tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67207572690203503372024-02-19T05:45:17.851-05:00Natalie and AbigailWelcome to the world of Natalie Kimberly and Abigail Elianna.
We were born May 15, 2007 at 26 weeks, 1 day gestation due to Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome (TTTS). Natalie was born at 4:09pm at 1lb 5oz (604g) and Abigail at 4:10pm at 1lb 13.5 oz (840g). After spending almost 4.5 months in the NICU, we came home and have grown and thrived. Join Our Journey as we learn and grow!Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02241169966641945045noreply@blogger.comBlogger461125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6720757269020350337.post-73780257892504790332014-01-30T02:06:00.000-05:002014-02-01T01:21:46.907-05:00Speaking of School...a New Journey<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLRr5FNIvF93UT1Ut2nYLbegc1QLMbqXGNR7j9JBxBOys-Fb3Ui6pHfHSxWKcKQe-0oULqcJyEeVz3TSDV13wkDGK-2adVHleEMDx5vf1GfiQTGpkpAikiUgPRvmmy4VqelCS1L-2E7TA/s1600/09-15-2013+Abby+and+Nat+0365.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLRr5FNIvF93UT1Ut2nYLbegc1QLMbqXGNR7j9JBxBOys-Fb3Ui6pHfHSxWKcKQe-0oULqcJyEeVz3TSDV13wkDGK-2adVHleEMDx5vf1GfiQTGpkpAikiUgPRvmmy4VqelCS1L-2E7TA/s200/09-15-2013+Abby+and+Nat+0365.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Abby and Natalie - Sept 2013</td></tr>
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It's seems appropriate that the last post over a year ago was about the girls starting school. Well, school is once again the topic of discussion, but not in the same way.<br />
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Natalie and Abby had a great year of kindergarten last year. They enjoyed making new friends and playing on the playground at school. They very quickly learned to read and once it clicked, they soared ahead in their reading ability. Natalie struggled some with being able to finish her work in a timely manner, so we prepared to consider future options for ADD evaluation if we needed to.<br />
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Over all, however, they had a very successful year and we were pleased. We LOVED the year round schedule. It allowed us to do some wonderful things during the breaks.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR7lgZT6sH1xpsySshS1Mp_BCYyZGKfOvU-uMGLBHCXbO4df5Ryd9vJMBRd9_1VWsS2FLW17OVMpuMGlHosJQtntAAZ_gN9vt4dzbUy1DLipUzQWP2NwNgO9gVG8TNSpbnZFy7EU6HeTQ/s1600/09-17-2012+Nat+and+Abby+Grandma+Courliss+0675.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR7lgZT6sH1xpsySshS1Mp_BCYyZGKfOvU-uMGLBHCXbO4df5Ryd9vJMBRd9_1VWsS2FLW17OVMpuMGlHosJQtntAAZ_gN9vt4dzbUy1DLipUzQWP2NwNgO9gVG8TNSpbnZFy7EU6HeTQ/s320/09-17-2012+Nat+and+Abby+Grandma+Courliss+0675.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Natalie and Abby with Great-Grandma Courliss - Sept 2012</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Abby and Natalie - Tawas Point Sept 2012</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tawas Point, MI</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Michigan - Sept 2012</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Abby and Natalie - Big Meadows, Skyline Drive, VA - Sept 2012</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Abby and Natalie - Luray Caverns, Luray, VA Sept 2012</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmfmZ1bHiM3FsB1wbSkhezheDT-AdWzPZ4l0rDPImMJ15vdAYDKIA-rPuG55JbRRr_3vOmvw151tImbcLgY-0mpetGJcd_6cYZIsongAnL9uPZMk1aCE0vOZgB6DM9cAKp0nM-tPKGqkM/s1600/10-03-2012+Abby+and+Nat+Limberlost+Trail+Skyline+Drive+0193.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmfmZ1bHiM3FsB1wbSkhezheDT-AdWzPZ4l0rDPImMJ15vdAYDKIA-rPuG55JbRRr_3vOmvw151tImbcLgY-0mpetGJcd_6cYZIsongAnL9uPZMk1aCE0vOZgB6DM9cAKp0nM-tPKGqkM/s320/10-03-2012+Abby+and+Nat+Limberlost+Trail+Skyline+Drive+0193.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Natalie, Poppy and Abby - Limberlost Trail, Skyline Drive - Oct 2012</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Natalie and Abby - NYC, March 2013</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Natalie and Abby - end of Kindergarten - June 2013</td></tr>
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All in all, Kindergarten was really good and we were pleased over all.<br />
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The summer was short - but fun. With only 5 weeks to play with, we had a lot to do and not much time to do it!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Abby and Natalie - First Day Camp - Caroline Furance, Luray, VA - June 2013</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGVfgtXiRvNgxK-iTo3zjjUozfjyslLeYyvn7n-YVDsy9kIlfohnm9z3TDiZepV4B77LyPXVfVn6L254LJh5N1prFPOtz1n_c9B9R1DYQfe2KCUkYvQPp7yEEUNx9hrd7IlOjQJnHlfPw/s1600/06-19-2013+Abby+and+Nat+Storybrook+Trail+0895.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGVfgtXiRvNgxK-iTo3zjjUozfjyslLeYyvn7n-YVDsy9kIlfohnm9z3TDiZepV4B77LyPXVfVn6L254LJh5N1prFPOtz1n_c9B9R1DYQfe2KCUkYvQPp7yEEUNx9hrd7IlOjQJnHlfPw/s1600/06-19-2013+Abby+and+Nat+Storybrook+Trail+0895.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Abby, Mommy, Natalie - Storybrook Trail - June 2013</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzmF2Igbm6tzkoxgUKJs94YCyz2dn_LjogDrb5jhOFObUMFJ_6-ZIbwLTwhyAApN3dx0O9_AWp-1n5W36SxY6tUxSP2DIDb0JVsl1ctVL2kUMqqNkUYjt66BtgPseHiOLAVhtFWPNO_cU/s1600/06-28-2013+Abby,+Nat+Kenan+-+Summer+Faith+Adventure+_0122.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzmF2Igbm6tzkoxgUKJs94YCyz2dn_LjogDrb5jhOFObUMFJ_6-ZIbwLTwhyAApN3dx0O9_AWp-1n5W36SxY6tUxSP2DIDb0JVsl1ctVL2kUMqqNkUYjt66BtgPseHiOLAVhtFWPNO_cU/s1600/06-28-2013+Abby,+Nat+Kenan+-+Summer+Faith+Adventure+_0122.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Abby, Natalie and Kenan - Summer Faith Adventure - June 2013</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGLO__x2nqaorr7Kn8abYS5fWpZRFxizUXdrf_OTPEdE8epRNjFx6IdDQuSUaR0_xIs3sIxZZnOUr-QtWHlOV4JpKTuCMeVXwqL_rKTB-OxmPLhZGR7Qyb0J0JuIDPZ7g40lCxQ96yZ3M/s1600/07-09-2013+Abby+and+Nat+Manteo+Aquarium+0992.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGLO__x2nqaorr7Kn8abYS5fWpZRFxizUXdrf_OTPEdE8epRNjFx6IdDQuSUaR0_xIs3sIxZZnOUr-QtWHlOV4JpKTuCMeVXwqL_rKTB-OxmPLhZGR7Qyb0J0JuIDPZ7g40lCxQ96yZ3M/s1600/07-09-2013+Abby+and+Nat+Manteo+Aquarium+0992.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Abby and Natalie - NC Aquarium Manteo - July 2013</td></tr>
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Very quickly, mid-July came around and we were very excited for first grade! We had fun meeting their teachers, shopping for supplies and heading off for the first day of school!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Natalie and Abby found the reading nook! - July 2013</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnc_D0jfpcjkkk_gm_MgUiejsNWRGYkih9VBpTLWns_MUjqfyeVaj6iV24CiseslIjiZYVs8RE8YYfyhGUy5D12PQ5md_NukMNj_03M1iTH682KicBKP2Qmd9V_zENLQjyBufxn1oiDB0/s1600/07-11-2013+Nat+and+Abby+shopping+for+1st+grade+_0143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnc_D0jfpcjkkk_gm_MgUiejsNWRGYkih9VBpTLWns_MUjqfyeVaj6iV24CiseslIjiZYVs8RE8YYfyhGUy5D12PQ5md_NukMNj_03M1iTH682KicBKP2Qmd9V_zENLQjyBufxn1oiDB0/s1600/07-11-2013+Nat+and+Abby+shopping+for+1st+grade+_0143.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Natalie and Abby - shopping for 1st grade</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4c6VjY2TT3gxG6ied1gckjDxqaaQWw3xt3M8nyNmr8LPDgHzvTXgKc9vuYVqZNpPr5maTZ9LSYtaMAlgOXKB4QOIn4hgK_83W8tLlEHdqr0S-_SgxI56clfo9ZT_PEI96uI60iPBk748/s1600/07-15-2013+Nat+and+Abby+1st+day+1st+grade+0078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4c6VjY2TT3gxG6ied1gckjDxqaaQWw3xt3M8nyNmr8LPDgHzvTXgKc9vuYVqZNpPr5maTZ9LSYtaMAlgOXKB4QOIn4hgK_83W8tLlEHdqr0S-_SgxI56clfo9ZT_PEI96uI60iPBk748/s1600/07-15-2013+Nat+and+Abby+1st+day+1st+grade+0078.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Natalie and Abby - 1st day of 1st grade! - July 15, 2013</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDcfGZZmWIXUZrgIBknUMV_4gE6ieL2y-mlLOOJwysyjA9KHZBOla9-8XPQXzO5Qljdexi4BTSya4br7jWUxZbrSTMq9qhQcudpE4QOg_9raHIV0nhhGnAQujB8ebU0xFiU_XtaJ-N3aA/s1600/07-15-2013+Abby+and+Nat+1st+day+1st+grade+0085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDcfGZZmWIXUZrgIBknUMV_4gE6ieL2y-mlLOOJwysyjA9KHZBOla9-8XPQXzO5Qljdexi4BTSya4br7jWUxZbrSTMq9qhQcudpE4QOg_9raHIV0nhhGnAQujB8ebU0xFiU_XtaJ-N3aA/s1600/07-15-2013+Abby+and+Nat+1st+day+1st+grade+0085.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Abby and Natalie - ready to go</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil-pbfbk5faQ2vXcy0Qzg4hlfOWThTmm3Hum9PhgNYvf4JuQdWFHPGGZX1_vF_qXRI8kRNYabr4Yt6k0TvFUITn4a8kJ-Lvqse4XHe5tDSuXauC-vCwFKEtvWV2HtjgRuyexv19GOztaI/s1600/07-15-2013+Abby+and+Nat+1st+day+1st+grade+0084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil-pbfbk5faQ2vXcy0Qzg4hlfOWThTmm3Hum9PhgNYvf4JuQdWFHPGGZX1_vF_qXRI8kRNYabr4Yt6k0TvFUITn4a8kJ-Lvqse4XHe5tDSuXauC-vCwFKEtvWV2HtjgRuyexv19GOztaI/s1600/07-15-2013+Abby+and+Nat+1st+day+1st+grade+0084.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
The girls seemed to enjoy first grade at first. They were disappointed that none of the friends they were closest to in kindergarten were in their new first grade class. We also had an incident early on in the year with a classmate asking to see Natalie's underwear! I was very proud of Natalie because she told him, "no, that's my private parts and I'm going to tell my mom." The teacher handled it beautifully though, and we didn't really think it was malicious at all. They enjoyed the first field trip they took and recess was a big hit - of course.<br />
<br />
At the same time, we were really struggling with homework. The girls weren't big fans of the idea and every night it was a huge struggle. Often, we weren't getting it done. It was A LOT of writing - actually all writing. We tried a variety of ways to get things done but it was a struggle.<br />
<br />
At the same time, Natalie was really beginning to struggle even more with her school work. She was not able to finish her work in school and it was becoming more and more of an issue. We worked with the teacher on some options, but they didn't seem to be working.<br />
<br />
At the same time, Natalie was also struggling with her own emotions. She had began to say things about herself that caused us great concern. She was saying things like, "I hate myself", "I'm a terrible girl" and other things along that line. Her behavior was also starting to fall apart. She was throwing tantrums, trying to hit and kick and yelling in defiance. The tantrums were becoming a daily event, sometimes more than once a day and were even spilling over into public, which was completely out of character for her. In late August, we put in a request to be seen by a child psychologist both for the emotional issues Natalie was having as well as an evaluation for ADD. We were able to get an appointment in mid October to start meeting with a psychotherapist and start the ADD and emotional evals.<br />
<br />
In late October, Ben and I took a trip to Thailand with Ben's mom (who is from Thailand), Dad and sister. While we were gone, the girls were lucky enough to have Poppy, Nanny, Grammy and Auntie to take care of them. They didn't miss us at all-) My mother and sister were both giving us reports while we were gone of problems they were noticing with information coming home from school. Additionally, my mom had visited the classroom to help with a Halloween project and was concerned by what she observed.<br />
