me and my boys

So I'm all for TO DO lists. I don't have one everyday, but I do like to make them on a semi-regular basis. I have a bad memory so I find them helpful. A few days ago I found my favorite list of all time.

So I've had a few complaints about my old layout. First I got one. Then another. Then a few more. But I liked my old layout. It didn't hurt my eyes. I could read it just fine. But in an effort to not be stubborn and to help all eye problems caused by looking at blue font on a black background...

And since I had to re-do all the items on my sidebar (another reason I didn't want to change my layout) I decided to add a little poll. I know how people like to share their opinions.

You are welcome.

Every Friday Mason goes to the library at school. While there he turns in his book from last week and finds a new one to check out. I used to be somewhat suprised by the books he picked, rarely ever were they typical picture books. Almost every week, last year and this one, he has picked non-fiction. Books about everything from tornados to elephants to cars. Since this has been going on for almost two years now I've gotten used to Mason's book picks, hoping that maybe this means he'll love school forever (ha).

Then comes Friday this week. Here is what Mason brought home.

Now once again I am somewhat suprised by his book choice. I mean, I know I've been told what a good reader he is. And I know he's gotten into chapter books. But usually the chapter books he reads have pictures every so often, he can finish them within a few days and somewhere within the book it says its for an age group around his age of 6. And now my motherly whatevers have kicked in. At one point I'm happy that he's able to actually read a book like this with almost no help; but on the flipside I worry that he will get frustrated with its length or that the content is either above his understanding or will scare him. What the? What happened to a first grader just picking out a colorful book with a story written in silly rhyme form about a dog?

Last week I learned my new favorite thing. The genius function on itunes. I'd seen it before, but opted to turn it off, not really realizing its wonderfulness. So the other day I saw someone use it. Hold on here, I can get a random mix of music that's only kind of random? All the songs I'm in the mood for without having to skip occasional ones I don't want to listen to, and without having to make a playlist that I'll get bored with later? Are you kidding?!

So maybe I'm just slow and everyone else already knows how to do this, but just in case you're slow like me (and also love organized randomness) here's how -

Pick any song within your own music.
Click the little symbol that looks like an atom (or a flower for those of you less physics inclined).
Then BOOM! genius playlist created.

you. are. welcome.