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« November 2007 | Main | February 2008 »

December 2007

December 31, 2007

Ringing in 2008

I've been thinking of posting my New Year's resolutions. You see, I not only met all of 2007s, I surpassed them. This leaves me thinking long and hard on what I would like for my life the next 366 days....

A recap of 2007 is first in order.

I wanted to do more school visits - to that end I was very fortunate to have traveled across the US and up into Vancouver, BC. Along the way I met MANY marvelous people! If I remember 2007 for only one thing it would be for all the new friendships that I made. I believe I named most of the people along the way here on my blog, if you wasn't mentioned you remain near and dear to my heart.

I received new book contracts. My illustration career had a banner year.

The cliché resolution - to lose weight - I'm wearing my daughter's American Eagle size 4 junior jeans right now, I succeeded at that one, too.

To make more money, I'm still hanging in here.

To have more adventures... one that quickly pops into my mind was mountain biking. I went off a granite boulder, jumped a log, and took out a chunk of my ankle - the scar that was left leaves me smiling, recalling the adrenaline rush of the moment.

.... so, for 2008...

More book contracts
More school visits
More traveling
More adventures
More cash flow

let's add:

winning awards, and of course the Caldecott
trying skiing
finally making it to Florida
another trip to Europe
finding my soul-mate
finally meeting June Goulding, Paula Pertile and Barbara Lanza in person and not just talking to them on the phone
playing the drums... how will I ever master my ratamacues when I still mess up on my paradiddles?

December 25, 2007

Loved ones

Merry Christmas!

My Christmas was perfect! I spent it with my loved ones!

Thank you Ryan and Lauren for having us over.

Scout_and_karlene2

Karlene and Scout Christmas morning

Lauren_and_ryan2Ryan

Lauren and Ryan

Us2

Ryan, Kerrin, Lauren, Shennen, Karlene

Silly2

Bethany, Kerrin, Lauren, Shennen, Karlene

December 21, 2007

A visit to the Mason Road School in Dudley MA

Welcome_to_mason_road_school

Today I had the fabulous experience of visiting the wonderful Mason Road School in Dudley MA!

What terrific students attend Mason Road! The school has Pre-K - grade 1, I did four one hour presentations to the kindergarten and first graders. Part of my presentation was having the students draw an eyeball along with me! Here I am working on mine.

Drawing_an_eyeball_2

My daughter Kerrin came along as a special guest - her school in Brockton, The Gilmore Academy, was closed this week due to a structural failure in the roof. Kerrin helped by taking these photos! Thanks sweetie!

My heartfelt thanks goes out to the staff at the Mason Road School who made us feel very much at home during our visit. I also want to thank librarian Debra Simpson for inviting me and organizing the day's events.