Screensavers and such

My kindle displays different authors and pictures when it is in sleep mode. I was in the kitchen and I heard my daughter say, "Alexander Dumb As" pronounced with an extra "s" at the end, if you catch my drift.

I started to scold her about using inappropriate language, horrified at the thought of where she might have picked this up. I was certain she was referring to her brother, named Alexander. Grace innocently picked up my Kindle, which was currently displaying the picture and title of "Alexandre Dumas".

Well. Instant remorse on my part, and a good reminder to ask questions before jumping to conclusions!

A Kindle!

My Rocket Scientist bought me a Kindle for Christmas. Usually I have an intuitive sense about his gifts to me, and several times I've ruined the surprise by guessing. This time, he caught me totally off guard! Never in a million years did I guess this one!
I think he's afraid the bookcases are going to collapse on us one day. I have quite a collection of books that I love to re-read, so there are many I won't give away. Now, however, that may have changed. The transition from traditional book to Kindle was seamless, and I'm quite pleased. It is easily portable, and I love that it can store up to 3,500 books! This was seriously the perfect gift for the bibliophile in me. Plus, I get to sew a case for it! Extra fun! :)

I found many free books online and have bought a few using the wonders of 3G. Now, only my autographed books are safe from an upcoming purge. This reminds me of that old science fiction novel, Cyber Books by Ben Bova. (I have an autographed copy!!)

As I become a doula and childbirth educator, it will be so much easier to pack my Kindle rather than several reference books! Plus, my library will fit in my purse! This is so exciting!

2011!

I can't believe it's 2011 already!

Juliette is 6 months old, sitting up, cooing, reaching for us and giving kisses! She has bright blue eyes and we all dote on her. She is the quintessential youngest child--spoiled by her family. If she'd just sleep through the night, she would be perfect.

Grace is mid way through 2nd grade. She loves reading and is very good at math, as well. We took a family vacation to Williamsburg, VA this Christmas. A 12 hour turned 19 hour drive up I-95 in the snow, with remarkably well-behaved children. We explored Williamsburg, Jamestown and Yorktown. We were fascinated by the fancy dresses in the mantua-maker's shop, tried on hats in the millinery, learned how books were bound and pages were printed. We saw horse drawn carriages and tromped through the cold snow. We all bought William and Mary gloves (yellow and green stripes) as souvenirs for our numb frozen fingers. Grace came home with a bag ful of books and has been learning more every day about George Washington, our Founding Fathers and the Declaration of Independence.

AJ is midway through 4 year old preschool. He made it through his Christmas program at school without hiding or sitting in our laps, and we were pleasantly surprised! He is learning to read and was mostly interested in the snow at "The Boring Place", as he called Williamsburg. He did, however, learn about the Hotchpotch Letters. . . .making letter shapes with his body. He's very flexible.

What has been a fun or educational vacation for your family?