Eat, Read, and Be Mommy

Just as far as sleep goes, though. Reunions with my hubby’s side of the family are fun and chill, but it’s not like any of us get to bed on time! Highlights include–me actually winning the macaroni and cheese contest (it was the ham, I’m sure, but I do always make it that way), lots and lots and lots of games, a pickleball tournament (I made it to the second round on the strength of my teenage boy partner), lots of snacks and soda and food in general, and did I mention lots of games? I didn’t even make it down to the lake, but I did take a couple of morning walks, during which I surprised a number of chipmunks and one jackrabbit. I’ve also decided that I quite like having my food assignment over with in the first 24 hours, and I have to thank my early-rising brother-in-law for his help, because my hubby had been SO sore over the previous 48 hours that I just let him sleep. (My son and I could’ve managed, but it was nice to have the extra pair of hands!) We got back on the 4th and my littles got to go to a BBQ at their friends’ house–a conveniently (for us) spaced brother and sister–before we sent everyone to bed early. (Including me. Sadly, my hubby had a harder time falling asleep.)

In other news, we celebrated July birthdays in Clearfield yesterday, with ice cream and toppings for my son and angel food cake with strawberries and whipped cream for me. (Also a lemon cheese-cake-y dessert for my in-town brother-in-law and a homemade German chocolate cake for my mother-in-law that my sister-in-law made. The latter was especially tasty…) This morning was back to work for my hubby and back to summer things for the kids and me; also back to my blog, right? And since I finished a graphic novel last night, that’s obviously the review you get from me today.

I honestly can’t remember when Matt Tavares’ Hoops popped up on my radar; the fact that it’s based on a true story, however, as well as the kind of true story it’s based on, immediately sucked me in. 1976 may have been before I was born, but both of my siblings were alive, and the reality of what life was like for girls playing high school sports is always sobering to consider. On the other hand, the difference young people can make, when given half a chance–that’s inspiring. Tavares based his book on the Warsaw High Girl’s Basketball team, and he interviewed three of its members while writing it. This is history, and it matters–AND it’s packaged in a graphic novel that’s engaging and not terribly text-heavy. If you have kids–if you like sports–really, if you live in the world–you should just read it.