busytown

Remember these guys?

I'm pretty sure Richard Scarry's books were a staple in most church nurseries and preschools! I can't help but remember Inchworm (was that his name?) in the little apple car...

While we may not be cartoon drawings of talking animals, we have been busy! After my family's quick visit to the {other} LA, we went PandaMania at Vacation Bible School where I spent the first 4 hours of my mornings with some very busy, but oh-so adorable 3 & 4 year olds. (Then I proceed to take a nap every afternoon).

Nolan was selected to play in the All-Star Baseball tournament, and after weeks days of practice, they made their debut as a team on Friday night. They played four games during the weekend, winning 3 (and surprising everyone!). We head back to Alexandria tonight for the cchampionship bracket. 2 more games this evening with a possibility of more games tomorrow.

Kelly also had a tourney this weekend, thankfully in the same city where Nolan played. That rarely happens, so I was relieved and excited! While the boys enjoyed non-stop baseball on Saturday, Claire and I headed an hour and a half north to attend a Girl Scout Tip-A-Canoe (say it fast and it sounds like an Indian name... I think that may be the point.) She learned about life jacket and water safety, how to canoe, and how to right yourself or save a friend should you, you know... tip-a-canoe!

We capped off the weekend with our VBS Commencement, where the kids danced and sang, and of course, I cried during 'How Great Thou Art'. Some things never change...

And today feel like my first real day of summer vacation due to the mere fact that I got to sleep in! We do have places to go (baseball & softball practice - Claire's All-Star tourney is this weekend!) and people to see (need to go to school to take care of a few things) but those extra minutes hours of sleep is what makes vacay VACAY!!!

Back to Busytown...

party all the time!

Last Saturday was my 34th birthday. 34... it's really nothing special. Not a milestone or anything, just an even number. I'm feeling great as a 30-something, but I had a special reason to smile this past June 18th. On Friday morning I make the quick trip to the Alexandria airport to fetch my mom, sister, niece and nephew! We have made our home in Louisiana for nearly 4 years (in November - is that crazy or what?!) and this was their first visit to our humble abode.

I was spoiled! ...treated to a champagne breakfast, pedicures, shopping, presents, swimming and steak fajitas!

It was a quick visit, they made their way back to Colorado on Monday morning. We had lots of fun relaxing and enjoying our time together. Come back soon, family!! We love & miss you!

Summer {so far}

According to Mother Nature, it's not officially summer yet. I've heard our friends in other parts of the country complain of cooler temps (and jackets in June!). Not so down south! This week we've reached over 100 degrees everyday {and let's not forget that pesky ol' heat index!}. So, regardless of what the calendar may say, it's definitely Summer for the Spanns.

Since I'm feeling hot, tired and stressed (I know - I should only be experiencing 1 of those 3, being Summer and all, but I'm in project mode and have overstretched myself a tad) I'm giving you our Summer {so far} in photos. Enjoy!

perception

*Following story via this site

 

Washington, DC Metro Station on a cold January morning in 2007. The man with a violin played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time approx. 2 thousand people went through the station, most of them on their way to work. After 3 minutes a middle aged man noticed there was a musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds and then hurried to meet his schedule.

4 minutes later:

The violinist received his first dollar: a woman threw the money in the hat and, without stopping, continued to walk.

6 minutes:

A young man leaned against the wall to listen to him, then looked at his watch and started to walk again.

10 minutes:

A 3-year old boy stopped but his mother tugged him along hurriedly. The kid stopped to look at the violinist again, but the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk, turning his head all the time. This action was repeated by several other children.. Every parent, without exception, forced their children to move on quickly..

45 minutes:

The musician played continuously. Only 6 people stopped and listened for a short while. About 20 gave money but continued to walk at their normal pace. The man collected a total of $32.

1 hour:

He finished playing and silence took over. No one noticed. No one applauded, nor was there any recognition.

No one knew this, but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the greatest musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written, with a violin worth $3.5 million dollars. Two days before Joshua Bell sold out a theater in Boston where the seats averaged $100.

This is a true story. Joshua Bell playing incognito in the metro station was organized by the Washington Post as part of a social experiment about perception, taste and people's priorities.

The questions raised:

*In a common place environment at an inappropriate hour, do we perceive beauty?

*Do we stop to appreciate it?

*Do we recognize talent in an unexpected context?

One possible conclusion reached from this experiment could be this:

If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world, playing some of the finest music ever written, with one of the most beautiful instruments ever made.

How many other things are we missing?

Angela's Question: How many things of beauty do we miss because someone else doesn't deem it beautiful?