tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33301939728085185942024-03-19T04:46:20.413-07:00Once Upon a Time, Just the Other DayLenaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09779427845131366855noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3330193972808518594.post-76392059215007290172012-03-13T10:25:00.003-07:002012-03-13T10:27:45.413-07:00Planting a Garden<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0xtRn04cN4s-ikbluQcM4ZQmsBtwrf3CUHO4n93lh9t56HLDIb9_pILZb4NMOwCH1ThrJ1SWwZ73WpNjtDcoIHGhCyFUDS04Q-SG9TgRH8DEybsh8UEEF7YPvjx_ScAufUVI6DbYT0s_k/s1600/photo-41.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0xtRn04cN4s-ikbluQcM4ZQmsBtwrf3CUHO4n93lh9t56HLDIb9_pILZb4NMOwCH1ThrJ1SWwZ73WpNjtDcoIHGhCyFUDS04Q-SG9TgRH8DEybsh8UEEF7YPvjx_ScAufUVI6DbYT0s_k/s320/photo-41.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5719434303746062546" border="0" /></a><br /><style><!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:"Times New Roman"; panose-1:0 2 2 6 3 5 4 5 2 3; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:50331648 0 0 0 1 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-parent:""; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --</style><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Once upon a time, just the other day, there lived a family of five just down the street. Some days Momma stayed home, and some days Daddy stayed home. Every day Ava Anne, Savannah Lynn, and Hunter Thomas stayed home. Nothing extravagant ever seemed to happen. In fact, every day seemed almost the same as the day before. When Ava Anne, Savannah Lynn and Hunter Thomas awoke, they would tiptoe out of their bedrooms, down the hall, and to the kitchen. Momma or Daddy would be there or on the nearby couch, reading or eating or doing something uninteresting like sorting mail. </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">On this particular day, Momma and Daddy were both awake first. They tiptoed down the hall so as not to wake Ava Anne, Savannah Lynn, or Hunter Thomas. After full mugs of hot coffee and crunchy toast with butter and strawberry jam Momma slipped on her garden clogs and Daddy pulled on his brown leather cowboy boots. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">The spring-time sun was shining just above the trees, birds were singing, and the grass was still wet with dew. Today was the day to plant the gardens. Momma cared for the gardens in the front of the house. They were mostly flower gardens with a few strawberry and rhubarb plants, too. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Daddy mostly cared for the gardens behind the house. Every year he planted a variety of vegetables. He also tended to several fruit trees around the yard. Today he had bags of seeds, fertilizer, and small flower plants. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Inside the house, Ava Anne had heard Momma and Daddy getting ready. She rubbed her eyes and rolled over to see if Savannah Lynn was awake. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“Savannah Lynn, wake up.” Ava Anne waited for Savannah Lynn’s response. “Savannah Lynn, let’s go out to the gardens with Momma and Daddy. They’re planting today.”</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Savannah Lynn rubbed her sleepy eyes and yawned. “Ok.”</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">They quickly dressed in old jeans and shirts they could get dirty. Ava Anne pulled on rain boots and Savannah Lynn pulled on cowgirl boots. After eating toast with butter and jam they, too, went out to the gardens. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Savannah Lynn found Momma in the front. Momma was planting several flats of Zinnias in the soft, tilled soil. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“These will be pink and orange and red and yellow,” Momma told Savannah Lynn. “They will be tall and beautiful. Will you help me plant them?’</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Savannah Lynn watched how Momma dug a hole with a small, handheld shovel and placed a single plant in the hole. Then she covered up the hole with dirt. Then she knelt down in the dirt and began planting.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">In the vegetable garden, Daddy was showing Ava Anne how to plant seeds for corn. He had already dug five shallow trenches. He showed Ava Anne how far apart to drop each seed. As Ava Anne dropped the seeds Daddy followed behind her with a hoe to cover the seeds with dirt.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">When they finished the corn rows Daddy said, “How about some pole beans? First, I need to pound these steaks in the ground. Then, we’ll attach some wire for the beans to grow on.”</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Ava Anne always thought of eating juicy steak when Daddy talked about the steaks, or poles, he used in the garden. She giggled.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“What’s so funny?” Daddy asked.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“When you said ‘steaks’ I thought of eating venison steaks,” Ava Anne said. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Daddy grinned. “You sure are a funny one.” </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Ava Anne looked at the flats of flower plants and searched for worms while Daddy pounded the steaks into the ground and strung up the wire. In no time, it seemed, the pole beans were in the ground and Daddy and Ava Anne were planting tomatoes. Ava Anne only liked garden-fresh, sun-warmed tomatoes. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">By ten o’clock Daddy and Ava Anne had planted half of their huge vegetable garden. Momma and Savannah Lynn had planted all of the Zinnias and were weeding another small flower garden. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“How about a snack?” Momma asked as she and Savannah Lynn walked up to the vegetable garden. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“Yeah!” Ava Anne said. “I’m hungry!”</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Daddy stood up with a trickle of sweat on his face. “I could go for something cold to drink.” </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Momma looked around. “Looks like you two have gotten a lot done,” she said. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“We have,” Daddy said, “But we still have half the garden to go. Did you get the flowers planted?”</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“We planted lots of flowers,” Savannah Lynn replied. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“We planted all the Zinnias and pulled some weeds, but we still have some flowers to plant in the side garden,” Momma said. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“Alright, let’s get a snack so we can get back to work,” Daddy said. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“Let’s go!” Savannah Lynn yelled as she grabbed Ava Anne’s hand and ran toward the house.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Momma and Daddy smiled. They loved spring-time gardening with their girls. </p>Lenaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09779427845131366855noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3330193972808518594.post-28253019695124754102012-03-08T06:55:00.003-08:002012-03-08T07:06:36.228-08:00Butterfly House<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDDaZ_0iZgFViPKrr1ZtmZ5QaoEVAGqueZKZtlKvLkYhc_iacUbzFCwlwpm8f-vv11rPaPDKCqAt3ory3wpwXDMBGuiNQ7oceqMTQgBy6spOE_ARfps9DNIYSY9r6eRXgJHqnXCNEeavES/s1600/photo-40.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDDaZ_0iZgFViPKrr1ZtmZ5QaoEVAGqueZKZtlKvLkYhc_iacUbzFCwlwpm8f-vv11rPaPDKCqAt3ory3wpwXDMBGuiNQ7oceqMTQgBy6spOE_ARfps9DNIYSY9r6eRXgJHqnXCNEeavES/s320/photo-40.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5717541418020064178" border="0" /></a><br /><style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:"Times New Roman"; panose-1:0 2 2 6 3 5 4 5 2 3; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:50331648 0 0 0 1 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-parent:""; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style> <p style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);" class="MsoNormal">Once upon a time, just the other day, there lived a family of five just down the street. Some days Momma stayed home, and some days Daddy stayed home. Every day Ava Anne, Savannah Lynn, and Hunter Thomas stayed home. Nothing extravagant ever seemed to happen. In fact, every day seemed almost the same as the day before. When Ava Anne, Savannah Lynn and Hunter Thomas awoke, they would tiptoe out of their bedrooms, down the hall, and to the kitchen. Momma or Daddy would be there or on the nearby couch, reading or eating or doing something uninteresting like sorting mail.<br /></p><p style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" face="arial" style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">On this particular day, they were celebrating. It was the first day of spring. Everyone was awake and happily eating breakfast together. Today they were going to visit a butterfly house. Momma and Daddy had been talking about it for weeks, saying they would take Ava Anne, Savannah Lynn, and Hunter Thomas on the first day of spring. </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Ava Anne had visited a butterfly house once before. She knew how magical it was to have butterflies landing on her arms and in her hair. She told Savannah Lynn and Hunter Thomas—who had never been to a butterfly house—how much they would love it. </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“Is it time to go yet?” Savannah Lynn asked as she shoved the last bite of cereal in her mouth. </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“In just a few minutes,” Momma replied. “You all need to finish your breakfast. Oh! I need to grab the camera, too.” </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Daddy peered over his morning newspaper at Hunter Thomas. </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“Are you ready to see those butterflies?” Daddy asked Hunter Thomas. </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Hunter Thomas grinned and nodded. </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“You know, there are birds, too. Maybe one of them will let you pet him,” Daddy said. </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Hunter Thomas’s eyes grew bigger. He wondered what kinds of birds lived in the butterfly house. </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“Ahw theh-ah wizards?” Hunter Thomas asked with wide eyes. </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Daddy grinned and said, “No, I don’t think there are any lizards at the butterfly house, but you never know. We can certainly look for some.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“Ok,” Momma said, “time to go!”</p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Ava Anne and Savannah Lynn had already taken their cereal bowls to the sink. Now they dashed toward the door. Hunter Thomas put down his spoon and ran to the door where his shoes were. He sat down and tried to stuff his feet into his new sandals. </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“C’mon, Hunter Thomas, let’s go!” Ava Anne said impatiently. </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Momma helped Hunter Thomas finish putting on his shoes, and the family of five was out the door. They climbed into their green minivan, buckled their seat belts, and off they went!</p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“How long will it take to get there?” Ava Anne asked. </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“Oh, half an hour,” Daddy replied. “When the clock says ten o’clock, we should be there.” </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“That’s kind of a long time,” Ava Anne said.</p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Momma put in their favorite music to pass the time more quickly. Sure enough, before they knew it, Daddy was pulling the minivan into the parking lot of the butterfly house. </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“Ahw we he-ah?” Hunter Thomas asked. </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“Yes!” Ava Anne answered. </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">She could hardly wait until Daddy had parked the minivan to unbuckle her seat belt. She and Savannah Lynn raced to the door before Momma could get Hunter Thomas out of his car seat. </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Once inside, everyone received a large butterfly sticker to place on her shirt. This let the workers know they had paid to see the butterflies. They were also instructed not to touch the butterflies’ wings because this could harm them. </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Finally, the family of five was allowed to slowly enter the butterfly house. They passed through two sets of doors designed to help keep the butterflies inside. Right inside the door was a large palm tree. The butterfly house warm and humid. </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“Oh! Look at the waterfall,” Savannah Lynn said. </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">At the bottom of the small waterfall was a pool with many fish. </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“Fish!” Hunter Thomas exclaimed. “Can we catch one?”</p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“No, the fish need to stay in the water to live,” Daddy said. </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Just then a big, blue butterfly landed on the rocks between Ava Anne and Savannah Lynn. Momma had her camera ready and snapped a picture. </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" ><br />The family of five saw many more beautiful butterflies, and Momma snapped many more pictures. Without a doubt, everyone enjoyed the butterfly house. It was a magical first day of spring. </span>Lenaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09779427845131366855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3330193972808518594.post-91030465548667016692012-03-06T07:13:00.002-08:002012-03-06T07:42:31.409-08:00Frank the Repair Man<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhllwv9KFDLzN_Nim21QvWdhcBKV72EehM1ZufSjc8A-Fndnw2_kNIZ6A41onmT6O8oMYIA_4X6la9Bxk_Dh1YyBqXLjEiVni87yZBmt6gaYlBVg-f8sRO83s1q5No_QL3-pB8U_7JMYhrG/s1600/photo-34.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhllwv9KFDLzN_Nim21QvWdhcBKV72EehM1ZufSjc8A-Fndnw2_kNIZ6A41onmT6O8oMYIA_4X6la9Bxk_Dh1YyBqXLjEiVni87yZBmt6gaYlBVg-f8sRO83s1q5No_QL3-pB8U_7JMYhrG/s400/photo-34.