The Secret Life of CeeCee Wilkes Chapters 1-10

I'm sure many of you bloggers out there a very familiar with Erin from Blue Eyed Bride. Her blog is one of my daily reads, and is also one of my most favorites. Recently, she and another blogger, Rachel, started a book club called Book Beginnings and Bookends. I've always loved reading and also always wanted to join a book club. So when I saw that Erin and Rachel were starting an online blogging book club, I had to join!

Our first book to read is The Secret Life of CeeCee Wilkes by Diane Chamberlain. This was our first week, and we were supposed to read chapters 1-10. It was a book that I had never about, and also written by an author whom I had never even heard of. I had to keep myself busy reading other books up until the first official day the book club started because I was so tempted to start it early! Come August 9th though I dove right in! I liked the book from the very beginning, and I've really had a hard time putting it down. Before I started reading this book I had convinced myself that between being a mom and having a house to take care of, I didn't have time for reading. I still really don't, but I've been able to find ways to make time for it now. Let's just say that I've found myself up way past my bedtime because I'm unable to put the book down!

Here are my answers to the discussion questions for the first week, chapters 1-10:

1. What was your first impression of Tim?
 At first I was very skeptical and suspicious of Tim. I mean, why would someone Tim's age be so interested in a 16 year old? Especially because in the book it describes Tim as being very handsome, right of the bat I was thinking he must be a womanizer.

Then later, $5000 just shows up for her and (we think) it's from Tim. That seems a little odd if you ask me. First of all, where did he get all that money? Secondly, why would he just give it to CeeCee? To me he seems like a perfect example of "too good to be true". Yea, sure, we think he gave her $5000, but is it really worth having to "pay" him back?

Now I'm definitely wondering what his intentions are with CeeCee.

2. If you were in CeeCee's position, would you be willing to help your boyfriend in the way that she is willing to help Tim?
Definitely not! I am all for helping out someone who is in need, but if that help comes in the form of breaking the law then you're outta` luck. Plus, it's just not me. I'm not a law breaker, nor have I ever been. I can't believe that CeeCee would be either! My first impression of her was totally different than how she is turning out to be.

3. Why do you think CeeCee is so eager to please Tim?
Because she's 16! This is her first relationship, she is very naive about dating at this point. Plus, CeeCee's mother died when she was very young. She has been in and out of foster home after foster home since then. Of course she is looking for someone to please! I think CeeCee is afraid if she disappoints Tim then he will leave her and she'll be alone again.

4. Who do you think has it harder? Tim or CeeCee?
This question is a toughie. I'd say they have both had difficult lives and have both had to deal with a lot. CeeCee has had to deal with her mother passing away and Tim has had to deal with the incarceration of his sister. If I had to pick one who has it harder though, than I'd have to say that it's probably CeeCee. CeeCee has been an orphan since she was a preteen and has had to work at a diner and live with a roommate just to make ends meet. While Tim has only been on his own for a few years. His dad also left him with a house and money.

5. What character trait(s) about CeeCee stuck out the most to you in these 10 chapters?
First of all I have noticed that she is very naive, but she is also very loyal. She is naive because she is willing to do whatever it takes to make it work with Time, even though it is very obvious (at least to me) that he is only using her in his kidnapping scheme. However, she is also very loyal and even though she seems to know what she is doing is wrong, she sticks to her word.

6. Do you think CeeCee is as mature as she seems?
I think CeeCee is mature in some ways, but immature in others. First of all, she has been taking care of herself for a while now, so it is obvious she is mature in that sense. However, I'm afraid that without her mother's guidance, she hasn't learned how to make responsible decisions. I think that is why she is so willing to help Tim with the kidnapping and to take his word that everything will be ok and that they will be able to see each other afterwards.

Happy Birthday, Jaime!

Yesterday was Jaime's birthday. We didn't have plans for his birthday, because I thought he had to work all day. Then at the last minute though, he didn't go to work last night. It was kind of nice though, because we were able to just spend a quiet night at home with Aiden.

We ordered pizza for dinner and then I went to the gym for an hour while Jaime and Aiden spent a little time together. Then it was time for Aiden to get a bath and go to bed. However, since we've moved into the new apartment it has become a little more difficult to get him to go to sleep in his own bed. Usually I just keep putting him back in his bed and just trying to ignore the cries as much as I can. But since last night was Jaime's birthday, Aiden got to stay up a little late to spend extra time with him.

It also worked out well because Jaime was able to help me hang the pictures that needed to be hung up around the apartment. So far it is a work in progress, but it is starting to look better. I will post pictures of the apartment soon when it is completely done.

Happy Birthday, Jaime!!

First Day of School

Jenny's first day of school was this past Monday (August 9th). Jaime, Aiden, and I met Jenny and her mother at the bus stop that morning. (Yes, I was awake at 7:20am) And guess what.....Jenny got on the bus!! The only tears shed were those shed by me, Jenny was a little trooper! She told us all bye, and marched up those stairs and found her seat. The day before we had told her to find a seat as quickly as she could, but that it was also important to not run (confusing, I know). She did perfectly! She sat in the fourth seat behind the driver. She looked so cute in her little iCarly bookbag, although it was nearly as big as she is. Ha!

That afternoon we went back to the bus stop to see her get off the bus, and to find out how her day went. She had a really good day from what I understand. She had no problem finding her classroom that morning or her bus that afternoon. She had P.E that day and they went outside on the playground. I really think Jenny is going to like Kindergarten even more than she liked Pre-K.

A Trip to the Lake

Last Thursday, Jaime and I took the kids back to Fort Yargo National Park to the lake and beach they have there. We went once before, and wanted to go back before Jenny started Kindergarten.

Just like last time, we had lot of fun and really enjoyed ourselves. We went a little later in the day this time, and it ended up being more shaded and a little cooler than the time before. Before we got there we stopped to pick up some bottled water and snacks. We also got Aiden and Jenny a few beach toys to play with.

She asked to be buried, so Jaime and I buried her.

All Aiden wanted for snack was a sucker. Ha!

We buried him too.

 

Playing Outside

Here are some pictures of the kids playing outside today....

Throwing a frisbee.

Aiden mowing the grass (backwards).

Apparently the concrete needed mowing too.

Here's one that Jenny wanted me to post too...

Jenny likes to pose for pictures! She's such a picture hog! Ha!

Cheesecake

Today the kids and I made cheesecake. It was actually a JELLO No-Bake Cheesecake. In case you are thinking that there is no way anyone could possibly mess up a cheesecake that you don't even have to bake....you're wrong!! We messed it up. Before you laugh, please keep in mind that I was working with two children both under the age of 5. Ha!

Basically the instructions said to use 2TBSP sugar, 5TBSP melted butter, and the crust mixture to make the crust. Then for the actual cheesecake part you use the mix and 1 2/3 cups of milk. Well, we (Jenny) accidentally poured the milk into the crust mixture instead of the melted butter. Oops! At that point I really didn't know what to do other than going to the store to buy another box and just starting over. So instead of doing that we just mixed all of the ingredients up at the same time and put it in the fridge like the box instructed. Suprisingly, it actually turned out pretty good!

Aiden pourng in the crust mix.

Jenny pouring in the milk. (I have proof she poured the milk instead of the butter! She won't admit she did it. Ha!)

Melted butter.

Aiden waiting patiently for his turn.

Eyes

Is it a black eye???

Nope!

Aiden likes to do his "eyes" like his Mama does.

The only difference is that Mama calls it make-up!!

P.S. - Aiden is sneaky!