Program Your Man

Just the lesson every little girl needs to learn. No, we aren't setting them up for failure and disappointment. Isn't every man eager to say just exactly what his woman tells him to say?

Summer Reading at the Library

We have spent a lot of time at our local library this summer participating in the summer reading program. The theme this year was "One World Many Stories." There were several events geared to 1st graders and up.

Rags to Riches Children's Theater presents "The Owl and the Turtle"

Bright Star Children's Theater presents "African Folktales"

They also had a prize drawing for the adults and teens. Each week (sometimes twice a week) we'd go in and fill out an entry ticket for each book we turn in. I read about 4-5 books a week. Kelsea read about 6 books a week. Ishmael read about 2 books a week. My name was pulled for the prize.

We can't wait to have a family fiesta night!

Music

Most people that know me, know how important music is to me. It's more than just loving music though. There are some of us out there, who "speak" music. It's not that I'm musically inclined or have any special talent of my own. Just the same, music is a passion of mine.

Most people enjoy a little variety in music. Many listen to a broad range of genres. There are some of us that connect because we listen to all classifications of music. We are the ones who will sit down with a glass of wine and listen to music with the same intensity that people watch tv. We are just as entertained; maybe even more so. We play a song out in our heads as a sort of "theme song" to get us motivated to do whatever. Music is connected to smells and memories, but also makes us look to the future. Perhaps we worship music, but we worship through it as well.

We are also the ones with playlists so complex that they don't seem to have any rhyme or reason to them. Bob Marley, Alison Krauss, Pearl Jam, Bach, and Eminem can all bring their own little something to the same playlist for a music lover. It's about what the music inspires in us.

Lots of people will read my post and say "Oh I love music too. That doesn't make anyone special." But for people who speak through music, we know the difference.

Happy Birthday Joshua

Joshua is quite an extraordinary fellow. His interests are broad. It's sometimes hard to narrow down just exactly what he's into these days.

His favorite hobbies include fishing, camping, biking, skateboarding, and reading. His music of choice is rock. Particularly anything from Bon Jovi.

He has a very considerate nature. He's always thinking of others and trying to make them happy. Though, he has a bossy streak.

In school he's good at everything. Math is his favorite subject. He's a straight A student.

He's getting tall and has big man feet. According to his growth chart, he is expected to reach at least 6 feet.

I can't believe he's 11 already.

Robin Hood

I walked out the front door one day and thought I walked in to Sherwood Forest.

Someone sure has gone to town making himself merry.

I'm not sure if the red is fire...or blood...either way the effect is dramatic. Not to mention it looks like someone has pretty good aim.

Aaaah! Apparently we are being kept safe from little men in trees! Hooray for Robin Hood!

Gnomeo and Juliet

We are currently on summer break from school. Usually that means we do math here and there, and cover some fun things we didn't get to during the year.

Right now we are studying William Shakespeare. We're going over Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet, A Midsummer Night's Dream, and the Taming of the Shrew. All of which are my favorite works from The Bard.

I picked up Gnomeo and Juliet. I love garden gnomes and thought it looked cute. It turned out to be a fun movie, very charming. In many ways, it was like Toy Story.

There was a scene where Gnomeo ends up with the statue of William Shakespeare and they talk about the ending of the original play. Which was great, because this was a children's film and the story was softened for the sake of young ones. So while Gnomeo and Juliet was not a tragedy, I'm glad they at least talked about the ending of Romeo and Juliet.

Besides, who can help but love Sir Elton John in such fine ceramic splendor?

Independence Day/Weekend

We started our holiday weekend off with a city celebration where Jeremiah helped lead the Pledge of Allegiance with his Pack.

The show was great as always!

On Monday we went to out friends' house and enjoyed some fabulous pizza, fun games, and more fireworks! The pizza on the left was fabulous! The pizza on the right was a fake! Okay, it was still delicious, being made of cookie, chocolate, and candy and all...it might have even been better than the pizza on the left. Maybe. More like a close tie.