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716809754969143266" border="0" /></a><br /><style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:"Times New Roman"; panose-1:0 2 2 6 3 5 4 5 2 3; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:50331648 0 0 0 1 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-parent:""; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --</style><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Once upon a time, just the other day, there lived a family of five just down the street. Some days Momma stayed home, and some days Daddy stayed home. Every day Ava Anne, Savannah Lynn, and Hunter Thomas stayed home. Nothing extravagant ever seemed to happen. In fact, every day seemed almost the same as the day before. When Ava Anne, Savannah Lynn and Hunter Thomas awoke, they would tiptoe out of their bedrooms, down the hall, and to the kitchen. Momma or Daddy would be there or on the nearby couch, reading or eating or doing something uninteresting like sorting mail. </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: arial;font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" face="arial" style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: arial;"> </p><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: arial;font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">On this particular day, Ava Anne awoke first. She rubbed her sleepy eyes and rolled over. The sun was shining it an early-morning sort of way. Ava Anne yawned and slid out of bed. She tiptoed down the hall and toward the kitchen. Daddy was on the couch reading when Ava Anne entered the room. </p><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: arial;font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: arial;font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“Good morning, beautiful,” Daddy sad with a smile. </p><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: arial;font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: arial;font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">He put down his book and reached to give Ava Anne a hug. </p><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: arial;font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: arial;font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“A repair man is supposed to be here soon to fix the sink. You may want to get dressed before he comes,” Daddy said. </p><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: arial;font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: arial;font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Ava Anne nodded and yawned. </p><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: arial;font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: arial;font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“I’m hungry,” Ava Anne said. </p><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: arial;font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: arial;font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Ava Anne made a piece of toast with lots of butter and strawberry freezer jam Momma and Daddy had made in the summer. The toast crunched and crumbled in her mouth as she walked back to her bedroom to put on her clothes. As Ava Anne stood in front of the closet wondering what to wear, the doorbell rang. It was the repair man. </p><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: arial;font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: arial;font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Ava Anne decided to play outside while the repair man fixed the sink. She always felt strange when people she did not know came to fix things. She always seemed to be in the way of their work. Ava Anne swallowed the last bite of toast and pulled out a striped shirt and jeans. She slid on her cowgirl boots and ran down the hall toward the kitchen. </p><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: arial;font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: arial;font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“Dad, I’m going outside!” Ava Anne announced. </p><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: arial;font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: arial;font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“Ok,” Daddy said in between discussing the sink with the repair man. </p><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: arial;font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: arial;font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Ava Anne ran across the long back porch, jumped onto the grass, and stopped. <i>What should I do?</i><span style="font-style:normal"> She thought. </span><i>Climb a tree? Build a fort? Cats!</i><span style="font-style:normal"></span></p><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: arial;font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: arial;font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Ava Anne walked slowly around the house so as not to scare the cats. She was hoping to find at least one of them laying in the sun on the driveway. Sure enough, Ava Anne found Oreo sunning himself. </p><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: arial;font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: arial;font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“Kitty, kitty, kitty,” Ava Anne called in a high pitched little voice.</p><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: arial;font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: arial;font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Oreo looked up at her and rolled over on his back. He wanted a belly rub. </p><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: arial;font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: arial;font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“Aw, you’re so cute,” Ava Anne crooned. </p><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: arial;font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: arial;font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">She sat down and rubbed Oreo’s black and white belly. He hopped up and walked all the way around Ava Anne, rubbing his side on hers as he walked. Ava Anne giggled. When Oreo found her hand again he licked it with his rough tongue. </p><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: arial;font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: arial;font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“Oreo! You’re tongue is so scratchy!” Ava Anne exclaimed. </p><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: arial;font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: arial;font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">She knew Oreo was just loving her back, but his tongue did not always feel good on her hand. </p><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: arial;font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: arial;font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Just then Ava Anne heard the door open. Oreo glanced up quickly at the sound. Out of the door walked the repair man. He saw Ava Anne and Oreo and walked right over. </p><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: arial;font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: arial;font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“Good morning,” he said. “This cat just loves to have a belly rub. When I got out of my truck this morning he rolled over right in front of me.” </p><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: arial;font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: arial;font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Ava Anne was unsure what to say. She did not know the repair man, but she guessed he was all right since Daddy had been talking to him in the house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: arial;font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: arial;font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“Yeah, he likes that,” Ava Anne finally said. </p><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: arial;font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: arial;font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Now Oreo was licking the repair man’s hand vigorously. He laughed. </p><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: arial;font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: arial;font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“He sure is a friendly cat. Oh, my name’s Frank,” the repair man said.</p><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: arial;font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: arial;font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“My name’s Ava Anne,” Ava Anne said. </p><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: arial;font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: arial;font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“Well, I better be back to work. I’ve got a sink to fix.”</p><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: arial;font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: arial;font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“Ok,” Ava Anne said.</p><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: arial;font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: arial;font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Frank looked for something in his truck and then walked back up to the house. Ava Anne watched him. The door clicked shut. <i>He’s nice</i><span style="font-style:normal">. She thought. </span><i>Lots of people don’t like cats, but he thinks they’re friendly. </i><span style="font-style:normal">Ava Anne was glad Frank liked Oreo. He was a pretty nice guy after all. Maybe next time she would introduce him to Butterscotch. </span></p>Lenaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09779427845131366855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3330193972808518594.post-42570566867043892782012-03-01T14:23:00.003-08:002012-03-01T14:31:37.675-08:00Polnailish<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKd-YBBp_ZR103dlYWB8vSJ2djd_p0BDvZeIY1pHskVqg7MbZDdi6v4EVljqaomYD02tg457Oq_kpd-zRvf0jBSwkwZkOBxAaRqi1uWjyCj-UzRdXBHVvjmv8DxRhHa4CltwFrGQYRfSFk/s1600/photo-32.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKd-YBBp_ZR103dlYWB8vSJ2djd_p0BDvZeIY1pHskVqg7MbZDdi6v4EVljqaomYD02tg457Oq_kpd-zRvf0jBSwkwZkOBxAaRqi1uWjyCj-UzRdXBHVvjmv8DxRhHa4CltwFrGQYRfSFk/s400/photo-32.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5715058803945671026" border="0" /></a><style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:"Times New Roman"; panose-1:0 2 2 6 3 5 4 5 2 3; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:50331648 0 0 0 1 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-parent:""; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style> <p style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);" class="MsoNormal">Once upon a time, just the other day, there lived a family of five just down the street. Some days Momma stayed home, and some days Daddy stayed home. Every day Ava Anne, Savannah Lynn, and Hunter Thomas stayed home. Nothing extravagant ever seemed to happen. In fact, every day seemed almost the same as the day before. When Ava Anne, Savannah Lynn and Hunter Thomas awoke, they would tiptoe out of their bedrooms, down the hall, and to the kitchen. Momma or Daddy would be there or on the nearby couch, reading or eating or doing something uninteresting like sorting mail. </p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">On this particular day, Savannah Lynn awakened first. <i>Well,</i><span style="font-style:normal"> she thought,</span><i> it’s no fun to be awake first because there’s no one to play with.</i><span style="font-style:normal"> So, Savannah Lynn rolled over and kissed her big sissy on the cheek. Then she waited and stared, with her face very close to Ava Anne’s. </span></p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">After just a few moments, Ava Anne blinked open her eyes and scowled. </p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“Savannah Lynn, what are you doing?” She mumbled.</p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Savannah Lynn giggled. Her nose was almost touching Ava Anne’s face. </p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“Waiting for you to get up,” she said in a high pitched voice. </p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Ava Anne sighed a deep sigh. </p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“Fine. But let’s get dressed so we can go outside and play.” </p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“I’m going to where my favorite shirt,” Savannah Lynn said as she pulled out her dresser drawer. </p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“What’s your favorite shirt?” Ava Anne asked. </p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“My polnailish shirt,” Savannah Lynn replied. </p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Ava Anne twisted her face. “Your <i>what</i><span style="font-style:normal"> shirt?” </span></p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“My <i>polnailish </i><span style="font-style:normal">shirt.”</span></p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Savannah Lynn dug through one very large drawer and finally came out with the shirt. It was a white turtleneck with a pink and red print. The print was of lipstick and <i>nail polish</i><span style="font-style:normal">. </span></p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“Savannah Lynn, that’s <i>nail polish</i><span style="font-style:normal"> not </span><i>polnailish</i><span style="font-style:normal">,” Ava Anne said. </span></p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“Whatever,” replied Savannah Lynn. </p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">When Ava Anne and Savannah Lynn were fully dressed, they tip toed down the hall and toward the kitchen where Momma was making blueberry muffins. </p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“Good morning, girls,” Momma said as she glanced up from her work. </p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“Mom,” Ava Anne said in a whiny voice, “Savannah Lynn keeps calling it <i>polnailish</i><span style="font-style: normal">. And it’s not polnailish it’s </span><i>nail polish!</i><span style="font-style:normal"> Make her stop.”</span></p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Momma stared at Ava Anne for a moment and grinned; she looked at Savannah Lynn in her lipstick and polnailish print shirt. </p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“She can call it whatever she wants, Ava Anne,” Momma replied. </p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“But, Mom! It’s so <i>annoying</i><span style="font-style:normal">. Why can’t she just use the right words?”</span></p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">By now, Savannah Lynn had grown tired of the conversation and was in the living room watching cartoons. </p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“Ava Anne, she’s only five years old and it’s <i>cute</i><span style="font-style:normal">. So let her say </span><i>polnailish</i><span style="font-style:normal"> if she wants to, ok?” Momma said. </span></p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Momma was not in the mood for Ava Anne’s whining, nor was she in a hurry to turn her little five year old into a big girl. </p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“Ugh! Fine.” Ava Anne said as she quickly turned and left the kitchen.