Typing my paper....I was looking for the right word..

and I said, Maya, what's a word that means, like, to cause something...to make something happen, to have an effect...??

I didn't expect an answer, though she offered "rapido." An interesting interpretation, I thought.

So when I decided on "influence," I asked her if she knew what it meant. I explained that it was like how what I do and think and say has an effect on her...that for example, my loving music, might influence her to love music. That "I have an influence on you", I said.

Maya: And I have an influence on you.

Me: Right, exactly! That's true. (wondering if she really understood or if it was just her tendency to have a quick and smart reply to everything...wherever could that trait come from??)

Maya: and we have an influence on other people too....all over the world.

???

The Eric Carle Museum

I think I've mentioned before how much we really like The Very Hungry Caterpillar.

So when Ryan discovered this place very near Kelly and Sean's home in Massachusetts, we were pretty excited. It was the day before Thanksgiving, so the place was pretty quiet. The exhibits were great, but we also loved the library, art room, giant caterpillar, and gift shop.

Sophie fell in love with the "pillar."

More about Massachusetts, Kelly, Sean, and baby Chloe to come later....