<br />
When we returned from Thailand in November, we resumed Natalie's evaluations and I decided to spend a day in the classroom to observe and see what exactly was happening when Natalie was "distracted" from her work. After a day in their classroom and another half-day on a field trip with them, I could not have been more saddened and concerned by what I discovered.<br />
<br />
To shorten a VERY long story...<br />
- the teacher had poor grammar and often used double negatives and even the word "ain't"<br />
- when writing an example on the board, she used a sentence structure that I had never quite seen - "I open my cookie apart to show two pieces."<br />
- she gave them a math assignment to figure out in small groups, then never showed them how to actually do the problem<br />
<br />
and then, the worst part....<br />
- The teachers, especially the assistant, were, in my opinion, verbally abusive to certain children when dealing with behavioral issues and trying to get them to complete their work. Children were berated, threatened, and spoken to harshly.<br />
- On the field trip, the assistant repeatedly referred to one child as "boy", and in, "boy, you better stop that" or "boy, I don't know what's wrong with you". This was not a "oh boy" with a big sigh. It was more like a "come in from the fields, boy" kind-of boy. It was unbelievable.<br />
- The children seemed scared - scared to answer questions with the wrong answer and unsure of what the teachers want from them.<br />
- The energy in the room was low and depressing. There was no joy or excitement in the classroom. By the end of the day, I felt depressed. I couldn't imagine spending all day there.<br />
<br />
I had also observed the assistant tear into a child on the playground at recess one day. Additionally, I'd witnessed other teachers and staff berating students in the hall. My mother reported she had observed the same behavior. As we began asking the girls more questions we became aware of the computer teacher who apparently yelled at everyone and made kids stand against the wall in punishment. In fact, Abby reported being afraid to even ask a question of this teacher for fear of getting yelled at.<br />
<br />
We quickly began to realize that Natalie's behavior could be directly related to the emotional climate in the classroom. We also realized we had significant concerns about the quality of education the girls were receiving. They appeared to have very little math (we saw almost no math homework in 18 weeks of school.) We were having difficulty seeing where they had learned much of anything new at all.<br />
<br />
We took our concerns to the principal and asked they be moved immediately to a new classroom. Again, a long story, but ultimately moving was very complicated and our concerns about the emotional climate were very much dismissed. After much discussion, we made the choice to pull the girls out of school and home school for the rest of the year. ( When we told the girls Monday was would be their last day, Abby nearly started crying because that was computer day and she was afraid to go to class. I promised her I would show up and go to class with her - which I did.)<br />
<br />
I will say the teacher was fantastic about their transition. She had the class sit down and announced that Natalie and Abby were going on new journey. She allowed the kids to say goodbyes to them which was so, so sweet. Many of the children offered up their favorite toys or boots as gifts:-) I had also brought cookies and cupcakes and we had a little going away party. It was really nice for all of the children to be able to have some closure and say goodbye to each other.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj97ZsvEc93aF9owsmjQR-j6rupY0oPw5_ZkCdf3Mi0ORbXA7A9qq4eUV_B4zokh-w3Fl7sTlbElUn8biHb33DnAWHUDs1y_wfJQoQ9ZJRy5H_d-pzvoinQyxt2ld2TSRu3VM-56iIWgGw/s1600/P1100127.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj97ZsvEc93aF9owsmjQR-j6rupY0oPw5_ZkCdf3Mi0ORbXA7A9qq4eUV_B4zokh-w3Fl7sTlbElUn8biHb33DnAWHUDs1y_wfJQoQ9ZJRy5H_d-pzvoinQyxt2ld2TSRu3VM-56iIWgGw/s1600/P1100127.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last day of 1st grade at Pearsontown - (Abby and Natalie) Dec 9, 2013</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
And, so our new journey begins. The girls' last day of school was December 9. We started easing into home school but with Christmas we took it easy until after the new year.<br />
<br />
From this point on, I am excited that I will be able to post about our home schooling journey - all the up and the downs (which I am already discovering!) and hopefully, the joys of learning as well! <br />
<br />
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<br />Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02241169966641945045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6720757269020350337.post-22060994483931147992012-08-10T12:59:00.003-04:002012-08-10T13:01:29.710-04:00The Dawn of a New (school) Age<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-zJgDqBILLZ-fG7th75v3HlBOfyHePM4BkB5p_D-5PE16_Av4YblgJUV-iKgMBeaw7DGwvSMtZK9q_6NwpIvJ0eRFRe6Apm1utrSmDLl4sZeuy-O85B73YFfwWl3PiJLSrYz_HS1dh2I/s1600/P1060419.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-zJgDqBILLZ-fG7th75v3HlBOfyHePM4BkB5p_D-5PE16_Av4YblgJUV-iKgMBeaw7DGwvSMtZK9q_6NwpIvJ0eRFRe6Apm1utrSmDLl4sZeuy-O85B73YFfwWl3PiJLSrYz_HS1dh2I/s200/P1060419.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Natalie and Abby - 1st day of Kindergarten</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Well, the time has come. Despite my best efforts, Natalie and Abby
turned 5 and started school. I'm actually incredibly proud of them. We
had a great time shopping for supplies, talking about school, reading
books about school, going to meet their teacher and starting the first
day. They did absolutely amazing - no tears and barely a glance back.
Mommy and Daddy both walked them to their class the first day, but once
they saw the play dough at their table - they barely even said good-bye!<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOH9fhbfxh_PZf7nXEKGR3mtOjnNyucTD-GMAzGqdtPe2VrWwPtMyoiBZgJ-HXvCQAHMlFTph7DHz0fURU1wMY3JBnZcL7fXFxUOJdjx0G6YECyDKSKWJtbVFwCwDlS21RKub5N_Qq5Yg/s1600/P1060430.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOH9fhbfxh_PZf7nXEKGR3mtOjnNyucTD-GMAzGqdtPe2VrWwPtMyoiBZgJ-HXvCQAHMlFTph7DHz0fURU1wMY3JBnZcL7fXFxUOJdjx0G6YECyDKSKWJtbVFwCwDlS21RKub5N_Qq5Yg/s200/P1060430.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Abby</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIuZYqjxp8XXxoWgHYtmofURldHdGnrraIcr0JC0fQHrxhh5AI7Zv2s1vbSyHQz3_ETFnFtL5oSDKRCZYR9IahN14S0qd0nzZWXwknMOb-mK2wv653ouID2Dn0bSdx4B0gnXG5TZg78Cg/s1600/P1060431.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a>Oh,
since someone is bound to ask...we had every intention of separating
them for school. I'm a firm believer in letting them be their own
distinct selves. I have rarely dressed them the same - and not in
years. They are individual people and should be treated as such.
However, as we began discussing school and telling them that Natalie
would have one teacher and Abby would have a different teacher, it
became clear this was extremely distressing for them, especially Abby.
Her sweet little eyes would get big and nearly fill with tears, and she
would say, <i>"I don't want to have a different teacher than Natalie. I want to be with Natalie." </i>After
some discussion, we decided that since they had never been to
pre-school, going to school AND separating them might be too much all at
once. So, at the last minute, we decided to keep them together. They
do sit at separate tables, and it appears that they play separately on
the playground as well as together at times. For this year, it seems
like the best decision, and we will be probably separate them next year.
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIuZYqjxp8XXxoWgHYtmofURldHdGnrraIcr0JC0fQHrxhh5AI7Zv2s1vbSyHQz3_ETFnFtL5oSDKRCZYR9IahN14S0qd0nzZWXwknMOb-mK2wv653ouID2Dn0bSdx4B0gnXG5TZg78Cg/s1600/P1060431.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIuZYqjxp8XXxoWgHYtmofURldHdGnrraIcr0JC0fQHrxhh5AI7Zv2s1vbSyHQz3_ETFnFtL5oSDKRCZYR9IahN14S0qd0nzZWXwknMOb-mK2wv653ouID2Dn0bSdx4B0gnXG5TZg78Cg/s200/P1060431.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Natalie</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Their new school is a year-round calendar - so they
started on July 19! They had a staggered entry which meant the first 4
days (16th -19th) a 4th of each class came to school. On Friday, July
20, everyone was there. It worked out great for us since their start
day was the last staggered one and we could just start - and keep going -
like they would every week. I think we are going to love the year
round calendar. Our first break starts September 15 for three weeks and
I am already planning a trip to Michigan, camping, and time with
grandparents.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfjOBhlTu1eTYx4rEhnZvjR6cmGONlTfNC2ujNj5Des5eq3dn9_bH8g45qMbZw0vMZjXQQF8bKD_vZXDGNGVUaarfIBKrsxG98UXkPoQmyFQsig-pz-BShfHVy8l7BTN6Lu95LlSe4lVs/s1600/P1060435.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfjOBhlTu1eTYx4rEhnZvjR6cmGONlTfNC2ujNj5Des5eq3dn9_bH8g45qMbZw0vMZjXQQF8bKD_vZXDGNGVUaarfIBKrsxG98UXkPoQmyFQsig-pz-BShfHVy8l7BTN6Lu95LlSe4lVs/s200/P1060435.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Abby and Natalie at their classroom</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As far as adjusting, the girls are really
doing well. They love recess - of course - and playing something
called, "puppy pants" with some boy named Matthew. I wasn't really sure
what to think of that until I learned it's basically a game of tag with
the girls (with other girls as well) shouting, "puppy pants" at
Matthew. I have no idea what that even means. They have also enjoyed
making sand pictures in the shady area under the slide. It sounds like a
pretty good place to play - since it's been nearly 100 degrees here. I
was thinking back to the days before AC. I am SO glad they don't have
to deal with that.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiySUI4EIjq_xihdnmaLLR-0bkUCf84S0yZlNLpQMqzGwoQEp3kS-0m3DWwryEHFpsUAsaOVYhHo2_ms2M0ohwPa0nXHCUaK7wjtEZeqrgOBwn4K9PPtwqo3XHeA95kNxb8z2ywtFrT5RY/s1600/P1060439.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiySUI4EIjq_xihdnmaLLR-0bkUCf84S0yZlNLpQMqzGwoQEp3kS-0m3DWwryEHFpsUAsaOVYhHo2_ms2M0ohwPa0nXHCUaK7wjtEZeqrgOBwn4K9PPtwqo3XHeA95kNxb8z2ywtFrT5RY/s200/P1060439.JPG" width="150" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyhRiZQOdmeX3DrhZbLU4vce3DH4gF7m7IcqxvPnlZvBTaCbhu2ykhzicip8N1IqZqkVEbLbUKqUSbM4jKqukxqJymAJRuoktvq-k-dhqGfdoDzCMGluEtWoN-KUZE9Kn-pxh68bEQ4Fo/s1600/P1060438.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyhRiZQOdmeX3DrhZbLU4vce3DH4gF7m7IcqxvPnlZvBTaCbhu2ykhzicip8N1IqZqkVEbLbUKqUSbM4jKqukxqJymAJRuoktvq-k-dhqGfdoDzCMGluEtWoN-KUZE9Kn-pxh68bEQ4Fo/s200/P1060438.JPG" width="150" /></a>They also, ironically, seem to
like lunchtime. I'm quite sure it has nothing to do with the actual
eating part, and everything to do with getting to sit at the little
tables in the cafeteria. We have had some issues with various parts of
their lunch not being opened by the teachers. I'm trying different
things to make it easier. There are also still days they don't eat much
at all, which frustrates me from a place of nutrition and calories, but
also of waste. This week's trial: not sending as much food.
