Spare Time

Some afternoons, when I am low on energy and don't have anything planned, Rebekah and I turn to my photo booth (got to love Apple).

By this time I noticed a common theme so I decided to join Rebekah and her tongue.

I was soon informed that her tongue demands only solo performances.

Such fun. Apple photo booth, I thank you again.

Jumping In

I think it was the end of April we started swim with Rebekah. Somewhere towards June / July I was going to take her out. She hated going to lessons and would often cry though out. Her teacher suggested I do open swim with Rebekah (something I didn't even know was an option at the time) and we did. Every day they offered it we would be there. Mainly I would let her play and try to increase her comfort level in the water. Sometimes I would encourage her to show me what she was doing in class. She refused to go under or even put her face in.

Then one day she did it. She simply decided she was ready and took off passing 3 swim levels in the matter of months.

Still she would not go under. One of the goals for the class she is in now is to dive under and pick up rings on the bottom. So, baby steps, right? I put the rings on a little floaty turtle and pushed it under as far as she would let me. She started doing that but still it was hard for her to think of going any further.

Opposite her class is a teacher named Mr. Shawn. He does this cannonball thing with his students: he has quite the upper body strength so when he throws the students in the air they fly. It scared the heck out of Rebekah. But she was fascinated with the teacher.

At Rebekah's last lesson he was student-less. So he decided to help Ms. Pricilla with her students and latched on to Rebekah. He showed her all the things he could do under water. Rebekah wanted none of it but watched intently.

Then during open swim she was playing with a baby. She threw the baby in and then... well, you need to watch. (I think it's at the end of the video.)

So amazingly proud of my brave little girl who went from getting slashed on and crying while in search of a towel, who couldn't even sit in the water, to jumping in all by herself! Wow!

February Books

This first book was total and complete fluff. How did i get mixed up with this one?

I think I read a review on Goodreads and got sucked in because it had a good rating and the description promised historical fiction. (Rebekah keeps me busy enough that I sometimes crave lighter, easier reading so I turn to historical fiction with the rational that still it has merit because of the historical value.) This was much more fiction than history. It was set in the 1890's - 1947's and it may have mentioned World War I happened. That's the historical part. But it was a quick read and although it was a romance (yes, I actually read a romance, however they say that a romance novel is only as bad as its cover....) it was mildly interesting. But I repeat: total fluff. Could have been worse. A lot worse. But if you are looking for quick and easy fluff, this will do.

The Way of Kings. SIGH....

This was recommended to me by my sister in law and it also had great reviews on Goodreads. Another of my friends recommended a book by the same author, which I started reading but gave up rather quickly, so I figured I would give this one a better effort. I put it on hold at the library and it came in while Rebekah was sick. My mother in law picked up the book for me. It was over 1,000 pages. Seriously?! I some how missed that little piece of information. But the reviews were so good so I started in.

Around 100 pages in I texted my friend Courtney to see if she thought I should continue on because simply put, I was not impressed. Everyone I spoke to and all the reviews relate this work of literature to Lord of the Rings and Tolkien. I couldn't see the connection. But after talking with my friend I  chose to continue on. 

I made it through the book, however I must admit I skimmed the last part. My trouble with the book? So glad you asked: he says in 3 pages what could have been said in 1 paragraph; the author attempts to write in an ancient style and yet throws in humor that can only be modern in nature which seems very out of place; and last but not least, he has at least 10 books in the series planned. Seriously?! Are they all over 1,000 pages?! And I pause here to point out that his books that haven't even been written yet have multiple reviews of over 4 star ratings on Goodreads. I'll pause here while you reread that sentence. Go ahead. I'll wait. That's right. The books Sanderson has not written yet have amazing reviews. How is that even possible?! Kind of makes the whole thing loose credibility.

The plot was interesting. Great actually. If the venture wouldn't add up to over 10,000 pages I would most likely see the plot through. As it is I can only hope that someone will read the books and fill me in on the highlights.   

