tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1446667904916827372024-03-19T12:01:42.192-07:00Relentless RevisionBalancing Work, Home, and Family Life.Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06248110332983654221noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-144666790491682737.post-27913714575247627402011-12-11T14:14:00.000-08:002011-12-11T14:14:07.340-08:00Advent Calendar - Week 2Here's this week's recap: <br />
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Day 4 - Make Christmas Goodies with Mom<br />
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I forgot to take a picture of him helping me, but I chose a simple one - <a href="http://cookiesandcups.com/pretzel-hugs/" target="_blank">Pretzel Hugs</a>. He did okay, but the only part he really enjoyed was setting the hugs on the pretzels, and once I put them in the oven he disappeared.<br />
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Day 5 - Buy a Gift to Give Away<br />
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We went and bought our Angel Tree gifts, and today we brought them back to church so they could be delivered. No picture of that, but here's some colored ice he made with Grandma:<br />
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Day 6 - Visit Great-Grandpa DG and Great-Grandpa VV<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDsBZsTu8Qbi0SZHNRE4Iqhs0AOLrxmcn_r4XGp_f1tdPArc7WQDDezRid6hE2B7l1JkR6lDb5Aq-O7VPqPmQDC2qKlyMbFdQSsOzqPqoDt2mVMtlXuI-cpGsJ5wq8OaxT3k7t0Ci3EjY/s1600/Day+6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDsBZsTu8Qbi0SZHNRE4Iqhs0AOLrxmcn_r4XGp_f1tdPArc7WQDDezRid6hE2B7l1JkR6lDb5Aq-O7VPqPmQDC2qKlyMbFdQSsOzqPqoDt2mVMtlXuI-cpGsJ5wq8OaxT3k7t0Ci3EjY/s400/Day+6.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Both Henry and Great-Grandpa were impressed by the three Hubers Lumber hats. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Day 7: Have Grandpa & Grandma H and Grandpa & Grandma VM Over for Supper</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
This was one of the highlights last year, and this year was no different. I had Henry make the phone calls to invite them over when we got home at noon (I had arranged the date in advance!), and the calls were short and to the point. :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4mggaX4wlgDOVhQKqJB9_LeL4icvkF4izrlzUwZfsthubgwwQ_jFqfeVBAQk8Y9BvzzPENFP2TexvGlDepQbruoWgIg37UG7unm6tBYlqffglCXd9DiFSCxUxheifT69EKxADroaH9Yk/s1600/Day+7+-+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4mggaX4wlgDOVhQKqJB9_LeL4icvkF4izrlzUwZfsthubgwwQ_jFqfeVBAQk8Y9BvzzPENFP2TexvGlDepQbruoWgIg37UG7unm6tBYlqffglCXd9DiFSCxUxheifT69EKxADroaH9Yk/s320/Day+7+-+1.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> He got to lick out the bowl of whipped cream, which is never disappointing.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRTtH3G66WPD_6s9orBuvVp8kXn_MlWhyphenhyphensSqmU2LaSl5AcA39pviQn6_V66k8r9J-jW4RKh2xNZidIBIqz3rhunrVU6FdFfKzbmQHs25PlqhJt-P6eDWMAo1coBNClZyvyPhR5z16ZsiE/s1600/Day+7+-+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRTtH3G66WPD_6s9orBuvVp8kXn_MlWhyphenhyphensSqmU2LaSl5AcA39pviQn6_V66k8r9J-jW4RKh2xNZidIBIqz3rhunrVU6FdFfKzbmQHs25PlqhJt-P6eDWMAo1coBNClZyvyPhR5z16ZsiE/s320/Day+7+-+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And Henry made sure they played down stairs with him after supper.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Day 8: Visit the Nursing Home and Hand out Treats</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We had made extra candy cane reindeer and went to pass them out. Henry did pretty good - only two really wanted us to stay and sit down (which wasn't an option with Henry!). One guy was pretty interesting, but the last one we stopped by was where we ran into problems. Henry was ready to go, and I had said this was our last one, but the poor lady was confused and thought we were someone she knew and REALLY wanted Henry to come say hi and sit by her. Not much I could do about that, though.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Day 9: Make a Snowman Ornament</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcx2WsITPVOWYOlraVr329vUVnaVoHXG85KFu-zA_qV4iI0H1OESNOGpxdTn9vVr9CrGVMQOo1b0Q1UOVlZNcd1KjpKup3TpYQG-2puTPRW_2eNZaNu3s1EhVtuJRkDVm99AepVj0U6CU/s1600/Day+10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcx2WsITPVOWYOlraVr329vUVnaVoHXG85KFu-zA_qV4iI0H1OESNOGpxdTn9vVr9CrGVMQOo1b0Q1UOVlZNcd1KjpKup3TpYQG-2puTPRW_2eNZaNu3s1EhVtuJRkDVm99AepVj0U6CU/s400/Day+10.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We actually did this the next day, because Friday we went shopping with Rachel.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This was kind of fun - because I gave up my plan! I enjoy crafts, but I want them to turn out and therefore have a hard time letting Henry do his own thing. So instead of making an ornament where I would want them to look "just right," I got out the construction paper and let him paint however he wanted. He thought it was hilarious that I painted his hand.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Day 10: Make Treats for Friends</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We skipped this - we did the snowman painting instead, and we have the candy cane reindeer done. I had an idea to go with it, but it just wasn't necessary and didn't sound fun at the time.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">While we were shopping with Rachel, we drove through Falls Park to look at the lights before heading home. Henry saw a "raining tree" and we had to park the car so he could get out and look at it closer. We ended up running all over and he had to touch some lights, and he wanted to roll down a big hill - I was freezing and it was pretty close to the water so I put a nix on that idea.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGV1y45YWaX4qcVsXoLS3niKDg10MUi_EyWvq5c06DU2ZU30o_IJBN25UhUmg-r24_riuUvW06K3ZMhWN8et6fIB2ocXtDj7KgwBilUMRQwDTmxWBFoB30XUoHeJQVEalEMxy-F26sP6k/s1600/Day+9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGV1y45YWaX4qcVsXoLS3niKDg10MUi_EyWvq5c06DU2ZU30o_IJBN25UhUmg-r24_riuUvW06K3ZMhWN8et6fIB2ocXtDj7KgwBilUMRQwDTmxWBFoB30XUoHeJQVEalEMxy-F26sP6k/s400/Day+9.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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</div>Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06248110332983654221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-144666790491682737.post-78053823641474410192011-12-03T13:41:00.000-08:002011-12-03T13:41:56.195-08:00Advent Calendar, Year 2I'll never be a dependable blogger - sometimes it just doesn't fit in my life. So you'll just have to bear with me on the random posts and unannounced breaks.<br />
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Henry and I really enjoyed our Advent Calendar and all the activities last year, so I think it will always be one of our traditions. The activities will change from year to year as I figure out what some favorites are and what isn't that enjoyable. And while I think something like this would be fun for every family, some of our activities may be "way over the top" for others. But I have the time and the enjoyment for baking and crafting.<br />
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One thing I learned last year was to be flexible. If Henry wasn't in the mood to do something, trying to convince him it would be fun was never successful. And that defeats the reason I wanted to do this - to make this a season of fun and serving others so it doesn't become a season wrapped around one day of presents.<br />
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On to the calendar. Here is this year's version:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgketeZ3mBFm7_mAnWLlsh9PEUZk03j1e1_M6TqSDLNER75bumCjHdx_tYi8a8nYK9uH9UkWxvPStJDvkpAF-r65B3__q6DdvaGPnvEyK6dAQTK7y96oWNWVI4xf6VSGnwsDckLLXNM9HE/s1600/Advent.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgketeZ3mBFm7_mAnWLlsh9PEUZk03j1e1_M6TqSDLNER75bumCjHdx_tYi8a8nYK9uH9UkWxvPStJDvkpAF-r65B3__q6DdvaGPnvEyK6dAQTK7y96oWNWVI4xf6VSGnwsDckLLXNM9HE/s400/Advent.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>While I found tons of cute ideas, I needed something simple so that I would actually get it made before December 1. I had squares of cardstock that I folded over a little to make a pocket in the back, and stuck a piece of paper in it with our activity on it (which makes it easy to switch activities if something unexpected comes up one day). Then I printed numbers on paper, cut them out and glued them on the fronts of the cards. Then I taped a piece of twine onto our mantel and used mini clothespins to hang the cards up. A little effort, but pretty simple (and reusable next year).<br />
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Day 1: Put up the Christmas Tree and Decorate:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_qwQ9Z5UVLiaPCXkSk3dfJhYIDFb6q_-fJnx50TO_rWHZMYSPThWuqUsQK_Vlod0MbXFhpGaZr0iEdlaSPmuQ64hQn0ARLYHNKWt1uzaiT0df8E3_kmHGF9daGHB2TuJYmioyrvmdHZ8/s1600/Day+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_qwQ9Z5UVLiaPCXkSk3dfJhYIDFb6q_-fJnx50TO_rWHZMYSPThWuqUsQK_Vlod0MbXFhpGaZr0iEdlaSPmuQ64hQn0ARLYHNKWt1uzaiT0df8E3_kmHGF9daGHB2TuJYmioyrvmdHZ8/s400/Day+1.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>This went about the same as last year, but I planned for him to have some hot chocolate while I "un-smooshed" the branches (which is where he lost interest last year. He also decided that he wanted a popcorn string on the tree because of the book, <u>If You Take a Mouse to the Movies</u>. <br />
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It may not have been my best decision, but I agreed and even thought, "Hey, I have a bag of cranberries still setting in the fridge. And I'm stubborn enough to finish what I started even though I keep wondering why I'm doing it. So we have cranberry and popcorn garlands on our tree. For about the only time in my life.<br />
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Day 2: Make Candy Cane Reindeer for Great-Grandparents<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpzrQ-7XeRBasO5pL7O0yoPR6O4n2wd0T6oEe7PYsAnl57nXX282viieTRmITgPh86WXmh5oMDInTKpj_ujv3uSB2fz95MitSfq2VHWI7VNnNV8Xrr5Thc6jl2xNZD31CfkcPxu-lC-6s/s1600/Day+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpzrQ-7XeRBasO5pL7O0yoPR6O4n2wd0T6oEe7PYsAnl57nXX282viieTRmITgPh86WXmh5oMDInTKpj_ujv3uSB2fz95MitSfq2VHWI7VNnNV8Xrr5Thc6jl2xNZD31CfkcPxu-lC-6s/s400/Day+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>I thought this would be something he had fun doing. I thought the eyes, and the noses, and the bells would be fun for him to put on.<br />
