tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73250576579299218112024-02-19T18:02:48.346-06:00Little Brick Houses for You and MeMarenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03425968951785261072noreply@blogger.comBlogger939125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7325057657929921811.post-47471468545725535282018-12-22T11:39:00.000-06:002018-12-22T11:39:59.051-06:00Calvin’s 1st Birthday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Calvin turned one on the 14th. It has been a year of upheaval and I often regret that I wasn't able to enjoy his first year more. There were many good moments but many stressful ones too. Even his birth was hard to process although I don't diminish the experience of those who have gone through much worse and don't end up with a good out come of a healthy child. If you recall, he came two weeks early, ended up in the NICU for five days and he was supposed to be a girl. We even had the name of a girl filled out on the birth certificate form. Right after the shock of a lifetime when he came out as a boy, his breathing was not right and he ended up being whisked to he NICU and I barely got to hold him for several days. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
But, here we are a year and a move and a job change later. He spent months crying most of the time due to ear related problems (which resolved themselves right before we finally went to a long awaited ENT appointment) and I was almost always alone with the four kids when we were finishing the school year before moving. As summer turned to fall he became a very enjoyable baby and now he is a typical house destroying, stair climbing, food throwing one year old. These pictures seem like a long time ago. </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/AVvXsEgWRv3UXiE0IuEDdTVXoWEPUWpVjN-j5QN2heJP248NSjjGtAFIn1p32eCUwdEKBMO3FxmZ8V6iZjLRzO1d1J1Dr9cgistajMh-nzcYdUWKWGtr_Z_qR6g1soxqrBrTiimQjrvXYmZAa8NQ/s1600/0DE922B8-F710-4FF2-BA6D-955A83D2F43C.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWRv3UXiE0IuEDdTVXoWEPUWpVjN-j5QN2heJP248NSjjGtAFIn1p32eCUwdEKBMO3FxmZ8V6iZjLRzO1d1J1Dr9cgistajMh-nzcYdUWKWGtr_Z_qR6g1soxqrBrTiimQjrvXYmZAa8NQ/s320/0DE922B8-F710-4FF2-BA6D-955A83D2F43C.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This was the first time the older kids got to see Calvin through the nursery window. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVz7b-OiI5B-8AhoiF_MVAFhDaAUA5CxPK_qHSYpsRpQYSFIQwwv_YgF0wqztqDMv2BJhmeWFWGb6yF7xyMUjqCqLU8T64ZD9tCq5ZjbBlFebyPFzOWwXzUiPnw5TzXNSAKENeItxagNu4/s1600/1F769F9E-489F-4E70-83CA-EA7BCB9BD426.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVz7b-OiI5B-8AhoiF_MVAFhDaAUA5CxPK_qHSYpsRpQYSFIQwwv_YgF0wqztqDMv2BJhmeWFWGb6yF7xyMUjqCqLU8T64ZD9tCq5ZjbBlFebyPFzOWwXzUiPnw5TzXNSAKENeItxagNu4/s320/1F769F9E-489F-4E70-83CA-EA7BCB9BD426.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzYGcGbtqZ-5d7VUdhy3kIPo0frWLVDNE4nAGQO4ap_95B5LxNZwE2xRo2FuY7vQepa0kEnURnTOLQZDt2Ju39CTM5HfIm0Td3vwldufntwp6xT2v9Oyzhl7dAi29CznmDjuBrKshK3x6q/s1600/3D4CBB04-8618-4C40-AF01-40F303A83547.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzYGcGbtqZ-5d7VUdhy3kIPo0frWLVDNE4nAGQO4ap_95B5LxNZwE2xRo2FuY7vQepa0kEnURnTOLQZDt2Ju39CTM5HfIm0Td3vwldufntwp6xT2v9Oyzhl7dAi29CznmDjuBrKshK3x6q/s320/3D4CBB04-8618-4C40-AF01-40F303A83547.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This was when he got to have his oxygen removed. The nose tube is the feeding tube. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Br5R9PMhqDfd7q55zZhr-tR4WvRNgAVQl6m9ixFubGINwAVpu6XV2RnJLxqIy9kPCo6hP-C_7jodCmbgnTyRbpKYhUNUVDctLiqlClxEhR-7XrPEMxMHrkIwFt4a-gSzZiJcORP7jK2P/s1600/4B71178E-C266-474E-BFEE-E40DB0A04931.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Br5R9PMhqDfd7q55zZhr-tR4WvRNgAVQl6m9ixFubGINwAVpu6XV2RnJLxqIy9kPCo6hP-C_7jodCmbgnTyRbpKYhUNUVDctLiqlClxEhR-7XrPEMxMHrkIwFt4a-gSzZiJcORP7jK2P/s320/4B71178E-C266-474E-BFEE-E40DB0A04931.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This was taken before we left the hospital. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYQti0F9G-e_lCdwUTWBDrD9inN15YcWoZWDwywPoxknBxReRm_AAmq4SPgrZmg1uQ3cK0c03mDttZY3IvqnqBC3btlbB2YbAz-7CeWgJaSB_E3nfPQcH93Bjoy5uFZCDeLWNbqeogKjg8/s1600/8B96EF6C-9383-4017-8972-3603819FBC5F.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYQti0F9G-e_lCdwUTWBDrD9inN15YcWoZWDwywPoxknBxReRm_AAmq4SPgrZmg1uQ3cK0c03mDttZY3IvqnqBC3btlbB2YbAz-7CeWgJaSB_E3nfPQcH93Bjoy5uFZCDeLWNbqeogKjg8/s320/8B96EF6C-9383-4017-8972-3603819FBC5F.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This was during the early days in the NICU when he was under an oxygen tent. We still have his stuffed monkey pacifier that you can see in the corner. I will probably save it forever. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTwfnZdu7FCUig_wGrhUTbg0V8L-FtOyO0FqILPeUyYzYx1iwxEyxM5MgNrfViXjdrJy2Qw1jKZi9OnP_ib68tPdR1ONorjAJ3UEm-WBXepYFdx5eqdgCK7SAL71VH07qgr_KrNXUR4L2a/s1600/51CCF5E0-10F6-406B-A0DE-0B9CAA38A03A.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTwfnZdu7FCUig_wGrhUTbg0V8L-FtOyO0FqILPeUyYzYx1iwxEyxM5MgNrfViXjdrJy2Qw1jKZi9OnP_ib68tPdR1ONorjAJ3UEm-WBXepYFdx5eqdgCK7SAL71VH07qgr_KrNXUR4L2a/s320/51CCF5E0-10F6-406B-A0DE-0B9CAA38A03A.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This was when I got to feed him for the first time the night before he was discharged. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzzYVcFwmQCPgqbHdGGhlVPRubS9AgYtCH26ONCkufUsCvmjEiP8I7dDS_Y3jyl9aZQtgtPOD0CeMefBJK9X1SIsu5tB20m9kP-tTseDsWUXOjrjyzY_RnfgcralAuUAqYRZSifMCJiBFP/s1600/29759578-F5DA-4282-BAA3-A78B6076D642.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzzYVcFwmQCPgqbHdGGhlVPRubS9AgYtCH26ONCkufUsCvmjEiP8I7dDS_Y3jyl9aZQtgtPOD0CeMefBJK9X1SIsu5tB20m9kP-tTseDsWUXOjrjyzY_RnfgcralAuUAqYRZSifMCJiBFP/s320/29759578-F5DA-4282-BAA3-A78B6076D642.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This was taken right after he was born when we got to hold him in the NICU. I didn't get to hold him for a few days after that. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuY-jYvdYqY26Z_n7iBeXCtXDNQ_l3tCj4uBo-VARJ995fxxGjN5X4IfqzH2dXczxaUqp935pPhU85srExrSq5_LPsWvXMg3nnu9iKWUw-Yk1rXES8asK2gwexsYjs5tHXqwTWQ7sKqb0e/s1600/36089771-C171-4C6F-BBD1-B04372BD7137.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuY-jYvdYqY26Z_n7iBeXCtXDNQ_l3tCj4uBo-VARJ995fxxGjN5X4IfqzH2dXczxaUqp935pPhU85srExrSq5_LPsWvXMg3nnu9iKWUw-Yk1rXES8asK2gwexsYjs5tHXqwTWQ7sKqb0e/s320/36089771-C171-4C6F-BBD1-B04372BD7137.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I love this picture. Ben came in from the bus after school and he didn't know we were home yet. It was his last day of school before Christmas break. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL8d19C9ZvNUstWpOG5sKn7AZUc3BBvfm-5Ieerz75YUfOtYMAzkUAKtIzXHGY_Q5AmC0G-EoYVpScDhR1BPkYztQcfjISqvGWz4bOAeHPVPaybNzrlH1hn-DkATtU-U6OumqpdxE1MrSF/s1600/F0B94CA8-77BB-4AFE-9C2B-3122D5E7DC6E.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL8d19C9ZvNUstWpOG5sKn7AZUc3BBvfm-5Ieerz75YUfOtYMAzkUAKtIzXHGY_Q5AmC0G-EoYVpScDhR1BPkYztQcfjISqvGWz4bOAeHPVPaybNzrlH1hn-DkATtU-U6OumqpdxE1MrSF/s320/F0B94CA8-77BB-4AFE-9C2B-3122D5E7DC6E.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Here I am, driving the two of us home from the hospital! It felt pretty strange to just walk out of there alone and drive myself home with a new baby. But that's life when you have three other kids at home. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Now, fast forward:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHarHFoXXP63sV6WOYis5OKXdr1NTnn9BRzSJz4TqtozhjQXRQO6tr7kpX9vhxuvoXCwZ7DZ7RDztecy9Uofql1hqrsuFNU1Vi_4CtvflhIEUKQZ3GCOZVfLp43-5Ruu0udbVZmjxShxWc/s1600/41B55AB0-67E3-4BE7-9CC5-17AF2057D6C2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHarHFoXXP63sV6WOYis5OKXdr1NTnn9BRzSJz4TqtozhjQXRQO6tr7kpX9vhxuvoXCwZ7DZ7RDztecy9Uofql1hqrsuFNU1Vi_4CtvflhIEUKQZ3GCOZVfLp43-5Ruu0udbVZmjxShxWc/s320/41B55AB0-67E3-4BE7-9CC5-17AF2057D6C2.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVU1GpyFh8POydmg_mfqvjw65niNw7sSzEaWoXrYZUvYxBF7dPowjeoCCg9TyejXOWrauFayaE7-fM3mMvxJi2lh1J7d-x8CoerJPcCwTu3HwMDPDsFf-09NS7xxzYv_ETJum1Efmx1ogQ/s1600/C17D2FEE-93AD-4F21-865E-743A46AD9CD7.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVU1GpyFh8POydmg_mfqvjw65niNw7sSzEaWoXrYZUvYxBF7dPowjeoCCg9TyejXOWrauFayaE7-fM3mMvxJi2lh1J7d-x8CoerJPcCwTu3HwMDPDsFf-09NS7xxzYv_ETJum1Efmx1ogQ/s320/C17D2FEE-93AD-4F21-865E-743A46AD9CD7.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXzDVPJ0gPCwSeQKHL6SYPmZn_hIhrT-tFGZ0Jr1CHs6R111NDHrjyOSQAj3oxx5rM_Sq7AyKE3NgXs-pvrex5gTkC3YXONNogGlX5Lz8EkxIZCVYgAXWk635qWuPlUgDGVAXldF16umXL/s1600/E3083C11-F0F0-43DF-823F-271BECAA408A.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXzDVPJ0gPCwSeQKHL6SYPmZn_hIhrT-tFGZ0Jr1CHs6R111NDHrjyOSQAj3oxx5rM_Sq7AyKE3NgXs-pvrex5gTkC3YXONNogGlX5Lz8EkxIZCVYgAXWk635qWuPlUgDGVAXldF16umXL/s320/E3083C11-F0F0-43DF-823F-271BECAA408A.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
What a sweet little baby! He is very close to walking but not there yet, he likes to eat most things you put in front of him, he can climb up the stairs so quick you miss it until you hear him banging around up there and he is starting to like books and brings them to me to read to him. He is the fourth boy to wear this first birthday shirt. He grabs at everything as you can see in the picture above where he is trying to get the candle flame. He has completely ransacked the bottom half of the Christmas tree but I'm just embracing it because I know next year will be a different story and maybe I will indeed miss baby antics around the house. MAYBE. Happy birthday Calvin Harold.</div>
<br />Marenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03425968951785261072noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7325057657929921811.post-66246202660596182062018-12-20T13:15:00.001-06:002018-12-20T13:15:13.169-06:00It's Beginning to Look Alot Like Christmas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Christmas is coming fast. We have made it through three Christmas programs (elementary school, and church) football playoffs (Frisco again!) and we have managed to fit in some fun extra festivities which the kids kind of missed out on last year due to Calvin being born early. Speaking of that, Calvin turned one six days ago. I will post about that next. He deserves a 1st birthday post like the rest of them got! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So, first things first, Tessa had her preschool program on December 8. We had to (gasp) miss a playoff game for it. She was so excited though. It was part of a larger celebration for the community and we spent the day doing crafts, seeing Santa and watching a tree lighting at dark. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9TozhzRa4ajle_8cu7CX8AaZUt__aXQrbJWg8kWrKxLDJrdXEgdhBc3vDkcjK10W889ledP8DVQVh8eC_N_0BpTnIyOEr5r14sQwdUe1RJaK5ngIubISIJjnZkIL0OTZTfI5I7V1GxzLg/s1600/030B4DD5-EA2A-477A-843F-21F7DFECE654.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #0066cc; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: 16px; margin-right: 16px; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9TozhzRa4ajle_8cu7CX8AaZUt__aXQrbJWg8kWrKxLDJrdXEgdhBc3vDkcjK10W889ledP8DVQVh8eC_N_0BpTnIyOEr5r14sQwdUe1RJaK5ngIubISIJjnZkIL0OTZTfI5I7V1GxzLg/s320/030B4DD5-EA2A-477A-843F-21F7DFECE654.jpeg" style="cursor: move;" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
She accessorized all by herself with her pearl sash. She also held her little purse the whole time and managed to do the hand motions to the songs while working around it. </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/AVvXsEiW-ObyadmBjJ0krXKo9PqpbGwKVhgSWK5qa_EH3RwOC1krtqLXwuol5elz83NPIDMdBF7vWeP1tPZC_WF-LzMOYmP8SmtK0Ry6qdr2Tf9un4cMEGpiihlYAWM1hzKmHTc0Bed_zCn7rMOz/s1600/B4978442-00E1-49BA-BA80-03766D97C417.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #0066cc; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: 16px; margin-right: 16px; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="720" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW-ObyadmBjJ0krXKo9PqpbGwKVhgSWK5qa_EH3RwOC1krtqLXwuol5elz83NPIDMdBF7vWeP1tPZC_WF-LzMOYmP8SmtK0Ry6qdr2Tf9un4cMEGpiihlYAWM1hzKmHTc0Bed_zCn7rMOz/s320/B4978442-00E1-49BA-BA80-03766D97C417.jpeg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It was almost as exciting as that snooze-fest blowout of playoff game would have been! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqcuHa-bw8rwT4ImLVZala2oNESYUeH9TCGOj41NYfesSHw8GIFrFs7Q_ubBqdgU5HvBreRfSbRn93cPS_nQr61aylUAtSsDefSsuptUAfxnOA60J1E6mOxgjXore99GVjHwbegayjio1i/s1600/B45D1A5C-17A0-40E3-9D86-417ACEE5181F.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #0066cc; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: 16px; margin-right: 16px; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqcuHa-bw8rwT4ImLVZala2oNESYUeH9TCGOj41NYfesSHw8GIFrFs7Q_ubBqdgU5HvBreRfSbRn93cPS_nQr61aylUAtSsDefSsuptUAfxnOA60J1E6mOxgjXore99GVjHwbegayjio1i/s320/B45D1A5C-17A0-40E3-9D86-417ACEE5181F.jpeg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Christmas buddies!</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/AVvXsEhsrSlVKfJ27RFsxGcq0Zg9cB14o8n3bmulYPXKqKxpbKfRSG3pObkYKQsfwF67O3BzfXHf19D3C8Jxrsxl3jTxeI7-ZQlyW4dAQo372avqLwEfJ0DnxaC7Ktdm7Dn8DE7pHDFUfVVrWjTc/s1600/D427FEAE-4C40-4213-A026-EB12CF892247.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #0066cc; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: 16px; margin-right: 16px; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsrSlVKfJ27RFsxGcq0Zg9cB14o8n3bmulYPXKqKxpbKfRSG3pObkYKQsfwF67O3BzfXHf19D3C8Jxrsxl3jTxeI7-ZQlyW4dAQo372avqLwEfJ0DnxaC7Ktdm7Dn8DE7pHDFUfVVrWjTc/s320/D427FEAE-4C40-4213-A026-EB12CF892247.jpeg" style="cursor: move;" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Also, she won a drawing and received this foam puzzle North Pole kit which I got to assemble after she ripped it open and spread it all over the table before I even had my shoes off at the door. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Next, Ben's school music program. First we got to listen to the fifth grade and sixth grade bands and Milo, tactless as he is, was covering his ears the whole time. I'd like to see him do better!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><i><u><br /></u></i></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSgdXNPO0aiK1liFlG7jrXd1Z6Ey95FRX7bHz7PIl0Fx4UkyQzQU1wFJZOt0riPg2S8PAvFsNgIsOOTTB_NTzU4BZVGXhjFo_imauRGCNdJMTlM0QGlq0D1Y_IJpHezUrpg0NN7tNCrW6R/s1600/AAFF05DD-E09F-4351-85B6-298C9736A928.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #0066cc; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: 16px; margin-right: 16px; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSgdXNPO0aiK1liFlG7jrXd1Z6Ey95FRX7bHz7PIl0Fx4UkyQzQU1wFJZOt0riPg2S8PAvFsNgIsOOTTB_NTzU4BZVGXhjFo_imauRGCNdJMTlM0QGlq0D1Y_IJpHezUrpg0NN7tNCrW6R/s320/AAFF05DD-E09F-4351-85B6-298C9736A928.jpeg" style="cursor: move;" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Here he is in his dress clothes. We had to buy a new red shirt and pants that didn't look like capris. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Next, the Sunday School program. It was a traditional nativity play featuring many of the same costumes that were used when I was a kid and possibly even when my dad was a kid. However, the costumes Ben and Tessa wore have been added the last few years. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJaPAf7XYlcG3GWPU_keeFu8fzwn0NK17dKfmcCcffwbHsGX0em40BqQHQ2NKpASNRC0FJ0gbJafnJOuPZHrRUGZ70Ej_LUdYJsARzMZA-OeZa_JuLH_FmxY9YYJP9lRucPVka49DKuIo0/s1600/0CB7264F-13EE-4EDD-9D24-D97C724ACF4E.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJaPAf7XYlcG3GWPU_keeFu8fzwn0NK17dKfmcCcffwbHsGX0em40BqQHQ2NKpASNRC0FJ0gbJafnJOuPZHrRUGZ70Ej_LUdYJsARzMZA-OeZa_JuLH_FmxY9YYJP9lRucPVka49DKuIo0/s320/0CB7264F-13EE-4EDD-9D24-D97C724ACF4E.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
Tessa was a stable animal (sheep) and Ben was a Roman soldier. Also, I got to get involved as the piano player! The woman who played for many years died last year a few days before the program and the church organist filled in. I was asked and I said yes and I pulled it off! I played seven classic Christmas hymns and also helped coach the soloists during the rehearsals. <br />
<br />
After a few weeks of very cold weather it has been more temperate and I have been sending the kids outside. They built this snowman over the weekend and luckily we have black rocks in our landscaping. The poor thing melted by the evening. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS10zTdUlLcG3nr2eMsVP6xGKeEhDrKLQgNilS6ZO03DgJmisxM3bHB5QrJO05Tv0rsUKbow9XLzU_lTD4cGu5TOOISx3WoGgsMJgY8pwS3MaGb0QVGo9HxzO7swVG6ZsGk1-jT1NUBpoq/s1600/3CB43566-E5B2-4EF2-AD3A-E05417E62F89.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS10zTdUlLcG3nr2eMsVP6xGKeEhDrKLQgNilS6ZO03DgJmisxM3bHB5QrJO05Tv0rsUKbow9XLzU_lTD4cGu5TOOISx3WoGgsMJgY8pwS3MaGb0QVGo9HxzO7swVG6ZsGk1-jT1NUBpoq/s320/3CB43566-E5B2-4EF2-AD3A-E05417E62F89.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
After trying for two years and not making it we finally saw the Canadian Pacific Holiday Train! It only stops on their rail lines so we drove to a small town in Minnesota to catch it. It was quite a sight. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ShUfOMW8sefS0AAax36hoCHYalUNpQcQqPTrBCw2bVg0Q-kLjexplxctj6b5JxaD3-KcPwnsejhXUzDLdUHqdYf30DdWL9TSkK8MjknBueP85dbhMKB25cqR2_yBMs7m1U1UU884Sl2z/s1600/7F37BD8C-2C87-43E1-B91D-6B750B690FFA.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ShUfOMW8sefS0AAax36hoCHYalUNpQcQqPTrBCw2bVg0Q-kLjexplxctj6b5JxaD3-KcPwnsejhXUzDLdUHqdYf30DdWL9TSkK8MjknBueP85dbhMKB25cqR2_yBMs7m1U1UU884Sl2z/s320/7F37BD8C-2C87-43E1-B91D-6B750B690FFA.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #000120;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ9XEkaFgaqfH_Mmu0uqxZZoE65zYhWOsrKsCUjizpXAHZ5QbF1WoaB28mEaie6Mqix1e8wtNJFl6pkx51E_gErvTYxt1Npmyb6LRs2_z-fOHfLrzLgmNq97EDBHaq_5KsRorFIFatwylW/s1600/6FCB9B32-2458-477E-A758-6EFC9D780B73.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #0066cc; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: 16px; margin-right: 16px; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ9XEkaFgaqfH_Mmu0uqxZZoE65zYhWOsrKsCUjizpXAHZ5QbF1WoaB28mEaie6Mqix1e8wtNJFl6pkx51E_gErvTYxt1Npmyb6LRs2_z-fOHfLrzLgmNq97EDBHaq_5KsRorFIFatwylW/s320/6FCB9B32-2458-477E-A758-6EFC9D780B73.jpeg" style="cursor: move;" width="240" /></a></span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2q95s5t0iRcUxv0f4XnPnVOGHNkZKP5N_mHhj6w-G2msyTdAfU-NDHwEnRDKzAXcGwhClNrfbtPzJGIBzk16TqJoS2ftuaPWBvCJxRiR_NedVkHL__mRWu2NETf-7ezJMnGMmwCFlDFJk/s1600/44D79CBA-40FA-407A-9C0B-A71EC57A276A.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2q95s5t0iRcUxv0f4XnPnVOGHNkZKP5N_mHhj6w-G2msyTdAfU-NDHwEnRDKzAXcGwhClNrfbtPzJGIBzk16TqJoS2ftuaPWBvCJxRiR_NedVkHL__mRWu2NETf-7ezJMnGMmwCFlDFJk/s320/44D79CBA-40FA-407A-9C0B-A71EC57A276A.jpeg" width="320" /></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/AVvXsEhGd79chM05VYiQ9KeG0YcwaU5sEtgWUsP8RZWWcVIxJAtTP5N36XLLiIy-StWMFdP5JUb3hxAWutIq0wRBriY2tXsDh3wpLGWtF2BevDxMtY7g56N6aG0IKkWN6mDckKFJJwhUvKwiBmH6/s1600/F1791953-0ED8-46D9-89C5-8E3472298EB2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #0066cc; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: 16px; margin-right: 16px; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGd79chM05VYiQ9KeG0YcwaU5sEtgWUsP8RZWWcVIxJAtTP5N36XLLiIy-StWMFdP5JUb3hxAWutIq0wRBriY2tXsDh3wpLGWtF2BevDxMtY7g56N6aG0IKkWN6mDckKFJJwhUvKwiBmH6/s320/F1791953-0ED8-46D9-89C5-8E3472298EB2.jpeg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_GfrLhL6SOFtnL5kIiFD8CiU5qkEnFC-S49b-0ZOeiTShqWhh7zLizdzoTqlV2lk4ZKi-L1CCYLjyaoQZVf_jzKvCJyafDyYEDyR18V2BF4nIHOCHlVPNB6NdPfneb8O2ymJKRu9r9AOh/s1600/380C04F2-CEFF-43C3-96B4-E2558CBFD04C.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_GfrLhL6SOFtnL5kIiFD8CiU5qkEnFC-S49b-0ZOeiTShqWhh7zLizdzoTqlV2lk4ZKi-L1CCYLjyaoQZVf_jzKvCJyafDyYEDyR18V2BF4nIHOCHlVPNB6NdPfneb8O2ymJKRu9r9AOh/s320/380C04F2-CEFF-43C3-96B4-E2558CBFD04C.jpeg" width="320" /></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/AVvXsEjl91u8VqjoZM3XGFzCA9oo4VY8yh2sWxMGF0aKlQEsuyX_QFqMvtbpWPUfWSU32y43qlGMxTZ8C6GdQKmxJisvL6e8VUUqH8p1n19FDq9g2ypt8ljXoSjxm_Livztf-eXrp3D3G11JXaft/s1600/0F64C1B8-672A-41E9-AA47-273BB1E90DE3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #0066cc; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: 16px; margin-right: 16px; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl91u8VqjoZM3XGFzCA9oo4VY8yh2sWxMGF0aKlQEsuyX_QFqMvtbpWPUfWSU32y43qlGMxTZ8C6GdQKmxJisvL6e8VUUqH8p1n19FDq9g2ypt8ljXoSjxm_Livztf-eXrp3D3G11JXaft/s320/0F64C1B8-672A-41E9-AA47-273BB1E90DE3.jpeg" style="cursor: move;" width="240" /></a></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc3Osfg2QLGP_2eVSzrNfnFlyX3UJZO1m38_ByZgvuTUYYOQqPw3kzfUlRQRhVVSKXbJK0OgBOW7GSNKJXZJKQ06Y8w3YfsbeGh39wgp1ven-4c3769eNFVCOc78FkDhbNd05u7A_BH64O/s1600/A3CF6801-A27F-456B-B776-79DF1F48D0D0.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc3Osfg2QLGP_2eVSzrNfnFlyX3UJZO1m38_ByZgvuTUYYOQqPw3kzfUlRQRhVVSKXbJK0OgBOW7GSNKJXZJKQ06Y8w3YfsbeGh39wgp1ven-4c3769eNFVCOc78FkDhbNd05u7A_BH64O/s320/A3CF6801-A27F-456B-B776-79DF1F48D0D0.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It barely looks like it could be real in the pictures. It is hard to tell from the pictures but there was a huge crowd. One of the cars opens up to a stage and there is a short Christmas concert. It was kind of hard to drag the stroller around in the snow. Hopefully next year we won't have to worry about that anymore! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Last year we took the kids to see Santa the night of December 13, before Justin went out to play darts. I had a feeling something was happening and I ended up heading to the hospital later that night and Calving was born the next day! He missed the annual Santa picture by one day. So, although it isn't his first Christmas here is his first Santa photo. </div>
<div align="left" 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/AVvXsEiJm_7tvn9N_LoN9WzHhULJNGeW9mcfPDXfaz8YXV4wNB6Fs0dUVxbbWXJIL1wMLUdN3uhFRjF2QleHkMs18svPTv7NHLPB0g8LoFeejIdzMpzm63y6dThQLu-82vXYiyTf-l5L46F9kobN/s1600/7F0CB0B9-9D39-42D9-AC07-342FCB3B129E.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #0066cc; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: 16px; margin-right: 16px; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJm_7tvn9N_LoN9WzHhULJNGeW9mcfPDXfaz8YXV4wNB6Fs0dUVxbbWXJIL1wMLUdN3uhFRjF2QleHkMs18svPTv7NHLPB0g8LoFeejIdzMpzm63y6dThQLu-82vXYiyTf-l5L46F9kobN/s320/7F0CB0B9-9D39-42D9-AC07-342FCB3B129E.jpeg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I'd say it is one of the better ones we have done. No crying, half smiling. Success. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Last year, one of the activities I did manage to do with the kids while I was uncomfortably pregnant and home alone because Justin was working on cleaning up an oil spill for work was making popcorn strings with the kids to put on the tree. They have been asking so I finally set it up for them. The delay was because I needed a tray for my microwave air popper so I could make popcorn without oil or salt. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi016fq4AX3Gp00cSTU-XHv7r5_U6-ynQfcz57nvUEfU550VoS0MQUKvj9wlJd_rle-rEZAxApMmnlhPKZuLP4q_ZF12rWHrZRexOWerfzX0aMH-M3N2GunQ51o3XD2A-9yv2F0ffKMXY9V/s1600/A91A9BE3-6CCE-49F6-8C36-7DEC5BFBC53A.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi016fq4AX3Gp00cSTU-XHv7r5_U6-ynQfcz57nvUEfU550VoS0MQUKvj9wlJd_rle-rEZAxApMmnlhPKZuLP4q_ZF12rWHrZRexOWerfzX0aMH-M3N2GunQ51o3XD2A-9yv2F0ffKMXY9V/s320/A91A9BE3-6CCE-49F6-8C36-7DEC5BFBC53A.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKmR00cyJNYvDit5P6gpa3hdfgM0lMt-chcfa6xM1A7vpH_eGmaCVUuebNmLo5d0N-b-oUPL2bt7wvH7QrLjKE5QgJPCmCpfeh56YS2ORckDRGai-evpMW43PqP61XCiEaewZf38Xz5Q4L/s1600/A7449215-9DBC-4686-852B-C1D760CC0C3D.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKmR00cyJNYvDit5P6gpa3hdfgM0lMt-chcfa6xM1A7vpH_eGmaCVUuebNmLo5d0N-b-oUPL2bt7wvH7QrLjKE5QgJPCmCpfeh56YS2ORckDRGai-evpMW43PqP61XCiEaewZf38Xz5Q4L/s320/A7449215-9DBC-4686-852B-C1D760CC0C3D.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>
Even Milo managed a few sticks with a needle although I did most of his chain. <br />
<br />
I don't plaster it all over social media because it's not that interesting but we do have the controversial Elf on the Shelf in the house. Lucky for me our new house has a lot of shelves which makes it pretty easy to move it around. Earlier this week Ben set up this crazy elf trap with a lego airplane dangling from a ceiling vent over Allan's cat tent. The elf fell for it!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<u><span style="color: #000120;"><br /></span></u></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5M_Sf2NTtwnV7wsdhQ354tGKO1F2huess6dhfEnITvPH7tS1jZ_l2QgzGv1ZhypJ3xrWFdBGWM99ZN2Q1Eks9pol6CSbJfaa1zYdYfXtvNexKMGuWUn76jFDrgvkdCMR5GWoOd3JQ5lhm/s1600/D23CD978-CC8B-46EA-A452-DB83A6F3140C.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5M_Sf2NTtwnV7wsdhQ354tGKO1F2huess6dhfEnITvPH7tS1jZ_l2QgzGv1ZhypJ3xrWFdBGWM99ZN2Q1Eks9pol6CSbJfaa1zYdYfXtvNexKMGuWUn76jFDrgvkdCMR5GWoOd3JQ5lhm/s320/D23CD978-CC8B-46EA-A452-DB83A6F3140C.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Five more days...five more days...five more days...</div>
