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Wednesday was the Early Childhood conference over at Concordia University. They put on a very nice event. People travel from all over the state and surrounding states to attend. They often have nationally and internationally-recognized keynote speakers. We shut down the CDC so we could attend, and I’m glad – it’s great to be refreshed and energized. Kim, who has commented here before, presented and she was fantastic and thought-provoking.

This year Brent, Brad and Beth’s brother, did a presentation on Physics Toys. It was great – like an hour-long infomercial for Educational Innovations! He acknowledged that many of these things wouldn’t be appropriate for young children, but it was great to see all the stuff and be able to play with things. (I got to hold a lead brick!)

His only mistake was after the lights went out and he made a tiny fire using air combustion, he should have ‘disappeared’ when the lights came back on.

Those Royuks – always doin’ somethin’.

You know that I love to buy cameras, right? Well, how about buying three cameras in two days? Pretty slick, huh?

I’m trying to be better about putting photos of the kids up on my work’s website and Facebook page, but couldn’t figure out a good way to get photos of the school-age children. I had tried asking some of the college staff to take pictures with their phones and e-mail them to me, but that was a pixelated disaster.

Did you know that they sell cameras in blister-packs? Like how they sell…….. and here I am having a difficult time thinking of other things sold in blister packs.

Anyway, the first one was an underwater one – more money than I wanted to pay but they could take it to the pool. After purchase, I read reviews that said it was awful. Back to Target to exchange it for a toy:

When I tried to put batteries in it the next day the screw that held the battery cover just spun and spun. Not good. Took it back.

Hello Kitty to the rescue!

It’s priced midway between the toy and the scuba camera, and took some fairly decent pictures in the sunlight. It’s toy-like enough that if it gets dropped, I can’t imagine that it would hurt the innards. Great – I just jinxed it.

(I believe it is the tenth camera I have acquired in my life. Yikes.)

I’m beat and lazy, so say something about these here lions.

Woo-hoo! Today’s supposed to be rainy! I’m walking to work and it’s going to rain! I’m ever so excited about the RAIN!

As you’ve probably surmised, I can get a little obsessive about things: ukuleles, pies, fire, and reusable bags. Well, what if I told you there was a reusable bag you could wear? Huh?

Huh?

Doesn’t do it for you?

Really? Well, we can’t be friends anymore.

See, I have two raincoats – one lined with corduroy (cozy) and one lined with whales (awesome). But the corduroy one is too warm and the whale one is a thrift store purchase and it leaks. So, after grilling Beth about her raincoat, I went on a weeks-long obsessive search for a raincoat. I came across the Woolrich Brookmill Jacket from Sierra Trading Post that was on sale and *gasp* packed into its pocket!!

I was so excited when it arrived I believe I screamed a bit. It’s crazy light – only good for summer wear, but I love, love, love it.

Did I mention it packs into its pocket?

I am so obsessive that after it arrived I went into full-on hoarder mode and ordered another one. You know, in case they ever stop making raincoats? Can’t have too many.

I have my two, so if you want one, you can order it here. (You can even see a dorky picture of me in the reviews.)

Don’t wear your raincoat to my house, though. I’ll take it.

Burger night is back! Burger night is back!

God bless the hamburger fundraiser at our farmers’ market. There is nothing better than knowing that on Wednesday night – dinner is taken care of. (Well, there is something better: The weekly adrenaline rush of re-remembering that it’s happening. “Hmmmmm, what to make for dinner tonight…. Hey! It’s burger night!”)

This time we almost missed out. Lloyd and I were going to meet there (walking from home and work, respectively). He asked me to stop at the bank to get some cash. Once inside the ATM hideout, I discovered that I had several wallet-shaped items in my bag (camera, camera charger, cell phone, iPod case), but no wallet.

NOOOOO!!!!

It was torture – I could see the burgers cooking, but would be denied their inexpensive deliciousness.

Luckily we scraped together the five bucks for dinner. Lesson learned: Hide cash in odd spots. Future you will thank you.

Oh, speaking of farmers’ markets, check out my sister’s booth in Alaska! Mobile Mending with a foot-powered sewing machine!