A Brand New Day!

I'm so excited that I finally finished up the albums from our Florida 2011 vacation!

That journey took us down the Gulf Coast of Florida, across the deepest parts of the Everglades, all the way into the Florida Keys, including 3 days in the Dry Tortugas; and then back up the Atlantic Coast of Florida and into Savannah, Georgia before we headed home.

I logged a total of about 95 posts on this trip. At this moment, it's mostly photography, but I still add more commentary, anecdotes, and reviews to these same posts as often as I can.


These posts can be found by clicking here:  Both Florida Coasts, The Keys, and the Dry Tortugas

Or cut right to the chase with:     Key West with Kids   *   The Dry Tortugas   *   The Florida Keys


I might eventually take a stab at writing in an article format; but I just want to make sure any articles I author would be fun and inspirational, and not coming across as bossy and limiting. I'm here to share our stories, but I'm not the type that wants to tell you how you MUST create your own adventures.  It's all about letting YOUR path lead YOU as you feel moved!


In the mean time, the next round of posts I'm adding are from a 7 week cross-country adventure into Southern Utah, and then over to San Diego and back to Tennessee.  There are some fun things along that journey, for sure, so I hope you will check back on our progress as we get those up for your viewing pleasure.

Follow these posts as they are added at: 7 Weeks Out to Southern Utah, San Diego, and Back!


I've got some medical procedures over the next few weeks that are going to prevent a whole lot of real time travels from happening and being posted; but I'll work as steady as I can at filling in some awesome adventures we've already logged.

And by Spring or Summer, hopefully we'll be geared up for another awesome extended "vacation" on which you all can join us!

I'm so excited to be picking up so many readers, and from so many different countries!

Thank you all for checking out Trips 'n Toys!

Subscribe, bookmark, or just check back often!

Safe travels to you all!

Living Legend: Beverly Cleary Turns 100!

Wow!

Did you know that Beverly Cleary, author of our favorite childhood characters, Ramona Quimby, Henry Huggins, and Ralph S. Mouse, just to name a few, will turn 100 YEARS YOUNG in April of this year?

Being a homeschooling mom, I often lament the lack of choices of simple, but QUALITY reading choices for my kiddos. These days, most books for kids seem better suited as trashcan liners for all the junk they are trying to pass off as being a valid reading experience. It's no wonder our current generation prefers gadgets and machines, because the value of printed word has been horribly disrespected.

We all enjoyed Mrs. Cleary's literary creations. But the question du jour is:

Are your kids familiar with Ramona Quimby?

Have they ridden with Ralph S. Mouse?

Introduce them today, if you haven't already!

Check out Beverly Cleary's Website for more information on her characters, her selection of books, and even corresponding activities you can print for use in your homeschool, classroom, or just for fun!

Happy Birthday, Beverly Cleary!

Thanks for making our childhoods that much brighter!