<br />
<br />Marenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03425968951785261072noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7325057657929921811.post-75426830982056996092018-12-03T13:20:00.001-06:002018-12-03T13:20:52.945-06:00My Attempt at Ethnic BakingSo, this post was drafted on November 27. And it's now December 3. I try, I try. Christmas festivities are happening here. The tree is up, many decorations are strewn around the house and it looks pretty disastrous but oh well. As much as I want it to be, this isn't a magazine or an episode of Fixer Upper. <br />
<br />
The week before Thanksgiving I got this crazy whim. We all crave our favorite ethnic treats and dishes around the holidays. As for me, I want lefse, spritz cookies, krumkake and...rosettes. It's been awhile since I've seen a rosette. My grandma on my dad's side use to buy them from a bakery for Christmas. If a Norwegian grandma is buying it from a bakery you know it a challenge to make. But, I have a set of rosette irons I bought with a gift certificate I got for a shower gift to use at my hometown drug store. They have been moved around many times since we got married in 2007 and when I encounter them I always think...I should try that some day. <br />
<br />
So, I went and lost my mind. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwn1x_QOMNEba4wIJ0sNWPlxc-Zu4T-WaEiE_GUFGRCe7y3yrU-G6fwrqItjvHI-twP3_Ouj1tDIwIwutq9F1GXZD4znuOSiR43-x1toOEmbxk4Tmw7qJpDZv3D8SmcR_4nJs810BkB27Z/s640/blogger-image--1817541249.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwn1x_QOMNEba4wIJ0sNWPlxc-Zu4T-WaEiE_GUFGRCe7y3yrU-G6fwrqItjvHI-twP3_Ouj1tDIwIwutq9F1GXZD4znuOSiR43-x1toOEmbxk4Tmw7qJpDZv3D8SmcR_4nJs810BkB27Z/s640/blogger-image--1817541249.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
I read recipes and researched and decided to try to heat a big pan of oil and fry some batter even though every indication showed that this is difficult, takes practice and makes your house smell bad. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
It was a mess from the start. First, the batter slid off the irons and left half cooked strings floating in the dish. So I adjusted the temperature for the irons and it stuck. And I managed to make some that were the correct shape. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJzxLshhZzzIMx_Yc4L3bBEYRISf9iBF782ZbkPqUOSHiryigfGhSQAsidCOuUUWChLOwZoaaFmc1MfEYYKjrDgf0004zThhO67slYHjmZkaVQ1QVIfn0xfe1Lo8eff_fKx-WvoQ0ZNSYY/s640/blogger-image--1801431201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJzxLshhZzzIMx_Yc4L3bBEYRISf9iBF782ZbkPqUOSHiryigfGhSQAsidCOuUUWChLOwZoaaFmc1MfEYYKjrDgf0004zThhO67slYHjmZkaVQ1QVIfn0xfe1Lo8eff_fKx-WvoQ0ZNSYY/s640/blogger-image--1801431201.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
But they were not crispy like I remembered. Also you can see there are burnt edges on many of them. Pretty soon the house smelled horrible. Then it was full of smoke. I question whether the smoke alarms work because it was so bad. My eyes were burning. It turned out oil had dripped on the burner and also little pieces of loose batter were floating in the oil and being incinerated. Wow. It was bad. I finally turned off the heat and opened all the windows. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Hey, it was my first try...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRsCT7slpikVrIyXpEbCKttSdESNCH68oa7FiyB1tWm35gcM27XZkDusS_XBczBxs_iadjYgGZYpbSZCvuO3lOlQri_5i9GkS9GyjqUuqo_CHO6AeOLL9aR4Xodzv5bh8bz4nOhivxKger/s640/blogger-image--105483713.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRsCT7slpikVrIyXpEbCKttSdESNCH68oa7FiyB1tWm35gcM27XZkDusS_XBczBxs_iadjYgGZYpbSZCvuO3lOlQri_5i9GkS9GyjqUuqo_CHO6AeOLL9aR4Xodzv5bh8bz4nOhivxKger/s640/blogger-image--105483713.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
I sprinkled on some sugar and ate a lot of batter. I later watched a few youtube videos and got some advice from my social media friends. It turns out the temperature of the oil is very important, the burnt edges were from the irons touching the pan and people prefer to make these anywhere but their own house (garage, lake cabin, etc.) A lot of people said their older male relatives were the main rosette makers in their families which was interesting. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
So, my Thanksgiving treat was a bust and I ended up making a nice batch of spritz cookies. Allan was happy to have someone home when he woke up on Thanksgiving. Sadly, he has spent most holidays alone! I'm sure he's resentful about it...</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgArIudOSwQAcoDZeYVTTfBrQkhyphenhyphenDtjZsVGv_y7EpYF5Q0fqsRFkW5RtrMr3aAPX3V0US7CpxlvM5suwDIutCnNc3U_mLKiAMYUVA1T4dfK7QDz_6S8BbNsyqQVPlmvytCMqq4mD_99f1YQ/s640/blogger-image-1635796721.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgArIudOSwQAcoDZeYVTTfBrQkhyphenhyphenDtjZsVGv_y7EpYF5Q0fqsRFkW5RtrMr3aAPX3V0US7CpxlvM5suwDIutCnNc3U_mLKiAMYUVA1T4dfK7QDz_6S8BbNsyqQVPlmvytCMqq4mD_99f1YQ/s640/blogger-image-1635796721.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
We headed to Grand Forks for the day. Justin told Ben to take Milo downstairs and get some clothes on. Milo is an expert and undressing himself but not as proficient at dressing. I was so happy when I went down there and Ben had got them both dressed and he picked matching shirts for them! </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcHugCB6X-_TVnELBxFXsCrJ3rxyUTxELZPyKjLQuOxVcNNtXyU-Tq0q1lVcUdUlDKUfamV6yGNT60l8c-LnAeVWRmfJ54pPtDAEVsjfN9yMzXDmPizb8DtxGZuZD1kTVAdEDU0Bjvc1pW/s640/blogger-image-545500576.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcHugCB6X-_TVnELBxFXsCrJ3rxyUTxELZPyKjLQuOxVcNNtXyU-Tq0q1lVcUdUlDKUfamV6yGNT60l8c-LnAeVWRmfJ54pPtDAEVsjfN9yMzXDmPizb8DtxGZuZD1kTVAdEDU0Bjvc1pW/s640/blogger-image-545500576.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
It was their matching 4th of July shirts but still...impressive. The picture above is the two of them circling their Christmas list in a toy catalogue. A time honored tradition. It's not the same as the JCPenney catalogue or the Sears one but this is our world now. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
I intend to do a longer post with Christmas decorations soon but here are a few preview photos. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi337Lcxbkj8dTVdGWwSajGw5hQvBEwm1UFvCCVANwkgYwnoZIXwdISEM7azJgibS3LyXEmJGU_UZh_8kCKQ-vHnp90cUIcUwB_hVCosfZ4gjDaHc5cY-18dXT1PjwEWoK6R2diSgWH6nMh/s640/blogger-image--403904766.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi337Lcxbkj8dTVdGWwSajGw5hQvBEwm1UFvCCVANwkgYwnoZIXwdISEM7azJgibS3LyXEmJGU_UZh_8kCKQ-vHnp90cUIcUwB_hVCosfZ4gjDaHc5cY-18dXT1PjwEWoK6R2diSgWH6nMh/s640/blogger-image--403904766.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
She's so ready!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
The Friday after Thanksgiving Justin had to work and I made Ben help me remove all the rotten pumpkins from our property while the other kids hung out with their cousins at the farm. Then I set up a modest Christmas light display. It was above freezing that day so I knew I had to act fast. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh767m_1O_99LpPrF1mk4NEKp6bNV9pXAbf9jV_-8_2yvpyDWmhEqzSxpNCuZ3DA1jhX7_-yM8rN9sLQ3LMNK_RjbYfnbR3RH8aDu513ad7e_knCLnhCmOycM7Z3FRWZstKwOS0cJbLAjVl/s640/blogger-image-522637079.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh767m_1O_99LpPrF1mk4NEKp6bNV9pXAbf9jV_-8_2yvpyDWmhEqzSxpNCuZ3DA1jhX7_-yM8rN9sLQ3LMNK_RjbYfnbR3RH8aDu513ad7e_knCLnhCmOycM7Z3FRWZstKwOS0cJbLAjVl/s640/blogger-image-522637079.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
This is all we can handle right now. Love it or leave it!</div>
Marenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03425968951785261072noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7325057657929921811.post-77430557113525292972018-11-16T14:47:00.003-06:002018-11-16T14:47:47.304-06:00Happy Birthday TessaTessa turned 5 yesterday. I remembered all day what I was doing five years ago. I was supposed to get induced first thing in the morning and got delayed because they were too busy. I remember watching high school football on TV, making lunch for Ben, and taking a nap to prepare for a late night if I was able to go to the hospital that day. They called at 3 p.m. and we pretty much ran out the door to the hospital and I was in the gown 20 minutes later. And five hours later we had a baby girl! <br />
<br />
This year Tessa has realized that other kids have big friend parties and, although we hadn't planned on a friend party, she kept talking about what we were doing for her birthday party and what theme she was having and when it would be. I felt bad so two days before I invited a few girls from her preschool over. She had six friends come over for two hours on Thursday evening. I said not to bring gifts but she got a few presents and the girls played dress up, frosted cookies and sang karaoke and generally ransacked her bedroom and thus, she had her first friend party. <br />
<br />
Check out Tessa's cookies floating in a pool of sprinkles. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO9z-75rJ09iQDwsTh17hAAx-c5Hoxa9np4-Khb19EE-mPDwRLDoznByvKzBGvph5INpeyumeMXUOcS6V1zygxjHxR2pT1-Xew2I2GafHmBl_j6-NuTIWjyDH_HYD3NKWEk2sJ5jEjzk3d/s640/blogger-image-44718946.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #0066cc; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: 16px; margin-right: 16px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO9z-75rJ09iQDwsTh17hAAx-c5Hoxa9np4-Khb19EE-mPDwRLDoznByvKzBGvph5INpeyumeMXUOcS6V1zygxjHxR2pT1-Xew2I2GafHmBl_j6-NuTIWjyDH_HYD3NKWEk2sJ5jEjzk3d/s640/blogger-image-44718946.jpg" style="cursor: move;" /></a><br />
<br />
There was a lot of...excess...once the cookies were packed to bring home so I let the girls eat them with a spoon. <br />
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoH-6BQDa3u1apIZCXcfmMeVovD-mzbEUboPgk2bgvk1lvidAw3kbFxoFZOjsckqWyhgmDyM3K7mgl7LbAFpKyksGecrR39eqa-UAEsPNasnyBOZjShCOKCKrAGzTWiob2mKPvl-jbo6Fe/s640/blogger-image--1718601567.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoH-6BQDa3u1apIZCXcfmMeVovD-mzbEUboPgk2bgvk1lvidAw3kbFxoFZOjsckqWyhgmDyM3K7mgl7LbAFpKyksGecrR39eqa-UAEsPNasnyBOZjShCOKCKrAGzTWiob2mKPvl-jbo6Fe/s640/blogger-image--1718601567.jpg" /></a></div>
Setting standards low starting in 2018...<u><span style="color: #000120;"></span></u><br />
<br />
Yesterday we planned to go out to eat in Grand Forks for supper at her restaurant of choice (Chinese...yeahhhh!) but their was a sleet storm earlier that day and the roads were really bad so I turned back and Justin brought pizza home. Grandma and Grandpa came over and we had some cake and opened presents.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGDcw7WrMdmtxkwU4su1Fxl2nfv0aKovWu5kTt9yuiH8vRQMCwSSkVQd8RDne74SgtXL801q3ab7j7aGiSighQcJWkR6GpFo2tgMXPBusrtdYGAGxEtibujXE3T_WDTFzwTbYuLJtSMpMN/s640/blogger-image--993516094.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGDcw7WrMdmtxkwU4su1Fxl2nfv0aKovWu5kTt9yuiH8vRQMCwSSkVQd8RDne74SgtXL801q3ab7j7aGiSighQcJWkR6GpFo2tgMXPBusrtdYGAGxEtibujXE3T_WDTFzwTbYuLJtSMpMN/s640/blogger-image--993516094.jpg" /></a></div>
Four smiles! Almost perfect!<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX6UK9WIfmyNBdLtgK4GsDn_njsyun2kPoegxPdAD8klgIBdzG91aMMeiYzWf4yhfZ8dG6Ol26LS1Lws5eQAZima11MZeP_ZmjgZ_djHvL-c70BMrrhI2frbHH0PGOXfJINaHtk-KjVVDN/s640/blogger-image-1768556110.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #0066cc; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: 16px; margin-right: 16px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX6UK9WIfmyNBdLtgK4GsDn_njsyun2kPoegxPdAD8klgIBdzG91aMMeiYzWf4yhfZ8dG6Ol26LS1Lws5eQAZima11MZeP_ZmjgZ_djHvL-c70BMrrhI2frbHH0PGOXfJINaHtk-KjVVDN/s400/blogger-image-1768556110.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a><br />
<div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike><br /></strike></div>
<div>
Calvin was locked in on me in this whole series of pictures. Oh, the devotion of a baby!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Tessa got some nice presents including a mermaid tail swimming suit (thank you Amazon), some LOL Surprise dolls (this is a trendy thing we will look back on and thing WTH?) and this Disney Princess collection from Grandma. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9LlnwbqZB_qQ4WI4AQrB4WlKdrolCssm9D5dxvunOBRPneGcUTg0OgsMbRXyKFiQ98O1psI_rG6vwbDj5p-EFEEpsiDew0sC6VujemXsRPWQYsLuG3z5g9wYCElap9Mowd0DfBFcSzkRR/s640/blogger-image--2003993203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9LlnwbqZB_qQ4WI4AQrB4WlKdrolCssm9D5dxvunOBRPneGcUTg0OgsMbRXyKFiQ98O1psI_rG6vwbDj5p-EFEEpsiDew0sC6VujemXsRPWQYsLuG3z5g9wYCElap9Mowd0DfBFcSzkRR/s640/blogger-image--2003993203.jpg" /></a></div>
I was really excited to give her this sequin pillow.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfBjeR-JPOsCgHdCskwSChyM56UTm9j3hG0MENPDhh1AV1kBdb5Cp4Rn-41MbN3McXjrV9uu6Z7YR8GM9awA37clPW24MLypRu2ITjoJ9Oe0_zM_OKkhLI5XhPlvW_wsMjIGw_LuARCqDJ/s640/blogger-image--1681865204.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfBjeR-JPOsCgHdCskwSChyM56UTm9j3hG0MENPDhh1AV1kBdb5Cp4Rn-41MbN3McXjrV9uu6Z7YR8GM9awA37clPW24MLypRu2ITjoJ9Oe0_zM_OKkhLI5XhPlvW_wsMjIGw_LuARCqDJ/s640/blogger-image--1681865204.jpg" /></a></div>
The sequin flip to gold. <br />
<br />
Here is the mermaid tail. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTTZWH2_hfYw872_p_cib-1voz-3kNuoswd32isf66PZZE3HbEEVVTWaWMqvNNOKqtyd76EYaOkTev80zGGhbdEJgr2n7kuZo4mDNubZD0zILnA6uFYsyPknqjkkvWDMhutzKxIrnv2tii/s640/blogger-image--710733288.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTTZWH2_hfYw872_p_cib-1voz-3kNuoswd32isf66PZZE3HbEEVVTWaWMqvNNOKqtyd76EYaOkTev80zGGhbdEJgr2n7kuZo4mDNubZD0zILnA6uFYsyPknqjkkvWDMhutzKxIrnv2tii/s640/blogger-image--710733288.jpg" /></a></div>
I took some pics of her wearing it in the tub but the scumminess of the bathtub is too embarrassing to show on the internet.<br />
<br />
Oh, my little bald baby. I would love to have one more chance to hold her as a baby and rub her fuzzy head and listen to her innocent little attitude filled phrases like "I be right back!" and "I need five" (that was what she used to say when she wanted a lot of something but didn't understand numbers yet."<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPcXYs_XVI9diI9jxR6iMRP5KtNSpzODpcAupQOHxOfMiewF47vREVTp2-edYnwwKcsNyUPlHjTbM0Md5nJVRaZP-or4pqe7eqFIq6zNLtBDlxaB9MydW7nCucc8ZbppYfLrFxyj1NoUqC/s640/blogger-image-1607898515.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #0066cc; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: 16px; margin-right: 16px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPcXYs_XVI9diI9jxR6iMRP5KtNSpzODpcAupQOHxOfMiewF47vREVTp2-edYnwwKcsNyUPlHjTbM0Md5nJVRaZP-or4pqe7eqFIq6zNLtBDlxaB9MydW7nCucc8ZbppYfLrFxyj1NoUqC/s400/blogger-image-1607898515.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhadbu4Illrg606-K_JyViO2l4L8Um7WpADu9zQEXYirOnXL9We71KV3eKxa-Cbr4KeTq7ii1AN1s6NSQCRGVmEdOTuhPToRBhNl9zhyVdSh7ImHN1lm2jnTtOQkDQVis70w5M_Y5lMqILF/s640/blogger-image-270949031.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhadbu4Illrg606-K_JyViO2l4L8Um7WpADu9zQEXYirOnXL9We71KV3eKxa-Cbr4KeTq7ii1AN1s6NSQCRGVmEdOTuhPToRBhNl9zhyVdSh7ImHN1lm2jnTtOQkDQVis70w5M_Y5lMqILF/s640/blogger-image-270949031.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
These were taken on her first and second birthday. Due to the bald head she looks almost exactly the same. Happy birthday little girl. </div>
Marenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03425968951785261072noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7325057657929921811.post-1089800514858736682018-11-06T15:15:00.000-06:002018-11-06T15:15:07.489-06:00Leaf SeasonAt our last house we only had one tree (yes one!) on our property. There were shrubs and landscape bushes on the surrounding properties but we only had one tree. It dropped its leaves at its base and then they almost immediately blew away (down the hill and onto our neighbors' properties...sorry guys!) Our new house and street is very leafy. Leafy is an understatement. The leaves were ankle deep in the back yard and in the front the gutters on the street were clogged with leaves before the street sweeper came. <br />
<br />
I haven't spent a lot of time on leaf management in my life. We used to make a half effort at raking when I was a kid but usually ended up mulching them up with the lawn mower. In college we used to have to rake the yard at our sorority house which was generally a fun group activity where neighboring fraternity friends would show up to help. The greek houses used to save their leaves in garbage bags for future use pranking other houses. So mature! It was always fun to wake up to a pile of leaves on your front step. <br />
<br />
Justin is very good at leaf management. We took care of it on Sunday afternoon with the help of the kids. Haha...but Ben actually was kind of helpful. <br />
<br />
Look at these pictures! You can hardly tell there were leaves there at all!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5itvjdkhxDTd4oI4Ynuc95Ua0mOqUNyhzN7bEZ8F4SUGmrQmzjxupilP02jb-OPH2CNbyYVO8nkIxO7kASkQjPbERU1rFBoNJREag6pF3ZOH_UeKPslylJi93VmXvdVKITlwWRy5dw29U/s640/blogger-image-277508213.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5itvjdkhxDTd4oI4Ynuc95Ua0mOqUNyhzN7bEZ8F4SUGmrQmzjxupilP02jb-OPH2CNbyYVO8nkIxO7kASkQjPbERU1rFBoNJREag6pF3ZOH_UeKPslylJi93VmXvdVKITlwWRy5dw29U/s640/blogger-image-277508213.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioHDNpfhBE16-mQ9UKsTwjLzKsmZo08-t2l6lc5Axn91pKPnkVps_g7bDztqNTZWSkWi1pjo7-x0wLW_LDLYvB8IX6hzCvO-L0JCi3Tgx2msiXFmQ3Y6WGCGxj7uNu3-2uMPNhnIvvsNug/s640/blogger-image-1645502823.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioHDNpfhBE16-mQ9UKsTwjLzKsmZo08-t2l6lc5Axn91pKPnkVps_g7bDztqNTZWSkWi1pjo7-x0wLW_LDLYvB8IX6hzCvO-L0JCi3Tgx2msiXFmQ3Y6WGCGxj7uNu3-2uMPNhnIvvsNug/s640/blogger-image-1645502823.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw2KH0ETL7bvGXZDQzW32tbn62SdbX2K_SBCDB0v7mKpLNLV54YDG6AJV7Ke6CojyoAtAunQnUQFAR_cZOIGwlasigMnhk_np2pmltoGb6IP1pBkuUMQV2tZZAUYINso3l0QQ5LjDvK1A6/s640/blogger-image-531536403.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw2KH0ETL7bvGXZDQzW32tbn62SdbX2K_SBCDB0v7mKpLNLV54YDG6AJV7Ke6CojyoAtAunQnUQFAR_cZOIGwlasigMnhk_np2pmltoGb6IP1pBkuUMQV2tZZAUYINso3l0QQ5LjDvK1A6/s640/blogger-image-531536403.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
You can see the depth of the coverage inside the garden plot fence in the background. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
When it was finished we had filled two pickup boxes full. And believe me...they were heavy, wet leaves. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpeajOk0slYEonMo7zaKK7tD719sHWQfVQC7CLLfPC8KhEuS2H-XvCE9ip7WfszXIkU_WPw6JYfjGmY0KaXSnwNXVxBUmIbPNWQJe-Fh3GSYQUXEEftyrSScrkyiLUf14qkJLePgrUN4b6/s640/blogger-image--2028470446.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpeajOk0slYEonMo7zaKK7tD719sHWQfVQC7CLLfPC8KhEuS2H-XvCE9ip7WfszXIkU_WPw6JYfjGmY0KaXSnwNXVxBUmIbPNWQJe-Fh3GSYQUXEEftyrSScrkyiLUf14qkJLePgrUN4b6/s400/blogger-image--2028470446.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
We finished just in time because it is now snowing! An election day snowfall. I can't wait to watch the news people on TV tonight as they all freak out over demographics and election results. It won't be as fun as a presidential year but I still look forward to it. North Dakota is in the spotlight this year and one of my old childhood friends is running for a local office. It will be exciting. </div>
Marenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03425968951785261072noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7325057657929921811.post-22883544332573555662018-11-02T13:53:00.002-05:002018-11-02T13:53:46.963-05:00HalloweenNovember is here. Look, I took out my "horn of plenty" yesterday!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXjkCYroN8SxFJCtSE5beSErEh9CL2a0AZHFaqHAP7gD-iZy-YD0uxcCaM3A_E2nYyFVaDusSa3A17bDt9-s6CTZTvQYp5EuumazMHj_ug0uoasoFdDm4xug0hs945pGrq_4p56bijdmeX/s640/blogger-image-1596258200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXjkCYroN8SxFJCtSE5beSErEh9CL2a0AZHFaqHAP7gD-iZy-YD0uxcCaM3A_E2nYyFVaDusSa3A17bDt9-s6CTZTvQYp5EuumazMHj_ug0uoasoFdDm4xug0hs945pGrq_4p56bijdmeX/s640/blogger-image-1596258200.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Good thing we have plenty of gourds to fill it! I try to decorate for Thanksgiving before Christmas mania takes over. We went to Target last night and I was kind of surprised to see no Christmas decorations out yet although there was some merchandise like clothing out. I don't mind the early Christmas takeover as long as it is in November. It's a short time period of the year and I love the music and atmosphere. But I also love the Thanksgiving atmosphere and how the gourds and pumpkins get a bit longer to be seen! Speaking of gourds...are these not the finest specimen you have ever seen?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0GObImrIcl67jWu-hR9K6fR-WOHWOaqkxhRyhORPZyXEVQz3GiYGGK2jnRaDp5qpRakO9wvd0LYDXW9OX21HkpAs1S3U7waD22aw_vreo3yH0gI4JSoBaZS5drrG4S96sjBC0Nn7M6_ax/s640/blogger-image--2100680111.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0GObImrIcl67jWu-hR9K6fR-WOHWOaqkxhRyhORPZyXEVQz3GiYGGK2jnRaDp5qpRakO9wvd0LYDXW9OX21HkpAs1S3U7waD22aw_vreo3yH0gI4JSoBaZS5drrG4S96sjBC0Nn7M6_ax/s640/blogger-image--2100680111.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
This crazy thing is the size of a dinner plate. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFSZRzvgRDWALLrGmJDfl66p5Qy-pWtycCRDkT_jR_-y30V8E88dTRgYnoyrEBIDRzdOj2kOiSe5f8Yu7hr5RltwFEE48cyMToMPQ4KcqQr968l3QCUFLbNuzAtlUi71KrQvMqolxffAvu/s640/blogger-image--1073712971.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFSZRzvgRDWALLrGmJDfl66p5Qy-pWtycCRDkT_jR_-y30V8E88dTRgYnoyrEBIDRzdOj2kOiSe5f8Yu7hr5RltwFEE48cyMToMPQ4KcqQr968l3QCUFLbNuzAtlUi71KrQvMqolxffAvu/s640/blogger-image--1073712971.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
And...the octopus. I spotted this one growing in the patch this summer and waited excitedly to pick it. It is not getting tossed until the Christmas tree is up. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Now, on to Halloween...Calvin is the 4th baby to wear this pumpkin costume in our family and the sixth to wear it because his two cousins wore it before him! It dates back to 2005. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgHj6n-jnv1fgqS3FxSqYDSFq-UflEgSI_1osc9jAeuaEe44yHUu5NiR3Dn6oqvcYGXAsI4_ZuPjNIWB5NsigCK7Axn7visukAsVGfZG7Inz4PrJp8KigdA1LKwpgbHj1pe-pqK-aJN2o2/s640/blogger-image--1679005597.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgHj6n-jnv1fgqS3FxSqYDSFq-UflEgSI_1osc9jAeuaEe44yHUu5NiR3Dn6oqvcYGXAsI4_ZuPjNIWB5NsigCK7Axn7visukAsVGfZG7Inz4PrJp8KigdA1LKwpgbHj1pe-pqK-aJN2o2/s640/blogger-image--1679005597.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
And now, a stroll down memory lane...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxihOAOsU0p2Zt-NKZ4q3EKD2fNFspHTtWxrzU9a7RucAd_ZrweU0EU1OOe2ipYaxsuLJUE3VS4JNowNsZ-qUn1QsxZNijU-QlFCx4sd6gvg-TVp0WdMED3R6CsoPP6_Gs0T3ApQquUjmz/s640/blogger-image-1128303685.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxihOAOsU0p2Zt-NKZ4q3EKD2fNFspHTtWxrzU9a7RucAd_ZrweU0EU1OOe2ipYaxsuLJUE3VS4JNowNsZ-qUn1QsxZNijU-QlFCx4sd6gvg-TVp0WdMED3R6CsoPP6_Gs0T3ApQquUjmz/s640/blogger-image-1128303685.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Milo.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5t3Z-FeWqd7Wu794v5P5UKoYeUvXRGFWkdd9CQs_Gs3kSkT0JRrKCMo9-ULhtkdAIfUWhmcwb2jeZPvQiClRrQegMbpN3xlefFr3EMvy2H2sMx9VytRnnjhtZTUHvp8mqQJuTPJriuU8y/s640/blogger-image-1804696150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5t3Z-FeWqd7Wu794v5P5UKoYeUvXRGFWkdd9CQs_Gs3kSkT0JRrKCMo9-ULhtkdAIfUWhmcwb2jeZPvQiClRrQegMbpN3xlefFr3EMvy2H2sMx9VytRnnjhtZTUHvp8mqQJuTPJriuU8y/s640/blogger-image-1804696150.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Tessa.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPsVs9aHm1UGwaXpyDg67FRA2K2Q1eIOyGKdfru5Sz-VtN9xN_5zCxcYf0vcYhOIziCD0NQE2ssulgRA7H8s-Mo8HVx24LP7mHuPZFAC6LuDt0axgmnJsJIpdkR1AQyJnNwkAzqPkdyIHA/s640/blogger-image-836455438.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPsVs9aHm1UGwaXpyDg67FRA2K2Q1eIOyGKdfru5Sz-VtN9xN_5zCxcYf0vcYhOIziCD0NQE2ssulgRA7H8s-Mo8HVx24LP7mHuPZFAC6LuDt0axgmnJsJIpdkR1AQyJnNwkAzqPkdyIHA/s640/blogger-image-836455438.jpg" /></a></div>
And Ben! I love this picture. I have it in a Halloween frame that comes out every year.<br />
<br />
We had a fun Halloween this year. The kids had a few costume wearing events. Tessa was Rapunzel, Ben repeated his fisherman costume from last year and Milo was supposed to be a police officer (not really his choice since we already had it) but he refused to wear it on Halloween night. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRPytpAZtzw1paS6PnfR03b5oPZ7iacO-yslKMbNjo5guIF-Ow1GBY1b4dEHeWKmGavUm7i9XppmB32zHWFJJr234XtwQUkui6NToHQIaE6avHTfz5liotmlnkjh22Qobw49tgkfmsRE_I/s640/blogger-image--1688450570.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRPytpAZtzw1paS6PnfR03b5oPZ7iacO-yslKMbNjo5guIF-Ow1GBY1b4dEHeWKmGavUm7i9XppmB32zHWFJJr234XtwQUkui6NToHQIaE6avHTfz5liotmlnkjh22Qobw49tgkfmsRE_I/s640/blogger-image--1688450570.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
