Tuesday, December 31, 2013

New Year's Resolutions

I usually don't make any resolutions because, let's be real here, they almost never make it past the first day of the new year.
But this year, I think I'll give it a shot.


1. Spend less time on my phone, and more time talking to the people I'm actually with. 

2. Eat more chocolate. Because why not?

3. Be a little more patient with my kids. 

4. Kiss my husband on his handsome bearded face more. 

5. Go to the Temple once a month.

6. Get up and get dressed every day, instead of hang out in my PJs till 3 pm. (I can already tell you that I will be breaking this one.)

7. Read awesome books that I haven't read before, not the Harry Potter series again. Ok, maybe I can limit it to only reading Harry Potter once. Or twice. 
Ok. the point is, read new books.

8. Spend more quality time with my parents, sisters, and in-laws, since we are probably moving this summer.

9. Tell myself how pretty I am every day. Basically, never look in the mirror and find bad qualities. Because I am awesome, and should never forget it!

10. Take some more continuing education classes. I love learning new techniques and styles! It's one of my favorite things about being a hairstylist!



Happy New Year! I hope you meet your goals!

Monday, December 30, 2013

I'm a good maker

Today, I made the girls peanut butter sandwiches and apple slices for lunch.
While eating, Portia looked at me and said, " Mom, you're a really good maker."

Then I brought the root beer out, and her brain exploded.

Winning at mommyhood today.

Secret Talent

 Guys, I'm about to share one of my best kept secrets. I am an extremely talented Barbie hairstylist.

When I was a kid, I used to give all my Barbies haircuts. I think it's one of the things that got me into professional hairstyling in the first place. I love makeovers, and that's exactly what Barbie hairstyling is all about. 
Do you like how I'm talking about this like it's an actual profession? Listen, with how good I am, it should be.

Today, I picked two of my girls' Barbies.

I think this is supposed to be Anastasia, but I'm not sure. We'll call her Ana.
Ana's hair was very long and very ratty. It was so heavy, her head had a hard time staying up on it's own.

So I gave her a trim.

Much better.


My next client was in desperate need of a change. Let's call her Jess.
Jess looked like she had been electrocuted. Several times.

So I gave her a sleek, modern bob, and updated her makeup too.

Fabulous!


So there you have it! I'll be starting plans on a high-end Barbie salon soon. 
What's your secret talent?


Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Merry Christmas!

It's Christmas Eve, and I may be more thrilled than the kids! 
I love Christmas! I love the music, the decor, the excitement in my kids' eyes when they wake up Christmas morning, and most of all, I love the Savior.
I'm so grateful to celebrate His birth and His life.


This is from Mr. Krueger's Christmas, and it's wonderful:



Merry Christmas!


Sunday, December 22, 2013

2013 highlights

2013 is almost over, can you believe it?!? 
With another year come and gone, it's always fun to go back and see what happened.
So here are some of my most popular blog posts from the year 2013!
I hope you enjoy reading them as much as I did writing them!

Thursday, December 19, 2013

British Hairdresser's Awards

A few weeks ago was the British Hairdresser's Awards, and I followed it pretty closely this year. Check out some of my favorite looks:


Hooker & Young 
Artistic Team

Tasha Stevens

D&J Ambrose 
Artistic Team

Lisa Rhead 
& Andrea Daley

Lisa Rhead 
& Andrea Daley

Nick Malenko 
& Ashley Gamble

Ryan Nicoletti-Dowd


Love!

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Angels

These guys are incredible!

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Things I'm lovin today

1. Christmas is only 8 days away! We are getting pretty excited over here!

2. These goobers.


3. Sharon Farrell, my favorite makeup artist, and her fabulous holiday look tutorial.
Gorgeous! Now I just need an occasion to wear this to.

4. Cheetos.

5. My sweet husband, who helped clean and organize the girls' room last night! What a hunk!

Monday, December 16, 2013

Pinterest-Mommy vs Real-Mommy

I remember in my mom's house growing up, there was a framed picture with this quote on it:


I remember sitting in my mom's room, and reading it over and over. I guess you could say I took this little poem to heart. 
Over the last four and a half years of being a mother, I've learned that this is exactly my style of parenting. If given the choice between playing with my girls and vacuuming the cracker-crusted floor, I almost always choose the kids.
And it doesn't always apply to cleaning; there are things that I don't always get done. 

