SOPA and PIPA are huge obstacles to the continuation of free speech and a free press. It's clear that the politicians supporting them have no idea how the fundamental pieces of this legislation will effect everyday life on the Internet. It's not about piracy - it's about greed and control. http://sopastrike.com/

This link has a good example of how law abiding web sites would be shut down by this legislation - http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20111220/03135817138/myth-that-sopapipa-only-impact-foreign-sites.shtml

Lots more information here - they've been following this story for a long time. http://www.techdirt.com/blog/?tag=sopa

Physics

New Traditions

Real tree. Surprisingly I am not actually allergic to pine trees.  

I got rid of all the plastic balls and pretty for pretty's sake ornaments. I was hesitant because we have cats and little kids. What I kept was anything handmade, glass, or nutcracker themed because I love that ballet a lot. The kids make ornaments in art class and we have plenty besides that. The tree may not be loaded with baubles but it is very pretty.

My brother, Uncle T, brought his beautiful family for a visit. We made Tootalini's and drank lots of coffee. He is just back from Afghanistan and is hanging a soldier ornament. Then of course his wife broke out into song and dance, "Soulja Boy".....cute. And kind of ....well, I hope my girls never get the references in it. Thank you Urban Dictionary. 

Lil'Bug carefully hung each one, on the right side of the bottom of the tree.

I pointed that out. She called me a grinch.  I wore my elf hat, she wore her elf hat. 

Lil'Bug decorated most of the tree. Blueberry Girl crashed early, but when she got up in the morning and every morning since, she says, "Good MORNING CHRISTMAS! GOOD MORNING TREE! HAS SANTA BROUGHT ME A POGO STICK?!" and then she checks. Not yet kiddo.

Cousin J. The artist! 

Watching Annie. The room always gets like this mid afternoon.
 

Is it just me or is it hard for other people to see their little brothers all grown up?

Speaking of little brothers......Zap is giving his sisters a run for it this week, He bites now. He has two itty bitty teeth on the bottom and he leans over to fake out a kiss.......CHOMP. Giggle giggle. And then he laughs some more. 

CHOO CHOO! *warning, breastfeeding picture

We had deliveries in Boone so I reserved tickets to the Scenic Valley Railway and packed a picnic. Blueberry Girl was SO EXCITED. She loves trains, cars, planes, and tools. This day was HERS.

I love homeschooling. Mine were not the only children on the train, but they were the only ones who struck up conversations with folks, including a midwife from Oregon and a couple from South Africa.  

What? Mama wants us to smile? At the same time? Ha ha ha ha. 

Blueberry Girl is saying, "Trains! For the win!" 

I love love love the way Blueberry Girl runs. 

1920's passenger train. Blueberry Girl touched and admired everything about it.  

No AC! Of course!

Like her nature, she watched and listened the whole trip. In awe. 

See? Totally obscene right? Take that facebook. 

Iowa is beautiful. Every single time I am blessed with viewing her vistas, the fullness of the blessing of living here takes my breath away.

And true to her nature, she talked non stop the entire train ride. Didn't even notice when a truck clipped the train.  People, do NOT try and go around closed barrier arms when a train is on the tracks. 

Beautiful too.