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He only wanted to be in charge of the glue, which was fine. I just had to remind myself it was better if I didn't watch. <br />
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Day 3: Decorate Wrapping Paper with Finger Paint.<br />
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This hasn't happened, maybe in part because I don't want paint all over clothes and he refuses to wear one of Doug's old shirts. Oh well. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSG-OIH4W8-HcBYyoybfVE8Orpv75-4t7oP_cYz2A3rO9PY_uzv_EjFCkNEqmRvNVjLT0rjmv4mKge8g2lMQtTItkpCZokaTph4-Pmrd89tFZzPI0pT4rGsxqAK75yFM9NfVhD21Zo_a4/s1600/HPIM1227.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSG-OIH4W8-HcBYyoybfVE8Orpv75-4t7oP_cYz2A3rO9PY_uzv_EjFCkNEqmRvNVjLT0rjmv4mKge8g2lMQtTItkpCZokaTph4-Pmrd89tFZzPI0pT4rGsxqAK75yFM9NfVhD21Zo_a4/s320/HPIM1227.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Instead we played in the fresh-fallen snow and Doug hooked the sled up to the back of the 4-wheeler and we were the crazy neighbors going up and down our road. We had fun, and thankfully we were about done when the sled broke in half. It wasn't quite made for that!<br />
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Not sure if I'll try to update daily, otherwise I'll have a weekly summary next Saturday.<br />
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Do you have any special Christmas traditions?Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06248110332983654221noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-144666790491682737.post-73844584966559477962011-07-27T17:03:00.000-07:002011-07-27T17:03:49.286-07:00While Mom Mowed...I seriously should have a separate folder for pictures of things that went on while I was busy mowing.<br />
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Henry usually hangs out by me, riding bike while I mow the front or in the sandbox while I mow the back. He'll disappear sometimes, but since he's good about not playing out front by the sidewalk without me, I usually don't worry and just go check on him a few times. <br />
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Because he's almost always just playing in the car and loading it up with tools and the scraps of wood we keep for the fireplace.<br />
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Except sometimes he's not.<br />
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Sometimes he's enjoying unsupervised time in the house.<br />
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This is what I found last week after mowing, and I did have to laugh because I didn't find either of the messes until several hours later.<br />
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His bedroom:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrMyYUywVKwU_3KJDaDqmDzRYgIbwnDSsqw9dSWs9Zgqwg1wdWcu1H-FApMyY7aFJEi1UG_3SzY9SKlgDtEXW7WsNTuqs0ETAsEEe99MaDPTD03r0yo6hUS7frckWCtu5KITXBdEUyvi0/s1600/Cheese.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrMyYUywVKwU_3KJDaDqmDzRYgIbwnDSsqw9dSWs9Zgqwg1wdWcu1H-FApMyY7aFJEi1UG_3SzY9SKlgDtEXW7WsNTuqs0ETAsEEe99MaDPTD03r0yo6hUS7frckWCtu5KITXBdEUyvi0/s400/Cheese.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>He helped himself to about half a block of cheese. And ate off of every edge.<br />
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The office:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkPxOmx_UXKj8tfoA-_wngsMNQaffiTjShFW8Jk485JbiqpkdzozBG9a0RUWMpWqW9awUZ2L3S2aTBfvxak8fHQoeztTh31wmtnkThQvFagqiG09Jr8TRFwHbk8TMrIHNIY0QiRuk3Mnk/s1600/Office+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkPxOmx_UXKj8tfoA-_wngsMNQaffiTjShFW8Jk485JbiqpkdzozBG9a0RUWMpWqW9awUZ2L3S2aTBfvxak8fHQoeztTh31wmtnkThQvFagqiG09Jr8TRFwHbk8TMrIHNIY0QiRuk3Mnk/s400/Office+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>My stack of post its was in about a hundred pieces, papers had random "H"s on them, and several post its were stapled.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG5lLOQLTQKXqaHd4CbbXN_Vczfj0bv0tl32lXxqHcMPYh436L_jEb-QFBAZwqTDtxixoHXH9TOg7eTZzTbO4ZyoctHgl2M_kWtBxwqNqKNxAQw9t05troFM2EeEoekmuTtVHzMQ01S1Y/s1600/Office+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG5lLOQLTQKXqaHd4CbbXN_Vczfj0bv0tl32lXxqHcMPYh436L_jEb-QFBAZwqTDtxixoHXH9TOg7eTZzTbO4ZyoctHgl2M_kWtBxwqNqKNxAQw9t05troFM2EeEoekmuTtVHzMQ01S1Y/s400/Office+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>He also emptied out some of my hanging folders so his toolbox would fit in the drawer. Because every toolbox needs a drawer, you know.Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06248110332983654221noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-144666790491682737.post-10012837415849049202011-05-22T11:41:00.000-07:002011-05-27T14:04:03.074-07:00I Love Photoshop<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipSAstYp1l18Tc8XR6RqQEwtCjHSvkM_fMK4fG8y3Uu5yQtMdhIQDmWamnfWf7LPbGq6VZqiA8now1fDYuk6IobkTkb_70oy_XMVD9V6fzmYwQXWHavYZVuI1XvjfW2Aug4nsPg_6Bah8/s1600/Tulip+Festival.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipSAstYp1l18Tc8XR6RqQEwtCjHSvkM_fMK4fG8y3Uu5yQtMdhIQDmWamnfWf7LPbGq6VZqiA8now1fDYuk6IobkTkb_70oy_XMVD9V6fzmYwQXWHavYZVuI1XvjfW2Aug4nsPg_6Bah8/s400/Tulip+Festival.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">+</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPOtla2O9PHUmEkmXJJJ3VvJ7T-O6IKTiVxhDRMbSFJFJG_kZUahxyEoo7xNKOwnuFgSue_EsFYrGU7GFEgk7qTKfv3-Cw6iTRPsBFLB5GDDovhifBMcm21t3pwRan1KayFs9_7xniQOQ/s1600/Tulip+Festival+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPOtla2O9PHUmEkmXJJJ3VvJ7T-O6IKTiVxhDRMbSFJFJG_kZUahxyEoo7xNKOwnuFgSue_EsFYrGU7GFEgk7qTKfv3-Cw6iTRPsBFLB5GDDovhifBMcm21t3pwRan1KayFs9_7xniQOQ/s400/Tulip+Festival+%25281%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">=</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpTrPBwjTZRy2xSmIGL-KnRd8lyy8_34X7boM5iyhAv3gzTp4_55fYPnthbXmfoR3WtWeTXEf_QRk2_adAKnL9HYfmQEpMVoxsgBL7kQwHsrwR6tz-FRX87JAmSXk4Rbx4_H4e4UtFYj8/s1600/Tulip+Festive-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpTrPBwjTZRy2xSmIGL-KnRd8lyy8_34X7boM5iyhAv3gzTp4_55fYPnthbXmfoR3WtWeTXEf_QRk2_adAKnL9HYfmQEpMVoxsgBL7kQwHsrwR6tz-FRX87JAmSXk4Rbx4_H4e4UtFYj8/s400/Tulip+Festive-Edit.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">(He wasn't too sure about the ferris wheel at first)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">And some of the other highlights from our visit to the Tulip Festival: </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfvFmsybMzt0SbhESex0QgY8kuAOaM-2lHc0vXXmiJ4vfEYiT_5N8kHH7TrUFA49ntVU_25I1bYuGDhrwoR06WWQSnRPVzO9H9eyPpgwnLgFWNsFm5Ll-wSHsB0uHTp1Mwl1Ax10PeraI/s1600/Tulip+Festival+%252810%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfvFmsybMzt0SbhESex0QgY8kuAOaM-2lHc0vXXmiJ4vfEYiT_5N8kHH7TrUFA49ntVU_25I1bYuGDhrwoR06WWQSnRPVzO9H9eyPpgwnLgFWNsFm5Ll-wSHsB0uHTp1Mwl1Ax10PeraI/s400/Tulip+Festival+%252810%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Sitting with Grandpa and Grandma after we all got covered in powdered sugar from our funnel cakes.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqYTfKwEwlSptr5J2Wr-yZUkxmjqIJiRav2qDgdMfGwYKWZEMVf5lZz0Msa86nJZHFERviEx3s2p56E9BR3sFGcfu-KOVEEDTZ45NVA6US_EL5R2oPiaPvD_m4HTGqZU2KjXhuxVWpswA/s1600/Tulip+Festival+%252822%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqYTfKwEwlSptr5J2Wr-yZUkxmjqIJiRav2qDgdMfGwYKWZEMVf5lZz0Msa86nJZHFERviEx3s2p56E9BR3sFGcfu-KOVEEDTZ45NVA6US_EL5R2oPiaPvD_m4HTGqZU2KjXhuxVWpswA/s400/Tulip+Festival+%252822%2529.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSkQdtPhFS_sGyJdtiW6IsJyDgwETxFGNCCVub38DfAb1DHQhkaiYB-_GpLYEvIDLABsQtrZYAuL_p224SUqqfxao1F3Pv2O7dBlmA5SBQfME_vB5DPssB08J-5F_M-dVwDAZUT2rIpsU/s1600/Tulip+Festival+%252823%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSkQdtPhFS_sGyJdtiW6IsJyDgwETxFGNCCVub38DfAb1DHQhkaiYB-_GpLYEvIDLABsQtrZYAuL_p224SUqqfxao1F3Pv2O7dBlmA5SBQfME_vB5DPssB08J-5F_M-dVwDAZUT2rIpsU/s400/Tulip+Festival+%252823%2529.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">He saw some kids across the street hugging the other cup, and he wanted in on the action.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSH5L-hrN6WNXCSSnizEqtaugelW7e-M2IR5RXnKTrZKk4LMHwWG_I6kA-Zu6Bo5uNq2IcSrSahEmjRm6jnbP0NSn_d2VKkoEg-HWMvZ6Nq82ahkV1w6mMOMGmfhEHQcx7nFoHjgjIJEM/s1600/Tulip+Festival+%252821%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSH5L-hrN6WNXCSSnizEqtaugelW7e-M2IR5RXnKTrZKk4LMHwWG_I6kA-Zu6Bo5uNq2IcSrSahEmjRm6jnbP0NSn_d2VKkoEg-HWMvZ6Nq82ahkV1w6mMOMGmfhEHQcx7nFoHjgjIJEM/s400/Tulip+Festival+%252821%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Watching Dad drive our town's float, and catching a golf ball (with Mom's help) from him.</div>Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06248110332983654221noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-144666790491682737.post-54691763843644785852011-05-19T10:58:00.000-07:002011-05-19T10:58:29.408-07:00Cozumel, Mexico<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXJLCDFHICvQh8uF0tMtPAnYjGrPt4U060vYEA1_fN8NsyYKAcfSQzFXXrcEGMdEwFNAA_BAA9GzTowb52OZ4nKIbxqzKmpDgz5ZUB8mNp4FcxO5Ye-O8ckrPL1tou6NkSzs3fycrmvKo/s1600/Hotel+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXJLCDFHICvQh8uF0tMtPAnYjGrPt4U060vYEA1_fN8NsyYKAcfSQzFXXrcEGMdEwFNAA_BAA9GzTowb52OZ4nKIbxqzKmpDgz5ZUB8mNp4FcxO5Ye-O8ckrPL1tou6NkSzs3fycrmvKo/s400/Hotel+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Earlier this year Doug and I got to get away on a peaceful, relaxing vacation that involved a lot of sitting.</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">And I got to use my 7-year-old passport for the very first time. :) Although we had to renew Doug's since it expired 2 months before our trip (at least his had been used a few times!).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRYTn3S-bfaC8S0xwjjYBz322y-YhyphenhyphenYHtpmmHsAwdugwto5E6nXQt4HYLvH9NnifDH4keiPtO_DZ3x41sVPn_UwbWa_H-xIGKADwFlcfK8rXk_CjqvFZI3qGvTEYpSlU-DLW6TEOwCh2s/s1600/Hammock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRYTn3S-bfaC8S0xwjjYBz322y-YhyphenhyphenYHtpmmHsAwdugwto5E6nXQt4HYLvH9NnifDH4keiPtO_DZ3x41sVPn_UwbWa_H-xIGKADwFlcfK8rXk_CjqvFZI3qGvTEYpSlU-DLW6TEOwCh2s/s400/Hammock.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">And this is where we spent almost every day.