Valentine's Day Dinner

Lamb Chops with roasted asparagus

Beet with goat cheese salad

Chocolate Covered Strawberries with Raspberry Wine - Yum!

Children's Literature Workshop

For three hours on Thursday after school I had the privilege of hearing about the latest (2008) children's books. The workshop started with a description and reading from the Caldecott, Geisel, and Newberry Award winning books for 2008. The presenter has served on the selection committee for the Caldecott (best illustration) Award for children's literature. Part of the fun was tandem reading - when members of the audience read with the presenter. One was a narrator, one a chicken, and the presenter was a stinky dinosaur. Gorgonzola, by Margie Palatini, is the story about a dinosaur with some serious hygiene problems.

At the end of the evening our curriculum director allowed each teacher to select a book for the classroom. This year I chose a book about Abraham Lincoln, Lincoln Shot: A President's Life Remembered that gives his biography in a format that looks and reads like an old newspaper. The workshop was held on the 200th anniversary of Lincoln's birth - February 12.

Whew! What a Week!

We saw very little of each other this week, and so Rich is creating a lovely Valentine's Day dinner for the two of us as we finally relax at the end of this incredibly busy week. Rich saw 82 individual clients this week - possibly a record! Unfortunately most of them want to hear the same information, that all is not lost with their portfolios.


The week started for me last Saturday. I had a debate tournament all day at Messiah College for our state district debate. One of my JV teams won first place in the tournament - so it was definitely worth while. That evening we had a lovely dinner with friends. Toni is a wonderful Italian cook. It's nice to be invited out on occasion!


On Sunday Rich served brunch for Kat and Jason and Jason's parents. That evening we had a meeting at the church to discuss weighty matters of cutbacks as the economic situation affects the church family.


Monday I took students to tour the Ephrata Cloister - an early 18th century utopian society that fits nicely with our gifted seminar on Man's Changing Views of Utopia. Tuesday I taught a class at Women's Bible Study, Wednesday was back-to-school night for the parents, Thursday was a Children's Literature Workshop after school, and Friday was my SADD Club's Family Movie Night (got home after 9:00 p.m.). Today was "Whew! The Week is Over" day.


On another note, now that babies are born, holidays are over, Wednesday debate has ended, Thursday evening Truth Project meetings are finished, and my evenings are no longer so full, I can finally get back to aquatic exercise class and try to get back in shape for summer.

Ella wants to Skype, too!

We also keep in touch with Sharon, Mark, and Ella by Skype. Ella is fascinated with the computer screen and people who talk to her by name.

Luke wants to talk to Pop-pop!

What fun to visit with Luke, Laurel, and Leah by Skype. Last evening Luke called to talk to Pop-pop and we had a great time visiting. Luke wanted Rich to read Mr. Brown Can Moo, Can You? to him. He now has his own copy and can follow along as Rich reads to him. According to Laurel, only Pop-pop may read this particular story to Luke. Here are a few scenes from our visit and a video.

Rich and Luke read Mr. Brown Can Moo together

Luke shows Pop-pop what he can identify on the page.

"Grum Grum, Grum Grum, Grum Grum Grum.
Mr. Brown can do a hippopotamus chewing gum!" (So can Luke!)

Here's what a Skype interaction looks like!