Five Things for Friday

1. Sam fell in love with a spotted leopard/dog/some kind of stuffed animal at Kohl's this week. It was only $5 and proceeds went to charity so I got it for him. It's the spotted creature in the classic children's book Put Me in the Zoo by Robert Lopshire, which made me remember that I have the copy of the book that my siblings and I read when we were kids. Yesterday I got it out and read it with Sam and took some pictures with our new spotted friend, who Sam named "Cruise ship." He's so funny.

My old book and Sam's new friend.

I love things like this. They are full-circle experiences. This is the very book that I read as a child, and now I read it with my own child, and he loves his stuffed animal of the spotted main character of the story, which I bought for him because I love him and I knew it would make him happy, and that's what started this whole thing in the first place. It's so neat when things come together like that! It links generations.

2. Speaking of books, my "Year of Reading Non-Fiction Books" is going well but it's off to a rather slow start. I read non-fiction books at a slower pace because they take more mental energy, and I underline, highlight, and make notes in the margins as I read; I become a student of the book. I do the majority of my reading at bedtime and I've been finding that I'm often too tired and don't have the mental energy to read non-fiction when it's time for bed. So I'm going to have to carve out some reading time during the day if I want to get through most of the books that I want to read this year. Either that or go to bed earlier!

3. From books to clothes (two of the great necessities of life), this week I discovered Old Navy's newest offerings for spring and summer, and they have a cute nautical theme! Yay! I've really been into nautical/ocean stuff lately because of Cape Cod and the house and all that. I couldn't help myself and went on a little shopping spree on the website. This is some of what I got. (Yes, I made PicMonkey collages of my purchases. Maybe I have too much free time on my hands and should go read some non-fiction instead?)

For spring: Light sweaters with ship's wheels, anchors, nautical knots, and a sailboat.

Comfy t-shirts for summer.

Thanks Old Navy for living up to your name with these cute ocean-themed clothes!

4. Frozen is the big popular kids' movie right now, but in our house it's all about Planes. The boys got it for Christmas, and Sam especially loves it. He has watched it many times this winter. I think it's really cute, funny, and meaningful, and I like that plucky little Dusty Crophopper. This movie has a lot of heart!

5. Speaking of heart, it's Valentine's Day! I got the kids and Peter each a small gift and treat, and this morning I attempted to make heart-shaped cinnamon rolls for breakfast, but during baking they reverted back to their circular shape. (They were still yummy though--thanks Pillsbury!) Peter and I are going out to dinner at what I think is Iowa City's finest restaurant, and this morning when I came downstairs I was greeted with these:

Sometimes there are benefits to Peter working late! When he comes home after I go to bed it is much easier to pull off sweet surprises like this. 

Yesterday, I received this delicious basket of goodies from Edible Arrangements, full of strawberries, grapes, pineapple hearts, kale, and my favorite: chocolate-covered strawberries, which I've already eaten most of. I can never eat just one. This basket is the perfect combination of sweet and healthy. Thank you to my sweet Valentine!

Happy Valentine's Day! 

And remember...

(Or at least I love this dishtowel, anyway. Ha ha.)