</p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“What do you want to play, Savannah Lynn?” Ava Anne asked.</p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“Want to paint my nails?” asked Savannah Lynn.</p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“I guess. What color nail polish do you want?”</p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“I want purple polnailish, please,” Savannah Lynn said with a smile. </p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“Ok. Purple nail polish.”</p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“Yep. Purple polnailish.”</p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“Whatever,” Ava Anne said.</p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“Polnailish,” Savannah Lynn replied. </p>Lenaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09779427845131366855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3330193972808518594.post-62209159573715624282012-02-28T07:40:00.002-08:002012-02-28T07:46:05.421-08:00Do You Want To Go Hunting With Me?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDXCi9Eyomr413RQKufd1Pdrho-qN-FsUfGbG5Pybs-chcHckLnhRp7LVxraebDFBtMxwE4Hnx1y5HdgryPZYXj-Z4iSVxgMttcHzyDDLYD-_LwVbArEDNgEL_9KQ6h4ZKwPwm4yopQz5O/s1600/photo-28.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 279px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDXCi9Eyomr413RQKufd1Pdrho-qN-FsUfGbG5Pybs-chcHckLnhRp7LVxraebDFBtMxwE4Hnx1y5HdgryPZYXj-Z4iSVxgMttcHzyDDLYD-_LwVbArEDNgEL_9KQ6h4ZKwPwm4yopQz5O/s400/photo-28.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5714212863985141026" border="0" /></a><br /><style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:"Times New Roman"; panose-1:0 2 2 6 3 5 4 5 2 3; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:50331648 0 0 0 1 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-parent:""; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style> <p style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);" class="MsoNormal">Once upon a time, just the other day, there lived a family of five just down the street. Some days Momma stayed home, and some days Daddy stayed home. Every day Ava Anne, Savannah Lynn, and Hunter Thomas stayed home. Nothing extravagant ever seemed to happen. In fact, every day seemed almost the same as the day before. When Ava Anne, Savannah Lynn and Hunter Thomas awoke, they would tiptoe out of their bedrooms, down the hall, and to the kitchen. Momma or Daddy would be there or on the nearby couch, reading or eating or doing something uninteresting like sorting mail. </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">On this particular day, Daddy was the very first person out of bed. He awakened so early it was still very dark outside. He tiptoed around his bedroom so as not to wake Momma. He pulled his clothes on and brushed his teeth very quietly. Then he tiptoed down the hall and into Ava Anne and Savannah Lynn’s room. </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Both Ava Anne and Savannah Lynn were sleeping soundly. Daddy tiptoed to where Ava Anne was sleeping. He kissed her forehead and brushed her long hair out of her face. </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“Do you want to go hunting with me?” Daddy whispered. </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Ava Anne pulled herself out of a dream and blinked at Daddy. It was too early to smile, but she nodded and sat up. </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“Ok, get dressed and come on out to the kitchen,” Daddy whispered again. </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">As Daddy tiptoed out of the dark room and into the dimly lit hallway, Ava Anne slowly crawled out of her warm bed. She loved hunting with Daddy, but she was not so fond of waking up in the middle of the night. </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">At last, Daddy and Ava Anne were ready. They had their camouflage clothes on, flashlights in their pockets, and snacks in their backpacks. Ava Anne climbed up into Daddy’s big truck and buckled her seat belt. She knew she had a while to sleep before they would get to the woods. </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Daddy turned on some old country music and pulled out of the driveway. There were no others cars out on the country roads this time of night. </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">When Daddy pulled into the field an hour later, Ava Anne awoke. The truck bumped up and down, side to side as Daddy carefully drove to the back of a long field. He finally pulled to a stop near a small bridge that crossed a creek. </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“Ok,” Daddy said, “let’s go.” </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Ava Anne dug in her pocket to find her small flashlight. She climbed down from the truck and very quietly closed the door. If they slammed their doors, they might scare all the deer away. </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Ava Anne waited for Daddy to hand her backpack to her. Daddy swung his own backpack over his shoulders, fit his folding stool over his right shoulder, and carried his bow in his left hand. With his one free hand, he turned on his small headlamp and started walking. </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Ava Anne walked right behind and sometimes next to Daddy. It was a long walk over the creek, through another field, into a meadow, and into the dark woods. The woods always scared Ava Anne just a little, but she knew Daddy was right there with her. </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Daddy walked carefully, trying not to crack any sticks or shuffle his feet. Seemingly little noises could easily alert the deer that danger was nearby. Ava Anne tried to walk quietly like Daddy. She slowly lifted and set down each foot, holding her breath at times. </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Suddenly Daddy stopped. Ava Anne had been so focused on walking quietly that she had not noticed they were at the base of the old wooden tree stand. Daddy carefully tied his bow to a string that hung down from the tree stand. </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“Ok, go ahead,” Daddy mouthed.</p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Ava Anne adjusted her backpack, put her flashlight in her pocket, and began climbing the old wooden ladder. Daddy was right behind her. When she reached the top, Daddy helped push her up onto the platform. </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">When they were both safely on the platform, Daddy set up his folding stool. Then, he picked up the string that was attached to the platform and began pulling up his bow. When it reached the top, he carefully lifted it over the edge and sat it down very quietly while he untied it. Ava Anne was amazed how quiet Daddy could be. </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Daddy sat down on his folding stool with is back against the tree. He looked down at Ava Anne. She was already curled up next to the stool with her small camouflage blanket wrapped around her. </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“Do you want any hot chocolate?” Daddy asked, barely in a whisper. </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Ava Anne grinned as she looked up at Daddy. She nodded. </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Daddy pulled a silver thermos out his backpack. He poured a steaming cup of hot chocolate and handed it to Ava Anne. Daddy always brought a thermos of hot chocolate, along with other snacks that were just for hunting. </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Ava Anne sipped her hot chocolate and leaned against Daddy’s knee. This was going to be a great day in the woods. She just knew it. </p>Lenaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09779427845131366855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3330193972808518594.post-15814521521057883582012-02-23T09:10:00.001-08:002012-02-23T09:12:11.069-08:00Yoder is NOT stupid<style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:"Times New Roman"; panose-1:0 2 2 6 3 5 4 5 2 3; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:50331648 0 0 0 1 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-parent:""; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style> <p style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);" class="MsoNormal">Once upon a time, just the other day, there lived a family of five just down the street. Some days Momma stayed home, and some days Daddy stayed home. Every day Ava Anne, Savannah Lynn, and Hunter Thomas stayed home. Nothing extravagant ever seemed to happen. In fact, every day seemed almost the same as the day before. When Ava Anne, Savannah Lynn and Hunter Thomas awoke, they would tip-toe out of their bedrooms, down the hall, and to the kitchen. Momma or Daddy would be there or on the nearby couch, reading or eating or doing something uninteresting like sorting mail. </p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">On this particular day, Savannah Lynn woke up first. She opened her eyes suddenly as she remembered that today was a special day. Today she was going to Aunt Lori and Uncle Micah’s house. Ava Anne was going to spend the day with her friend Emily, and Hunter Thomas was going to be with Momma and Daddy for a special day. </p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Savannah Lynn hopped out of bed, opened her bedroom door, and ran down the hall toward the kitchen. Momma was in the kitchen eating breakfast with Hunter Thomas. </p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“Good morning, Savannah Lynn,” Momma said. “How did you sleep?” </p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“Good,” Savannah Lynn said as she took a deep breath. “When do I get to go to Uncle Micah and Aunt Lori’s house?”</p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“We need to leave in about an hour,” Momma said. “So let’s get you something to eat and then you can get your clothes on.” </p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Savannah Lynn gobbled up toast with strawberry jam and then ran back to her bedroom to put her clothes on. Within a few minutes, she raced back out to the kitchen and announced that she was ready to go. Momma said she would take her to Aunt Lori and Uncle Micah’s “very soon.” </p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Finally, Savannah Lynn made it to Aunt Lori and Uncle Micah’s. The morning had seemed longer than any other morning she could remember. She and Momma were now walking up the steps to their house. They could hear Aunt Lori and Uncle Micah’s dog, Yoder, barking. </p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Momma knocked and Aunt Lori answered the door, opening it just a crack as she also held Yoder’s collar. </p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“Come in,” Aunt Lori smiled. “Sorry, Yoder thinks he needs to run out the door every time it opens.”</p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“Hi, Yoder!” Savannah Lynn squealed. </p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">She loved dogs, especially Yoder. Yoder was big and fluffy and very gentle. He knew how to play with kids and not hurt them. </p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">While Aunt Lori and Momma talked, Savannah Lynn played with Yoder. She was excited to have him all to herself today. </p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“Ok,” Momma said, “I’ll see you after dinner. I love you.” </p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Savannah Lynn ran to Momma, gave her a big hug, and ran back to play with Yoder. They were going to have a great day. </p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">That evening, after many hours of playing games with Uncle Micah, taking Yoder on a walk, and making clay animals with Aunt Lori, Savannah Lynn sat on the couch next to Uncle Micah. Aunt Lori was sitting on the chair nearby, and Yoder was sleeping on the rug by their feet. </p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Just then, the doorbell rang and Yoder ran to the door. Savannah Lynn ran right behind him to open the door for Momma. Before Uncle Micah or Aunt Lori thought to warn Savannah Lynn that Yoder would try to escape, she opened the door, and Yoder dashed out. </p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“Oh, no!” Savannah Lynn exclaimed. Uncle Micah walked to the door with a scowl on his face. He stared out at the empty yard. Yoder was already out of sight. </p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“Yoder, you <i>stupid, stupid</i><span style="font-style:normal"> dog. </span><i>Stupid</i><span style="font-style: normal">,” Uncle Micah said. </span></p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Savannah Lynn gasped. “Uncle Micah, you do <i>not</i><span style="font-style:normal"> say </span><i>stupid</i><span style="font-style:normal">.” </span></p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Uncle Micah looked down at his little niece. </p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">She continued, “Yoder is <i>not</i><span style="font-style:normal"> stupid. You are hurting my feelings when you call him stupid. OK?” </span></p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Uncle Micah began to chuckle as he said, “You’re right, Savannah Lynn. I should not have call Yoder stupid. I should have said, ‘Yoder, that was very <i>un-smart</i><span style="font-style: normal"> of you. That was </span><i>not</i><span style="font-style:normal"> smart.”” </span></p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“You really hurt my feelings when you call Yoder stupid. He is not stupid,” Savannah Lynn said again. “Ok, I gotta go! Bye!”</p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Savannah Lynn darted out the door and into Momma’s car.</p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Uncle Micah and Aunt Lori chuckled as they watched Savannah Lynn and Momma drive away. </p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“She is something else,” Uncle Micah said. “She sure knows what she thinks.” </p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“Yes,” Aunt Lori replied, “and she thinks ‘Yoder is <i>not stupid.</i><span style="font-style:normal">’”</span></p>Lenaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09779427845131366855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3330193972808518594.post-26231121925006819462012-02-21T08:17:00.003-08:002012-02-21T08:20:30.965-08:00The Very Large Turtle<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdIJ0_3jfS9NgLnTe6zpgsyqySXZgRLqEf7_nbtxDpVRF8HZkrWDB3Rpyk6nVOYcyloMLURCpnti3xSBEFKdFzZr3OK5H1pLkRTITh8Yjg0FXzPQYHhtohOOsr5LVbIoPOEAag5he3nvnY/s1600/photo-25.