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I didn't take enough books along - apparently I'm not used to having that much uninterrupted time to read! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH_6upNEW3pKSydF8d2gjs44qjQ4H0nARbKoAnsMdpy_VW2ERM5ujdW5SCntO8PEzWnNdhCXafHphN_bUCpFPEHBAboPl_Bws4JbCsfZIAiaBZ9mx6W37ZsWrsIR2PfBTWygoH9HLBwzc/s1600/Jeep+Tour+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH_6upNEW3pKSydF8d2gjs44qjQ4H0nARbKoAnsMdpy_VW2ERM5ujdW5SCntO8PEzWnNdhCXafHphN_bUCpFPEHBAboPl_Bws4JbCsfZIAiaBZ9mx6W37ZsWrsIR2PfBTWygoH9HLBwzc/s400/Jeep+Tour+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We saw some Mayan Ruins.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf065jWYDElMWOMFLSSP4wbh0zD7QVEm8IledGNl9rol82FoWixAxDxtP6zyGqq8FCyt1vajiBX_GkCY5dBuaF6tuTrOkiIznifNW10SDviwwwnD-mX-n-O88mak_07522fgltdq6E5HI/s1600/Jeep+Tour+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf065jWYDElMWOMFLSSP4wbh0zD7QVEm8IledGNl9rol82FoWixAxDxtP6zyGqq8FCyt1vajiBX_GkCY5dBuaF6tuTrOkiIznifNW10SDviwwwnD-mX-n-O88mak_07522fgltdq6E5HI/s400/Jeep+Tour+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Lots of iguanas.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQvWYM84SCId8q9vCvvxu9EB5ZIqOxq8tcvyXgbPWGjf2rX7GBW-UMORwTVTj6IHTsTr7Pv6D5ygDPOfugK6sKLxugJJnvOB6icl4lB6dddxIqpyq3y3Bs03fWFZSrPe8O25Lpb6sNh4Q/s1600/Jeep+Tour+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQvWYM84SCId8q9vCvvxu9EB5ZIqOxq8tcvyXgbPWGjf2rX7GBW-UMORwTVTj6IHTsTr7Pv6D5ygDPOfugK6sKLxugJJnvOB6icl4lB6dddxIqpyq3y3Bs03fWFZSrPe8O25Lpb6sNh4Q/s400/Jeep+Tour+3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">A few crocodiles.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">And even some dolphins, crabs and pelicans.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2o3GCerAEdcWSgik85bU0ups978Cglsy18295GKm1cBs3GdO-FSQXng6Ylc3YMPB3UzY_RoaPpEE1HCI0a8RoGdbxUEwX28raREyjyUcDGuTaAgGauwBYq3nJ91X37wqhT_HdCQdHchY/s1600/Us.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2o3GCerAEdcWSgik85bU0ups978Cglsy18295GKm1cBs3GdO-FSQXng6Ylc3YMPB3UzY_RoaPpEE1HCI0a8RoGdbxUEwX28raREyjyUcDGuTaAgGauwBYq3nJ91X37wqhT_HdCQdHchY/s400/Us.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Around 5:00 we'd be sitting at the snack bar,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg27BSm3nPewyMd_jGqnMwHVNeXCpcYJE0Q4ad82kCmCbNDyiK162Z3l0Sw1zHQtqQXNWzbhJHqHv4OaU_U0gTmMM8udTrdlTR-T_ZzuzNnwAz0nEkSGLhKCSlsuQDvISupSkHgMu8jscU/s1600/Sunset.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg27BSm3nPewyMd_jGqnMwHVNeXCpcYJE0Q4ad82kCmCbNDyiK162Z3l0Sw1zHQtqQXNWzbhJHqHv4OaU_U0gTmMM8udTrdlTR-T_ZzuzNnwAz0nEkSGLhKCSlsuQDvISupSkHgMu8jscU/s400/Sunset.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">watching the sun set as we waited for the dining area to open for supper.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">We had a good time, relaxed, and had some time to sit and talk.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I have no desire to be one of those couples who go every year, where 10 days still isn't long enough for them.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">But then again, we were the ones sitting in the shade without our own insulated mugs for beer.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">How uncool of us.</div>Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06248110332983654221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-144666790491682737.post-6040265001457236892011-03-16T11:01:00.000-07:002011-03-16T11:03:05.338-07:00Hard Work<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqoEZcE0yomRZhJmhA3RAFwpxX-fP20t0-UEjsBc6YYXF6Y06OvLcm2v7jVM3_BFd57XIW7qiV7U4jRaASprbVxbHjQJ4XGzc-pzWITOabi-3gMuBeALq3hxDJOcXfSVkXxvhAudmTGU8/s1600/so+tired.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqoEZcE0yomRZhJmhA3RAFwpxX-fP20t0-UEjsBc6YYXF6Y06OvLcm2v7jVM3_BFd57XIW7qiV7U4jRaASprbVxbHjQJ4XGzc-pzWITOabi-3gMuBeALq3hxDJOcXfSVkXxvhAudmTGU8/s400/so+tired.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Medicine is not fun.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Sometimes you put it off so long you fall asleep...</div>Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06248110332983654221noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-144666790491682737.post-63163948841660082472011-02-18T12:33:00.000-08:002011-02-18T12:33:00.287-08:00Birthday Party<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSUqDkTEyvgIknR5y4AGPxalAFAUQsvIbvAisc3FgpPny5izmiVq8YLaz_JOH0igAJyQ1An6WtEGS9Z1qnmc-Sqe-5SDbPgkintGt3zmUKPBTigA1sCJ6HqK0-Kov9-HTorLthmjNdGrM/s1600/Icing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSUqDkTEyvgIknR5y4AGPxalAFAUQsvIbvAisc3FgpPny5izmiVq8YLaz_JOH0igAJyQ1An6WtEGS9Z1qnmc-Sqe-5SDbPgkintGt3zmUKPBTigA1sCJ6HqK0-Kov9-HTorLthmjNdGrM/s400/Icing.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br />
This year's birthday party was a big change from last year. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://relentlessrevision.blogspot.com/2010/11/kitchen-tour.html">Last year</a> we couldn't even have it at our house!<br />
<br />
Henry got to help me - I decorated the cake and he decorated a piece of wax paper. If only the camera could have captured how hard he was working to squeeze out the icing, because his little arms would start shaking as he tried to squirt it out.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg82XumrGJ01-wtEQNd_7SbcC0iUxkFWnDWtowJQNO7em-sZ-IpDEBDUFjNGUZp1qvH1DBAjYFnj5fgEB0nAQWDzIqsgGLc-iGqQMU_9zfNxMRU00Ly0nHJ7NKeIX15isZSNSwxliS6Uws/s1600/Cake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg82XumrGJ01-wtEQNd_7SbcC0iUxkFWnDWtowJQNO7em-sZ-IpDEBDUFjNGUZp1qvH1DBAjYFnj5fgEB0nAQWDzIqsgGLc-iGqQMU_9zfNxMRU00Ly0nHJ7NKeIX15isZSNSwxliS6Uws/s320/Cake.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>I can bake a cake just fine, but I'm not going to pretend I'm awesome at decorating. I had lofty ideas, but common sense dominated and I am very thankful for the internet and contact paper so we could have our Dinosaur Train cake.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0UUptoUaoLx_mePe7Ntmw_OOI9wnWUv4DnUixzlfMfuOxNoF-cI0wq6bpfbpDJ3jGeDQ-N7-QUCkX3MREhxAtUHwsFzkUHlGHBRuzmZS7swiFwu3o3QKY_vhsVTDdkWV_dv6gI14vcC8/s1600/Cousins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0UUptoUaoLx_mePe7Ntmw_OOI9wnWUv4DnUixzlfMfuOxNoF-cI0wq6bpfbpDJ3jGeDQ-N7-QUCkX3MREhxAtUHwsFzkUHlGHBRuzmZS7swiFwu3o3QKY_vhsVTDdkWV_dv6gI14vcC8/s320/Cousins.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>We squeezed all the cousins in at our wrap-around counter top.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaeAjjmKS_Itzt8Pa5D2n8QqaFtCAZziJrkOR60TxcBT0iVclnMFFtIuD0finuKaOQcmFUJvtH9orpLgfQbQh8Tp_HqXyYvG3sw-Sn9K77pA0UiYMQaD4R6po2_qK5uFkVHC9BwTi6vtw/s1600/Presents.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaeAjjmKS_Itzt8Pa5D2n8QqaFtCAZziJrkOR60TxcBT0iVclnMFFtIuD0finuKaOQcmFUJvtH9orpLgfQbQh8Tp_HqXyYvG3sw-Sn9K77pA0UiYMQaD4R6po2_qK5uFkVHC9BwTi6vtw/s320/Presents.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>And it's a little hard to see, but we had cool curly candles from aunt "Joni in Nicu-agua."<br />
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Thank you to our wonderful families who love to come celebrate with us! (And those who celebrated with us even though you couldn't be there)Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06248110332983654221noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-144666790491682737.post-39785666077782417152011-02-13T13:14:00.000-08:002011-02-13T13:14:59.995-08:00Monsters and Snow<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi03F57tA_XuiU_0Mty_bDIqrwh5Dsi8JHp1SMs7OJYBxP9AJJ5Zgg0RkKfvFO8VsRQqsI6NhuWaWf1uvgYxa61VgGZVYMf-j8SKX8OBUu6ODUsEla1geS9FgwbkyeY8-fPfvVtzxcxgD4/s1600/snow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi03F57tA_XuiU_0Mty_bDIqrwh5Dsi8JHp1SMs7OJYBxP9AJJ5Zgg0RkKfvFO8VsRQqsI6NhuWaWf1uvgYxa61VgGZVYMf-j8SKX8OBUu6ODUsEla1geS9FgwbkyeY8-fPfvVtzxcxgD4/s320/snow.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>We've been enjoying the warm weather again. Funny how negative (or single-digit) temps can make you appreciate even a 15 degree day. But now it's so warm it feels like spring!<br />
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We burned off some energy and ended up burying each other in the snow. Although it took quite a while to bury my legs as Henry made progress fistful-by-fistful. I tried to show him how to scoop up a bunch with his arms, but he stuck to the fistfuls, even though his progress was as slow as shoveling out a driveway with an ice cream scoop.<br />
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But we had fun. And our walk to the school's soup supper was a warm one for maybe the first time since we moved here.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1zBNk1PCp6BNl33CRAvEZ08M9vhNuZ3C0DvCjwfiXkm2KBiKP8fuHZViWD8eBHTXNeTFnlQ4EHxFQzoB_9Mryiu0mjXJDh46bpdAzP6AA7BWUxnj0AIb0Q-9-BkGeqj-BMWm0GBZpv4o/s1600/monster+cupcakes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1zBNk1PCp6BNl33CRAvEZ08M9vhNuZ3C0DvCjwfiXkm2KBiKP8fuHZViWD8eBHTXNeTFnlQ4EHxFQzoB_9Mryiu0mjXJDh46bpdAzP6AA7BWUxnj0AIb0Q-9-BkGeqj-BMWm0GBZpv4o/s320/monster+cupcakes.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>Since we've had a fascination with monsters at our house for a while, I thought <a href="http://annies-eats.net/2010/10/28/monster-cupcakes/">these</a> cupcakes I saw at <a href="http://annies-eats.net/">Annie's Eats</a> would be perfect to take to daycare for his birthday treats.<br />
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I even had all the Dum Dums and Peach-Os in the cupboard. But as I was putting the frosting on (which was quite fun, and probably faster than actually frosting a cupcake, even though Doug told me I was an over-achiever), I was second guessing the "eyeballs." <br />
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First, that was a lot of suckers to unwrap. Second, that was a lot of sugar, and what three-year-old is going to let you throw away candy, let alone a sucker? I really didn't want to get the kids on a major sugar high because I'm not the one that has to deal with a room-full of them!<br />
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I opened the cupboard, and there were mini marshmallows and mini chocolate chips. Perfect.<br />
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Extra perfect that Henry had picked blue.<br />
