Announcing: Mooseclumps!

I am so, so proud to finally announce the release of Ryan's new book/blog, Mooseclumps. Ryan started writing and illustrating these children's poems a couple years ago, and he has now compiled them on this blog, which he plans to post a new poem to every week. All I can say is that they're wonderful. But I'll let the poems speak for themselves. Please take a look, share with your family and friends, and if you feel so inclined, give the Facebook "Like" button a big ol' click. He appreciates every comment and every "like," and so far, he's had a fabulous response from people all over the world. I've included a few of my favorites below, but visit the site to see them all. I hope you see the same magic in these poems as I do. Enjoy!

I Love a Man in Tights.

Ryan had the sudden urge last fall to audition for a musical production of the play Cinderella, put on every year around Christmas-time by the local Raleigh Little Theatre. And to my surprise, he didn't just talk about it... he actually auditioned. Most of the cast members tend to come back year after year, so Ryan was doubtful on whether they had a place for him. Not only was he called back for a second audition, but he was one of those up for the prince role! God I would have loved that. He ended up being in the quartet and in the ensemble, which he preferred and was perfectly content with. I went to the family preview night, and then a second time with Ryan's family and Aiden, who got to see his dad with a white-painted face, dancing in tights, in full garb. It... was.. priceless. Ryan's always had a love for community theater and has his heart set on being a returning cast member this winter. I can't wait.

Ryan signing autographs for the kids after the show.

Catching up (I'm slow). Vermont.

I feel like I'm being anti-productive with this blog, considering it's supposed to document the most up-to-date events going on in our lives. But there's so much you've missed! Forgive me if I backtrack for just a few posts, but I'll only take forward steps once I've filled this empty hole.

A few posts back, I blogged about our upcoming trip to Vermont (yes, last September). Ryan was finally introduced to the million and one things I've talked (and talked... and talked... and talked) about concerning my childhood home. We stayed at my Meme's house in Hinesburg for four days or so, and were able to spend a night in Montpelier with our friends Josh and Roxanne who had moved up there in the summer. We did as much as you could possibly do in this amount of time: visited the cider mill, toured Ben & Jerry's (with our friend Josh as the tour guide), spent an afternoon in Stowe, got creamies in downtown Burlington, cooked out on the lake in my hometown, went to Shelburne Farms, ate maple candy, visited my elementary school, hiked Camel's Hump, had dinner in Montpelier, went on beautiful drives, and spent some quality time with BOTH sides of my family. In other words, wonderful trip. Well, except for all of Ryan's whining on the hike. He was not a happy camper. But the view was worth it!

Like I always say, something about that place centers me. It's a different way of life and one that I will always long for. Everything moves a little slower, but with that comes the appreciation of your surroundings. My favorite moment of our trip was driving around with Ryan on my Meme's property in one of her golf carts. It was early morning and the grass was covered with dew; the sky was misty and the air was crisp, with the rolling mountains on the skyline. I didn't want to put my jacket on because I wanted to breathe in all the freshness and goodness of my "home." I think Ryan finally came to understand what all my blabbering was about.

Standing in Meme's front yard. Hinesburg, VT

Lunch on Main Street. Stowe, VT

On the top of Camel's Hump after a day's hike.

Ben & Jerry's in Waterbury, VT with Josh, our friend and tourguide.

Ryan, me, and Memere. Dinner at my aunt's house on Lake Iroquois.