Life In a Shoe

4 Moms eat too many sweets {dessert linky}

kimc — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 10:54:14 +0000

OK, that’s not exactly the topic we agreed on. We were going to talk about desserts. If you must know, I’m projecting. I eat too many sweets. I like to skip the bread and rice and potatoes and all those evil empty carbs not so I can have a healthy diet, but so I can eat more dessert. There. The truth is out.

I occasionally serve a healthy dessert, but to be quite honest they just don’t go over well. I try to serve a healthy and well-rounded diet, but when the healthy invades the desserts, worlds collide and bad things happen. I don’t want to be responsible for a tear in the time-space continuum.

When it comes to desserts, we don’t serve them often but we have a few favorites that we always come back to. I asked the kids if this was because we were boring or because those particular treats were so amazing, and was relieved to hear them answer correctly. Yes, we love our Chocolate Peanut Butter No-bake cookies, toffee candy, brownies, and wacky cake. We also love chocolate chip cookie dough, homemade, with or without the chocolate chips.

Since I have already shared the first 2 recipes, today I’ll share my own personal brownie recipe and my grandma’s Depression era Wacky Cake.

Moist Fudgy Brownies from scratch

3 eggs
1/2 cup melted butter
1/2 cup cocoa
2 cups sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
1 cup flour
1 tsp. salt
1 cup chopped walnuts, opt.

Combine eggs, butter, cocoa, sugar and vanilla. Stir until combined. Add flour, salt and walnuts and stir again.

Bake in a buttered 9×13 for 25-30 minutes at 350, just until done in the center. Serve warm.

Grandma’s Wacky Cake (also called Crazy Cake)

A rich, delicious Depression era recipe that contains no eggs, milk or butter. I think everyone’s grandma had a recipe like this.

3 cups flour
2 cups sugar
2 tsp. baking soda
6 Tbs. cocoa
1/2 tsp. salt
3/4 cup oil
2 cups water
2 Tbs. vinegar
2 tsp. vanilla

In an ungreased 9×13 pan, combine dry ingredients. Mix with a fork until thoroughly combined. Be sure to get the corners!

Add water, vinegar and vanilla all at once. Mix thoroughly again.

Bake 35 minutes at 350 or just until cake tests done. Don’t ice it, because the soft moist top is the best part! To make it special, dust with powdered sugar.

The other moms are offering serving up sweets too:

Got desserts of your own to share? Share in the comments or link up with us!

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Nuthin’ here. I admit it. I am a deadbeat. Hit me with a rotten tomato.

Adrenal fatigue: what do you know?

kimc — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 23:52:38 +0000

I mentioned on Facebook last week that my midwife was testing me for anemia. What?? You don’t follow Life in a Shoe on Facebook? Why not?

Anyway, I was at my midwife’s office last week for a blood draw. This was my idea, not hers, because I am not currently seeing her for any other conditions including pregnancy. That’s mainly because I am not, to the best of my knowledge, pregnant.

More accurately, it was Perry’s idea. He thinks I have been rather more tired than usual over the past few months. I’m not sure that’s true, but I am sure that I have more confidence in his observation than in my own memory or perception, especially if I’m unusually tired.

This was the first time I have EVER been stuck twice for a single draw. I have fabulous veins, and have been told by various people in a non-creepy way that I would make a great drug addict. If I liked needles and had higher blood pressure, I might also make a great blood/plasma donor. As you’ll see, low blood pressure can be a problem when you’re trying to get something out of a vein.

When she stuck the needle right into my clearly exposed bright blue vein, nothing happened in the little vial.

“Hmm,” she said. ”That’s odd. I thought it went right into the vein.” After a little wriggling and jabbing of the needle, we had nothing more than a few pathetic drops. ”I’m so sorry. I’ll have to try again.” Poke. Still very little action in the vial.

I began to think that instead of anemia, she should check me for a pulse. Death causes lethargy, right? I squeezed a squishy ball with my hand repeatedly in an effort to bleed compliantly, but it was slow going. My blood pressure always runs low, but apparently I needed to drink more water that morning. Looking at the thick dark sludge in the vial, I had to wonder if she was going to reconstitute it before sending to the lab.

After a long time, she smiled brightly and told me that the quarter vial she had would be plenty.

A few days later, the results are in: my bloodwork is beautiful. No anemia here. (Does anyone know if mild temporary dehydration could skew the results?)