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Because they looked like Cookie Monster without me setting out to create him. I love happy accidents!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Dvyji9Moj6XnbYHjfaLiZ7x33xATbWcmL6gvetRqKJUAcrhgB7SEXFrPLpV6v-cGAQxJxhJ4EW2rFemIy8oQciczzleJIeXzl-qQz1rTzlQHo6eApTkqs2O7T9r9YV7sr2ga5fTFUuU/s1600/daycare.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Dvyji9Moj6XnbYHjfaLiZ7x33xATbWcmL6gvetRqKJUAcrhgB7SEXFrPLpV6v-cGAQxJxhJ4EW2rFemIy8oQciczzleJIeXzl-qQz1rTzlQHo6eApTkqs2O7T9r9YV7sr2ga5fTFUuU/s320/daycare.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>The daycare ladies told me the kids had so much fun with them, which made me happy.<br />
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Because I don't do things like this to try and out-do other moms. I have fun doing this with hopes that the kids get to have a little extra fun (and sugar).Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06248110332983654221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-144666790491682737.post-46695198946823299602011-01-29T12:33:00.000-08:002011-01-29T12:34:49.707-08:00Silly Boy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2XYHWcDGdy6XdJzSF1tUnOArmz79VJxz8EXmDtC7QQexQe6KzB_mM0nIE8oxjCA9Oum4zn02W2jcCd_i5y2cIGog9Awc9hTxRnzhsF0ArzNuS_WDJ-uRfWTfH5QxbvvmhZHJnftl4EVw/s1600/snowman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2XYHWcDGdy6XdJzSF1tUnOArmz79VJxz8EXmDtC7QQexQe6KzB_mM0nIE8oxjCA9Oum4zn02W2jcCd_i5y2cIGog9Awc9hTxRnzhsF0ArzNuS_WDJ-uRfWTfH5QxbvvmhZHJnftl4EVw/s400/snowman.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
We've enjoyed the warmer weather this week, and even got to build a not-so-big snowman. Henry walked around with a little stick saying "my carrot nose" while I rolled the snowballs around. And once we got it built? He admired it for half a second and then asked if he could kick it over.<br />
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It hasn't taken me long to learn with Henry that most of the joy in building something is the destruction of it seconds later.<br />
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Friday I took Henry out for a treat.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">Ice Cream!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMCj2FadJ8owv4qG8SmVkk5xxUeOCy7LhOF9pUoSO2fT0I3LozDpa0VH4TAsmSmHX0gZ1q33_DHhqEu93fvbfOVNANRUq0gfjE6mbdcdSASQfscaBgDlBViVclQtfaZiZTCN9wQ3PJ8jA/s1600/Ice+Cream.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMCj2FadJ8owv4qG8SmVkk5xxUeOCy7LhOF9pUoSO2fT0I3LozDpa0VH4TAsmSmHX0gZ1q33_DHhqEu93fvbfOVNANRUq0gfjE6mbdcdSASQfscaBgDlBViVclQtfaZiZTCN9wQ3PJ8jA/s400/Ice+Cream.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>I knew he couldn't eat the whole thing, but share with Mom? Phht. We're too big for that.<br />
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So we took the rest home and stuck it in the freezer.<br />
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This morning, while I was mopping upstairs, Henry went down to get the ice pack (after walking into the door frame of his room), and came back up quite a while later. "I ate ice cream. I was hungry."<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWlZM68Pj1q0rHcbfJiFGI6xh8_e-6ddEhAOvyS2u8UvSHxIXi3KSpR_8cK4I6pKtQfRD1o-3uE9xQgW37G8fbRDGTf9rj1D0L1iysuVJdQ5YhjplGWuCHoMtOf4bplMIoIoPH9-HQ430/s1600/Ice+Cream+pt+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWlZM68Pj1q0rHcbfJiFGI6xh8_e-6ddEhAOvyS2u8UvSHxIXi3KSpR_8cK4I6pKtQfRD1o-3uE9xQgW37G8fbRDGTf9rj1D0L1iysuVJdQ5YhjplGWuCHoMtOf4bplMIoIoPH9-HQ430/s320/Ice+Cream+pt+1.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>At least he put it back.Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06248110332983654221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-144666790491682737.post-2336644205083313282011-01-23T14:35:00.000-08:002011-01-23T14:35:11.925-08:00Final Christmas Countdown UpdateI know this is a little after the fact, but even though our last week was hit or miss with the activities, I'm still happy with how the project turned out.<br />
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<b>Day 17: Watch a Christmas Movie</b><br />
This almost didn't happen because I needed to get a movie from the library, and good Christmas movies were always checked out from our public library and the local college library. That morning I looked online and the Muppet's Christmas Carol was in, so I left work at 8:59 to go get it. We had our movie night, ate homemade pizza on the couch, and later had hot chocolate but skipped the popcorn since none of us were hungry. The downside - it's not "Cars" and barely held Henry's attention. He kept asking where Kermit was, which was almost constant since Kermit does NOT have a leading role. How the Grinch stole Christmas may have been better, but we own it on VHS and no longer have a VCR connected to our TV. Oh well.<br />
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<b>Day 18: Go Sledding</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXwyNxv1FQe6pHAx2E_JmLSW9iO2Z62pwvSfinL3axofbyqeSC70CrcPKU2zewaD9qpPrRs3KSLJs9a0ejZsD0hsZyt-bHYSGi3ItAItgZTMskG0_p6t75EnlcMP-QnJEqjPXmnr5mWos/s1600/Sledding.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXwyNxv1FQe6pHAx2E_JmLSW9iO2Z62pwvSfinL3axofbyqeSC70CrcPKU2zewaD9qpPrRs3KSLJs9a0ejZsD0hsZyt-bHYSGi3ItAItgZTMskG0_p6t75EnlcMP-QnJEqjPXmnr5mWos/s320/Sledding.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>This was fun. We went on a tiny little hill behind the school just down the block from us, which was perfect because Henry could climb back up all by himself even carrying the sled. He had a blast, and Mom and Dad were there just to push him down the hill. He even tipped back in the sled and went down the hill with his head bouncing off the ground and came up laughing. Crazy kid. And then he and Dad tried to sled down the road home. That didn't work so well.<br />
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<b>Day 19: Bake Surprise Meringues</b><br />
This went pretty much the same as our other baking days: I did it by myself with him popping in every once in a while, mostly to snoop chocolate chips.<br />
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<b>Day 20: Bring Treats to Neighbors</b><br />
We actually brought a few plates of treats to a few local businesses we deal with instead, and Henry came home with a pocket full of suckers and tootsie rolls I'm not sure who came out ahead on that deal!<br />
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<b>Day 21: Look at Christmas Lights</b><br />
Henry had in his mind he wanted to be doing something else and kept asking to go home, the chauffeur began the trip by saying there's nothing real impressive to look at in town, and Mom was getting frustrated because apparently she's the only one who wants to have fun. Not the most successful night. :)<br />
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<b>Day 22: Wrap Presents and Stuff Stockings</b><br />
Actually, our stockings never got hung, again. I started by wrapping Henry's presents when he was supposed to be having some quiet time, and barely got done before he showed up in the office. He helped some, mostly putting on tape, but then he got sent out of the room when he started using the wrapped presents as step stools.<br />
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<b>Day 23: Sleep by the Christmas Tree</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTbdZ63BrFKvSOQj1q5iPZc3OSfGZJ9M6aMomY5SkL2onSqULU4RoWvnqpAIcBDfplMRdI3GAaijyhZhAgfUouCh0aWENdTn8xdw_8fS_5tiWkhBjBMDBgzos0C9kX7R1n8xN5nZV3dY8/s1600/Sleep.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTbdZ63BrFKvSOQj1q5iPZc3OSfGZJ9M6aMomY5SkL2onSqULU4RoWvnqpAIcBDfplMRdI3GAaijyhZhAgfUouCh0aWENdTn8xdw_8fS_5tiWkhBjBMDBgzos0C9kX7R1n8xN5nZV3dY8/s320/Sleep.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>This was one of the most successful things, even though none of us got a great night's sleep. But we didn't have to go to work in the morning so it wasn't a big deal.<br />
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<b>Day 24: Make Christingle Candles for Tomorrow's Breakfast</b><br />
(Chrstingle Candles are the oranges with the cloves and cranberries with a hole for a candle) Didn't happen. Not only that but my "special" Christmas breakfast never happened either. But we left early afternoon for our Christmas party with Doug's side of the family and had lots of fun sledding and eating and sharing gifts.<br />
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<b>Day 25: Read Luke 2 After Breakfast</b><br />
We did have a good breakfast, although I forget what we had. Probably waffles since that's what Doug usually requests and I rarely make. We read Luke 2 and then the rest of the day flew by. <br />
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We got ready for church then packed up food, presents, snow clothes, games, toys, extra clothes. We opened our presents as a family, went to church, came home, changed clothes, piled in the car, went to an extended family Christmas dinner, went straight to Christmas with my side of the family and went sledding again, ate, exchanged gifts, and got home late and exhausted.<br />
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Which pretty much sums up my reasons for wanting to do this countdown calendar. So much emphasis (and pressure) is put on a single day and for parents of young children, this day can often be less than enjoyable with the busyness it brings before it comes to a screeching halt. It's supposed to be a season of joy celebrating the fact that our Savior came to earth to save us, and doing this helped us slow down a little and enjoy doing some things together and do a little more giving.<br />
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What I would change?<br />
Having the grandparents over and sleeping by the tree were definitely the most talked about (therefore most enjoyed) by our 2 year old.<br />
I had a lot of activities, partly because I wanted to do a lot, and partly because the only alternative seemed to be treats. Next year I'm going to cut back a little - this year I easily got away with skipping activities if it was getting too busy, but I may not always be that lucky.<br />
With the right activities, this can be a great teaching tool as Henry grows. <br />
We will definitely be making this a tradition!Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06248110332983654221noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-144666790491682737.post-60520451818538316342010-12-17T12:32:00.000-08:002010-12-17T12:39:55.545-08:00Christmas Countdown ContinuedI didn't take as many pictures as I would have liked, but that's how things seem to go around here. One week I'll have 50 pictures, and the next I'll have 2. Here's our projects so far: <br />