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdIJ0_3jfS9NgLnTe6zpgsyqySXZgRLqEf7_nbtxDpVRF8HZkrWDB3Rpyk6nVOYcyloMLURCpnti3xSBEFKdFzZr3OK5H1pLkRTITh8Yjg0FXzPQYHhtohOOsr5LVbIoPOEAag5he3nvnY/s400/photo-25.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711624109061601074" border="0" /></a><br /><style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:"Times New Roman"; panose-1:0 2 2 6 3 5 4 5 2 3; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:50331648 0 0 0 1 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-parent:""; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style> <p style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);" class="MsoNormal">Once upon a time, just the other day, there lived a family of five just down the street. Some days Momma stayed home, and some days Daddy stayed home. Every day Ava Anne, Savannah Lynn, and Hunter Thomas stayed home. Nothing extravagant ever seemed to happen. In fact, every day seemed almost the same as the day before. When Ava Anne, Savannah Lynn and Hunter Thomas awoke, they would tip-toe out of their bedrooms, down the hall, and to the kitchen. Momma or Daddy would be there or on the nearby couch, reading or eating or doing something uninteresting like sorting mail. </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">On this particular day, Savannah Lynn and Ava Anne had been awake for hours. They were playing outside in the warm, sunny day. They were swinging and running and playing all kinds of games in the yard. </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">As they were playing Tag Ava Anne tagged Savannah Lynn.</p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“You’re <i>it!</i><span style="font-style:normal">” She said with a gasp for air. </span></p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Ava Anne ran fast away from Savannah Lynn. She sprinted across the yard toward a large tree. Suddenly, mid chase, Ava Anne stopped. Savannah Lynn ran straight into her.</p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“You’re <i>it!</i><span style="font-style:normal">” She screamed. </span></p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“Look!” Ava Anne said, “It’s a turtle!” </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Just a few feet away from where they were running there was a very large turtle. In fact, it was the largest turtle Ava Anne and Savannah Lynn had seen, except the old one at the zoo. </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“Let’s keep him in the little pool!” Savannah Lynn suggested. </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Ava Anne thought about it for a moment. She thought he might get out of the little pool. His shell was about as tall as the top of the pool. </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“Well, we could put the pool in the garage and keep him in there,” Ava Anne finally said. “Let’s get it out of the barn and put some water in it.”</p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">In no time at all Ava Anne and Savannah Lynn had found the kiddy pool, dragged it to the garage, and filled it with an inch or two of water. </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“Now, how do we get the turtle <i>in</i><span style="font-style:normal"> the pool?” Ava Anne asked. “I don’t think I can carry him.” </span></p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“Maybe we both can carry him,” Savannah Lynn said. </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“Ok, let’s try it. You take that side of the shell and I’ll take this side.” </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">The girls were a little scared the turtle might be a snapping turtle, but they really wanted to keep him. Ava Anne knocked on his shell, and the turtle pulled his head inside. So, one on each side, they lifted him and slowly, slowly walked to the garage with the very large turtle between them. </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“Put him down very gently,” Ava Anne instructed. </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">They had finally made it to the garage. They placed him very gently in the kiddy pool and watched. He did not do much. He moved his feet around a little and popped his head back out of his shell. </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“Well, I guess we can just leave him here and check on him once in a while,” Ava Anne finally said. </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“Yeah. I wish he could play with us,” said Savannah Lynn.</p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">The girls continued playing outside, checking on the turtle every now and then. After dinner, Momma said they needed to say “good night” to the turtle and take a bath. They each patted him on the shell and said “good night.” </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“See you in the morning,” Savannah Lynn said as she closed the garage door. </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Next morning, Ava Anne awoke first. She rubbed her eyes and rolled over. Suddenly she remembered the turtle in the garage. </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“Savannah Lynn!” Ava Anne exclaimed as she sat up. “The turtle!”</p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Savannah Lynn opened her eyes slowly. Then she remembered what Ava Anne was talking about. She sat up with a smile.</p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“Let’s go see him,” Savannah Lynn said. </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">The girls hopped out of their big bed, ran down the hall and toward the kitchen. Momma was on the nearby couch. She watched as they ran right past her and to the garage door. They flung open the door and ran over to the kiddy pool.</p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Savannah Lynn gasped. ”Oh, no!”</p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“He’s gone!” Ava Anne said. </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Sure enough, their pet turtle had escaped. They were not sure how or where he had gone, but that very large turtle was nowhere to be found. </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Momma came out of the house, walked over to the pool and looked puzzled. </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“Maybe he just wanted to go home,” she suggested. </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“But we were his <i>new</i><span style="font-style:normal"> home,” Ava Anne said in a sad voice. </span></p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“Well,” said Momma, “Maybe he was hungry or he missed his family.”</p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Ava Anne and Savannah Lynn both sighed. They walked back into the house with their heads down. </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“I guess we’ll have to find another pet today, Vannah,” Ava Anne said.</p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“Yeah,” replied Savannah Lynn. “Maybe today we can find an alligator! That would be <i>way</i><span style="font-style:normal"> better than a turtle.”</span></p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“Yeah,” Ava Anne said, “an alligator.”</p>Lenaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09779427845131366855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3330193972808518594.post-87098835295067362082012-02-16T07:00:00.003-08:002012-02-16T07:35:04.951-08:00Nap Time<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMHMzK2GlwJ-GDM4jwh3t5JdnMYrao31iGEdDPzdUQKjHDFI3XoDFiM8OukPipHOKRjnLPBCVeu9ZjJcNU9na4bn7EqS8nk_KyqXcSJyORfY_EAvLnkoOvmEWSdCxoglrZ2-wArNdniu32/s1600/photo-24.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 298px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMHMzK2GlwJ-GDM4jwh3t5JdnMYrao31iGEdDPzdUQKjHDFI3XoDFiM8OukPipHOKRjnLPBCVeu9ZjJcNU9na4bn7EqS8nk_KyqXcSJyORfY_EAvLnkoOvmEWSdCxoglrZ2-wArNdniu32/s400/photo-24.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5709756896220655090" border="0" /></a><br /><style><!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:"Times New Roman"; panose-1:0 2 2 6 3 5 4 5 2 3; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:50331648 0 0 0 1 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-parent:""; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --</style><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" >Once upon a time, just the other day, there lived a family of five just down the street. Some days Momma stayed home, and some days Daddy stayed home. Every day Ava Anne, Savannah Lynn, and Hunter Thomas stayed home. Nothing extravagant ever seemed to happen. In fact, every day seemed almost the same as the day before. When Ava Anne, Savannah Lynn and Hunter Thomas awoke, they would tip-toe out of their bedrooms, down the hall, and to the kitchen. Momma or Daddy would be there or on the nearby couch, reading or eating or doing something uninteresting like sorting mail. </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">On this particular day, Hunter Thomas awoke first. Hunter Thomas scrambled out of his big boy bed, flung open the bedroom door, and ran down the hall toward the kitchen. </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">His favorite cousin, Joey, was coming over this morning. Joey was three years old just like Hunter Thomas. Hunter Thomas knew they would play outside, play with trucks and trains, and have fun all day. </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“Momma! Momma! Is Joey hee-ah yet?” Hunter Thomas yelled as he ran. </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Momma chuckled. She was sitting on the couch sorting mail. </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“No. Aunt Lori should be here to drop him off in about an hour,” Momma replied. </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Hunter Thomas thought that sounded like a terribly long time. He stood still and sighed. </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“By the time you get dressed and eat breakfast and we make your bed, it will almost be time. Let’s get some breakfast first,” Momma suggested. </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Momma was right. Hunter Thomas had just finished helping Momma make his big boy bed when the doorbell rang. Hunter Thomas gasped and his eyes grew wide. Then he ran for the door. He saw Aunt Lori through the window. Hunter Thomas opened the big front door. </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“Good morning, Hunter Thomas,” Aunt Lori said as she gave him a hug. </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“Hi! Joey, let’s go play!”</p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Joey kicked off his shoes and chased down the hall after Hunter Thomas. They played all the way until lunch time when Momma called them to the kitchen for grilled cheese and apple sauce. Joey and Hunter Thomas were both eating quickly so they could play again, and Momma knew what they were up to. </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“Don’t eat so quickly,” Momma said. “After lunch you both can take your nap in Hunter Thomas’s big boy bed. And--”</p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“But we want to pway!” Hunter Thomas interrupted. </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“You will have lots of time to play <i>after</i><span style="font-style:normal"> your nap. But I’m afraid you’ll both be very grumpy if you don’t go to sleep,” Momma finished. </span></p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">After lunch she tucked them both into Hunter Thomas’s big boy bed. They each had their heads at different ends of the bed. </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“The faster you go to sleep, the faster you can get back to playing,” Momma reminded the boys. </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">The both shut their eyes tight to show her they were trying hard to fall asleep. </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“Ok. Sweet dreams,” Momma said. </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Momma left the door open just a crack so she could hear any mischief Hunter Thomas and Joey might get into. All was quiet for a few minutes. Then Momma heard talking. </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">As Momma slowly opened the door she saw Hunter Thomas sitting next to Joey.</p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“What’s <i>wong</i><span style="font-style:normal">?” Hunter Thomas asked. </span></p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Joey held both hands over his face and mumbled something. </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“Joey, what’s the matter?” Momma asked as she walked over to the big boy bed. </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Joey muttered, “Thomas.” </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Momma looked confused for a moment. She glanced at Hunter Thomas as if he might know<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">why Joey was talking about Thomas. </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“Thomas!” Hunter Thomas whispered suddenly and jumped out of bed. </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">He ran to the bin on the shelf that held all his cars and trucks and trains. He dumped them all out on the floor and began searching through them.</p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“Hunter Thomas,” Momma said, “you need to get back in bed. It is not play time.”</p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Just then Hunter Thomas grabbed one train and ran back to bed. He climbed into the big boy bed and crawled over to Joey. </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“Hee-ah, Joey, I found Thomas,” Hunter said as he offered the train to Joey. </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Joey rubbed the tears from his eyes and took the train from his cousin’s hand. Then he rolled over and closed his eyes for sleep. </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“Thank you, Hunter Thomas,” Momma said, “That was very sweet.” </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“He wikes to sweep with Thomas the twain,” Hunter Thomas replied.</p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“Yes,” Momma said, “I think you’re right. Sweet dreams, Hunter. Sweet dreams, Joey.”</p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p>Lenaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09779427845131366855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3330193972808518594.post-40763613389371308362012-02-14T08:14:00.000-08:002012-02-14T08:31:13.351-08:00Valentine's Day<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAqAgnYPdKuD9LcTYhe-Z2bH1ZEstH9SKLP3wzHPGpO0z9mv1zIGyy9SN6i14qnAPxvDSyQGCf1l9Nj0mR84RXdaFXibyX70AedLzI385roSQELlJg4Gkm328CKVlb_HF4FhCC0wPXauAC/s1600/photo-23.