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I just wanted to add to these two threads.

First, on the famous Tampa vacation, I took the girls to the Tampa Aquarium.
We loved it!! Ila (2.5) is now saying, "I the manatee girl!" She's very
excited about these gentle animals (we even got a plastic model from the
machine that makes them as you wait). Of course, it was a weekday and there
were many school groups with nametags, uniforms and clipboards with
worksheets on them. So many children (about grades 1-3) were simply skimming
the info cards for the "right answers" and not even watching the
animals/fish. I was pointing out the cool stuff (otters, turtles, wading
birds, etc) in the native Florida section while trying not to let the girls
get away from me and/or get trampled by the herd. I even mentioned to one
teacher (who had her won clipboard with worksheet on it), "Don't you
sometimes wish you could just bring the kids here without the questions to
ask?" She said, "Yes, and I also wish we could spend more time here. It
takes longer to organize and get here and back to school than the time we get
inside looking." How sad!

Dawn, we own Kiki and get Totoro from the library. My kids have nearly
memorized all the dialogue from Kiki and walk around quoting, "Pardon me,
Miss Snooty Cat." and laughing hysterically. As soon as we saw Kiki say, "I
can't just take her money and not help.", DH said, "We are buying this movie!"

Gosh, I haven't used so many quote marks in quite a while.

Shyrley: if you are in the Asheville, NC area this summer look us up. We've
got some space and are always up for playing!

Kathryn: My theory as to why women get more liberal while men get more
conservative with age is this: Women have less to lose as they age and their
"commodities" of youth and beauty lessen as their wisdom and vitality
increase. The culture does not notice the less young and beautiful, so there
is less pressure to be "in the box". Men, on the other hand, increase in
stature, financial responsibility, and social pressure as they age. There is
more expectation that they have "sown their wild oats" and will settle down
and be responsible and contribute to society for the furtherment of others
like them. It' s sad, but true for the poor guys.

DiAnna, who waxes philosophical in the spring rain, and who now better go do
something fun like play tickle with the kids : )