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Day 6: Make Christmas Trees for Great-Grandparents<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMWuDKnrpZSEXsRNbG5GeKO-pLLK4aaZaYqbJFFzb6m072I0oKzGC8RdNzSZ7sHVVSmk24bUGNgWov-RbCbsgz5BtQMPoPedDXjYOg0HBBgXK4pMLwwmvnpu9bZHMXGIUWHuOZTY4QN28/s1600/Trees.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMWuDKnrpZSEXsRNbG5GeKO-pLLK4aaZaYqbJFFzb6m072I0oKzGC8RdNzSZ7sHVVSmk24bUGNgWov-RbCbsgz5BtQMPoPedDXjYOg0HBBgXK4pMLwwmvnpu9bZHMXGIUWHuOZTY4QN28/s320/Trees.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>This was somewhat successful - I had gotten everything ready ahead of time, and Henry just needed to decorate. I forget what came up, but we did this a day late and had to hurry after his nap to have them ready to go for the Great-Grandpas. We got the two done that we needed to, but nowhere near as many as I planned. Before we glued the tree on the tube, I put some waxed paper around the bottom with a rubberband and we filled the trunks with pieces of candy.<br />
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Day 7: Visit Great-Grandpas<br />
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This went okay, considering that active little boys go haywire as soon as they're in a small confined room. But the great-grandpas enjoyed seeing him (and us) and I know they don't mind the sudden goofiness as much as his mom does. ;) <br />
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Day 8: Buy a Gift to Give Away<br />
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I happened to be going shopping with my mom and Rachel on this day, so I thought it was perfect timing. But I picked out the stuff for our Angel Tree gift (clothes for a girl), and I don't enjoy shopping and forgot (and then didn't put in the extra effort when I remembered) to have him pick something out to drop off at ATLAS. <br />
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Day 9: Have Grandparents Over for Supper<br />
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This was a huge hit, and I meant to take a picture of everyone together but forgot once we were all sitting by the table. Henry thought it was just awesome to have ALL of his grandparents together and to himself. We all had a good time. <br />
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Day 10: Make Salt-Dough Ornaments<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnID2MOYqNp_hiz5P9f8xka3jp3yQ4I9Nt3d7u33QEDxOEtpQmpRttwsl59OAXP0YNf98XsMvgcpdf58RNg_5eEQfJxUeiCWBaBQkbOmzZiusbufJNLmD0lUiLRWskGeh30Yqt_pvqGAg/s1600/Ornaments.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnID2MOYqNp_hiz5P9f8xka3jp3yQ4I9Nt3d7u33QEDxOEtpQmpRttwsl59OAXP0YNf98XsMvgcpdf58RNg_5eEQfJxUeiCWBaBQkbOmzZiusbufJNLmD0lUiLRWskGeh30Yqt_pvqGAg/s320/Ornaments.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Basically we played with play dough. Sticky play dough. It would have been better if it weren't so sticky, because playing with play dough is fun. We rolled the dough into balls and then squished them to make snowmen. Mine was 3 high with the circles getting smaller. Henry's was 6 high with random sizes. I liked his better, because no rules = more fun. No pictures because my hands were too sticky. :)<br />
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Day 11: Visit Great-Grandma H<br />
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We were snowed in and definitely not driving out of town. We played outside in the snow and then trekked up the street in the wagon to our cookie exchange. I had finally bought a saucer this year, but a sled meant for pulling would have been better since the wagon doesn't work that great in the snow.<br />
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Day 12: Make and Decorate Cut-out Cookies<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm9cmq83sgAik6ORIjI6IhkuGtiJBYqCW0qagQDVyXDaCzdsu-6-kRYtgivs90OCbP4QUVigRTW5jg6RiuvqT1HkZDY5pT4ERwQjs_5kT1s0OGyrqSuivgMQE_9WnrI4vN2vXzVgsOx5U/s1600/Cutout+cookies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm9cmq83sgAik6ORIjI6IhkuGtiJBYqCW0qagQDVyXDaCzdsu-6-kRYtgivs90OCbP4QUVigRTW5jg6RiuvqT1HkZDY5pT4ERwQjs_5kT1s0OGyrqSuivgMQE_9WnrI4vN2vXzVgsOx5U/s320/Cutout+cookies.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>This was fun because Dad did it with us, but all we did was cut-out and bake the cookies. I got out all the Christmas cookie cutter, and then the "boys" came. Both thought the truck should be a Christmas shape, and I think we had more trucks than anything, and I had to work on both of them to share. ;)<br />
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The dough was sticky which I could handle, but the cookies didn't even taste that good. So I need a new recipe. And even if I had everything ready to go, Henry wouldn't have had the attention to cut-out the cookies and decorate them in one afternoon/evening anyway.<br />
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Day 13: Visit the Nursing Home and Hand out Extra Trees<br />
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This hasn't happened yet. His Christmas party at daycare was that afternoon, and we brought away some cookie platters before that. Plus we didn't have any extra Christmas trees. <br />
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Day 14: Make a Gingerbread House<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhES1PILkSqhxHv-5YPcD9jPF3Iy4DxE3YWtWRBJwrrOjVWfkq4CKYvhQgDkOwZS_xAh-pX6hTi04Lp1NlYHhcnwnA_g35cyxAq315Z6F7GHbHIqq2zri1qJ9swhpJx3Fh-9bCTSi4qoGk/s1600/gingerbread.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhES1PILkSqhxHv-5YPcD9jPF3Iy4DxE3YWtWRBJwrrOjVWfkq4CKYvhQgDkOwZS_xAh-pX6hTi04Lp1NlYHhcnwnA_g35cyxAq315Z6F7GHbHIqq2zri1qJ9swhpJx3Fh-9bCTSi4qoGk/s320/gingerbread.jpg" width="286" /></a></div>We did this for family night this week, and it was fun but will hopefully get better over the years! I had tried to get the house cut out and baked and assembled so it was ready to be decorated without falling apart. I made the royal icing and put it together right before we had supper, and one of my support cans tipped a little too far and dented our roof.<br />
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When we sat down to decorate, Henry sat there with the bowl of Mike & Ikes in front of him eating for about 5 minutes. Dad decorated his side of the roof perfectly, and Henry & I just did whatever. It was hard enough convincing him to put the candy on the roof instead of in his mouth! And we had to vacuum up the sprinkles that I kept hearing fall on the floor anytime Henry moved.<br />
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As I was finishing cleaning up, I could hear pieces falling off, and when we got up the next morning Henry saw the totally collapsed house and said, "Uh oh! I broke it!" He still claims he broke it even though I told him it fell apart while we were sleeping.<br />
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Day 15: Visit Great-Grandma VM<br />
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Henry had fun looking at her toolbox she got out to show him, and got to play with some of his (2nd?) cousins that Grandma was watching and lots of fun toys. <br />
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Day 16: Make Treats for Friends<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj76oI5AFyWp6BqWcSFMUKi7rk9P349u37wJ80h4N3zOMnUcZs-jf7-AVeYKMClxAE2VsE08LBiqCvRGWO2P3ryQouAbB2XLJtNXNTLOgwe8mdSKc9_dalC4_ebtXAEaL65Ypz-BH-nNwg/s1600/Friends.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj76oI5AFyWp6BqWcSFMUKi7rk9P349u37wJ80h4N3zOMnUcZs-jf7-AVeYKMClxAE2VsE08LBiqCvRGWO2P3ryQouAbB2XLJtNXNTLOgwe8mdSKc9_dalC4_ebtXAEaL65Ypz-BH-nNwg/s320/Friends.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>My plans for the treats for his friends changed from candy trains to monster magnets. He helped me "write" his friends names on the tags, but other than that there wasn't much he could do. Thankfully I have a cool glue gun, or my fingers would be blistered!<br />
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More to come next week!Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06248110332983654221noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-144666790491682737.post-50834242107963766092010-12-05T14:23:00.000-08:002010-12-05T14:28:27.241-08:00Christmas Activities, December 1-5<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>December 1: Put up the Christmas Tree and Decorations<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZJcGePnjMavdP45QsWX5nqfVL8Sf0lsvmCvWfIk7ZAtUTRbYPKAjuur8lwAlzDQwhA_zD3tmNHjPWO7LRl-wiqGXIEcheSMM6Y9hwMRURM0GTBF2pBIyku3TDRYL91amMgaRVHF87mGc/s1600/tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZJcGePnjMavdP45QsWX5nqfVL8Sf0lsvmCvWfIk7ZAtUTRbYPKAjuur8lwAlzDQwhA_zD3tmNHjPWO7LRl-wiqGXIEcheSMM6Y9hwMRURM0GTBF2pBIyku3TDRYL91amMgaRVHF87mGc/s320/tree.jpg" width="294" /></a></div><br />
We had fun putting up the tree, listening to Mannheim Steamroller and drinking hot chocolate with marshmallows. Henry had about 6 ornaments hanging from the one branch, so I did have to a little re-arranging. :) I had a church supper to help at on Wednesday, so rather than make Henry miss his nap to get the tree up, we did this on Thursday. Dad ended up taking the afternoon off and got to hang out with us too.<br />
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Both fell asleep on the couch afterward.<br />
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December 2: Decorate Wrapping Paper<br />
December 3: Make Christmas Finger Jello<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFVSjzuVUnKmL9jkp1w06ay0ehUyk5vts7kBv6s3JbnMRdL_TqRFt0IpkKrJvavDKlAna56wzQ9zF0KUhyphenhyphenBOvIvmYc9auqVa1YdabF1gywHQRNKmmYfFdj-WsqTs8vzevBLM-W0JgxMHA/s1600/jello+%252B+paper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFVSjzuVUnKmL9jkp1w06ay0ehUyk5vts7kBv6s3JbnMRdL_TqRFt0IpkKrJvavDKlAna56wzQ9zF0KUhyphenhyphenBOvIvmYc9auqVa1YdabF1gywHQRNKmmYfFdj-WsqTs8vzevBLM-W0JgxMHA/s320/jello+%252B+paper.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div>Because of the delay in putting the tree up, we did both of these activities on Friday. We made red and green finger jello and cut it into Christmas shapes, although Henry kept calling the cross was a "plus." We also decorated kraft paper with paint, glue, and glitter. There was less than half the jar of white glitter left, a little more than half of blue, and there wasn't that much surface area to cover!<br />