But there is a phenomenon going on right now, I like to call Pinterest-Mommy.
Pinterest-Mommy is perfect. She does a million things, and does them all marvelously. She crafts and sews, refurbishes secondhand furniture, and makes her own laundry soap and magic bubbles for her kids. She works out every day to maintain her rockin' bod. She has a perfect catalogue house, throws fancy Hollywood style soirees with delicious, all-organic, homemade hors d'oeuvres, and does this all with coupons galore. 

Pinterest-Mommy isn't real. 
There are women who do some of these things, but I don't think any of us can handle trying to accomplish all of them.
Without losing our minds, of course.

I think most moms are like me: Real-Mommy. We cook and clean, we may craft here or blog there, but our houses aren't always tidy, our hair isn't always perfectly coifed, and our kids sometimes watch too much tv and eat frozen chicken nuggets.
And it's ok. 

Because our kids aren't going to remember weather the Christmas decor was handmade or not. They will remember their mom, playing and laughing with them. 

I don't have time to be Pinterest-Mommy, I'm too busy being real.

Friday, December 13, 2013

Passion for Fashion Friday - Polyvore

Guys, I'm not a fashion blogger. I know, shocker.
Here's why:

1. Most day, I dress in my husband's sweatpants and don't brush my hair.

2. I make faces like this in photos.
Hmmm.

3. The person taking my photos would most likely be a toddler with an iPhone.


But I recently discovered the site Polyvore, and let me tell you, I am in heaven! It's perfect for me, because I can show you gorgeous, put-together looks, without me having to wear them!

Basically, it's just a mixture of Pinterest and fashion blogging. You get to create your own looks, using real pieces, and you can shop for them too.
Check it out:




Can we just talk about that pink coat? Excuse me while I swoon!
Go check it out!



Lena B, Actually

Thursday, December 12, 2013

Mommy Confessions

1. I feed my kids Poptarts, box mac-n-cheese, and Spagettios. Often.

2. It usually takes me days to fold my clean laundry.

3. My kids say "butt" all the time. They actually call each other "Stinky-butt." I used to try to get them to stop, but now I say it too.

4. At this moment, my kids are supposed to be taking a nap. They are in their room playing instead. This happens every other day.

5. I usually don't change out of pajamas unless I leave the house. And sometimes, then even not.

6. When my kids want me to do something for them, I sometimes tell them that I can't because my "kisses energy" is low. They have to kiss me before I can get up.

7. I think my kids are cuter than everyone else's kids. Sorry.

8. I like to go in my girls' room, and play barbies with them. I dress the dolls, and give them haircuts, and decorate the big barbie dollhouse. Sometimes I realize that the girls have left the room, and I've been playing barbies by myself for 10 minutes. I'm 26 years old.

9. Sometimes, I hide in the bathroom, for just a few minutes of peace.

10. Being a mom is hard. Sometimes I get the urge to bang my head against a wall. There are days that by the time my kids go to bed, I feel like my brain is literally on fire. But then I go check on my kids while they're sleeping. Portia, with her mouth wide open, snoring sweet little baby snores, and Margot snuggled up with every toy she owns. And I kiss their little heads, and whisper that I love them, and cry.

I've never regretted the decision to become a mother for a moment. I love my kids more than anything in this world, and even when I'm exhausted and my patience is gone, I am still overwhelmingly grateful for these two girls.


Tuesday, December 10, 2013

My favorite Christmas Song

I love Christmas, and part of the reason I love it so much is the music. Oh the music!
I love the classics, the hymns, even the Christmas albums of pop stars. But my favorites are the classics and hymns. I adore Bing Crosby, and Frank Sinatra, and I really love Nat King Cole. No one does Christmas like Nat.


The man could sing!
Every year growing up, while we decorated the house for Christmas, we listened to this song, among others. This is my favorite Holiday song, and my favorite version of it.

What's your favorite?

