The Genius of Dr. Seuss

The girls and I were at the library this week and let me tell you, the kid's section has been gutted.  I guess every mom is a liiiiittle short on activities now that summer is winding down because our regional library has gone from thousands upon thousands of children's books to about twelve.  One book that was there was "Oh the Places You'll Go.''  Cate has never read it, and I grabbed it thinking it would be appropriate given that she starts Kindergarten in less than a month. <--- WHAT????!?

Everyone can agree that Dr. Seuss is amazing but, reading that book to the girls today, I was struck at how applicable "Oh the Places You'll Go" can be to anyone.  From the book:

"You can get all hung up in a prickle-ly perch.
And your gang will fly on.  You'll be left in a lurch.
You'll come down from the Lurch with an unpleasant bump.
And the chances are, then, that you'll be in a Slump.
And when you're in a Slump, you're not in for much fun.
Un-slumping yourself is not easily done.
...
You can get so confused that you'll start in to race
down long wiggled roads at a break-necking pace
and grind on for miles across wierdish wild space,
headed, I fear, toward a most useless place.
The Waiting Place...for people just waiting.
...
NO!  That's not for you!
Somehow you'll escape all that waiting and staying.
You'll find the bright places where Boom Bands are playing.
With banner flip-flapping, once more you'll ride high!
Ready for anything under the sky,
Ready because you're that kind of guy!"

Maybe I'm just looking for optimism, inspiration, and hope wherever I can find it, but I was reading that book with the widest grin on my face.  Thank you, Dr Seuss.

Five

Five years ago I was blissfully tired and enjoying my newborn baby Cate.  Fast forward to today and I can't believe what she's become.  The way she looks, talks, behaves, laughs, asks questions, and talks some more is no surprise because I've watched the progression.  But if you'd shown me her five-year-old self all those years ago, I would have been in complete shock.  And I would have been so proud.

Here is her five-year-old questionnaire:

Favorite Color :: Pink and yellow
Favorite Toy :: My Little Pony Wedding Castle
Favorite Fruit :: Watermelon
Favorite TV Show :: My Little Pony
Favorite Movie :: Tangled
Favorite Thing to Wear :: Pink Disney princess dress
Favorite Animal :: Cat
Favorite Song :: I Want to be Like Jesus (from Vacation Bible School)
Favorite Book :: Ocean
Best Friend :: Vivian and Taffe
Favorite Snack :: Peanuts
Favorite Drink :: Milk
Favorite Breakfast :: Pancakes
Favorite Lunch :: Chips, carrots, peppers, and apples
Favorite Dinner :: Noodles
Favorite Game :: UNO
Favorite Thing to do Outside :: Ride my bike and Razor scooter
Favorite Holiday :: Christmas
What Do You Sleep With At Night :: Yellow Blanket
What Do You Want To Be When You Grow Up :: A mommy