Loving Neighbors & Loving Friends

When we moved to Smithfield we moved next to the best people in the world. Justin and Becky, you are always there for us, as you have proven recently. You stopped your life to take Dale to the ER when I was out of town. Becky, your loving voice on the phone kept me calm and your quick response probably saved Jazzy's life.

Add to that our loving pet sitters, Kathie and Kurt from 4peaceofmindpetcare who came out to help Becky at the house with injured Jazzy and to keep Evie company until late at night while Jazzy went to the ER. You went above and beyond what a pet sitter needs to do.

Evie has returned to Atlanta and Jazzy has recovered enough that she's barking at the mailman and trying to chase squirrels. She's not a fan of the cone around her head, but it does keep her from licking herself too much. (So she tries licking me instead.)

The incident is past and everyone is recovering but I will always remember the kindness shown to us by loving neighbors and friends.

Pirates!

The summer reading program kicked off with the theme, "Oceans of Possibilities!" Fish, octopi, and pirates suddenly appeared. Books with pirates lined the stacks. Any book that had sea creatures was pulled off the shelf for children to see.

This coincided with my floundering (get the pun) around for a new Jazzy book. I decided that Jazzy would become a pirate. But now what? I can easily dress her like one and get some fun pictures. I can make a ship for her to sail in. What I am having trouble with is finding the words, and the idea, for the book.

I need your help. Shall I go with, "Jazzy Explores the Seven Seas?" (that might be hard to pull off because we can't literally visit the seven seas.) "Jazzy Finds the Treasure" (maybe bury a bone somewhere or she has to do certain tasks, like helping an old lady cross the street or bringing in the newspaper.) "Jazzy and the Treasure Map" (Jazzy finds a map to a treasure but at each corner, she gets a new clue and has to do some daring deed.) What about "Jazzy Escapes the Boredom!" (a book filled with craft ideas or game ideas?)

In the meantime, while I wait for the creative juices to flow, I am working on my Non-Jazzy book about the Water Cycle. Check out the video of it below. It's still a work in progress and if you have comments, I'd appreciate them. As for the Water Cycle, I know there are reports of anywhere from 3 to 5 stages, but I only included 4.

School's Out for the Summer

On the last day of school, my children would sing, at the top of their lungs, the Chipmonk song, "School's Out for the Summer!" They looked forward to summertime nothingness.

Afraid my children would lose everything they learned, I filled the summer with educational activities. After several summers of visiting museums in Virginia, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina, writing essays (yes, I made them write essays), finishing the summer reading programs, and limiting TV, my daughter finally spoke up. "Mom, we're done with school!" Those probably weren't her exact words, but I got the message. I think she was 14 and Ryan was 11.

Both of my children look back and remember those trips. Yeah, they griped and complained when we went, but in the end, it gave them experiences that helped build their characters.

So, I offer you, 41 things to do in the summer. There are many more things you can do, but Jazzy cannot do all of them so we stopped at 41. Keli, at Three Boys and a Dog, has a website full of activities. (Here is a list of so many more things you can do.)

If you complete Jazzy's list of summertime activities, email her and let her know. You might just get something fun back.