Gavin's other 1-year shots

Gavin is 13 months old today, but these pics from just a few weeks back are worth sharing now that they've been distributed to the family...

My new office...

Is somewhere in the basement of Bascom Hall (pictured here). As many of you already know, I have accepted a position as the lead writer for On Wisconsin, the University of Wisconsin's alumni magazine. This is an amazing opportunity to write the kinds of stories I had hoped to have the chance to do when I made the leap from AP into freelancing two years ago, so I am incredibly excited. I will likely start work the week of April 23rd. Thanks to everyone for their love and support as we make this big change for our family!

Mrs. Price is retiring!

My mom is leaving her post teaching second grade in Verona after 26 years in the district. She was honored last night by the School Board, kicking off our celebration of her great accomplishment. She'll wrap up her teaching career in early June, followed by a party and a vacation in Scandinavia. Way to go Mom!

A sneak peek...

...at Gavin's official 1-year-old photo shoot late last month. We have some even better ones but we're holding those back until they are gifted to family members. So, for now, enjoy!

Trend stories...

...are always interesting, but here's an article that serves as a good reminder of why we may want to keep a healthy dose of skepticism handy when we give them a read. For me, it's evidence of what happens when an idea cooked up by an editor replaces good reporting.

The Opt-Out Myth
By E.J. Graff
On October 26, 2003, The New York Times Magazine jump-started a century-long debate about women who work. On the cover it featured “The Opt Out Revolution,” Lisa Belkin’s semipersonal essay, with this banner: "Why don’t more women get to the top? They choose not to."

The piece goes on to point out that only 4 percent of women in their mid- to late thirties with children have advanced degrees and are in a privileged income bracket like that of Belkin’s fellow Princeton grads and asserts that "such 'my-friends-and-me' coverage is an irresponsible approach to major issues being wrestled with by every American family and employer. It's a thought-provoking read.

I can do it myself!

Gavin is pretty clear about certain things. He loves his dog, grapes and he does not want to be fed from a spoon by one of us. Here are the early results of eating some yogurt on his own. The cleanup required is fairly involved, but he's having such a good time with it how can we not let him try?

I'm walking!!!

Well, sort of. I can take anywhere from five to a dozen steps across the room. I've taken a few spills, but I don't let it discourage me. When I get going without hanging onto anything, I get really excited and wave my arms around and start running toward Mommy or Daddy or Keely. That's probably why I fall down so much, but don't worry, I'll get the hang of it. Daddy says pretty soon I can walk the dog by myself.

25 days and counting...

Until we leave for our trip to Grayton Beach, Florida. Don and I were lucky enough to go in 2005 and are so excited to return, this time with Gavin and a boatload of sunscreen for the three of us. I've lived in the Midwest most of my life, but I have to admit that the cold is getting to me this winter. A getaway is just what's needed: a slower pace of life, watching the sun set every day and deciding what's for dinner being the biggest decision of the day.

Oh, and the delicious muffins, too!

Red Bar, here we come!

Rock down to Electric Avenue

Happy Birthday Eddie Grant!
(he turns 59 today)
Some songs = memories and this is one of them for me. It was in heavy radio rotation the summer I spent a week at summer camp in Waupaca with my cousin Mel. And it was on the radio in Vikki's car on an early morning when we surely needed some pumping up before attending Schwai's graduation. To quote EW.com today "wouldn't it border on shameful if we didn't rock down to the address in question? So press play and let the chair-dancing commence — not even your cranky boss can deny this groove!"