Almost time!

So in less than 24 hours we will be here....
http://www.crowneplaza.com/h/d/cp/1/en/hotel/INDDT?&gclid=COi-kNKI76MCFWBd5QodURYZ2w&dp=true&externalHotelDetailHit=true.

Hubby found this hotel through Travelocity. It is one of the mystery hotels in Indy. We got a good deal, that makes hubby happy. And it looks like we will have a nice place to stay, that will make Dempsey, Palmer, and I happy.

The suitcases are packed and in the car. After I post this, the laptop will be loaded up. I have a bag of yarn, and some books. Shoes, snacks, atlas, GPS(thanks Mom and Dad!), CD's, Books on CD, boogie boards, cameras, THE BOOK, cooler. Pillows and toiletries will be loaded tomorrow. Hubby is getting gas as I write.

The boys are excited. I have butterflies! I look around my house and think, Wow! It is going to be a month before I am back here. And even though we have the trip planned out day-by-day, there is still a huge unknown cloud. Each day we will be going into new places, exploring this awesome country. A little daunting right now. :)

If you pray, please pray for safe travels for us! I've been praying for safe travels, fun, and that through this trip we really see the awesomeness of our God, both in the people we encounter and the landscapes we see.

So to all those whom we are leaving, we will miss you. Please virtually join us on this spectacular, grand adventure we are embarking upon!

New Words

I realize I just had a birthday. I haven't felt old until the boys popped some of their new vocabulary into a conversation.

"Mom, we played (I forget what video game) over at Joe's(name change) house, and we beastly poned it!"

So they did something....savagely??? When I determined that I did in fact hear them correctly, I asked for clarification. "We totally smashed, demolished, beat it!"

So, in light of the vocabulary lesson of the day, I'll tell you what I have been up to.....

I beastly poned the laundry so that we can pack, pack, pack for our trip!

Trip Book

The "BOOK" is complete. This "BOOK" contains all the vital information for our BIG trip. Inside the BOOK,

are 32 tabs. I have included maps that get us from place to place and information on whatever it is that we would like to see. The boys also have books for themselves. Theirs include Junior Ranger program booklets for some of the National Parks we will be visiting, and puzzles having to do with the states we will be in.

The books are done, the suitcases are out of the attic. Just over a week away. Doesn't seem real! This trip has been talked about, planned, postponed, talked about some more, planned again and is NOW finally happening. WooHoo!

Adventures in Reading

OK, perhaps not so much an adventure, but we read a nice "quiet book" today.
http://www.amazon.com/Tye-Magic-Brush-Molly-Bang/dp/0688115047/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1282170729&sr=8-1

Not really sure how I happened upon this little book. I requested it from outside our county, so I must have heard about it from somewhere. :)

This is a cute little book, a quiet book. What is a quiet book? As I classify it, a quiet book is one that may not be full of excitement, action, or suspense. The plot may be simple. But however simple, the book resonates with you, makes you think about it long after the last page has been turned, creates a niche in your heart. Tye May and the Magic Brush by Molly Garrett Bang is one such book.

We went to the library today, and I now have the second book in The Prydain Chronicles by Lloyd Alexander! I also picked up first book in The Westmark Trilogy, Westmark, also by Lloyd Alexander. I may have to wait for those since I have a few other books waiting for me already! Two and 1/2 weeks to go before our trip, and so much reading to do!

The boys and I have quite a few tombs we are trying to finish up before going. Here's to good luck with that! Our school for the past month has been all literature! Literature one month, geography, geology, history, social studies, and US culture another month!

I think I have decided upon the books we will read while on our trip. I have a Dr. Doolittle's Carnival by Hugh Lofting, George's Cosmic Treasure Hunt by Lucy Hawking and Stephen Hawking, and The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart. I half to pull all three out and see if we need them all. It might just be Dr. Doolittle and the Stephen Hawking book. Both of these books are sequels to books we have read recently. While The Mysterious Benedict Society is the beginning of its' own series.

Any ideas out there for good reading?

Books, books, books

Those of you who know us, know that finding good, appropriate, challenging books is a constant quest for me. Keeping up with the boys reading needs is a tiresome but rewarding task. I have come to find some sources of book recommendations are better than others. I treasure the ones I have found to be reliable, avoid the ones that aren't like the plague.

Recently, I happened upon a book, 1001 Children's Book You Must Read Before You Grow Up (http://www.amazon.com/1001-Childrens-Books-Must-Before/dp/0789318768/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1282087017&sr=1-1). This book has led us to doing some author studies. We look up the author using Google. Find out whatever bits we can. I confess, I do this the night before by myself, then with the boys the next day. Why? Anyone know anything about Lewis Carroll? Whew! Wouldn't want that surprise with the kidos!

