Can I just say that it is extremely cruel to expect kids (and homeschooling moms) to go back to school between Thanksgiving and Christmas? The house is all decorated, we’re playing Christmas music, and we are all in a holiday frame of mind – which makes settling down for schoolwork very difficult. 
In spite of having to do school, however, it was a good week. Here are a few highlights:
~ Seeing Kevin become more settled into our new home and more optimistic about our prospects than he has been in a long time.
~ Playing board games with the kids and my mom. Especially Pictionary – we laughed so hard at Noah’s impression of a sheep smoking a cigar, prompted by my inept attempt to draw an elephant.
~ Touring the Keller House, a local historical home and museum. The house is from 1910 and was decorated to the hilt for Christmas. The museum has historical displays and also had a gingerbread house contest. Another thing that got us into the holiday spirit.
~ Finishing two terrific reads: An Unmarked Grave by Charles Todd and The Map of Lost Memories by Kim Fay.
Today is going to be low-key: church in the morning, then the Seahawks game, and maybe a movie or some board games. I’m also hoping to get caught up on some Grey’s Anatomy – I’m two episodes behind! If I get a chance to read, these are the books that I’ll spend my time with:
In print:
~ Prized by Caragh O’Brien
~ Cascade by Maryanne O’Hara
~ The Time of Women by Elena Chizhova
On audio:
~ Daddy’s Girl by Lisa Scottoline
~ The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
What’s on the schedule for you today? Are you feeling the holiday spirit? Reading or watching anything wonderful?
On the blog this week:
~ Book Review: Birthmarked by Caragh O’Brien
~ Focus Features Anna Karenina Giveaway
Books finished in November:
Under the Dome
Daughter of Smoke and Bone
Lola’s Secret
Abdication
Birthmarked
An Unmarked Grave
The Map of Lost Memories
Twitter: bermudaonion
says:
It sounds like life is good for you. My husband has gone to see his parents so I’ll be working in his place.
bermudaonion(Kathy)´s last post ..Review: Sad Desk Salad
Twitter: booksandmovies
says:
Kathy – life is good, and I am very grateful.
I’m envious, your house is decorated, and you’re playing board games. Enjoy!
irene´s last post ..Sunday Salon… Home at last!
Twitter: booksandmovies
says:
Irene – I hope you get to enjoy some holiday activities soon.
Twitter: laurelrainsnow
says:
You are settling in nicely…it’s always great when you can discover your new community.
I love Grey’s Anatomy, too. Enjoy catching up.
Here’s MY SUNDAY SALON POST
Laurel-Rain Snow´s last post ..AUTHOR’S HOME PAGE
Twitter: booksandmovies
says:
Laurel-Rain – I love Grey’s! They always manage to keep me hooked.
board games are the best!!
Amy @ My Friend Amy´s last post ..Tis the Season for Cheer!
Twitter: booksandmovies
says:
Amy – we love them! My husband’s not so much a board game player, so we’ve been enjoying having mom here to play with.
Twitter: Vasilly
says:
I’m always amazed at how much you get done every week! I am feeling the holiday spirit. Today I’m finishing up Elizabeth McCraken’s The Giant’s House and studying some for finals. Enjoy your day!
Vasilly´s last post ..Sunday Salon: Looking forward to December and beyond
Twitter: booksandmovies
says:
V – good luck with your finals!
Twitter: unfnshdprsn
says:
Schedule is reading, but so far, been listening to some football here and keeping up with my fantasy football teams. As for holiday spirit, nah!
Twitter: booksandmovies
says:
Bryan – are you a bah humbug kind of guy? or is it too early for holiday spirit?
It sounds very Christmas-y there. Nice. I’m just getting into it. I’m watching my team the Denver Broncos today and trying to catch up online. Cheers!
Susan´s last post ..The Sunday Salon: December Preview
Twitter: booksandmovies
says:
Susan – go Broncos!
I’m glad things are going well for you!
My older son and I sang Christmas carols with our community theater group this afternoon. There was a historic house tour, and we dressed up in Colonial costumes and wandered around the center of town singing carols. I feel the most Christmas-y that I’ve felt so far.
M Light´s last post ..Eno River State Park
Twitter: booksandmovies
says:
Laura – that sounds like so much fun – wish I could have seen it!
Don’t have the house decorated yet but have most of my shopping done (with presents wrapped). You have to love internet shopping with it being delivered…takes a lot of the stress out of the holidays.
Hopefully will get the house done in a few days…Reading “Brain On Fire” by Susannah Cahalan which is different from what I usually read but enjoying it. Happy holidays, Carrie. 
Beverly Sizemore´s last post ..SOL December Release Cards
Twitter: booksandmovies
says:
Beverly – good for you on your shopping – that’s fantastic!
Twitter: youvegottaread
says:
So glad you guys are getting settled. You deserve it, but I can attest to this general inability to FOCUS when there is so much fun going on around us. I’ve decided to turn off the blog in January…December is taking a toll on my productivity.
Sandy´s last post ..Sunday Salon: Whirlwind
Twitter: booksandmovies
says:
Sandy – I have also thought of taking a blogging break, but wanted to wait until after the end of the year, as I love posting my end-of-year favorites posts.
Good reading list! I’ve been interested in reading Daughter of Smoke and Bone
My Sunday Salon
Twitter: booksandmovies
says:
Rachel – Daughter of Smoke and Bone is one of the most original YA titles I’ve seen in a long time.
Twitter: myeclecticbooks
says:
So glad things are working out with the new living arrangements! Hope you love the Book Thief as much as I did!
Melissa´s last post ..Book Review & Giveaway: Dash & Lily’s Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn & David Levithan
Twitter: booksandmovies
says:
Melissa – I do love The Book Thief! I am re-reading it via audio along with my son, since I assigned it to him for 8th grade lit.
Way to go Seattle!! I love any team that beats the Bears at this point in time! It sounds like you are all settling in very nicely. I don’t think you can get much better than family, board games, football, and reading on a weekend.
Twitter: booksandmovies
says:
Michelle – it was a perfect weekend.