With anemia ruled out, I need to look at other possibilities.

What do you know about adrenal fatigue? My midwife suggested that as a second possibility. I have enough symptoms to make it a strong possibility, but I also get the impression that doctors don’t necessarily think it’s a real ailment and everyone could have the symptoms on the lists I’m seeing. (Do you crave sweet and/or salty and/or high protein and/or high fat foods? Do you sometimes stay up too late, and have a hard time getting started in the morning? Really? You too? No way!!!)

Of course it could also be the fact that I have been pregnant, nursing, or both for over 19 years without a break.

It could be because I am quickly creeping up on my 5th decade. Er, that would be the 40′s. Just like the 1900′s were actually the 20th century. I’m not 50, though I like to think I would look great for my age if I were.

It could be the fact that my still-nursing 20mo baby only recently started sleeping through the night, and only in the loosest sense. He still wakes often, and winds up in my bed more than what I would call “occasionally,” but less than “frequently.” Is there a word for that?

It could be because although the baby is finally beginning to sleep a little better at night, the other young children are not. I get at least one or two visitors each night, and on a busy night my bedroom looks more like a fast food drive through:

“I need a drink of water.”

“I need you to turn on the bathroom light.”

“Bethany has my blanket.”

“I’m scared of that little green guy on that cartoon I watched when I was 4.”

“Pant, pant, pant.” Stare… (that’s the dog)

“Parker won’t sleep.”

“I need you to turn on the bathroom light.”

“I can’t sleep.”

“Are you asleep?”

“The dogs pooped all over the living floor and I stepped in it.”

Gee, I don’t know why I’m so tired all the time. Adrenal fatigue, or is it just life? Or are they both the same?

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Comparing online tax preparation companies: H&R Block vs. Turbo Tax

kimc — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 16:36:29 +0000

I’m getting ready to file my tax return for last year. We think that income tax should be abolished – after all, America grew and prospered all the way into the 20th century without an income tax – but we do the standard American tax ritual.

We have filed our tax return online for many years, and we went back and forth between Turbo Tax and H&R Block. We had no problems with either, and both were very easy to use. Both asked all the relevant questions and walked me through the process online, step by step, allowing me to save my progress and pick up where I left off if I didn’t want to do it all in one sitting.

One year when we had a particularly complicated return – several businesses and an out-of-state rental that we owned – I used both sites to compute our taxes and compared the results before actually filing the return. H&R Block found a deduction that Turbo Tax missed, changing our refund by $300 for the better. Since then, we’ve used H&R Block but I try to compare the 2 regularly and nearly always come up with the same numbers.

I love that both offer free filing, and even if you have too much income to qualify for free filing, each lets you go all the way through the process and only requires payment when it’s time to hit the Submit button.

Here’s my question for you: Do you think people who file online are crazy? Have you used either or both? Which do you prefer? I would love to have your input in the poll below, and I would love to hear more about your opinion and/or experience in the comments! Maybe you can convince me that I don’t need to take time to fill out my tax refund twice, if there is a clear winner.

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

The links above are affiliate links, so if you use either company through the link I’ll get a commission. If you want to give them a try but don’t want to use the affiliate links, direct links are below. Don’t worry; I’ll never know the difference. :)

H&R Block

Turbo Tax

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Homesteading giveaway with 6 prizes!

kimc — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 20:57:38 +0000

We have 2 new sponsors in our sidebar – one is Living the Answer, which offers an online essay class that 2 of our children are loving. The other is Grandpa Jake’s Campfire Cooker.

Remember when we hosted a giveaway for that amazing handcrafted all-wood drying rack?

There’s a giveaway going on now for not just a Homestead Drying Rack, but 5 other homesteading-related prizes including the campfire cooker! Forgotten Way Farms has passed the drying rack business to another family, but they have some very fun and interesting new items, and the 2 families are celebrating by sponsoring a giveaway with over $300 in gifts!

