My kids went back to school this week.  This was earlier than the norm, the reason being they will get out earlier in the spring and the district will have more time for construction.  It feels like summer flew by yet there were many times it seemed to drag. My kids got sick of each other and took up the sport of arguing to pass the time. 

Here are some things they argued about over the last few weeks:
Which one has a more advanced brain
Which one is more generous
Which one has had more screen time
Which one has the more "singery" voice
Which one could fill their shorts with more rocks to have the best "poopy butt"
Was the fence they past on a walk last year white or white with black

I could go on, but you get the point.  Maybe after a few days of silence I'll miss the arguments, but for now I love hearing myself think.  And the dog barking at the neighbor.  And the other dog barking at the other neighbor.  And the crazy loud cicadas.  Good thing school's almost out for the day!

Hello all!  I can't believe it's almost July!  June has flown by with camps for the kids and trips up north.  AND with the excitement that comes with my debut picture book.  It will be published by the wonderful people at www.bluewhalepress.com/  It is a small press and I've been very involved in the entire process, which is so much fun!  I'll give more info as it gets closer to publication date.  Now I'm off to squeak out a June draft for the always awesome 12x12challenge.com/  Happy summer!

Every spring I turn into a madwoman.  All the stories must be written! And edited! And critiqued! And submitted! All the photos must be taken! And edited! And uploaded!  And the privacy policies must be updated! BEFORE THE SCHOOL YEAR ENDS!!!

It won't all get done.  It can't.  But I am making progress, learning and enjoying the ride.  When my kiddos are home for summer break, I won't spend all day pouring over files and words and websites on my laptop.  Some of that will still happen, but we'll be at the beach, or in the woods, or my favorite, up north.  Or zoned out all day in a cozy heap watching movies.  

I have to remember, I have a finite number of years before they won't want to hang with their mom all day.  So, I'm happy to have these magical summers.  The madwoman is still there, pacing in the background.  Sometimes she has her camera in hand.  But she's quieted easily enough with a good movie, or a trip to the lake.  And she's taking notes, as magical summers are the perfect food for stories.

It has been winter here in MN for waaaay too long.  Last weekend we got another snowstorm and all the migrating birds were feasting at my feeders.  Here are a few photos of them.

Vivian Kirkfield's 50 word writing challenge ends tonight!  Here is the link if you'd like to check it out; viviankirkfield.com/2018/03/02/50preciouswords-2018-writing-challenge-is-open/#comments    And here is my entry:

Filled

A page filled is a story.
A tire filled can ride.
A muddy hole filled with a tree,
Becomes a home for a squirrel family.
A fireplace filled is cozy.
A filled staff makes a tune.
My heart filled is a gigantic hug,
A hug designed just  for you.

​

Lovely by Jess Hong is a lovely book.  Hong pairs simple text with refreshingly different illustrations that show we are all lovely.  My kids loved the picture of the fancy heels worn by someone with hairy legs.  They loved the whole book, as did I.  Thank you, Jess Hong!

This website has been up for about a week.  I haven't been back since it went live, so it was a lovely surprise to see positive comments from family and friends, including my 12x12 people!  You are keeping me accountable! 

I thought of two more favorite picture books; Ooko by Esme Shapiro and After the Fall by Dan Santat. 

In no particular order...

No David! (plus all the David books) by David Shannon
Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
What was I Scared of? by Dr. Seuss
Voyage to the Bunny Planet by Rosemary Wells
I Have to Go! by Robert Munsch and Michael Martchenko
Interrupting Chicken by David Ezra Stein
You Are My I Love You by Maryann K. Cusimano and Satomi Ichikawa
The Berenstain Bears and the Spooky Old Tree by Stan and Jan Berenstain
Miss Maple's Seeds by Eliza Wheeler
Worm Loves Worm by J.J. Austrian and Mike Curato
The Story of the Little Mole Who Went in Search of Whodunit by Werner Holzwarth and Wolf Erlbruch
Wolfie the Bunny by Ame Dyckman and Zachariah OHora
The Three Little Wolves and the Big Bad Pig by Eugene Trivizas and Helen Oxenbury
Mother Bruce (plus all the Bruce books) by Ryan T. Higgins
The Princess and the Pony by Kate Beaton
The Mine-O-Saur by Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen and David Clark
Bear Snores On (plus all the Bear books) by Karma Wilson and Jane Chapman
Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs by Mo Willems
The Best Valentine in the Word by Marjorie Weinman Sharmat and Lilian Obligado
Over and Under the Snow (plus subsequent similar books) by Kate Messner and Christopher Silas Neal
Frankencrayon by Michael Hall