Hopefully, they will either eat it all, or I'll at least have less to
throw away.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVOWm2BeHJp51mfITfiHp_-3sMiBM51-OM2zKZLy8A6x4tG4mjvuegjYtTWWM9p4ce_PmKPDJEOYmrpseG42Ch9dCbFMqkm7f5FHSMIzEkSnLxF6iQxoNRMEuGmPZCoKj2FSHtesO-ZZU/s1600/P1060441.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVOWm2BeHJp51mfITfiHp_-3sMiBM51-OM2zKZLy8A6x4tG4mjvuegjYtTWWM9p4ce_PmKPDJEOYmrpseG42Ch9dCbFMqkm7f5FHSMIzEkSnLxF6iQxoNRMEuGmPZCoKj2FSHtesO-ZZU/s200/P1060441.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Natalie and Abby at their table</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The only thing the girls don't like is
computer class. Apparently, they were put in front of a computer and
given an educational game to play. They had a really difficult time
working the mouse and making it click the right place. The other kids
apparently seemed experts. I think it frustrated them, especially
Abby. But, I'm actually kind of proud of this deficiency. It means
they have NOT spent their days parked in front of a computer playing
games - even educational ones. They have played, colored, dug for
worms, played with snakes, read books, watched animal and history shows
with me, played outside, visited museums, zoos, and parks, and learned
to be creative and innovative. I figure we have plenty of time to learn
how to use a mouse - they can never re-do their first 5 years of
development.<br />
<br />
As I anticipated, we are having a few issues
with Natalie and her inability to maintain focus. We've seen this
behavior at home for a while and been working on it. Natalie is sort of
like a cartoon character who gets distracted by every single shiny
thing. The character stops everything to follow the shiny thing and
walks into a wall.<br />
<br />
We have a meeting Monday with all
relevant parties to figure out the best options. We have to determine
the cause for her behavior. Is it ADD, and OT/fine motor issue,
immaturity or simply, "this is not what I want to do right now"? The
good news is that she is not disruptive. She's not wandering around or
bothering other children. It sounds like she's mostly just staring into
space. I know we will figure out the best thing to do and get Natalie
on track asap.<br />
<br />
Overall, Natalie and Abby are enjoying school. The only hint we've had that trouble could be brewing in the future is a repeated question, <i>"mommy, how long do we have to go to school?"</i> My answer is usually, <i>"forever:-)".</i>
I'm pretty sure though, that they don't fully understand what that
means for them over the next 13 years - and beyond!! At least I can
tell them they will have a break in about 5 more weeks:-)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC2fG0W4MKv9B5rfE643AJnERrNgksYoyuGaKgF1ORyBym-3FU1do8_q9vAWeRYflbbuVwIcp-0raNdQefT0I3nHg5U-RdAlTFXxrjBV70HixNL8_5a33_2In3TXOF8XW8bTMXUm082TI/s1600/P1060405.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC2fG0W4MKv9B5rfE643AJnERrNgksYoyuGaKgF1ORyBym-3FU1do8_q9vAWeRYflbbuVwIcp-0raNdQefT0I3nHg5U-RdAlTFXxrjBV70HixNL8_5a33_2In3TXOF8XW8bTMXUm082TI/s200/P1060405.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Abby</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiCqc6ygIsG5XQjEzndpTT3Acarc818AHpjTmX8MWeOgyIR7BjK5FgDTGWZMC2G4CWUBg8BTW9xUJHF9zjauJjChy-UlvAMbYZfeo-gshHy-hb81CseHUOBDA3ztePLrEW6iF3DdgH37k/s1600/P1060403.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiCqc6ygIsG5XQjEzndpTT3Acarc818AHpjTmX8MWeOgyIR7BjK5FgDTGWZMC2G4CWUBg8BTW9xUJHF9zjauJjChy-UlvAMbYZfeo-gshHy-hb81CseHUOBDA3ztePLrEW6iF3DdgH37k/s200/P1060403.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Packing our Book bags the day before!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnIUDFVo-fDcKthR0XR0t0Y9_toqepsVtRkZnG52G2JnVAM_s2n3UHpQm881ep0ugwZ5WHDpAFbomhVNv_V6pHu_wYNhllAriLdKjuP2CV-tORTf6joOVJhcbl8a5HGGejkatljMTJM9o/s1600/P1060407.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnIUDFVo-fDcKthR0XR0t0Y9_toqepsVtRkZnG52G2JnVAM_s2n3UHpQm881ep0ugwZ5WHDpAFbomhVNv_V6pHu_wYNhllAriLdKjuP2CV-tORTf6joOVJhcbl8a5HGGejkatljMTJM9o/s200/P1060407.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Natalie</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Abby's Mouse and Baby Sam waiting for her in her seat</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Natalie's Baby Kitty and Rainbow Sparklepups</td></tr>
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</div>Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02241169966641945045noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6720757269020350337.post-24257910923337841772012-08-10T10:46:00.000-04:002012-08-10T10:46:06.426-04:00Wow - I've been really lazy.I had no idea I'd been <i>this</i> bad. Almost no posts at all for a whole year. *sigh* There's no point trying to catch up completely, so I'll just go from here. I may try to summarize a few things, but from now on, at least I'll try to keep up.<br />
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<br />Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02241169966641945045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6720757269020350337.post-18598039103101464902012-05-02T02:21:00.002-04:002012-05-02T17:35:53.788-04:00The Mind of a Child<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwImE8Lnx4j_tfNyx_gTFBlMyaMLVFLnQHuz4MHPPdT_pHaYsobjcgUMv4fDanVmhUV5Jeb6dAj2VpyOettABU1TOyEmADJjGOvdmGk59dwN8iQ_Ltr1vAkLhHia2twXlyUdNgOzZ3sOs/s1600/03-05-2012+Abby+0952.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwImE8Lnx4j_tfNyx_gTFBlMyaMLVFLnQHuz4MHPPdT_pHaYsobjcgUMv4fDanVmhUV5Jeb6dAj2VpyOettABU1TOyEmADJjGOvdmGk59dwN8iQ_Ltr1vAkLhHia2twXlyUdNgOzZ3sOs/s200/03-05-2012+Abby+0952.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
I love the way Abby's mind works. For me, one of my roles as a mother is to introduce my girls to a variety of experiences and the natural world. Generally, I pick the things I like - since, well, I can. So, that means the girls have learned about two of my favorite things: volcanoes - and snakes.<br />
<br />
In the realm of snakes, Nat Geo Wild is my friend. I love that channel. We watch lots and lots of animals shows, and honestly, I enjoy them as much as the girls (maybe more). A few days ago, we were watching a show on snakes (cobras, I think) and I was reiterating the way the fangs work (like a needle when you go to the doctor). Abby then pronounced, "it's like a volcano". This confused me quite a bit, so I asked, "how is it like a volcano?" And, clearly, and accurately, she explained that the poison comes from a hole in the snake through the fangs. Then, I glimpsed her mental image. "You mean like the magma chamber of a volcano...the lava comes up the tube and then comes out?" She nodded. Obviously, that's what she meant.<br />
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See if you agree.<br />
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<br />Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02241169966641945045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6720757269020350337.post-41469014398003402862012-04-24T02:01:00.000-04:002012-04-24T09:07:19.872-04:00Time Marches On...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Abby, Natalie and Dolly the Horse</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsG4PCg3Uq2U1GyIJfiJAc-4h7iFenp4TBm9L-fEQaFacBdRJ7HiftrNLeW8U3Lw1p8QeztbsveMAMqjzOvFxVivBsNibLH1CdDJVTbNMYT-M8znFiA6edXW4eCV6L3S9eHKyNQZIFsxU/s1600/P1040916.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsG4PCg3Uq2U1GyIJfiJAc-4h7iFenp4TBm9L-fEQaFacBdRJ7HiftrNLeW8U3Lw1p8QeztbsveMAMqjzOvFxVivBsNibLH1CdDJVTbNMYT-M8znFiA6edXW4eCV6L3S9eHKyNQZIFsxU/s200/P1040916.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Abby (top) and Natalie</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-size: small;">This is the hard truth. In less than one month, Natalie and Abby
will turn 5 years old. For the record, I refuse to accept this. As I
did when they were born, I shall dip my feet in the great river of
Denile and stay there, say, forever, seeing them always as my little
girls.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgafJXTlIg2344DP8ZYNqFZ5v-jJjB8SBpBXxVSX95VwIefO8fkUegUjQWAO6oTsL2o0inD25PZm_IOai2ggwmuRMF4wz9PbnKXLIC6g4_w58c-D1rGRc9L_PazuWaMWS5nlKxYnuNdQlE/s1600/03-12-2012+Nat+and+Abby_2034.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgafJXTlIg2344DP8ZYNqFZ5v-jJjB8SBpBXxVSX95VwIefO8fkUegUjQWAO6oTsL2o0inD25PZm_IOai2ggwmuRMF4wz9PbnKXLIC6g4_w58c-D1rGRc9L_PazuWaMWS5nlKxYnuNdQlE/s200/03-12-2012+Nat+and+Abby_2034.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Natalie and Abby</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwTia1SNmPChNR7G4tZV0zxRuizS_wiAgGE-vjwMhDm4COPwHvKYBxUUUqJE72JhOwQgBxmqu5xhXdr-dZM_aQ1Ze-X2Ym5yGVa8929X87pbt9RMZcmG-XRdjt1WlwqO7dkqDQZRZebA0/s1600/P1040980.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwTia1SNmPChNR7G4tZV0zxRuizS_wiAgGE-vjwMhDm4COPwHvKYBxUUUqJE72JhOwQgBxmqu5xhXdr-dZM_aQ1Ze-X2Ym5yGVa8929X87pbt9RMZcmG-XRdjt1WlwqO7dkqDQZRZebA0/s200/P1040980.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Natalie and Abby</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Unfortunately, the news gets worse. Not only do
they turn 5, Natalie and Abby also start kindergarten this year. And as
we have chosen a year-long school, "this year" means mid-July. So, in
less than 3 months, I will ship Natalie and Abby off to school, and
probably sit in the car outside the school the whole day in a quivering
heap.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Natalie and Abby </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcKR9Gb8gAGymRcO1nKnREZ4V5eR1T1sDhKXLVaN16IBJWpoLf1o_MOfQFUn1RQemspVSBapgwr07Juv5-wJcvLlNEkCUIoScoRv31BlNZ0v1YdM2D5UB_9YHoxeDLlxkBQrFSDDOEoG8/s1600/P1050104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcKR9Gb8gAGymRcO1nKnREZ4V5eR1T1sDhKXLVaN16IBJWpoLf1o_MOfQFUn1RQemspVSBapgwr07Juv5-wJcvLlNEkCUIoScoRv31BlNZ0v1YdM2D5UB_9YHoxeDLlxkBQrFSDDOEoG8/s200/P1050104.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Natalie and Abby</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I never thought I would be this melodramatic about
it, but I am becoming </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">acutely aware of the fact that my girls are
growing up, and </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">frankly, I don't like it one bit. I think my real
problem is that I'm trying to wrap my mind around the fact that they
will actually be going to school.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIhBT-EFRk5_NDGXfX8fzHQyr1Gy_WYjNkxAcqi6ivMBtkjeay4LrVX3PPau1tN-KyDlxDuGQKBQvIyNPxwH31fyBGv5KXtsEj2VwuavHsHiOAkHvK2kSeCxeBxHOdyvfdsP1vB16DXho/s1600/P1040991.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIhBT-EFRk5_NDGXfX8fzHQyr1Gy_WYjNkxAcqi6ivMBtkjeay4LrVX3PPau1tN-KyDlxDuGQKBQvIyNPxwH31fyBGv5KXtsEj2VwuavHsHiOAkHvK2kSeCxeBxHOdyvfdsP1vB16DXho/s200/P1040991.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Abby and Natalie</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8LeOvYlhI8RCua3ukGov-6kL_ZSwcC1Ii1Dh3DkP0ut6QU30vjhGaZgpFEU-Y7lcFiOkWqYT5p1xWUfIBfQZmBqlMunXSNc6QnbUzrs2JKMKWaU4n76fcAANiN_FuQb12vlulkoIYHRg/s1600/P1050078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8LeOvYlhI8RCua3ukGov-6kL_ZSwcC1Ii1Dh3DkP0ut6QU30vjhGaZgpFEU-Y7lcFiOkWqYT5p1xWUfIBfQZmBqlMunXSNc6QnbUzrs2JKMKWaU4n76fcAANiN_FuQb12vlulkoIYHRg/s200/P1050078.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Natalie and Abby</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: left;">
<tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaUa6q81a6SvFtQ6bDv7VQvCid-Z1cSiOGeTBQxUpec1IS3nMpSAQ89gesVafZ44BioAT_I7Nud7Cvdf1E0XZip1l59CLhVon489BlS61EctREwo_S9SnDLwlTsd5b0l6s1TXaA-uVb88/s1600/02-14-2012+Abby+and+Nat+Monkey+Joe%27s+0862.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaUa6q81a6SvFtQ6bDv7VQvCid-Z1cSiOGeTBQxUpec1IS3nMpSAQ89gesVafZ44BioAT_I7Nud7Cvdf1E0XZip1l59CLhVon489BlS61EctREwo_S9SnDLwlTsd5b0l6s1TXaA-uVb88/s200/02-14-2012+Abby+and+Nat+Monkey+Joe%27s+0862.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Abby and Natalie</td></tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI_KWGFjFrflYhEwyHn8cedGAgfvov387zUKREwW24MySPNEOHgUUsG0UgtQFS83S6KmBTT5hHqm85QsG3I-wHH6LbZpjJwsIbZdMk3blLiHueRNzoFj9tro1QowAPmOboA5wAgAeIgMo/s1600/04-07-2012+Abby+and+Nat+Big+Meadows+0200.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI_KWGFjFrflYhEwyHn8cedGAgfvov387zUKREwW24MySPNEOHgUUsG0UgtQFS83S6KmBTT5hHqm85QsG3I-wHH6LbZpjJwsIbZdMk3blLiHueRNzoFj9tro1QowAPmOboA5wAgAeIgMo/s200/04-07-2012+Abby+and+Nat+Big+Meadows+0200.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Somewhere in my mind, I fantasized
that I would homeschool the girls and they would be with me forever.
