The Best One Yet

I am teaching myself to use my camera on the manual setting. This is my favorite and best, in my opinion, picture I have taken so far. (I hope you are reading this Earl).

Happy Father's Day

I really love that guy.....

and I think he is a GREAT DAD!! Happy Father's Day Daddy-O!!!!

I've Been Tagged

I have never been tagged before....so I am Super excited. Thanks Elizabeth!!

8 Things I did yesterday:

1. Played on the beach

2. Took a nap

3. Ate really great seafood

4. Floated in the lazy river

5. Enjoyed watching Maddie bravely jump into the pool

6. Watched a little TV

7. Laughed really hard at Vanessa's car trouble

8. Slept with Ava kicking me in the stomach

8 Things I look forward to:

1. Nay, Jason and Halle coming home (and Jason passing the bar)

2. Finishing up unfinished projects at work

3. Spending time at the Wise Pool

4. Redecorating Anna Beth's room with her new IKEA stuff

5. Campfires

6. Ava walking

7. Listening to Anna Beth read me bedtime stories

8. Our next vacation

8 Things I wish I could do:

1. Braid hair (I really need to learn)

2. Sew

3. Be organized

4. Be a great photograher without all the work

5. Let go of grudges

6. Spend more time with people I love

7. Quit worrying

8. Hire someone to do all of my laundry

8 Show I watch on TV:

1. The Today Show

2. The Biggest Loser

3. American Idol

4. Divine Design

5. Trading Spaces

6. News

7. Hannah Montana ( Even when Anna Beth is not watching)

8. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse (Maddie's favorite)

8 people I tag:

I have a problem with this because blogging is not the "in" thing in Southwest Virginia. Therefore, I tag my friends that blog, however there are not 8 of them:

1. Bryan

2. Bella

3. Lindsey

4. Tammy

Our 5 Day Weekend!!

We traveled with the Phipps' family to Cincinnati on Saturday morning. The girls could not wait to splash around in the pool.

Maddie learned to jump into the pool, into Daddy's arms, of course.

Our next endeavor was the walk from our hotel to the ballpark. It is so funny to watch the facial expressions of bystanders as we move along the sidewalk. For some reason people are not accustomed to seeing so many children together. Some folks stare, others laugh, and some even comment , "Wow", "Six Girls", and on and on.

The babies had the best view of the city all the way!!

The game was fun, the kids were good considering the tight quarters.

Anna Beth tried out everything at the concession stand.

It was a fun time for all!!!

It's Competition Time

Anna Beth is a member of the dance competition team at "Michole's Stepz" Dance Studio in Norton. It is a big commitment, especially for a 6 year old. She loves it!! She does tap, jazz and ballet. We are gearing up to begin a 3 month competition season that involves traveling to West Virginia and Tennessee. The required hair and make-up has been quite an experience for me!!

My Wish List * * *

A new Vera bag

A new mini laptop

April 6-10 to come sooner rather than later

A date with Chris ***

I don't think these are unreasonable!!

Intentional Words

I am in the process of writing a 25 page literature review. I am very overwhelmed for a variety of reasons. The review is required to focus on a small topic related to language and literacy and is to include at least 25 scholarly journal articles from the last five years that are also peer reviewed. The librarian is my new best friend!! I had much apprehension deciding on a topic. I have decided to focus on vocabulary instruction and young children in relation to socioeconomic status, sounds interesting, huh?

My research has brought to my attention the importance of language modeling in order to facilitate vocabulary growth in young children. The early childhood years are a time when vocabulary expands more than any other time in human development. When placed in the proper perspective this causes us to think more intentionally about vocabulary exposure. Typically developing children, in the proper environment, pick up words without intentional support from adults the opposite is true when children are not in a language rich environment. In conclusion, this is even more evidence that early intervention programs, like Head Start, are essential in nurturing all young children to become language bearers.