It was kind of chaotic the afternoon before trick or treating and didn't get any good group photos of them all in costume. This one is kind of funny though. I also didn't get a picture of Allan in his pumpkin costume because...big surprise...the kids took it and lost it in the house somewhere. It still hasn't turned up. We went walking around trick or treating and it was really fun. We live in a really small town now so everywhere we went we had people to talk to and it's of course very safe. Justin handed out candy at home with Calvin. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
I haven't worn a costume for years but Justin and I went to an adult Halloween party last weekend. It was a last minute decision to go so I threw together this costume:</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Pv51Td6BFiV2y4dbf6IVKdJdOItyCixAKw-Ew07PWPLLjBvlaSUZiKzXCMfI1Z5xHdimqeRQ3Spu6wUaNMlbGmhQ6NA9Rz1_hoXgwwZRyT7AyEd0TOenG7d6bzf-V0WJVumPYj6GzbmW/s640/blogger-image-17516735.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Pv51Td6BFiV2y4dbf6IVKdJdOItyCixAKw-Ew07PWPLLjBvlaSUZiKzXCMfI1Z5xHdimqeRQ3Spu6wUaNMlbGmhQ6NA9Rz1_hoXgwwZRyT7AyEd0TOenG7d6bzf-V0WJVumPYj6GzbmW/s640/blogger-image-17516735.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
You are probably thinking...hmmmm...OK what is that? Well, scroll down:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0_ZYvvwTs4Y7gN52EcGUjByLrgubr2fPsF-yvYzNMygTZ95s_zrS0eNNaqltzJYY4ZmBe9U9ZVh_Q2H7jQOayBizBXo9NvrRDNFz4pPri7rIZo04G2T-r0VamIgAPfK6Bi92TLIdqSl8j/s640/blogger-image--205551391.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0_ZYvvwTs4Y7gN52EcGUjByLrgubr2fPsF-yvYzNMygTZ95s_zrS0eNNaqltzJYY4ZmBe9U9ZVh_Q2H7jQOayBizBXo9NvrRDNFz4pPri7rIZo04G2T-r0VamIgAPfK6Bi92TLIdqSl8j/s640/blogger-image--205551391.jpg" /></a></div>
It is me, recreating one of my senior pictures. The classic Doc Martens with socks photo which no one thought was weird or bad taste for a photo shoot which ended up costing $600+ dollars. Don't worry, this was only one of four outfits I wore. I still have the jacket, warm up shirt with my name on the back and the sandals. The very ones. Slipping into that shirt was so nostalgic...I felt like I was back in a 95 degree gym again, in front of packed bleachers, sweating because it is not at all breathable. We usually made our circle out of the locker room and immediately tossed them on the bench. I was sweaty from playing JV already anyway. <br />
<br />
I felt bad about not getting a picture of the kids on Halloween but I did get a cute one the week before when they went with the Sunday School to sing at the local nursing home.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi0T_4R4qL_R4J1vbz0DpQkoetOM1z06R9YEhb6ZjJTwnT-6EE3HI7TsJmiP4Bpyp5wkftI7H8NqEpFLfTSsTCh8iOKX6y4jbqxZ_ZkRPDkJrw6TeTMKZLx4p0BCxPdD3Kk-xb8JfOk-5r/s640/blogger-image-1353026126.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi0T_4R4qL_R4J1vbz0DpQkoetOM1z06R9YEhb6ZjJTwnT-6EE3HI7TsJmiP4Bpyp5wkftI7H8NqEpFLfTSsTCh8iOKX6y4jbqxZ_ZkRPDkJrw6TeTMKZLx4p0BCxPdD3Kk-xb8JfOk-5r/s640/blogger-image-1353026126.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Tessa didn't have her fake braid yet in this one and Calvin isn't wearing the pumpkin but at least Milo is wearing a costume! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
On we go, to the most wonderful time of the year! I love the food, commercials and festivities. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<u><span style="color: #000120;"><br /></span></u></div>
Marenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03425968951785261072noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7325057657929921811.post-9809893750346528662018-10-11T14:18:00.002-05:002018-10-11T14:18:54.095-05:00October catch-upIt seems like all my posts are some kind of "update" or "catch-up" but that's what happens when you have four kids I guess. We are having a speedy fall season. Our backyard football games are over already and it's playoff time (and our school didn't make it), the pumpkins are harvested and we just got about 8 inches of snow! Hahahahaheheehahaaha (insane laughter no it's not a joke). <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMbqdquwmF5QwAOk0_i_iDFqNduoe-anUiWUJHwhKi0eakKZGAldcqW4K0BgVXdO-GXa4spjvEQOXQUHMrs0xk3449zOLsZP3uXrqNHXM0_0HHCXmDGS04jNbIDc5jLByQaDKL-mlJqgwr/s640/blogger-image--1753110192.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMbqdquwmF5QwAOk0_i_iDFqNduoe-anUiWUJHwhKi0eakKZGAldcqW4K0BgVXdO-GXa4spjvEQOXQUHMrs0xk3449zOLsZP3uXrqNHXM0_0HHCXmDGS04jNbIDc5jLByQaDKL-mlJqgwr/s640/blogger-image--1753110192.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Here is a heaping trailer filled with pumpkins. We have given away many many loads of these and decorated our own house and still we have piles. I wanted to sell them for a fundraiser but then the previously mentioned snow happened and no one is really in the mood to sell produce on a trailer in a big puddle of slush and mud. We did some other decorating around the house with gourds and pumpkins including these five top of the line pumpkins from the patch:</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwPj8puC36HL4199iadOHWQ6TSbhf06W9i4o0lKVmY_ktotgJN8tqzS5Dc6fZ1S6f-by-c0ZCBz959Q_JhmOis2E_AZN-5oBoMmoB6UiZLSbZb__Q-poHguN0NvxHhM5M8xKiQxJfD3Zaw/s640/blogger-image-1829068005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwPj8puC36HL4199iadOHWQ6TSbhf06W9i4o0lKVmY_ktotgJN8tqzS5Dc6fZ1S6f-by-c0ZCBz959Q_JhmOis2E_AZN-5oBoMmoB6UiZLSbZb__Q-poHguN0NvxHhM5M8xKiQxJfD3Zaw/s640/blogger-image-1829068005.jpg" /></a></div>
and this scraggly corn arrangement I put together. Eeek. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv9MGXt3l7Cldn2aTXAxG7dndlNQ3Ewjjv0k67zRwOQBbARCevLNCqzkaTqsjMZa0qaa8SX8hijaSLmF1q1i1LHquUzAnrJwypKH70_Vr2UtG_9CeMLgS-y_6I4qw0BNGKo1Vg0NAcqz_I/s640/blogger-image-2016303178.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv9MGXt3l7Cldn2aTXAxG7dndlNQ3Ewjjv0k67zRwOQBbARCevLNCqzkaTqsjMZa0qaa8SX8hijaSLmF1q1i1LHquUzAnrJwypKH70_Vr2UtG_9CeMLgS-y_6I4qw0BNGKo1Vg0NAcqz_I/s640/blogger-image-2016303178.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
We also got the second generation of the Christmas projector I'm sure I mentioned last year and the new one has slides for all different holidays. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr3DS-xrTQaA4HhBol4SsMHaqusFL3cnHDv5MWaH9WcJCq2jOmE-wWmGFisAK5Pu9wA1Wc42YT9LsrtZJ3ToC_XOWtnmkOIPK_FH1Yxfhoi4VY1GYlvKC5gF6ZQQUX6QgQbwvg8v84K7bD/s640/blogger-image--1107340985.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #0066cc; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: 16px; margin-right: 16px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr3DS-xrTQaA4HhBol4SsMHaqusFL3cnHDv5MWaH9WcJCq2jOmE-wWmGFisAK5Pu9wA1Wc42YT9LsrtZJ3ToC_XOWtnmkOIPK_FH1Yxfhoi4VY1GYlvKC5gF6ZQQUX6QgQbwvg8v84K7bD/s640/blogger-image--1107340985.jpg" style="cursor: move;" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Notice the still green grass in this photo because that very night while we slept this happened! </div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbv0QSzKnbJkKsalofKsVK3NGXP21VCID-mkWDAIY3nE52YHLkeNYOCuPf8Qe1AJ9S-3G-arr03EXULWB9BUEUa8NR8XhWqRQ0Qtq5TEQ1-WdpaciU2touEQBiHhZchSoqpP_Yl7aK9EvK/s640/blogger-image--413976440.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbv0QSzKnbJkKsalofKsVK3NGXP21VCID-mkWDAIY3nE52YHLkeNYOCuPf8Qe1AJ9S-3G-arr03EXULWB9BUEUa8NR8XhWqRQ0Qtq5TEQ1-WdpaciU2touEQBiHhZchSoqpP_Yl7aK9EvK/s640/blogger-image--413976440.jpg" /></a></div>
Yeah. Really. It was actually the second snow. We had another smaller one last week. It is very annoying. It's beautiful and magical and the kids love it but it's also slushy, muddy and wet and shoveling it is, in the words of my dad a few years ago when he was describing another snow to a friend, "it feels exactly like lifting a shovel of grain. Brings back nightmares...hahaha..." The temperature is barely freezing so the gutters on the streets are clogged with slush and leaves. Also, there are fields full of beans and corns waiting for a combine which would instantly be buried in the mud if the snow wasn't there. Oh well...what can you do. Warmer weather ahead next week apparently. <br />
<br />
Also passing us by is Milo's 3rd birthday on the 7th. I will never forget that strange evening of October 6 when I started realizing I was in labor. Yes, he was my third child but I'd never gone into labor on my own before. I had a vegetable platter ready to bring to a MOPS meeting the next morning, we were preparing my house for my mom to come and stay with the kids when I got induced on the 8th and an hour before I had been outside giving my neighbors pumpkins. I almost didn't want to believe it was really happening. I am still relieved my neighbors were able to take the kids and his birth went so well. If it hadn't been that way I probably wouldn't have had a fourth kid (sorry Calvin! But you were still meant to be!)<br />
<br />
Now he's a threenager complete with screaming "Nnnnnoooo!", stealing pacifiers every chance he gets and pestering his siblings constantly. <br />
<br />
We made his birthday pumpkin themed (of course!) with a pumpkin cake and some carved letter pumpkins. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheSVU_Ji4zjIyYTkLaChDssLwUBGgie0BO5AJicb-Jaw6sKSi2u8Bn8YGNQClcekrO1C9hXlyUOCLlTRJl0miq_W5S0srajHLIzODZH2eQSbm8EoJs-ErJMxHG7veTKWIEs012ivckX6Ha/s640/blogger-image--1416473659.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheSVU_Ji4zjIyYTkLaChDssLwUBGgie0BO5AJicb-Jaw6sKSi2u8Bn8YGNQClcekrO1C9hXlyUOCLlTRJl0miq_W5S0srajHLIzODZH2eQSbm8EoJs-ErJMxHG7veTKWIEs012ivckX6Ha/s640/blogger-image--1416473659.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoPVgTiJbG6IrOModfnM6rFfoKFb817_EzkKDpDH66QXgs3y4Em4YElXCVc0V_54LCIncGymBLf-g-8XX8fYWd_lJWFnj2WwB2RU1mqGlUnEbWEXNTQevAle3epkZMCA8Xyu6rj5p2Qplt/s640/blogger-image--2073378549.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoPVgTiJbG6IrOModfnM6rFfoKFb817_EzkKDpDH66QXgs3y4Em4YElXCVc0V_54LCIncGymBLf-g-8XX8fYWd_lJWFnj2WwB2RU1mqGlUnEbWEXNTQevAle3epkZMCA8Xyu6rj5p2Qplt/s640/blogger-image--2073378549.jpg" /></a></div>
I'm so proud of these. It was also nice to get an early batch of pumpkin seeds to roast and eat. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDE7cutGuEN68atdLV08z2GIV7p2R9o4W7RoXvOP6UvVXKguYsxkFUaN5DOG9UJpJTj6avUYgvx8jp8Rk37ioz4JNuq5z2-_RcU08cU40v9GvDNm4wkciEfv6MHn_eC3VCU3ITRwrTQ6_9/s640/blogger-image-1275145094.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDE7cutGuEN68atdLV08z2GIV7p2R9o4W7RoXvOP6UvVXKguYsxkFUaN5DOG9UJpJTj6avUYgvx8jp8Rk37ioz4JNuq5z2-_RcU08cU40v9GvDNm4wkciEfv6MHn_eC3VCU3ITRwrTQ6_9/s640/blogger-image-1275145094.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
Marenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03425968951785261072noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7325057657929921811.post-3058301141769146842018-09-21T13:55:00.000-05:002018-09-21T13:59:32.661-05:00Calvin's BaptismI don't know about you, but when I hear about Baptism strains of "Borning Cry" swell up in my brain. We finally had Calvin baptized on the 16th. Two days after he turned 9 MONTHS OLD. Don't tell my great grandparents. They wouldn't be happy to hear about an almost toddler not being baptized yet. But it's "Nowadays" and no one really thought anything of it. We got it done before he could walk and he also was able to fit into my old baptismal gown that my grandma made in 1983 which has been worn by a lot of kids at their baptism. I was 6 weeks old when I wore it. Good thing it is very voluminous. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg_T480Zw-pyCPYG7AfsebzY_CUBmytUA30_T86zMJtZLsyyEE3D128lvGHfvIX5UVsyVFx-66Q_grOMf1okFMDb_1aHZUetenIYgZX92BqoSObJNGehjUMUcmkmfwGPRC1U7EY9VWjct-/s1600/IMG_2018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg_T480Zw-pyCPYG7AfsebzY_CUBmytUA30_T86zMJtZLsyyEE3D128lvGHfvIX5UVsyVFx-66Q_grOMf1okFMDb_1aHZUetenIYgZX92BqoSObJNGehjUMUcmkmfwGPRC1U7EY9VWjct-/s320/IMG_2018.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
In the grand tradition of anything dealing with a 4th kid, we were a big mess the week before the big event. We had a plumber here for about four hours a few days before because I discovered water coming out of the floor drain in the basement and it turned out the sewer pipe was plugged with tree roots. So in addition to preparing for Baptism and trying to get the house looking presentable for guests I got to clean that up. It did not get to the carpet in the living room but on Saturday night I discovered it did seep under the wall in Ben and Milo's closet and everything on the floor of the closet was wet. Also, I hardly paid attention to how the kids looked before we left the house and it appears Ben had his shoes on the wrong feet. And Tessa covered her shirt in stickers during church. Whatever. Then we tried to take a picture in front of the name banner that has been in use since the 90's and I was standing in front of the name. Nice. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJrlXaCQZf019eyOfpkb25XYYZ56MIuCqyMJT2_8EtzS9kcQNzv8hx2Cd_X-KMD0Q3c-THUSj_LIZGXvfpW3vU9fVLb94q8WMQ78q-D6i_AbNlANlYPiSL6YZC9Rjq_LaeB0SF3iP4CsUh/s1600/IMG_2005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJrlXaCQZf019eyOfpkb25XYYZ56MIuCqyMJT2_8EtzS9kcQNzv8hx2Cd_X-KMD0Q3c-THUSj_LIZGXvfpW3vU9fVLb94q8WMQ78q-D6i_AbNlANlYPiSL6YZC9Rjq_LaeB0SF3iP4CsUh/s320/IMG_2005.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Calvin was a very nice baby in church. He was alert but agreeable during the baptism and fell asleep after for the rest of the service. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikHCKnyglEy0TjRRc1w0N9FIxD0LskeO77WI9iQ3qL1P-EfRx_3DXrAA-WluE9ZDTu0h21O9UNsYEFjF4RpwahWzidvSuGyogdPHOZeWIfKu0MYlZOR1JkIT8rF32vu-YY8SvhYtZ8Nqy3/s640/blogger-image--2108426725.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikHCKnyglEy0TjRRc1w0N9FIxD0LskeO77WI9iQ3qL1P-EfRx_3DXrAA-WluE9ZDTu0h21O9UNsYEFjF4RpwahWzidvSuGyogdPHOZeWIfKu0MYlZOR1JkIT8rF32vu-YY8SvhYtZ8Nqy3/s400/blogger-image--2108426725.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Then we changed him into his after party outfit and had a lovely lunch! It was a nice but very hot day and the church air conditioning barely cut it. I tried to enjoy the last time I will feel 90 degree air for quite awhile. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgLTofw5i9GVw23XGmSNNfNdPJ-riWE_6k5xWNlDDnU2ZEKFbpG8qHx6CVLv7SJIzwvTGLSFcvDcb7VSYU4HIrYRjVmyDngUc-fV4s0S2RHIOQhyphenhyphen83IuOVh5sanIdaa_pF9nh9UC5LCBBS/s1600/IMG_2049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgLTofw5i9GVw23XGmSNNfNdPJ-riWE_6k5xWNlDDnU2ZEKFbpG8qHx6CVLv7SJIzwvTGLSFcvDcb7VSYU4HIrYRjVmyDngUc-fV4s0S2RHIOQhyphenhyphen83IuOVh5sanIdaa_pF9nh9UC5LCBBS/s320/IMG_2049.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;">
Here is his cake! Nice work with the writing...don't they have a ruler or something they could use? It tasted good at least. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></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/AVvXsEhAMwVGeYLvhuJb2XCKjlXSpL8MXmD1WxP7bKo-04UDEXOvOs46FFNDF_uBrq3atCKryua1LtiCqvmfI8FNP8CQBzXFMs30y_T9JWqIez4wK1AgHblA1Z5cE41f5wEnj0UirgE0Q63-bD_O/s640/blogger-image--248650789.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAMwVGeYLvhuJb2XCKjlXSpL8MXmD1WxP7bKo-04UDEXOvOs46FFNDF_uBrq3atCKryua1LtiCqvmfI8FNP8CQBzXFMs30y_T9JWqIez4wK1AgHblA1Z5cE41f5wEnj0UirgE0Q63-bD_O/s640/blogger-image--248650789.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Ben was also baptized at this church but there was a different minister and the time and currently the babies who are baptized here get a handmade trunk and a quilt. The trunk is so nice and lovely keepsake. And a nice convenient place for me to stash his cards, photos and mementos until it is packed to the top. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM806W0OnG4dQvOqrapD_RF2Xd850eGtBzZh7m5IhXR47MuzoL7iW5FLBDCjzHE1b340RrnfdUKguEYXEo0U5JtlD7GJG6RZjXsGvxcUTvJQbBgpk_npjS2MfeD3NYN_AXXGK6vyqRjjWC/s640/blogger-image-640105879.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM806W0OnG4dQvOqrapD_RF2Xd850eGtBzZh7m5IhXR47MuzoL7iW5FLBDCjzHE1b340RrnfdUKguEYXEo0U5JtlD7GJG6RZjXsGvxcUTvJQbBgpk_npjS2MfeD3NYN_AXXGK6vyqRjjWC/s640/blogger-image-640105879.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
The builder of the trunk told me after church that he would burn Calvin's name and the date into the trunk if we wanted him to. I delivered it on Tuesday afternoon and he had it back to me two hours later! What a nice gift!Marenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03425968951785261072noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7325057657929921811.post-87507815602456790252018-09-10T12:33:00.002-05:002018-09-10T12:33:41.741-05:00"Let the Children Come to Me"School has been rolling along and going fine. I'm still waking up with a grin on my face knowing it is in session. Ben got a 10/10 on his first spelling test and has been getting 5/5 and 10/10 on his reading comprehension and math sheets. Yee haw. Tessa has been eating all the food in her lunch box at preschool with is a big deal to me. On Sunday, a second first day of school occurred for them-the first day of Sunday School! <br />
<br />
I have felt bad that Ben hasn't been in Sunday School yet since most churches start it at age 3 or 4. We were always travelling on weekends and he would have missed at least half of the days and maybe more. But, the time is now for us to get involved in church like the adults we were raised by and it's not a bad thing. They need to learn the verses (For God so loved the world...) and Apostles Creed and the Lord's Prayer. So, off they went. <br />
<br />
For the first day, the elementary and preschool age classes did not split up and instead met together and designed special book bags to bring every week before the music portion of the morning. Since it was the first day, the kids paraded in at the start of church and performed a song. After church, we went to collect their bags. I smiled at the sight of bags lined up on the table decorated with drawings of crosses, churches and other religious themes. I did spot a few football designs. One of the teachers informed me that Ben's appeared to be a shark. I laughed at how he needed to spend more time in Sunday school. <br />
<br />
Upon closer inspection, I thought this was more than a shark although it does look like a shark fin. He explained it: It is two T-Rex dinosaurs (the orange things). There are two volcanoes spewing lava on either side an the rain is falling and cooling the lava which formed the cave and the land around the cave were the T-Rex is hiding. Wow. OK. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTEmWZRcLPepBYa9IraFLxJ5cPdPzOVH0a4bBFGok0_M9W5OPzwAhpstkj0LuTQXjhqm1T7j4Pd1ulBGfhyphenhyphen-rEW8yMwZVuB6tSf0H8phyphenhyphenjrqiMqiRHxEbJuF-gr6B7UhMUU3z5KkssFuC1/s640/blogger-image--952397321.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTEmWZRcLPepBYa9IraFLxJ5cPdPzOVH0a4bBFGok0_M9W5OPzwAhpstkj0LuTQXjhqm1T7j4Pd1ulBGfhyphenhyphen-rEW8yMwZVuB6tSf0H8phyphenhyphenjrqiMqiRHxEbJuF-gr6B7UhMUU3z5KkssFuC1/s640/blogger-image--952397321.jpg" style="cursor: move;" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Fortunately, our church is modern and can acknowledge that the proof of the existence of dinosaurs is quite obvious and the people who wrote the Bible didn't have the knowledge to understand fossils so that's why they aren't mentioned but that doesn't mean they never existed. Tessa decorated both sides of her bag. One side had her particular style of princesses wearing dresses and the other side had this:</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEKNyBecjsuP_-2IY-nxuLFzZ9vslShWNFx7HbnIgoNu9WX6EMlQ6fJLgZXINcBqgW0vO9VByGGvrf_Wb5CTF-Oj4Kr-e7HQ-45LBQV54lt0-th3yEwm1UNqJXT1uxZPZO_eRPqAU7dokT/s640/blogger-image-1015038856.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEKNyBecjsuP_-2IY-nxuLFzZ9vslShWNFx7HbnIgoNu9WX6EMlQ6fJLgZXINcBqgW0vO9VByGGvrf_Wb5CTF-Oj4Kr-e7HQ-45LBQV54lt0-th3yEwm1UNqJXT1uxZPZO_eRPqAU7dokT/s640/blogger-image-1015038856.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Is it a blimp? A cat shaped like a Ty Beanie Boo? No...she informed me it is a fish. OK, I can see it now...the dorsal fin, the tail...yeah...make us fishers of men keep me seeking...keep me seeking till the break of dayyyyy...Anyone know that classic church school song?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Milo is not old enough for Sunday School yet. They have to be 4. Sigh, two more years. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
In Calvin related news, I walked in to get him out of his crib on Friday and found him standing up. This is a big moment in a baby's life. Once they figure this out they never stop. It is the coolest stunt there is. It is even more fun that rolling. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd6Y7MOXVSyvF4fecG_nx-JkHm7JA5HlEwInlRz-qeqfLZ8lq8O400I8iCHmnQACO9svUvA4973_yTYj_k9Dhn3VY7Yju9mWZrRK4XXJ_AFueaPzRnuaO4xJlLqV_hnEe3FLkenPgec7LO/s640/blogger-image-704078643.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd6Y7MOXVSyvF4fecG_nx-JkHm7JA5HlEwInlRz-qeqfLZ8lq8O400I8iCHmnQACO9svUvA4973_yTYj_k9Dhn3VY7Yju9mWZrRK4XXJ_AFueaPzRnuaO4xJlLqV_hnEe3FLkenPgec7LO/s640/blogger-image-704078643.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
He will be 9 months old in a few days. Ben did this when he was 6 months old. He was such a wiry little monster. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
We went to a high school football game on Friday night. In true September fashion, the night started out hot and turned cold real quick. Good thing we live about 100 yards from the football field! At half time I got Calvin all bundled up in this classic baby garment:</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh70tk8eMCg8E6peI7hLxqIAnQ16Jx5qsYcygACZsDbVO0HoXhpIsLhE_PiyApCoBxYr3mntehnEcx00qiC_ngrq2KVC7n-QQ5QlA151TiG_VtCBg_XnTI74cSUQ9zqlAhnvUBTeXhhhfVN/s640/blogger-image--1165782806.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh70tk8eMCg8E6peI7hLxqIAnQ16Jx5qsYcygACZsDbVO0HoXhpIsLhE_PiyApCoBxYr3mntehnEcx00qiC_ngrq2KVC7n-QQ5QlA151TiG_VtCBg_XnTI74cSUQ9zqlAhnvUBTeXhhhfVN/s640/blogger-image--1165782806.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Where's the baby?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
More excitement: we got a new faucet! I noticed the old one had water seeping out around the base and told Justin and he went bought a new one after work and installed it on Saturday. Isn't it cool?</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZjlSE4i_RZCKuDDLU_1o6gU4IVmHKQaq3YXCcPn8MPxnsNpFKdnQm37S0907TzcYEE17B-lQdprvCqK7Pq3cY1bz8p_d9sh7QoUJT6RE_QDudl4IDetUEX-DQs30eqmFeVXxCHQEVqLyd/s640/blogger-image-1438803275.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZjlSE4i_RZCKuDDLU_1o6gU4IVmHKQaq3YXCcPn8MPxnsNpFKdnQm37S0907TzcYEE17B-lQdprvCqK7Pq3cY1bz8p_d9sh7QoUJT6RE_QDudl4IDetUEX-DQs30eqmFeVXxCHQEVqLyd/s640/blogger-image-1438803275.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
It's almost like I am in a professional kitchen! I guess the cooking will have to get better now. Haha sure. </div>
Marenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03425968951785261072noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7325057657929921811.post-24717140669101088402018-08-29T12:21:00.001-05:002018-08-29T12:21:39.315-05:00I Made It!Yee Haw. Hopefully you faithful readers of mine (Hello Mom, Ashley, Kris and Mary! And maybe Dad, Barb...I think that's probably it...Haha.) will be hearing from me on a more regular basis because...Ben and Tessa are back to school! And so are all their buddies who tempt them into the park and make their way into my basement and bathroom! Ben started last week and Tessa started yesterday. Before we get into the back to school pictures, here is a quick update from the last few weeks of summer. <br />
<br />
Allan has shown a lot of interest in getting outside this summer. He's been indoors his whole life except for a few forays on a leash where he laid on the ground and rolled around the whole time. I fear losing him so I never liked letting him outside. But a two weekends ago on a Saturday morning he snuck outside when a visting kid was standing in the doorway with the door wide open so I closed our gates and let him roam around the yard with me supervising closely. I think he's too wide to fit through the spaces in the rickety old fence (you can see one in the picture below) but I know he could clear it if he wanted to and I also think he might like to climb a tree and maybe couldn't get himself down. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8rwPEZY4XYXw0HXuW0mFJq1dSMYgX8izLoi4q7MeU04WFiXYc8qGoN3SXmgw4KX5a65r-HltONPV1dLWqITmdLFrkwCdnAQybPbucX41mDlb1n330y05VIxj3qvnAFAXlyOpw2zE4CO_M/s640/blogger-image--1646782371.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8rwPEZY4XYXw0HXuW0mFJq1dSMYgX8izLoi4q7MeU04WFiXYc8qGoN3SXmgw4KX5a65r-HltONPV1dLWqITmdLFrkwCdnAQybPbucX41mDlb1n330y05VIxj3qvnAFAXlyOpw2zE4CO_M/s640/blogger-image--1646782371.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
