Hunger Games

(Pictures do not directly relate to post, but remind me of the setting of The Hunger Games.)

My new favorite book series lately has been The Hunger Games. I LOVE this book. I feel like I relate so well  to the main character, Katniss. And her younger sister reminds me so much of my younger sister. The story is interesting and I love how the author lets the story unfold.
I finished the second book and am looking forward to reading the next one. I listened to both books and love how the narrator does the voices and narrates. I especially love Effie Trinkets voice.
I haven't wanted to go see a specific movie in theaters for a while, but I am excited to see this one which is coming out soon.

I could never really get into other popular books series like Twlight and Harry Potter. Finally, a popular book series that I can really get into!

Ollie-pop, Ollie-pop, oh Ollie, Ollie, Ollie...

Tired Tikers

The weather has been so nice here lately. The kids fell asleep on the way home from the park with Grandma and Grandpa and we let them finish up just outside our window.

Baby O

Bounty among Barren

Our fridge has been pretty empty lately. We're far from going hungry, but we are trying to stay within a tight budget and use up all our food. However, we also budget to eat out. So it is with these funds that we get gourmet food like these Olive Garden leftovers. But here is where it gets good.

Today was Rachel's birthday (which means her birthweek is just getting started) so we went to a restaurant of her choice. Additionally, just yesterday I won a $25 gift card from a random drawing among a group of classmates involved in land development at Virginia Tech. So naturally we decided to splurge a little.

Not only did we get the standard bread sticks and salad (fresh and filling) but we got an appetizer (stuffed mushrooms) as well. A wild berry smoothie and mediterranean chicken for Rachel. Chocolate milk and alfredo pasta (which I ate) for Hebey Squebey. Orange juice, grapes and alfredo pasta for Hannah. Bread sticks and mashed potatoes for Olive. And some chicken and shrimp dish for old papa bear. It was great.

The best part of it all was when we were all done and the waitress said"You guys are all covered." What does that mean? It meant that someone picked up our tab. It was a great birthday present for Rachel. We're still not sure who it was, but I suspect one person...

Under-Doggies and New Perspectives

This past Sunday the kids went to the park twice with their ole papa bear. I knew they liked under-doggies, but they took it to a whole new level with under-tigers, under-chickens, under-frogs, etc. The trick is you have to make an animal sound as you go under them. It was a great way to get them to think, because I wouldn't let them repeat the same animal.
On a similar note, I have been thinking about how I view my kids lately. As the oldest I find myself holding Heber and Hannah to such a high standard. Whereas Olive can do no wrong and is always cute and adorable. Lately, I've tried to see our little twins as if they were the last two of our family (of, say 6). They would be the two little twins that everyone adored, instead of the mischievous, schemers always getting into trouble. The change of perspective helps a lot.
It was after tweaking this perspective of mine that I was able to relax a little and really enjoy giving the kids under-zebras and what not.

You want little bit Chinese culture? Yeah yeah, sure.

I unintentionally have been exposing myself more to Chinese culture lately. Here are a few things that have helped give me a little insight into Chinese culture:

• Reading two historic fiction books set in China during 500AD and the 20th century, respectively. The second one seemed to shock me about how little freedom the Chinese had under communism.

• Listening to an audio book called The Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mom. The author's parents emigrated from China to the United States. She talks about the different parenting styles she has been exposed to.

• I also have a friend who is from China and I have got to learn about China from her. She has fed me and the kids lunch twice and we are so stuffed by the time we leave. They take feeding kids seriously. Her family is very giving. She gives me something every time we hang out. Some of the gifts I have received are a Chinese comb, Chinese pears, meals, animal crackers, Chinese candy, special duck eggs, a box of cereal, etc.

Within the Chinese culture there seems to be a deep desire to sacrifice for their children. All good parents sacrifice for their children and each culture approaches it in different ways. There is so much I can write about their culture but I think the similarities outweigh the differences.

P.S. The title was taken from a line in an SNL skit on the republican presidential candidates.