Monday, December 9, 2013

May Blogging Challenge - Ignore the Haters

How about some May Blogging Challenge?

Day 25: Something someone told you about yourself that you'll never forget.


Hmmm. This is a tough one. Apparently, I have a good memory, because I can think of dozens of things people have told me about myself. And honestly, the first things that come to mind are the negative things people have said. 
I can remember many a taunt spat at me growing up, making fun of my clothes or glasses or whatever. I can remember several snide comments from my peers about my beliefs, my appearance, or my family. 
And when I think about those remarks, It still hurts my feelings a bit, if it let it.

Thats the trick though, I have to let it hurt my feelings!

People can be cruel, and there is no way to please everybody. No matter what I do, there will always be someone who still thinks I look stupid, or that thinks my opinions are ill-informed, or that I'm just a big doofus. 

And that's fine. 

What really matters is what I think of me. And I happen to really like me. So it doesn't matter what others say.


Love yourself, and it gets so much easier to ignore the haters!
Sorry, I couldn't not nerd it up.


Sunday, December 8, 2013

Frozen

The other night, we took the girls to see the new Disney movie out right now, Frozen. They loved it! This was actually the first movie that has ever held Margot's attention from more than 40 minutes; she sat through the entire thing!
We really enjoyed it too. The story was cute and had a great message, and the music was a lot of fun!
I've been humming this song ever since, and you can't get much better than Idina Menzel! 


I think Santa might be bringing this one for Christmas.

Have you seen it yet? What did you think?

Gingerbread Babies

Tonight, Portia and Margot decorated a gingerbread house. They were so excited! It's all they could think about all day. 

We couldn't get Margot to pay attention to the camera, she was busy eating.

Check out the majesty!


Delicious! 


Ready for some cuteness?



You're welcome.

Saturday, December 7, 2013

Seriously?!?

You will not believe it.
I have he flu again! Arg!

I started not feeling well during the Bedlam game this afternoon, and laid down for a nap. 4 hours later, I resurfaced feeling terrible. 

At first I was kinda ticked. This is the third time I've been sick in the last month. It's getting pretty old.



Then I just felt gross, especially when my mom started talking about Vicks Vapor rub. I hate that stuff.



Then my diva side came out.


Someone bring me some homemade soup and fluffy blanket, immediately!
(Read that last part in a pompous British accent.)


Things I never thought I'd say until I had kids.

Please don't eat your clothes.


Friday, December 6, 2013

Passion for Fashion Friday- Nails

You know I'm a hairstylist, but you may not know that I am actually a barber, not a cosmetologist. Basically, all this means is that I only learned hair in school, not hair, nails, and face. What I'm saying is that while I am fabulous at hair, I am only average at makeup and nails.

So when I went to the beauty supply store on Black Friday and found nail appliques on sale, I jumped all over that.

Check it out:
(Please ignore my freaky toes.)

I didn't like how they fit my fingers all that much, so I paired them with OPI's My Boyfriend Scales Walls. But I love them on my toes!


Lena B, Actually

Thursday, December 5, 2013

My Favorite Moments - Book 7

Book 7 is finally up! This may be my favorite Harry Potter book, so it was really difficult to pick just a few moments. I actually started re-reading the entire book, because I had thumbed through it so much while searching, it felt like I was already reading it.


Ear-Related Humor

"'Saintlike,' repeated George, opening his eyes and looking up at his brother. 'You see...I'm holey. Holey, Fred, geddit?'
Mrs. Weasley sobbed harder than ever. Color flooded Fred's pale face.
'Pathetic,' he told George. 'Pathetic! With the whole wide world of ear-related humor before you, you go for holey?'"

"'Well said, Harry,' said Fred unexpectedly.
'Yeah, 'ear, 'ear,' said George, with half a glance at Fred, the corner of whose mouth twitched."
-Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Chapter 5, pages 74, 81


I love Fred and George so much. I laugh out loud every time I read this part. 