Then, the reality of "me" kicked in, and I realized that just might not
work.</span> <span style="font-size: xx-small;"> (As an aside, I've been dealing with an absurd case of chronic
drowsiness to the point of being near comatose at times. I was
literally falling asleep between words as I read to</span> the girls. I now
have "wake-up"</span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> medicine that seems to be helping.)</span> If I were more
organized, a better house- keeper, or, recently, simply conscious, maybe I
could have done it. But,*sigh*, it seems not to be.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">So, now, they must leave me, and I will hate it. And, then, I shall swim.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRCdJSG8sRAcns81u85RXCuDvoAsHBco_28QSNV2nHc9ju34nBqyFTIDV9UsSx8fYfLXhhdr8VMK5Jda1Km9WjYWlp02v8U76UDs6ZartE2hfFEYvSieOycT4LnSHGdcc6YfAb2oBGZCE/s1600/07-27-2007+Nat+and+Abby+-+mom+holding+both+first+time+102.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRCdJSG8sRAcns81u85RXCuDvoAsHBco_28QSNV2nHc9ju34nBqyFTIDV9UsSx8fYfLXhhdr8VMK5Jda1Km9WjYWlp02v8U76UDs6ZartE2hfFEYvSieOycT4LnSHGdcc6YfAb2oBGZCE/s320/07-27-2007+Nat+and+Abby+-+mom+holding+both+first+time+102.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mommy holding Natalie and Abby together for the first time - 7/27/07</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsG4PCg3Uq2U1GyIJfiJAc-4h7iFenp4TBm9L-fEQaFacBdRJ7HiftrNLeW8U3Lw1p8QeztbsveMAMqjzOvFxVivBsNibLH1CdDJVTbNMYT-M8znFiA6edXW4eCV6L3S9eHKyNQZIFsxU/s1600/P1040916.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<br />Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02241169966641945045noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6720757269020350337.post-67561223163498978932012-02-19T22:18:00.000-05:002012-02-19T22:19:28.906-05:00Ballet - Garden Performance - May 15<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOUTIw4MnMeIL_lCsryGBB4ML3mscu_N3ugCS5C6D5eYkT5oiZ2ZrfLDyP6uUX8PZQe8sjHpC_OqwmqfiCCogkQgJFzQV2VYYbSWRMBgxU06MC59opI980NMiLFINmFwi6uXEgYfeH7ss/s1600/IMG_7024.JPG"></a><br />
So, I'm a little late in posting this...but better late than never:-)<br />
<br />
Natalie and Abby finished their first year of ballet in perfect form as the Walkerdance Studio of Burlington held their annual Garden Performance. Dance Studios take note: this is how all Studios should showcase their students. There were no fancy costumes, no bright lights, no hours of rehearsal or hours of performance. Just a simple patch of grass, potted plants outlining the stage, black leotards, pink tights and a skirt provided by the studio and parents in their lawn chairs. Every class performed and it took about 40 minutes. It was perfect.<br />
<br />
Having the girls at Walkerdance this year was actually a big thrill for me. Walkerdance was my Uncle John's studio and where my sister and I took dance when we were little girls. John hasn't taught at the studio for several years, but hand-picked the teachers so his philosophy permeates the place. It was a gift to them to be there this year and well worth the 45 minute drive each way. My uncle John had a long and distinguished career and it was an honor to have the girls at his studio this year. (his bio - since I am super proud:-) <a href="http://thewalkerdance.com/faculty.html%20">http://thewalkerdance.com/faculty.html </a>(go to bottom of the page)<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Natalie and Abby lined up for their big entrance. Abby is in black and pink and Natalie is in pink and black (hehehe)</span></div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOYpWiYwb6BUKgrJrnE_IztPzYwKMyQWHTg7nG-7AP53PYrCHfvBAD6hvbyUc6Wodkqow1PUGYTCO_LMMXoj0fS6n5s7us503uHY567jdG8gsSyG2NEbRUPIWXpVHQ0QPmVPaFPH0kd9w/s1600/IMG_7018.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639060351460557890" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOYpWiYwb6BUKgrJrnE_IztPzYwKMyQWHTg7nG-7AP53PYrCHfvBAD6hvbyUc6Wodkqow1PUGYTCO_LMMXoj0fS6n5s7us503uHY567jdG8gsSyG2NEbRUPIWXpVHQ0QPmVPaFPH0kd9w/s320/IMG_7018.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 187px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 250px;" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
The girls first piece was to recite the ballet poem John made up decades ago to help young (and older) dancers learn the language of ballet and what the terms mean.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiitOlQzeVRK53CLFXZfwfJmsdulaGgJsLP76llcRpfjarUrAwQnChtlwOpnMzNwRHqK7UYk9cKgk8hS5TgtMZikBQRVwYEKDxGPAvXJayr-8g0BbB7DURc8CsYWvw8EqCKUHUvjrOtLB4/s1600/IMG_7022.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639067505765532466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiitOlQzeVRK53CLFXZfwfJmsdulaGgJsLP76llcRpfjarUrAwQnChtlwOpnMzNwRHqK7UYk9cKgk8hS5TgtMZikBQRVwYEKDxGPAvXJayr-8g0BbB7DURc8CsYWvw8EqCKUHUvjrOtLB4/s320/IMG_7022.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 192px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 255px;" /></a> </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOUTIw4MnMeIL_lCsryGBB4ML3mscu_N3ugCS5C6D5eYkT5oiZ2ZrfLDyP6uUX8PZQe8sjHpC_OqwmqfiCCogkQgJFzQV2VYYbSWRMBgxU06MC59opI980NMiLFINmFwi6uXEgYfeH7ss/s1600/IMG_7024.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639067509359043138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOUTIw4MnMeIL_lCsryGBB4ML3mscu_N3ugCS5C6D5eYkT5oiZ2ZrfLDyP6uUX8PZQe8sjHpC_OqwmqfiCCogkQgJFzQV2VYYbSWRMBgxU06MC59opI980NMiLFINmFwi6uXEgYfeH7ss/s320/IMG_7024.JPG" style="display: block; height: 254px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 190px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Abby performing the poem and movements of the words.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJmmEM7byDxTEWLSBu2iE2qzGdLtzk19s8XpPy3OvcaYsjxXwVTHkV8ldpVemPh1I8foNuaeFvs9NKj87SRyilrlfdU477O43B57WqyIM2F_F1rwQP5ugANskhedoRC_CpFQs4d3jXLGA/s1600/IMG_7026.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637992112740745410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJmmEM7byDxTEWLSBu2iE2qzGdLtzk19s8XpPy3OvcaYsjxXwVTHkV8ldpVemPh1I8foNuaeFvs9NKj87SRyilrlfdU477O43B57WqyIM2F_F1rwQP5ugANskhedoRC_CpFQs4d3jXLGA/s320/IMG_7026.JPG" style="display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Abby</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh58G45vNqRKynyo3RoKeEx1YsUaaDKMCALWD-eBL6lMOCNFfuou_ffO3bLAMxt7D2ymvUxC7lJMHbrbdkwWkl2HUEbmKG_L1x4QdL538wO-DMdOqhr1mMBmssge5EEHNMp1meYnv3rG-w/s1600/IMG_7023.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637992123732169218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh58G45vNqRKynyo3RoKeEx1YsUaaDKMCALWD-eBL6lMOCNFfuou_ffO3bLAMxt7D2ymvUxC7lJMHbrbdkwWkl2HUEbmKG_L1x4QdL538wO-DMdOqhr1mMBmssge5EEHNMp1meYnv3rG-w/s320/IMG_7023.JPG" style="display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 240px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Natalie performing the poem</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBWNTopWnY2XTQ0Al-0w3Ce2WElQ8KtJAElP3GyPFsLx99e5Hl0U5-vR6qjnvAiarDOuYT-tiClSVS2FzjrcIxTAjVmfeX7MdK8htiNuEVTLwHxmPWD2_zgOgxy98AutQAZZ9i1L_BJmw/s1600/IMG_7028.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637982596783670658" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBWNTopWnY2XTQ0Al-0w3Ce2WElQ8KtJAElP3GyPFsLx99e5Hl0U5-vR6qjnvAiarDOuYT-tiClSVS2FzjrcIxTAjVmfeX7MdK8htiNuEVTLwHxmPWD2_zgOgxy98AutQAZZ9i1L_BJmw/s320/IMG_7028.JPG" style="display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Natalie taking a break to pick some grass.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Floor work - performing a ballet movement diagonally across the floor.</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMmzpAjb28W6utzGHqRoMjGa6oI5oPHsBGO3jeQ9PJoaU_6NJnIcRwlHs4AYZsSOK5K9JcJpZsMo3jaqdmaBIhxnhDNN4dgkIrs7hCjkF0gz-NPp8HlOtUfiaQeN9R6SOxBXsYe5vgtaQ/s1600/IMG_7032.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637982592162565010" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMmzpAjb28W6utzGHqRoMjGa6oI5oPHsBGO3jeQ9PJoaU_6NJnIcRwlHs4AYZsSOK5K9JcJpZsMo3jaqdmaBIhxnhDNN4dgkIrs7hCjkF0gz-NPp8HlOtUfiaQeN9R6SOxBXsYe5vgtaQ/s320/IMG_7032.JPG" style="display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Abby</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyORcnWsF9Xh_poCB4VLXvLt7l2U1xKM60FI4p8ckFzLHneqd4f53Ur1L1vufiBMM8P59M3CwFs3KpIulVj1f4vgNoCWXcfOudKUaabrSnXyt8jCM-WbadL_rJ853mfI1Ktimlnhima6c/s1600/IMG_7033.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637982584345054178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyORcnWsF9Xh_poCB4VLXvLt7l2U1xKM60FI4p8ckFzLHneqd4f53Ur1L1vufiBMM8P59M3CwFs3KpIulVj1f4vgNoCWXcfOudKUaabrSnXyt8jCM-WbadL_rJ853mfI1Ktimlnhima6c/s320/IMG_7033.JPG" style="display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Natalie</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBhiPCEbkWb6dnROcQOcr6kGHXW8N4OpItmc69jOQysdhw9Lsy_KiJ8hukCVXlhs-IH-P4lyeTaybDdVgZBApgjyy1jxmHqGdJO1D-h9ZSBhAnfylaLkq4TNfO6TOyh3ZZEaT-XxNwoV8/s1600/IMG_7026.JPG"><br /></a><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy6TuoijDGf7M6nLR0TXlJ7jh9HIlyX-LEnZgEUjLarXR0AjEzpe7r3827zTfU-p-lL2uEZhn7kEgJ9etDg_ahZA3h6UI-TkqGng62x0QkcG8ivtcff3FqA0q4Vt5Et2_CrGY4xUlc3KI/s1600/IMG_7037.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637981412365490850" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy6TuoijDGf7M6nLR0TXlJ7jh9HIlyX-LEnZgEUjLarXR0AjEzpe7r3827zTfU-p-lL2uEZhn7kEgJ9etDg_ahZA3h6UI-TkqGng62x0QkcG8ivtcff3FqA0q4Vt5Et2_CrGY4xUlc3KI/s320/IMG_7037.JPG" style="display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Natalie</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtid53iGW0nPixWu67q1SLaW4ZxpB3_khrnQnZiGEi5GJokwugT3Zi0OdE8yRdYVgMuT1AOf0bHcJHYRLBBgA5sQXdccnk_8u9rJHSSKM-UQJQpbgLyBOYqWbUQDZzK0IsxVJSgDO_gjk/s1600/IMG_7041.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637981410632227266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtid53iGW0nPixWu67q1SLaW4ZxpB3_khrnQnZiGEi5GJokwugT3Zi0OdE8yRdYVgMuT1AOf0bHcJHYRLBBgA5sQXdccnk_8u9rJHSSKM-UQJQpbgLyBOYqWbUQDZzK0IsxVJSgDO_gjk/s320/IMG_7041.JPG" style="display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Abby</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGMGVpCayrXfNmehyZeij82l-7LTgvsRhpHPcZQay8kh2i1aVOQSV0Irjpv-ZXtsEyhunGULlxTy9HRBA3iYre2wamgCDJcC-XXygP4wd_QLTo3L8GgR3_FEOdoVkxbISbzKr24Wok6v8/s1600/IMG_7043.