Go the the Forgotten Way Farms blog to enter the giveaway. Here’s what is up for grabs over there:

Six Prizes – Six chances to win

Grandpa Jakes Campfire Cooker ($139.00 value)
One handcrafted Peddler drying rack (49.00)
Homesteading for Beginners vol. I- II-III ($45.00)
Plunger Washer ($29.00)
Erin’s Super Green Drink Mix 1 lb. ($25.00)
Erin’s Sick Tea ½ lb. ($17.00)

I don’t know about you, but I think Grandpa Jake’s Campfire Cooker looks like a lot of fun. I also think the Plunger Washer looks interesting, but I might have a revolt on my hands if the kids even suspected we were getting rid of the washing machine any time soon. Not that we are thinking of getting rid of the washer [glances furtively about]…

There are several ways to enter and the giveaway ends soon, so get going! What are you hoping to win?

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4 Moms share encouraging verses and stories

kimc — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 10:00:15 +0000

This week the 4 Moms are talking about Scriptures and/or stories we rely on for comfort/encouragement as a homeschooling family. I saw this subject on our collective spreadsheet months ago and again a few weeks ago when I added it to the list of upcoming topics. Nonetheless, right now I’m saying, “Huh? What are we talking about? Whose idea was this?”

One Bible verse that I think of very often is Proverbs 14:23:

In all labor there is profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty

Although we all want to do things “the right way,” it’s generally not necessary to know and practice the very best method so long as we are working steadily toward a goal. God will bless our honest imperfect efforts to serve Him. We can take great comfort in this! This applies in homeschooling as well as other areas of life.

Another passage that helps us keep our focus is known as the schema in Deuteronomy 6:4-9:

⁴Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:

⁵And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.

⁶And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:

⁷And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.

⁸And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes.

⁹And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.

This defines our goal and our method. If we are teaching them to evaluate everything they think, do and believe from a Biblical worldview – and giving them the tools to do so – we are succeeding.

I don’t know if this qualifies or not, but I also have a little anecdote I often share with nervous new homeschoolers who wonder if they should be worried when their children are “behind.”

Deanna was an early talker with a huge vocabulary and an amazing memory. At 12 months, she knew and used 150 words. If you doubt me, I can provide the list from her baby book. She didn’t start putting them together until the thoroughly typical age of 18 months, but by then she had a very nice vocabulary to work with and rapidly became thoroughly conversant.

I thought she was brilliant, and she was. However, it slipped my attention that while she was accomplishing milestones with great fanfare and expertise, she was still doing them very much on schedule.

Because she was brilliant, we started working on reading early. I made a set of flashcards, and she learned all the sounds of the letters in 20 quick sessions over the course of 10 days – before she was 20 months old. She was going to read before she was 3. I was sure of it!

But when we moved on to putting the sounds together, she just didn’t get it. She wasn’t ready.

I put the reading supplies away for about 6 months to work on other things, and then we tried again. Still no progress.

We repeated this process many times over the following years. I didn’t try very long or hard each time; I knew there was no concrete rule that a child must read by age 5, and I didn’t want to push too hard. We had other ways to learn. I spent a lot of time reading aloud to Deanna and her sisters. Her vocabulary and communication skills grew. Her memory was stunning. She was highly intelligent, but just couldn’t put the sounds together to read. The point:

She wasn’t ready until she was ready.

The ability to read is closely tied to certain developmental milestones, and she had to reach them before she could really make progress. At 6, it finally clicked. She went from zero to Tolkien in 6 months, and has been a voracious reader ever since.

Sure, the right program and a lot of time and effort on both our parts might have provided the crutch we needed to get her over that hurdle ahead of time, but she was able to cross it with ease when she was ready. I have heard it said about potty training that you can start early and be finished by 24 months, or you can wait til the baby is 2 and do it in a few days. Our experience with reading has been much the same.

There. Are you comforted and/or encouraged?

The other moms are offering encouragement too:

Upcoming topics for 4 Moms:

February 9 - note to self: check the schedule. Oh, er…hello!

How I chose my new gun

kimc — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 19:22:11 +0000

I got to choose a new gun for Christmas. Surprised? You shouldn’t be. Gun sales reached an all-time high during the 2011 holiday season, so maybe you are the odd one because you didn’t get a gun.

This wasn’t my first gun. When I was 15, my dad bought me a Smith & Wesson model 19 .357 Combat Magnum with a nickel finish and a 2.5″ barrel. I loved it then, and I still love it just as much. I was annoyed at the time when he handed it to me then immediately announced that I was required to buy new grips to replace the cheap wood ones out of my own very limited funds, but when I complied I found that I loved the gun twice as much. As usual, Dad was right. My Hogue Monogrip made it feel and sound and shoot like an entirely different weapon, and it was beautiful.