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December 4: Make Supper and Bring Some Away<br />
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I had supper made, all ready to go, and Henry refused to go for a car ride. Since these would be surprise drop-offs, I had planned chili soup and cinnamon rolls - something that could easily be froze or saved for the next day, so I didn't push it. I wasn't going to bring it away by myself just to get it done, and I wasn't going to force Henry to go and turn it into a miserable activity. Instead, we brought them away as a family after church today and left the surprises by back doors for them to come home to.<br />
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December 5: Make Star Cookies with Mom<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcXpD9AJFzxdxGThBankk06tBmbW3nEXuj0BVMNFO1XnEiB_tWt2GNA5eBhSzLPhT6hhDPcuSxvL83w6HQgQXWizCQeDnoivLYsEerJno9WdxeM16K8Y1Ga6GP3mWs97GtAaTEn3Zmbfc/s1600/cookies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcXpD9AJFzxdxGThBankk06tBmbW3nEXuj0BVMNFO1XnEiB_tWt2GNA5eBhSzLPhT6hhDPcuSxvL83w6HQgQXWizCQeDnoivLYsEerJno9WdxeM16K8Y1Ga6GP3mWs97GtAaTEn3Zmbfc/s320/cookies.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Sometimes Henry just gets excited about taking off the numbers, acts excited about the activity I tell him, and then goes off to play trucks again. At least today he knew what was involved and went straight to the kitchen table to push the chair across the kitchen.<br />
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He always has fun mixing, but he also has a short attention span and got in trouble for opening the oven door (even though it wasn't on yet), and disappeared right before what I thought was the fun stuff. He did show back up to roll a few cookies in sugar, tried to take over my job of scooping balls and started to treat it like play dough, pushed a few stars in the hot cookies and then disappeared again.<br />
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Along with a few stars. <br />
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I know I can't expect "perfect" activities if I want to have fun, so I remind myself: flexibility is key!<br />
<i></i><span id="search" style="visibility: visible;"></span>Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06248110332983654221noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-144666790491682737.post-57109323669975518682010-11-30T12:53:00.000-08:002010-11-30T12:56:46.859-08:00Advent Fun and My Giving UpdateI can't say I was a complete success with the 30 Day Giving Challenge. I had fun trying to come up with new ways to give and it pushed me to do some things I may have normally claimed were "too much work."<br />
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I managed a "Ring and Run" (actually a Ding and Drive) with an anonymous gift; I made cards for <a href="http://www.operationwritehome.org/">Operation Write Home</a> and proceeded to use the cards to give to others; I left a treat for our mailman which he must not have realized was for him and left it there; and other miscellaneous things to help out neighbors and family that had more or less success.<br />
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About halfway through the month I slacked off. "Recording" my giving started to feel pointless as I realized a lot of what I was doing was stuff that I would normally be doing anyway. But what I took from it was not the benefit of "giving" for 30 days straight, but some encouragement to occasionally go above and beyond what I normally do, even if it's out of my comfort zone. (I must say it's kind of uncomfortable ringing a doorbell and rushing to your car, trying not to look suspicious, but not knowing what you'll do if they come to the door before you can get away.)<br />
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On to Christmas!<br />
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I've been wanting a Christmas tradition that would add some fun, but couldn't quite describe what I wanted. Stockings on Christmas Eve; Christmas breakfast and presents together as a family before church and the busyness of the day; it's some nice time together as a family but it still wasn't quite what I was hoping for. But I didn't know what I was hoping for.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh35w-_FU9ImwWwTj2-OhCi33z4j6fhfxY7OCSfNfcI9GqdCcAZxeuNsvRwbkynktKYZxCdrcKvgPb6Ke12lGPeqtx6aYOKiSTIYhbXhTJtlWyuv6G899VFLdRQYh8rQO3vBwxrMzUJcDc/s1600/Advent+Calendar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh35w-_FU9ImwWwTj2-OhCi33z4j6fhfxY7OCSfNfcI9GqdCcAZxeuNsvRwbkynktKYZxCdrcKvgPb6Ke12lGPeqtx6aYOKiSTIYhbXhTJtlWyuv6G899VFLdRQYh8rQO3vBwxrMzUJcDc/s320/Advent+Calendar.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>And then I discovered/thought of/combined from a million sources a form of an advent calendar combined with a Christmas countdown. But I didn't want candy or trinkets.<br />
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So we have 25 days of activities for our family to do. And it fits perfectly with what I was hoping to accomplish. A tradition that makes this a season of fun and giving and not just a whole lot of commercial hoopla over one day of "gimme gimme" gift receiving.<br />
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I made bottle cap magnets with the numbers 1-25, cut out squares of Christmas paper (that I had to print from my digital supplies), and wrote our activities on the back. My original plan was to use a cookie sheet since our fridge isn't magnetic. Unfortunately my pans are airbake and also not magnetic, there weren't any at the second hand store when I looked, and I didn't feel like buying a magnetic board right now. So I used my mini muffin tin, flipped it over and stuck them to the back. Although I may need to clear if off or change one of my baking items I had planned for Christmas...<br />
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I explained the calendar to Henry yesterday and he went, "Oh, yaay!" and clapped. I'm not sure he completely understands what we're doing as he's responded this way to random things throughout the past few weeks, but I know he'll enjoy it. And I'm excited too, especially since I usually put our tree up the weekend after Thanksgiving and this year I've had to wait!<br />
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Anyway, check back as I'm excited about this and will be posting regular updates on our activities. Not sure I'll post each day, but I'll do at least a summary each week.Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06248110332983654221noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-144666790491682737.post-14255566023437246722010-11-22T14:05:00.000-08:002010-11-22T14:05:42.737-08:00Kitchen Tour I do have an excuse for abandoning my blog for a year.<br />
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We undertook another major house project beginning in the middle of December 2009. It involved our living room, stairway, kitchen, main bath, back entry, and making a laundry room in the basement. Unfortunately, I can't report the project as completed yet.<br />
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Someday.<br />
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But the kitchen was the biggest aspect, and it is about 95% complete. I can cook and bake, so I'm not complaining. <br />
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For about 5 months this was my "kitchen:"<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP8DIowAt7EcQ4mD-tXdKeUF5aFfOMtuJWHJuPKZhYh1HH92jsUw_2twaHKe_shuSvXU5F5V14fbL2Y1FWRAJAqitlj9VjT6_K1dEc3tXHBNOGgadidEQFrphe-JTes5IImTfjQG0eYmM/s1600/kitchen.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP8DIowAt7EcQ4mD-tXdKeUF5aFfOMtuJWHJuPKZhYh1HH92jsUw_2twaHKe_shuSvXU5F5V14fbL2Y1FWRAJAqitlj9VjT6_K1dEc3tXHBNOGgadidEQFrphe-JTes5IImTfjQG0eYmM/s320/kitchen.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie8HdNXoA1tITjvl4VqxR0w4rwspEVRiiJeytzb1vMB-5y-p6IJmpmR9D2tsb9MmKOt7pN0frX1TGkMf9LcagqxeFcboG6HVhl4Tyt1zRgEGqdmR11Zq7Oxp_j9A7m9qvpYzwcF3_wBuw/s1600/Cabinet+Delivery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Our back family room was about the only functioning room on our main floor (the office was functional, but it became a store-all and was sealed off part of the time). We ate there, I "cooked" there, we lived there, and it was impossible to keep clean. I lugged the dish pan through the house, up the stairs, and washed dishes in our upstairs tub every night. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I got through it with a decent attitude by reminding myself that within a year I would barely remember those days (and yes, I knew from experience).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxdBZgHwbiT1nnfkr_rMiNcF7sObtcZTuCBPNmyHB6MhnXHBUvDu24aictk8idpFJ6YF8ZK7KiPLdipWna3BcfAxPEM4voScqwK-d4QrTr9p53zHwx4zi88B_COnJDQ_X5-QC9cRjxPOw/s1600/Demolition+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcFOlh7J4RXaZuH6dm8cKupTyw7-PpejGjPTrlmE6iJG-YUf4g7dpikT8kQrG4HXSN2TcKx_cApGrliz4nF11xT4rG3g3wrpmsvWv9UhGS5ntikLEmTAj-FlDGt5I4V1h9npb6ETMy0lQ/s1600/Kitchen-before.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcFOlh7J4RXaZuH6dm8cKupTyw7-PpejGjPTrlmE6iJG-YUf4g7dpikT8kQrG4HXSN2TcKx_cApGrliz4nF11xT4rG3g3wrpmsvWv9UhGS5ntikLEmTAj-FlDGt5I4V1h9npb6ETMy0lQ/s320/Kitchen-before.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPwU5O7_l_49UuCl8SGPkJ3GihNxKu98CjcaS1ZJYZg2ruhHh75UvRQn8Vfp7ZtcnsNTF9RZRLBh9BQlXx2FSIznlmNGpGLvDPYhsXIR1l_XlpAu2e9ZCUf0Hr94dvXeKhBeAGpNKSNKI/s1600/Baking+Corner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6TtdElOWJUJjNxYNPoLZx2XYHWVb5L5SkG7SNOV7kZ3koUkaOxX6bD2cDUALC7pepvY87HO0bsK67kjyRd0IiSl0Ixp2VKB2r6kXD4ECnvsFzIPFWSMV_3AF3AV36vlv86NC6Z_Mozik/s1600/Clean+Slate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is the "before" and I quick snapped this picture as I was in the process of packing up. You can see the dining room table, and on the other side of the far wall was a "formal" dining room. It sat empty except for a stray desk and bookshelf and looked out of place behind the living room.