Eat, Read, and Be Mommy

We’ve got some impressive snow out there, folks–at least for the Salt Lake valley. The kids are home, my hubby’s working from home, and I’m feeling pleased with myself for being productive instead of just vegging with a puzzle, which is what I wanted to do. (By the way, yesterday was decently busy, which is why no post until today–I wrote checks for PTA in the morning, took my 13-year-old to the orthodontist, hit Costco, fed myself, did dishes and exercised, picked up first the littles and then that same 13-year-old, did laundry, took my oldest to dance and the other kids to Zupas for Fundraiser night, grabbed takeout for the two not with us and then picked up the oldest and left the 13-year-old at dance, drove home in the increasing snow just in time to take my 8-year-old to her baptismal interview…you get the idea.) So far this morning I have exercised, done the dishes (including washing an old-timey crockpot by hand!), made jello with cut up grapes, put in two loads of laundry and folded one, read three picture books to the kiddos, emptied at least 8 fridge containers during our ‘leftovers are what’s for lunch’ party, and finished a graphic novel to pass along to the three younger kids. Go me!

Last night, however, after the craziness of the schlepping in the snow was done for the night, I had a chance to veg with a puzzle for a while, and between that and my shower, I managed to finish listening to Katherine Applegate’s Odder. (Yes, I frequently listen to audio books in the shower.) And while I didn’t love it as much as The One and Only Ivan, that had nothing to do with the quality of the book and everything to do with my personal story preferences. (I’m more of a “stories about people with animals in the stories as well” rather than “stories about animals with humans in the stories as well” kind of person.) Odder is a lovely and moving verse novel about, well, an otter (!), her friends, and an aquarium program that does what it can for the wildlife that surrounds it. It’s inspired by the Monterey Bay Aquarium program and some of the otters that have passed through its doors (I’m pleased to say that I’ve actually heard of the program because of a picture book we read once upon a time!), and it gives a charming picture of otters in general, as well as its title character in particular (yes, Odder the Otter is the protagonist). If you have animal lovers, don’t miss this one.