A Grumpy Day Poem

The Grumpies
A children's poem by Trish Jackson

Grumpies, Grumpies, go away!
Grumpies, Grumpies, you cannot stay.

You turn my sunshine into gray,
you make my happy run away.

My sister's crunches are too loud.
I wish she'd learn to close her mouth!

My favorite sweater feels too tight.
My favorite socks just don't fit right.

My brother makes me late for school.
My homework's covered in dog drool.

My teacher gives a hard pop quiz
My Coke at lunch forgot to fizz.

Grumpies, Grumpies, go away!
Grumpies, Grumpies, you cannot stay.

Perhaps you just came out to play
But when you're here, I frown all day.

To be continued....

Book # 18: T.S. Eliot Quote

For I have known them all already, known them all-
Have known the evening,
mornings, afternoons,
I have measured out my
life with coffee spoons.
- T.S Eliot

Book # 18: Strong Women, Soft Hearts

Book: Strong Women, Soft Hearts
Author: Paula Rinehart
Acquired: Gift from Kristen Macurda
Favorite Quote so far: " It is a bit of a mystery how we lose the early glow we have when the wonder of the gospel first caputres us. How we slowly drift from the domain of the heart to a focus on efficiency and performances- as though this whole thing was mostly about doing and duty. The passion is replaced with just showing up. "

Books #12-16: Percy Jackson and the Olympians

I have gotten a little off track. The original 42 books idea was to read through books in my own library that I haven't yet finished. Alas, I stumbled upon a fun adolescent adventure series in our school library and after reading the first book, I couldn't resist reading the rest.

If you like Harry Potter, you will probably like this series as well! Although the reading level, character and plot development, and style could never match the JK Rowling's carefully crafted tales, it is still a great read!

Get more info on Percy Jackson and the Olympians here. Happy Reading!

Charlotte here we come!

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A day in Barça

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Las Ramblas

We took a night walk down Las Ramblas, the most famous street in Spain!





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On the way to Barcelona

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L'Oceanogràfic

We had a wonderful time at the aquarium today! The dolphin show was our favorite.... And the hamburgers were amazing! I think that we were all longing for a taste of home :D








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In Valencia

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La Alhambra

On Wednesday we visited the Alhambra palace, the last stronghold of the Moors in Spain!








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Morocco

Our trip to morocco was today! The ferry ride on the way three was a little rough, but worth it! We took a walking tour through thrvold medina where we saw an open air market with multicolored chickens, beans, spices, and meat. We haggled over prices for carpets and made a visit to a local pharmacy that had herbal remedies for almost everything...including baldness and acne!
















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Group Photo!

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More Seville sights!

The Cathedral in Seville! The third largest cathedral in the world!



The Royal Garden at the Alcazar palace!


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Plaza de Toros

We visited Seville's famous bullring today. Wish we could have seen an actual bullfight!


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Good Morning from Seville!

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Flamenco

We to a flamenco show last night! Kelsey and Alli even got to go on stage and learn some flamenco moves!!


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La Mezquita

I am so proud of our kids today :) we are traveling with two groups from California. One is a group of 6 girls and one guy from Morgan Hill, California, just south of San Francisco. The other is group of deaf students.

Right we are in the bus on our way to Cordoba to visit the largest mosque in Europe,, La Mezquita, and several of the girls are learning sign language and speaking with the deaf students! Alli Rybak, Kelsey, Madalyn, and Karson are going to come back knowing so many signs!

It is a joy to see them interact with and love these students!



In the Mezquita with new friends!

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Metro ride

We rode on Madrid's metro. For several students this was their first time!


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Museo del Prado

Yesterday we did a whirlwind tour of the Museo del Prado, considered one of the three most important museums in the world (the louvre in France is another). We saw painting by Rubens, Velazquez, Goya, Rembrandt, Titian. Our favorite: Las Meninas by Velazquez!


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Hanging out at the Royal Palace

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Starbucks

A little taste of home :D


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Ready for a new day!

Waiting in the lobby of our hotel. City tour this morning!



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First day complete

Everyone us in bed after a long first day! Dinner was yummy, pasta, potatoes and ham... Ice cream for dessert.

We did a lot of walking this evening through downtown Madrid. There were thousands of people out enjoying the Semana Santa (Holy Week) activities. We saw living statues, part of a holy week procession, a live jazz band. Excited for tomorrow!




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First day in Spain

We made it!!

Our flight arrived early the Spanish time of 6:30am (12:30am at home)! We were exhausted, but excited!

This morning we dropped off our bags at Hotel Mediodia right in the center of Madrid, near the Atocha train station. Then we enjoyed a yummy breakfast of porras(think long, skinny Spanish donuts, but less sugary) and coffee at a little cafe next to the hotel.

After that we went with our guide Matthew for a walking tour of the beautiful Buen Retio park. Everyone was out running, riding bikes, and enjoying the beautiful day. Most people were off work for Good Friday!

A small group of us went to the Reina Sofia museum (right next door to the hotel) to see the famous Pablo Picasso painting Guernica, which depicts the Nazi Bombing of a small Spanish town in 1937.

Tonight, orientation and dinner at the oldest restaurant in Madrid!


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At the CLT airport

We are on our way!!!


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