Read On!

Found this on a favorite blog. There has been LOTS of discussion at home, school, work, church and on Facebook over the past few weeks regarding the book/movie, The Hunger Games. Should we or shouldn't we let our kids read/watch this? With few exceptions, we have chosen to let our kids read most any book they have asked to. Certainly, there are age and maturity issues to address, but I want to keep the girls reading, regardless (almost) of the subject matter, and to do that, they have to be interested. The Hunger Games is intense, brutal, and sometimes apalling. It also has strong lessons in love, loyalty, heroism and provides insight into current events such as reality TV and our political process. And it boasts an incredibly strong female lead character. We've had some amazingly insightful discussions as a result of this series of books. I don't think that's a bad thing. Keep reading, girls!

The Neuroscience of Your Brain on Fiction @ The New York Times:
"It is an exercise that hones our real-life social skills, another body of research suggests. Dr. Oatley and Dr. Mar, in collaboration with several other scientists, reported in two studies, published in 2006 and 2009, that individuals who frequently read fiction seem to be better able to understand other people, empathize with them and see the world from their perspective. This relationship persisted even after the researchers accounted for the possibility that more empathetic individuals might prefer reading novels. A 2010 study by Dr. Mar found a similar result in preschool-age children: the more stories they had read to them, the keener their theory of mind — an effect that was also produced by watching movies but, curiously, not by watching television."

Triple Trouble!

Fine Arts Festival

Madden had a piece of artwork on display at the Murchison Fine Arts Festival.
Beautiful orchid!

Is That a Foul?

The Diggingest Dog

Katniss and Peeta

Our 2012 backyard owls. We just watched them do the twilight switch where Peeta flies home to the tree and mama Katniss takes off for a night flight. So awesome to witness nature do its thing.

P.S. Who else is excited for the Hunger Games movie next week? Madden, Callie and I have all read. Poor Porter will have to stay home according to the Wilson movie viewing rule: you have to read the book before you see the movie.

Driveway Romance

 

 

So, we had an engagement on our driveway tonight! Yes! One of the most random, yet cool events we had a chance to be involved in! Matt grew up in our house - we bought the house from his parents fifteen years ago. And for some sentimental reason, he wanted to ask his girlfriend to marry him here. Porter, sentimental guy that he is, loved it and could completely relate. Yesterday, Matt and his twin sister and mom came by to scope out the place (it had changed just a bit!) and make a plan. Then, he and his girlfriend arrived this evening under the ruse of going for a run in his old neighborhood. Matt suggested to Tracy that they should ring the doorbell to see if they could look at his old house. We put on our best acting hats as if we had no idea they were coming, gave them the nickel tour of the house, and chatted with them quite a bit. Cutest couple ever. We say our goodbyes, and then Callie and I run to her room (which was Matt's room) with my camera to spy on them in the driveway! I was able to catch the event on (blurry) film - it was so very sweet. Then, they came back to the house, and we let Tracy know that we were in on the whole thing. So fun - we popped a bottle of champagne with them and toasted to their future! And of course, I asked for a wedding invitation, now that we are kind of like family and all.

 

Colorado Road Trip

 

Soccer Season

Soccer season is back on! We drew the short straw apparently with an 8 a.m. start time for 7 of our 9 games. Disadvantage out of the starting blocks, right? (At least for Porter....) The Paper Plates are 1-1. They beat a team 6-0 last week, but lost 0-1 to their nemesis today, literally in the last minute of the game. In last week's win, Callie scored two goals and added two assists. Go girlie!

Thank you Jeffrey Clark for the amazing photos!

More Daughter Dance fun!