Friday, January 15, 2010

Emma the Awesome


This is just a little shout-out to my sweet Emma who performed very well at her school's spelling bee (again, this year). She wasn't sure she wanted to participate and was a little irritated that she qualified in the classroom round. . . again. She feels like she gets so nervous that there is no way she can win. But after talking through it, reconsidered and decided to give it a go. She did not win, but there were only 8 left when she got out. Fabulous, considering there were about 50 kids to begin with. She didn't study at all and is just a naturally good speller. My big girls are both good with all things English language. Good for you, Emma.

Thursday, January 7, 2010

Snow Days


Just when I thought we were getting back into our school routine we got hit with about 3 inches of snow and schools and businesses shut down. Goofy, but to be fair, the weather here is weird and surprisingly dangerous. Just a small amount of snow can freeze to the roads and it's just like an ice-skating rink. Illinois was like that too, but they always had much more snow to go along with the temps, so the inclement weather delays seemed more justifiable. So, we're out for another 4 days and 5 for Emma. This is the longest Christmas break I've ever known.

Little Women


Maddie had a great idea a couple months ago to start a family book club (well, it's really just Maddie, Emma and me) and she created the book list from a list that she found at school. It's basically classics, which I thought was great, because there are many that I've never read. So, we started and I have just finished Little Women. I thought it started out slow, but I absolutely loved it by the end. There were so many times when I thought Louisa May Alcott's wording was just so simply clever. It made me kinda long for that distant time when people were more refined and romantic, courtesy and respect were commonplace, and prudence was always important. Of course, I probably loved it all the more because I couldn't help comparing the characters to my own set of little women. Ellie has been fascinated with the idea that there is a story about another family like ours and took to calling herself Amy for awhile.

There were many times when I wanted to frame a quote from the book, but this one just made me laugh every time I read it. (I really don't know why ;) )


"Amy's lecture did Laurie good, though, of course, he did not own it till long afterward; men seldom do, for when women are the advisers, the lords of creation don't take the advice till they have persuaded themselves that it is just what they intended to do; then they act upon it, and, if it succceeds, they give the weaker vessel half the credit; if it fails, they generously give her the whole."


A women who clearly sees life the same way I do will certainly write a very enjoyable book. I'm so glad I read it. Thanks Maddie.