Sympathy vs. Understanding

Literature: The Depth of Our Sympathy vs. Understanding

"Many scholars forget, it seems to me, that our enjoyment of the great works of literature depends more upon the depth of our sympathy than upon our understanding. The trouble is that very few of their laborious explanations stick in the memory. The mind drops them as a branch drops its overripe fruit. ... Again and again I ask impatiently, "Why concern myself with these explanations and hypotheses?" They fly hither and thither in my thought like blind birds beating the air with ineffectual wings. I do not mean to object to a thorough knowledge of the famous works we read. I object only to the interminable comments and bewildering criticisms that teach but one thing: there are as many opinions as there are men. "


Hellen Keller

Birthdays

The girls had their birthday party at the skating rink again this year.  It turned out good.  They had fun skating and Tahnya brought Tristen to the party.  She and Lily were born on the exact same day.  I think it is neat.  They received a lot of nice presents.  

When we got home and were proceeding to open up all of the goodies, Lily came to me and said, "This is the best birthday, ever!"  That is exactly what a mom wants to hear her child say after planning and executing a party for them. 

 I made a ballerina slippers cake with a heart cake on the side for both of them.  That is what they picked out after much deliberation.  ;)  In addition, it had to be pink for Hannah and yellow for Lily.  No other colors would do.  

Walking

Jade is officially walking now.  She walks everywhere except for when she wants to get there fast, she crawls.  She can crawl supa-fast.  :)