The Kiss

"'So then I thought, I'd like you to have something to remember me by, you know, if you meet some veela when you're off doing whatever you're doing.'
'I think dating opportunities are going to be pretty thin on the ground, to be honest.'
'There's the silver lining I've been looking for,' she whispered, and then she was kissing him as she had never kissed him before, and Harry was kissing her back, and it was blissful oblivion, better than firewhiskey; she was the only real thing in the world, Ginny, the feel of her, one hand at her back and one in her long, sweet-smelling hair --"
-Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Chapter 7, page 116


Swoon! When I first read this book, I think I had to stop for a moment at this part to collect myself. Poor Harry, he loves this girl. And he is afraid that if he's with her, she will be in danger. But Ginny isn't one to be scared off easy. She is basically letting him know, in no uncertain tones, that she is still interested, and will wait for him. 



Godrick's Hollow

"He could see it; the Fidelius Charm must have died with James and Lily. The hedge had grown wild in the sixteen years since Hagrid had taken Harry from the rubble that lay scattered amongst the waist-high grass. Most of the cottage was still standing, though entirely covered in dark ivy and snow, but the right side of the top floor had been blown apart; that, Harry was sure, was where the curse had backfired. He and Hermione stood at the gate, gazing up at the wreck of what must once have been a cottage just like those that flanked it....
His touch on the gate seemed to have done it. A sign had risen out of the ground in front of them, up through the tangles of nettles and weeds, like some bizarre, fast-growing flower, and in golden letters upon the wood it said:

On this spot, on the night of 31 October 1981,
Lily and James Potter lost their lives.
Their son, Harry, remains the only wizard
ever to have survived the Killing Curse.
This house, invisible to Muggles, has been left
in its ruined state as a monument to the Potters
and as a reminder of the violence
that tore apart their family.

And all around these neatly lettered words, scribbles had been added by other witches and wizards who had come to see the place where the Boy Who Lived had escaped. Some had merely signed their names in Everlasting Ink; others had carved their initials into to wood, still others had left messages. The most recent of these, shining brightly over sixteen years' worst of magical graffiti, all said similar things.

Good luck, Harry, wherever you are.
If you read this, Harry, we're all behind you!
Long live Harry Potter.

'They shouldn't have written on the sign!' said Hermione, indignant.
But Harry beamed at her. 'It's brilliant. I'm glad they did.'"
-Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Chapter 17, page 332


This is the first time that Harry has ever seen his childhood home, and he is feeling very alone up until this point. While visiting his parents' graves, he is struck with just how not there they are. Heck, his best friend even walked out. But seeing this sign, with the messages left for him over the last sixteen years, proves to Harry that there are people out there rooting for him. 



Potterwatch

The entire Potterwatch broadcast covers about 6 pages, so I'm not going to type it all out, but here's an exert:

"'Rapier, could you please give us your take on the various stories we've been hearing about the Chief Death Eater?'
'Yes, River, I can,' said Fred. 'As our listeners will know, unless they've taken refuge at the bottom of a garden pond or somewhere similar, You-Know-Who's strategy of remaining in the shadows is creating a nice little climate of panic. Mind you, if all the alleged sightings of him are genuine, we must have a good nineteen You-Know-Whos running around the place.'
'Which suits him, of course,' said Kingsley. 'The air of mystery is creating more terror than actually showing himself.'
'Agreed,' said Fred. 'So, people, let's try and calm down a bit. Things are bad enough without inventing stuff as well. For instance, this new idea that You-Know-Who can kill with a single glance from his eyes. That's a basilisk, listeners. One simple test: Check whether the thing that's glaring at you has got legs. If it has, it's safe to look into its eyes, although if it really is You-Know-Who, that's still likely to be the last thing you ever do.'
For the first time in weeks and weeks, Harry was laughing: He could feel the weight of tension leaving him.
'And the rumors that he keeps being sighted abroad?' asked Lee.
'Well, who wouldn't want a nice little holiday after all the hard work he's been putting in?' asked Fred. 'Point is, people, don't get lulled into a false sense of security, thinking he's out of the country. Maybe he is, maybe he isn't, but the fact remains that he can move faster than Severus Snape confronted with shampoo when he wants to, so don't count on him being a long way away if you're planning on taking any risks. I never thought I'd hear myself say it, but safety first!'...
The radio's dial twirled and the lights behind the tuning panel went out. Harry, Ron, and Hermione were still beaming. Hearing familiar, friendly voices was an extraordinary tonic; Harry had become so used to their isolation he had nearly forgotten that other people were resisting Voldemort. It was like waking up from a long sleep."
-Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Chapter 22, page 443


