Emme's Influence

Many of you know about Emme and her crazy dress-ups. Well, she's at it again and she's teaching Grace how to do it. However, as you can see, Grace needs to give Emme some posing tips.

Cousin Camp

So we took Mary's brother's kids for a week while they were on a trip. It was an adventure. Mary is a champ for taking two more kids and doing daily activities. Here are some of the things we did.


Activity 1: Playing with playdoh


Activity 2: Going to the park


Activity 3: Covering the table with butcher paper and letting the kids decorate it.


Activity 4: Having a weenie roast and smores


Activity 5: Going to the little town zoo/park

After zoo snack

How we kept the place in order.

job chart on the fridge

Notice that Emme only has one check mark. (slacker)

Activity 6: Took the kids to the aquarium in Sandy

Too Funny

So my sister Alyson sent me this email. I think I busted my gut laughing. Time for new pictures, eh?

"You both look so serious...Well, Mary you look more sultry than serious.
Where are those fun-loving personalities we know?
Looks more like craigslist massage listing...and the one answering...."

Emme Says The Darndest Things

Emme: "Where's my pancake." (with rude tone)
Mary: "Where did your manners go?"
Emme: "They went on a hike, but they came back."

Grace's Sufferings

Emme has been a trooper while suffering for the last week after getting her tonsils out. Grace has had her own sufferings that all five year olds will experience at one time or another. She's getting really good at riding her bike and is even pulling off some good tricks. However, as most kids do, she has found the curb more than once. The first mishap was her elbow scraping the ground after she crashed. The second is stopping herself with her forehead. She had her helmet on but it slid back on her head and exposed her forehead.

Emme Updates

So Mary and both woke fairly early. I think we are both a little anxious about Emme and her tonsil/adenoidalectomy/insertion of tubes. We have to get Emme to the hospital by 8:15. I've heard that you wait awhile before you get in, we'll see.

Timeline:

• Mary: awake since 4:30
• Jon: awake since 5:30
• Emme: awake since 6:20
• Grace: awake since 7:00
• Take Grace and Max to friend's house at 8
• Arive at hospital at 8:15
• Check in
• Change Emme into tiger scrubs 8:30
• Taken to OR at 8:50
• Doctor comes in at 9:30 and couldn't come up with a word to describe her ginormous tonsils
  
• Returned to us 9:40 kicking and screaming
• Fell asleep at 10:15
• Released at 1:00
• Home (picked up lunch) at 1:30
• Watching shows and doing ok after a pudding cup and small bowl of icecream.
  

I feel bad for her because the medication is still working and she has no idea what awaits her. She's been a champ though.

Literary Top Ten

My sister-in-law inspired me (I ripped off her idea) to do a post on my favorite authors/books. This is a tough one. I mean, how do you limit it to ten? So maybe I'll make this an open list I can add to. Here goes (in no particular order) . . .

1. Flannery O' Connor. She's best known for her short stories focusing on the South and characters who have unique confrontations with the concepts of redemption and grace. Good, good stuff. My favorite is "Revelation."

2. To Kill a Mockingbird. I love Atticus Finch. He's my fictional crush. (It doesn't hurt that he was played by Gregory Peck in the movie. Hubba hubba.) I love that it's a simple story with complex themes. If someone asked you what it was about, you could say, "Do you want the 30 second answer or the 30 minute answer?" And overall, I love the message that you don't really know someone until you've walked a mile in their shoes. People can surprise you with their capacity for good and bad.

3. The Count of Monte Cristo. This plot of this novel could be a master class for all writers. Layers upon layers upon layers of love, hate, deception, betrayal, forgiveness, judgement, mercy, and finally hope. The movie just doesn't come close to touching the book. I know that's usually true of all books turned into movies, but especially this one. Believe me. Read it. NOW. What are you waiting for?! Oh that's right, the rest of my picks. . .

4. Chaim Potok. Let's talk about My Name Is Asher Lev. Brilliant. A young man from an intensely religous family and culture has to confront his community and his parents as he tries to reconcile his dreams with others' expectations for him. These are great themes that resonate well with another intensely religious community. And The Chosen is possibly my favorite of all time. I loved reading it so much, I made the 10th graders I taught read it too. Potok died that year and the day I heard the news, I went into my office, closed the door, and shed some tears.

5. Pride and Predjudice. You knew it was coming. I love all of Miss Jane's works, but only this one makes the top ten list. Her characters are unforgettable. In fact, if I ever have another girl I want to name her after Jane and Elizabeth. If you've only watched the movies, treat yourself to the book. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll cringe (Mr. Collins!), you'll sigh. . .you definitely won't regret it.

6. Shakespeare. I could never pick just one work. Could you pick Macbeth over King Lear? Or Much Ado About Nothing over A Midsummer Night's Dream? Or Sonnet 18 over Sonnet 116? They all pass one test of great literature--it has something to offer every time you read it. EVERY TIME! Wow!

7. Our Town. Play by Thornton Wilder. The older I get the more I like it, love it , really get it.

8. Emily Dickinson. I discovered her in high school and still love her. Indulge me my favorite:
There is no frigate like a book to take us lands away;
Nor any coursers like a page of prancing poetry.
This traverse may the poorest take without oppress of toll;
How frugal is the chariot that bears the human soul.

9. The Shell Seekers. If you need something to read while you curl up in bed with your favorite pajamas and a bowl of ice cream, this is it. Pure literary comfort food.

10. Harry Potter. Fun, fun, fun, fun, fun. Stay up all night until you finish and count the days until the next one comes out fun.

There you have it. Ashley, I know there are a couple of repeats here. Our great minds must think alike! What would you add to the list?