Homophones Anyone?

Today I had a training meeting. During the meeting, one of the staff developers--which means she's most likely a former teacher with a Master's Degree in education, and just happens to be from someplace in the South--was discussing teaching the blend "wh" (why, what, when). She suggested we use the word "whistle" as a key, or anchor, word to help the kids learn the sound. This was different from the printed information we had been previously given, when it was suggested that we use the word "wheel."

"I don't know what I was thinking," she said. "Wheel is just like 'will.' They're homophones."

Yes, that's pretty much the way I learned it in third grade: to, too, two; hear, here; there, their; bare, bear; wheel, will. Yup.

WHEW!

Disclaimer: I did not choose the following picture. Andrew chose it.

HE MADE IT!!!

Not sure who was more nervous . . . Andrew or me!

So plan now to attend

"Once Upon a Mattress"

presented by the Springville Jr. High School

March 10-12, 18-19

(Andrew is in the chorus, as are all 7th graders.)

Snow Day!

"If you've no place to go, let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!"

As a twelve year old, is there anything in the world better than having school cancelled?! I think not. Andrew spent yesterday shoveling driveways with his friend, Pierce, attempting to sled in snow that wasn't packed enough to sled, and playing X-Box. The only downside he could see was that his trombone will be held hostage in the band room all Christmas break!

On the other hand, with the weather outside too snowy to drive, and no flour in the house for baking, what could I do but spend several hours writing?! (And I don't want to hear nothing about cleaning the bathrooms.)

My camera was uncooperative earlier in the day when the snow was coming down, the roads were snow-packed and every driveway in the cul de sac featured someone with a snow shovel! You're just going to have to imagine that.

Kai loved trail blazing in the chest high snow!

Small World!

Today Andrew went to a birthday party. As he was preparing to leave, he mentioned his friend's full name was Wilford . . . Kimball III. A light went on. The man who sealed us in the temple on that fateful day in August, the father of the missionary who baptized Alan's parents, was Wilford Kimball. No way!

So Andrew called his friend and asked him if someone in his family was named Wayne. Ah yes, his grandfather! So there you have it: one of Andrew's best friend's grandpa taught and baptized Andrew's grandparents in Chicago about forty-five years ago! And his great-grandpa sealed us thirty-two years ago! (Doesn't that sound like a President Monson story?)

Andrew says he thinks they're going to be friends for a long time, and I think he's right!

Celebrating

The arrival of our latest grandson,

Jackson Hoffman,

born to

Danny & Kristi

Friday, December 3, 2010,

at 6:17 p.m.

He weighs 7 pounds 9 ounces

and is 21 inches long,

with dark hair, and an extremely happy daddy.

(I'm sure the mommy is equally happy--and tired--but I haven't had this personally confirmed.)

Unfortunately there are no pictures, because he is far, far away in Florida :(

I have to wait to meet him.

Titles

Since I am nearing the end of my novel rewrite--nearing being a relative term you understand--I'd like some feedback on titles. One you'll recognize, since it's the one I've been using (provided by Danny). The others were suggestions from the professional readers who evaluated my manuscript. So the question is--which of these titles would most make you pull the book off the shelf?! (Feel free to provide your own suggestions.)

*Galactic Gold

*Black Jade

*Jade

*Jaded

*Searching for Jade

*Searching for True Treasure

*The Price of Jade

FYI, I'm just over 300 pages into my rewrite; it's current length is 367 pgs, but will probably grow some before it's finished.

A Perfect Fall Afternoon!

Knowing that winter is on its way, we decided to enjoy the gorgeous weather outside today. We ate pizza at Holdaway Park, played in the playground, and then drove up Hobble Creek Canyon. So beautiful! Fall is my favorite season--the brilliant colors, the crunchy leaves, the cloudless blue sky, the skift of snow on the mountains, the weather that's just cool enough for a sweater! I love the fall!