Anyway, before we research the author, we look in the library and scarf up any and every book we can by said author. It has been quite fun. We compare different stories by the same author, compare one author's style to another. Comment on some literary techniques used. We get to see how sometimes authors and illustrators pair up. We pay attention to copyrite's - why are there copyrites after the author's death? What is a copyrite?

Somehow, this author study approach has led me, and now the boys, to Lloyd Alexander. Lloyd Alexander, author of The Prydain Chronicles(basis for the Disney movie "The Black Cauldron), Time Cat, The Gawgon and the Boy, The Cat Who Wished to Be a Man, and more.

These books are not twaddle. They are well written, full of imagination, adventure, and fun. Alexander does have one book entry in the 1001 Children's Book book mentioned above and four books mentioned in Great Books for Boys by Kathleen Odean. What level reader are these for? Here's my soapbox moment....

I think that good books, the ones that have timeless tales to tell, can be read by all. I think it is a shame when people think a book is below them. There is value in well written picture books. We have "read" books where they were no words, just illustrations, that made us laugh. That said, I think these books can be for just about any level. Whether read independently or aloud, the stories are there for the enjoying.

There is sorcery in several books, and what could be perceived as a ghost in at least one. If these are things you do not want in your children's reading, then steer clear. If these topics do not bother you, may I suggest going on the adventures Alexander provides? If you have read them, know you and your children can share your enjoyment with us!

Felted Basket

Dempsey and I went to a NEW yarn store last weekend http://www.the-mannings.com/mannings_catalog.cgi. Yarn, yarn, and more yarn. Much to my delight, they had a decent amount of crochet patterns and were not snobs when I told them I crocheted, like other yarn shops can be. I do not understand it. I can buy yarn just like a knitter. And as one of my friends points out, I need to buy more since crocheting uses 1/3 more yarn. But this yarn store appreciates fiber artists of all genres, and the casual shopper too!

One pattern that caught my eye was for a felted basket. It is by Fiber Trends and includes a pattern for a felted rug and baskets of two sizes. I opted to make the smaller basket first.




These two pictures are of the basket before the felting process. Floppy and full of holes.




The basket made up quick enough. The instructions were clear, after the first step. And the first step was clear, just awkard and unusual. I had to stop myself from thinking and just follow directions. Awkard.

But following the directions yields the following:





I really like the yarn I used, however the next time I make this basket, I will chose a more chunky yarn. I think that would make the end product more stiff than what this one turned out to be. I guess that means another trip to the yarn store.......:)

A new collection, a little mishap and our trip.

While Palmer and I were in GA, I picked up a couple of plates at an Antique Mall. Hadn't really been trying to buy plates, but when we were browsing the booths they kept calling to me. Then when we came home, I went to the local Goodwill and they had the Currier & Ives plate - the big blue one on the top and the green Spode's Copeland Camilla plate on the right. I figured I had a good start to a collection and would start to hang them on the wall.

Just as we were starting, Hubby was holding a couple of them up and accidentally let go of the Currier & Ives plate. So that one is no more. But I think I still have a good start at a neat collection. Hubby felt really bad. But I hadn't had it that long and it cost me under $2.00. I think we will all be on the look out for another. I have likes plates like this for awhile, and finally succumbed to the inclination to begin a collection.

One of the places we went in GA was Bald Mountain, the highest elevation in GA at 4,784 ft. The view is gorgeous and you can see Hiawassee(where Grandma lives!), and neighboring NC and much more. The lake in the picture is Lake Chatuge(Sha-toog). What appears to be different bodies of water is all the same lake. And Hiawassee is nestled among the mountains and the lake.

Clouds were moving in, so pictures had to be snapped quickly. Thank goodness for the new camera(Kodak 26X Optical Zoom - a dream!!!). The parking lot at the bottom right on this picture is where you park before hopping on a shuttle or trudging up the trail to the summit.

Palmer and I opted for the easy - take the shuttle up, walk back down route. The road is very steep!

On one of our last days in GA, friends asked Palmer and I to go fishing in the Taccoa River. Despite fishing in a spot where the river had just been stocked, only two fish were caught! Palmer's theory is they should have used worms. We had a great time skipping rocks, fishing, and chatting.

Going to GA is always an adventure. We have lots of fun and beautiful scenery. But the best part by far, is being with Grandma!