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637981404258693922" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGMGVpCayrXfNmehyZeij82l-7LTgvsRhpHPcZQay8kh2i1aVOQSV0Irjpv-ZXtsEyhunGULlxTy9HRBA3iYre2wamgCDJcC-XXygP4wd_QLTo3L8GgR3_FEOdoVkxbISbzKr24Wok6v8/s320/IMG_7043.JPG" style="display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Natalie</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh48jqkqAZxr8nLbRGV6fXmDqTtPRDWpa3MxOXaHqQlBgcClehzHRoufhSF9fXDTFU_S8Ii5m71SoFfUN3aEIkTqrcGLyWB2ABogc20PlrKiDbpDYxaqLFG_PhCuKFnqP6C0_t8C7GG7-o/s1600/IMG_7036.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637981418281710498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh48jqkqAZxr8nLbRGV6fXmDqTtPRDWpa3MxOXaHqQlBgcClehzHRoufhSF9fXDTFU_S8Ii5m71SoFfUN3aEIkTqrcGLyWB2ABogc20PlrKiDbpDYxaqLFG_PhCuKFnqP6C0_t8C7GG7-o/s320/IMG_7036.JPG" style="display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Abby</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwIh-y-aADGwaqIdB120b-CiYS5dZEOFy7PQW01dlCt8DK5MemL21kOE9zFCnaiYqxCYQGuUvlixT7wStVUNHlmdvbhr-8EQqtNg3woY2LKTK_D4mxhNz8zmmMS_qJsOdN-l9K25YiIVc/s1600/IMG_7055.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637980003005283970" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwIh-y-aADGwaqIdB120b-CiYS5dZEOFy7PQW01dlCt8DK5MemL21kOE9zFCnaiYqxCYQGuUvlixT7wStVUNHlmdvbhr-8EQqtNg3woY2LKTK_D4mxhNz8zmmMS_qJsOdN-l9K25YiIVc/s320/IMG_7055.JPG" style="display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Uncle Johnny, Natalie and Abby</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF5_5b6RRDeippA2knf-uI9zLcQ1Xl_G2CJWrjZcCxMyqy8O733rs1xNHmmK1FLmYnSuoPJ5o40ZBd4u100TdQ7v6QCquRac1m1dFUND8Wn9mNxfBPD2DYPWqwG0hKs_TA814dMm1m05Y/s1600/IMG_7052.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637979998539174626" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF5_5b6RRDeippA2knf-uI9zLcQ1Xl_G2CJWrjZcCxMyqy8O733rs1xNHmmK1FLmYnSuoPJ5o40ZBd4u100TdQ7v6QCquRac1m1dFUND8Wn9mNxfBPD2DYPWqwG0hKs_TA814dMm1m05Y/s320/IMG_7052.JPG" style="display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Auntie came to see our show! (Natalie and Abby)</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSrAFNGwjgF9gMDTICTWGtUtIko2qz7QB0Qv8TtrVLGx5SJ_eWigLXyKYvKIjIA8P5rLzpHxS-zuvpqcIxusoqqyXn0kvUFZWeh6_1F6NEjtFD_5YR8TsH7TLS-bKvMcPWXJ_Bd1QP-I8/s1600/IMG_7018.JPG"><br /></a><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4klacKp-mu4o0HHWQ1rgx9LnqFaWe-aJLB5qncH0rNGI9T-jP0SsrRIT-ePlN71YJJ43id_EsWQ-nEJ5awZo_sqlx7_EkB9J7WsxRliwHIzhotQSA4oaKiK1xk6O9vwH7tfGkOgaa9uc/s1600/IMG_7050.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637980009478545186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4klacKp-mu4o0HHWQ1rgx9LnqFaWe-aJLB5qncH0rNGI9T-jP0SsrRIT-ePlN71YJJ43id_EsWQ-nEJ5awZo_sqlx7_EkB9J7WsxRliwHIzhotQSA4oaKiK1xk6O9vwH7tfGkOgaa9uc/s320/IMG_7050.JPG" style="display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 240px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our teacher, Miss Emily (Abby and Natalie)</td></tr>
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<br />Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02241169966641945045noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6720757269020350337.post-65240534239455589942011-11-30T23:30:00.004-05:002011-12-18T02:58:16.481-05:00I am amazed...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgITiatkDPLN-kDL9JyqVKBtePhYI0GfJI9fYxVPX81omg9xc_mBvmFMIZCIKvAg2AIjWkTXuHbf7SdC60kvStq-MfbdH-FPaiPw8jCCRWutXFvnCdTbkvdcnnWQjrd3OI42_3mKwLY-ws/s1600/P1030387.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgITiatkDPLN-kDL9JyqVKBtePhYI0GfJI9fYxVPX81omg9xc_mBvmFMIZCIKvAg2AIjWkTXuHbf7SdC60kvStq-MfbdH-FPaiPw8jCCRWutXFvnCdTbkvdcnnWQjrd3OI42_3mKwLY-ws/s320/P1030387.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFWIusSWw4zj0w_zWVVAewA-b45WjEe4ZrBYhw2RqjxUDP8u8H8C8uDANPWWvsoJnv-c4J0LUV12tGaGBDZOCBvpFtU3Zo-Edp30bSkC624yy5s2mnMDKLftW_-5X2zKpsKsDtAQJPZ0U/s1600/P1030609.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
It's been a long time since I've blogged. Too long - not necessarily
because of all those waiting eagerly for updates (all 4 of you?), but
because I feel like I am letting so much be forgotten and I can never
those little moments back.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Natalie and Abby are my absolute joy. I never cease to be amazed every day at the adorable things they do, how smart they are, how funny they are and well, how amazing they are. I could be biased about that though:-)<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZCLxHtxgg22GznXIRieW6ImsRP4nf0Vwi0Gxj9_9KCmVgpH89tvtgGlWVkU_a51SnHrQNK9jkJuEhNlkwmXdgBap3z9EuQiERIxZ3f4fKpcqev1223zHFDHCwRDKFcqm3rja9Fa6vzAI/s1600/P1030422.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZCLxHtxgg22GznXIRieW6ImsRP4nf0Vwi0Gxj9_9KCmVgpH89tvtgGlWVkU_a51SnHrQNK9jkJuEhNlkwmXdgBap3z9EuQiERIxZ3f4fKpcqev1223zHFDHCwRDKFcqm3rja9Fa6vzAI/s200/P1030422.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Who needs toys when you have a really big box?</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-sMRCLJWatB1Fs3MV39i-HNGJKmqgixXoXGhLIw4XEYL4AiyQj11fYZU6euaGhdk2psSqf7k1kaX0FR_AbRQre0VohdZxwivdffIahmbsKNXcePRHEipEaz04n-Ce88rtleDdP60UnZM/s1600/P1030424.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-sMRCLJWatB1Fs3MV39i-HNGJKmqgixXoXGhLIw4XEYL4AiyQj11fYZU6euaGhdk2psSqf7k1kaX0FR_AbRQre0VohdZxwivdffIahmbsKNXcePRHEipEaz04n-Ce88rtleDdP60UnZM/s200/P1030424.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pretending to be cats curled up in the box</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I think what mesmerizes me most about Natalie and Abby is their incredible curiosity about everything. They love to learn about everything around them. Natalie and Abby love books and we read on a variety of subjects: dinosaurs (a current favorite), cats, dolphins, whales, sharks, Bible stories, fiction stories, princess stories, Highlights magazine, the human body, illnesses, castles...everything. Obviously, animals of any kind are a favorite subject - especially babies and mommies. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhv_KHTqyR3oFomTop0PjHK1ZEJ6lOSAm7wDWi8TuBe-yTkZbqtiaFeXpKs4QD8oOf2yxNZ3YwOBKsuPU6ftgPh2n6b4giFEEL_k1ywhDTfnlzsGls4TIGXJiBwn1XGMMOzqfmRm6_5Qk/s1600/P1030527.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhv_KHTqyR3oFomTop0PjHK1ZEJ6lOSAm7wDWi8TuBe-yTkZbqtiaFeXpKs4QD8oOf2yxNZ3YwOBKsuPU6ftgPh2n6b4giFEEL_k1ywhDTfnlzsGls4TIGXJiBwn1XGMMOzqfmRm6_5Qk/s200/P1030527.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wait! We need toys!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I am also always amazed by how much Natalie and Abby absorb from the world around them from books, tv, and their environment. One day, Abby excitedly informed me, "we are investigating the dark". I think this is the influence of <span style="font-style: italic;">Dino Dan</span> on Nick Jr. Dan is a young boy who sees dinosaurs and spends his days "investigating" and learning about them. Dan is also the source of their current dinosaur obsession, and along with supplemental books and a little teaching from mommy and daddy, has also influenced their vocabulary with words like carnivore, herbivore, omnivore, as well as a number of dinosaurs I can barely pronounce.<br />
<br />
From Sesame Street they have learned about experiments thanks to the Three Little Pigs and their attempts to determine the best building materials to thwart the Big Bad Wolf. Last week I was cleaning the garage and I had a fan on. When they noticed a plastic bag blowing around they gathered up a few items to test (like the Little Pigs) to see what would stand up against the fan. (Plastic bags = no. Pieces of wood = yes) <br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggffOTM5YiaR1YXoAQoZxbbK-3N0g6n6L_HQcYUThmYohufr7yeV-oAA5aOXZ8EegBYIeJv1Mmq8X_cblpiSGaqwpUMBHeSYiwOzuX54Y3CTrT5vQxepxnI-zdfNEvYMkfvlDh-Cq5wHk/s1600/P1030537.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggffOTM5YiaR1YXoAQoZxbbK-3N0g6n6L_HQcYUThmYohufr7yeV-oAA5aOXZ8EegBYIeJv1Mmq8X_cblpiSGaqwpUMBHeSYiwOzuX54Y3CTrT5vQxepxnI-zdfNEvYMkfvlDh-Cq5wHk/s200/P1030537.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Possibly riding on a boat to escape the sharks</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In another example, a few days ago Abby can running excitedly to get me to come see an experiment she had set up. She kept saying, "the paper doesn't move, the paper doesn't move". She had made a little track on 8x10 pieces of paper overlapping to run her little cars over. She was so excited that she could run the cars over the paper without it moving. She kept saying, "I thought the paper would move, I thought it would move!". I asked her if her hypothesis was that the paper would move. She said yes, and then she said, "my hypothesis was wrong!" I was so proud.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdzNekjDx5C4TT9H5HCXzpDEVpxC7aBUrJnK_XPUCmOV_n7miVT0BcfvSr1S7cg_xp1_M2vmwe8GMuQzACeeZL_IGPxETWi9Yb1a3sERjzHLcFE7Clc2pciEQbzj1qoVuN-ip4Bgk8On4/s1600/P1030432.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdzNekjDx5C4TT9H5HCXzpDEVpxC7aBUrJnK_XPUCmOV_n7miVT0BcfvSr1S7cg_xp1_M2vmwe8GMuQzACeeZL_IGPxETWi9Yb1a3sERjzHLcFE7Clc2pciEQbzj1qoVuN-ip4Bgk8On4/s200/P1030432.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roasting marshmellows (packing peanuts)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbbJLtlGvQjbIPpBRlbeIxXdNMsgE36i1kk9oe9yx2EFPiEHuoXPfjUXjk57Fj4bpeXB3OPLC35kjGovkdR_OuOK9v0TzdRNnxxnxgSWAnY1okTzhVEGjawXNOfjeBi8nxexm7yBL1tC4/s1600/P1030534.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a>In addition to curiosity about everything, the depths of their imaginations knows no end. They can turn anything into a toy, game or moment of extreme excitement, ie: <i>hurry, Abby, there's a shark coming! </i>They love to re-create moments of their own life (camping) or things they've seen on tv. They also re-enact books like <i>The Good Samaritan</i> or<i> Bambi.</i> They are still very much into their "babies" both doll-like and stuffed animal. Dolly the Horse (a 4 foot tall Christmas present from Grammy last year) is <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbbJLtlGvQjbIPpBRlbeIxXdNMsgE36i1kk9oe9yx2EFPiEHuoXPfjUXjk57Fj4bpeXB3OPLC35kjGovkdR_OuOK9v0TzdRNnxxnxgSWAnY1okTzhVEGjawXNOfjeBi8nxexm7yBL1tC4/s1600/P1030534.