The Potterwatch broadcast is marvelous! Simply hilarious, and so reassuring to Harry! As the book says, Harry feels himself laughing for the first time in weeks! The horcrux hunt has been very difficult, for everyone, and I think they needed a brief chance to just enjoy each other. To have fun, if only for a moment, and to be reminded that they are part of a much bigger purpose.



The Kiss

"'Hang on a moment!' said Ron sharply. 'We've forgotten someone!'
'Who?' asked Hermione.
'The house-elves, they'll all be down in the kitchen, won't they?'
'You mean we ought to get them fighting?' asked Harry.
'No,' said Ron seriously, 'I mean we should tell them to get out. We don't want any more Dobbies, do we? We can't order them to die for us --'
There was a clatter as the basilisk fangs cascaded out of Hermione's arms. Running at Ron, she flung them around his neck and kissed him full on the mouth. Ron threw away the fangs and broomstick he was holding and responded with such enthusiasm that he lifted Hermione off her feet.
'Is this the moment?' Harry asked weakly, and when nothing happened except that Ron and Hermione gripped each other still more firmly and swayed on the spot, he raised her voice. 'OI! There's a war going on here!'
Ron and Hermione broke apart, their arms still around each other.
'I know, mate,' said Ron, who looked as though he had recently been hit on the back of the head with a Bludger, 'so it's now or never, isn't it?'"
-Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Chapter 31, page 625


Finally!! Ah, Ron and Hermione! How I love them! They balance each other so well, and I was so thrilled when this moment first happened. Sigh.



Well, there you have it! My favorite moments in each Harry Potter book! To read the rest of them, click the link:


Tuesday, December 3, 2013

My kids have active imaginations.

Portia and Margot have ongoing games that they play on a regular basis. 
One is "Kitties," where they both crawl around on the floor meowing. Another is "Babies," where they crawl around on the floor crying. 

But my favorite is "Supergirls." Each girl has a superpower, and a cool superhero name. Portia is Snowflaka, and has the power of shooting snowflakes out of her hands. She can also run really fast. Margot is Powera, and can run really fast as well, and can shoot red power stuff out of her hands. I'm not 100% clear on what that means.
I think Snowflaka and Powera are sisters, and go to school, but they do not take naps.


They are so cool.

Monday, December 2, 2013

Christmas time is here!

I'm so excited for Christmas! I love this time of year; all the decorations and music, and the excitement in my kids' eyes! But mostly, I love the message of the season, of peace and love, and the birth of Christ.


Expect to see many a christmas related post on here in the coming weeks!

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

A Letter from Santa

This is the first year that Portia has really cared about Santa. Last year, she was thrilled on Christmas morning, when Santa brought her presents, but other than that, she was disinterested.

This year, however, she has been talking about jolly old St. Nick non stop. We watch shows about him, we read books about him, I tell stories about him, and she has already written him a letter, and sat on his lap at the mall. 
(Yes, I know it's not even Thanksgiving, but there's no changing this 4-year-old's mind.)

This morning, Portia and Margot got a letter from Santa.

Since the temperature has really dropped outside, the girls have been wanting to wear their boots from last year every day, but they have obviously grown out of them. 
Yesterday, Portia tried to put on her boots, and started to cry because she wanted to wear boots so much. I told her that if she calmed down, maybe Santa would bring her some boots for Christmas. She instantly stopped crying, but was very worried because she didn't include boots in her letter to Santa.
I told her that it would be fine, as Santa is magic, and he will know.

This morning, this note appeared from "Santa."


It says:
"Dear Portia and Margot's Mommy-
I know that Portia and Margot want boots fro Christmas, but I am worried that if I bring the boots when I come on Christmas Eve, they will be waiting too long. Those wonderful little toes will be chilly. Please take Portia and Margot to go get new boots tomorrow, on me!
Have a Happy Thanksgiving! 
Love, Santa"

So this morning, we went and got the girls some new Christmas boots!
They were so excited!



