say yes to strangers

This morning Emery and I splurged for breakfast at McDonald's. What I never seem to remember is that the entire senior citizen community of Lincoln also dines at McDonald's for breakfast. The only secluded tables available were tall bar tables. Not a good situation for two shorties. We tried to sit at the end of a table but the couple informed us they were reserved seats. Then an older gentleman who was sitting with two of his cronies said we could sit with them. I was nervous and Emery even turned to me and said, "Mommy, I'll be shy." How could I refuse this stranger?! I'm so worried about disappointing people! So I said yes, of course and we joined the menfolk. Turns out, they were super friendly. Darrell and Jon (I didn't catch the other man's name) are brothers and they engaged Emery in conversation smoothly enough to wipe away the shyness all together. Apparently Jon has lots of animals on his farm and Darrell plays the harmonica, the dulcimer, and something called a sultry. I also found out his wife works at Kroger and will give out free samples of cheese to the little folks. All good information! I get easily flustered in situations like not being able to find a seat and these gentleman were completely obliging. I appreciated that Emery got to visit with people from a different generation and she ate up the attention!
When we left Emery kindly thanked them "for talking to me" and I'm looking forward to the possibility of dining with them again!
It's really easy for me to get in a comfort zone and stay there forever. (and ever). I don't know why I'm so apprehensive to talk to people or quick to choose a secluded table; especially since most days I crave adult interaction!
I learn about myself, my daughter, about our community, and about enjoying people where they're at each time I have an encounter like this morning's. I also want to teach Emery that people matter more than our agenda and our comfort zones.

Happy New Year (in March!)!

I was going to wait and update this on Saturday, my birthday, but how narcissistic do you think I am? (I'm writing today so you don't realize it).

January was hectic. Nolan was gone for 3.5 weeks in Corpus Christi but I did get to visit for one week. Highlights? The beach (brrr!), the USS Lexington, and Segways! See...

Emery and I survived the long month with family and friends! We are very much enjoying Nolan's company these days!

February. Honestly, it's March 3rd and I'm having a hard time recalling what we did in February. That's terrible. I do know I fell back in love with the Beatles thanks to The Beatles Rock Band. Emery is enjoying the dance parties that ensue from this game! How great are The Beatles? Honestly.

Ems got a new pair of polka-dot rainboots and since then there have been few days they're not adorning her feet. There's been a lot of this happening:

I actually love that part though. Her personality is really shining through. She's hilarious and keen to pick up on everything Mommy says or does. Sometimes that's great. Sometimes, not so much. The past few days she's been lining her babies up on the carpet for Story Time. She says things like, "you have to be patient, Coco." "Do you know what this is, Baby? It's a choo-choo train." "We have to be quiet, class." It's great to watch her! I want to take pictures or video of everything because her sweet voice is priceless but when the camera's on, she's off. I'm taking a page out of Mary's book and storing these moments in my heart (and for you folks).

Hope your 2011 is treating you well. We are greatly anticipating Spring and are taking advantage of these sunny days!

Merry Christmas!!

Merry Christmas to you and yours! Happy New Year too! Love, Nolan, Amanda, and Emery!

Day 5: Books for 2011

Here's a list of books I've yet to get but can't wait to get started!

• The Heroine's Bookshelf by Erin Blakemore
• When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead
• Hooray for Amanda and her Alligator and I Broke My Trunk by Mo Willems
• Emily of New Moon series by L.M. Montgomery
• Savvy by Ingrid Law
• One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp
• Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
• Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
• A Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley
• The Sherlockian by Graham Moore
• The Imperfectionists by Tom Rachman
• Home Tonight by Henri Nouwen
• Traveling Mercies by Anne Lamott (re-read, will probably lead me to re-read her others)
• Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick
• Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay
• The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet by David Mitchell
• A Whole Nother Story by Dr. Cuthbert Soup
• The Sixty-Eight Rooms by Marianne Malone
• Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford
• Sweet Valley Confidential by Francine Pascal (yeah, Elizabeth and Jessica Wakefield are back! I'm reading this out of sheer curiosity and a step back into my past!)
  

What was your favorite book of 2010? Did I miss it, because if so I'd love to add it to my list for 2011! What books are you looking forward to in the coming year?