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNsG5Ht1iSUDI-ocOL3AiMxu4iZWQafjiNXczbe9j7-gOOx7IquOIdVlB2-Ck8mrlxHYmgK1H35es6mZ0X3sKIZHcFNG3WCGRFlpwhoNGr49NnDib2Vrg7n4TF-z4sD2icKjKg1GYt_ZY/s1600/Demolition+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNsG5Ht1iSUDI-ocOL3AiMxu4iZWQafjiNXczbe9j7-gOOx7IquOIdVlB2-Ck8mrlxHYmgK1H35es6mZ0X3sKIZHcFNG3WCGRFlpwhoNGr49NnDib2Vrg7n4TF-z4sD2icKjKg1GYt_ZY/s320/Demolition+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This shows the layout a little better - the cabinet space was decent, but there was almost no counter space between the sink, cooktop, and microwave.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLE6cu8Th_FED1S8iPVcG7-6DQWdh_2ui1feBvBqQdzaklH4a5zH1_Yxukn7Bz7O5hAxixPkqaPvx2CagnJ6W9kufFTfbX86v19TuQsaN30IbxPt6H4vxzHeB-IncItSzKNfKiYLn1Mds/s1600/Demolition+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoniDmUNtqA8T2_jQR-bedXRuv3g3efj98XDrH9QShIuDcF_ylb0Vr5SPqoRc8FZCKfepgfkU9uILIP7-oF0IKYk_Z_JCte7AJGkuxYETi1v0635a6pQxT87F8Er-k3bilQtb0XFx-lAw/s1600/Demolition+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoniDmUNtqA8T2_jQR-bedXRuv3g3efj98XDrH9QShIuDcF_ylb0Vr5SPqoRc8FZCKfepgfkU9uILIP7-oF0IKYk_Z_JCte7AJGkuxYETi1v0635a6pQxT87F8Er-k3bilQtb0XFx-lAw/s320/Demolition+3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Post demolition - at least most of it. The bathroom was next, so that wall on the left side was soon open. No more formal dining room = a lot more space! <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxdBZgHwbiT1nnfkr_rMiNcF7sObtcZTuCBPNmyHB6MhnXHBUvDu24aictk8idpFJ6YF8ZK7KiPLdipWna3BcfAxPEM4voScqwK-d4QrTr9p53zHwx4zi88B_COnJDQ_X5-QC9cRjxPOw/s1600/Demolition+3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxdBZgHwbiT1nnfkr_rMiNcF7sObtcZTuCBPNmyHB6MhnXHBUvDu24aictk8idpFJ6YF8ZK7KiPLdipWna3BcfAxPEM4voScqwK-d4QrTr9p53zHwx4zi88B_COnJDQ_X5-QC9cRjxPOw/s320/Demolition+3.jpg" width="320" /></a> </div><br />
A view from the other direction - close to the same view as the before picture.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP8DIowAt7EcQ4mD-tXdKeUF5aFfOMtuJWHJuPKZhYh1HH92jsUw_2twaHKe_shuSvXU5F5V14fbL2Y1FWRAJAqitlj9VjT6_K1dEc3tXHBNOGgadidEQFrphe-JTes5IImTfjQG0eYmM/s1600/kitchen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6TtdElOWJUJjNxYNPoLZx2XYHWVb5L5SkG7SNOV7kZ3koUkaOxX6bD2cDUALC7pepvY87HO0bsK67kjyRd0IiSl0Ixp2VKB2r6kXD4ECnvsFzIPFWSMV_3AF3AV36vlv86NC6Z_Mozik/s1600/Clean+Slate.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6TtdElOWJUJjNxYNPoLZx2XYHWVb5L5SkG7SNOV7kZ3koUkaOxX6bD2cDUALC7pepvY87HO0bsK67kjyRd0IiSl0Ixp2VKB2r6kXD4ECnvsFzIPFWSMV_3AF3AV36vlv86NC6Z_Mozik/s320/Clean+Slate.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
A clean slate - the part I love! It means the end is (sort-of) in sight, and adding color and making it feel like a home again is a great feeling. <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie8HdNXoA1tITjvl4VqxR0w4rwspEVRiiJeytzb1vMB-5y-p6IJmpmR9D2tsb9MmKOt7pN0frX1TGkMf9LcagqxeFcboG6HVhl4Tyt1zRgEGqdmR11Zq7Oxp_j9A7m9qvpYzwcF3_wBuw/s1600/Cabinet+Delivery.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie8HdNXoA1tITjvl4VqxR0w4rwspEVRiiJeytzb1vMB-5y-p6IJmpmR9D2tsb9MmKOt7pN0frX1TGkMf9LcagqxeFcboG6HVhl4Tyt1zRgEGqdmR11Zq7Oxp_j9A7m9qvpYzwcF3_wBuw/s320/Cabinet+Delivery.jpg" width="213" /> </a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Unloading the cabinets - this is only part. There's more you can't see around the steps, some in the dining room, and some to the left of me. We started wondering if they were all going to fit! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjveKTue-62wYHmad6DnuzbialEwfDd_E-71-vicjMgOOQ5wUCubn9BMhnVKNfPRmMhFiuw_E27G28-9pnTAdWlTQvRg6Alu7iuG11cxsY7OvThDym9ot0hNCbdrwzgbXXi5vvrq0coiiw/s1600/Cabinets.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjveKTue-62wYHmad6DnuzbialEwfDd_E-71-vicjMgOOQ5wUCubn9BMhnVKNfPRmMhFiuw_E27G28-9pnTAdWlTQvRg6Alu7iuG11cxsY7OvThDym9ot0hNCbdrwzgbXXi5vvrq0coiiw/s320/Cabinets.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"></div><br />
Cabinets going in - this is probably where I got really excited and anxious for the finish. Unfortunately we still had countertops, appliances, plumbing, and flooring to go.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYrvqTR5SHeKgSr28-irowjMBaGsb2i9mBw1AVTRMGppsp7fdFQSZ1rZr3qGimhE_tg_hSFZvHZBPf43P73RqGydID7vQPdcxAq6LPpb-itqbuNq2SUrcRLBvMX6_w0uoDWQtOzr28BcY/s1600/Sink+Details.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYrvqTR5SHeKgSr28-irowjMBaGsb2i9mBw1AVTRMGppsp7fdFQSZ1rZr3qGimhE_tg_hSFZvHZBPf43P73RqGydID7vQPdcxAq6LPpb-itqbuNq2SUrcRLBvMX6_w0uoDWQtOzr28BcY/s320/Sink+Details.jpg" width="213" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKhjRK82Rgx2qaGS2lvvYOvxhDLO0K_afIJZ6VuuMgWPNPO4BkQZrFCMlp6f4aLjUVIJk5ET8EgvW4BucqDN9klMZ_IUoyGBUBiG32S-1qWZbDMtXW_FGKeEHyLDVYBsAKvhUiOx63lkA/s1600/New+Kitchen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We bumped out the cabinet for the kitchen sink to add some detail to a long run of cabinets, and I love the "feet" Doug put on it - it looks more like furniture than a cabinet! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKhjRK82Rgx2qaGS2lvvYOvxhDLO0K_afIJZ6VuuMgWPNPO4BkQZrFCMlp6f4aLjUVIJk5ET8EgvW4BucqDN9klMZ_IUoyGBUBiG32S-1qWZbDMtXW_FGKeEHyLDVYBsAKvhUiOx63lkA/s1600/New+Kitchen.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKhjRK82Rgx2qaGS2lvvYOvxhDLO0K_afIJZ6VuuMgWPNPO4BkQZrFCMlp6f4aLjUVIJk5ET8EgvW4BucqDN9klMZ_IUoyGBUBiG32S-1qWZbDMtXW_FGKeEHyLDVYBsAKvhUiOx63lkA/s320/New+Kitchen.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My new kitchen taken from almost the exact same spot as the before picture - quite a big difference!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPwU5O7_l_49UuCl8SGPkJ3GihNxKu98CjcaS1ZJYZg2ruhHh75UvRQn8Vfp7ZtcnsNTF9RZRLBh9BQlXx2FSIznlmNGpGLvDPYhsXIR1l_XlpAu2e9ZCUf0Hr94dvXeKhBeAGpNKSNKI/s1600/Baking+Corner.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPwU5O7_l_49UuCl8SGPkJ3GihNxKu98CjcaS1ZJYZg2ruhHh75UvRQn8Vfp7ZtcnsNTF9RZRLBh9BQlXx2FSIznlmNGpGLvDPYhsXIR1l_XlpAu2e9ZCUf0Hr94dvXeKhBeAGpNKSNKI/s320/Baking+Corner.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">That is my baking corner. There will eventually be a bench under the window to cover that storage. My mixer is on a pop up shelf, and I have another little sink over there. I love it! The three-tier countertop was a compromise - Doug wanted the raised bar look, and I didn't want to be constantly lifting kids up and down onto bar stools, so we have a table-height counter that wraps around the corner. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Someday the details will be finished, I'll have carpet in the living room, and the other projects will be finished. Someday.</div>Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06248110332983654221noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-144666790491682737.post-45929070114536378152010-11-13T14:41:00.000-08:002010-11-13T14:41:50.804-08:00How to Play<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOJUjwsD1NpHGkzYjSoTWFW5cdczS-HyB6HfGyLFb3kq3UmUuv1-_USOCALMUcLpf8oLktzUpNXFvXvgCWFIkielRKmlpXyVrq9yYuR4RbrVTKZWI1Qs_Avwk1mjbdtD0FTuEjX1n4cEU/s1600/Snow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOJUjwsD1NpHGkzYjSoTWFW5cdczS-HyB6HfGyLFb3kq3UmUuv1-_USOCALMUcLpf8oLktzUpNXFvXvgCWFIkielRKmlpXyVrq9yYuR4RbrVTKZWI1Qs_Avwk1mjbdtD0FTuEjX1n4cEU/s320/Snow.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> At 7:30 this morning, instead of eating breakfast before going to work, I was outside playing in the snow with Henry making snowballs.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmf89QmmNuWKF8sX5GXGwKFQEFtmaTkBUiM_IPuZieMg-ijjcp3Wz_-3rtCc9Q17kTM0ODAIkq0pNIq0DsuRcD4Uix4-c8WolqxY98sB-CAQXRtEDcVoNm14pIn68kLARFR6AovmUAjq8/s1600/painting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmf89QmmNuWKF8sX5GXGwKFQEFtmaTkBUiM_IPuZieMg-ijjcp3Wz_-3rtCc9Q17kTM0ODAIkq0pNIq0DsuRcD4Uix4-c8WolqxY98sB-CAQXRtEDcVoNm14pIn68kLARFR6AovmUAjq8/s320/painting.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We've also been painting the basement, and Henry has had fun 'helping.' (Those are all "H's" by the way.)</div>Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06248110332983654221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-144666790491682737.post-13831736343640708622010-10-28T12:22:00.000-07:002010-10-28T12:22:48.841-07:00Balls, Legos, and a Little Fixing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAac-jDh0HOGw_7vMy_NPRo6h4FG1G9TtcqlwH1tjOkvumwcOyPmGEYLYfAFlQGdOAvz0DeTPeRqP7_eGKWJBprvtJ94GdYg_p8_OY_bnOfOenZfvKWYZOPwN48VjZ804reyEcXzN-Fkg/s320/Checkers.jpg" width="213" /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My original plan for last week's family night was to play some (easy) games.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I got out the games during the afternoon and let Henry examine them before we even tried to play.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The checkerboard was useless - he just wanted to build a tower. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Chutes and Ladders showed promise - until he found the spinner again and didn't stop spinning it for about 5 minutes.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We're not ready for "rule" games yet.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihIli56cEMo9389DOveoSdFxacHcIUDjLVZ9ihFcB92XeoOgMRhoMY4uEcYFY18vWTSHuTZqN5TQviwe3N4uJtzlnDHJxwuwPcrBrFgAjSaxpXYnqnRyZIwSyOEdJXSC4_vYBknzoW6GI/s1600/Ball.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihIli56cEMo9389DOveoSdFxacHcIUDjLVZ9ihFcB92XeoOgMRhoMY4uEcYFY18vWTSHuTZqN5TQviwe3N4uJtzlnDHJxwuwPcrBrFgAjSaxpXYnqnRyZIwSyOEdJXSC4_vYBknzoW6GI/s320/Ball.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> So we went outside to play. We played with the bat and balls, and after I reminded Henry to keep his eyes on the ball, he was hitting them half-way across the yard! It was hilarious to see how intently he focused on the ball before swinging.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Doug got a workout after we got the giant tennis ball out - once Henry saw him kick it up high, that's all he wanted Dad to do for the next 20 minutes.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR-y3Fb3jDN2Olwz7a7j5kI3rldkGyGMIgUWmeB12oG-axkybWqO9tcsBqEQcxckhXGfFtVmyj5wkIzszzbvAVsIqyLuU09tva1MyGiSmu5PkS9Pl61MiOPt-jJHDUoUquHjJ7FkVFPjs/s1600/Sheetrock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR-y3Fb3jDN2Olwz7a7j5kI3rldkGyGMIgUWmeB12oG-axkybWqO9tcsBqEQcxckhXGfFtVmyj5wkIzszzbvAVsIqyLuU09tva1MyGiSmu5PkS9Pl61MiOPt-jJHDUoUquHjJ7FkVFPjs/s320/Sheetrock.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">This weekend we put sheetrock up in the basement for the toy/train/farm room. I don't know who's more excited about it - Doug or Henry.