State of Affairs, August Edition

Outings
Apparently late summer/early fall is our busy season this year.  We tend to hibernate in the heat of summer, but now we are starting to come alive again.  Hello, world!

In early August, Jeremy and I chaperoned a youth trip to Six Flags.  I am not a fan of most amusement park rides and I'm adamantly anti-roller coaster.  Thankfully, my sweet sister tagged along and hung out with me all day.  Jeremy got to ride with all the teenagers, and he was happy as could be.

We also had a fantastic spur-of-the-moment trip to Chattanooga, which I wrote about here.

Jeremy and I somehow managed to venture out for a couple of casual dates this month.  We saw not one, but two movies IN THE THEATER last month.  Who are we?? 

Books read:  5
Fourth Comings--(Jessica Darling series)  I definitely think the best of this series were the first two books, but I liked number four better than the third.

Perfect Fifths--I was surprisingly satisfied with the way the Jessica Darling series wrapped up.  I'm glad to finally finish the series I started many years ago

The Fault in Our Stars--My first John Green book; I loved it.  I have heard so many good things about his writing, and judging by this book at least, they were all true.  I will definitely be reading more from him in the future.

Gone Girl--This book has been everywhere this summer.  I liked it pretty well as a whole, though I didn't L-O-V-E it like some others did.  The first half was just a little too slow for me and I very much disliked the characters.  I still disliked them at the end, in fact, but at least it all made sense at that point.  Despite a slow start, I recommend it.

Beautiful Disaster--I had seen this one around, so when I saw it available on NetGalley, I snatched it up.  I liked it a bit more than I thought I would.  It's not your typical sweet love story; in fact, it's a little trashy...but who doesn't need a good trashy romance every once in awhile?

Music/TV/Movies
We saw both "The Campaign" and "Hit and Run" last month, and I thought both were pretty funny.  Actually, "The Campaign" was hilarious, and "Hit and Run" was alternately funny/exciting/strange.  Sitting in a dark theater with a bag of popcorn, watching a movie without interruption?  Always a win!

In other news, my children are addicted to the song "This Little Light of Mine".  Seriously, it has been on repeat in my car for a week now.  I love to hear them sing it and all, but this mama's just about ready for a new theme song.

Crafts/Projects
Skirts, a shirt, and a new front door hanger...not a bad month.  I can't wait to get the Alabama and Auburn shirts finished to match the skirts.  I hope to make time for that this weekend, so my little football fans can support their teams.

Notables 
A long time ago, when I was in about the first grade, I learned the sign for "I love you" at school.  My mom, sister, and I have used it ever since--as a silent signal, in waving goodbye, across the football stadium in high school, etc.  A couple of weeks ago, I started showing Addison & Mackenzie how to make the sign, eager to pass on the tradition.  Of course it took a few days to learn to manipulate their fingers the right way, but they tried so hard.  Mackenzie picked it up pretty quickly, but Addison had a little more difficulty and therefore spent the next week inadvertently flipping me the bird every time she tried to sign "I love you"!!  Jeremy and I laughed so, so hard...but quietly and behind our hands, of course, so she wouldn't pick up on it.  : )  They have both figured out the sign now, and I love seeing those little hands waving to me in the mornings as I pull out of the driveway to go to work.

A & M started back to preschool last month, and so far they seem to be really enjoying the three-year-old class.  Judging by the amount of sand in their shoes every evening, I'd say the playground is their favorite part of the day.

August was a pretty great month, but I have to say, I think we are all super pumped about September....because it's less than two weeks until our VACATION.  The girls are talking about the beach every day, and Jeremy and I feel about the same way.  Bring it, September!