Little Fish Goes to Swim School

Yes, that's right we've signed up the kiddo for swim classes for the summer and possibly the rest of the year. She does know how to swim quite a bit already but we would like for her to learn the proper way with all the great techniques and everything. See... Daddy was on swim team for most of his adolescence and well... the apple does not fall far from the tree in this family. The munchkin has ALWAYS loved the water ever since she was little and takes to it quite naturally so we figured this would be an extra fun "sport" she might like to try... Daddy is hoping this might actually lead to real swim team next year and I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if it did. We have done; Soccer, Tae Kwon Do, and now we can officially add Swimming to her growing list of sports.

She started her first lesson yesterday afternoon and will continue to go every week on Tuesdays. In her first class she learned to swim underwater holding her breath and without holding her nose! It was awesome! There are 3 other kids in her class, which is a nice small group to work with and so far she LOVES her coach!!!

Other than that we are just getting through the summer, we've been painting for fun and taken day trips around the nearby cities. Fourth of July was also great, we spent our first fourth at Ida Lee Park here in Leesburg and hung out on the green listening to a great band and watching the fireworks. :)

Book Review: Dead Ever After By: Charlaine Harris *WARNING CONTAINS SPOILERS*

After the terrible events of the past weeks, both Sookie and Sam are finding it hard to concentrate on Merlott's and the bar is suffering for it. But Sookie finds it easy to turn down the request of former barmaid Arlene when she wants her job back. After all, Arlene tried to have Sookie killed. 

Sookie's relationship with Eric Northman is in limbo. He and his vampires are keeping their distance... and a cold silence. And when Sookie learns the reason why, she is devastated. 

Then Arlene is found murdered, and Sookie is arrested for the crime. But the evidence against her is weak, and Sookie makes bail. Helped by her assortment of friends, living and undead, she must discover the truth about Arlene's death to clear herself of suspicion. All she knows is that two mysterious men were somehow involved. As to whom they might be Sookie will soon learn that she has more than one enemy waiting to get vengeance for the past. 

Nothing is ever clear cut in Bon Temps. What passes for truth is only a convenient lie. What passes for justice is more spilled blood. And what passes for love is never enough... 

Disappointing is an understatement. This time the writing from Charlaine Harris seems detached and distant, it feels like she really had to dig deep and try hard to finish this series. The writing almost makes you believe that is was written in sections, the flow is not consistent and very choppy. Sookie also seems very jaded and everyone in Bon Temps seems different, it's definitely not the series I fell in love with and couldn't wait to read book after book.  I am also annoyed with the ending, not because of Sookie choosing Sam over Eric but because a lot of it didn't make sense. What about the contract written in blood? Charlaine never really does explain who the "devil" is... my guess is she is referring to Claude and the way he is scarred and burned?

And then Sookie sends Barry to live with Sams mom? FTW??? I get that she can't live with another telepath but still? That seems like a poor way to write off a character. I am thoroughly confused and left hurt with such a pitiful ending to my once beloved favorite series. The only consultation I feel I received is that I had the opportunity to read about most of my favorite characters just one last time. I am happy that in the end Sookie is with Sam, I understand that Eric and her would have never worked out, but I still feel cheated out of what had the potential to be a good book and a end to a great series.