He really enjoyed himself and went on the prowl like a tiger. Now I don't worry so much if he gets out back there as long as the gates are closed. You can see from the picture that we've spend the whole summer here without trying to get our yard in shape. This was before it rained later that week and it was on about a month without any water which makes it look even worse. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
What else...during the last week of the pool being opened I brought the GoPro and we took some fun underwater pictures. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8I1Z0YUwLCm6yEVtH5rw_oClK66H96rWEqFbeZOdN3LbafWkUCHKkRn1PLTDBhxEkYln09vyNgrmZifVpirS7SRWNqOFVARU3N3Wpgy6V1FRIN0mw_ITWZ0Zmg8a7RLtpLqVf9-mDdXYb/s640/blogger-image-276099758.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8I1Z0YUwLCm6yEVtH5rw_oClK66H96rWEqFbeZOdN3LbafWkUCHKkRn1PLTDBhxEkYln09vyNgrmZifVpirS7SRWNqOFVARU3N3Wpgy6V1FRIN0mw_ITWZ0Zmg8a7RLtpLqVf9-mDdXYb/s640/blogger-image-276099758.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnJ2JQzUsvdOhR9Jq8Jsq9ai7kiQiofl4eESt5tLifLCYS3aF0vB-QT1Le1pEJlMgbc9GunGX8iNofcq0WHkctmsxxQ3sRM-T3qx2O_oyuHCQRDm47Av9MvN7wJV91r54Mqtw_0utN1qXX/s640/blogger-image-2106426295.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnJ2JQzUsvdOhR9Jq8Jsq9ai7kiQiofl4eESt5tLifLCYS3aF0vB-QT1Le1pEJlMgbc9GunGX8iNofcq0WHkctmsxxQ3sRM-T3qx2O_oyuHCQRDm47Av9MvN7wJV91r54Mqtw_0utN1qXX/s640/blogger-image-2106426295.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMT8-AO8TMt6PGVWM_-25qHKo2TPzNU8I57Acm2RxUISjrM8BORGDq0-mPVl6cvdDnexSP9qVVOKcQyBN7hqdmLM1E5Gyl4teit9Ub45mrbseyCdxiMbLdG5DkeMTjITLoccCRoKSjob_O/s640/blogger-image-947596609.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMT8-AO8TMt6PGVWM_-25qHKo2TPzNU8I57Acm2RxUISjrM8BORGDq0-mPVl6cvdDnexSP9qVVOKcQyBN7hqdmLM1E5Gyl4teit9Ub45mrbseyCdxiMbLdG5DkeMTjITLoccCRoKSjob_O/s640/blogger-image-947596609.jpg" /></a></div>
It was a fun summer of swimming but I can't say I was sad to finally put this pile of beach towels in the closet for awhile instead of having them constantly in the laundry, hanging on the deck rail and piled up by the door with the beach bag. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlsxo_YjPyouMeZfk9y5yLlsp9kesr6taUvbYBplT9S9OBquGI7RmnRreudHBH_0waAf9U2JXH7VDLQL2nL_EoL74mhTSYVpeu_lxH63f9lMvWGt99Herl48wXenizNiMq62fTBz23Pstk/s640/blogger-image--523571284.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlsxo_YjPyouMeZfk9y5yLlsp9kesr6taUvbYBplT9S9OBquGI7RmnRreudHBH_0waAf9U2JXH7VDLQL2nL_EoL74mhTSYVpeu_lxH63f9lMvWGt99Herl48wXenizNiMq62fTBz23Pstk/s640/blogger-image--523571284.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
See you next year towels! I will take you off the shelf and inhale your chlorine/sunscreen scent soon enough! I wish could make some wax melts or air fresheners to replicate the smell of my beach towels. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
There is also very big news. I will spare you the photos but Milo is now potty trained! This isn't a bragging announcement. He is, after all, going to be 3 in about 1.5 months. It is more a celebration. He has even been dry at night since the first day. It will be really nice to have only one kid in diapers and changing a large toddler's size 6 full of poop as he uses his rapidly expanding vocabulary to describe the condition of the diaper is not something any parent is nostalgic about. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Now, the fun part. The first day of school! Oh, was I a happy lady. Unlike last year, I had no anxiety at all. Ben did start at a new school but, as I mentioned before, it is the school where I attended starting in 2nd grade and ending when I graduated. There is a group of new young teachers, construction is underway for a new addition and the mood is upbeat. Ben was excited to hear that his teacher is a military veteran and he already knew most of his classmates from summer activities. And, the best part for me and for him-he can ride his bike to school! </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYAUcM5bvzj012f2hMcAt_uq380k2syNaWpJUq-8BeSU_UpraI-719dnLGi_3OsTs5r6F9L-3VBSy7rKh7a4oOVEX9w_0GMWwwCZ4m-1MMJFqTPF2nBynC21OK0mDUZofputi1m_BUqnCY/s640/blogger-image--2017607976.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYAUcM5bvzj012f2hMcAt_uq380k2syNaWpJUq-8BeSU_UpraI-719dnLGi_3OsTs5r6F9L-3VBSy7rKh7a4oOVEX9w_0GMWwwCZ4m-1MMJFqTPF2nBynC21OK0mDUZofputi1m_BUqnCY/s640/blogger-image--2017607976.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
It's a two block ride and I can stand at the corner and see him arrive safely and it takes about 30 seconds. It is a great arrangement for now. Once snow falls we will have to come up with a new routine so hopefully it doesn't fall for a few months. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8TDecdy4ILm4ebTe0VQY6byu4_zTHVaD6Rt8HEBfx-ocz3oAJxbTre3blxoCguCUZMHa0ROL_f6T6xi_SN1jPXnSuxlIQY8FXXxerga-aDEaXAvchNxFy11ViR7R2VxX-WPq3bIWW8k07/s640/blogger-image--231613890.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8TDecdy4ILm4ebTe0VQY6byu4_zTHVaD6Rt8HEBfx-ocz3oAJxbTre3blxoCguCUZMHa0ROL_f6T6xi_SN1jPXnSuxlIQY8FXXxerga-aDEaXAvchNxFy11ViR7R2VxX-WPq3bIWW8k07/s640/blogger-image--231613890.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Ready to go in! Back in the archives of my mom's photo drawer there is a picture of me pretty close to this very spot but I'm standing in front of a big old tree. There were many trees lining the street in front of the school and they all died of elm disease in the 90's. They have been replanted but it's hard to overcome those losses. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR_NoDUe_hoemG28QAu0KP-x_0r93ICzWGsLDZNMkx79kpeHqFehCXHEckFpWsJ-xOS_ovR6HUDdX7PDRMKJ65pM7MvTUhSDVsPBLxtqyrUrkqIU4ouTMcFTdMttkgwJ4boz7asjZNqepz/s640/blogger-image-1781849520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR_NoDUe_hoemG28QAu0KP-x_0r93ICzWGsLDZNMkx79kpeHqFehCXHEckFpWsJ-xOS_ovR6HUDdX7PDRMKJ65pM7MvTUhSDVsPBLxtqyrUrkqIU4ouTMcFTdMttkgwJ4boz7asjZNqepz/s640/blogger-image-1781849520.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
This was a very quick photo where he sat down for about ten seconds before racing out to the playground. Well, OK then. See you after school I guess...I didn't mind because I had my own fun planned. I had a friend in Bismarck who hosted a back to school get together complete with mimosas for the moms to celebrate the return of routine. I always thought it would be fun so after inviting a friend over and being met with an enthusiastic yes, I decided to make it a party and invited about 20 more people. I wasn't sure how it would turn out since I knew people had varying schedules for work but many had taken the morning off already or have flexible schedules and I ended up with ten guests and we partied the morning away until lunchtime while the toddler crowd ransacked the basement and the kids' bedrooms and Calvin pulverized a muffin and spread crumbs all over the floor but it was totally worth it!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQso3_MjuFxOe0CTongu6JhjZONlTjBP7Y3cQrIivJOe7Och5TRv9dh3BW4DHwLQJvZOBF3ZdoxCW9lg6sRa8DnOIL6ghbqBGGskvhAD6UMV5FMA1J_5wHcGw_7zlkUCv0AMZXXPT-yrrP/s640/blogger-image-538607394.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQso3_MjuFxOe0CTongu6JhjZONlTjBP7Y3cQrIivJOe7Och5TRv9dh3BW4DHwLQJvZOBF3ZdoxCW9lg6sRa8DnOIL6ghbqBGGskvhAD6UMV5FMA1J_5wHcGw_7zlkUCv0AMZXXPT-yrrP/s640/blogger-image-538607394.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Time for the moms to get it poppin'!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIgejjTaoqpoVNVVN4QkbCGPt-jzUF3NSMMKzgWiY2shbf5BJlYuTCkE9YzeFJXnuvybjfEbuGgFguR4klxOCiwVUbS_TZPIzHMKewT8w1NvsJ3xEX1iIygmpF3AwHNzoLx_dQ297x-3eP/s640/blogger-image-178501373.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIgejjTaoqpoVNVVN4QkbCGPt-jzUF3NSMMKzgWiY2shbf5BJlYuTCkE9YzeFJXnuvybjfEbuGgFguR4klxOCiwVUbS_TZPIzHMKewT8w1NvsJ3xEX1iIygmpF3AwHNzoLx_dQ297x-3eP/s640/blogger-image-178501373.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Success!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Yesterday Tessa started preschool! We went shopping a few weeks ago and she chose a tunic with a sequined dinosaur on it. Okayyyyy. Then she had a bow in her hair and I hoped she would forget but she remembered also add her sequined headband! </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSW4KqIIJg6AyTIMJENAuA4xv9jf-lNZFnA4EVcNVDdWfkqXUz_0x0TkxEoCm7L-fIFS_9sZE6s7oYEyGlwU6_qc8EfW22mZPLypvx0dGIFdtpXJDNf8ey8y1ukbt_GQk33MDLVBjxKjKU/s640/blogger-image-306888329.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSW4KqIIJg6AyTIMJENAuA4xv9jf-lNZFnA4EVcNVDdWfkqXUz_0x0TkxEoCm7L-fIFS_9sZE6s7oYEyGlwU6_qc8EfW22mZPLypvx0dGIFdtpXJDNf8ey8y1ukbt_GQk33MDLVBjxKjKU/s640/blogger-image-306888329.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEireAATMRddBDQo-CJpefwVrbnDrUtuutfGDUCkUxw65H52hvhoWgRNJqSsf6f4UaAXgMWISxgEBh7MrDiMXlTOtxPIUfuIkp7WPxmWc54oEtnURhvJvJ4Cs3BUvzM6FBtLjju5mHzmTAfR/s640/blogger-image-45453612.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEireAATMRddBDQo-CJpefwVrbnDrUtuutfGDUCkUxw65H52hvhoWgRNJqSsf6f4UaAXgMWISxgEBh7MrDiMXlTOtxPIUfuIkp7WPxmWc54oEtnURhvJvJ4Cs3BUvzM6FBtLjju5mHzmTAfR/s640/blogger-image-45453612.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
And, lucky for her it was a cool first morning of school and not a standard August sauna morning so she got to wear her kitten boots! </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcuGpq3x_BEtklFrcAOOmei4Hzo2U2tg57uSysSe2Uk-vXcCuYkv4lLj7hbu6-qk22rcs2qRZMdBdtNw687hspgzsw3ywmipiif-OB4NmdEB2Dv_xMJXdEAc-JtzvtTh3uHCvOoJWhxc9N/s640/blogger-image-2049205901.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcuGpq3x_BEtklFrcAOOmei4Hzo2U2tg57uSysSe2Uk-vXcCuYkv4lLj7hbu6-qk22rcs2qRZMdBdtNw687hspgzsw3ywmipiif-OB4NmdEB2Dv_xMJXdEAc-JtzvtTh3uHCvOoJWhxc9N/s640/blogger-image-2049205901.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
It was fun to have her start at this preschool. My great aunt used to run this place until she retired in the 90's but I was already in elementary school when we moved here so only my brother attended. It used to only be in the basement of the building which was a Masonic Lodge upstairs but now the Masons in town have mostly, ahem, moved on to their reward so the preschool has a nicely renovated upstairs as well. It's a well regarded program with real educated teachers with advanced degrees and people from other towns bring their kids here and there is a waiting list and everything (Milo didn't get in this year waaaaaah) and I'm really glad we have something like this in this small town. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
What else has happened in August? I am pretty sad about John McCain dying. Usually politicians come and go and you can't get too worked up about it but I am going to miss the stability he brought to the government. Like whenever everything was going to h3ll and he would be interviewed on TV I always thought, "well at least that guy is there." I am confident he knew what he was doing and I think it made everyone feel grounded. Now...who knows anymore. It's a lot of pressure for one guy in his 80's to keep America calm. John Kerry is still there at least. </div>
Marenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03425968951785261072noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7325057657929921811.post-62232370545027419582018-08-08T10:05:00.004-05:002018-08-08T10:05:44.188-05:00VBS to the Rescue!<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">Well, here I am and it's only been four days since my last post! The reason is...Ben and Tessa are at full day Vacation Bible School this morning! It's a preview of the school year! I dropped them (and the six dozen cookies I volunteered to make like a clown) and then went grocery shopping with only two kids! I loved me some VBS when I was a kid. It used to be in the evening for five days in a row and was taught by moms and other involved adults who were assisted by teenagers. Now they have a travelling Bible camp staff that makes the round every year and they run it with their snazzy and appealing programming. I'm not even sure what the theme is this year. Usually it has something to do with the ocean, treasure hunting or fishing. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">Just for the heck of it, I just looked up some themes on the Internet and found these themes for 2018...I see boats, water and rivers. I was pretty close. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1SPvPV4lk2CU9qhVERNBW_U_nWSbQks1q8XYGyr_XjFMAMIssyAnndRayak3aFjvTKuIQCUCMBFVC7anUWeMbrESCVftzpb6fm0nX1_pVjw9EThNn3YBTVKoWXmNLyXpFVQg-QlfMcDo4/s640/blogger-image-1146374573.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1SPvPV4lk2CU9qhVERNBW_U_nWSbQks1q8XYGyr_XjFMAMIssyAnndRayak3aFjvTKuIQCUCMBFVC7anUWeMbrESCVftzpb6fm0nX1_pVjw9EThNn3YBTVKoWXmNLyXpFVQg-QlfMcDo4/s640/blogger-image-1146374573.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><div>
The only annoying thing about full day bible school is we have to send a packed lunch. I'm guessing they will eat the chips and nothing else. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We are heading into a heat wave where the color coded heat map showed us having white hot heat (the next level after red) over the next week. It's already heating up out there. I am so over sunscreen and wet towels and swimwear being strewn all over the place but I must endure for a few more weeks. We've been swimming a lot this summer. Calvin has even started enjoying the pool. </div>
</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj_1L7r_aIXsquWQQeiGvogFzMhVk-_JUIqb7EkASDumO79PaWyxrlYbGF-EmIb2de81xqTVxsGoH7swlSDMHuS9NKVbkakQ_lxBXt0I7Z5mXUcuBqncV-85JfATqW7UvwC-zcB3ujzy_x/s640/blogger-image-848397218.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj_1L7r_aIXsquWQQeiGvogFzMhVk-_JUIqb7EkASDumO79PaWyxrlYbGF-EmIb2de81xqTVxsGoH7swlSDMHuS9NKVbkakQ_lxBXt0I7Z5mXUcuBqncV-85JfATqW7UvwC-zcB3ujzy_x/s640/blogger-image-848397218.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
This was from a few weeks ago but we took him last night and he loved it. The water has really heated up from the sun and it felt like a bath tub. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
More swimming pics:</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA-6UmdrZS5MPc_oSK_KbKwG0wPpiaSF1Po3FpXYzQQGKNh178avi07nc2dJiTxUEKLdEmeSPNzzr2KhJxq13QnVNjCrpBqjULhPHcT-nBx7qxy0qQfijC6VKYt9MUgmPbLz1zKMI4jPKw/s640/blogger-image-166549900.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA-6UmdrZS5MPc_oSK_KbKwG0wPpiaSF1Po3FpXYzQQGKNh178avi07nc2dJiTxUEKLdEmeSPNzzr2KhJxq13QnVNjCrpBqjULhPHcT-nBx7qxy0qQfijC6VKYt9MUgmPbLz1zKMI4jPKw/s640/blogger-image-166549900.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkaeraoLpTyn9ABVDj52s1U13M36e2LR51EMgRrf_vDzenCrU1h-mr_VTyUw4gdYvUYaadmgjSsexhyphenhypheng2TN2bY3mv6aj6tpxb7cOBXY9vKWluj8yaehOijn891FlqT4n4_o8rbdVp2UUFJ/s640/blogger-image--1085470314.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkaeraoLpTyn9ABVDj52s1U13M36e2LR51EMgRrf_vDzenCrU1h-mr_VTyUw4gdYvUYaadmgjSsexhyphenhypheng2TN2bY3mv6aj6tpxb7cOBXY9vKWluj8yaehOijn891FlqT4n4_o8rbdVp2UUFJ/s640/blogger-image--1085470314.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
I took this picture to remember Tessa's crazy swimsuit mix-n-matching but I am putting it hear because of the bag. That bag has gone everywhere with me this summer and when we were watching the kids' swimming lessons a few days ago it became infested with ants because I left a half eaten box of raisins in there for two weeks. That's an indication of my patience with summer. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Swimming lessons is done. Neither kid passed. But they still got a certificate! And Swedish fish! Which I had to restrain myself from eating!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ZHQA3wr-1tQls6z_Cbd-pRRSYKaxt-j33qBI5e5Hv8pmDlohhGttEmBVjLpOue0aoOPMhF8VHRyZvA_Byj6M8S0tVdxSnZY8O4RK-nYCBpTIjMlPz1cMRnhq5OfdIbUOLw0MwZZkzhD3/s640/blogger-image--675407145.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ZHQA3wr-1tQls6z_Cbd-pRRSYKaxt-j33qBI5e5Hv8pmDlohhGttEmBVjLpOue0aoOPMhF8VHRyZvA_Byj6M8S0tVdxSnZY8O4RK-nYCBpTIjMlPz1cMRnhq5OfdIbUOLw0MwZZkzhD3/s640/blogger-image--675407145.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIOs8si9XBOH_ck9I_G8qCGK5hN4l_dVMCH-U1x7-r32AeeosYN84d77cQYeFnFVQm-Giu2g8dWpxQHgPb3xUse4Jst4u1JJXW3i2o-MmE5ON5IRM3cC9ZWmjpEy_YpZaTPTeRVwnpiXij/s640/blogger-image-1638007003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIOs8si9XBOH_ck9I_G8qCGK5hN4l_dVMCH-U1x7-r32AeeosYN84d77cQYeFnFVQm-Giu2g8dWpxQHgPb3xUse4Jst4u1JJXW3i2o-MmE5ON5IRM3cC9ZWmjpEy_YpZaTPTeRVwnpiXij/s640/blogger-image-1638007003.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
Well, I'm off to enjoy my 1/2 as crazy morning with 1/2 of my kids. Marenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03425968951785261072noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7325057657929921811.post-53978937737595326922018-08-04T23:33:00.001-05:002018-08-04T23:33:29.931-05:00August Check In Sigh, it's August. I knew I had been away from the blog for awhile but I didn't realize my last post was in June. Summer has taken it's toll on my quiet computer time. Milo doesn't nap anymore and there are no peaceful school hours. Between 9 or 10 each morning the neighborhood kid takeover begins unless we are going somewhere like swimming lessons. Soon it is lunch time and then it is pool time in the afternoon. Then comes more chaos of kids running in and out, the torturous task of throwing together some kind of evening meal ( I would rather do almost ANYTHING else during summer) and the rest of the nights have been spent unpacking, sorting and churning more junk than anyone would believe between storage units, our garage and different floors of the house while the kids undo our progress. I've had many moments where I have looked longingly at my laptop, folded, quiet and unopened for days at a time as it sits wedged various places. I don't have a designated safe spot to leave it out in this house like I did before so I find myself defaulting to using my phone for the Internet more often than ever before. <br />
<br />
There have been many occasions that would have made amusing blog posts. A few weeks ago I ordered a rug for the master bedroom. I knew I needed a big one so I just ordered the biggest one they had (from Wayfair, the flash sale site) and it turned out to be more like wall to wall carpet (because I didn't measure the room). So it had to be returned. That was embarrassing. Who doesn't measure the room? Or there was the incident where Justin hung a tiny rack of hooks for keys at the back of a cute little built in grotto (formerly for the land line phone with a little shelf protruding from the wall) and the screws popped out of the living room wall and no one noticed until the next day. More patching, more painting. We had a final trip to Bismarck to clear out our storage unit and we had an impromptu block party with our neighbors on the old cul de sac. It wasn't easy to drive away after that. It was especially sad when Milo got excited and said "We go home Mama?" as we were driving on our old familiar route.<br />
<br />
The new house is slowly coming together but moving has been so much work this time around. I have been tossing cardboard boxes out the back door for months now and we have unloaded endless trailer loads. The neighbors probably think we have some sort of deep underground storage area buried beneath the house.<br />
<br />
Calvin has been progressing as expected. He's very close to crawling and he has five teeth. He's a popular baby with the elementary school aged girls in town. I reached a big milestone also. I wrapped up nursing and pumping! We had many bags of milk in the freezer and when the last one was gone I had the strangest feeling...and it was not a longing for another baby I can tell you that. <br />
<br />
Here are a few pictures or Mr. 7 Month Old himself.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5xvAN5P9gGRyEGBs-JrsjM5NbZx3Z2okfGBmRRy8Z9oIvyIJxhq1yv82RJ3OcDPaNzERjovUGMo9eyUuKizvjKeNBIcTOIeJCDErKtR0Hf9lYZlakdP33LkYB_LrszYmJBg4V8CruBRhV/s640/blogger-image--624994955.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5xvAN5P9gGRyEGBs-JrsjM5NbZx3Z2okfGBmRRy8Z9oIvyIJxhq1yv82RJ3OcDPaNzERjovUGMo9eyUuKizvjKeNBIcTOIeJCDErKtR0Hf9lYZlakdP33LkYB_LrszYmJBg4V8CruBRhV/s640/blogger-image--624994955.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Notice the nice new rug behind him...which fits nicely in the room. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Calvin has more hair that any of the other babies. Tessa didn't have this much hair when she was two years old. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwhchvRtvZCsttk2cMm4WRgusIFHMnOSYNFONWoHQ1rW8pF6fpH439_k7BSaipMk7Sse6f4Odxr4a2GnTjIKYJg_96-KIreMuuihyphenhyphenpULn4hFU1yVaDk_ANoNpBKNEZD0epog5uDCN0d_Ok/s640/blogger-image--273009869.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwhchvRtvZCsttk2cMm4WRgusIFHMnOSYNFONWoHQ1rW8pF6fpH439_k7BSaipMk7Sse6f4Odxr4a2GnTjIKYJg_96-KIreMuuihyphenhyphenpULn4hFU1yVaDk_ANoNpBKNEZD0epog5uDCN0d_Ok/s640/blogger-image--273009869.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Allan is established in the new house. He used to like to lay in the sink at our first house right after we adopted him and he's started doing it again. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ4u5lEbjXtXxZ1GjDVXUUG15MGPIc8Vif4jI2rn63QRJ1QQD5PAFTuGfD_g8UwDTFm4jHu4BzECJh-ch0NEQLHCQztKv3Lo1hbKzhKmmC96u0ueIYqZXAfyxlXlB6W9X2gdbK7ZTVgb1Y/s640/blogger-image-754214316.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ4u5lEbjXtXxZ1GjDVXUUG15MGPIc8Vif4jI2rn63QRJ1QQD5PAFTuGfD_g8UwDTFm4jHu4BzECJh-ch0NEQLHCQztKv3Lo1hbKzhKmmC96u0ueIYqZXAfyxlXlB6W9X2gdbK7ZTVgb1Y/s640/blogger-image-754214316.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
He does this on a daily basis. It's so weird. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
School will be starting in 19 days (not that I'm counting) and the sports field across the park from my house has already been prepared for football with the lines mowed into the grass. Soon the clink of baseball bats will be replaced by football sounds and hopefully I will be able to write a blog post more than once a month. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
Marenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03425968951785261072noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7325057657929921811.post-12122764257318742102018-06-29T15:31:00.001-05:002018-06-30T23:26:56.917-05:00I'm Baaaaaack<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Hello out there! Is anyone left to read? I had to look at my archives to see what my last post was. It was June 1st, and I said I would be getting the Internet on June 7 at the new house. Indeed we did but life has been nothing but chaos since then and until two days ago I wasn't even sure where my computer was. Yes, true story. It was in my backpack against the wall behind this:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAI0tEEdytKiWLiDlNMNuwyiCXEmwwfkDxCluLyz8Ra_awxwXAWxicIGRf2WR0iRaOwFXvkM5DA8qMRazS7AHOuz89F7K24_DSl5fPri6316cJT6pghph2rO2DY0vsmCKKZoXFYnvc7z6b/s640/blogger-image-2017717018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAI0tEEdytKiWLiDlNMNuwyiCXEmwwfkDxCluLyz8Ra_awxwXAWxicIGRf2WR0iRaOwFXvkM5DA8qMRazS7AHOuz89F7K24_DSl5fPri6316cJT6pghph2rO2DY0vsmCKKZoXFYnvc7z6b/s640/blogger-image-2017717018.jpg"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Yes, I know. It's terrible. The bad news is there are areas like this in almost every room of the house! And we've been here a month! It's so overwhelming that each day I think I am going to just pick one thing to deal with and I often just can't face it. It's a clothes, toys, crap overload and yes, I know, someone is going to say "just get rid of everything" but that's just not how I roll and I've already stripped it down as much as I could. I finally put my clothes in the closet yesterday. There have been multiple conundrums and setbacks (furniture wouldn't fit through the door, the boys' bunk beds were too tall for their bedroom and we had to have them welded shorter, we lost the combination for Justin's gun safe and had to have a locksmith call the company so he could open it and replace the guns which were in our closet so we couldn't fit the clothes in, Tessa's and Calvin's dressers full of clothes fit in the opposite rooms...you know, typical moving problems...not). </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
