Its amazing what a trip (albeit forced) across the country can teach you. It is amazing to spend 7 hours in an air plane just yourself and the kids. I had the pleasure of reading a book with my daughter. She wanted me to read it real bad, and for seven hours we tackled that book. I can honestly say it was the most enjoyable book I have ever read. Another similar experience was reading all of Water Ship Down with the kids.

There is something special with sharing a book with the kids. Ironically the trip was for my grandmother who turned 90. We spent a lot of time in the hospital. And for my grandmother; books were her life. She was a librarian. Books are still a big part of her life.

And with our family I have discovered a hidden passion for cross word puzzles. It seems like there is one going on at all times. And that is kind of cool.

As we were walking off the plane, I had six pages to go in the book. Marina said to me; Daddy did you read the poem a t the end of the book.

I had not, it was in the next page when I continued reading after I had tucked them into bed.

It was one of the most beautiful poems I had ever read. It was beautiful my daughter notices stuff like this.