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 330px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAqAgnYPdKuD9LcTYhe-Z2bH1ZEstH9SKLP3wzHPGpO0z9mv1zIGyy9SN6i14qnAPxvDSyQGCf1l9Nj0mR84RXdaFXibyX70AedLzI385roSQELlJg4Gkm328CKVlb_HF4FhCC0wPXauAC/s400/photo-23.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5709029350703747922" border="0" /></a><br /><style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:"Times New Roman"; panose-1:0 2 2 6 3 5 4 5 2 3; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:50331648 0 0 0 1 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-parent:""; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style> <p style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);" class="MsoNormal">Once upon a time, just the other day, there lived a family of five just down the street. Some days Momma stayed home, and some days Daddy stayed home. Every day Ava Anne, Savannah Lynn, and Hunter Thomas stayed home. Nothing extravagant ever seemed to happen. In fact, every day seemed almost the same as the day before. When Ava Anne, Savannah Lynn and Hunter Thomas awoke, they would tip-toe out of their bedrooms, down the hall, and to the kitchen. Momma or Daddy would be there or on the nearby couch, reading or eating or doing something uninteresting like sorting mail.<br /></p><p style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><span style=" color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">On this particular day, Daddy awakened his two sweet girls with a kiss on each of their foreheads.</p><span style=" color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">“Good morning!” He sang. </p><span style=" color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Ava Anne peeked out of one eye. She saw Daddy grinning at her. </p><span style=" color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">“Happy Valentine’s Day, Ava Anne,” Daddy said.</p><span style=" color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Ava Anne closed her eye and grinned. She mumbled “Happy Valentines Day” in her sleepiest voice. Daddy chuckled. </p><span style=" color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">“It’s time to get up. I have breakfast made and waiting in the kitchen. I’ll be out there when you’re ready, ok?” </p><span style=" color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Ava Anne nodded with her eyes still closed. Savannah Lynn still appeared to be soundly sleeping. Ava Anne sat up on her elbows and glanced at Savannah Lynn.</p><span style=" color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">“Vannah,” she whispered. </p><span style=" color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Savannah Lynn did not move. Ava Anne tickled Savannah Lynn’s neck.</p><span style=" color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">“Savannah Lynn, wake up. It’s Valentine’s Day,” Ava Anne reminded her. She was not sure Savannah Lynn had heard Daddy.</p><span style=" color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Savannah Lynn barely opened her eyes and grinned. </p><span style=" color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">“C’mon. Let’s go see what Daddy made for breakfast. I bet he made a Valentine’s Day feast!” Ava Anne said. </p><span style=" color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Savannah Lynn and Ava Anne stumbled out of bed. They each put on their thick, fleece bathrobes to keep them warm in the cool house. They pattered down the hall and toward the kitchen. They smelled sausage and coffee all the way.</p><span style=" color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">When they entered the kitchen, they saw Momma sitting at the table, sipping her steaming coffee. Daddy was sitting there, too, reading the newspaper. Ava Anne and Savannah Lynn scooted out their chairs. On each chair was a small teddy bear holding a little pink flower. Momma and Daddy grinned as Ava Anne and Savannah Lynn sniffed their flowers and hugged their new teddy bears. </p><span style=" color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">“Thank you!” They said in unison. </p><span style=" color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">“Are you ready to eat?” Daddy asked. </p><span style=" color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Both girls nodded. Daddy got up and pulled a plate out of the oven. It was piled high with heart-shaped pancakes. Savannah Lynn giggled. </p><span style=" color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">“I like ‘em!” she said. </p><span style=" color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">“And str-aaaw-berry syrup,” Daddy said in a very animated voice as he spooned red strawberry syrup on each of their heart-shaped pancakes. </p><span style=" color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">“Mmmm, this is yummy,” Ava Anne mumbled with a bite of pancake in her mouth. </p><span style=" color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">“Glad you like it,” Daddy said.</p><span style=" color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">“Happy Valentine’s Day,” Momma said. </p><span style=" color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">“Happy Valentine’s Day,” Ava Anne and Savannah Lynn chimed.</p>Lenaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09779427845131366855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3330193972808518594.post-14971874177768065062012-02-09T07:20:00.000-08:002012-02-09T07:48:46.810-08:00Chicky<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmulp3yTflq4_rKoET9haVWz4cDa9VN3lXq_Tah1oUEam3AYVWXOUpPlSBC1dsNnyKCLtUPYMFaWTUWC-uo-47PXh0vGqryMH9zSqW5ZWPAbMb_lmwdEyTk_79FrWx1VfgIHS42x3sShwA/s1600/photo-21.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmulp3yTflq4_rKoET9haVWz4cDa9VN3lXq_Tah1oUEam3AYVWXOUpPlSBC1dsNnyKCLtUPYMFaWTUWC-uo-47PXh0vGqryMH9zSqW5ZWPAbMb_lmwdEyTk_79FrWx1VfgIHS42x3sShwA/s400/photo-21.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5707162011673314418" border="0" /></a><br /><style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:"Times New Roman"; panose-1:0 2 2 6 3 5 4 5 2 3; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:50331648 0 0 0 1 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-parent:""; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style> <p style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);" class="MsoNormal">Once upon a time, just the other day, there lived a family of five just down the street. Some days Momma stayed home, and some days Daddy stayed home. Every day Ava Anne, Savannah Lynn, and Hunter Thomas stayed home. Nothing extravagant ever seemed to happen. In fact, every day seemed almost the same as the day before. When Ava Anne, Savannah Lynn and Hunter Thomas awoke, they would tip-toe out of their bedrooms, down the hall, and to the kitchen. Momma or Daddy would be there or on the nearby couch, reading or eating or doing something uninteresting like sorting mail.<br /></p><p style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" face="arial" style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">On this particular day, Ava Anne, Savannah Lynn, and Hunter Thomas had been awake for several hours. Savannah Lynn and Ava Anne had already finished their school work for the day, and Hunter Thomas was just finishing his lunch.<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“Let’s go out to the barn, Vannah!” Ava Anne said to Savannah Lynn.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">They had already put their lunch plates in the sink and were ready to play outside. They quickly slid on their shoes and ran out the back door.<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“I know, let’s look for wild berries,” Savannah Lynn suggested. </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">They never knew exactly where they might find wild berries, but at this time of year, they were sure to find a bush somewhere. Ava Anne and Savannah Lynn ran around the barn until they reached the old apple tree. Sometimes berries were hiding around the overgrown tree and weeds. </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“Nothing,” Ava Anne concluded after a quick search of the weeds. “Let’s go to the other side of the barn.”</p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">As they ran along the back side of the barn through Daddy’s old garden they heard a chicken clucking. They ran faster to see if the chickens had found their berries. </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Ava Anne gasped. “Oh, no! She’s stuck!”</p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“Let’s go get Momma,” Savannah Lynn said. </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">They ran back to the house as fast as they could.</p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“Momma!” Ava Anne and Savannah Lynn shouted together.</p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“There’s a chicken stuck in a live-trap! You need to come get her out,” Ava Anne reported.</p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“She’s hurt!” added Savannah Lynn.</p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“Where?” Momma asked.</p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“By the barn,” Savannah Lynn and Ava Anne said in unison.</p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Momma had little difficulty releasing the chicken. But, when she picked her up they all realized she was missing two of her toes. Momma carried her back to the house and handed her to Savannah Lynn. </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“Hold her while I get some gauze and ointment to clean her foot with,” Momma instructed.</p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Savannah Lynn rubbed her cheek gently on the chicken’s head and neck as she held it. Ava Anne looked worried. She was not so sure this chicken was going to be ok. </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“Chicky, it’s going to be ok,” Savannah Lynn said. “I’ll take care of you. You can stay in my room.”</p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“Chicky?” asked Ava Anne. </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“Yep, that’s her name now,” Savannah Lynn said.</p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Just then Momma returned with a bandage and ointment. She gently cleaned Chicky’s toeless foot, rubbed ointment on it, and wrapped it in gauze. </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“I think she’ll be ok,” Momma said. “But, we’ll need to watch her extra carefully for a while.”</p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“Can she stay in my room?” Savannah Lynn asked. “I named her Chicky.”</p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“No,” Momma said with a smile, “<i>Chicky </i><span style="font-style:normal">will be ok in the chicken coop. Let’s give her some food and water before we take her back out there.” </span></p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Chicky was very thirsty. She finished all the water Momma gave her, and she took a few bites of food. </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“This chicken will be just fine,” Momma said. “She is happy to eat and drink. I don’t think we have anything to worry about.”</p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“Chicky,” Savannah Lynn reminded Momma.</p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“That’s right,” Momma said, “Chicky.”</p>Lenaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09779427845131366855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3330193972808518594.post-54854063281408954852012-02-07T10:38:00.000-08:002012-02-07T10:41:50.105-08:00The Mulberry House, continued<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHalwY9j_ndXCSuOSS_uc-65HoUTfqiOXT7Nb5EOjVyyPnD28skCJcIgDq-5fJ5onhod7OW5SIteM551SoMmBEan0JkCoLWlA_Hx51kY2ZwkmxtJmRIjvDfmlky6GlUfA_SZlP7RSaX-LT/s1600/photo-20.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHalwY9j_ndXCSuOSS_uc-65HoUTfqiOXT7Nb5EOjVyyPnD28skCJcIgDq-5fJ5onhod7OW5SIteM551SoMmBEan0JkCoLWlA_Hx51kY2ZwkmxtJmRIjvDfmlky6GlUfA_SZlP7RSaX-LT/s400/photo-20.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706465335117743570" border="0" /></a><br /><style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:"Times New Roman"; panose-1:0 2 2 6 3 5 4 5 2 3; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:50331648 0 0 0 1 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-parent:""; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“Well,” Ava Anne said impatiently, “what is it, Mary Caroline?”</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Mary Caroline’s grin was growing and her eyes seemed to hold a secret. She waited for a dramatic pause, encouraging her cousins to stare at her impatiently. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“The <i>adventure</i><span style="font-style:normal"> I want to take you on is </span><i>very</i><span style="font-style:normal"> dangerous. We will travel </span><i>through</i><span style="font-style:normal"> the deep, dark, </span><i>forest,”</i><span style="font-style:normal"> Mary Caroline said.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“Why are we going through the deep, dark forest?” Savannah Lynn asked. Her eyebrows were furrowed and she swallowed one loud <i>gulp.</i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Mary Caroline sighed. “Because we are going on an adventure,” she said. “How else will we find a rare new animal that lives in a deep, dirty cave?”</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Hunter Thomas raised his eyebrows and smiled. “A new animal? Like, a snake! O-ah a wizard?”</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Mary Caroline looked confused. “A <i>wizard?</i><span style="font-style:normal"> Wizards are </span><i>not</i><span style="font-style:normal"> animals, Hunter.”</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“He means a <i>lizard</i><span style="font-style:normal">,” Ava Anne corrected her cousin’s error. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“Whatever. Are we going on an adventure or not?” Mary Caroline was growing impatient.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Ava Anne looked out of the corner of her eye at Savannah Lynn. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“Let’s do it!”</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Mary Caroline led the way down the ladder, on the rope, and across the yard to the deep, dark forest. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“First, everyone needs a stick,” Mary Caroline instructed. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Hunter Thomas was already carrying one very large stick. He was swinging it and hitting trees and bushes with it. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“Ok, now remember, there are lots of animals and maybe a few monsters in here, so watch out,” Mary Caroline warned as she stepped into the deep, dark forest.”</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">The four cousins walked cautiously, slowly taking each step. Hunter Thomas was very occupied with searching the ground for a “deep, dirty cave” with a “rare new animal.” Savannah Lynn’s eyes scanned the whole forest again, and again, hoping the “rare new animal” would be small and on the ground. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Suddenly, when everyone was looking different directions, Mary Caroline stopped dead in her tracks. She held her arms out to signal everyone else to stop. Savannah Lynn’s eyes grew with suspense.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“A wizard?!” Hunter Thomas exclaimed in a half whisper. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Mary Caroline motioned with her eyes and her head. In the leaves and weeds near her feet was a snake. It was as still as the cousins were, waiting for them to pass by. Slowly, slowly, Hunter Thomas crept past Mary Caroline and out of the snake’s vision. From behind, he crept ever closer until he was finally within reach of the back of the snake’s neck. Hunter Thomas was a great snake catcher. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“Gotcha!” Hunter Thomas exclaimed as he leaped forward, one hand holding a stick and one hand holding a snake. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“YAY!” The girls cheered. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“We captured the rare new animal!” Savannah Lynn said. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“Let’s take him back to the Mulberry House,” Ava Anne suggested. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">The successful troop nearly marched back through the deep, dark forest. They emerged from the trees to the sound of Momma’s voice calling for lunch-time. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“Macaroni and cheese for lunch,” Momma called. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“A rare new animal for a pet!” Mary Caroline called back. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">The cousins could hardly wait for their after lunch adventures to come. </p>Lenaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09779427845131366855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3330193972808518594.post-25884943033028088612012-01-31T07:28:00.000-08:002012-01-31T07:34:36.553-08:00The Mulberry House<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFpwramXyV1gruq_6sfvVI-PKiHq42a2okY9cDCymFojd1EW3TZu2l-u9MRdyZiVtoFDOzXWG8tElQjoBEMcDT_CCllP9H7M9vRQ3srvPYq7YZcLn29DbjVeOkV5srocvU-jf1udEKt9t7/s1600/photo-20.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 298px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFpwramXyV1gruq_6sfvVI-PKiHq42a2okY9cDCymFojd1EW3TZu2l-u9MRdyZiVtoFDOzXWG8tElQjoBEMcDT_CCllP9H7M9vRQ3srvPYq7YZcLn29DbjVeOkV5srocvU-jf1udEKt9t7/s400/photo-20.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703819368814257650" border="0" /></a><br /><style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:"Times New Roman"; panose-1:0 2 2 6 3 5 4 5 2 3; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:50331648 0 0 0 1 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-parent:""; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style> <p style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);" class="MsoNormal">Once upon a time, just the other day, there lived a family of five just down the street. Some days Momma stayed home, and some days Daddy stayed home. Every day Ava Anne, Savannah Lynn, and Hunter Thomas stayed home. Nothing extravagant ever seemed to happen. In fact, every day seemed almost the same as the day before. When Ava Anne, Savannah Lynn and Hunter Thomas awoke, they would tip-toe out of their bedrooms, down the hall, and to the kitchen. Momma or Daddy would be there or on the nearby couch, reading or eating or doing something uninteresting like sorting mail. </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">On this particular day, Ava Anne, Savannah Lynn and Hunter Thomas were awakened by Momma and Daddy.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“Good morning, good morning, good mooor-ning; it’s time to rise and shine!” Momma sang to her girls as she switched on the light and turned off the fan in their room.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Ava Anne groaned and rolled over. Savannah Lynn did not move. Momma bent over each of her girls and kissed them on the cheek and forehead.<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">In the other room, Daddy was singing, too. He had his own morning song. He picked up Hunter Thomas and began searching his closet for something to wear. Hunter Thomas curled up on Daddy’s shoulder with his eyes still firmly closed. </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“Do you know where we’re going today, Hunt?” Daddy asked as he pulled out a pair of jeans.</p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Hunter Thomas shook his head a little, but did not open his eyes.</p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“We’re going to see your cousin, Mary Caroline, today,” Momma said in the other room. </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Ava Anne really liked visiting her cousin. Mary Caroline was six, just a year younger than Ava Anne and a year older than Savannah Lynn. </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“Will we get to play all day?” Ava Anne asked Momma. </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“Yep.” </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Mary Caroline, Aunt Lisa and Uncle John lived two hours away, so the family of five who lived just down the street only visited them once in a while. On the days they drove two hours to see their family, they woke up <i>very </i><span style="font-style:normal">early and arrived home </span><i>very</i><span style="font-style:normal"> late.</span></p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Finally, everyone was fully awake and dressed. Toast with peanut butter and jelly had been eaten. The beds were made, and the family of five was in the car. Momma turned on the kids’ favorite audio storybook as Daddy turned out of the driveway. </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Three stories and one bathroom stop later, Daddy turned into another driveway.</p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“We’re here!” Savannah Lynn exclaimed. Within seconds, the girls had their seatbelts off and were helping their brother out of his car seat. As soon as the car was parked the doors were open and all three kids were piling out. At the same moment, the front door of the house swung open and Mary Caroline came bounding out. </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“C’mon,” Mary Caroline said with a gasp, “let’s go to the Mulberry House.” They took off around the corner of Mary Caroline’s big, blue house and vanished from sight. Momma and Daddy were barely to the front door. </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">In one cramped corner of the backyard grew an enormous mulberry tree. It was in this tree that Uncle John had built a tree house for Mary Caroline. </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“This is how you get in,” Mary Caroline instructed. “First, you jump onto the rope and swing to the other side.” Mary Caroline demonstrated on the rope that was attached to the underside of the tree house. Ava Anne followed suit and so did Savannah Lynn, with little difficulty. Hunter Thomas, however, was just too small to complete this first task. He tried, but fell off the rope each time, becoming more frustrated with each attempt. Ava Anne eventually helped him onto the rope slowly and pushed him just a little, then helped him off again.</p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Mary Caroline was a little impatient with Hunter Thomas. “Come <i>on</i><span style="font-style:normal">,” she said. “Now, we climb the ladder to the very highest spot.”</span></p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Savannah Lynn followed after Mary Caroline. Ava Anne lifted Hunter Thomas onto the second rung of the ladder and followed behind him. </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“Welcome to the Mulberry House!” Mary Caroline exclaimed. “Now, we eat our feast!” </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">The kids all sat down on the small platform of the Mulberry House. They could reach ripe, juicy mulberries from the branches that hung just inches over their heads. Within a few minutes, their fingers and shirts were stained purple and red. </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“What should we do next?” Savannah Lynn asked. </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“Whatever we want,” Mary Caroline answered, “but I have some ideas. We could feast up here all day, or go to the neighbors’ house and jump on the trampoline, or play in my room, or, well, there’s one last <i>adventure</i><span style="font-style:normal"> I was thinking of.” Mary Caroline’s eyes were sparkling and a mischievous grin was growing on her mulberry stained face. </span></p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“Well,” Ava Anne said impatiently, “what is it?”</p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><i style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:380.0pt"><i style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">To be continued…</i><span style="font-style:normal"></span></p>Lenaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09779427845131366855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3330193972808518594.post-62446925046538992142012-01-26T06:17:00.000-08:002012-01-26T06:28:11.841-08:00Camping: We're Going Sep-a-wet<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn31LWRqcby7tliuSXDxaKBJBYqlWDiDbXEQJJDepS2UJW05fDBsReji4JmMfQXZR3CNKMbqc2gV1q61rMqjCOG-Hn7X0PZfQneWoahE3nXBErb3zfxDnptJfU4uUUVkUGBUNeTNyCWb2m/s1600/photo-19.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 360px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn31LWRqcby7tliuSXDxaKBJBYqlWDiDbXEQJJDepS2UJW05fDBsReji4JmMfQXZR3CNKMbqc2gV1q61rMqjCOG-Hn7X0PZfQneWoahE3nXBErb3zfxDnptJfU4uUUVkUGBUNeTNyCWb2m/s400/photo-19.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701946286089353346" border="0" /></a><br /><style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:"Times New Roman"; panose-1:0 2 2 6 3 5 4 5 2 3; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:50331648 0 0 0 1 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-parent:""; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --</style><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Once upon a time, just the other day, there lived a family of five just down the street. Some days Momma stayed home, and some days Daddy stayed home. Every day Ava Anne, Savannah Lynn, and Hunter Thomas stayed home. Nothing extravagant ever seemed to happen. In fact, every day seemed almost the same as the day before. When Ava Anne, Savannah Lynn and Hunter Thomas awoke, they would tip-toe out of their bedrooms, down the hall, and to the kitchen. Momma or Daddy would be there or on the nearby couch, reading or eating or doing something uninteresting like sorting mail. </span> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">On this particular day, the family of five who lived just down the street were camping, and it was bedtime. They had their very own camper trailer with beds and a kitchen. Momma and Daddy had tucked Ava Anne, Savannah Lynn and Hunter Thomas in bed, and they were now in their own bed. Soon, however, Hunter Thomas crawled out of his bed and onto Ava Anne’s bed. He was almost in tears as he sat there, holding Ducky.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“Hunter, what’s wrong?” Ava Anne asked. Three year-old Hunter Thomas started to cry as he pulled Ducky away from his chest and looked at him.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“Ducky and I a-wah going sep-a-wet,” Hunter finally said. And with that, he got up, walked to the kitchen area and placed Ducky in a small cupboard. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“What?” Ava Anne asked, very confused. “You’re going <span style="font-style: italic;">separate</span>? What do you mean?”</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Hunter Thomas crawled back into bed with his big sissy and cried quietly with his hands held over his face. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“Hunter, let’s get Ducky out of the cupboard. He probably doesn’t like it in there.”</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“No,” Hunter Thomas said forcefully. “We a-wah going sep-a-wet.”</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“Why?” Ava Anne asked. Hunter Thomas and Ducky had been inseparable for as long as anyone could remember. Now Hunter Thomas was crying more. Ava Anne decided she had better get Momma to deal with this. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Momma got out of her bed and picked up her big boy. She talked to him quietly so Ava Anne could not hear what she and Hunter Thomas were saying. Finally, Momma and Hunter Thomas pulled Ducky out of the little cupboard, and Momma tucked her big boy and his Ducky back into bed. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“What did you say? What did <i>he</i><span style="font-style:normal"> say?” Ava Anne asked Momma. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Momma looked down at her big girl and sighed. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“He said his friends were making fun of him for carrying a stuffed animal in his shirt,” Momma said. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“They’re so mean!” Ava Anne exclaimed. “Hunter and Ducky are friends. They need to leave him alone. He’s only <i>three</i><span style="font-style:normal">.” </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“Well,” Momma continued, “Hunter Thomas decided to keep Ducky for now. But you need to stick up for your brother if you ever hear anyone making fun of him. Ok?”</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“Ok,” Ava Anne said. “I’m glad Hunter and Ducky are back together. I don’t want Ducky to leave our family.”</p>Lenaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09779427845131366855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3330193972808518594.post-30896374337138375592012-01-24T08:20:00.000-08:002012-01-24T08:28:31.746-08:00Homeschooling<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCu7MNBClW-vPR90w_8AovMV5dWc5rPXdbhOukokbzmEa17RtlHOXHT2AweLgLQxZX3pkOhUnp2CHPldk08D-DC0LbmIHjy-gKaYBEgIMHw0kWoHnqIKpmYgDr815fgYC38yXGjCw6W0wU/s1600/photo-18.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 298px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCu7MNBClW-vPR90w_8AovMV5dWc5rPXdbhOukokbzmEa17RtlHOXHT2AweLgLQxZX3pkOhUnp2CHPldk08D-DC0LbmIHjy-gKaYBEgIMHw0kWoHnqIKpmYgDr815fgYC38yXGjCw6W0wU/s400/photo-18.