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbbJLtlGvQjbIPpBRlbeIxXdNMsgE36i1kk9oe9yx2EFPiEHuoXPfjUXjk57Fj4bpeXB3OPLC35kjGovkdR_OuOK9v0TzdRNnxxnxgSWAnY1okTzhVEGjawXNOfjeBi8nxexm7yBL1tC4/s200/P1030534.JPG" width="200" /></a>still a huge hit (who knew?) Dolly and her friends, Strawberry and Blueberry are well fed and cared for. Dolly, though, does have a propensity for attracting predators and has suffered a number of injuries from hyenas and other pesky creatures which requires intensive medical veterinarian care.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI3LzmANQ5I_ENkr1F4E3lf29R2Ak5aNf-PXkEaxTHnOaYeCOeSRtQTvEgNfHvkIqvLhkQYK6G5ZSGNQHCyeotQOBu58aBZZhrfVGtlCu4z-gRYs9uMKPJJ3PsJBAfUdpTWCCPzbUeyVc/s1600/P1030380.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI3LzmANQ5I_ENkr1F4E3lf29R2Ak5aNf-PXkEaxTHnOaYeCOeSRtQTvEgNfHvkIqvLhkQYK6G5ZSGNQHCyeotQOBu58aBZZhrfVGtlCu4z-gRYs9uMKPJJ3PsJBAfUdpTWCCPzbUeyVc/s200/P1030380.JPG" width="200" /></a>With Natalie, I am always amazed at how sweet and thoughtful she is. She is so sensitive, especially to Abby. When Abby was a little sick last week, Natalie disappeared into the playroom and returned with a little flower she had made for Abby. She gave it to her to help her feel better. It was precious. She is always aware of Abby, and if she can't find her, she will ask, "where's Abby?" Early one morning, after she had climbed into our bed during the night, she woke up, and wanted to know where Abby was. We told her Abby was in her bed, in their room. She wanted to go back to her bed to be near Abby.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqHGu2wWg-nafGBpbKoXYTK3GOq7rEsrY9EW9_8Z3G4URkIxCYf5J2Z-124wQUoeOprhW6o45rgr7Zuly1UcXILBoHTwnaVPyFya5pidbDs9zix8vzrr8rwEpz-SpPa73y1-GK4SJq_vM/s1600/P1030605.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqHGu2wWg-nafGBpbKoXYTK3GOq7rEsrY9EW9_8Z3G4URkIxCYf5J2Z-124wQUoeOprhW6o45rgr7Zuly1UcXILBoHTwnaVPyFya5pidbDs9zix8vzrr8rwEpz-SpPa73y1-GK4SJq_vM/s200/P1030605.JPG" width="200" /> </a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Natalie headed out on a little trip:-)</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFWIusSWw4zj0w_zWVVAewA-b45WjEe4ZrBYhw2RqjxUDP8u8H8C8uDANPWWvsoJnv-c4J0LUV12tGaGBDZOCBvpFtU3Zo-Edp30bSkC624yy5s2mnMDKLftW_-5X2zKpsKsDtAQJPZ0U/s1600/P1030609.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFWIusSWw4zj0w_zWVVAewA-b45WjEe4ZrBYhw2RqjxUDP8u8H8C8uDANPWWvsoJnv-c4J0LUV12tGaGBDZOCBvpFtU3Zo-Edp30bSkC624yy5s2mnMDKLftW_-5X2zKpsKsDtAQJPZ0U/s200/P1030609.JPG" width="200" /></a>Natalie also loves her tricycle and rides it around the house relentlessly. She started out only riding it back in forth in the hall on the hard floor. Now, she can ride it all the way around the house in a circle across the carpet. Abby, who until recently refused to ride the bike, also rides it around "the circle". But, it's not simple bike riding. Natalie will often dress up as a princess with her crown, put a baby (or two) in the bike basket and away she'll go! She gets so, so excited and loves it so much. Just today she said, "when I ride by bike so fast it feels like I'm flying!"<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3vgW3QcIZi_y6RmVy-W5lkL637_u46tcFOJhTEG01oXlFXfLe7aaBuxtzzoPx72TMzcSH-WQ5JYhMAzOnck_Rao1qXdRNQHZCHQYxBoExswA-fTGGSMv3RgtnMgDwJyD0TA_-6KJFJi4/s1600/P1030392.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Outdoor Fun </b></span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjztLkE7UJEkFYp5J16gy8kdrpCZcIMdNmPZ4i6e4Tx9eSufK3r_vTxoGGmyhTsBH7ZTK71UutOQYYnhrTWK0pQ33T34Qa4u9A7qJ_xd3gJ4bDKkvB4ZOUaDiEfp0Xb2fjGdwQcu_ET0P8/s1600/P1030419.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjztLkE7UJEkFYp5J16gy8kdrpCZcIMdNmPZ4i6e4Tx9eSufK3r_vTxoGGmyhTsBH7ZTK71UutOQYYnhrTWK0pQ33T34Qa4u9A7qJ_xd3gJ4bDKkvB4ZOUaDiEfp0Xb2fjGdwQcu_ET0P8/s200/P1030419.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzJAnSqzEwfwceEtBcINK3-2mvqplC7JQZQCQRCjp70VV6vSDNo1gsxaNoFO4B_xSqRnmwLE2LRWbm7dMmZ98I9K5-0rYCZeXEiuJLPTXm8lssydUis84K0WVNLdaxGvsAsqJOueNSXqk/s1600/P1030598.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzJAnSqzEwfwceEtBcINK3-2mvqplC7JQZQCQRCjp70VV6vSDNo1gsxaNoFO4B_xSqRnmwLE2LRWbm7dMmZ98I9K5-0rYCZeXEiuJLPTXm8lssydUis84K0WVNLdaxGvsAsqJOueNSXqk/s200/P1030598.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
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They love their swing set and make-shift climbing wall.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXFKH1PF6DcXl8kj3iQ2BpicM8xOLGHejuiVfAoXY4Kzgac-vn-i5KE4Bc8p3yWiPpRnKb-h5wbyBm0cHMQHAKUiQTibqv8qjMJlu7vk4OIy4ZyUm8SaVia68oj7ZlXUYCRTCw57m14mo/s1600/P1030430.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXFKH1PF6DcXl8kj3iQ2BpicM8xOLGHejuiVfAoXY4Kzgac-vn-i5KE4Bc8p3yWiPpRnKb-h5wbyBm0cHMQHAKUiQTibqv8qjMJlu7vk4OIy4ZyUm8SaVia68oj7ZlXUYCRTCw57m14mo/s200/P1030430.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Abby is VERY proud of the sunflower seeds she planted</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinnZaW3Lvs_EGSgbTo-dZyYapRdqdUaNjPD0tx72uCBKRPZqnCUBIiwq_gU2toPVe-PW0bON1gD3UlIOsWXaZte2fCod7x2BMiSQjB1Nuz6encObsN6tVj_vMF6gTIn0blyhsIfRBmSCU/s1600/P1030427.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinnZaW3Lvs_EGSgbTo-dZyYapRdqdUaNjPD0tx72uCBKRPZqnCUBIiwq_gU2toPVe-PW0bON1gD3UlIOsWXaZte2fCod7x2BMiSQjB1Nuz6encObsN6tVj_vMF6gTIn0blyhsIfRBmSCU/s200/P1030427.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rock painting</td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Dressing up is so much fun!</span></b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8_FYdbZQ7jR68ccOgjk_1M8r5Vw0jgOQIw-Iv7QxPPrK-KPRuUmzSY8DUHmRJW3q6iGvoCiI5-phUvw9kUnA5P9uNkeB6CxXVVhVsE_lXnIeRXRjV7Ns5PhbzDPXANKZlYp2lXSxKHwA/s1600/P1030602.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8_FYdbZQ7jR68ccOgjk_1M8r5Vw0jgOQIw-Iv7QxPPrK-KPRuUmzSY8DUHmRJW3q6iGvoCiI5-phUvw9kUnA5P9uNkeB6CxXVVhVsE_lXnIeRXRjV7Ns5PhbzDPXANKZlYp2lXSxKHwA/s200/P1030602.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Abby</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQT023_Jbo7Cwy2V_LLLrPscp54hwZEtA-X6UtVSBtAgIi0lr0GeGgIEHGur_XgT59oX-Yt69QlQdGxUxHcqNcZ62urK45_vJqQPOF4QnSzZtVvfkf3-rZoaW0f8Vf8dpHToS8di5Jpec/s1600/P1030600.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQT023_Jbo7Cwy2V_LLLrPscp54hwZEtA-X6UtVSBtAgIi0lr0GeGgIEHGur_XgT59oX-Yt69QlQdGxUxHcqNcZ62urK45_vJqQPOF4QnSzZtVvfkf3-rZoaW0f8Vf8dpHToS8di5Jpec/s200/P1030600.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Natalie at Kidzu Museum in Chapel Hill</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCWGFJf_e06qUqb4msf-181ZCIxQBjejPbp_PUp2Hbx0OnvWLtTHbQtGqXwU5Eb3A8IF94ezjpWwGiqBzVALTL0Jyst573DfofjmBPYoKXYDivi55cPYjWqgjqPhcguFMGT9vQbYKQNZA/s1600/P1030529.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCWGFJf_e06qUqb4msf-181ZCIxQBjejPbp_PUp2Hbx0OnvWLtTHbQtGqXwU5Eb3A8IF94ezjpWwGiqBzVALTL0Jyst573DfofjmBPYoKXYDivi55cPYjWqgjqPhcguFMGT9vQbYKQNZA/s200/P1030529.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Natalie and Abby</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3NwAOI8J1DgfsECnKMPA00kkUtkVMidMiusfBIIwxtuYg-qR9nmKByT2DNdFqHuf4oiENvbhdKlpFqp9PuNB73CCDqMDpmGtFe4UoNFP8iynhidAvlUpeTHkr0JuIY01jbvLhWpBZS9w/s1600/P1030395.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3NwAOI8J1DgfsECnKMPA00kkUtkVMidMiusfBIIwxtuYg-qR9nmKByT2DNdFqHuf4oiENvbhdKlpFqp9PuNB73CCDqMDpmGtFe4UoNFP8iynhidAvlUpeTHkr0JuIY01jbvLhWpBZS9w/s200/P1030395.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Natalie</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3vgW3QcIZi_y6RmVy-W5lkL637_u46tcFOJhTEG01oXlFXfLe7aaBuxtzzoPx72TMzcSH-WQ5JYhMAzOnck_Rao1qXdRNQHZCHQYxBoExswA-fTGGSMv3RgtnMgDwJyD0TA_-6KJFJi4/s1600/P1030392.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3vgW3QcIZi_y6RmVy-W5lkL637_u46tcFOJhTEG01oXlFXfLe7aaBuxtzzoPx72TMzcSH-WQ5JYhMAzOnck_Rao1qXdRNQHZCHQYxBoExswA-fTGGSMv3RgtnMgDwJyD0TA_-6KJFJi4/s200/P1030392.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Abby</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3vgW3QcIZi_y6RmVy-W5lkL637_u46tcFOJhTEG01oXlFXfLe7aaBuxtzzoPx72TMzcSH-WQ5JYhMAzOnck_Rao1qXdRNQHZCHQYxBoExswA-fTGGSMv3RgtnMgDwJyD0TA_-6KJFJi4/s1600/P1030392.JPG"></a>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCWGFJf_e06qUqb4msf-181ZCIxQBjejPbp_PUp2Hbx0OnvWLtTHbQtGqXwU5Eb3A8IF94ezjpWwGiqBzVALTL0Jyst573DfofjmBPYoKXYDivi55cPYjWqgjqPhcguFMGT9vQbYKQNZA/s1600/P1030529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3vgW3QcIZi_y6RmVy-W5lkL637_u46tcFOJhTEG01oXlFXfLe7aaBuxtzzoPx72TMzcSH-WQ5JYhMAzOnck_Rao1qXdRNQHZCHQYxBoExswA-fTGGSMv3RgtnMgDwJyD0TA_-6KJFJi4/s1600/P1030392.JPG"><br /></a></div>Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02241169966641945045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6720757269020350337.post-80529302318061421912011-10-23T18:33:00.005-04:002011-10-23T20:27:44.081-04:00Where to start...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTC9cBEt4tnHBZYPYa-RXpyKbyfKqn73BQJPiUksVst0dNBt2qoPcWEtVbkhXP43uvNT2uhc16akX5MuYTxxCDMWCZERmGRM5WDavCHQ4iaZdbDi5leP_YFHrlgfjhi9Tdw_LZ0oFO1L0/s1600/P1030225.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTC9cBEt4tnHBZYPYa-RXpyKbyfKqn73BQJPiUksVst0dNBt2qoPcWEtVbkhXP43uvNT2uhc16akX5MuYTxxCDMWCZERmGRM5WDavCHQ4iaZdbDi5leP_YFHrlgfjhi9Tdw_LZ0oFO1L0/s320/P1030225.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5666830627224278418" border="0" /></a>Goodness, where do I even start to catch you all up on everything Natalie and Abby have been up to over the summer and this fall? Time has flown by SO fast and I can't believe they are already approaching 4.5 years old.<br /><br />They are growing up so quickly and I confess, I really, really hate it. I really just want them to stay just they way they are - forever. I love this age and every day I feel like it is slipping away too fast. Every night I go to sleep feeling like I have failed as a parent and haven't spent enough time with them or taught them enough or been gentle enough or yelled too much. Every night I pledge to do better the next day, and then at night, I start the cycle over again.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJR1JcLxHV5RA01ojX2yyCgI0VolrciHr4CASUPGYNwlOAvAEfUg26fPpvzhbfEdWDC-wedfdM_ZOM1MjTWLFGKVJdnOZzDWdiUzkMRViDoEbXr6ckDPv7wq3AMps5hAdt80-0N7SW00k/s1600/P1030234.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJR1JcLxHV5RA01ojX2yyCgI0VolrciHr4CASUPGYNwlOAvAEfUg26fPpvzhbfEdWDC-wedfdM_ZOM1MjTWLFGKVJdnOZzDWdiUzkMRViDoEbXr6ckDPv7wq3AMps5hAdt80-0N7SW00k/s320/P1030234.