Eric and Jill

So since I normally write all about LaNea, I thought this time I could catch you up on what I've been up to.
For starters, a friend and I are starting a book club. We'll be meeting once a month to talk about the book we've read and begin reading a the next one. The only requirements on the books was that we must either own it or have at least 2 copies at the library. Most living here are very poor college students and we didn't want that to deter people from joining in. Our first meeting is tonight and I'm really excited since we'll be starting with the book I've chosen. I chose Summer's At Castle Auburn by Sharon Shinn. (Thanks Als, for your endless demands that I read it, I now read it at least twice a year if not more!) I was actually nervous at first that some may not like it, which still may be the case, but as I've already had two people read it and both of them LOVED it...things are looking good.
Eric and I have also read the Hunger Games series. Now I've read it before but Eric and I like reading them together, normally. We had finished Catching Fire on Sunday evening and Eric was really excited that he'd only have to wait a couple days before the final book came out. I however, was planning on waiting till one of my many friends who had already pre-ordered the book, finished it and was willing to let us borrow. So I was able to resist having Eric buy it on Tuesday but by Wednesday, I lost my resolve and we bought it. So last night Eric and I began reading. I had a cold the night before so my voice was a little scratchy but I managed to read it outloud from 7 to 11. Around 10:00pm Eric started saying we should be done for the night but any who know me, knows this is not really an option. If I had it my way, I'd have stayed up and just finished it by myself. So our compromise was to let me read till 11. We are officially halfway and I won't beable to read tonight due to the meeting, we'll be finishing the book on Friday night. Addicted? Sure, but that's okay. Eric's keeping the book in the car so I don't get too tempted to jump ahead.
Other than reading, my life is full of this little girl. She is so funy and I love watching her go through the different stages. Right now, I think she's just starting to realize what the word "No" means and that she doesn't like it. I just have to say the word and she'll look at me as if I was a terrible person and begin to cry. Fortunately she's still pretty easy to distract. We've started to go to some Play Groups on Tuesday. She loves this as she always gets to be the center of attention. Little kids love her and she just loves seeing people her own age. Its crazy to watch her try to become independant. She'll start by only going a couple feet from me before circling back, then a couple yards and then she's good and I have to follow her if I ever want to catch her.

Finally, I've been trying my hand at a few various crafts. I have completed my first Quiet Book all by myself and have my second one almost done. I've also started a FHE set-up. I got most my puppets made and now just need a place to organize them. And I've been practicing my cake decorating skills in hopes of making a delicious cake for LaNea's birthday. I've done two so far and have made them small versions just so I don't waste money or have too much cake around my home. The one pictured below was my first attempt at Fondant with Amber's guidance. I realized that 1. I am very weak and 2. I am very impatient. My second attempt was a little more lively as I realized to make the cake an actual color. But that one only lasted the evening before it became too tempting and had to be thrown out. So I'm not pro but it's actually been fun learning and trying new things.

So things haven't been too busy but they've been fun. Now I'll get back to posting more about Lanie!