So, here is a very quick update post. Maybe I will elaborate on things later, maybe not. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Moving...was horrible. I am still upset about how bad it was. We packed all of our heavy furniture ourselves until we were on our long couch and our neighbors saw us struggling with it stuck in the front door and insisted on helping. The house was absolutely trashed and dirty with dust, scum and wreckage from the kids everywhere. I think I covered in my posts from May how Calvin was constantly crying from ear problems and I wasn't able to do anything above the bare minimum for the last month we were in there. We left it there planning to return the next weekend before the closing to finish. Our neighbor/realtor/buyer's father entered the house during that week to turn on our lawn sprinklers and I think he walked around and saw it all and he was shocked to see we had cleaned it up in time. They were afraid to enter for the walk-through. It was bad and beyond embarrassing. We were practically shoveling crap into bags and boxes at the end. And then the worst part-unpacking it all. Lord have mercy it has been bad. If there is a time it is useful to be organized it is during a move. And I am not. And I still have no time during the day to do anything because the four kids in the house did not just disappear. They are still here. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Here is a funny picture of the kids in a giant box which we filled with toys and it ended up dumped on the basement floor of the new house where most of them still are scattered. </div>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJwQvpDxEADDTlzlzny_wq0CH7BskhZ3Qrl_yGrVUfUFLGrHEEEpoKpbNEW7y06YYyX53hra0wvLr-YQ1DLTk4HGofmK5lEWrvKqXo_yHjbfrBn_sPGIZUopKypFpuuHPpIUux-H2t0Bos/s640/blogger-image--1924382580.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJwQvpDxEADDTlzlzny_wq0CH7BskhZ3Qrl_yGrVUfUFLGrHEEEpoKpbNEW7y06YYyX53hra0wvLr-YQ1DLTk4HGofmK5lEWrvKqXo_yHjbfrBn_sPGIZUopKypFpuuHPpIUux-H2t0Bos/s640/blogger-image--1924382580.jpg"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Allan had a bit of an adjustment period. Justin drove him because I couldn't face the trip with him "mrrreeeeooooow"-ing for three hours. Well, Justin let him out of the kennel and he was just fine. </div>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQJ52N0UU5l2chCC8ylvvu-ljbDyjT3PBPNYbeCGDVpGtLMYXi_OmTJGe5QrTZ0evBk9q15DqrP_dg_7x6xeBSE6oWJG4X73r3IX63FC06SRl0gvNI2WJP_AX-t2yID7PiJ2-_aiMRIXHR/s640/blogger-image--1803091705.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQJ52N0UU5l2chCC8ylvvu-ljbDyjT3PBPNYbeCGDVpGtLMYXi_OmTJGe5QrTZ0evBk9q15DqrP_dg_7x6xeBSE6oWJG4X73r3IX63FC06SRl0gvNI2WJP_AX-t2yID7PiJ2-_aiMRIXHR/s640/blogger-image--1803091705.jpg"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
He snuggled up in a jacket in the passenger seat and slept. I couldn't believe it. When they arrived he immediately ran and hid under the couch (the living room had some furniture already because Justin had been living there for a month already). He stayed there for a long time and I lured him out to show him where his litter box and food was in the basement. There is an obsolete fuel oil tank in the basement and he ran under it and hid in the corner where no one could reach him and he didn't come out for 24 hours. Justin even went to the store and bought wet cat food and he wouldn't come out. I finally came (I was staying at the farm with the kids until we could get their beds set up) and got him to come to me with deli turkey. I brought him upstairs and we petted him for awhile until he felt more comfortable and after that he started exploring. Now he owns the place and is doing fine. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Here a picture of the old living room and eating area after we got it clean. I don't like to see it. It makes me sad. It was a good house on a good street. </div>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0MJPGWNPv5MxkXH4w5DWyifP0UvzLqw77Awz2o_pkJ0CSvZ1ZiqBAT6Heiz4m9GT4MOkLGW1mdhuuzgpiIo8sV9N1RT3o9zyn5TM2EdD-4rGyWlYmBHP57pFAe5v72DuOeB0cMCdaCb1H/s640/blogger-image-188951069.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0MJPGWNPv5MxkXH4w5DWyifP0UvzLqw77Awz2o_pkJ0CSvZ1ZiqBAT6Heiz4m9GT4MOkLGW1mdhuuzgpiIo8sV9N1RT3o9zyn5TM2EdD-4rGyWlYmBHP57pFAe5v72DuOeB0cMCdaCb1H/s640/blogger-image-188951069.jpg"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
What else has been going on...</div>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgCGI5U_5muwTb9GWZlXhF4_wAjHZ4W2ehIIGyQDkfzcdKHH5By3c638ow0Z22k1sVa4G52bGGW4-mI1lB2Q2oHfOSOwX_tIwZRipTSpzjrN3MlWeYewJo4WvUxTUAWQ5wy_YTrqpAkdd3/s640/blogger-image-1505587060.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgCGI5U_5muwTb9GWZlXhF4_wAjHZ4W2ehIIGyQDkfzcdKHH5By3c638ow0Z22k1sVa4G52bGGW4-mI1lB2Q2oHfOSOwX_tIwZRipTSpzjrN3MlWeYewJo4WvUxTUAWQ5wy_YTrqpAkdd3/s640/blogger-image-1505587060.jpg"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
We planted our pumpkin patch. This is me sitting in a loader bucket after Justin raised me up and trapped me there as a joke. Haha. </div>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcmCZ_kM0CXTWsjyzPrP5FCvv4WbiBTQCVRwxHGl1a06tEHsoKprk1Oz7fEtkUN2JTuKWocEUzlTQbSo8BmWIFjqULV7ssT3Y7el3e1QnRdkW9zziqePZVxKkDfFg0pVssfxxJWg3zpN0q/s640/blogger-image-628922261.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcmCZ_kM0CXTWsjyzPrP5FCvv4WbiBTQCVRwxHGl1a06tEHsoKprk1Oz7fEtkUN2JTuKWocEUzlTQbSo8BmWIFjqULV7ssT3Y7el3e1QnRdkW9zziqePZVxKkDfFg0pVssfxxJWg3zpN0q/s640/blogger-image-628922261.jpg"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Ben played t-ball through the month of June. It was a good season. He loved it and got to know the other kids. He even got to have "batting practice" in the cage at the big diamond on Fridays. Finally he can move on to actual pitching next year at age 7. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
I got a bike trailer for Mother's Day. This caused me to verify that I can still, indeed, ride a bike. </div>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSceyNUaCiOJJc8QS8LS5Pdrb0OgcH0xzKTM6sRT0MZDQ16yZFtNSgh9fDVuxSABHN0wkHJNkA-JJCFSPgv22WTgjYD7h7GbW74ojiclT4EAhxBtHZVJjGLqItnF5TrD2zsIL7usLFHEQa/s640/blogger-image--2091976403.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSceyNUaCiOJJc8QS8LS5Pdrb0OgcH0xzKTM6sRT0MZDQ16yZFtNSgh9fDVuxSABHN0wkHJNkA-JJCFSPgv22WTgjYD7h7GbW74ojiclT4EAhxBtHZVJjGLqItnF5TrD2zsIL7usLFHEQa/s640/blogger-image--2091976403.jpg"></a></div>
<br>
Here are the blasted bunk beds that were too tall for the room. <br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO1YBEmAgjY8-swkPC4Zkqt7Gip5-leRNhlbmIN0pnkr0le_Bb1DDWb065y9XnF1InP_CmyS4hwzuI5OdwVpYKRBnO1FpxWw906WfkAQajwY_BBTDX3WnZJpToDlFPYV2klRwu_ktGgR8t/s640/blogger-image-1863060513.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO1YBEmAgjY8-swkPC4Zkqt7Gip5-leRNhlbmIN0pnkr0le_Bb1DDWb065y9XnF1InP_CmyS4hwzuI5OdwVpYKRBnO1FpxWw906WfkAQajwY_BBTDX3WnZJpToDlFPYV2klRwu_ktGgR8t/s640/blogger-image-1863060513.jpg"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
This is after they returned from the welding shop. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
We've been going swimming a lot. A family season pass costs barely anything at $75 for the family. Admission daily is $2 per person so it's definitely a steal. </div>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYRYCTdtS-v6GUzjDTzbI3NACp5VwaVpH-PlihOsF7N1S-0IAtN9s70nr-1jzc4jN14SoGCUMGIFL1rBaSy4sxcFcVA0GFvvWRLCwzQxgrMU67h5sUbYh8BhW8qWZCmVKIKEkbNSv_8SXY/s640/blogger-image--1177427493.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYRYCTdtS-v6GUzjDTzbI3NACp5VwaVpH-PlihOsF7N1S-0IAtN9s70nr-1jzc4jN14SoGCUMGIFL1rBaSy4sxcFcVA0GFvvWRLCwzQxgrMU67h5sUbYh8BhW8qWZCmVKIKEkbNSv_8SXY/s640/blogger-image--1177427493.jpg"></a></div>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfdtKCXvvPTltC3Ov_1789h_ZdOY9YE3UWs1A3O06tnBnzCfESXncuVgrx7JFJzoRsCwjST5uiftneeMjr7VLutd-9upTDOZ4p9C-xLD6-B_aAg5WL4cNbk80cr3Lorx2U3roJBLrvka_2/s640/blogger-image--421879832.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfdtKCXvvPTltC3Ov_1789h_ZdOY9YE3UWs1A3O06tnBnzCfESXncuVgrx7JFJzoRsCwjST5uiftneeMjr7VLutd-9upTDOZ4p9C-xLD6-B_aAg5WL4cNbk80cr3Lorx2U3roJBLrvka_2/s640/blogger-image--421879832.jpg"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
This is the water slide they got when they had to remove the diving board in order to get approved for a pool improvement grant a few years ago. It's not the same but at least they have something. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
More baseball. </div>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3nwxhc0wSiAoBfRcMz0Xn2WGXjK-s__fHTG3nzB14Ye-apsVfngXkRyMWkzCEnXdUwAifVaRXtyNKBgEJw-GnZkpO6bs6YhBRLcZ5uKHrFYHMyBKa1A5nm0WmZVHA0yqnZ4fxBZfyJGdv/s640/blogger-image-1146475443.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3nwxhc0wSiAoBfRcMz0Xn2WGXjK-s__fHTG3nzB14Ye-apsVfngXkRyMWkzCEnXdUwAifVaRXtyNKBgEJw-GnZkpO6bs6YhBRLcZ5uKHrFYHMyBKa1A5nm0WmZVHA0yqnZ4fxBZfyJGdv/s640/blogger-image-1146475443.jpg"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
More swimming. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhju0zYWbDfoUk386UQWCpRJGp2zRB6VpkjBvRmmrRt4-6qwgpiwX2Qcm2ED0wLOeSSH6JmS8_5ec5P-vyKpqV4u-K0FsRX6tMKswW5VjCCT2M1f0zsPf4nf7dgfd3eApKbq-53agftIb0C/s640/blogger-image--1784566302.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhju0zYWbDfoUk386UQWCpRJGp2zRB6VpkjBvRmmrRt4-6qwgpiwX2Qcm2ED0wLOeSSH6JmS8_5ec5P-vyKpqV4u-K0FsRX6tMKswW5VjCCT2M1f0zsPf4nf7dgfd3eApKbq-53agftIb0C/s400/blogger-image--1784566302.jpg" width="400"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
I went to California last week. It was my birthday present. </div>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<div>
<img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb-Ier_no8_1w_LiDT9MCX6qPjGIVd2BVu_jVy3W7JrKl2D9144TVxH-QGB3_pphmVDrJf0IU7EQAd-eDQ2YzAW1ABozDyn62XY1E0SKXwtIV-eyEDDRNfkZ__A-_62Qz6q6D6euS8Cf9o/s400/blogger-image--963465556.jpg" width="400"></div>
<div>
<br></div>
<div>
The trip deserves it's own post. I'm still in re-entry mode and the first day was a bit rough. </div>
<div>
<br></div>
<div>
Just today, I donated blood for the first time. I tried once back in college and got turned down after I told them I had a cold the week before. When I was doing to pre-donation interview it turned out they still had my dorm phone number and my parent's old Rural Route address on file. From 17 years ago! I used to be afraid to donate but since having kids a needle in the vein doesn't really phase me anymore. I'm following my dad's example. They keep track of your donations and he's donated sixty something times! His goal is to make it to 80. </div>
<div>
<br></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjITz0sJXDHvpZcUELXS6q6qnncBOG1GrjuPu6HVjLWULl1bXPscuWLOIYdGLKz72Mf655ld4C2Uk_bRVVKFOHcLRAJaWT8c81vIyG_tGVTYgh7cGqyDOKioxTSr0OqEfPxMJ91Uqq4qFf/s640/blogger-image--17167424.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjITz0sJXDHvpZcUELXS6q6qnncBOG1GrjuPu6HVjLWULl1bXPscuWLOIYdGLKz72Mf655ld4C2Uk_bRVVKFOHcLRAJaWT8c81vIyG_tGVTYgh7cGqyDOKioxTSr0OqEfPxMJ91Uqq4qFf/s640/blogger-image--17167424.jpg"></a><br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
No low iron and no passing out=success!</div>
<br>Marenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03425968951785261072noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7325057657929921811.post-41607792896762052182018-06-01T18:38:00.001-05:002018-06-01T18:38:33.131-05:00Stand ByeIn case anyone has been checking in, we are in the process of moving and I won't have Internet until June 7! You will have to amuse yourselves elsewhere... now look at my cat. <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVBy_tsBjGAL48rKqaQlpfL0CtMRY-N0dsaiS1PJkotCcZFcFjSMtSDjIyQhqFKaE8dmwNtEmpQYMojKHQcBboJUMugL2m4gj02yQzv5w0bRfeGe3vHnwq2q1CvIKTf84ZymYWtTAHA1Q-/s640/blogger-image-2012739640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVBy_tsBjGAL48rKqaQlpfL0CtMRY-N0dsaiS1PJkotCcZFcFjSMtSDjIyQhqFKaE8dmwNtEmpQYMojKHQcBboJUMugL2m4gj02yQzv5w0bRfeGe3vHnwq2q1CvIKTf84ZymYWtTAHA1Q-/s640/blogger-image-2012739640.jpg"></a></div>Marenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03425968951785261072noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7325057657929921811.post-81223788542804547892018-05-24T13:20:00.001-05:002018-05-24T13:20:31.158-05:00Last Week of SchoolIt is the last day of school for Ben and yesterday was Tessa's last day. I feel weird saying this but I wanted to hit pause this last month as the days just flew by because I don't want to say goodbye to their schools. Waaaah. Moving is hard. Tessa was crying after we got home from her graduation because she was going to miss the Y. Her teachers gave the kids little stuffed emoji keychains (try explaining what that is to my grandmas!) and she has been clenching that thing in her fist since. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzVy_idrwBjeIF69qNyyoRJn0_ggzcm0qgbzAlScr0MSLlvHsxej1QZYrRsaWVt4r7r5uao4r8Mml3-XL_srMSd1O7I8e48NjiuCr7q1PU92qfXn_3-ZNG0ll4srMfXPMftNXc-gBBoXuA/s640/blogger-image--70245158.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzVy_idrwBjeIF69qNyyoRJn0_ggzcm0qgbzAlScr0MSLlvHsxej1QZYrRsaWVt4r7r5uao4r8Mml3-XL_srMSd1O7I8e48NjiuCr7q1PU92qfXn_3-ZNG0ll4srMfXPMftNXc-gBBoXuA/s640/blogger-image--70245158.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Of course, this really isn't much of a graduation at all since she's still going to preschool again next year but it's fun for the kids so whatever. Some kids in her class are 5 and heading to "big kid school" next year some it was. They had black mortarboards and everything but the teachers kept them to use for the other classes. Those things do look like a pain to make. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
After the ceremony, which was held in a church across from the Y for some reason instead of the usual gym where Ben's always was, we had cookies in the classroom and Calvin was a very popular guest. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiScMaRWoTCeBduTnpxbwQBQU2nXPZ-BujTYMdjpAkw-NxXoilO6FGArLFlaL-Tvwfw4C7-PVeOpVmVpJPMwROoecSMqTotV3BSU76On_39S2TMUYUlcGVEAJnLBxsNgvtpITWMq3w9BuvA/s640/blogger-image-1931932485.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiScMaRWoTCeBduTnpxbwQBQU2nXPZ-BujTYMdjpAkw-NxXoilO6FGArLFlaL-Tvwfw4C7-PVeOpVmVpJPMwROoecSMqTotV3BSU76On_39S2TMUYUlcGVEAJnLBxsNgvtpITWMq3w9BuvA/s640/blogger-image-1931932485.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
This is out of order but here is Tessa walking in with her huge hat on. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd0aUU_EIiIt59L7JFE1a2mwsszcv3m2x2VBOruxubY6AtU1hqjnlIq_bAFtx8S-ZXPLoQeUfM5lUBVpFF6K-h2Q53v1kW_tGwa1Y6L5lPuQm2s2GQmq-tUhCs7bi4lqaquayVKDa5jNqH/s640/blogger-image--528995329.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd0aUU_EIiIt59L7JFE1a2mwsszcv3m2x2VBOruxubY6AtU1hqjnlIq_bAFtx8S-ZXPLoQeUfM5lUBVpFF6K-h2Q53v1kW_tGwa1Y6L5lPuQm2s2GQmq-tUhCs7bi4lqaquayVKDa5jNqH/s640/blogger-image--528995329.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
They sang the classic "These are the Months of the Year" and some other fun songs and then got their diplomas. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHnvzBXwelhG03ep283YcQUi0kBwxjnaDP70HoG7Pc3bHDacfCvLPw2uxowaYZ8j6OpwqARo6ilmJKeL_NNk_6PJBKGPhIEV6T56cD0pZQ2-6ghMyDZZWgK7xDTZbNRH2R94kCeD-fdCik/s640/blogger-image-566317814.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHnvzBXwelhG03ep283YcQUi0kBwxjnaDP70HoG7Pc3bHDacfCvLPw2uxowaYZ8j6OpwqARo6ilmJKeL_NNk_6PJBKGPhIEV6T56cD0pZQ2-6ghMyDZZWgK7xDTZbNRH2R94kCeD-fdCik/s640/blogger-image-566317814.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Here is Milo climbing all over the kitchen toys that were shoved in the corner for the summer. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
As a record of progress, the preschool has the kids draw a picture of themselves each month of the year to display how they are developing. There is a normal continuum that this process follows for most kids. I'm pretty impressed with hers. Ben's people drawing is still solidly in the "mat man" and stick figure territory (his pictures of boats, guns, animals and scenery are pretty good though). Check out Tessa: the Pink Marker Version. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj5u0ZGH0bR4eS2BHQMgYd8MxyYQehoYxpwtti1whN7Kwxo-4PiWi-cFLK5X9jAJDev4coNfOXKYegT8mRYHTZXBkR4nza1-tVRtsQY-BkHFpOGzTIzqyDYCCWAX_Ls96QAgRqQX7vi_6I/s640/blogger-image--1911413434.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj5u0ZGH0bR4eS2BHQMgYd8MxyYQehoYxpwtti1whN7Kwxo-4PiWi-cFLK5X9jAJDev4coNfOXKYegT8mRYHTZXBkR4nza1-tVRtsQY-BkHFpOGzTIzqyDYCCWAX_Ls96QAgRqQX7vi_6I/s640/blogger-image--1911413434.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
And this was the first month of school:</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsDGTaE_wOsc30hFwIJu99-9uYyaEmls-w-xwmRbZz_QMb5_jYcgzMo7g6NxI-4UQZ4oJGv6ovd8oPb_XJ8J6-8nGMKhfZF201OuagY4OF3NpjjN2barZPIayOhycAdbh2zDIDGZ_Dn7T7/s640/blogger-image-1152551377.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsDGTaE_wOsc30hFwIJu99-9uYyaEmls-w-xwmRbZz_QMb5_jYcgzMo7g6NxI-4UQZ4oJGv6ovd8oPb_XJ8J6-8nGMKhfZF201OuagY4OF3NpjjN2barZPIayOhycAdbh2zDIDGZ_Dn7T7/s640/blogger-image-1152551377.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Pretty amazing I think. She loves to draw hearts and she can draw a really good freehand circle which I am pretty bad at so it intrigues me. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Ahhh...it's 1:15. I have approximately an hour and 45 minutes left of peaceful school afternoons. I wonder-did my mom feel this way about summer? We are going with a bunch of Kindergarten classmates and a few old preschool friends to a well known kid themed restaurant when school is over and it should be a RIOT with a baby and a 2 year old along but oh well. I can watch the other moms visit while I chase my maniac toddler around. At least everyone is always willing to hold the baby. I'm sure I'll be stressed and sweating when it's all over. </div>
Marenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03425968951785261072noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7325057657929921811.post-23817304788426320332018-05-15T14:07:00.002-05:002018-05-15T14:07:57.738-05:00Spring Excitement and Nostalgia<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Happy late Mother's Day to all the mothers out there. It is my 6th Mother's Day. I said I didn't want anything because I would rather just spend money buying stuff for the new house. I have been so out of sorts and distracted and I can barely handle my kids in public so I didn't get anyone even a card! It's a year for the books, that's for sure. Yesterday Tessa's preschool had a parent party and they made these very cute flowers for us. She had the biggest grin on her face when she gave it to me. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhryZVGUQPBfRnIxWWMvyjdBPJ0yet0NX5p5vRSwgnL0nwQ-jUX9D25-NyWjtoqMl2opcwwDiGAgYZjOud9WQcMscuRbmi5wDeFL_yixciaWD9zaMPfyw0CTcTX4D72TVadkse6DASKYcP9/s640/blogger-image--1054241054.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhryZVGUQPBfRnIxWWMvyjdBPJ0yet0NX5p5vRSwgnL0nwQ-jUX9D25-NyWjtoqMl2opcwwDiGAgYZjOud9WQcMscuRbmi5wDeFL_yixciaWD9zaMPfyw0CTcTX4D72TVadkse6DASKYcP9/s640/blogger-image--1054241054.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
It's actually a pen and the cap is embedded in the rocks. This is one of the better kid crafts I've seen for that age group. Ben brought home a painting of a vase of flowers with a letter on the back which said, to summarize, "thank you for making the best chicken nuggets and thank you for making my bed". Hmmmm OK. Yes, I do indeed make some good chicken nuggets. I'm so good at setting the oven to 400 and slipping the pan in there. The bed thing though...I NEVER make anyone's bed in this house unless I'm changing the sheets or someone is coming over. So I don't know where that came from. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
There was exciting news this weekend. I tried to embed a video but I couldn't figure out how. Ben started riding a bike without training wheels! Now, I'm not bragging here. I know many kids his age who have been doing this for at least a year and probably longer for some. We haven't really spent much time practicing because our street is at the top of a hill and it always worried me that he would go tumbling down it. He learned at the farm by starting on a long expanse of grass and then moving to the gravel driveway. It was crazy because I learned to ride a bike at the farm when my grandparents lived there! I was a big older, between 1st and 2nd grade because we had been living overseas and I didn't have a bike there with me. The old banana seater was waiting when I got back though! I remember it took me weeks of falling in the grass in front of the house to get it. It was a dry grasshopper summer and I'll never forget the first time I stayed up and rode in a straight line across the grass and grasshoppers were jumping away from me like the Red Sea parting. Ben was on a roll after one push from my mom. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
When I was a kid, a bike helmet was a rare sight and the person who was wearing it was probably a big old nerd. Actually, I can't even say that because I didn't know a single kid who wore a bike helmet in the 90's. But, we know better now I guess. Also, I had a friend in law school who had a serious head injury when she was 12 from a bike accident and that always stays with me. We are the same age so kids in the 90's did indeed get hurt. Yesterday morning I ventured out with Calvin and Milo aka Mr. I Want Everything I See in Stores and Don't Understand the Concept of Paying and Money and When My Mom Puts Food I Like in the Cart I Want to Rip It Open Immediately" to find some helmets. Of course, every store was picked over by this point but I found what we needed. I found the perfect style for Tessa. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6FJt_R0AI4BPXEGUpbPlbXxxmfq61PB2bE-u8lmqr64A5cD1GGe53UnsxCz9I8JPo-nEdVL014xW46LOWS_2G7fsccSbqWNXizc9axNsgmrLM3zD84FFSHfDNhtkgMcP9Ci1924ts4Ts1/s640/blogger-image-726003834.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6FJt_R0AI4BPXEGUpbPlbXxxmfq61PB2bE-u8lmqr64A5cD1GGe53UnsxCz9I8JPo-nEdVL014xW46LOWS_2G7fsccSbqWNXizc9axNsgmrLM3zD84FFSHfDNhtkgMcP9Ci1924ts4Ts1/s640/blogger-image-726003834.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Ben's is black and red with a spike Mohawk and Milo's has Lightening McQueen. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
These weeks in May are always full of nostalgia for me. May 10th kind of caught me off guard when I saw a friend from law school mention it was our 10 year graduation anniversary. Then, a few days later was the college anniversary. And today is the day I left for Norway 12 years ago in 2006. The pictures always pop up on Facebook and remind me. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7E8tz6RK7fCkyzaA2CBkKqKGD3fiRVMHBXUEK66wVcR4mteXIYIqwaWy_ee0n_JRqYRBUqJUxmTTqcMTFBBYLV2lS3bFYOt9yUIZphea_NxrgReeMABxJ3v5a5_9mMMJw3dcQpy7alC8T/s640/blogger-image--1864152883.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7E8tz6RK7fCkyzaA2CBkKqKGD3fiRVMHBXUEK66wVcR4mteXIYIqwaWy_ee0n_JRqYRBUqJUxmTTqcMTFBBYLV2lS3bFYOt9yUIZphea_NxrgReeMABxJ3v5a5_9mMMJw3dcQpy7alC8T/s640/blogger-image--1864152883.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Ahhh, the glow of a 22 year old. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-4E8NsAfJdlmFs1XJ1Okjj2HoZF3ypp7GWFj9r2aGbbiOTS_AUctDKGZ4RtRCx08LsNhvqzQgv03zB1K5cTiemR7vFfB8y4p0_Kz-oQ3wOUhHNQh6xEEuBAgADCVX83Zi17BHt-liHgC6/s640/blogger-image--1772597555.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-4E8NsAfJdlmFs1XJ1Okjj2HoZF3ypp7GWFj9r2aGbbiOTS_AUctDKGZ4RtRCx08LsNhvqzQgv03zB1K5cTiemR7vFfB8y4p0_Kz-oQ3wOUhHNQh6xEEuBAgADCVX83Zi17BHt-liHgC6/s640/blogger-image--1772597555.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
And, the joy of a person who is finally done with formal education. Actually, I still fantasize about college academics sometimes. If I didn't have any morals I would love to be a research paper writer. Haha. I'm sure I could still bang one of those out in no time especially if it was a liberal arts topic. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
The Norway pictures could be shared again but all a person has to do is to the link for May in any of the years along the side of the page and there will be some there because I love them so much I have shared them every year I think. </div>
Marenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03425968951785261072noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7325057657929921811.post-60195234548326965272018-05-07T09:35:00.002-05:002018-05-07T09:35:51.323-05:00Spring UpdateDo you all remember your Kindergarten graduation? I really don't-I remember more clearly my preschool graduation. I lived in Wyoming when I was in Kindergarten and I remember things about it but I don't recall a graduation. I remember my sister's and brother's Kindergarten graduation because the school that became my hometown school liked to make a big old deal out of it and I still remember the often used "Everything I Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten" essay fill of wisdom like "wash your hands" and "share" and "take a nap". The current version of that would include "outline a book and write a little report" and "deconstruct numerals in groups of ten" which are things Ben has done this year. I wasn't even sure what deconstruct meant when I saw it on the report card but it basically refers to learning subtraction. There is a lot of controversy about Kindergarten and whether or not it is too much. I'm glad to say, at least for my first kid to enter the world of school, it has not been too much even though a March birthday apparently now makes him of one of the youngest in his class. He is an extrovert to the max which probably helps. I love seeing the papers he bring home and deciphering his entry level spelling. My favorite was when he brought home a picture of an oval with a line coming out of it and it said "Sosaj Rap". Hmmmm...well obviously it was a picture of his favorite lunch which is a Sausage Wrap. Anyone could see that. Also, he loves to draw pictures of tanks and guns and he always chooses books from the "Military Missions" series at the library and one day he brought home his own "Milutaree Book" that he made. Sounds first, then phonics I suppose. <br />