Day 4: Amanda's Favorites

• Committed by Elizabeth Gilbert (thought-provoking and funny!)
• The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Shaffer & Barrows (LOVED)
• Before Green Gables by Budge Wilson (long-time fan of Anne so this was a fun dip into her supposed history before she met the Cuthberts)
• The School of Essential Ingredients by Erica Bauermeister
• The Help by Kathryn Stockett
• Timber Ridge Reflection Series by Tamera Alexander (good stories of redemption even though they're a bit on the 'romantic' side)
• I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith (technically this is a young adult novel but it's one of my favorites for the year so it's here!)
• Marta's Legacy by Francine Rivers (two-book series. You shouldn't read the first unless you're going to push through the second. It's a good story of legacies but it's a bit heavier than her other books)

turns out, this list is a bit smaller because I got caught up in all those young adult books! Plus this year I tried out a lot of new authors from people's 'must-read' lists and not all of them were as promising as they sounded. Live and learn!

Day 3: Young Adult Favorites

Emery and I frequent our local library. Puzzles and games are set up for kids her age right next to the young adult books. They are so tempting that I can't help myself. I say it'll be nice to have a list of books ready for Emery when she's old enough but really it's just because I can't resist. Here are some of my favorites from this year:

• Clementine by Sara Pennypacker. (oh my. If you love Junie B. you'll adore Clementine)
• The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall (reminiscent of Little Women. Love these girls & the sequel)
• The Birthday Room by Kevin Henkes (it was a big year for Henkes in our home! look for Olive's Ocean and Words of Stone too!)
• The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart (LOVED! and it's a series!!)
• The Wednesday Wars by Gary Schmidt (excellent book!)
• Umbrella Summer by Lisa Graff (also enjoyed her The Thing About Georgie)
• The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly (I just liked it)
• Under the Lilacs by Louisa May Alcott (it was also a big year for Alcott around here. Loved her Eight Cousins and it's sequel Rose in Bloom)
• Neil Flambe and the Marco Polo Murders by Kevin Sylvester (fun mystery)
• The Willoughbys by Lois Lowry (i love the use of big, silly words and the power of siblings)
• Masterpiece by Elise Broach (great story of friendship and fun little mystery)
• Cornelia and the Audacious Escapedes of the Somerset Sisters by Lesley M.M. Blume (the title's a bit ridiculous but the story is great fun!)
• The Mysterious Howling by MaryRose Wood (honestly, the jury is still out on this one. I feel it needs another read-through. I want to like it though!)
• Up a Road Slowly by Irene Hunt (simple but great story; it reminded me of an Alcott novel)

I hope you're enjoying these lists as much as I am! haha! If not, don't worry, only 2 more days!

Day 2: Books from the Year

Emery asked me to read these to her repeatedly:

• Corduroy by Don Freeman (also Beady Bear)
• We Are in a Book by Mo Willems (also the Cat the Cat books)
• Chalk by Bill Thomson
• The Little Mouse, the Red Ripe Strawberry and the Big Hungry Bear by Audrey Wood (also The Napping House and King Bidgood's in the Bathtub)
• Jamberry by Bruce Degan
• In the Night Kitchen by Maurice Sendak (I almost have this one memorized)
• LMNO Peas by Keith Baker
• Pete's a Pizza by William Steig (I don't know how I missed this one as a child, I love it!)
• Children Make Terrible Pets by Peter Brown
• Shark vs. Train by Chris Barton and Tom Lichtenheld
• Big Rabbit's Bad Mood by Ramona Badescu
• Leonardo the Terrible Monster by Mo Willems

My favorite books I read to Emery:

• My Garden by Kevin Henkes (also Birds and A Good Day--I love the colors in these books)
• Hurry! Hurry! by Eve Bunting (so sweet about welcoming a new life!)
• The Golden Egg Book by Margaret Wise Brown (sweet and simple like all her stories)
• All in a Day by Cynthia Rylant (love the illustrations and the message!)
• Over at the Castle by Boni Ashburn
• Miss Brooks Loves Books and I Don't by Barbara Bottner
• A Sick Day for Amos McGee by Philip Stead (I love these drawings!)
• Can You Cuddle Like a Koala? by John Butler
• Another Important Book by Margaret Wise Brown
• Mommy's Best Kisses by Margaret Anastas
• A Book of Sleep by Il Sung Na
• The Incredible Book-Eating Boy by Oliver Jeffers (see also The Way Back Home)