The World is a Book

Thought we would share a few pictures of our additional family members. Our still loved old guy was Charlie (seen here with Max when he was about 2 years old) who died on the same day I found out I was pregnant with (now) Charlotte -- no one tell her she was named after the dog!

Here is said Charlotte with our other older guy, George (he's 10 and she's 3). Lovely George puts up with many different outfits and play times each day. He particularly enjoys tea party when he gets biscuits.

Then there is Tallulah who is about 5 years old. We got her from a border collie rescue group after she and her sister were dropped off at a kill-shelter in Georgia. We think she was a farm dog as she knows some commands but does not know how to play with toys. She's a sweetie but very driven to herd and spends her days staring and stalking the cat!

And then there is the stalked cat. She couldn't care less about Tallulah and occasionally hits her on the nose to remind the dog that cats are in charge!

I won't bother with all the gerbil or small animal pictures as they don't sit still long enough in costumes to be really exciting!

Last one is Max with Tallulah. Both had fallen asleep under my desk as I worked!

Charlotte has wanted to start ballet for ages. Put her near a stage and she immediately dances and sings! It has been a fight to get her out of the outfit!

We have lived in this area for a total of 9 years now and decided it was time we finally went to Dollywood. Our homeschool group had good deals on season tickets so we spent a couple of visits there now. The park is owned by country music singer Dolly Parton who grew up in the town it's in. It's themed around Appalachian/crafts and old timey kind of things.

http://www.dollywood.com/

I have to say the park itself is really nice. Good rides with lots of shade and places to sit down. Even water fountains and people who wander around asking if you need help or directions. The shows we have seen have been good as well. Some of the visitors to the park are "interesting" but if you view it as a good sociological study of the varieties of human kind, it takes the edge off!

Glad dad doesn't mind getting wet:

Charlotte is a little speed demon but Max and I are quite happy on the carousel!

While we were in California, Ben turned 14. We were in LA at the time so had fun celebrating with other family members. We were at a really neat restaurant that also had wandering entertainers. The belly dancer was very good and Ben handled the embarrassment well of her dancing around him and then with all the staff in the place singing happy birthday to him when they presented him with a cake!

We were totally impressed with the balloon artist. She was so talented -- not your average clown who makes a dog or two. She made some incredible balloon sculptures.

We live about 1 3/4 hours away from Chattanooga, TN and try to get there a few times a year as they have a wonderful aquarium and children's museum.

The museum is good for at least half a day with children ages 1-10 years or so. It's fun to see the youngest of our children playing with some of the things I remember their older brothers playing with when we lived here in the late 90s.

http://www.chattanoogafun.com/exit.asp?page=www.cdmfun.org

Max loves the science area:

Ben always loved the dinosaur dig! Now he tends to watch the little ones.

The aquarium is fun and has two huge buildings.

http://www.chattanoogafun.com/exit.asp?page=www.tnaqua.org

One thing we like is the butterfly exhibit on the top floor as all the butterflies come from the Butterfly Farm that we visited in Costa Rica!