<br />
So, even though there are still a few weeks of school left, the Kindergarten had their music concert for the year along with their graduation. They theme was "A Day in the Life of a Child" and the songs were traditional folk songs and camp songs we all know accompanied by music class instruments like tambourines and drums. In the grand tradition of events held in school gyms, it was crowded, hot and hard to see and the pictures from where I was sitting were bad. Everyone was holding up phones and tablets to try to get a good recording so it was hard to see. After the show the classes went to their rooms so we could take pictures with the teacher and get their "diplomas". <br /><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnf4DAxtmEEe9eCroe-Ewntd35X4A31DjMsrcqFjTBTDWFdW4OA7GsdOsUCKDJer1KcqZ7pKhK8oqRCNr9a-rkzGiHxe69sadq25-emGsXgNYtzKKYRf6IPZrQf5tRRqo7DsNHsDTb-4VS/s640/blogger-image--419977092.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnf4DAxtmEEe9eCroe-Ewntd35X4A31DjMsrcqFjTBTDWFdW4OA7GsdOsUCKDJer1KcqZ7pKhK8oqRCNr9a-rkzGiHxe69sadq25-emGsXgNYtzKKYRf6IPZrQf5tRRqo7DsNHsDTb-4VS/s640/blogger-image--419977092.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
I love this tree on one of the streets near the school where I always end up parking because there is no parking lot except a small one for the teachers and staff. It is huge.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
I was worried about handling Milo during the concert because he's crazy. I had suckers, candy and drinks in my bag do distract him. He actually calmed down when the singing started. He liked it. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDI1JZK3DTcdydeYQEz-WfZFtDFC9JzY_yaxtO64uhNkbKpzRgk-MZPX93S44NLTqevBMtFT6aDl8ZZxdeNjWrsFHFxr8GQPnMcxyjiUVOt1w8cc7pixYsZC2IyEPdKFzDAnT6_P-0esWj/s640/blogger-image--160412876.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDI1JZK3DTcdydeYQEz-WfZFtDFC9JzY_yaxtO64uhNkbKpzRgk-MZPX93S44NLTqevBMtFT6aDl8ZZxdeNjWrsFHFxr8GQPnMcxyjiUVOt1w8cc7pixYsZC2IyEPdKFzDAnT6_P-0esWj/s640/blogger-image--160412876.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
I shouldn't have worried. The Kindergarten demographic is known for having preschool and toddler and baby siblings so there were plenty of other screaming, running, meltdown having kids around. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Speaking of the "Milutaree" aka the Military, my dad has worked as a civilian at an air force base for the past 11 years and last week he officially retired at the age of 60. I wish I could have been there for his retirement party. It was a lovely send off. </div>
<br />
He received a flag and a picture of the plane that flew the flag. I don't exactly understand this (was the flag on the outside of the plane? Inside? It's an Air Force thing). <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEDMx9TP89w4VxGxaUjds0kyC9gQCpq-bDcOwLViAh_wVA0Y3vOJKW9IqZU7LI90QwnhGgKTU2usf5n3vLKVVOKen0h7KIhTHjaPDnR6DotSrqhoJKAVWMFSCc16mBUSeI90FrkHo4KvRG/s640/blogger-image--1119480263.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEDMx9TP89w4VxGxaUjds0kyC9gQCpq-bDcOwLViAh_wVA0Y3vOJKW9IqZU7LI90QwnhGgKTU2usf5n3vLKVVOKen0h7KIhTHjaPDnR6DotSrqhoJKAVWMFSCc16mBUSeI90FrkHo4KvRG/s640/blogger-image--1119480263.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
He also received a medal for HVAC unit members which is pretty unique and had to be tracked down and one was finally located and sent from a AFB in Texas. He received a custom made NDSU sign for the farm and a statue with a Viking because the airmen of the base refer to themselves as the Northmen. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrSnkDC9ssBUkbc0FHf9D6CR0R6RuGxIqE7ytBoAg5wYOteSyiSlusaDUPpKeSmGh5xUUpwcyT3qPlYKTqlkVV2SmF-Z6OenM8sg5ZaUVtLb3rcgEjiLJqTL9Ce_3hpUPsnU1Y8xnnx3Gu/s640/blogger-image-253066587.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrSnkDC9ssBUkbc0FHf9D6CR0R6RuGxIqE7ytBoAg5wYOteSyiSlusaDUPpKeSmGh5xUUpwcyT3qPlYKTqlkVV2SmF-Z6OenM8sg5ZaUVtLb3rcgEjiLJqTL9Ce_3hpUPsnU1Y8xnnx3Gu/s640/blogger-image-253066587.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
The coworkers had hashtags for him which are pretty funny and true. #AGNEWS</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Here is the Viking statue. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF46R8gndhc1AfnIJ6p_DcjRt1GXa7iMMfHLsu4jm7gw42mBda7QHg45qtLCm5HtHR5nWWjruuyGrDsMa8fRwCmJWxGFGJrU9ijB2pQS2gL4EvbsuptrYPsJALz8M06o_XzG9bEsj3bO_2/s640/blogger-image--613884558.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF46R8gndhc1AfnIJ6p_DcjRt1GXa7iMMfHLsu4jm7gw42mBda7QHg45qtLCm5HtHR5nWWjruuyGrDsMa8fRwCmJWxGFGJrU9ijB2pQS2gL4EvbsuptrYPsJALz8M06o_XzG9bEsj3bO_2/s640/blogger-image--613884558.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Pretty fitting because I am convinced that my family must have Viking blood. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Both of those items above deserve their own post but I just haven't had time to post regularly. Calvin has been sick for almost a month now and is on a second antibiotic for an ear infection after the first round didn't work and it spread from one ear to both. It has been hard to put him down and the house is in absolute shambles. My neighbor's grandkids came busting in last week and the 4 year old said "it's messy in here!". Yes, it is kid. Get over it. Of course, they then proceeded to make it even worse. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP4wbrUhB7Qyi1m_Ysvmf5AH-3tlTELkKBxP6ci_RaWdfDWdVNgbIHQrDoRye39iUJaL2d5VnnH6uIG9jpMvi1WQrz3vfoOHdKLMi23bl2XdLIyWSzxyzRrgZiAybcdN-tgO_GjHrwa-tc/s640/blogger-image-1822560103.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a>I have been trying to pack and move things each weekend. After packing our bags there isn't much room left and it has taken two loads just to move our coats from the coat closet. The amount of crap is completely overwhelming. On Friday I loaded the closet from h3ll which holds old Halloween costumes, not two but three lettermen's jackets and two grad school graduation robes with hoods. Minimalism is the latest "thing" and most people would advise me to just throw it all away but guess what. I don't want to. I like having costumes around should the occasion arise. I like my letter jacket. It was a big deal to be in 9th grade and get to have one and I was proud of it. Same with the graduation robes. And many of the costumes were made by me. Back in 2008 I made the flapper dress below by sewing fringe to a clearance Old Navy dress and the matching headpiece doesn't work anymore because the elastic is stretched out. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP4wbrUhB7Qyi1m_Ysvmf5AH-3tlTELkKBxP6ci_RaWdfDWdVNgbIHQrDoRye39iUJaL2d5VnnH6uIG9jpMvi1WQrz3vfoOHdKLMi23bl2XdLIyWSzxyzRrgZiAybcdN-tgO_GjHrwa-tc/s640/blogger-image-1822560103.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; clear: left; color: #0066cc; float: left; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 16px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP4wbrUhB7Qyi1m_Ysvmf5AH-3tlTELkKBxP6ci_RaWdfDWdVNgbIHQrDoRye39iUJaL2d5VnnH6uIG9jpMvi1WQrz3vfoOHdKLMi23bl2XdLIyWSzxyzRrgZiAybcdN-tgO_GjHrwa-tc/s640/blogger-image-1822560103.jpg" style="cursor: move;" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
It fell off the hanger in the car and this morning Milo was afraid to get in because he thought the big fluffy feather was a spider. Hahaha. If it was that would be a very terrifying spider!</div>
<br />Marenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03425968951785261072noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7325057657929921811.post-48274741189886009212018-04-30T13:44:00.000-05:002018-04-30T13:44:09.470-05:00Draft 2018<br />
<div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
It was the NFL Draft over the weekend. I'm sad to admit that this year I only devoted passing attention to the spectacle. On Thursday we were driving and I arrive at my destination just as it was starting, we were working at the new house which only has an antennae for TV and it has a weak signal and both Calvin and I ended up at the doctor's office on Saturday morning because I knew I had a sinus infection that was making even my teeth hurt and Calvin was constantly crying and arching his back in pain and it was discovered that he has an ear infection.</div>
<br />
I was pretty excited for Saturday because the Tampa Bay Buccaneers had plans to have their real live parrot mascot read their draft pick. Oh yeah. This is the rounds 4-7 foolishness that I love. The macaw's name is Zsa Zsa and she's one nice looking parrot. I like the ones with yellow as their main color. <br />
<br />
<br />
<img alt="See the source image" src="http://prod.static.buccaneers.clubs.nfl.com/assets/images/imported/TB/2018/Article/03-march/423-zsa-zsa.jpg" height="192" style="height: 280px; width: 466px;" width="320" /><br />
<br />
How does one become a parrot handler at an exotic bird sanctuary anyway? Also, doesn't this picture remind you of another often re-shared photo...of me?<br />
<br />
<img alt="No automatic alt text available." aria-busy="false" class="spotlight" height="240" src="https://scontent.ffar1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/1605_563291457535_9314_n.jpg?_nc_cat=0&oh=eb04fbe8f400f8c55c2b527b29597728&oe=5B998A13" width="320" /><br />
<br />
Mexico, 2008...that was a fun time. Something interesting about this picture is a friend of mine went on a cruise this winter and she posted pictures on FB of her 5 year old holding parrots in front of this same exact background in the same mall. I REALLY hope those poor birds haven't been spending the last ten years in a mall being held by tourists. Maybe they get rotated from a sanctuary where they return every day. HOPEFULLY. <br />
<br />
Well, back to the draft...I walked in the door with Calvin after our doctor and pharmacy run just in time to see the Bucs fourth round pic. This was the scene.<br />
<b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br /></b>
<img alt="Zsa Zsa the parrot is perched on the shoulder of Stephanie Dripps during the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' draft announcement. (Courtesy of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers)" src="http://www.tampabay.com/storyimage/HI/20180428/ARTICLE/304289727/AR/0/AR-304289727.jpg?MaxW=950&cachebuster=931632" height="240" title="Zsa Zsa the parrot is perched on the shoulder of Stephanie Dripps during the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' draft announcement. (Courtesy of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers)" width="400" /><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />
<br />
Then...the pirate woman bird handler read the pick. NOT THE BIRD! Well, it turns out the parrot wouldn't cooperate. Poor bird. Guess she got stage fright. In case you were wondering, because I was too buy watching the parrot to listen, the pick was Jordan Whitehead from University of Pittsburgh. I had trouble finding him because the google searches all involved the parrot's failure to repeat the name. <br />
<br />
<img alt="Jordan Whitehead" class="rmq-fc842fda" data-radium="true" data-test-id="facemask-image-container" height="285" sizes="100vw" src="https://imagecomposer.nfl.com/?l=http://static.nfl.com/static/content/static/img/combine/2018/headshots/1400x1000/2560028.png&f=png&w=308&c=71" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-image-outset: 0; border-image-repeat: stretch; border-image-slice: 100%; border-image-source: none; border-image-width: 1; border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; color: black; cursor: move; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 399px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; width: 399px; word-spacing: 0px;" width="400" /><br />
<br />
He's a safety with "character issues" which his college coaching staff has been kind enough to keep secret even though he was suspended for three games last year. His hands are 8 1/2 inches wide and he's 198 pounds in case you were wondering. Best wishes to him anyway! Everyone makes mistakes (as long as this doesn't involve some type of sexual assault. I'm so over people excusing that).<br />
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />
<br />Marenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03425968951785261072noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7325057657929921811.post-42469922189323874582018-04-20T15:17:00.000-05:002018-04-20T22:03:42.201-05:00The Milestones Keep ComingDoes everyone remember when they lost their first tooth? I was in Kindergarten in Wyoming and it happened in the middle of the school day. I was pretty young and apparently I was one of the first kids in the class to lose a tooth (redshirting wasn't really a thing yet back then except for the boys with the latest summer birthdays) because everyone really got excited. I didn't really understand what was going on because losing teeth wasn't really the talk of the class yet so my mom was even surprised when I got home. I hadn't mentioned that it was loose. <br>
<br>
Times have changed and kids in Ben's preschool class were losing teeth already last year. He has had a few "wishful thinking" loose teeth that weren't actually loose but he was still waiting. On Wednesday he came home from school with an actual loose tooth. He said he used his teeth to pull his soggy wet glove off his hand and that's when it became loose. I don't use my teeth for many activities besides chewing so this makes me cringe. He wouldn't leave it alone and by the time he went to sleep it was really loose. I had a feeling he would come home with a gap and I was right.<br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-wY6MBqkZXuap0ve04xYqzHH630Y-9y9fcLJGz4OvYmdk6uXk2f5Wlp2dThwAdNa822QazTlTNK2jQNf2IeEsSMTWGrb_xN4VSD4m3eBigaGK0dBuHyRy16bXM9cgI5wgzRx8COrg4BC9/s640/blogger-image-1060162670.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-wY6MBqkZXuap0ve04xYqzHH630Y-9y9fcLJGz4OvYmdk6uXk2f5Wlp2dThwAdNa822QazTlTNK2jQNf2IeEsSMTWGrb_xN4VSD4m3eBigaGK0dBuHyRy16bXM9cgI5wgzRx8COrg4BC9/s640/blogger-image-1060162670.jpg"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
He said before lunch a boy in his class told him to pull it out so he did. Hmmm OK. I admire this audacity. I was always afraid to pull and mine would practically hang out of my mouth. Once my mom pulled one out by tricking me and saying she was just looking at it and I didn't even know she did it. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
So, next up-the Tooth Fairy. This is another one of those plot hole filled magical legends that is really hard for me to play along with because it's just so ridiculous. But might as well enjoy the childhood lack of logic while it last, right? Too late, I thought it would be pretty cool to leave one of those golden $1 coins with Sakajawea on them. I know I have some because I got a bunch for high school graduation. But, I have no idea where they are and Justin has some too but he also doesn't know where they are. They are packed away with our de-cluttered clutter. It's been almost a year since I saw it. Not looking forward to getting reacquainted. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
I really felt like I should do something cute since it's his first one so I went on Pinterest and immediately facepalmed. Too...much...magic...decorative tooth boxes, glitter thrown around...no thank you. But I did see some fun paper folding techniques for folding money. There was a really cool fighter jet that looked like a more complicated version of a paper airplane. But...my one dollar that I could find was so wrinkly it just looked terrible so I ended up making a normal paper airplane. </div>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1yHk1hq37NrbSzoWJ0iVE08FrrzMJEdbyr5go1CRCwRmtyHFA3PFzImgZymqDjyhQaleMjSkVn6q6qxu-yLwY0pAoRmDjhZTuqO3UMK5nevdTNKzKCWHA_6pwCZhcIemcxZghao-UmqaX/s640/blogger-image-205881426.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1yHk1hq37NrbSzoWJ0iVE08FrrzMJEdbyr5go1CRCwRmtyHFA3PFzImgZymqDjyhQaleMjSkVn6q6qxu-yLwY0pAoRmDjhZTuqO3UMK5nevdTNKzKCWHA_6pwCZhcIemcxZghao-UmqaX/s640/blogger-image-205881426.jpg"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Special, isn't it? I can't believe I almost didn't even have a $1 bill for this purpose and I didn't figure it out until 9 p.m. That was a close one. I suppose a handful of coins would have been OK too...</div>
Marenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03425968951785261072noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7325057657929921811.post-9270570801540128762018-04-17T10:16:00.002-05:002018-04-17T15:44:16.872-05:00The New Neighborhood HeroI've been really absent on the old blog lately. I think about things I want to post often but it's just really crazy right now. Calvin has not adopted a nap schedule yet and instead he sleeps for short intervals which barely allow me to get anything done and the blog is the least necessary thing. He's been fussy and I realized last week that he was getting a tooth. Well that explains so much! I noticed a day before he turned four months old which is around when Tessa got teeth. Ben was six months old and Milo...ummm...maybe he was between four-ish and six-ish months...sometime in there...<br>
<br>
Also, on Friday we got our new house! I am still living in our old one with the kids while Justin works on the new one after work every night. We spent the weekend there and I have multitudes of ideas to post about. This blog is about to go back to it's roots almost nine years after our first house was the original main feature. But, before I get into that, I have to post about a recent adventure I had. <br>
<br>
Since we've owned a house, I've always enjoyed being neighborly. I know it's common in America for neighbors to barely see each other or talk to each other for years because people drive into their garage, close the door before entering the house and they don't come out until the next morning when they leave for work. Happily (for me) both of our streets have included active retired people, people who don't work traditional 9-5 hours, and me, a stay at home parent. People who happen to be coming and going and who are often around during the day. On our current cul de sac, no one has fences in their back yards and the circular arrangement means we end up visiting whenever anyone is out shoveling, doing yard work or getting the mail. We have an association which means we have meetings and dues which have to be handed to the correct person which has been our house for a few years so people have no choice but to come over! We have a block party every summer and we all end up helping each other. We water plants, babysit cats and kids (like when a person goes into labor at 11 p.m. for example) and I am the go to person when someone needs their house opened up for a delivery or repair person. This friendliness leads to silly neighborly antics like arguments over what the name of the male pheasant who lives behind our houses is and lots of roof climbing to retrieve kites (that was Ben) plastic swords (our neighbors grandson threw one on our roof) and various winter related roof nonsense like frozen sewer vents and massive snow drifts that threaten to pull down gutters. <br>
<br>
So, the Wednesday before Easter our neighbor from two houses down came over to let me know they were babysitting a cat for a friend who was overseas for a month and he was really scared and had slipped out of the house somehow and they couldn't find him. Of course I said I would be on the lookout and I put cat food and a box with a towel out on the deck. On Thursday he had been spotted but then he disappeared again. I was worried because it was really cold for the time of year (cold as January) but I saw no sign of him and we left for Easter that afternoon. When I returned the following Tuesday I saw some cat prints in the snow in our backyard but I wasn't sure how old they were or if the cat had already been caught. But the next morning there were prints all over the yard and when I returned from the school drop off run there were fresh wet prints on the deck by the food dish! Uhhh I just missed him! <br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-RV1GNnm4D8Yd-GdofkvMkHD2tjrrRYG_3AVAl51UGY1Gidl-3u9xDDrMjVVHXsSS6-Bx9oAdlBM8-ZQEfLLCta1NvnaLCuArBc3C4H9XzF5CaQcoK1SuWD1HPjmUlaV7Y6ovyYReBxek/s640/blogger-image-254224196.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-RV1GNnm4D8Yd-GdofkvMkHD2tjrrRYG_3AVAl51UGY1Gidl-3u9xDDrMjVVHXsSS6-Bx9oAdlBM8-ZQEfLLCta1NvnaLCuArBc3C4H9XzF5CaQcoK1SuWD1HPjmUlaV7Y6ovyYReBxek/s640/blogger-image-254224196.jpg"></a></div><br><br>
I knew the cat had to be close so I tried to think of the smelliest, most enticing food I could put out there. All the online advice says to use tuna or wet cat food. But...I thought of the times I had seen the most civilized dogs and cats, well fed pets, lose their minds over dead game during hunting season. I've seen cats drink blood and dogs turn insane over organs so I decided wild game was the best idea and we have a freezer full of it! How perfect! <div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwy338DvzElEbhqJWSHky5jN0o8E4-n9zh1LaTv1l6ouEp5Mh641rlPoU8xA1cHdatp12aobfo3rKOF6vRhTj0RMqDW0XypL9jAYmGsV9p4P14ze2mjk1Vq1k1BBuTOK2IGZY8bzsAA7_Q/s640/blogger-image--406683291.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwy338DvzElEbhqJWSHky5jN0o8E4-n9zh1LaTv1l6ouEp5Mh641rlPoU8xA1cHdatp12aobfo3rKOF6vRhTj0RMqDW0XypL9jAYmGsV9p4P14ze2mjk1Vq1k1BBuTOK2IGZY8bzsAA7_Q/s640/blogger-image--406683291.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div> I found a pack of Elk hamburger from 2015 in there and cooked it and put a small dish outside. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwKgXkZ5dysX_X7GlVt3MzLKDmCTEzKPePsT_wEPvyZYENQbYG_Bzq7BudDVmLdLIShLxbyyWrLZmB5xNIqBvcl4UXQ8KatJd5morb-IekkVg8kvX7EX8oy0_m8gXvDYLLQGMZDOeL-VxI/s640/blogger-image--1119133040.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwKgXkZ5dysX_X7GlVt3MzLKDmCTEzKPePsT_wEPvyZYENQbYG_Bzq7BudDVmLdLIShLxbyyWrLZmB5xNIqBvcl4UXQ8KatJd5morb-IekkVg8kvX7EX8oy0_m8gXvDYLLQGMZDOeL-VxI/s640/blogger-image--1119133040.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Allan was annoyed that I don't cook wild game for him...</div><div><br></div><div>There was no action all day, much to my disappointment but the next morning the bowl was licked clean. So I called the neighbors and they were thrilled because they had seen no sign of the cat for days and were starting to give up because it was really cold out. They brought over a live trap they had set for a few days with no success and I put the elk inside and the next morning it was still open. Dang. It turns out the food dish was placed such that the trip pad didn't need to be stepped on to eat the food and activate the trap. So Friday night I placed two small bowls way at the back of the trap and went to sleep that night hoping but always worried that it still wouldn't work. The low temperature was going to be 7 degrees that night and I really was worried about that cat. <br>
<br>
Saturday morning Allan woke me up in the predawn hours by being his usual annoying cat self and walking on my head, purring really loud, all the usual moves. I couldn't get back to sleep because I was thinking about the trap. I wasn't sure what time of night the cat was visiting and I didn't want to turn on all the lights and scare him away. But finally around 6 a.m. I couldn't take it any longer and I went to look. And I was thrilled to see the door was closed! I went out and carefully pulled back the blanket covering the trap, hoping a crazed squirrel or rabbit wasn't in there and there was a fluffy cat face staring at me! <br>
<br>
I went and woke Justin up so he could help me bring the trap inside and we carried him to the basement bathroom so he could get warm. Later that morning we called the neighbors to tell them the news and everyone was so happy. When the owner in Europe heard the news she got my number and called to thank me. She said she celebrates Orthodox Easter and it was that weekend and it was their Easter miracle. I told her about the morning our missing cat showed up on Easter morning when I was a kid and it was a happy phone call for us both. There were a lot of people on the hunt for this cat on all the missing pet social media pages and my elk idea is now all over although I don't take all the credit because they gave me the trap. I just love cats and I imagined how upset I would be if I was away and Allan was loose in the cold. I hope someone would help me if they could. <br>
<br>
