Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Winter in Atlanta


Gary and I spent three months visiting our
grandchildren in Atlanta and spending a
month on the Emerald coast of Florida. It was
great that our daughter, Michele, could take time
off from work to visit with Erik and gang and
stay with us in Florida for a week. Michele and
I laugh so much when we're together. We actually
keep a laugh journal!

I made the rounds at the grandkids schools to read
my latest book at the time, The adventures of Marco
Flamingo in the Jungle.  I also read the others. This
month, Marco Flamingo in the Cave was released
so the next time in Atlanta I will do author visits
again.

It was especially fun visiting Anna's 3rd grade class
because Gary came along to read with me and share
his bird carvings.
















Visiting Taylor's 1st grade classroom is special because
Mrs. Sahadevan was Anna's 1st grade teacher too.  She
and I have become friends.  She has a special interest in
books and is in the process of submitting her work. She
also has her class write and illustrate a chosen theme which
she then publishes through Student Treasures Publishing.








































Thank you card from Taylor's class

Ty's day care is a hoot.  He loves it there.
I pick him up after his nap and he comes
running into my arms.  Can life get any better
than that!  The staff is so upbeat even working
with one and two year olds all day and changing
a gazillion diapers!  I had Ty on my lap while
I read my book and he helped me by making the
animal sounds.



















Some other highlights of this past winter:

Celebrating Michele and Em's b'day












Studying a seed pod




















Atlanta Zoo panda


























Gar and Michele at a Florida Natural Spring

























Enjoying water play


















Celebrating Gar's b'day














Ty loves playing with his People, People!






















Yum!





















Sharing a secret

















Making homework fun






















Making music-we spent the day at Em's parents house

















Male bonding

















Ready for outdoor play



















Michele and I at Emerald Coast






















Patience

















Petting Zoo, Daddy and Ty
















This is winter?



















Helping Anna with school project



















Watching the flames--Look at Mich and Taylor's pose





















Ty loves his sandbox






















And he especially loves playing the drums!!!

Albany Children's Book Festival

The Albany Book Fest  4/28/12

This was my first time at this book event.
Gary and I along with friends Ron and Trish
stayed in Albany for a few days. We visited
with their niece, Chrissy. We had a lot of laughs.

The event was very well attended and organized.
I met many new authors and illustrators.  Below
are some photos of my "neighbors" at the event.
I was pleasantly surprised to see Vivian Vande Velde
from my RACWI group there.

Thank you Ashley Breen (Author Liason),
Ann Wendth (Marketing Director) and Karen
Schimmer (Festival Director) for all your hard work
to make this event fun and successful.

I sold editions of my Marco adventures plus prints.
















Some of the photos below are out of focus.  In my
enthusiasm I often forgot to check my settings.
Sorry folks, but I did link important info to your
photo.  Hope that compensates.





















Author Jennifer R. Hubbard

















Author Patrice Kindl and Illustrator
Susan Keeter





















Author/Illustrator Jeff Mack





















Author/Illustrator Bruce Hiscock





















Author Alison Formento
















Children using quill pens