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5666830964105593362" border="0" /></a><br /><br />But, Natalie and Abby are joyous children. They are full of laughter and smiles. They spend hours playing and making up games. They are curious and love to explore the world. They are generous with hugs, kisses, and "I love yous". And, then, yesterday, while Ben and I were painting the shutters of our house, the girls were playing a game and Abby led Natalie to sit down on one of the tarps on the ground. She then proceeded to lead her in a prayer. "Now, first you say, Dear God", and Natalie would say, "dear God". It went on and on with Abby saying a phrase and Natalie repeating it. I don't know what all they said; some of it didn't make any sense, but they were saying thank you for something, and well, they were praying.<br /><br />In the end, I guess we are doing something right after all.Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02241169966641945045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6720757269020350337.post-32487451484311221692011-08-04T22:55:00.016-04:002011-08-05T00:42:00.571-04:00Happy Birthday Natalie and Abby!Well, this is only 2.5 months late, but I still wanted to get the birthday post out there for all to see.<br /><br />It's been 4 years! FOUR YEARS!! I can't believe it. It's absolutely incredible that we have come from this....<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-YcqPI24mDP-_Uhp344NiDga8HGFxRg6cAfjXBWWCAHJvOQVrVK0SVdvNnWv2HIorZ9f8IqHgD9z015u2MrH6RnjRjFVKWevGAz39VWMn41rEntYy_C8k-GKz2FZJApEAsSDA084LW7Q/s1600/05-15-2007+Natalie+069.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-YcqPI24mDP-_Uhp344NiDga8HGFxRg6cAfjXBWWCAHJvOQVrVK0SVdvNnWv2HIorZ9f8IqHgD9z015u2MrH6RnjRjFVKWevGAz39VWMn41rEntYy_C8k-GKz2FZJApEAsSDA084LW7Q/s320/05-15-2007+Natalie+069.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607411174452524178" border="0" /></a>Natalie Kimberly 1#5oz, 604 grams, 11.5 inches<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9YWrWwaUELm4TW575REqxNDFvYvDMepR5ydfXj9Yj_sLWWxsAA20OeoLoeyzHHyaeA6eXQ8ZpW8WnhTaUb06ZOl7D_RMrPf349p5WeTNh3csdbFigp0puzpX1rWAnFlK4mrvZwNOsfVg/s1600/Copy+1+of+05-15-2007+Abby+071.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9YWrWwaUELm4TW575REqxNDFvYvDMepR5ydfXj9Yj_sLWWxsAA20OeoLoeyzHHyaeA6eXQ8ZpW8WnhTaUb06ZOl7D_RMrPf349p5WeTNh3csdbFigp0puzpX1rWAnFlK4mrvZwNOsfVg/s320/Copy+1+of+05-15-2007+Abby+071.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637209494006751794" border="0" /></a>Abigail Elianna 1#13.5oz 840grams 12.5 inches<br /></div><br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">to this!</span></span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigA-lAmkIxCKrqJDTA0dU4lylBhk3X_Q7QhfUD0gbYzMsjxjIAlzvMzJWZ6jmbez0FKgKH5egEnCtnUSHrZte2o-G9xtTh8gL4NI3Br-oNE2kq1w1SFzCxT1U_pj0QsdPY2ylX6Uzcjck/s1600/IMG_7066.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigA-lAmkIxCKrqJDTA0dU4lylBhk3X_Q7QhfUD0gbYzMsjxjIAlzvMzJWZ6jmbez0FKgKH5egEnCtnUSHrZte2o-G9xtTh8gL4NI3Br-oNE2kq1w1SFzCxT1U_pj0QsdPY2ylX6Uzcjck/s320/IMG_7066.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607411184451038514" border="0" /></a>Abby and Natalie<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">The girls had a relatively low key birthday, but full of activity. Their birthday was Sunday, May 15, but because of a ballet recital, we had their little party on Saturday.<br /><br />As in the past two years, it was simple and really just family. Although, this year, I'm thrilled to report that the girls actually have a little friend that we were able to invite. Since meeting at Little Gym last summer, Kenan, Natalie and Abby have been bosom buddies and have enjoyed many a play date between Kenan's house and ours. Her mom, Regan, and I have become close friends which has been wonderful for me as well.<br /><br />Since Natalie and Abby are all about princesses these days, it was only fitting we had a princess party!<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:180%;" >Introducing...the three pretty, pretty princesses!</span><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ1b9tPvStJ2Gb9h1dCGo_d_x_YzUTkIDqQo_gB1JrVc1uYGSKY7r2i1JFQoZs5T1fTYaLtRA0eLSuUA2LG-SczBO58BJCfEQAWTiIusVEiN-2LOE77_1QiO_6MDEe9XuyCRhMl4VNbaw/s1600/IMG_6770.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ1b9tPvStJ2Gb9h1dCGo_d_x_YzUTkIDqQo_gB1JrVc1uYGSKY7r2i1JFQoZs5T1fTYaLtRA0eLSuUA2LG-SczBO58BJCfEQAWTiIusVEiN-2LOE77_1QiO_6MDEe9XuyCRhMl4VNbaw/s200/IMG_6770.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625711528217222914" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBdWlLQlkbKFN8Yh4eVzIHRvAmHbQyRkNq8_6FBTQLwa7W32MX_WXddLOsAklD-XzmXbP-x44u4m9H0uQ1JUSBhRjaJlxL77_bdG5vmUbkOV_0S6FkQGWW_EJVemm_MYtKQSeAftITT2o/s1600/IMG_6786.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBdWlLQlkbKFN8Yh4eVzIHRvAmHbQyRkNq8_6FBTQLwa7W32MX_WXddLOsAklD-XzmXbP-x44u4m9H0uQ1JUSBhRjaJlxL77_bdG5vmUbkOV_0S6FkQGWW_EJVemm_MYtKQSeAftITT2o/s200/IMG_6786.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625711531994577378" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDnHDxCdn0O67kuS8Ku-J21Qbq18Vg0pVLVORKBDdDTEuRYLYCydW1IQV3RbfvfJgLtHhGecv-CYqbubxonGDUw07v_AFrJeV31AMtE1GX2zwQu7fsW8le-5AUBzRKTJhQ8DHa8KfsMAM/s1600/IMG_6803.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDnHDxCdn0O67kuS8Ku-J21Qbq18Vg0pVLVORKBDdDTEuRYLYCydW1IQV3RbfvfJgLtHhGecv-CYqbubxonGDUw07v_AFrJeV31AMtE1GX2zwQu7fsW8le-5AUBzRKTJhQ8DHa8KfsMAM/s200/IMG_6803.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625711546973069090" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">A great shot of Princess Abby</span> </div><br />Our Princess party included a Princess Pinata<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF-7Rr9A24ZHQnahSE7d_WRA8b_vq7KlBWpTjHLqxqZhwBGaGvNtm1g1_f9VKotbQopyMBAIREOUU8u4vhqwFwkomSpUT8KdkznaYQ_YlurMGG8vQK8K285AcFm6CFBslBfiwatSB9Jcc/s1600/IMG_6823.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF-7Rr9A24ZHQnahSE7d_WRA8b_vq7KlBWpTjHLqxqZhwBGaGvNtm1g1_f9VKotbQopyMBAIREOUU8u4vhqwFwkomSpUT8KdkznaYQ_YlurMGG8vQK8K285AcFm6CFBslBfiwatSB9Jcc/s200/IMG_6823.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626670267386327090" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJhtZGFjm21ab-8SO63NkULQ1jJdMq0b47NLawnACEb14zwhIlefnDz1SHqtEaZjR7GWPUjNV-w1N6MHCtijOIzIpZuZZOLOoBexB08NJrnI6wKNw0CUTCeUT_6c9mlr8LtZyRVCxiwK8/s1600/IMG_6819.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJhtZGFjm21ab-8SO63NkULQ1jJdMq0b47NLawnACEb14zwhIlefnDz1SHqtEaZjR7GWPUjNV-w1N6MHCtijOIzIpZuZZOLOoBexB08NJrnI6wKNw0CUTCeUT_6c9mlr8LtZyRVCxiwK8/s200/IMG_6819.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626670256946228354" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6okSCXnRn0Ogzc-ayWUuBZWSGu5OvLA1sYpvqpQz-sweJYWv2QQGw9cA8XmdIMIk_TNKxjXC1hmMPc7H2xHtnekK3pCZcFhLTNzq2VbtpFQVtYXXdKcBqoW3hB1jLvn3FNbhjwfY4QHU/s1600/IMG_6817.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6okSCXnRn0Ogzc-ayWUuBZWSGu5OvLA1sYpvqpQz-sweJYWv2QQGw9cA8XmdIMIk_TNKxjXC1hmMPc7H2xHtnekK3pCZcFhLTNzq2VbtpFQVtYXXdKcBqoW3hB1jLvn3FNbhjwfY4QHU/s200/IMG_6817.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626670234089698322" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqEks9cZGDa91zJnqs_7mPTPcFPUyDqvceOOVfB_R4SfYmI4mn0MY0gI2Mdt3XFUt5ZXvPsiE2sIbVtQjIL23Audcqf1fPIIM_dQEPaDKcZLSgV8tmZprC28hqxVOTyzGzW7BqaX07VxY/s1600/IMG_6830.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqEks9cZGDa91zJnqs_7mPTPcFPUyDqvceOOVfB_R4SfYmI4mn0MY0gI2Mdt3XFUt5ZXvPsiE2sIbVtQjIL23Audcqf1fPIIM_dQEPaDKcZLSgV8tmZprC28hqxVOTyzGzW7BqaX07VxY/s200/IMG_6830.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626670271962535890" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_LtUk_uyis8wpLZCzUOgoCwX75GqhgcRlNunAe_RStjZUbVO54ZSoE1p4dH3c23WLYpLwk_lEwGoEjDKC140b5k5poiZjihe8aTU4v1ijnW93TI6LjNq-_Z2fWJM_86mRX6zAIUN6GYM/s1600/IMG_6833.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_LtUk_uyis8wpLZCzUOgoCwX75GqhgcRlNunAe_RStjZUbVO54ZSoE1p4dH3c23WLYpLwk_lEwGoEjDKC140b5k5poiZjihe8aTU4v1ijnW93TI6LjNq-_Z2fWJM_86mRX6zAIUN6GYM/s200/IMG_6833.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626671422602130306" border="0" /></a>great gifts (and thank you hugs)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitKKYKmAqVRYfjkgNa-Cyf0mhhrG0GqQ0PpXZgRAFQ4Za3oaCViNVVx9fdU_LsFDL8Ws63OjwgkC6AQLaJ4KjHvSdzELp58XfnOLNBV___j47aIHgriDjdnJlCRGluODIMxN73d7_Y39U/s1600/IMG_6896.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitKKYKmAqVRYfjkgNa-Cyf0mhhrG0GqQ0PpXZgRAFQ4Za3oaCViNVVx9fdU_LsFDL8Ws63OjwgkC6AQLaJ4KjHvSdzELp58XfnOLNBV___j47aIHgriDjdnJlCRGluODIMxN73d7_Y39U/s200/IMG_6896.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626671443651623266" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVrt4ng9MtZ2O9ldjW4W-6xp0UPGoBRyOUwxMQiBwKNy_GDPnhoqYAodpxKiWD_RNAPhKxUNJ6fCk_c9X5YzRTbEBhHoBRiNmaSc72H50Z7y2CxqupocfmwvI4AZIx802eVA1_20lUcHc/s1600/IMG_6869.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVrt4ng9MtZ2O9ldjW4W-6xp0UPGoBRyOUwxMQiBwKNy_GDPnhoqYAodpxKiWD_RNAPhKxUNJ6fCk_c9X5YzRTbEBhHoBRiNmaSc72H50Z7y2CxqupocfmwvI4AZIx802eVA1_20lUcHc/s200/IMG_6869.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626671435405719122" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzByT0wxkEo_UIYDfxS54-f3NnhfpsaXqoDXFrM4nhPZtcbSJfFNjcrIYa6CtgxbE7Lu3GGZq0OvhkAdEXrJULJD03nIhhl-gLKV01y9dX5qss7L3dKYuSxyEvepOV0CB9ydW8tY0T_zg/s1600/IMG_6900.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzByT0wxkEo_UIYDfxS54-f3NnhfpsaXqoDXFrM4nhPZtcbSJfFNjcrIYa6CtgxbE7Lu3GGZq0OvhkAdEXrJULJD03nIhhl-gLKV01y9dX5qss7L3dKYuSxyEvepOV0CB9ydW8tY0T_zg/s200/IMG_6900.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626671451711219874" border="0" /></a><br />And, absolutely amazing Princess cakes courtesy of Grammy (my mom)! She did an incredibly job on Snow White (for Natalie) and Aurora aka Sleeping Beauty (for Abby). In Natalie's words, <span style="font-style: italic;">"wow!" </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqMoQXB7nQIoPXcnc1LEbWNhbgyFbCS0vkrTgbgs2sNRUYtzWsyGN5bpPZwDwLRVUEC-iJDWRMvBrLfr3zPOXo44OOdhE_cFFVmzJ_BkZQF0Z8ZbAmya7jnkocJ7DYhNzGqcdAUsZkmVA/s1600/IMG_1292.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqMoQXB7nQIoPXcnc1LEbWNhbgyFbCS0vkrTgbgs2sNRUYtzWsyGN5bpPZwDwLRVUEC-iJDWRMvBrLfr3zPOXo44OOdhE_cFFVmzJ_BkZQF0Z8ZbAmya7jnkocJ7DYhNzGqcdAUsZkmVA/s200/IMG_1292.