My old gun has a big frame which makes it very comfortable to shoot. The weight helps absorb the recoil, unlike the smaller lightweight guns designed for carrying and concealing. There’s a downside to a big gun, though. Although I usually wear it around the house, it’s heavy and very tricky to conceal in normal clothing.

I recently visited some gun shows looking for a holster that would allow me to conceal my gun. Responses ranged from raised eyebrows to, “Honey, you’ve got a hand cannon. You’re not going to hide that!”

I got my concealed carry license over a year ago, and I was thrilled at the prospect of having a gun I could actually conceal, so I wasted no time in choosing my new gun. First I had to decide whether I would get a semi-automatic or another revolver. Although I’m becoming more comfortable and familiar with semi-automatics, I’ve always believed that revolvers are the way to go when it comes to self-defense, at least for me.

I assume that if I ever have to use a gun in a situation like that, I’m very likely to be in a big hurry and great danger. I don’t want to have to chamber a round and fumble for the safety before I can fire. I don’t want the possibility of a jam in the back of my mind. I know that familiarity makes all of that much faster and many people carry semi-automatics with a round already in the chamber, but I love the simplicity of point-and-shoot. No chance that it’s going to jam. No need to remember if the safety is on or off. And many people believe that the curves of a revolver make them easier to conceal on a woman’s curvy body.

After talking to Perry and doing a little research, I knew that I wanted a .38 special. It provided enough stopping power to satisfy Perry but was light and compact enough that I was confident I could conceal it effectively. With a model rated for higher powered +P ammunition, a .38 special has almost the same power as a 9mm.

{The belt is for my .357 on the back of my hip. I don’t normally wear 2 guns, but I put the other on for these pics. Can you see the concealed .38 special? I thought not.}

{Now you can see the .357, but the .38 is still well-hidden, especially if you don’t know that I have it in the first place.}

I looked at and handled the revolvers in Academy Sports, Bass Pro Shop, and several other stores and learned that I loved the shrouded hammer feature found in certain models. It was one less thing to snag when the gun is being worn or drawn, making for faster draws and less chance of accidental fire.

I started my online research by looking at endless reviews. I learned that a review alone is nearly meaningless, since the gun is usually provided free of charge to writers. They want to keep ‘em coming, so reviews on any model are positive almost without exception. That’s not to say that they aren’t honest opinions; maybe reviewers decline to write about the ones they can’t recommend enthusiastically. I do the same on my blog when I review items that I received free.

However, these reviews were limited in how much they could help with my decision. Of course gun lovers are going to love nearly every gun, but which gun was the best choice for me?

Instead, I searched for comparisons between the models I was considering. Now I could see how they stacked up against one another. I could begin to see who loved particular models over others, and why. I could see where each model really stood out, and where it was not quite the best.

Finally, I was ready to make my choice. I wanted a Ruger LCR. It was lightweight, compact, rated for +P loads, and was supposed to have the best trigger on the market. Not a short or light trigger, which could make accidental discharge a concern, but a long smooth pull on the trigger that would make a high level of accuracy possible. I liked the night sights, but Perry encouraged me to spring for the laser sight in spite of the steep premium. With a small gun like this, a red dot shining on the bad guy can increase the psychological impact, giving a potential victim more time to act while also improving her accuracy in a panic situation.

Thanks to Google Shopping, I found that online prices were far lower than local. I was able to buy my gun online and have it shipped to a local dealer, who charged $25 for his service as a mediator. My gun arrived in a few days, and my background check was consisted of a brief phone call when I went to pick it up. I was able to go home that day with my new baby.

But don’t worry – I still love my first one.

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Online Essay Class

kimc — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 16:17:58 +0000

Have you noticed our new sponsor in the sidebar, Living the Answer? When David contacted me about advertising, I jumped on the opportunity to review his online classes. Of our four oldest children, two are natural writers and two are more challenged. They all do well, but Kaitlyn and Lydia lacked confidence. I thought they would benefit most from some formal training in essay writing.

