in our nativities, and talk about them constantly. We went to a live nativity early in the month, and it was magical for him (much more magical than seeing Santa Claus). He kept telling people, "I saw the Baby Jesus in a stable." That said, he also felt the thrill of Santa coming and bringing him presents. He repeated this mantra during the week leading up to Christmas, "When Santa comes, Christmas will come." And oh, the singing. Clark sings way more than any of my other kids anyway, but he just loved the Christmas songs, and it was so cute to hear his sweet little voice singing the words. I would have liked the season to go on and on just for him.

Sneaking . . . around doing the 12 Days of Christmas. Last year, someone did it for our family (we were never able to determine their identity for sure), and so this year, my kids really wanted to do it for someone else. We didn't do anything huge--just fun little gifts and treats--but the boys loved it. They took turns delivering and would ring the doorbell some nights, depending on how brave they felt. It was definitely one of the highlights of the month, and I think it brought a new level of excitement to gift-giving that they'd never felt before.

Participating . . . in old and new Christmas activities. I love a good mix of well-known, much-anticipated Christmas traditions and new adventures to spice things up and help us remember this specific Christmas. This year, we made ornaments and paper snowflakes and caramels (old) but also went to the Festival of Trees, took everyone to see a movie on Christmas Eve, and took Aaron to see A Christmas Carol (new). The month felt busy but not crazy, and I was proud of myself for letting some things go so we could relax and just enjoy the season.

Listening . . . to lots of Christmas music. I bought two new albums this year: Mercy River's All is Bright, which was one of our favorites last year, and JJ Heller's Unto Us. I'd never even heard of JJ Heller until one of my friends mentioned her on Instagram, but I became an instant fan. I love all of her songs, but there's something special about "Christmas is Here," and I couldn't stop listening to "This Year" on New Year's Eve. It's so fun to discover new artists.

Spoiling . . . our big Christmas surprise. We decided to get the boys a trampoline for Christmas. We bought it early in the month and then stored it at Mike's sister's house until the day before Christmas Eve. On the morning of Christmas Eve, we turned on a movie for the boys, and then Mike sneaked out to the backyard to assemble it. The boys were so preoccupied with their movie (one of the blessings of limiting their screen time) that they never once asked where Mike was. We figured we were safe because they hadn't been in the backyard in about a month (ever since the weather turned cold). Their bedrooms do look out on the backyard, but it is rare for them to open their blinds. Plus, we were going to be gone all afternoon at the movie theater, which would cut down even more on the possibility of them accidentally seeing it. But wouldn't you know it, not twenty minutes after Mike came inside, Maxwell was in his room and opened the blinds. Aaron was in the room, too, and quickly found Mike and asked, "Um, Dad, why's there a giant trampoline in our backyard?" And all Mike and I could do was look at each other and then say, "Merry Christmas, kids!" We then sent them outside to try it out, and in spite of the anti-climatic reveal, I was happy they'd found it early because the next day it was covered in snow.

Drinking . . . lots of Trader Joe's wassail. I do not like eggnog at all (I even tried Mel's homemade version last year, and, while definitely an upgrade from the kind that comes in a carton from the grocery store, I still couldn't tolerate it), so wassail is my go-to holiday drink. That said, in the past, it hasn't been in heavy rotation in December simply because I never make it myself so it had to be at someone else's holiday party if I was going to enjoy it. But this year, I discovered Trader Joe's version, and once it's heated, it tastes as good as the real thing. Game changer. Unfortunately (or fortunately?) Clark and I are the only ones who like it, so we've been drinking a lot of it.

Performing . . . Christmas songs. First up, I held a Christmas piano recital with my students. I usually have a recital in the spring, but with the baby due in April, I don't know if it's going to happen this year, so I decided we should have a Christmas recital, just in case. It was great. Aaron, Maxwell, and Bradley performed (it was Bradley's first recital) as well as my other students. Aaron and Maxwell played a duet of "I Saw Three Ships." It was a lot of work to get them to practice together, but the results were so rewarding. Later in the month, my mom organized a Christmas music party where anyone in the family who could play a musical instrument could perform. She also did a couple of games and then treats afterwards, and my kids thought it was basically the best thing ever. Besides both of the those events, I also had several opportunities to perform in church, including an organ arrangement of "Angels We Have Heard on High," which let me pull out all the stops.

Getting . . . our first real snowfall on Christmas Day. Up to that point, we'd had an inch or two or sometimes a little skiff here and there, but after the kids went to bed on Christmas Eve, it began to snow, and when we woke up, we had eleven inches on the ground! It was magical.

Basking . . . in a wonderful Christmas Day. Aaron and Max woke up at 6:00, but Clark had had a bit of a rough night, so I told them to go back to bed, which they did quite willingly, and I didn't hear another peep from them until 7:00, at which point everyone was awake. Everyone loved their presents. We took a break from things to go to church at 9:00 (and I was so grateful that, in spite of the heavy snow, it wasn't cancelled). It felt so good to be in church, singing jubilant praises, on that holy day. When we got home, the boys opened more presents and played all of their new games, and then we went to my parents' house for dinner. It was just a perfect Christmas.

Reading . . . and reading and reading. I was determined to reach my reading goal of 70 books, but that meant I really had to push myself in December (and read some shorter books!). I made it though, but just barely--I finished my seventieth book on the afternoon of New Year's Eve.

Hosting . . . some of our favorite people. Mike's cousin, Rachel, and her family were in Utah for Rachel's sister's wedding, and we were extremely lucky to get to host them at our house for a couple of nights. We loved it. Rachel and I always have so many books to talk about (among other things), and we might have accidentally spent three hours (!) at the bookstore (oops!).

Installing . . . a radon pump. We've known ever since we moved into our home almost three years ago that we had high levels of radon in our basement. We weren't in a huge hurry to fix it because none of us actually sleep in the basement (and we had other home projects we preferred to spend our money on). But with the new baby coming, it's only a matter of time before someone gets booted down there, so it needed to happen. Not the most fun way to spend $1400, but at least we've lowered our risk of lung cancer.

Ringing . . . in the New Year. Bradley was determined to stay up until midnight (last year, he only made it until 10:30), and I was surprised with how cheerful he stayed right up until the stroke of twelve. I think he was worried that if we heard the tiniest whine from him, we'd send him straight to bed. However, immediately after throwing confetti and shouting "Happy New Year!" he crawled into bed and fell promptly asleep, so he was obviously tired.

And now, it's back to real life. What were the highlights of your holiday season?