Thanks Santa!

My pal, Lena

I've told you before about the fashion blog Lena B Actually, and how much I love it! Well, I was thrilled when Lena asked for help recently, wanting guest posts! I wrote one, and it goes live today! I'm so excited! It's a hair post, where I do a tutorial for Victory Rolls! Like these:


So do me a favor, click the link, and check out my post and spend some time on Lena's blog. You'll be a fan, I promise!

http://www.lenabactually.com/2013/11/pinup-hair-guest-post-by-kathleen.html

Sunday, November 24, 2013

Happy Birthday, Bear!

Today is a very important day to me. It is November 24, the day that, 25 years ago, my best friend came into my life.
It's my Carrie-sister's birthday!

Carrie is one of my favorite people in the whole world. She is witty, courageous, beautiful, intelligent, and the best friend I've ever known. 





Larry, 
Happy Birthday! I love you. I'm sorry I cant hang out with you today, and I hope your day rocks as much as you do!
Loce, Herman


Once upon a time, I got the flu.

It just so happens that I am the only one in my family who hasn't gotten a flu shot yet. So of course, I got the flu last week. 
I stuck to my bed for a few days, living off of NyQuil and soup, and started to feel much better.
The last few days I had thought that I was completely over it.

Until last night.

All day yesterday, my throat was a bit itchy. Around bedtime, I started feeling sick again, so I went to bed. This morning, I woke up with no voice, feeling just as sick as ever.

Well, crap.


Friday, November 22, 2013

My Favorite Moments - Book 6

Book 6 is up!


The Other Minister

"It was nearing midnight and the Prime Minister was sitting alone in his office, reading a long memo that was slipping through his brain without leaving the slightest trace of meaning behind...
It was then, as he stood with his back to the room, that he heard a soft cough behind him.
He froze, nose to nose with his own scared-looking refection in the dark glass. He knew that cough. He had heard it before. He turned very slowly to face the empty room.
'Hello?' he said, trying to sound braver than he felt.
For a brief moment he allowed himself the impossible hope that nobody would answer him. However, a voice responded at once, a crisp, decisive voice that sounded as though it were reading a prepared statement. It was coming -- as the Prime Minister had known at the first cough -- from a froglike little man wearing a long silver wig who was depicted in a small, dirty oil painting in the far corner of the room.
'To the Prime Minister of Muggles. Urgent we meet. Kindly respond immediately. Sincerely, Fudge.'
The man in the painting looked inquiringly at the Prime Minister...
'I...oh...very well,' said the Prime Minister weakly. 'Yes, I'll see Fudge.'"
-Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Chapter 1, pages 1-2



This chapter blew my mind back in 2005. Fudge indeed visits the British Prime Minister, brings him up to date on all that's going on in the magical world, and introduces hime to Rufus Scrimgeour, the new Minister of Magic.
I remember reading this and immediately wanting to write a letter to Tony Blair, asking if he'd been visited by any wizards lately. I was thrilled to find out that there are a few select muggles who, for political and safety reasons, are permitted to know of the magical world's existence. That lead me to think about the US Ministry of Magic, and if they are in regular contact with our government; does the Oval Office have a fireplace?



Voldemort's Past

It's impossible to write out a quote from the book, as this encompasses several chapters. If you want to, go read Chapter 10, The Gaunt House, page 194
Chapter 17, A Slugginsh Memory, page 349
Chapter 20, Lord Voldemort's Request, page 423



These chapters follow Harry as he has "special lessons" with Dumbledore, in which they visit Voldemort's past through pensive memories. They meet Voldemort's family and learn of his background, watch him manipulate and frighten others as a youth, and ultimately learn that he has created six Horcruxes.
These chapters were so interesting to me! I was enthralled with Voldemort's past, and what made him who he was. I have gone back and re-read these chapters over and over, and still learn something new every time. 



