The Saturday Post: So Long, Farewell edition

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Last night was Bubby's last night at Gramma's house. As he, Baby Mac, and Mommy headed up the stairs to bed, I couldn't help but think of this from the Von Trapp kiddos (ignore the glaring error in name by whomever posted this video on YouTube):

So long, farewell!

Today's fill-in-the-blank:

My favorite song from "The Sound of Music" is _______________.

Wherein Gramma wears out her grandsons

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Yesterday was the first full day of Bubby and Baby Mac's visit to Gramma and PawDad's. Travel doing what it does to folks both young and old, I didn't plan a whole lot for us to do on Monday so the boys would have plenty of time to recover and be well rested for the fun scheduled for the duration of their visit.

So we took it easy Monday...or so I thought.

After our one and only outing for the day—a trip to the mall play area where Mommy showed off her sweeties to the mother of the boys (now nearly young men) she babysat for many years—this was the condition of the little travelers in Gramma's back seat once we arrived home:

Wonder what shape the boys will be in after today's surely exhausting visit to the North Pole.

Today's question:

Are you a morning person or a night owl?

Animals by mail

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Tomorrow is the first day of October, the month that best bears the fruits of fall and goes out with the bang of Halloween.

There's more to October, though, than falling leaves, sweater weather, pumpkin goodies, and spooky celebrations. For one thing, it's National Children's Magazine Month.

Bubby just recently started receiving magazines in the mail. Mommy signed him up for Nat Geo Kids, Nat Geo Little Kids, and Zootles. He delights in learning about a variety of animals and sharing the stories and pictures with Baby Mac. Although, finding out that snow leopards live in the mountains had Bubby quite scared he just might encounter one during his upcoming visit with Gramma and PawDad.

Despite having three animal-related magazines already delivered regularly to his mailbox, Megan says Bubby just can't get enough of the wildlife stories. So in recognition of National Children's Magazine Month, I've purchased a subscription for Bubby and Baby Mac to the National Wildlife Foundation's Big Backyard, part of the Ranger Rick family of magazines.

Big Backyard is suggested for ages 4 to 7, and although NWF offers Animal Baby for ages 2 to 4, Big Backyard seems to have more actual photos of awesome animals whereas Animal Baby features several illustrations.

The bonus that really sold me on Big Backyard over Animal Baby, I must admit, is that the subscription comes with free pair of Big Backyard binoculars—perfect for Bubby to use to spot any snow leopards roaming the grounds at Gramma and PawDad's during his next visit at Christmastime!

Today's question:

What is your favorite print magazine?

Waiting

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WAITING

        Serene, I fold my hands and wait,
        Nor care for wind, nor tide, nor sea;
        I rave no more 'gainst time or fate,
        For, lo! my own shall come to me.
         
        I stay my haste, I make delays,
        For what avails this eager pace?
        I stand amid the eternal ways,
        And what is mine shall know my face.
         
        Asleep, awake, by night or day,
        The friends I seek are seeking me;
        No wind can drive my bark astray,
        Nor change the tide of destiny.
         
        What matter if I stand alone?
        I wait with joy the coming years;
        My heart shall reap where it hath sown,
        And garner up its fruit of tears.
         
        The waters know their own and draw
        The brook that springs in yonder height;
        So flows the good with equal law
        Unto the soul of pure delight.
         
        The stars come nightly to the sky;
        The tidal wave unto the sea;
        Nor time, nor space, nor deep, nor high,
        Can keep my own away from me.

                               ~ John Burroughs (1837-1921)

Bubby, Baby Mac, and Megan will be here Sunday. I can't wait.

Yet, I have no choice but to do exactly that.

Today's fill-in-the-blank:

I can't wait for __________.