Reading? Fun?

I have to put this in writing. I bought some small books that use all the Dolche words within the stories for Pete. We are working on fluency and these will do just that.

Today, I had him read the first few stories in the first book and he actually said, "These are kind of fun."

"Gasp, gasp, sputter, sputter," said I.

THEN, Pete said, "I think I will take this book with me to DisneyWorld so I'll have something to read on the way there."

More gasping and more sputtering from me.

I'm in heaven, y'all.

~R

ps There are four books in that series and they cover primer through grade three dolche words and the nouns. Not too babyish for older readers.

Round Robin - Light

Sorry I'm late!

This week's Round Robin focused on Light. It was pretty open to interpretation and I'm all about open to interpretation.

I chose my photos for a variety of reasons.

I chose this cloud for purposes of documenting light to use later for a painting. This captured what I needed. And then I just plain liked it so I kept it.



I don't like using the flash and I'm glad I didn't. The think the light, or lack of light, captured BN's grandmother perfectly. Quiet in the shadows. And I love elderly folks and their skin. Her skin is super soft.

I've shown this one before. I love the variation of hues and that it formed a rainbow of sorts.



I adore silhouettes! This is going over the Elizabeth River high rise. The bridge lifted for a barge to pass and I had ample time to shoot the sunset and the towers.



Thanks for stopping by. If you'd like to play, click the link at the top. Next week, it's ~Purple~!

~R

Dishcloths

I made these dishcloths because it was a good way to try out different patterns and new knitting techniques without starting big projects. And I LOVE them.



I love the way they feel when I am wiping down my counters and they even, for about 2 hours, had me thinking I would give up my dishwasher so that I could spend my free time handwashing dishes while looking out the kitchen window at the birds. Then the sink filled up and I snapped out of it.



It also gave me visions of hanging clothes on the clothesline. Of course, I'd have to buy one. And then the cold front came through and I'm not freezing my fingers to the bone for the sake of that wonderful fresh air-dried smell. But I do love it.



Maybe when the warmth returns and I can open that kitchen window and step outside without winter garb, I'll rethink these things. It would go great with my efforts to be more green and save energy.

~R

Valentines

Yes, that day is a commercial disaster.

For twenty years or so, I've been telling BN that buying me flowers is not necessary. In fact, if you've gotta buy something, buy me a plant. It'll last a whole lot longer.

I've also told him that gifts aren't necessary...until this year. I love me some Vera Bradley and since I've purchased from her a time or two before, I get these little postcards in the mail that say something like, "A Special Gift Just for You". For me? And I only have to spend $65 to get the special gift? It's on, baby!

This early February, true to the commercial spirit, Vera sent me a postcard. I tossed it to the side (my effort at saving us money) and out of the corner of my eye, I saw BN surreptitiously pick it up. He didn't ask me about it until about 2 days before Valentines. I sent him an email with a link to the bag I wanted the next day. He laughed and ordered it.

I can't wait to get it. Darn that Valentines - suckered us again.

Bags are packed...

...Or we still have 39 days until our trip.

BN and I decided to stimulate the economy a little by taking a trip to Disney World. We told the boys we were checking on dates available since we wanted to take advantage of the" buy four get three more" deal. They both immediately ran upstairs to "pack their bags" before we even finished telling them the good news.

When we go on long trips, I always encourage the boys to pack a backpack with things they'll miss from home - toys they might want to play with during downtime. I decided to check out their bags and see what is important to them at this stage in their life. I feel guilty but the curiostity is killing me.

REPETE'S

Power Rangers, Ironman, Batman, empty Nerf gun, binoculars, stuffed dog and Nemo cell phone.

PETE'S

Ironman x 2, watch, empty camera case?, binoculars, wallet (not empty), Tech Deck collector cards, chirping bird, Connect Four game, pen and notepad, candy and gum (contraband!!)

What's funny about this to me is that it is so typical of their ages. Four years ago, Pete would have packed the same stuff as RePete and in fact, I think he did - minus Ironman (he wasn't popular back then). And now, Pete is so grown up. The wallet (BNs old one), his watch, pen and paper, less toys. As his mom, those crack me up. The candy and gum might mysteriously disappear.

I vow in front of the whole entire blogworld, or all three of my blog friends, that in another four years I will NOT go through Pete's bag. He will be 13 (gasp). I sure will be curious though.

~R

Back By Popular Demand...

...Hoot! I kill myself sometimes. hahaaha

Okay, so all three of my blog friends sent me nice notes via email asking what the hell happened.

One-sided blog friendships = BAD!

I haven't had much time lately for anything computer related and I haven't been feeling the madness that infected us all about two years ago. Part of it has to do with lack of time and part of it, I think, is winter. With temps in the 60s all this week and in a fit of madness two days ago, I wrote a post and then, in another fit of madness, went private. You know how I roll.

So that's it. I'm just glad I didn't delete the whole thing and have to give out new blog addys again.

~R

*this post is in honor of Dawn ~teehee~

I learned about parenting...

from Captain Underpants.

If you have not read these books to your boys (or rowdy girls), then you are all missing out on funny stuff. Not to mention parental insight.

Just today, I read volume eight to RePete and had to edit my rules about saying such things as butt, poop, pee pee, and on and on. George and Harold observed that for the first few years of a child's life, the parents talk daily of poop and pee. They ooh and ahh every little tinkle and turd. They give the kids balloons, candy,...parties and other such goodies. I even posted pictures! *gasp* All in the name of excrement.

THEN, the child is potty trained and suddenly saying things like poop and pee are taboo. The young ones are hushed and the parents are mortified. Why is that?

Such a wonderful point to ponder.