Might as well jump (jump!)

I'm not sure what made me take the plunge today and finally start this blog. It was sort of a perfect storm, really. Both girls were sleeping at the same time for more than 10 minutes. My wallet was nearby. And the latest dress I sewed for Bo made me smile when I took it out of the dryer. Now, if doing laundry can make you smile, you've gotta make the most of it.
Plus, I finally settled on a name for my little home on the Web.
Penny Carnival.
Duh. I should have thought of it long ago. I've always largely attributed my creativity to the babysitter who used to watch my sister and me when we were itty. My parents obviously played a big role in our creativity, too. I remember them helping us grow a small garden in the side yard--sunflowers, radishes, carrots. And we were outside a ton, playing "school" at St. Claire Park and playing "house" in Tammy Kale's backyard shed next door.
When Amy was in charge, though, she always had some project for us.
Among the many clever adventures we embarked upon were the Penny Carnivals she'd hold in our garage. She'd set up nine or ten little booths--bean bag tosses, hopscotch, craft making, etc.--then invite all the neighbor kids to ride on over on their Big Wheels to take part. Each activity cost--what else?--a penny. Amy would wear one of my mom's disco scarves on her head and read fortunes from a magic eight ball. What I would give to go back in time and listen, as an adult, to the fortunes she must have told my friends and me.
So, thanks, Amy. You could have easily plopped us in front of Sesame Street, but you didn't. You gave my sister and me a precious gift.