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Who knew the Library of Congress was so hip? They're everywhere these days: starring in Dan Brown's new The Lost Symbol , uploading amazing, copyright-free images on Flickr for graphic designers and history buffs everywhere, and now hosting this awesome reading adventure. . . Our "Exquisite Corpse Adventure" works this way: Jon Scieszka, the National Ambassador for Young People's Literature, has written the first episode. . . He has passed it on to a cast of celebrated writers and illustrators, who must eventually bring the story to an end. Every two weeks, there will be a new episode and a new illustration. The story will conclude a year from now. -- from Read.gov The Library of Congress obviously has dusted off it's old, tattered leather covers and is showing its younger, more colorful content! Read the first episode here. . . Find educational links and ideas to go along with it here. . .

"Hey, Luce. . . where are you going?" "Pee-school!" "What are you holding?" "Three Balls!" "Turn around and show me your backpack." "Packpack!" "What's in your backpack?" "'Nother one balls!"

Who is lazier. . . the funnel-web spider who got a head start on his funnel by finding a tunnel. . . or the homeowners who let him build his masterpiece on the exterior ledge of the kitchen window? Close-up:

So, we had a birthday party for Lucy. . . a while ago. I'm running behind on my posts. I'm not going to even try to catch up. But I need to post these great pics from my friend, Katherine, who has such an amazing eye for a shot and obviously knows her way around a camera . The party was carnival themed. . . and we served We had a photo-booth for all the clowns. . . Cupcakes. . . which Lucy LOVES. The candles? Not so much. We also had a jump house/waterslide which Lucy still talks about. It was huge. I guess I estimated wrong when they told me the dimensions over the phone. It took up most of the backyard! Ned (aka Oliver's Dad) made balloon animals. . . We had a few other carnival games around for the kids to do. A fishing pond which mostly held ducks. . . A ball toss. . . knock down the tower of cans. (I'd been saving the cans we used for about a month. I only had to open one extra to complete the pyramid. What can I say, I guess we eat a lot of black beans!) Ope

Spoonflower is hosting a Christmas Fabric of the Week contest . . . the winner's fabric is available for a limited time to purchase on Etsy. Fun, huh! Now I need to think of a design for the Halloween challenge. . .