Rebekah's choices:

I attempted to keep track of Rebekah's books to see if there were any common themes or patterns. After one month of doing this and over 150 books logged I decided it would take more time than it was worth. I'm starting to keep track of the books that leave her with an opinion (good or bad - some she doesn't say anything) on Goodreads under Don's name (DonRebe). But these are the favorites of the month: 

I think she mainly liked this because there were pictures of many different cities. She loved the page of Chicago. Kept thumbing back through it and pointed to different buildings, the lake, and so forth. She is a lot like me, that girl.

She loved this one. It's simple and yet she had so much fun with it. I did too. The part where Piggie makes the reader say a word was her favorite. The first time we read it she asked to read it again right then and when we were finished she wanted to read it again and this time she was the reader that had to say a word. Good stuff.

Lastly,

A bulldozer. Other construction vehicles. A birthday. Surprise, they are building a big cake. Rebekah loved it! Although they had her at bulldozer.

Photo Session at Grammy's

I've always wondered what Rebekah does at grammy's. Now I know at least one of the things: Photo Shoot with her babies!

I came back just as Rebekah was handed the camera...

When we were at Vincennes Rebekah wanted to call grammy and I gave her the phone. Not only did grammy talk to Rebekah but Rebekah also had her talk to her doll. Bless her heart, grammy had a full on conversation with that doll! After the phone call ended Rebekah looked at me and said, "My grammy is awesome!" Yes, she truly is.

Vincennes & Evansville II

Saturday morning we headed to Vincennes and drove straight to Red Skelton. Rebekah was very excited about this.

So was I, actually. Yes, he was before my time but I remember watching him and appreciating his clean sense of humor.

On our way in we stopped by this monument. It's suppose to be a September 11th memorial representing the towers at impact. Ah, modern art.

But on to the museum. Rebekah had fun in the sound effects room. It's amazing to me all they did  with sound on their radio shows. So different from today. We seems to depend on sight.

Rebekah had fun talking to (or rather listening to) Red .

Daddy joined at the joke box (you opened the box to hear a recording of Red telling one of his jokes). Very funny stuff.

They also had a place where you could take a picture of your face and paint yourself like a clown. Rebekah loved that.

Presenting clown Rebekah:

They talked me into doing one.

I think I turned out ridiculously scary. But Rebekah seems to think I'm cute....

Then Rebekah tried on some of Red's hats.

There was a stage where you could try and fall like Red.

Rebekah can talk Don into doing anything.

I learned a lot about Red, from hard family times to his work with the war and soldiers and some great physical pain his body felt. He also wrote books and music. Of course there was a video of his famous Pledge of Allegiance.

At the end there was a bust of him. It was beautifully done, but with the sun shinning behind him I couldn't get the picture to do it justice.

Rebekah was a much easier shot.

One last picture with Red:

And the nice man at the gift shop sold us a ball for $1. Good thing Rebekah is cute enough to get us deals!

Then we picked up a little lunch and headed back to the Wabash to see where Lincoln crossed.

Right here mama! (Actually the park ranger suggested it was a couple blocks north of here but still....)

The man Lincoln:

Next we went to Grouseland to see the Harrison home.

They didn't allow pictures so I couldn't take a picture of an awesome shirt that said, "Hats and coats are for wimps" then had William Henry Harrison's picture underneath. I know, a little too much maybe but hilarious none the less.

Another view:

We checked out the old printing press. Amazing what they use to do to get people the written word.

We stopped by the cathedral which happened to be right by this sign:

The cathedral:

My cute family:

Then Don dropped me off to watch the movie about George Roger Clark and he took Rebekah to a park. Yeah. My husband loves me.

The movie (I had my own little private showing by the way) got over and Don and Rebekah were still playing so I got to take another glance at the Wabash.

On the way to the civil war monument we passed this:

Very cool.

At the civil war monument Rebekah attempted to fire the cannon, but the citizens of Vincennes were safe because thankfully the balls were stuck.

The monument:

Rebekah was getting tired of all this sight seeing and reading. She decided hide and seek was her game. Her first hiding spot:

Her second was less effective:

I attempted a selfie. Rebekah has her tongue stuck out most of the time these days.

Then we headed back for more swim.

The next morning we found a major highway leading back from Evansville and made good time. We did have to stop for lunch and a park. But what trip would be complete without a park on the way home?