And here he is...the sneaky Maine Coon himself who caused a two week long neighborhood cat hunt during a record breaking April cold snap which included at least two blizzards. I lost count there have been so many.<br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbQfHFTg10oR9nQs5ihSCWszI9OQBKCfwt9RHO4tpeoJVO3Ps2hAAHQYxNRJIvl6qLcyHGclpP8RufakZ_2G5VcsL54EvfjYhjzd4PpMnbSHHMrfQ4ulutCljPImKoEKlPvS7BYFNESClU/s640/blogger-image-1517933778.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbQfHFTg10oR9nQs5ihSCWszI9OQBKCfwt9RHO4tpeoJVO3Ps2hAAHQYxNRJIvl6qLcyHGclpP8RufakZ_2G5VcsL54EvfjYhjzd4PpMnbSHHMrfQ4ulutCljPImKoEKlPvS7BYFNESClU/s640/blogger-image-1517933778.jpg"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Apparently since being brought back into the house he has become very comfortable and snuggly as he waits for his owner to return where before he only hid under the bed all day. Also, he was snubbing dry cat food. I guess he acquired a taste for the good stuff. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
I'm still thinking back to that morning with happiness and I'm glad I was able to help some fellow animal lovers and I'm glad we all knew each other well enough to work together. And, I admit I have enjoyed being recognized for my efforts in something. It's the life of a mom-you constantly do thankless work and often you are completely ignored, your work is undone within minutes, you are considered lazy for not having a job and people assume you and your kids sit around the house doing nothing all day, and things you do are complained about (ahem, every meal I present to my kids). At least the cat wants the food I make! </div>
</div>Marenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03425968951785261072noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7325057657929921811.post-63134017436512305922018-04-09T09:12:00.003-05:002018-04-09T09:13:34.798-05:00Easter 2018YWe had a nice Easter weekend. The kids had Monday and Tuesday off from school which gave us a five day weekend. Tessa had an Easter party at school and came home with these:<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWlW8iwiUsBcdt1fUleCUYNghy_Niq1bTx4BsvMeC4eQFUBCBLG_s8ilby-J0BhgwQVjQZjSo986ELrOzk50MiiZFXRuxsJ9gFVEzNqnLnYiTKQSbKQELYAXA1gBtJl8hZiUKdnfZ0vwCn/s640/blogger-image--412049840.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWlW8iwiUsBcdt1fUleCUYNghy_Niq1bTx4BsvMeC4eQFUBCBLG_s8ilby-J0BhgwQVjQZjSo986ELrOzk50MiiZFXRuxsJ9gFVEzNqnLnYiTKQSbKQELYAXA1gBtJl8hZiUKdnfZ0vwCn/s640/blogger-image--412049840.jpg"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
These are now turning up everywhere I look. On the floor, on the table, on the counter, back on the floor, in the entry. I need to sneak them into the garbage. Also, sweet mother, the entryway looks like a sandbox. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
We headed to Easter ND for Easter and the weather and conditions were just horrid. We arrived at the farm and I immediately got stuck in the driveway in the muddiest mudhole I've ever seen. Usually, an April Easter is more pleasant than a March Easter but this year...ugh. It was cold as January while also being muddy everywhere. There was also a winter weather warning for Friday night. Good thing I was able to travel ahead of it. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
We have always taken the kids to a big public egg hunt (more like grab-no skill involved at this event!) and the two year old hunt was scheduled for 8:30 a.m. So we get up really early only to arrive and discover it has been delayed two hours because of the weather. But eventually...</div>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirAqR0dOn-AuSniFVXYa4frBTAEUVqUAiCvgAWuiw-in8Jd5y3GILS2ixJTuigtG3F6G9ah-fJJtfwkr6I5HEkNDpia2T9aQYTE9lbqGBClg88f7niY1y93_kQIyNi8Np04j11_M729ZHX/s640/blogger-image-1896089728.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirAqR0dOn-AuSniFVXYa4frBTAEUVqUAiCvgAWuiw-in8Jd5y3GILS2ixJTuigtG3F6G9ah-fJJtfwkr6I5HEkNDpia2T9aQYTE9lbqGBClg88f7niY1y93_kQIyNi8Np04j11_M729ZHX/s640/blogger-image-1896089728.jpg"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
This was after Milo had his turn. We had Ben and Tessa both go during the 4-5 year old hunt so we wouldn't have to wait around any longer. He turned 6 less than a month before so...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Off they go!</div>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbZxsdE4HVMahvRRi3X2s2L265EA4vzrdaMQ269t1mMyjevz1ov2QQHYWumoYPJDOLzla_lIkqytTtmMLPdIb_tcSfP6bicu2RjvCQgAnUbt1SQDAyTtSmNJgnt4fyMgA4QYZvnZmrFc4M/s640/blogger-image--245664485.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbZxsdE4HVMahvRRi3X2s2L265EA4vzrdaMQ269t1mMyjevz1ov2QQHYWumoYPJDOLzla_lIkqytTtmMLPdIb_tcSfP6bicu2RjvCQgAnUbt1SQDAyTtSmNJgnt4fyMgA4QYZvnZmrFc4M/s640/blogger-image--245664485.jpg"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Be is in the blue and black shirt and Tessa is in the polka-dot pants. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Milo was starting to lose his composure after waiting for the older kids' egg hunt to start and Calvin was crabby too. </div>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcB_6Vcio1qD4oeawYvkEnsuzWaQtMdagImQ6waVDfYRvhy5S0U-j8V8_X7FxvI1zlOk3qclxpZ5xacQAslLcDj4bNF-GaL-_c1tP6CuTNZuxkwsjPigQeStGLqVV7DSps3jlB3UfVYvR-/s640/blogger-image-1864154296.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcB_6Vcio1qD4oeawYvkEnsuzWaQtMdagImQ6waVDfYRvhy5S0U-j8V8_X7FxvI1zlOk3qclxpZ5xacQAslLcDj4bNF-GaL-_c1tP6CuTNZuxkwsjPigQeStGLqVV7DSps3jlB3UfVYvR-/s640/blogger-image-1864154296.jpg"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Here Milo is whining because he wanted to open the eggs even though he already opened his own earlier. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
We had another egg dying session at the farm that afternoon. My parents were talking about how when they were kids they did the "blow out" technique where you poke holes at each end of the egg and blow the yolk. At the church my mom grew up going to the ladies would decorate elaborate eggs every Easter and keep them through the years. I recall doing this once when I was younger but it was probably 25 years ago. My dad demonstrated!</div>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIrDv5mtLUayBKt77cxM6YCSn6m6qJHv3pse5-uYUsnUvwF3DN3PPrbUxTiZGZwb2LhsVm-a9wvcBIDU8W_mqECnGStm3fyU5lE7iETk-Bky6_FkCbO94n_FlNrISclJcmir7czdcewzwg/s640/blogger-image--1150184732.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIrDv5mtLUayBKt77cxM6YCSn6m6qJHv3pse5-uYUsnUvwF3DN3PPrbUxTiZGZwb2LhsVm-a9wvcBIDU8W_mqECnGStm3fyU5lE7iETk-Bky6_FkCbO94n_FlNrISclJcmir7czdcewzwg/s640/blogger-image--1150184732.jpg"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
It still works! The key is sticking something like a skewer up one end to break up the yolk before blowing. </div>
<br>
On Easter morning the kids were excited to get their baskets. Then we went to church and made it at 7:30 a.m. Amazing! At the end of the service during the recessional hymn, which was "Lift High the Cross" the minister invited all the kids to the front where they had a basket of small crosses which they could hold up during the refrain. Milo ran right up there and we were worried he would whack someone but he didn't! Amazing!<br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSSCI3GgHoBxNbQUbhFPa_ALx1YBfDsTQTyBIHezPf8ROWVYvhaRE0k7S3nZ6q75vthyERFDWLT2sHnfxWqTvD2zPPiFc-TpMo6x0KUIFx7kIwmqnPQLUhOdVkNrTkUG4eQ6xw7Bf1hVn3/s640/blogger-image--494559409.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSSCI3GgHoBxNbQUbhFPa_ALx1YBfDsTQTyBIHezPf8ROWVYvhaRE0k7S3nZ6q75vthyERFDWLT2sHnfxWqTvD2zPPiFc-TpMo6x0KUIFx7kIwmqnPQLUhOdVkNrTkUG4eQ6xw7Bf1hVn3/s640/blogger-image--494559409.jpg"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Here is Tessa with her basket. I didn't get many pictures. </div>
<br>
Ben wrote a note to the Easter Bunny asking if we could hunt for eggs inside. He said yes. <br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhje7iI1S1tnWcvvgYN80QvmdVD7NXuEDv2R9Dlhz_td_1GxRNARp47oVdnylzoy9Yz-ihsRERa0bH0_v2oFvcr5Vp4AZtPw7EFvcORcAwxgXm_A6aaRreE7k3YYCmamtRvljI1DLJLZm8/s640/blogger-image-1386545194.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhje7iI1S1tnWcvvgYN80QvmdVD7NXuEDv2R9Dlhz_td_1GxRNARp47oVdnylzoy9Yz-ihsRERa0bH0_v2oFvcr5Vp4AZtPw7EFvcORcAwxgXm_A6aaRreE7k3YYCmamtRvljI1DLJLZm8/s640/blogger-image-1386545194.jpg"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
He's really an artist with those streamers, isn't he? </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
In addition to Easter, the weekend also included some birthday fun for...ME! My birthday was on Wednesday but I had my fun ahead of time. First I had a cake which is actually a layered pudding desert my mom made. </div>
<br>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG-BxJ-eYkw37lg4oL6bcb5VG0FmlJF0yLtnsG0c-Q7NrLbIKTAt9-cMwRIru3E_S2p7CJPImqYKdxBEHiPtc6iuf5kfIRLjpbkYA1AZXUqX1Yol694PNiCWPd8UKMEl-ksl2CxMv1T5K8/s640/blogger-image--1343738087.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #0066cc; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: 16px; margin-right: 16px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG-BxJ-eYkw37lg4oL6bcb5VG0FmlJF0yLtnsG0c-Q7NrLbIKTAt9-cMwRIru3E_S2p7CJPImqYKdxBEHiPtc6iuf5kfIRLjpbkYA1AZXUqX1Yol694PNiCWPd8UKMEl-ksl2CxMv1T5K8/s400/blogger-image--1343738087.jpg" width="400"></a><br>
<br>
Yee haw PARTY TIME! The kids were not too impressed when I opened my gifts, which included clothes, a coffee mug and some pot holders. Oh, and a plane ticket to California this summer! YEAHHH! <br>
<br>
I got another cake later in the weekend. Justin's mom only had the numbers 1, 2, and 6 in candle form so I picked an age...will I be 12? 26? 61? 62? Nope, I'm going to be 21 of course! <br>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ9hhBp5JnaFfM8NJwNcDz9TJM9n-YyoWRSukMG77aIsRInHdiNqsZXIWzmjcjD7QX8qUw4a3-JY4wy5hNuTEEbT5RYN5gaGjlJiu8M9T1vqopsaaRTxipOG_9UI8JBzfGSahsmXi-DWyw/s640/blogger-image-1396327968.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ9hhBp5JnaFfM8NJwNcDz9TJM9n-YyoWRSukMG77aIsRInHdiNqsZXIWzmjcjD7QX8qUw4a3-JY4wy5hNuTEEbT5RYN5gaGjlJiu8M9T1vqopsaaRTxipOG_9UI8JBzfGSahsmXi-DWyw/s640/blogger-image-1396327968.jpg"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Look! You can see my pajama pants! I had to change because Justin and I went to Olive Garden for supper (by ourselvessss!) and I got a free desert and I was so full I could barely move. You can also see Milo peeking over my shoulder. I don't think I'm fooling anyone. I couldn't quickly locate a picture from my actual 21st birthday but here is one from May of 2004 when I was newly 21. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeGmHSIPNlNbR2JFwKgLgHussWE8uEfK8ubuJDlzYVi7Wz4Gs7-_a_a0TWJ_e5bKQ_ves-dgSuyWnbMZ2fj6HwyaoZ8JtY7F9K1TpmEk4CebalndT9qaRx4tF965_eG65c4p1xSrfn2bEr/s640/blogger-image--789439748.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeGmHSIPNlNbR2JFwKgLgHussWE8uEfK8ubuJDlzYVi7Wz4Gs7-_a_a0TWJ_e5bKQ_ves-dgSuyWnbMZ2fj6HwyaoZ8JtY7F9K1TpmEk4CebalndT9qaRx4tF965_eG65c4p1xSrfn2bEr/s640/blogger-image--789439748.jpg"></a></div><br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Now why on earth was I wasting my tight and toned legs by wearing pants like that...the world will never know. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br></div>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br></div>
Marenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03425968951785261072noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7325057657929921811.post-26158223916508572332018-03-26T15:18:00.002-05:002018-03-26T15:18:51.266-05:00Easter Egg ChaosThe Easter Egg dying...I've learned this is one of those "family fun" activities that you idealize and people post about it on social media making it look awesome and fun but it's generally a fiasco. The younger the kids, the bigger the fiasco. This year, Ben and Tessa were quite civilized and fun while dying eggs. They know how to gently ease the eggs in the cups instead of dropping them from six inches above and splashing dye everywhere. They care about design and color. They don't break eggs with carelessness. They were so excited to dye eggs they asked about it all day. They monitored the boiling of the eggs, the cooling and the drying. It would have been a fun activity...but...there was also a two year old and a baby involved. I almost waited until a time when Milo was sleeping to do this but I thought he's two and a half...he should be part of the fun. The other kids dyed eggs at that age. Well...he was a nightmare. He wanted to dip his hands in the dye and stir the eggs around in the cups with a spoon so I had to hold every up so he didn't spill everywhere. He cracked his eggs and I thought I could distract him with a shrink wrapped egg but he wanted it "opened" meaning he thought the wrapper should come off. Finally I distracted him with technology just so he would leave the other two to enjoy themselves. This morning he broke two more eggs while the other two were at school. Hopefully they don't notice. <br />
<br />
So, here are the eggs the civilized members of the family made. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvVcD4BezC1dkNRCadb4qoGt2GZnur96ECeQT9fqAdeP8goEIgcGY-uvTtSeJwFrLP_tuKSFO4uRm3tPh-TRarT3Yu_Pgcwe549qMO_Le4NqarWJqimfC0lGEBiOijA7MNSsSjFYoVntG4/s640/blogger-image--329705832.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvVcD4BezC1dkNRCadb4qoGt2GZnur96ECeQT9fqAdeP8goEIgcGY-uvTtSeJwFrLP_tuKSFO4uRm3tPh-TRarT3Yu_Pgcwe549qMO_Le4NqarWJqimfC0lGEBiOijA7MNSsSjFYoVntG4/s640/blogger-image--329705832.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Ben picked out the kids at Walmart with Justin and they chose a PAWS monster kit and a golden egg one. The gold one didn't have nearly enough paint for a whole batch but the ones they made are pretty cool </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ci_5PRRnBwR9O2Nshr6FIP6YR1k_6LEswZpy52yQCvo00ikUugrvY3wpK1WlmDW1GyetUTUmpUWDVGUKr7VJxAoA5AG-nHSeP4ICoxCPagc29dTsYsiiKz9o5AqB7T0ypXDQ-DXrtfIS/s640/blogger-image-1517976402.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ci_5PRRnBwR9O2Nshr6FIP6YR1k_6LEswZpy52yQCvo00ikUugrvY3wpK1WlmDW1GyetUTUmpUWDVGUKr7VJxAoA5AG-nHSeP4ICoxCPagc29dTsYsiiKz9o5AqB7T0ypXDQ-DXrtfIS/s640/blogger-image-1517976402.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTTTU5KE8Bv06CQT2KOaI6dkSTBP5LoVCbmKFa56vzRTcWQFzxsHGA7QAqUSq0jKsdlfkvecqYOJI3g1Scc7IcPrfkQXnrMzVV6ON07ZqypmZ6CcI9DJuV9DJksxoLBScektlPGurbYNSH/s640/blogger-image-2002774499.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTTTU5KE8Bv06CQT2KOaI6dkSTBP5LoVCbmKFa56vzRTcWQFzxsHGA7QAqUSq0jKsdlfkvecqYOJI3g1Scc7IcPrfkQXnrMzVV6ON07ZqypmZ6CcI9DJuV9DJksxoLBScektlPGurbYNSH/s640/blogger-image-2002774499.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
Surprisingly neat work for the age group...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1-DCiRk9XbVPsMyaPqHfxd0t_EskGjIE-mkeaPdP2O9mQKUmiucvQ7hibbAWpjppjWRFhPqGHt3B6y4ZR2NG3H7yXMVGQPNOo6LsGhh246t66GwfEnfo0aHTCviBrdEt31jfZD88qTBKN/s640/blogger-image--1910282533.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1-DCiRk9XbVPsMyaPqHfxd0t_EskGjIE-mkeaPdP2O9mQKUmiucvQ7hibbAWpjppjWRFhPqGHt3B6y4ZR2NG3H7yXMVGQPNOo6LsGhh246t66GwfEnfo0aHTCviBrdEt31jfZD88qTBKN/s640/blogger-image--1910282533.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
I kept a few white eggs for my favorite shrink wraps! Milo broke this little monster this morning...Most of the eggs were two big for the wraps! They were only larges not jumbos so next time I will have to buy mediums. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoUPigTm7wvByPQuZtKgNSVjUB2J7Axq2kM2GlrJHKb2erN-LRDFgB3Mw1T8OJnfjB5ohsPXFv-2RtFfD_lFDqaRZ6lHDly-BAg0A-hqSA0gnYd_vGbPWYnrjKo1Rkj5rBQkExBSSg0hYM/s640/blogger-image-1528937656.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoUPigTm7wvByPQuZtKgNSVjUB2J7Axq2kM2GlrJHKb2erN-LRDFgB3Mw1T8OJnfjB5ohsPXFv-2RtFfD_lFDqaRZ6lHDly-BAg0A-hqSA0gnYd_vGbPWYnrjKo1Rkj5rBQkExBSSg0hYM/s640/blogger-image-1528937656.jpg" /></a></div>
Ben was very serious about this activity. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghuvmDOwg0-DOA_Y0tjVQsomo3WWfvANX8aOwFMiPWfdRCgEzlvr6X7zWrFFf6N9HcRl0ft8-7cx3qiCjSsI8__ZTUGvtl10Mz1I2G1ShDowTBwK-kBUe27LFBH25VMRJ3JtnJyRMqnCmE/s640/blogger-image-487527635.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghuvmDOwg0-DOA_Y0tjVQsomo3WWfvANX8aOwFMiPWfdRCgEzlvr6X7zWrFFf6N9HcRl0ft8-7cx3qiCjSsI8__ZTUGvtl10Mz1I2G1ShDowTBwK-kBUe27LFBH25VMRJ3JtnJyRMqnCmE/s640/blogger-image-487527635.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Allan has an annoying habit of dipping his paws in glasses of fresh ice water to get himself a drink. Usually he only wants water (of course he would take milk but open glasses of milk aren't a regular occurrence around here) but not juice, colas, tea or coffee. Here he is dipping his paws into and drinking dye water! I was so annoyed by this...I use vinegar with egg dye tablets before adding the water so the water I imagine tastes like vinegar. I can't imagine it tasted good. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoPyrwJZ2BryK4yNmefjlGNUXlXy2ksmEvJFbTDUgloG8codz5ACCMGjW6ji7_bhyphenhyphenoxk9IbUj5fssngXTva7spiUhGdwdl6Jfjgvj6_n4rAm_hIM64H0Px3BVeX0iPc4nqCZEP7RSa-Bhl/s640/blogger-image-338692373.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoPyrwJZ2BryK4yNmefjlGNUXlXy2ksmEvJFbTDUgloG8codz5ACCMGjW6ji7_bhyphenhyphenoxk9IbUj5fssngXTva7spiUhGdwdl6Jfjgvj6_n4rAm_hIM64H0Px3BVeX0iPc4nqCZEP7RSa-Bhl/s640/blogger-image-338692373.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
He had blue water on his paw! I haven't checked to see if it stained his delicate white paw. He deserves it if it did. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3blDOc0F1IUvXSmMaGH-C4GaWs1OaaDczHwmppYBUi7H2u_fWbZckcQjz66v0te5mXYLfoEhjjg3-LdSlkDb0YAxSUntjqY4MZ8x-O3FIELSxsvEJ2rmHwpaw32gv-Mm5PejCDA6_oTmX/s640/blogger-image--927544059.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3blDOc0F1IUvXSmMaGH-C4GaWs1OaaDczHwmppYBUi7H2u_fWbZckcQjz66v0te5mXYLfoEhjjg3-LdSlkDb0YAxSUntjqY4MZ8x-O3FIELSxsvEJ2rmHwpaw32gv-Mm5PejCDA6_oTmX/s640/blogger-image--927544059.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Here is Milo's wreckage from before I stopped the madness and made him do something else. When this tray finally meets its final days in approximately two years it will be happy to go into the dumpster. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd5hw9gTjHLSKw-OlAk63_0ybwpoNRFJW72ekBI6oEOn65x-J-1EpXdRVoZS6vQCtKk4Eydih3ca0VLLtiSvc2lCd-IrpZqDJeA3dky1oWrDBTUUwKQM2fSnupgmtjLU04dn2tszONFSHS/s640/blogger-image-265701943.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd5hw9gTjHLSKw-OlAk63_0ybwpoNRFJW72ekBI6oEOn65x-J-1EpXdRVoZS6vQCtKk4Eydih3ca0VLLtiSvc2lCd-IrpZqDJeA3dky1oWrDBTUUwKQM2fSnupgmtjLU04dn2tszONFSHS/s640/blogger-image-265701943.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
This is an egg Milo broke and then left on the living room floor. I don't like to eat hard boiled eggs so I'm not exactly an expert at boiling them although I have learned enough to know you put the eggs in the cold water and then heat the water instead of dropping the eggs into boiling water. These were obviously not boiled long enough but at least they are solid enough not to run all over the place. We have a hard boiled egg making machine that makes perfect ones but it is packed away in our storage unit along with all our other frivolous small appliances and our Easter decorations. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
I wish we had them because the kids love Easter. Tessa spent the afternoon playing with fake eggs and an empty 18 pack carton. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoPbfPwYeZVAgwnwcob2Oi7Iy4belf1hl4kiGn3PZ2BjNAQVJPwkNKECKjVMevGLyEb4S318PtjtKWAlDCIXeJ6pPbiQckWAPOCeJ2_D3U-VaxZLtDadAv2s0TKMV3tBM1OJk1wDhtJyzj/s640/blogger-image-1775671970.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoPbfPwYeZVAgwnwcob2Oi7Iy4belf1hl4kiGn3PZ2BjNAQVJPwkNKECKjVMevGLyEb4S318PtjtKWAlDCIXeJ6pPbiQckWAPOCeJ2_D3U-VaxZLtDadAv2s0TKMV3tBM1OJk1wDhtJyzj/s640/blogger-image-1775671970.jpg" /></a></div>
Justin bought them jumbo eggs when they bought the dye. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnV2yEc4U9NdvOiJvwtGgcKQ4P_PCx8OsPDnYUqACNtkjw1zgHhA-c6n_UdKi7OcFgrpAcVMZixP-9yxySyBhyphenhypheng7FI3KrXkUSJa5DNEalRYm99KpXxu6LrOoxFm3VkHUxmtpOdLC1HZlv4/s640/blogger-image-848662000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnV2yEc4U9NdvOiJvwtGgcKQ4P_PCx8OsPDnYUqACNtkjw1zgHhA-c6n_UdKi7OcFgrpAcVMZixP-9yxySyBhyphenhypheng7FI3KrXkUSJa5DNEalRYm99KpXxu6LrOoxFm3VkHUxmtpOdLC1HZlv4/s640/blogger-image-848662000.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK34-U6yVONs4SIpSOVQvzTWj1opWjvJUxo7DGvvmZ53MeOtbbx4khAyBBcYiguVKZ81u4BMZsaNDTDqKzPltCLi-ZixuYZmjONjlWTYucux4n_uIwMnQeFIMsesu9U_81Z3dpwuigo7SA/s640/blogger-image--1010659349.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK34-U6yVONs4SIpSOVQvzTWj1opWjvJUxo7DGvvmZ53MeOtbbx4khAyBBcYiguVKZ81u4BMZsaNDTDqKzPltCLi-ZixuYZmjONjlWTYucux4n_uIwMnQeFIMsesu9U_81Z3dpwuigo7SA/s640/blogger-image--1010659349.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTg7YDZ7ckKik7Ssu6-aaqRVKgN1NSYtYJHCccxC4O5rXsJEhmsmZHrCDg21MddZaQSnCd52NRrzIkA7hyphenhyphenOnyFd3vwsk9Pm4tc2rSeDBNgtgJXZ0sL26DKbf0uyybN3f0VxRJgKlqOB1Ov/s640/blogger-image--1473257200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTg7YDZ7ckKik7Ssu6-aaqRVKgN1NSYtYJHCccxC4O5rXsJEhmsmZHrCDg21MddZaQSnCd52NRrzIkA7hyphenhyphenOnyFd3vwsk9Pm4tc2rSeDBNgtgJXZ0sL26DKbf0uyybN3f0VxRJgKlqOB1Ov/s640/blogger-image--1473257200.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Milo instead chose this giant sucker full of smaller suckers. It was a sticky, sticky day for him. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtjM1m-z1XihKGM32h0NRv5GHsspj7SSWZh81uxknSZNpKPJ6myCoZtWgseYUrN15pETxgoiNJzdPdRHMjU2d-dHD0Qbk_zJQ5x9j070_tNXCXdGreNo6zva7z6Y8TrYJ8BZAPRqVRToLz/s640/blogger-image--291908207.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtjM1m-z1XihKGM32h0NRv5GHsspj7SSWZh81uxknSZNpKPJ6myCoZtWgseYUrN15pETxgoiNJzdPdRHMjU2d-dHD0Qbk_zJQ5x9j070_tNXCXdGreNo6zva7z6Y8TrYJ8BZAPRqVRToLz/s640/blogger-image--291908207.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
They even brought this sour gummy work egg with feathers for me! I let Tessa use the egg for her trinket games. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Back to the topic of appliances, the fridge I was so proud of myself for "fixing" by doing a huge defrost warmed right back up to 49 degrees over the last few weeks so the last option was to call an appliance repair company. We really didn't want to resort to that because Justin researched a few of the parts he thought might be malfunctioning and one was $300. Well...it turns out this guy had a trove of parts for late 90's era Maytags and it only cost $46. It was still in the original box. I am so relieved. That fridge has been vexing me for two months. I REALLY enjoyed my properly chilled Diet Dr. Pepper this afternoon. I REALLY hope the repair solves the problem long term. It's hard to believe a fridge from 1997 is now 20 YEARS OLD! I cleared off the top (if you recall from a New Year's resolution post I did a year or two ago, the top of the fridge is one of my clutter and junk problem areas and it ends up being where we stash things we don't want the kids to get and also food items that don't fit in the cupboards like large bags of generic brand cereal) so the guy didn't end up with a cascade of junk falling on his head if he had to pull it away from the wall. Allan discovered the open expanse and went ahead and did his wildcat surveillance thing that he does so well. He even went on top of the cabinets and peered over the all into the living room. No threat detected...time to get down and sleep on the bed. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaqH_-esFvdufqO9c6shcxy2BOvwZGNRKHrG36nR-i1M-loA73xLctVACTaCd8FJ79WNLBR1XXe-1KWDYG81_TTf9iFWMGw6G2VIxtOhKlrxQw25vN3soZb1JIx0GrlQomkW04af7yYiDW/s640/blogger-image--2076143196.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaqH_-esFvdufqO9c6shcxy2BOvwZGNRKHrG36nR-i1M-loA73xLctVACTaCd8FJ79WNLBR1XXe-1KWDYG81_TTf9iFWMGw6G2VIxtOhKlrxQw25vN3soZb1JIx0GrlQomkW04af7yYiDW/s640/blogger-image--2076143196.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Ever since we sold the house we have had a never ending avalanche of maintenance issues including a bad clogged drain (I snaked that nightmare myself!) furnace issues requiring multiple visits from the HVAC company, the fridge, and also our TV has multiple LED bulbs burned out and it has spots on the screen and during the day you can barely see the picture because it is so dark. At least the TV is not attached to the house. </div>
Marenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03425968951785261072noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7325057657929921811.post-59831509856848766382018-03-21T13:11:00.000-05:002018-03-21T13:11:09.679-05:00Spring CatchupSpring is here! It's a typical Northern spring, complete with snow on the ground (rapidly melting right now at least) and a rain/snow/sleet weekend sh!tstorm brewing...again. I was trying to think of something to post about but every day is like groundhog day lately. So here is a quick list of fun happening around here. It's kind of like the social news of a small town newspaper where you can see who's kid was home visiting from college with their dorm roommate, who hosted bridge and who returned from Arizona that week. <br />
