the whitings

Justin is really liking school. It is fun to see him excited about what he is learning. Wait!! Time-out! I can hear the question already. "What is it that Justin is studying again?" It is called Instructional Systems Technology. Basically it is the study of how we can use technology to learn. It is a good match for Justin, I think. Justin just wrote a paper last week that was only supposed to be 3-4 pages and his turned out to be 9. What an over-achiever! Ah ha! I love it! But the best part is, he had a huge smile on his face after he turned the assignment in. He looked at me and said "That was actually kinda fun!"

I am very blessed to continue to stay at home with Maggie. Because we live in a small town-house and we have no yard, I have had to be a lot more creative with Maggie to keep her and myself busy. There are a lot of neat parks around and we kill a few minutes here and a few hours there playing at the park. Maggie has gotten so she will request the particular park she would like to attend. She says "I want to go to the brown park." or "...the colored park." or "...Bryan's park." (Bryan Park) Maggie and I have gotten involved in lots of activities at the Pulic Library- Story Time and a toddler Spanish class. We have also discovered a small children's museum called the Wonder Lab. This past week Maggie and I were at the Wonder Lab for a Preschool Discovery Time. A women taught a little class about Autum. I think I got a little glimsp of what kind of student Maggie will be when she is in school. One minute Maggie was wondering around and the next she was totally engaged and trying to be first to touch and hold everything. She is a very visual and hands-on type person.

One of my favorite things to do so far is to go to the Farmer's Market. It is a huge deal here in Bloomington. In my "Idaho-girl" perspective it is like a state fair every Saturday. I am also taking an Institute class once a week. This has been a good opportunity for me to get out of the house by myself and also a good opportunity for Justin and Maggie to have some Daddy/Daughter time.

We have made some friends in the ward that we have done several things with. Today at church, one of my friends asked Maggie if she was ready to be a social butterfly at church. Justin pointed out that Maggie was social, but "butterfly" was not the word to describe it. On que, Maggie began waving and pointing at all her friends. And let me tell you, all of them were boys! I hope that isn't some sign of the future.

I will end with a Maggie Story: Two weeks ago we had Stake Conference. Justin was singing in the choir so he was sitting on the stand. Maggie and I found a place to sit on the folding chairs in the gym. Next to us sat a little old man, an obvious "Grandpa" to Maggie because of his white hair. Part way through the meeting he fell asleep. Maggie looked at me and pointing at the man, whispered "He's sleeping." I nodded and told her it was okay. A few minutes later the man woke with a start and Maggie once again pointed at him. However, this time she had a big smile on her face and she blurted out quite loudly "He woke up!" I don't think I will ever fall asleep in church for fear that Maggie will annouce it to the ward.