Today is their 4th weekly lesson in the online Essay Writing class, and they love it! It’s not easy, but they say that Mr. Vogel is a fun and engaging teacher. The 75 minute online lesson each week includes audio, slides, live interactive chat (via voice or typing), and some quick in-class assignments. Class size is limited to 12 so that the instructor can give personal attention to each student. The weekly writing projects he assigns are challenging, but doable – even for writers who lack confidence. Mr. Vogel is wonderful at providing personalized feedback and constructive criticism for each assignment, making his comments both helpful and encouraging. That’s not always an easy balance to strike, but he does it beautifully.

Our girls are rapidly gaining both confidence and proficiency. In just a few weeks, I’ve been very impressed at the change in their writing. I’ve always known they were intelligent and had good things to say, and thanks to their dad they are great verbal communicators. Now they are gaining the tools to communicate effectively in writing. This is important to us, and I’m thrilled that God has provided a way to build those skills.

Would I have sought out and paid for an online class? Never. Would I now? Quite possibly.

Have your children ever done an online class? If not, would you consider using an online class?

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4 Moms Q&A: Life with littles, dating, happy helpers

kimc — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 10:12:24 +0000

It’s the 4th Thursday of the month, and that’s the one where we 4 Moms bare our souls and our linen closets as we answer your questions about what really goes on in our heads, our hearts, and our homes. Because I can’t seem to keep track of questions from month to month or even week to week, I’ve been asking what you want to know on Facebook the day before our Q&A posts. Here are the questions I received.

Brianah Dodson asks, “What did your day look like when you had all littles? I have a one year old & two year old and I can’t seem to get much done during the day.”

Brianah, they were definitely busy times. I have a dim recollection of the days blending together into one endless laundry/cooking/diaper-changing session. My children remember far more about that time period than I do, probably because I lived in a constant state of sleep deprivation. But they remember fun times, good times, loving family times and crazy sister times, and I’m glad to rely on their memories to replace what I have forgotten!

I wrote a little about what our days looked like back then in For Tired Young Mothers of Many. Life With Littles was written to help and encourage those who are still in the trenches. Maybe you’ll find some encouragement in them during this busy season of your life!

Savannah Perkins-Berniquez wonders, ”in what ways do your husbands help with homeschooling?”

Over the years, the way that Perry is involved in homeschooling has changed many times. Sometimes he actually sat at the table and taught a subject. Other times, he provided accountability outside of me by inquiring directly with the children or asking to see their work – “Did you do your math today? Let’s see your writing.” His love of history and grasp of the big picture has played a heavy part in developing theirs. He often assigns books on various topics for the older girls to read, usually requiring a written report with each one.

I think the point isn’t really the specifics of what he does, but the fact that he is an interested, involved party in the process. He realizes that he has a stake in what happens and is ultimately responsible for the education of the children even if the greatest portion of the daily job is delegated to me – or directly to the children as they get older.

More important than which subject(s) he teaches is the fact that he keeps our collective eye on the goal: he helps us remember the ultimate goal of Christian education so we all know what direction we’re heading.

Lori Dunn Browning says, “I have one that has come up recently at our house: what do you do [if] the bigs are burnt out on being happy helpers? I can see how this situation gets easier the more bigs you have, but right now I only have 2, & I feel like I ask a lot of them. They are always helpful but I also want them to have time to just be kids.”

Lori, I think this is a tricky question with two very important parts.

First, I think we moms need to let go of the guilt. We all agree that it’s wonderful to play together as a family, but we feel guilty about requiring our children to work. Society tells us that we are robbing our little ones of their childhood if we don’t let them spend their days in play, but what is society producing? 30 year old children who live in their parents’ basement, filling their days with video games. There’s something horribly wrong with this picture. That doesn’t mean our children’s lives should be full of never-ending chores with no time to play, but we are supposed to be training our children for adulthood, and it’s a big job. They don’t need to practice at childishness; that part comes naturally. We need to help them grow up and out of that childishness. Work is an indispensable tool in that process.

Second, I think it’s important to use that tool properly. Just making children work more will not create a good attitude or work ethic in them. We want to teach our children that work is a good thing, not a drudgery. We may not always enjoy it, but the Bible teaches us that in all labor there is profit. Our children are more likely to be happy helpers if we are working along with them rather than watching from the sidelines (guilty!). They also need to see us working joyfully. In short, we need to set the sort of example we want them to follow: diligent work with a good attitude. And a little reward for a job well done isn’t a bad idea…

Maryjo Jones Miller wants to know, “now that you have older girls how do you and your husband handle them dating?”