<br />
So, earlier this month we were Baptism sponsor's for my cousin's son who was born a month before Calvin. We travelled to Northern MN for the service and had a nice family get together complete with a four generation photo. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQfwq9HpKxskhguaNmBlnkySzwfJFCL94mxWUeJ2pUHHqux1P26b36htRGr46O2epki2ayBrI_4wIh_rlLUjT5NvBSWYdTmeeazIkUPA2LRUzaaXxow4E-Fc98nq5Eiu5BWf_KORis__EV/s640/blogger-image--1260629606.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQfwq9HpKxskhguaNmBlnkySzwfJFCL94mxWUeJ2pUHHqux1P26b36htRGr46O2epki2ayBrI_4wIh_rlLUjT5NvBSWYdTmeeazIkUPA2LRUzaaXxow4E-Fc98nq5Eiu5BWf_KORis__EV/s640/blogger-image--1260629606.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
This is when you notice that my 86 year old grandmother is wearing the cutest outfit of all of us. Look at her, with her non-grey hair...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKnhg9to5U6oiddwRn8peQMQIXWwNpGFeV8SPmyXfG1EsklOf5LEWUu_7ir9NZK1Z-SpPCCotwqJn0doz4ZATex0x7X-k_CVifvnwpfqhAPjUGnLgb0Nw2ll6fm1AFY_aoGw51ar-SxBNx/s640/blogger-image--1846022853.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKnhg9to5U6oiddwRn8peQMQIXWwNpGFeV8SPmyXfG1EsklOf5LEWUu_7ir9NZK1Z-SpPCCotwqJn0doz4ZATex0x7X-k_CVifvnwpfqhAPjUGnLgb0Nw2ll6fm1AFY_aoGw51ar-SxBNx/s640/blogger-image--1846022853.jpg" /></a></div>
We got a reasonably nice family picture, if you don't look at the kids' faces. <br />
<br />
Two weekends ago I managed to get to the hair salon for the first time since November and I chopped off the stringy situation on my head. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7q3ZTIkFycFTtom3ewvVKs1j-5cQqSxdlPsQVmRhkIQBoTojPBnZQC51vRXUXAPggy-y-0GuTtp1RYJClO4U3BfmTaheKrclAO7fPwyYybrH9yRD3UQvgIRLu_Ioj_P1GxVC1KXUQxMR1/s640/blogger-image--1432798073.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7q3ZTIkFycFTtom3ewvVKs1j-5cQqSxdlPsQVmRhkIQBoTojPBnZQC51vRXUXAPggy-y-0GuTtp1RYJClO4U3BfmTaheKrclAO7fPwyYybrH9yRD3UQvgIRLu_Ioj_P1GxVC1KXUQxMR1/s640/blogger-image--1432798073.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiu2eUrLLsflTYkc9_bdh2MIsX2lG78GIWzU3W7A-jCN1JJP4KxmUoTXBON4xOQ4k-lmeZq6OLcsIettTH30VqyG3B3VUREmg9L0odCVYRESxPmr7PHWEJdLPMyr10Y7s7T8SrQ-WQRsvz/s640/blogger-image--1789468595.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiu2eUrLLsflTYkc9_bdh2MIsX2lG78GIWzU3W7A-jCN1JJP4KxmUoTXBON4xOQ4k-lmeZq6OLcsIettTH30VqyG3B3VUREmg9L0odCVYRESxPmr7PHWEJdLPMyr10Y7s7T8SrQ-WQRsvz/s640/blogger-image--1789468595.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
I was pleased as could be when I left the salon. Of course, after washing it I never could replicate this look again and it is back to it's fuzzy self again but that's OK. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Calvin turned three months old a few days...oh crap...it's already been a week...ago. He's really starting to enter the "established baby" phase where he smiles and coos and will even lay on his play mat for longer than a few minutes batting at toys. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkqrkbWbG4QsY3ghCQLT9r4yWxRPEAfyF45U2Y1d-o2O3VYKpOpvGUFyn_7ddRLQjZNWlgvPx0qOAGo-k5yp9Ra1P0sjBKiZZsjHwHdoD9Ee3CRORri5b0ZKo9BIlTww1TAs6wgH_LJQ0Y/s640/blogger-image-26389942.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkqrkbWbG4QsY3ghCQLT9r4yWxRPEAfyF45U2Y1d-o2O3VYKpOpvGUFyn_7ddRLQjZNWlgvPx0qOAGo-k5yp9Ra1P0sjBKiZZsjHwHdoD9Ee3CRORri5b0ZKo9BIlTww1TAs6wgH_LJQ0Y/s640/blogger-image-26389942.jpg" /></a></div>
He makes funny faces and has some great expressions.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin5j9sk3w30Eo9DdgrVPZDIZktkG4e5ziNhUM_mwfRh3CgB-Mj4ZWNQvQYE7NavGtf1G_EvuLQG3x8B80mx8y7srDHDzeTChMAwGHsvZptagvHhcheaA7pSyroYJOibMOmCumuC6xcNnfc/s640/blogger-image-1943840943.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin5j9sk3w30Eo9DdgrVPZDIZktkG4e5ziNhUM_mwfRh3CgB-Mj4ZWNQvQYE7NavGtf1G_EvuLQG3x8B80mx8y7srDHDzeTChMAwGHsvZptagvHhcheaA7pSyroYJOibMOmCumuC6xcNnfc/s640/blogger-image-1943840943.jpg" /></a></div>
Over the weekend I bought a pack of cheap toothbrushes (for myself) and Milo ripped it open and was carrying them around the house. Ben picked one up one morning and was brushing Calvin's head with it. I started to make him stop but then I realized Calving was really enjoying it. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHA115b-nYVtLl1yUxzVxZxYEx88WAWRWHv7rAiS2FceHzHA4ouO6YjBTiCKytMyOXqyCU9tUFGNiCzBQCgR2L5Y9f6OOoaO81TldbkzB9HqoESja7r0i78hUPOwx1xVX3B-aKBlt5KHzV/s640/blogger-image--1069733870.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHA115b-nYVtLl1yUxzVxZxYEx88WAWRWHv7rAiS2FceHzHA4ouO6YjBTiCKytMyOXqyCU9tUFGNiCzBQCgR2L5Y9f6OOoaO81TldbkzB9HqoESja7r0i78hUPOwx1xVX3B-aKBlt5KHzV/s640/blogger-image--1069733870.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
He was talking and smiling and seemed very calm. Who would have thought?</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3t__q071pJHwXhZik6PzTtIvTzxKzrlksPZFGSC0IuyrJAjkhbsNC51ikAJ5pk6BVvpQzvcUGW-qZADRBdZKpmYCF0GeZJ0Y9_cltnR_0Xs0W0w6mbslf3W_2oVQqBjnPUTXT6MqN1ubY/s640/blogger-image-1678759978.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3t__q071pJHwXhZik6PzTtIvTzxKzrlksPZFGSC0IuyrJAjkhbsNC51ikAJ5pk6BVvpQzvcUGW-qZADRBdZKpmYCF0GeZJ0Y9_cltnR_0Xs0W0w6mbslf3W_2oVQqBjnPUTXT6MqN1ubY/s640/blogger-image-1678759978.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
He's so cute these days. I notice his little stages more than ever because he is the last baby. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
St. Patrick's Day zoomed by with no acknowledgement at our house. I wore a green plaid shirt and that's about it. A friend hosted a themed playdate on Friday so we got a fix there and she even made a rainbow out of fruit and that was enough for me. Tessa said a girl in her class had her house majorly messed up by leprechauns. They had a trap for them at her school and she has had lots of questions about where they live, what they look like, etc. and this myth is so full of plot holes I don't even know how to lie about it. I'm all for fantasy and childhood magic but the leprechaun thing is one legend I just want to tell the truth about right now. I don't need to be trashing my own house. I usually skip right to Easter decorating but all of it is in the storage unit so we've got nothing. I will overcompensate next year!</div>
Marenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03425968951785261072noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7325057657929921811.post-85387264579096292152018-03-14T14:32:00.001-05:002018-03-14T14:32:16.143-05:00Happy 6th Birthday Ben!Ben turned six...last Wednesday. It's already been a week. The day, March 7th, was a Wednesday and so was the day he was born. What a strange thing to think back on. I'll never forget leaving the house at 6:30 a.m. to head to the induction in a light snow shower and I was really sad to say goodbye to Allan for some reason. I had NO IDEA what I was embarking on. And here we are. He's a happy and functional Kindergartner. He didn't get much of a celebration this year. Justin was gone for work and I just couldn't do much. I bought a cake at a grocery store and he opened presents which I didn't even wrap. Justin's mom did. I did manage to find a happy birthday banner from last year (lego themed) and I hung it outside his room with some balloons so he would see it right away in the morning. His teacher gives the kids a nice gift bag of the little trinkets they all love and he got a football puzzle eraser, a pen, a car and a little figurine thing with sticky hands and feet that you can fling around and it sticks in funny positions. They encourage non-food celebrations (buzzkill but its the new normal) and he chose extra computer time. He seemed satisfied with the day. This is the first year since he was a newborn that we haven't been skiing in Montana on or around his birthday and it feels weird. <br />
<br />
Here is the cake I chose. Of course, those plastic balloons caused a fight. Three kids, two bunches of balloons and a mini meltdown from a two year old. Fortunately, they were almost instantly forgotten about. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjliX-oY7dTyaMwWVoQ9mmgsNitkgFvOAMFF9bSNe3MVn0P0pHIrbmOGik9A7ibWk1-Chg7I7NmGVUIhVJOSYpOk_9QIPw_KmFIllex_HUvv5nzr2j8kr6EvoPWXAwPaF8r14vC2hhfAGnd/s640/blogger-image-1402652781.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjliX-oY7dTyaMwWVoQ9mmgsNitkgFvOAMFF9bSNe3MVn0P0pHIrbmOGik9A7ibWk1-Chg7I7NmGVUIhVJOSYpOk_9QIPw_KmFIllex_HUvv5nzr2j8kr6EvoPWXAwPaF8r14vC2hhfAGnd/s640/blogger-image-1402652781.jpg" /></a></div>
Ben got some good presents including several lego sets, a soccer ball, a book, a trivia flashcard game and a quilt made by my grandma. He was so excited to start building his legos that he never even ate any cake. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOr2UzftlGWtaUGAsNVEKgbKQi1Ea7Q69wXGWPhJRhX_qLbXOkftSK329Z47frX86VPEjsLvHSOE3DYeBRjVZ5NPhu0o_jqamKGOWnFmIjgK1IxP0Zj8wrBFA0lY8PnhsMz9mgcy8pTbLg/s640/blogger-image-668695409.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOr2UzftlGWtaUGAsNVEKgbKQi1Ea7Q69wXGWPhJRhX_qLbXOkftSK329Z47frX86VPEjsLvHSOE3DYeBRjVZ5NPhu0o_jqamKGOWnFmIjgK1IxP0Zj8wrBFA0lY8PnhsMz9mgcy8pTbLg/s640/blogger-image-668695409.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvIRIrJCOLAWBatf-I0fSOL_qDqbpAcVKmuGE6MAvQYFfyHC0D2ekucCjT-wr-AC0Nvj0XkhghHx8Wux-UJjvfC2gH5zOV0IGnsfItMP9DozCz4y2ulSJTeosW2VPq18o7jsghvyG4nDQf/s640/blogger-image--767974523.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvIRIrJCOLAWBatf-I0fSOL_qDqbpAcVKmuGE6MAvQYFfyHC0D2ekucCjT-wr-AC0Nvj0XkhghHx8Wux-UJjvfC2gH5zOV0IGnsfItMP9DozCz4y2ulSJTeosW2VPq18o7jsghvyG4nDQf/s640/blogger-image--767974523.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
Here is his new quilt.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWI1cNmj99hbraUgzZbszPn-_dD-_GWI5HD6w3bZqiSY4Q-faXxCaG8rR7tB-rap4YoQfyoqLnrYXkOG9-Xl0HCCOTT3Bgi3luugADzzOQ6tf1jF5kWVMflmbkbjBB8p1i3Hl3QlDnqw3R/s640/blogger-image-1086813463.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWI1cNmj99hbraUgzZbszPn-_dD-_GWI5HD6w3bZqiSY4Q-faXxCaG8rR7tB-rap4YoQfyoqLnrYXkOG9-Xl0HCCOTT3Bgi3luugADzzOQ6tf1jF5kWVMflmbkbjBB8p1i3Hl3QlDnqw3R/s640/blogger-image-1086813463.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Allan got into it soon after. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
And now...a flashback because it's fun. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF1AYbnN_-OAZiW1UoHAbAcXAznv0wAe53b2mtW1rv20O7s9V6bThV7FNdLPwRoAVNHN_O-uo9-m5eqD4DujPnMI4mXF69VxYpWGC_me9P0FiHqYGY3Q14oXEqy6PQN2q5YsDLSDsymcc2/s640/blogger-image--52902413.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF1AYbnN_-OAZiW1UoHAbAcXAznv0wAe53b2mtW1rv20O7s9V6bThV7FNdLPwRoAVNHN_O-uo9-m5eqD4DujPnMI4mXF69VxYpWGC_me9P0FiHqYGY3Q14oXEqy6PQN2q5YsDLSDsymcc2/s640/blogger-image--52902413.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglQJ2IxRQznqLIJflx6I_P09MyM8HCLpTRGm6CgPVIg2KaDF9DsDOmEqs-LY3i4gSeBNVMxz7ULDpK9J5nkoO2ZBJflZ525mTWQ_IcI9y1_9TKUe37-2HzZk89e0u18Uz4mR8rRVxOHGVi/s640/blogger-image--1428063596.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglQJ2IxRQznqLIJflx6I_P09MyM8HCLpTRGm6CgPVIg2KaDF9DsDOmEqs-LY3i4gSeBNVMxz7ULDpK9J5nkoO2ZBJflZ525mTWQ_IcI9y1_9TKUe37-2HzZk89e0u18Uz4mR8rRVxOHGVi/s400/blogger-image--1428063596.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3CwaEojkI7N3GtTn2SfkE7-gi2vv63gTVm-_cu4D1K4oTAbbXWdECJKu4f102pxSxrfysIJnPuOcOFkcMgYI_u9OuWE_TGNouwYGkEDHTt7zCBh1xbBy1SevLfajXll4fXryezcoS8P4V/s1600/IMG_9062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #0066cc; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: 16px; margin-right: 16px; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3CwaEojkI7N3GtTn2SfkE7-gi2vv63gTVm-_cu4D1K4oTAbbXWdECJKu4f102pxSxrfysIJnPuOcOFkcMgYI_u9OuWE_TGNouwYGkEDHTt7zCBh1xbBy1SevLfajXll4fXryezcoS8P4V/s320/IMG_9062.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSWg_hEBl6-nyZANkBMdyf-ateg0MlKL8iFZfOsoGTICg2fp4d4ReTjAf7x7u0833uyxHGCgN389p71h_yKdI8fCHAAFKt5GYv_ujb5fC1cndORR5VXz0XpkuSkeusTo6s7FMhsTLXSQq8/s1600/IMG_7562.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSWg_hEBl6-nyZANkBMdyf-ateg0MlKL8iFZfOsoGTICg2fp4d4ReTjAf7x7u0833uyxHGCgN389p71h_yKdI8fCHAAFKt5GYv_ujb5fC1cndORR5VXz0XpkuSkeusTo6s7FMhsTLXSQq8/s320/IMG_7562.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoNKRpGMpn4kXU4QxKYyeev6_EjUmh-DWqKQBe9mn8BYT2qvk7A5y6pdS5X35PlXY6x_6mSmMZrGgC5_W_P2pwrqJUn_KWyC0rBdI56HmdCu6TkEyPM_7r9oauaEwOOZuh62idX18VfRd7/s1600/039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoNKRpGMpn4kXU4QxKYyeev6_EjUmh-DWqKQBe9mn8BYT2qvk7A5y6pdS5X35PlXY6x_6mSmMZrGgC5_W_P2pwrqJUn_KWyC0rBdI56HmdCu6TkEyPM_7r9oauaEwOOZuh62idX18VfRd7/s320/039.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
And one extra of the awesome Allan cake I made a few days after his 1st birthday. I'm still very proud of it! He didn't eat either of his cakes. He didn't much care for food and still doesn't care about cake that much. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg9gwXEcUYy7vzcQS_Y9tFr69n2LEEikDe5841twbjkKhbRA17909JGPtlCarpSgQsTzsQOwfh_Nsesicq0FfNBdZyoJMKTdtxbWzZYkN8HgZdx4AbTaEyFqOdDme47qropCEqBs7XFDVO/s1600/011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg9gwXEcUYy7vzcQS_Y9tFr69n2LEEikDe5841twbjkKhbRA17909JGPtlCarpSgQsTzsQOwfh_Nsesicq0FfNBdZyoJMKTdtxbWzZYkN8HgZdx4AbTaEyFqOdDme47qropCEqBs7XFDVO/s320/011.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<u><span style="color: #000120;"><br /></span></u></div>
And finally...not his original birthday but his going home day on that beautiful 70 degree March 10th. This year was completely different and we would never have been outside dressed like this if he was born this year. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP-S-jlqy8HL3rOiCKxxB1_CffxTjkWZ-vUojzG-s-ImQq1mxF6ttJ2fQ2kFxlFqirEPmRwDnOl_Lxa47hxFz-nlq65KVB4bal-PaCfNQEAyeqtF7mwrGJ7UywLw55O7lxomfBS1Zxpb6H/s640/blogger-image-1025348383.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP-S-jlqy8HL3rOiCKxxB1_CffxTjkWZ-vUojzG-s-ImQq1mxF6ttJ2fQ2kFxlFqirEPmRwDnOl_Lxa47hxFz-nlq65KVB4bal-PaCfNQEAyeqtF7mwrGJ7UywLw55O7lxomfBS1Zxpb6H/s400/blogger-image-1025348383.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
Marenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03425968951785261072noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7325057657929921811.post-873574947718764322018-03-05T12:59:00.000-06:002018-03-05T12:59:26.536-06:00Our First Wrestler and Other ThingsI'm coming to you from ND, where March is definitely in like a lion where we are in the worst snow storm event of the winter. The news stations have been talking this storm up since last week and pretty much ever district in the state except BPS (even neighbor city Mandan) cancelled school today. Based on the comments on their FB page you would think they asked kids to face certain death by not cancelling. It's even more dramatic than the wildfire smoke/outdoor recess controversy of September 2017. It hasn't been directly stated but I believe they know they will have to cancel tomorrow so having school today was a way of avoiding having an extra day at the end of the year but who knows. I drove him and Tessa to school this morning and it wasn't bad at all besides snow falling but when I picked Tessa up and there were only four kids left in the room. Only seven started the day out of more than twenty and three picked up their kids early. Maybe I'm not taking this seriously enough. It was pretty bad driving home because my wipers were caking with heavy snow and it was hard to see through my windshield. Ben is riding the bus home and I'm not worried. As a bus kid myself I know that buses pretty much plow through anything and not much can go wrong driving 20 mph on neighborhood streets. I'm glad I don't have to go out again. I'm also glad I got the kids out of the house for the morning because I had to tackle an unpleasant task-defrosting and cleaning the fridge. <br />
<br />
The fridge has been acting up for a few weeks. First the freezer was not cooling and we put a thermometer in there at it was barely below freezing. So Justin did a major defrost of just the freezer and even removed the panel in the back and melted ice with a hair dryer. Then after a few days I noticed the fridge was not keeping things cold and the thermometer revealed it was only cooling to 48-50 degrees when it should apparently be between 35 and 40. We remained in denial about it for awhile but last night I knew it couldn't be ignored and I decided to defrost the whole thing before resorting to calling a repair man (I am home alone this week and we really don't want to spend money on it since we are moving soon). So last night I emptied the whole thing and put most of the food on the deck. I filled two large coolers and then left everything that wouldn't be hurt by getting wet in boxes. And wet it did get with rain, sleet and then snow. The kitchen was completely trashed with expired condiments, embarrassingly disgusting shelves and drawers that haven't been cleaned for...well...I'm not going to tell you...and lots of beer and pop cans and juice boxes all over the floor. If you saw it you probably would hesitate to eat anything I prepared every again. <br />
<br />
The good news is I woke up to a puddle of water all over the floor even though I used towels in the fridge and freezer and had a bowl of water to catch the melting water (I guess it drains in a different way) and now the fridge is properly cold again. I hope it lasts.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXy1t2-Z9_bBs2UVBPX0951UCtGJXrZHibqInVe5ZPEN4k9s2cxuatXaUzU1AtvY2_5Qb7SYLejX2K0DuuQhFTMUHOlBRKcEYSQbGKzW6ZTBe9jAw1_FAIHhNj2en2uoZo81bbAujVjj3K/s640/blogger-image-1966267040.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #0066cc; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: 16px; margin-right: 16px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXy1t2-Z9_bBs2UVBPX0951UCtGJXrZHibqInVe5ZPEN4k9s2cxuatXaUzU1AtvY2_5Qb7SYLejX2K0DuuQhFTMUHOlBRKcEYSQbGKzW6ZTBe9jAw1_FAIHhNj2en2uoZo81bbAujVjj3K/s400/blogger-image-1966267040.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
The bad news is I now have a backlog of sopping wet, snow drenched towels, soggy cardboard boxes and water streaked floors to deal with. <br />
<br />
I am a bit behind on posting. One fun thing I have meant to post about is Ben's wrestling. About a month ago he brought home a flier from school about a two week wrestling program that would be taking place after school at each elementary school. It cost $10 and only entailed two weeks of practice and two meets so, even though we don't come from wrestling backgrounds, there was no reason to say no. I just can't say no to cheap and accessible activities that involve physical exertion. The more the better. Ben enjoyed it quite a bit and it was kind of fun to watch. <br />
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRsLmV64cIHgYZZbf7_-JygYqs_Exc2su2Mm9MUINPmVFvJjLas5TBfcx7c52U5twgVWjagUDLkFozhotK0iQD7GiGmKgCMqqFXk4EhSHDV7E1NYHc3LbhbNWdGzkHirwLrg1fJeEL6Orv/s640/blogger-image-1467742711.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRsLmV64cIHgYZZbf7_-JygYqs_Exc2su2Mm9MUINPmVFvJjLas5TBfcx7c52U5twgVWjagUDLkFozhotK0iQD7GiGmKgCMqqFXk4EhSHDV7E1NYHc3LbhbNWdGzkHirwLrg1fJeEL6Orv/s640/blogger-image-1467742711.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
These first pictures with the grey shirt are from the first meet two weekends ago. The referee there is someone we know so that was a fun coincidence. He said Ben did good and had a good grab or something. I don't remember the wording but he said it was good for his age group. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjshv8omvHj5YpOvJ3mhmrHcjbKgT32wtxYQ6sqLXSlZacv0MPyOL39wmfyqFEag6mxXUaV_j2Aca-woEemfI4Js2Rl1z1tHXDH7GYSmA1Ejhi1lD2VHvm23U3thLHWB80oeZBOQnryZrKY/s640/blogger-image-856771778.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjshv8omvHj5YpOvJ3mhmrHcjbKgT32wtxYQ6sqLXSlZacv0MPyOL39wmfyqFEag6mxXUaV_j2Aca-woEemfI4Js2Rl1z1tHXDH7GYSmA1Ejhi1lD2VHvm23U3thLHWB80oeZBOQnryZrKY/s640/blogger-image-856771778.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Yes, that is a girl. It was a big uncomfortable to watch but at this age they are physically equal so why not I guess?</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_jUYfqRewHiC4nXSXTjlFKsA-DAjys8z-jmDfKeXdXqrF-UTQ6qOE-UFkkLvT7yOD7-0Ak7P6T6Nsw_elcscbHX1Chb9w9Nl6_tnMhz4xMDADK0jKy6LzGHiO6kA9Kn3TVn2Q-T-Ouk02/s640/blogger-image-48148864.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_jUYfqRewHiC4nXSXTjlFKsA-DAjys8z-jmDfKeXdXqrF-UTQ6qOE-UFkkLvT7yOD7-0Ak7P6T6Nsw_elcscbHX1Chb9w9Nl6_tnMhz4xMDADK0jKy6LzGHiO6kA9Kn3TVn2Q-T-Ouk02/s640/blogger-image-48148864.jpg" /></a></div>
There were no awards or scores kept at these tournaments. Every kid got a ribbon.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhitL4mxoVQsEa8j36tcyx7nSDn7GfA6N-yr1Z3FthN3XN_PlNrXVt7sImIbGuwl-lb0_uPnVb1FP76FoaTzi932Y8SnbDIwBmdvzYaq1CpZT42Iti_BWu_Q3INw26ZR6WmFfdZZMpSxO8_/s640/blogger-image-1991423756.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhitL4mxoVQsEa8j36tcyx7nSDn7GfA6N-yr1Z3FthN3XN_PlNrXVt7sImIbGuwl-lb0_uPnVb1FP76FoaTzi932Y8SnbDIwBmdvzYaq1CpZT42Iti_BWu_Q3INw26ZR6WmFfdZZMpSxO8_/s640/blogger-image-1991423756.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
These pictures with Ben in a black shirt are from Friday night a few days ago. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5SslqrTA1_nvKUeQb6vrcbTJeznbhZaSlCRV50_BPjivq8otkur9wg9DqXJUPzAgUWwMufGU1wCnCoeQ_Er6tqsiBNVcq5-z3esRR0CzOinfltKd-FmSRxzNprxdsv3fNG5VoqKy3LIRv/s640/blogger-image-518257216.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5SslqrTA1_nvKUeQb6vrcbTJeznbhZaSlCRV50_BPjivq8otkur9wg9DqXJUPzAgUWwMufGU1wCnCoeQ_Er6tqsiBNVcq5-z3esRR0CzOinfltKd-FmSRxzNprxdsv3fNG5VoqKy3LIRv/s640/blogger-image-518257216.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
He ended up being poked in the eye but he took a short break and finished the match. The second kid he wrestled was a real face clawer. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghcqqnrPVuM0G7M62dkJPjQ6RQgFnF2fAMjD6F8oJZxzA-MmmheLrLWVqb62LW1ZB39TEWjShn_-nk7UKOYHCxDwRe6ICodlcP2WnnFk8xYNCyXpcn-Y7uNlSwbSbJ5r3eFpxiwb4FbpCX/s640/blogger-image--1409316260.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghcqqnrPVuM0G7M62dkJPjQ6RQgFnF2fAMjD6F8oJZxzA-MmmheLrLWVqb62LW1ZB39TEWjShn_-nk7UKOYHCxDwRe6ICodlcP2WnnFk8xYNCyXpcn-Y7uNlSwbSbJ5r3eFpxiwb4FbpCX/s640/blogger-image--1409316260.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Way to go. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Tessa's school had a week of theme days to observe Dr. Suess's birthday and to my delight, the dreaded "dress as your favorite Dr. Suess character" day was not on the list. Monday was "wear crazy colors" day, Wednesday was Wacky Day and Friday was Crazy Socks day . </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWzP_RknThDOSpwP3MrPryYTUbi11H_1Dv6bMMbHKJn982IOUlF04VtmZGuE-EKirPZ3KaqzqI5wwyMo28a0ngNYgf6oLeN1Lb9bshGPfLyrwNPZuE0EatziofSCWNy9IvWJNoTXKHbgZd/s640/blogger-image--1040187535.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWzP_RknThDOSpwP3MrPryYTUbi11H_1Dv6bMMbHKJn982IOUlF04VtmZGuE-EKirPZ3KaqzqI5wwyMo28a0ngNYgf6oLeN1Lb9bshGPfLyrwNPZuE0EatziofSCWNy9IvWJNoTXKHbgZd/s640/blogger-image--1040187535.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
She said she won for wearing the most rainbow things because she had a rainbow shirt, necklace, skirt and pants. There was no prize. Apparently they just counted as a class.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDPoMY5JRazXDojY0NYKgVO5GXvWLCEOtYLYDT-lrUM_IbmIa4SLJI7d3RsFZxAtWnJMl-hjXsNciW2d2gVIarKG4iuC3VHcoBDw0teSygcEwYyWx9qnX00WKgHHOSTUuqbahKlLJUGC5A/s640/blogger-image-1165898276.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDPoMY5JRazXDojY0NYKgVO5GXvWLCEOtYLYDT-lrUM_IbmIa4SLJI7d3RsFZxAtWnJMl-hjXsNciW2d2gVIarKG4iuC3VHcoBDw0teSygcEwYyWx9qnX00WKgHHOSTUuqbahKlLJUGC5A/s640/blogger-image-1165898276.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
This was on Wacky Wednesday also known as Tessa's every day style day. I didn't get a picture of her socks outfit. She wore a pair of my Christmas socks with snowmen on them as thigh highs. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
This is a bit off topic but I thought I should post about it sooner than later-my Valentine's Day flowers are growing. How weird is this?</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY4kr8YC-TtB8PotRL_46zEwGNfG3Ijy4d2RhuMvJDVu2ti0HX1rE5TnneOZabYYXfupzlUPPjtJPQGC9YFI0UMjACWZ1303WG6nboLfPXGTdT8l_kKHhY2ptZtwaHyH4qR99YI9rvo0mi/s640/blogger-image--1113305430.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY4kr8YC-TtB8PotRL_46zEwGNfG3Ijy4d2RhuMvJDVu2ti0HX1rE5TnneOZabYYXfupzlUPPjtJPQGC9YFI0UMjACWZ1303WG6nboLfPXGTdT8l_kKHhY2ptZtwaHyH4qR99YI9rvo0mi/s640/blogger-image--1113305430.jpg" /></a></div>
That snapdragon stem is still green! I am waiting to see if the new buds open up. Now it is even leaning toward the window to find sunlight. I looked to see if it had roots sprouting but it doesn't. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<u><span style="color: #000120;"><br /></span></u></div>
Marenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03425968951785261072noreply@blogger.com0