Harry Potter and Michigan

Went to see the new Harry Potter movie tonight, Numero Cinco (#5 for you English speakers), Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. Overall, I enjoyed the experience immensely, enough that I wanted to see the movie again, right after it ended. That is the mark of a good movie. Also, for those of you who have not yet joined in the Harry Potter phenomenon, shame on you. Honestly. It's just great story-telling. The books are amazing and thorough, and the movies can't help but be good, since they're based on the books. The movie adapts some things in the 700 page books, but really, who wouldn't? I highly recommend it. Also, halfway during the movie, I sneezed this massive sneeze, and since I was trying very hard to hold it in, it escaped violently through my lips and made this sound like an elephant's trumpet. Loudly. And then I just cracked up. And so did everyone around me. I am still laughing, now, 3 hours later. It was hysterical.

This weekend, I went to Michigan with Scott to see my sister and her family. We spent time hanging out with them at home for most of the weekend, and then the four of us over age 2 went to the races on Saturday night. We made our way to the racetrack, and watched stock car and late model car races late into the night, and it was great fun. Loud, fast, and just dangerous enough to bring me anxiety, it was fun. I can't imagine wanting to do that, or being so good that you get up to the NASCAR level, but it was fun to see the people who do love it do it well. Plus, it was cheap fun. My nephew Luke stayed home with his other aunt, and we missed him at the race. He was quite taken with Scott all weekend, calling him "Dot", and making sure if Luke was eating, Scott was sitting next to him, and making sure that Scott got food, too. They bonded well throughout the weekend, with Scott getting a good-bye hug from Luke that even his Aunt Tracy didn't warrant. I didn't mind, though. It was fun to see them hanging out. It's been really nice seeing Luke a lot this summer. I will miss him when school starts again soon.