Soccer fingers / rainy day fun, or office high jinks

I drew these on my kids and they played nice for almost an hour. We had a bunch of laughs. A crumpled ball of paper is a fine soccer ball, and bent out paperclips taped on each finger can make the frame for shoes. I saw this on the HP site called fingerskilz.

I'm making it big...Blue and Jazzy with author Donald Miller

As some of you know, the long awaited new book from NYT best selling author, Donald Miller is coming out soon. But what many don't realize is that I'll be given credit as a co-author--this time. Last time, with Blue Like Jazz, I wasn't so lucky. But all is forgiven. (See my public discussion with Don about this topic here: http://bit.ly/tIcmj )This is a big moment for me. I hope you get a chance to check out this great book we've come up with.Follow this link to read the news story on our current joint venture. http://bit.ly/ncENi

K-fun... My review of Knoble Amusement Park

Knobles is old fashioned. They don't do much in the way of banners, or digital printing around the park. They still do hand painted signs for just about everything. They have some moderate thrill rides, but nothing that will make you wet your pants. There's a yesteryear atmosphere there, with huge trees overhead creating shade, and ride attendants taking paper tickets. Many rides are acquired from theme parks who want to give up the old favorites to make room to build the latest steel speed coasters. I love the smooth steel coasters, that shoot me out, and don't jostle me on wooden track until I get a nasty headache, but there's something so charming about a park with all the old rides from another simpler, more carefree time. The carmel corn, soft serve, and french fries can't be beat, and the free parking, pavilions and picnic tables aplenty, no entry fee, and loads of kiddie rides make it a great choice for families with children.

Summer and complications

I love this picture of me and my kiddos. It was taken at the state park. I love having picnics and hanging on at the beachhead. They play in the sand, and water for hours, and just love it. Now summer is here, and I hope we can do this more.

But there's a catch. Nathan has to be in extended school year, and I have him in a program to help his social skills. These are two things he really needs, but it seems to kill summer. Tues- Thurs is chopped, so only a bit of afternoon is left, and now Mondays and Fridays will be gone too. It makes these favorite summer season times we enjoy much more rare, and, of course, special too.

I switch back and forth, wondering if the sacrifice is too big, or if the help is worth losing what we do, or what I do. I know we'll still get to the park, and have our times, but the struggle to pick the best path as a parent can be daunting.