Step Aside, Pops by Kate Beaton

Title: Step Aside, Pops

Author: Kate Beaton

Publisher: Drawn and Quarterly 2015

Genre: Graphic novel

Pages: 168

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Graphic Novel

Ida B. Wells, the Black Prince, and Benito Juárez burst off the pages of Step Aside, Pops: A Hark! A Vagrant Collection, armed with modern-sounding quips and amusingly on-point repartee. Kate Beaton's second D+Q book brings her hysterically funny gaze to bear on these and even more historical, literary, and contemporary figures. Irreverently funny and carefully researched, no target is safe from Beaton's incisive wit in these satirical strips.

As with the first volume of comics, I really love the historical pieces. My favorite was the couple comics about Chopin and Liszt. Too funny! Overall, I think Beaton's offbeat humor is perfect. I'm such a huge fan. Great collection!

Next up on the TBR pile:

Odds and Ends

Here's my randomness for the week:

• Q still can't crawl forwards and he gets so frustrated. It's adorable!
• Navigating health care is so ridiculously complicated. Trying to clear something up and nothing is giving me answers.
• Heat headaches are the worst.
• I miss card making, haven't touched anything since last week (too busy). Hoping to get back in there today.
• Seriously need to buy plane tickets this week. I hate all the indecision over dates. 
• I need to schedule a haircut pronto. I'm sick of this long hair that just gets constantly pulled. I wear it up almost every day due to the baby and the heat. I need a short fun cut to help me out this summer.
• Somehow I've only read 60 pages over the past 5 days. Need to work in some reading time!

Next up on the TBR pile:

Currently #8

Reading: Anno Dracula by Kim Newman. I bought this one my birthday day in SF, started reading on the train, and never actually finished it. Making it a priority this month.

Watching: Arthur and I are watching the entire Avatar: The Last Airbender series. We're currently in Season 3.

Listening: The 100 Creatives podcast. For her 100 day project, Sally Harris is interviewing 100 creatives. I am really digging these short (~15 minute) interviews.

Making: May cards using retiring products. The new Stampin' Up! catalog comes out June 1st!

Feeling: Stable and neutral. My anxiety has decreased, but I'm still not in a great place.

Planning: Starting to nail down summer plans.

Loving: Our neighborhood is awash with plants and flowers. I love stopping to look on our walks. I'm so excited that my May monthly memory planner spread will be 31 days of flowers/plants.

Next up on the TBR pile:

May 2017 Life Goals

Let’s check in on April’s goals and my progress.

• Read 3000 pages -- Success! I actually read 3888 pages this month. Woot!
• Figure out the little boys' room situation -- Fail. Just didn't get around to it.
• Buy Quentin a convertibly carseat -- Success! I bought it, but it's still in the box in the house, because...
• Revisit car situation -- Fail! We have yet to make a decision here. 
• Take care of twin's stuff -- 50% success... I still need to finalize summer dates and buy plane tickets.

May's Goals:

• Read 3000 pages -- This continues to seem like a good goal for me.
• Move Quentin to Arthur's room -- Has to happen before the twins come.
• Buy a car -- Another must do before the end of the month.
• Plan out summer -- I asked the twins to send me their bucket list. Once I have at least something, I can start planning out our summer weeks. 
• Get a haircut -- It's been awhile and I'm sick of the tangles and Q ripping it out. I need something short and easy.
• Renew Costco membership -- Our ended in April and I forgot to renew. Need to do that so we can stock up for summer.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Quentin: 31 Weeks

Someone officially turned 7 months old this past week!

Likes: His blankie, being outside, all of big brother's dinosaurs, chewing on fingers

Dislikes: Nap time, not being paid attention to...

Two brothers actually playing together

Sleeping: 9/10 he sleeps through the night. I'll take it!

Eating: All the things! He has really been enjoying hummus and oranges this past week.

Playing: So much playing with brother this past week. Q loves to be tickled by A.  He also loves playing peek-a-boo.

Milestones:  

• Testing limits — Nothing really yet...
• Developing the pincer grasp — Definitely refining this skill!
• Sitting without support — Yep! He's been sitting without support for about 3 weeks now. So big! Now he's starting to work on crawling forward.
• Clapping or waving — Nope. Still doesn't do either of these things.
• Expressing unhappiness when toys are taken away — Nothing major yet, but I know it's coming!

Out and About: On Monday, we had a park playdate for big brother. Thankfully Q got some time playing on the picnic blanket with one of his baby friends. We also had lunch with a friend from out of town. On Thursday, we traveled to North Bay to visit the Bay Area Discovery Museum. Q loved watching all the kids play with the trains. He even got some time to get down and play. He also enjoyed the rainforest exhibit.