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701235876197759890" border="0" /></a><br /><style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:"Times New Roman"; panose-1:0 2 2 6 3 5 4 5 2 3; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:50331648 0 0 0 1 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-parent:""; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --></style><span style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" >Once upon a time, just the other day, there lived a family of five just down the street. Some days Momma stayed home, and some days Daddy stayed home. Every day Ava Anne, Savannah Lynn, and Hunter Thomas stayed home. Nothing extravagant ever seemed to happen. In fact, every day seemed almost the same as the day before. When Ava Anne, Savannah Lynn and Hunter Thomas awoke, they would tip-toe out of their bedrooms, down the hall, and to the kitchen. Momma or Daddy would be there or on the nearby couch, reading or eating or doing something uninteresting like sorting mail.</span><br /><p style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal" face="arial" style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" face="arial" style=" color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">On this particular day, Ava Anne awoke with her little sister, Savannah Lynn, looking right at her. Ava Anne jumped a little.<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“Vannah!” Ava Anne said with a start. “What are you doing?”</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Savannah Lynn giggled. She had been awake for a while now, but she didn’t want to leave the room without her “sissy.”<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“Good morning!” Savannah Lynn said with a grin.<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“Ugh.” Ava Anne grumbled. “Your breath <i>stinks!”</i><span style="font-style: normal;"> It was true, Savannah Lynn’s morning breath was not pleasant. Then again, neither was Ava Anne’s.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><span style="font-style:normal"><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“Let’s go play!” Savannah Lynn suggested. This is what she had been waiting for. It was no fun waking up first if no one else was awake to play with.<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“Oh, fine.” Ava Anne said. She rubbed her sleepy eyes.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Ava Anne and Savannah Lynn crawled out of their big bed, tip-toed down the hall and toward the kitchen. Momma was making toast and scrambled eggs.<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“Oh, good. You finally woke up. I was just about to come get you,” Momma said.<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“Why?” Ava Anne asked. “It’s not <i>that </i><span style="font-style:normal">late.” She looked at the clock on the microwave. It said 8:03. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“No, but you need to get dressed and get going on your school-work, Ava,” Momma said. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“Right now?” Ava Anne asked.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“No, not right now. You can eat breakfast first. Then I want you to get dressed and come back out here.” </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“But Vannah and I want to play.” Ava Anne argued. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“I’m glad you want to play together,” Momma said, “ but this morning I need you to work on your school work. Ok?”</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Ava Anne sighed. She did not always like having Momma as her teacher, but that’s what happens when you home school. Ava Anne had never attended a regular school, ridden a school bus, or packed a lunch. Instead, Ava Anne did most of her school-work at the computer desk in the dining room or at the kitchen table. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Today, when Ava Anne finished with her breakfast and when she finished getting dressed, she sat down at the computer desk. Momma had already turned on the computer and had stacked Ava Anne’s books at the end of the desk. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“Today I want you to write a story, Ava Anne,” Momma instructed. “It can be about anything you want, but I want you to make it up. This is called <i>fiction</i><span style="font-style: normal">.” </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“Write a story?” Ava Anne asked. “That’s too hard for me.”</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“No, it is not,” Momma said. “You make up stories all the time when you play with your dolls. It doesn’t have to be very long, maybe a page or two. If you need more help you can look at lesson 25 in your literature book. Ok?”</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Ava Anne nodded. What would she ever write about? How was she supposed to make up a whole story <i>and</i><span style="font-style:normal"> write it down? </span><i>What could I write about</i><span style="font-style:normal">. Ava Anne thought. </span><i>Dolls? No. Horses? No. Well, maybe. An adventure? Maybe. But what kind of adventure? </i><span style="font-style:normal">Ava Anne thought and thought. Finally, as she was imagining an adventure in her own backyard, she got it. </span><i>I know! I’m going to write about a girl who…</i><span style="font-style:normal"></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Ava Anne began typing. “Once upon a time, there lived a girl,” she wrote. She kept typing, with little pauses here and there to think of the next word. Finally, Ava Anne was finished. She had written two whole pages! Momma was going to be so proud. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“I’m done!” Ava Anne yelled to Momma who was helping Savannah Lynn with her homework in the other room. Momma came in to see what Ava had done. She smiled when she saw two pages. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“Let me sit down so I can read it,” Momma said. Ava Anne got up from the office chair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Momma started reading. Every now and then she would smile as she muttered a few words under her breath. Ava Anne was nervous. She was not sure Momma would like it. After a while, Momma finally smiled a big, toothy smile. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“That’s <i>great</i><span style="font-style:normal">, Ava Anne. See? I told you you could do it. I think you might be a writer some day.”</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Ava Anne grinned, but said, “I can’t be a writer. I’m not <i>that</i><span style="font-style:normal"> good. But you like my story?”</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Momma frowned. “Ava, don’t ever say you can’t do something. You can do just about anything. And you, my dear, wrote a very good story.”</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“Alright,” Ava Anne said with a sigh. “Maybe I’ll be a writer some day. Or maybe I won’t. Ok?”</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">“Ok,” Momma said with a grin. “Now, how about that math homework?”</p>Lenaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09779427845131366855noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3330193972808518594.post-78872179011532910922012-01-19T07:02:00.000-08:002012-01-19T07:19:13.300-08:00Max, Ducky and the Dinosaws<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgijAODa2Jk7UQ-Xb9n5NGb2__m5ZdUZga1dD1ijWqeMwG1DOh1Y8CBfZXraSQlofEEXL1QceUGk4UaHMGWX1dMZEvNnERcL84RRoNPYZY0TpUYGtsArBMyr-bmbzpW_pM0gG1xC_WJ7bWb/s1600/IMG_0718.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgijAODa2Jk7UQ-Xb9n5NGb2__m5ZdUZga1dD1ijWqeMwG1DOh1Y8CBfZXraSQlofEEXL1QceUGk4UaHMGWX1dMZEvNnERcL84RRoNPYZY0TpUYGtsArBMyr-bmbzpW_pM0gG1xC_WJ7bWb/s400/IMG_0718.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5699361564303515074" border="0" /></a><br /><style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:"Times New Roman"; panose-1:0 2 2 6 3 5 4 5 2 3; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:50331648 0 0 0 1 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-parent:""; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style> <p style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal">Once upon a time, just the other day, there lived a family of five just down the street. Some days Momma stayed home, and some days Daddy stayed home. Every day Ava Anne, Savannah Lynn, and Hunter Thomas stayed home. Nothing extravagant ever seemed to happen. In fact, every day seemed almost the same as the day before. When Ava Anne, Savannah Lynn and Hunter Thomas awoke, they would tip-toe out of their bedrooms, down the hall, and to the kitchen. Momma or Daddy would be there or on the nearby couch, reading or eating or doing something uninteresting like sorting mail.<br /></p><p style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: arial;"> </p><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: arial;">On this particular day, Hunter Thomas awoke first. It was very early. The sun was just waking up, too. Hunter Thomas crawled out of his new Big Boy Bed, tip-toed down the hall and toward the kitchen. Only one light was on, and the curtains were still closed. Not even Momma was awake yet. <i>That’s ok</i><span style="font-style:normal">, Hunter Thomas thought, </span><i>I’ll just play with Ducky and Max.</i><span style="font-style:normal"></span></p><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: arial;"> </p><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: arial;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: arial;">Hunter Thomas stopped in front of the microwave and waited.<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: arial;"><br /></p><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: arial;"> </p><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: arial;">“Max?” Hunter Thomas finally said. There was no reply. <i>Guess he’s still sleeping, </i><span style="font-style: normal">Hunter Thomas thought. </span><i>I’ll just play with Ducky.</i><span style="font-style: normal;"> Hunter Thomas walked out of the kitchen, tip-toed down the hall and toward his bedroom. He pulled Ducky out of his shirt. Ever since Hunter Thomas could remember, Ducky had lived in his shirt with just his yellow head and orange bill sticking out. Hunter Thomas liked having a friend with him all the time.<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: arial;"><span style="font-style:normal"><br /></span></p><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: arial;"> </p><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: arial;">“Let’s play dinosaws, Ducky,” Hunter Thomas said. They pulled out a T-Rex, a dinosaur named Spike, and a couple of blue long-necks. After a while, though, Hunter Thomas wondered if Max was ready to play. Hunter Thomas stuffed Ducky back in his shirt and tip-toed down the hall and toward the kitchen. Once again, he stopped in front of the microwave. This time, Momma was in the kitchen making coffee. She turned around just in time to see Hunter Thomas stop in front of the microwave.<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: arial;"><br /></p><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: arial;"> </p><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: arial;">“Good morning, Hunter Thomas,” Momma said. “Are you hungry?” Hunter Thomas shook his head.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: arial;"><br /></p><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: arial;"> </p><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: arial;">“Well can I help you with something?” Momma asked, puzzled. After a long pause, Hunter Thomas finally turned around. </p><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: arial;"> </p><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: arial;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: arial;">“I’m waiting fo-wah Max to wake up.”</p><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: arial;"> </p><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: arial;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: arial;">“Who is Max?” Momma asked. </p><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: arial;"> </p><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: arial;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: arial;">“My fwend.” Hunter Thomas said. </p><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: arial;"> </p><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: arial;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: arial;">Momma was still puzzled. She did not know who Max was. She did not know when he was going to wake up. And she certainly did not know why Hunter Thomas was waiting for him at the microwave. </p><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: arial;"> </p><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: arial;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: arial;">“Hunter, why are you staring at the microwave?” Momma asked.</p><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: arial;"> </p><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: arial;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: arial;">“’Cuz Max is <i>sleeping.</i><span style="font-style:normal">” </span></p><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: arial;"> </p><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: arial;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: arial;">“Where is Max sleeping?” Momma asked. </p><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: arial;"> </p><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: arial;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: arial;">Hunter Thomas sighed. “<i>Behind </i><span style="font-style:normal">the mic-wo-wave.”</span></p><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: arial;"> </p><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: arial;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: arial;">“Ooooh,” Momma said, “I see.” Hunter Thomas had an <i>imaginary </i><span style="font-style:normal">friend. </span></p><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: arial;"> </p><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: arial;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: arial;">“Should we knock?” Momma asked.</p><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: arial;"> </p><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: arial;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: arial;">“What?” Hunter Thomas asked, confused. </p><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: arial;"> </p><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: arial;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: arial;">“Should we knock on the door and see if he wakes up?”