Maryjo, Perry and I only recently started dating. ;)

Seriously, we don’t plan for our children to participate in “normal” dating because God holds us responsible for our daughter’s purity. But don’t jump to the conclusion that our children are doomed to a lonely and celibate existence. Our children – including our teen daughters – have healthy friendships with people of all ages, including more than a few members of the opposite sex. They interact frequently in various group settings, never far from adults who know them.

When it comes to one-on-one dating, we think this should be reserved for engaged couples, and even then it’s hardly “normal”: they will do 99% of their interacting in a church or family setting, i.e. in and among people who know them. On the rare occasion when they go somewhere else, they will take a chaperon with them.

I love Voddie Baucham’s thoughts on dating.

Elizabeth took a chance and emailed her question: I was wondering what you are planning on doing as far as a high school diploma? Our state allows Home Schoolers to make out their own diploma and we seem to have had no trouble with that being accepted. Is that what you plan on doing as well?

Elizabeth, we’ll make our own. There are plenty of ways to print out a diploma, and as a homeschool graduate I have *never* been asked to present my diploma anyway, nor have any of our friends run into problems – even when enrolling their children in various colleges and universities. The more widespread homeschooling becomes, the less these questions matter as others become accustomed to working with homeschoolers.

The other moms are trying to satisfy your curiosity too:

Upcoming topics for 4 Moms:

February 2 - Scriptures and/or stories we rely on for comfort/encouragement as a homeschooling family

Zoo photos

kimc — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 16:32:29 +0000

Last week while Perry was at a hunting ranch with 6 of the children, I took the other 4 to the San Antonio Zoo. It was a warm, breezy day and we had a wonderful time as the 5 of us ambled slowly around, taking in the sights and sounds. The kids found the smells less than delightful, but I reminded them that it was a package deal – much like small children.

They were delighted at the prairie dogs, who were likewise delighted with us. We found one little guy right at the glass, wagging his tail and watching passers-by.

We watched as 3 porcupines had a pushing match over lunch. They were understandably courteous, but even so one wound up with a quill protruding from his cheek. On our last visit, these guys were standing up against the fence letting us pet their soft noses.

Observe the fearsome jungle fowl, safely behind bars. Judging from his secure enclosure, he must be more dangerous than the tomistoma, who was just inches out of reach with nothing but a waist-high fence between us.

The massive 12-foot tomistoma, a freshwater crocodile. I would love to say I touched him, but his tail was just 3 inches out of reach. Instead, I just lingered at the enclosure, amazed and horrified at his size and proximity.

This Nile Crocodile was nearly as close, but there was thick glass between us. I don’t know why; he seemed friendly enough. See how he smiled at us?

I went around to get a better picture from another angle, while Becca and Parker stayed behind.

It took me a minute to figure out what we’re looking at here. Can you see it?

I was so tickled to see the proper end of the hippos this time! I love hippos, but I love them best when we’re not watching their bottoms do what hippo bottoms do best.

I don’t know if every zoo is like this, but the San Antonio Zoo is full of metal sculptures of the animals. We love to take pics of the kids on every one that we come across.

Becca doing what big sisters do best. I’m so glad she decided to stay home with me and the little ones.

Have you ever held a bald eagle? Have you ever seen one small enough to sit in the palm of your hand?

Ride ‘em, cowboy!

Bethany: “Mom, can we take a picture in the fake broken-head turtle?”

On the baby elephant, just outside the elephant enclosure. We stopped here for lunch and watched the elephants eat, too.

Becca insisted on taking my picture on the baby elephant. ”Was I making a weird face in that one?”

“Well,” she replied. ”I did say I wanted to take another one…”

On the komodo dragon. I don’t know why, but I find them fascinating. The real ones here are every bit as big as the sculpture, and almost exactly the same color.

Two children, two sloths.

And our traditional zoo day finish: everyone on the lions at the entrance/exit. Bye, zoo animals! See you soon!

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Twilight vs. Tangled

kimc — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 19:53:12 +0000

I shared this on facebook and it was so wildly popular I didn’t want my non-facebook readers to miss it. The image below is not mine, but I think it’s a brilliant summary of what is wrong with the Twilight obsession that continues to consume our society. Girls, this is an intelligence test.

For a more in-depth analysis of the book that begat the movie, check out Doug Wilson’s multi-part book report beginning here, or his 8 minute video on the subject below:

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