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Please ignore the high-water pants I subjected my son to.</div><div style="text-align: center;">And here's proof that he will be an expert with tools in the near future.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrra4qucTnX115TphZgV2A_R7wxz0FvyCcrdb2IgmBPG5W6Y7nnTqipFSjF1eEcW42STa1ME_R7TRpI9MxXf2z3YgwD4craloTZzKQhV1f3uPDVZuehfYxT5hZNWFcPrbZS2PWvt1IYV0/s1600/Legos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrra4qucTnX115TphZgV2A_R7wxz0FvyCcrdb2IgmBPG5W6Y7nnTqipFSjF1eEcW42STa1ME_R7TRpI9MxXf2z3YgwD4craloTZzKQhV1f3uPDVZuehfYxT5hZNWFcPrbZS2PWvt1IYV0/s320/Legos.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">This Tuesday we hauled out the legos. </div><div style="text-align: center;">That is definitely Doug's area of expertise. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I build a box and called it a garage.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Doug built trucks.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Henry was kind enough to play with both.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLid5QTdwnRQPOg7eN1FEe2aG6MGh_F96zym8l-eK7h6NwyxvO4EmR8p1Tfh0CNqe7lwZWlXZ91rvOv50Cwa-E5KA1t3HEGAbM-VecjSo8B5VNsEtlolVqZKQxooVWSYXVbDda8NXUQpk/s1600/Backrub.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLid5QTdwnRQPOg7eN1FEe2aG6MGh_F96zym8l-eK7h6NwyxvO4EmR8p1Tfh0CNqe7lwZWlXZ91rvOv50Cwa-E5KA1t3HEGAbM-VecjSo8B5VNsEtlolVqZKQxooVWSYXVbDda8NXUQpk/s320/Backrub.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Henry also walked on Dad's back. There may have been a little jumping.</div><div style="text-align: center;">On AND off of Dad's back.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I never did hear if his back felt better or worse after Henry "fixed" it.</div>Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06248110332983654221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-144666790491682737.post-17246490622106475592010-10-20T11:39:00.000-07:002010-10-20T11:39:31.944-07:00Life As We Know It<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlTt5uB-4oRRMMas7gkTx8jLbICilmH2A7jlfH3p0pmgH174QO-gT7fldYEBnWn-bAaU4VeZA7S_S4gY5gpSD7Vn1GxvSESehXyN2eyTTWm18R6LJ9Qmwyuyu6Q0eB2_5q6U6ulprWZMs/s1600/Ice+Cream.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlTt5uB-4oRRMMas7gkTx8jLbICilmH2A7jlfH3p0pmgH174QO-gT7fldYEBnWn-bAaU4VeZA7S_S4gY5gpSD7Vn1GxvSESehXyN2eyTTWm18R6LJ9Qmwyuyu6Q0eB2_5q6U6ulprWZMs/s200/Ice+Cream.jpg" width="133" /></a>Last night wasn't really family night, so we're going to do it tonight. Doug called at 5:45 saying he still had one more delivery (he's usually home by 5:40), so Henry and I played memory and held off with supper until 6:30, then made our Not-so-Molten Chocolate cakes and enjoyed them with ice cream.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbWRxgWEMnYLPuTvZNYsdPY0AYmKLhJwrYMqOOeW6OZPCtYbPFpPFCUFEWgCfDVpgawgEnZwXvodbzGRIWE2OnWCNNMsgPVjo4qs5CdCflU5IwCsJZngcxhIYIVakkSo4XqLFy8clnf1E/s1600/Every+Drop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbWRxgWEMnYLPuTvZNYsdPY0AYmKLhJwrYMqOOeW6OZPCtYbPFpPFCUFEWgCfDVpgawgEnZwXvodbzGRIWE2OnWCNNMsgPVjo4qs5CdCflU5IwCsJZngcxhIYIVakkSo4XqLFy8clnf1E/s200/Every+Drop.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
And got Every. Last. Drop. <br />
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Henry pushed his truck around while bouncing like a frog, parked his trucks all in a row under the toe-kick of the cabinets, and then we went up to take a shower just as Dad got home at 7:30. Not exactly the night I had planned, but we'll make it up tonight.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCYQxspYy9xpAbK5ni9EHDO07AzK9kFecGWX_zuytqZgtzUM_ctDu3UCErGT16SBZzwWQ3XHK_f5JIhm2XRCxRCOL_R5lAT0H8fuo6Qna1L4bsEYNb4ixy5hgWhTQGRfIi0G2aKtwPL84/s1600/Truck.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCYQxspYy9xpAbK5ni9EHDO07AzK9kFecGWX_zuytqZgtzUM_ctDu3UCErGT16SBZzwWQ3XHK_f5JIhm2XRCxRCOL_R5lAT0H8fuo6Qna1L4bsEYNb4ixy5hgWhTQGRfIi0G2aKtwPL84/s200/Truck.jpg" width="148" /></a></div><br />
Some of our highlights from this week were making an A for Alligator, singing the alphabet song 10 times, and reading "There's an Alligator Under My Bed" by Mercer Mayer about 5 times. We've had it from the library before and by now Henry can "read" about half of it with me. I got the idea from <a href="http://totallytots.homestead.com/NowIKnowMyABCs.html">here</a>, and hopefully we'll make it though the alphabet in the next few months.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxcdUK5zSxTcQRZxYVFHco24ekAT7muWzZb9AnmFlGsQE3OsAVphA6KS69HuV_Ba8GU5Bl_G355HsQ4MwVoVOjFrtdXL0X541KaU1ziYJWW2OGabYeezFDR_GB9liziG1vQFKqUycT2Ps/s1600/Alligator.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxcdUK5zSxTcQRZxYVFHco24ekAT7muWzZb9AnmFlGsQE3OsAVphA6KS69HuV_Ba8GU5Bl_G355HsQ4MwVoVOjFrtdXL0X541KaU1ziYJWW2OGabYeezFDR_GB9liziG1vQFKqUycT2Ps/s320/Alligator.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> We watched the garbage truck come pick up (yet another) dumpster from our driveway.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG4yhSuB1XeottzzB-24jKBxh8uF-yjcCKSNInLNwQ92XEvfvtQDyX8xM2vR8VZ8JG7ljARHXtv4Ke9Sdy1rHNXYcB9UTLNDGCqomk4eUjlSei4OGwqzPy2E50GBKqYYOWP_CnjZoqi8g/s1600/Garbage+Truck.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG4yhSuB1XeottzzB-24jKBxh8uF-yjcCKSNInLNwQ92XEvfvtQDyX8xM2vR8VZ8JG7ljARHXtv4Ke9Sdy1rHNXYcB9UTLNDGCqomk4eUjlSei4OGwqzPy2E50GBKqYYOWP_CnjZoqi8g/s320/Garbage+Truck.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Dad moved his tools from his shop to our basement so he can actually get some use out of them again, and along with them came the wagon for the old Structo truck Henry discovered in our attic a few weeks ago. I think Doug had grand plans of refinishing them, but this little boy doesn't care, as long as it's a truck. It's current function is storage - Henry loves to shove all of his other cars and trucks in the "wagon." </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNHg2oM96Xj_RiNxn7MjYUNLQ9x7IAOkKG7d5XWXq7qhXt490mQpKYzsVg8kJGYjdb9Ai2O1Wq-22jCZe-W0Iup702zoeM5sjr_HZu0WT88R5-xNYGmhAHyaaOGOarB5QcBlXyYDWWeHE/s1600/Structo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNHg2oM96Xj_RiNxn7MjYUNLQ9x7IAOkKG7d5XWXq7qhXt490mQpKYzsVg8kJGYjdb9Ai2O1Wq-22jCZe-W0Iup702zoeM5sjr_HZu0WT88R5-xNYGmhAHyaaOGOarB5QcBlXyYDWWeHE/s320/Structo.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And I just need to point out that Henry's as enthusiastic about salad as he is ice cream. Makes his momma proud.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj52mskHg88FqkGE_7HKBLhAJ7dIWbp7qJSmb-8wcdEUFOU_GxBpmJZhlg4i01HpF637KkE1zd1dKxRbmIAP01eBdjFDtNbtAunvykzOitEcnB0izUckaGR2Qtfj7U2P0YlisYIelCtIS8/s1600/Lettuce.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj52mskHg88FqkGE_7HKBLhAJ7dIWbp7qJSmb-8wcdEUFOU_GxBpmJZhlg4i01HpF637KkE1zd1dKxRbmIAP01eBdjFDtNbtAunvykzOitEcnB0izUckaGR2Qtfj7U2P0YlisYIelCtIS8/s320/Lettuce.jpg" width="320" /></a>Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06248110332983654221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-144666790491682737.post-59992884662894321392010-10-13T12:21:00.000-07:002010-10-13T12:29:46.923-07:00Our New TraditionI don't know how many times in the past years I've thought about or talked about our family doing something together. We spend a lot of time together, but even though we may be in the same room, we often aren't doing anything together, and the TV is usually on.<br />
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While I will never convince Doug that unplugging the TV for a month, or even a week, would be a fun experiment, I really want us to spend some time together while really being together. Starting this week, we have designated Tuesday night as "Family Night" - after supper is cleaned up, the next hour is for us to have fun being together.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAQ9bvsI1sKwdJJqQ1zbShPy4cQff3ud4tH2cXQ2KjY4xSg9JL0Ulzsw-BBEIS3SJW870SWI2DhBPuREfzs-Z0iRUKOjSNTH1KFSDj3hl0vGUjNm9FGFWSzcYYNmMB3dHjJhsW7tSBugI/s1600/Cookies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAQ9bvsI1sKwdJJqQ1zbShPy4cQff3ud4tH2cXQ2KjY4xSg9JL0Ulzsw-BBEIS3SJW870SWI2DhBPuREfzs-Z0iRUKOjSNTH1KFSDj3hl0vGUjNm9FGFWSzcYYNmMB3dHjJhsW7tSBugI/s320/Cookies.jpg" width="320" /></a>Yesterday, Henry and I made Snickerdoodles during the afternoon. (Look at his little tongue - shaking them around in the cinnamon and sugar takes so much concentration!) We also each ate one, but mine was warm from the oven, and his was raw and quickly shoved in his mouth.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXbpKmcHya8Gd_2YCEkKfX6W8abqhr5BhQ9opFWVlkHOWbT0GDLrb4FRu0PzG9mCA0naJBQHrhiWJCaMwRgCo9gCy4zdSGMWj41yenc2my3po3qtjHd2mijSCOt10hOccX-GcFkJ0EWMU/s1600/Leaves.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXbpKmcHya8Gd_2YCEkKfX6W8abqhr5BhQ9opFWVlkHOWbT0GDLrb4FRu0PzG9mCA0naJBQHrhiWJCaMwRgCo9gCy4zdSGMWj41yenc2my3po3qtjHd2mijSCOt10hOccX-GcFkJ0EWMU/s320/Leaves.jpg" width="320" /></a> We also collected leaves and pressed them between waxed paper. He loved collecting the leaves and had so many he could hardly hold onto them all, but was fascinated with our "picture" for about 25 seconds. Oh well.<br />
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After supper, we headed outside and Henry got to ride to the park in his wagon - which doesn't happen near often enough for him. There we quickly tried out every piece of equipment on the playground, played with a basketball, got a "bucking bronco" ride from Dad on the bee, and rolled down a hill and got dizzy and covered in leaves. On the way home, Dad tried riding down the hill with Henry but didn't make it very far and still had to pull him most of the way home. Inside, we finally got to enjoy the cookies, and for as much as I like to bake (and as much as I like cookies), I'm almost embarrassed to admit that I think this is the very first time I have ever had Snickerdoodles.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL4IKT_ADtyA10eylZTJh0xCfSPWTKoDJVxWrf_mWKDW63VTxBnitL7AC5lEOfSc6zFTGwIiwen-xKOOXzeG0IZccT4iLV1zC3Xtx1bzmvFJwjrD-kRbhAmzioV-l1sMiSqZY0w627BSI/s1600/Park.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL4IKT_ADtyA10eylZTJh0xCfSPWTKoDJVxWrf_mWKDW63VTxBnitL7AC5lEOfSc6zFTGwIiwen-xKOOXzeG0IZccT4iLV1zC3Xtx1bzmvFJwjrD-kRbhAmzioV-l1sMiSqZY0w627BSI/s320/Park.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06248110332983654221noreply@blogger.com0