Ron says Hermione's name in his poison-induced stupor

"'Then the poisoner didn't know Slughorn very well,' said Hermione, speaking for the first time in hours and sounding as though she had a very bad head cold. 'Anyone who knew Slughorn would have known there was a good chance he'd keep something that tasty for himself.'
'Er-my-nee,' croaked Ron unexpectedly from between them."
-Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Chapter 19, page 402


Be still, my heart! Ron loves her! Up until this point in the books, I always hoped that Ron and Hermione would get together, but this is the moment that I knew it would happen! Swoon!




Book 7 is coming soon!

Thursday, November 21, 2013

3 Queens

A friend of mine posted this video today.
Maybe I'm extra emotional because I'm recovering from the flu, but this made me cry. And not the cute, little, sniffle crying. We're talking hard, ugly, Kim Kardashian crying.
Check it out.


Beautiful. 
I feel like this video perfectly captures what being a mom is about.

Monday, November 18, 2013

My Favorite Moments - Book 5

In case you're just joining me, I am doing a series where I outline my favorite moments from each Harry Potter book. To check out the rest of the series, click here.

The fifth book was really difficult to pick moments from. I think it's my least favorite book (the rest of the books are at a 10, and this one's a 9.9), and it took me several days to pick three. 
You ready?
Here we go!



Harry is cheeky.

"'What were you doing under our window, boy?' 
'Listening to the news,' said Harry in a resigned voice.
His aunt and uncle exchanged looks of outrage.
'Listening to the news! Again?'
'Well, it changes every day, you see,' said Harry."
-Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Chapter 1, page 6


There are several instances throughout the series when Harry is hilariously sarcastic, and I love it. The real wit behind the Chosen One is lost a bit in the movies, but the books are chalk-full of it!  



When Ginny gets Harry out of his crankyness.

"'We wanted to talk to you, Harry,' said Ginny, 'but as you've been hiding ever since we got back--'
'I didn't want anyone to talk to me,' said Harry, who was feeling more and more nettled.
'Well, that was a bit stupid of you,' said Ginny angrily, 'seeing as you don't know anyone but me who's been possessed by You-Know-Who, and I can tell you how it feels.'
Harry remained quite still as the impact of these words hit him. Then he wheeled around.
'I forgot,' he said.
'Lucky you,' said Ginny cooly.
'I'm sorry,' Harry said, and he meant it."
-Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Chapter 23, page 499-500


Harry, Harry, Harry. He's so angsty. And we get it, really. Last year, he saw Cedric die and fought Voldemort, and now half the world thinks he is either insane or a liar. One of his teachers is literally torturing children as punishment (Die, Umbridge!), and now he thinks Voldemort may be possessing him. On top of all this, he's 15.
But after a while, it gets a bit frustrating. And so far, everyone has been walking on eggshells, especially when he gets all angry. Ginny, however, is not. She tells him how stupid he's being, and it's exactly what he needs to hear. She goes on to tell him that he is not being possessed, and he snaps out of it a bit. 
Ginny knows what Harry needs. They are perfect for each other.



The Twins' Exit.

"'STOP THEM!' shrieked Umbridge, but it was too late. As the Inquisitorial Squad closed in, Fred and George kicked off from the floor, shooting fifteen feet into the air, the iron peg swinging dangerously below. Fred looked across the hall at the poltergeist bobbing on his level above the crowd.
'Give her hell from us, Peeves.'
And Peeves, whom Harry had never seen take an order from a student before, swept his belled hat from his head and sprang to a salute as Fred and George wheeled about to tumultuous applause from the students below and sped out of the open front doors into the glorious sunset."
-Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, CHapter 29, page 675


Fred and George are easily my favorite characters. 
This moment is wonderful. The amount of hatred I have towards Umbridge is astronomical, and the twins totally make her crazy. They set of fireworks in the school, sell their products in the halls, make a whole floor into a swamp,  and now, just when she is about to resort to corporal punishment, they Accio their brooms, and speed off. And the best part, is that Peeves actually does give her hell. He goes nuts, even more so than usual, making messes, playing pranks, even following Umbridge around for hours and blowing raspberries every time she speaks. Ha! 
This is the real beginning to Umbridge's downfall.




Stay tuned for Book 6!