Setting out on a day hike, do you

a) tuck your cell phone in your pocket and take off

b) load a backpack with a water bottle, sunscreen, trail map and granola bars and take off

c) assemble items needed for any conceivable situation or emergency that may arise and rent two pack mules to accompany you

B is the logical answer for a normal person. But for a person who greatly fears the poor performance that prior planning probably prevents, sometimes B feels more like A and C sounds pretty reasonable (although maybe only one mule for a day trip).

Such is the situation I find myself in now, compiling lists to pack in spirit before gathering items to pack in the back of the van. What will I need for almost 3 weeks on the road? What will the children need? What about the different needs for special occasions? Just how much room *do* I have in the back of Washington anyway?

The objective? Bring to life plan B while satisfying/quelling the drive behind plan C and avoiding the laissez-faire “plan” A.

Step 1 is lists, lots and lots of lists. What to pack, what to purchase en route, which items are on stand-by with space limitations, where they will go in the van. Lists of what needs to be done in the days before departure, what needs to be done right before we walk out the door (along with the inverse operations for when we return). Tentative itineraries, desired activities, budget categories and amounts.

I think Step 2 is packing. I’ll let you know when I get there.  =)

This Anya girl’s a special one, it’s birthday time for her!!!

John and John are back again, this time taking us on a musical adventure through the realm of numbers.

Everyone has their own favorites, though the videos and song preferences don’t always match up. My top picks would be Triops & Nonagon for clever but simple lyrics throughout, 7 for very catchy music. Cheanna’s favorite is Seven Days of the Week (I Never Go to Work), which needs to be viewed to fully enjoy the humor of the song. Ten Mississippi is one I skip over–it doesn’t appeal to me at all. Elena favors the two seven songs, and Emma Catharine recommends Figure Eight and Pirate Girls Nine.

Ephraim’s enchanted by their creation, it makes a great companion to Here Come The ABCs. You can hear him singing various songs as he’s playing. Nine Bowls of Soup was the first one he took a shine to, “whoa, whoa, whoooaa”s  all over the place. Duncan enjoys Nine Bowls of Soup even more because Ephraim does.

Richard opines that it is not as amusing or catchy as the ABCs. Don’t worry, there will be many more opportunities for him to listen and watch in the near future. He may not like it as much, but he will have it committed to memory in no time.  =)

Updated with live photo:

A little voice from the bed this morning, when I was coaching Ephraim to call out to our departing guests:

“buhbye”

There was much cheering for Anya’s first word.