</p><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: arial;"> </p><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: arial;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: arial;">Hunter Thomas grinned. Momma was smart! Momma knocked and looked down at Hunter Thomas. They waited a few seconds. Then suddenly, Hunter Thomas grinned.<br /></p><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: arial;"> </p><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: arial;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: arial;">“Oh, hi, Max!” He said, “Let’s play dinosaws.”</p><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: arial;"> </p><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family:arial;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" ><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:380.0pt"><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family:arial;" >Momma grinned as Hunter, Ducky and Max left the kitchen, whispering about </span><i style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: arial;">dinosaws.</i><span style="font-style: normal"></span></p>Lenaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09779427845131366855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3330193972808518594.post-58456244621872745512012-01-17T06:33:00.000-08:002012-01-17T06:41:33.341-08:00Savannah Lynn's Frog<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGLp7y9m3jtEmi-7_J2DBsnRdOxDTS0l-xfBbfd171d30hXFwMjxHlG_l0V5v4kafkjCrKzvnw97vQyY_XF1JJqCnE3uX1mDskrKnJvHX8CLaYYOM1LfzfOQCfAQTDFe6AONhQfE_fAxP3/s1600/photo-17.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 293px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGLp7y9m3jtEmi-7_J2DBsnRdOxDTS0l-xfBbfd171d30hXFwMjxHlG_l0V5v4kafkjCrKzvnw97vQyY_XF1JJqCnE3uX1mDskrKnJvHX8CLaYYOM1LfzfOQCfAQTDFe6AONhQfE_fAxP3/s400/photo-17.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698609238239727602" border="0" /></a> <style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:"Times New Roman"; panose-1:0 2 2 6 3 5 4 5 2 3; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:50331648 0 0 0 1 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-parent:""; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style> <p style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);" class="MsoNormal">Once upon a time, just the other day, there lived a family of five just down the street. Some days Momma stayed home, and some days Daddy stayed home. Every day, Ava Anne, Savannah Lynn, and Hunter Thomas stayed home. Nothing extravagant ever seemed to happen. In fact, every day seemed almost the same as the day before. When Ava Anne, Savannah Lynn and Hunter Thomas awoke, they would tip-toe from their bedrooms, down the hall, and to the kitchen. Momma or Daddy would be there or on the nearby couch, reading or eating or doing something uninteresting like sorting mail.</p><p style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);" class="MsoNormal"> </p><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);" class="MsoNormal">On this particular day Savannah Lynn awoke first. Something was not right. She swallowed. And swallowed again. <i>Ouch! </i><span style="font-style: normal;">She thought. When she went to bed the night before her throat was scratchy. Now it was downright miserable!</span></p><p style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-style:normal"><br /></span></p><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);" class="MsoNormal"> </p><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);" class="MsoNormal">Savannah Lynn slowly sat up, crawled out of bed, and tip-toed down the hall, away from her bedroom, toward the kitchen. Something smelled yummy. In the kitchen she found Daddy. He was scrambling eggs, frying bacon, and stirring a pot of salt-and-butter grits.<br /></p><p style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);" class="MsoNormal"> </p><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);" class="MsoNormal">“Oh! Good morning, Be-u-ti-ful,” Daddy almost sang. Savannah Lynn could only sigh.<br /></p><p style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);" class="MsoNormal"> </p><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);" class="MsoNormal">“Uh! What’s the matter with my sweet girl?” Daddy asked. “Is she still sleepy?” </p><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);" class="MsoNormal">Savannah Lynn did not answer. She only walked over to Daddy. He picked up his silent girl and touched her too-warm neck and forehead with the back of his hand. </p><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);" class="MsoNormal"> </p><p style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);" class="MsoNormal">“Oh my goodness!” He said. “You have a fever.” Ava Anne and Hunter Thomas were sick just a few days ago. Savannah Lynn must have caught the same Bug. She hated these kinds of Bugs. They were far worse than creepy crawly bugs.<br /></p><p style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);" class="MsoNormal"> </p><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);" class="MsoNormal">“Well, are you hungry for some breakfast?” Daddy asked. Savannah Lynn opened her mouth and tried to say no, but instead she heard a frog. She shook her head. Daddy hugged her close and walked to the couch. He lay her down, tucked her under a blanket, and turned on the cartoon channel.<br /></p><p style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);" class="MsoNormal"> </p><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);" class="MsoNormal">“You just rest here,” he said. “I’ll be in the kitchen.”<br /></p><p style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);" class="MsoNormal"> </p><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);" class="MsoNormal">Not too much later Ava Anne tip-toed down the hall, away from her bedroom, and toward the kitchen. She saw Savannah Lynn on the couch. Ava Anne knew Savannah Lynn didn’t look quite right.<br /></p><p style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);" class="MsoNormal"> </p><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);" class="MsoNormal">“What’s the matter?” Ava Anne asked. Savannah Lynn opened her mouth and tried to say something. Instead of words, Ava Anne heard a frog.</p><p style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);" class="MsoNormal"> </p><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);" class="MsoNormal">“Whaaat?” Ava Anne asked. Savannah Lynn swallowed hard, opened her mouth and said, in a very frog-like way, “I-I lost my-my-my mouth noise.” Ava Anne giggled.<br /></p><p style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);" class="MsoNormal"> </p><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);" class="MsoNormal">“Your ‘mouth noise?’” Ava Anne repeated. Savannah Lynn nodded her head.</p><p style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);" class="MsoNormal"> </p><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);" class="MsoNormal">“You mean your <i>voice?</i><span style="font-style:normal">” Ava Anne asked with another giggle. Savannah Lynn nodded. From the kitchen, Daddy heard their conversation. </span></p><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);" class="MsoNormal"> </p><p style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span><p style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);" class="MsoNormal">He yelled, “She has a Bug! And there’s a BIG frog after it.” Ava Anne giggled, and Savannah Lynn smiled. Daddy always knew how to make his girls laugh.</p><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> </span>Lenaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09779427845131366855noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3330193972808518594.post-23622266870543682882012-01-11T11:22:00.000-08:002012-01-11T11:31:51.912-08:00Ava Anne's Surprise<style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:"Times New Roman"; panose-1:0 2 2 6 3 5 4 5 2 3; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:50331648 0 0 0 1 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-parent:""; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style> <p style="color: rgb(102, 51, 0); font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal">Once upon a time, just the other day, there lived a family of five just down the street. Some days Momma stayed home, and some days Daddy stayed home. Every day Ava Anne, Savannah Lynn, and Hunter Thomas stayed home. Nothing extravagant ever seemed to happen. In fact, every day seemed almost the same as the day before. When Ava Anne, Savannah Lynn and Hunter Thomas awoke, they would tip-toe out of their bedrooms, down the hall, and to the kitchen. Momma or Daddy would be there or on the nearby couch, reading or eating or doing something uninteresting like sorting mail.<br /></p><p style="color: rgb(102, 51, 0); font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 0); font-family: arial;"> </span><p style="color: rgb(102, 51, 0); font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"> </p><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 0); font-family: arial;"> </span><p style="color: rgb(102, 51, 0); font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal">On this particular day, Ava Anne awoke first—or so she thought. She tip-toed down the hall, away from her bedroom, and toward the kitchen. She passed Momma on the couch. Momma said, “Good morning.” Ava Anne just moaned. Her words had not yet found their way to her mouth. </p><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 0); font-family: arial;"> </span><p style="color: rgb(102, 51, 0); font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><br />Ava Anne continued on to the kitchen where she reached as high as she could for the box of “Daddy-cereal.” She had called this cereal “Daddy-cereal” for as long as she could remember. It was Daddy’s favorite cereal, and she did not like the real name. Her blue plastic cereal bowl was already on the counter. She poured the cereal in the bowl, then began searching the full refrigerator for the carton of milk. She was happy to find an almost empty carton that was easy to lift and pour. </p><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 0); font-family: arial;"> </span><p style="color: rgb(102, 51, 0); font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"> </p><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 0); font-family: arial;"> </span><p style="color: rgb(102, 51, 0); font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal">Finally, Ava Anne carefully carried her cereal back to the couch where Momma sat, waiting. </p><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 0); font-family: arial;"> </span><p style="color: rgb(102, 51, 0); font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"> </p><p style="color: rgb(102, 51, 0); font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 0); font-family: arial;"> </span><p style="color: rgb(102, 51, 0); font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal">“How’s my sweet girl this morning,” Momma asked. Ava Anne just shrugged. Her mind had not yet turned on, and her eyes were still blurry. </p><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 0); font-family: arial;"> </span><p style="color: rgb(102, 51, 0); font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"> </p><p style="color: rgb(102, 51, 0); font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 0); font-family: arial;"> </span><p style="color: rgb(102, 51, 0); font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal">“Guess what I found this morning,” Momma said. Ava Anne thought it was probably a magazine in the mail or clothes left on the floor. She did not guess. </p><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 0); font-family: arial;"> </span><p style="color: rgb(102, 51, 0); font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"> </p><p style="color: rgb(102, 51, 0); font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 0); font-family: arial;"> </span><p style="color: rgb(102, 51, 0); font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal">“Well, I found a cute little puppy,” Momma said. Ava Anne stopped chewing. <i>A puppy!</i><span style="font-style: normal;"> She thought. Momma saw the grin spreading across Ava Anne’s face.<br /></span></p><p style="color: rgb(102, 51, 0); font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-style:normal"><br /></span></p><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 0); font-family: arial;"> </span><p style="color: rgb(102, 51, 0); font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"> </p><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 0); font-family: arial;"> </span><p style="color: rgb(102, 51, 0); font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal">“That’s right,” Momma continued, “look at this sweet little thing.” Ava Anna was so sleepy she had not even noticed the rather large lump under the blanket on Momma’s lap. When Momma pulled back the blanket, Ava Anne saw what “sweet little thing” Momma was talking about. It got up on all four limbs and started walking toward her. Ava Anne began to giggle. </p><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 0); font-family: arial;"> </span><p style="color: rgb(102, 51, 0); font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"> </p><p style="color: rgb(102, 51, 0); font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 0); font-family: arial;"> </span><p style="color: rgb(102, 51, 0); font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal">“That’s not a puppy!” She said. “That’s Hunter Thomas.” Indeed, it was Hunter Thomas, her three-year-old brother. He had been curled up on Momma’s lap, under the warmth of a blanket. But when he came out, he crawled like a puppy, barked like a puppy, and even licked Ava Anne’s hand like a puppy.<br /></p><p style="color: rgb(102, 51, 0); font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 0); font-family: arial;"> </span><p style="color: rgb(102, 51, 0); font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"> </p><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 0); font-family: arial;"> </span><p style="color: rgb(102, 51, 0); font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal">“Ew!” Ava Anne squealed. “That puppy just licked me!” Momma chuckled.<br /></p><p style="color: rgb(102, 51, 0); font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 0); font-family: arial;"> </span><p style="color: rgb(102, 51, 0); font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"> </p><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 0); font-family: arial;"> </span><p style="color: rgb(102, 51, 0); font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal">“Well, he <i>is</i><span style="font-style:normal"> a puppy,” she said. </span></p>Lenaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09779427845131366855noreply@blogger.com1