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637214927036283074" border="0" /></a><br /><br />No birthday would be complete without a shot of the little sleeping twins that graced the cake at my baby shower.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy8UCnzhDxlewPTVtkuuYXUkRdt162u3cP0b7ZjqtzLHVoWVYOKx7xbiHR4JIjDN4HrcmvJD_VUcfu_EoV3_ZwcS2To9fTQhkCmAGOGEmyLOh1-OkrBSABhNxNlM_prLjD2KGURldFCIw/s1600/IMG_6960.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy8UCnzhDxlewPTVtkuuYXUkRdt162u3cP0b7ZjqtzLHVoWVYOKx7xbiHR4JIjDN4HrcmvJD_VUcfu_EoV3_ZwcS2To9fTQhkCmAGOGEmyLOh1-OkrBSABhNxNlM_prLjD2KGURldFCIw/s200/IMG_6960.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626754947951938962" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoGPf_8JHljol5Oa8WW2AhabwXdHba64T26BEdcAPgxpwosaIYwX-FZuDCgMt4xD-moemgUVDZN9SJEAtYfTlWlA2y1coQ6p6t1hoC40zQlziLiD-q8fE_idPT_Nki6k0CpyGk1frVKIU/s1600/IMG_6961.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoGPf_8JHljol5Oa8WW2AhabwXdHba64T26BEdcAPgxpwosaIYwX-FZuDCgMt4xD-moemgUVDZN9SJEAtYfTlWlA2y1coQ6p6t1hoC40zQlziLiD-q8fE_idPT_Nki6k0CpyGk1frVKIU/s200/IMG_6961.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626755426835060194" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7iOPNfxcfluTrlfTbfwoMzC1bNDQ3w2jJS2rACzoqsT8tKHGaylD1TEZHkYUx8foyvjwboA1XfpOC9uDLD9mMKJ0idb2Al_YloUpRSRz3IUN9iKTTzqnHUD9f-2NEttzVlyt8UmI7Nmc/s1600/IMG_6985.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7iOPNfxcfluTrlfTbfwoMzC1bNDQ3w2jJS2rACzoqsT8tKHGaylD1TEZHkYUx8foyvjwboA1XfpOC9uDLD9mMKJ0idb2Al_YloUpRSRz3IUN9iKTTzqnHUD9f-2NEttzVlyt8UmI7Nmc/s200/IMG_6985.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626755438730278482" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;"><br />Family picture</span><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy8UCnzhDxlewPTVtkuuYXUkRdt162u3cP0b7ZjqtzLHVoWVYOKx7xbiHR4JIjDN4HrcmvJD_VUcfu_EoV3_ZwcS2To9fTQhkCmAGOGEmyLOh1-OkrBSABhNxNlM_prLjD2KGURldFCIw/s1600/IMG_6960.JPG"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP2sqSKwqERnfaMUOJIx_DKUgH4qqcpN6h4ykorTEVmkokqzVKreccRBzSjLkLoti8jKBBXRJLAm9-3ogAHl8Ioj8nJd0AeNSZSrwzjGjHPnI2ubVlFxTKLj_88qrtS0bSwKhCO8z-Rq4/s1600/IMG_6965.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP2sqSKwqERnfaMUOJIx_DKUgH4qqcpN6h4ykorTEVmkokqzVKreccRBzSjLkLoti8jKBBXRJLAm9-3ogAHl8Ioj8nJd0AeNSZSrwzjGjHPnI2ubVlFxTKLj_88qrtS0bSwKhCO8z-Rq4/s200/IMG_6965.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626755436316430882" border="0" /></a>When it comes to chocolate, the girls are <span style="font-style: italic;">very</span> serious!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbofbP8vtAZhM-4_tBU0oA-rtB-klVJEg8RJE0nkBct6dJf2YIQA1Ti7XPl39Qy5JZTEiF-VG1-HoxxOX0a4DWgGibEIPR4e3bumc2SNfRWPgI4mir5H4uhwat-E-3W8EbY_dR1-zomGY/s1600/IMG_7004.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbofbP8vtAZhM-4_tBU0oA-rtB-klVJEg8RJE0nkBct6dJf2YIQA1Ti7XPl39Qy5JZTEiF-VG1-HoxxOX0a4DWgGibEIPR4e3bumc2SNfRWPgI4mir5H4uhwat-E-3W8EbY_dR1-zomGY/s200/IMG_7004.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626758501708851954" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWOJb_JOROsBrRttmxNsei5vefumTKo6OzrbTAACNDa3rk7ocFwa8eq3ZWFOAOW8SYAk9DhXaYPv_OPGfRbnaHgkqRgGtuaczmhA1ncyH86Vz1baJ1YZjKO9-NJ8d6t6XrSrpyczUJj7Q/s1600/IMG_7002.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWOJb_JOROsBrRttmxNsei5vefumTKo6OzrbTAACNDa3rk7ocFwa8eq3ZWFOAOW8SYAk9DhXaYPv_OPGfRbnaHgkqRgGtuaczmhA1ncyH86Vz1baJ1YZjKO9-NJ8d6t6XrSrpyczUJj7Q/s200/IMG_7002.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626758494411216418" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5y8Fdx1li7t6asxN0S7qP_oNEHM7hvYM-kYLwDiX7RIoOFiwBzjRFvWfy0nw8RMWiqH2aqCeuZMAXEXuXjRf97d4iiGTQN_arWxeFo-UW5ARywgxC_BlOb9xxQeTh7-ny_kp3tZZ59yQ/s1600/IMG_7000.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5y8Fdx1li7t6asxN0S7qP_oNEHM7hvYM-kYLwDiX7RIoOFiwBzjRFvWfy0nw8RMWiqH2aqCeuZMAXEXuXjRf97d4iiGTQN_arWxeFo-UW5ARywgxC_BlOb9xxQeTh7-ny_kp3tZZ59yQ/s200/IMG_7000.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626758483129784258" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqH9bO94nREsIpMAJyy0FSN4NF_3bAzBtas2EDciD-HFDBU-AXGeMh9flKMk9QDtOoOG_AACAH0DLIdZVfb-t7zNHXDVuQD23PFwnMx8s2kLVQxpSSb_xiFTQFL5LznLOtmtfiWTotT-c/s1600/IMG_7005.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqH9bO94nREsIpMAJyy0FSN4NF_3bAzBtas2EDciD-HFDBU-AXGeMh9flKMk9QDtOoOG_AACAH0DLIdZVfb-t7zNHXDVuQD23PFwnMx8s2kLVQxpSSb_xiFTQFL5LznLOtmtfiWTotT-c/s200/IMG_7005.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626758510376811010" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXIlCmd4hp_rgr9YOOiKiDi5Kbq4frjGCa4zo0mYgOb9fU_ffN0chgqD2AG2bwoh1bZJAibHZVMMTxGGWN01aThQ0d0mlKSKNu1ImPA_EU7xeyCP6l7NiY8dfchs-vKZ0HNyvAu2PKIj8/s1600/IMG_6997.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXIlCmd4hp_rgr9YOOiKiDi5Kbq4frjGCa4zo0mYgOb9fU_ffN0chgqD2AG2bwoh1bZJAibHZVMMTxGGWN01aThQ0d0mlKSKNu1ImPA_EU7xeyCP6l7NiY8dfchs-vKZ0HNyvAu2PKIj8/s200/IMG_6997.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626757109922896738" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz2JcWDY_uKAfAcV_47ahf2LsKKy0gTpEza0UmmcPR5VTnWCGS-74hlqJWHXqupkEH-PEspS3o79mbyhgHYYiCStlvD4gCwsePkNRpJ75_hgr7bQpfcHuZUdpBb4tywjEfWiN493o5POU/s1600/IMG_6996.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz2JcWDY_uKAfAcV_47ahf2LsKKy0gTpEza0UmmcPR5VTnWCGS-74hlqJWHXqupkEH-PEspS3o79mbyhgHYYiCStlvD4gCwsePkNRpJ75_hgr7bQpfcHuZUdpBb4tywjEfWiN493o5POU/s200/IMG_6996.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626757105261864818" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxCkjwr4MwsJBEdDD-P-OnLpLYy-qAGC3uOxaApYH5dOEKqsgzBngsoRJBxTrpM9-GzFQSHxpaLpaFRcGhAmdLs1m59X1avLkMxT0rO_wFS2600oSEbZZb-mFyMnhguzCf7pfGS1n-Jn8/s1600/IMG_6999.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxCkjwr4MwsJBEdDD-P-OnLpLYy-qAGC3uOxaApYH5dOEKqsgzBngsoRJBxTrpM9-GzFQSHxpaLpaFRcGhAmdLs1m59X1avLkMxT0rO_wFS2600oSEbZZb-mFyMnhguzCf7pfGS1n-Jn8/s200/IMG_6999.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626757118422275778" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Yaya and Grandpa enjoying some cake!<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguNbu1011_rXXusaVQqNsWp1cmsSQ2JElhOqrlxPMe2bTmYM9UXcuAsPzeLR1RdzTrId5z8DnmSXFvXuxVoWP8DFpa_vIv1uKfiVqWBr2wDobVt-nGYVNnbeOh5CQ1LU-mVpWj4OJDpgw/s1600/IMG_7010.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguNbu1011_rXXusaVQqNsWp1cmsSQ2JElhOqrlxPMe2bTmYM9UXcuAsPzeLR1RdzTrId5z8DnmSXFvXuxVoWP8DFpa_vIv1uKfiVqWBr2wDobVt-nGYVNnbeOh5CQ1LU-mVpWj4OJDpgw/s200/IMG_7010.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626759186288371058" border="0" /></a>I love this picture of Ben and his family<br /><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivIS7WVtHGB5uY0l1bhQJg5GjMc1jauOivkQKkswG5rVGGWEUMH0qIOrr_4HzXSgwKMa0KCTRHEpo_m_dO8iniVK9vaKFM6GVkpml0ahoSG8Ca_FCFGuMxCFCyG8S1d9139i4PbTUJ0vo/s1600/IMG_7014.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivIS7WVtHGB5uY0l1bhQJg5GjMc1jauOivkQKkswG5rVGGWEUMH0qIOrr_4HzXSgwKMa0KCTRHEpo_m_dO8iniVK9vaKFM6GVkpml0ahoSG8Ca_FCFGuMxCFCyG8S1d9139i4PbTUJ0vo/s200/IMG_7014.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626759196398630770" border="0" /></a><br />The girls really enjoyed their party and loved playing Princess with Kenan and all our family. We are so blessed to have so many people who love them so much.<br /><br />These are the "semi-official" 4 year old pictures - taken on their birthday.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Natalie</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilnMEw2tTi-emyKceczEjFTEErclDu_GsUrJrz63kKkI2taJjJvCUPExVuc5FrWnJlUJM-wNNafSUe3kb4CWmlN7RyYQMP_H79nsxoqzLQuEgvxVp1Mq4OQrYXQfVhCWsacb-CDOA5dDQ/s1600/IMG_7056.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilnMEw2tTi-emyKceczEjFTEErclDu_GsUrJrz63kKkI2taJjJvCUPExVuc5FrWnJlUJM-wNNafSUe3kb4CWmlN7RyYQMP_H79nsxoqzLQuEgvxVp1Mq4OQrYXQfVhCWsacb-CDOA5dDQ/s320/IMG_7056.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607411179994640450" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Abby</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnJOFRz_ZOXTaDv8E_DN_O3pzGs08TKFWMG-M_2IhML3bpgkqeYFPT0JTIrGRv521ELAHe20VCF6lT_IPswfNAIQLbYuEaxQqgLcQgXqb1WsEjtGhydi_ioE414KFBSuMb0dodnFzYkQQ/s1600/IMG_7075.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnJOFRz_ZOXTaDv8E_DN_O3pzGs08TKFWMG-M_2IhML3bpgkqeYFPT0JTIrGRv521ELAHe20VCF6lT_IPswfNAIQLbYuEaxQqgLcQgXqb1WsEjtGhydi_ioE414KFBSuMb0dodnFzYkQQ/s320/IMG_7075.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637220417130299794" border="0" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: center; font-style: italic;">Sisters and Friends Forever<br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigA-lAmkIxCKrqJDTA0dU4lylBhk3X_Q7QhfUD0gbYzMsjxjIAlzvMzJWZ6jmbez0FKgKH5egEnCtnUSHrZte2o-G9xtTh8gL4NI3Br-oNE2kq1w1SFzCxT1U_pj0QsdPY2ylX6Uzcjck/s1600/IMG_7066.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigA-lAmkIxCKrqJDTA0dU4lylBhk3X_Q7QhfUD0gbYzMsjxjIAlzvMzJWZ6jmbez0FKgKH5egEnCtnUSHrZte2o-G9xtTh8gL4NI3Br-oNE2kq1w1SFzCxT1U_pj0QsdPY2ylX6Uzcjck/s320/IMG_7066.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607411184451038514" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">A few more Birthday Day Pictures!</span><br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMVlntumT_rwOKBtoBzt4LzCZq272G-m7pSXUUCXgVuZyK9fId3WsVOTvdT9ZfXXYNxl2soiLIQRs5TuUuLB_I2sBuKdmzME_THmdzF0TMFotSWmHgBRSlv5vqhAZ8HnCTytZ9M0UGZmk/s1600/IMG_7071.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMVlntumT_rwOKBtoBzt4LzCZq272G-m7pSXUUCXgVuZyK9fId3WsVOTvdT9ZfXXYNxl2soiLIQRs5TuUuLB_I2sBuKdmzME_THmdzF0TMFotSWmHgBRSlv5vqhAZ8HnCTytZ9M0UGZmk/s200/IMG_7071.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626760280366119122" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBjqSO-UQAp_iGPo_Vjhvn-ggyNh8rwF7d40UBcPL-abDAHoTI1KHv80rh1Wj21UfJQMV7LjhEr_h9GLdf4vpnUx7UdszAzCEu6N44SpuG1Z8nSxdCcgGnXz5ofDapZP6KA77yP5ePef0/s1600/IMG_7069.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBjqSO-UQAp_iGPo_Vjhvn-ggyNh8rwF7d40UBcPL-abDAHoTI1KHv80rh1Wj21UfJQMV7LjhEr_h9GLdf4vpnUx7UdszAzCEu6N44SpuG1Z8nSxdCcgGnXz5ofDapZP6KA77yP5ePef0/s200/IMG_7069.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626760271302038626" border="0" /></a>Natalie<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw5a4xaHwdfh_wLNfI-sn3_SZ-cwhUbChV9Dwa3PgbbIde1bWLxUQCdKbn0mmn1-no111sUXIDEnBhDuOC_X_xEfmYpnK3AAksLBouQ_pg5PPEHL209o4u4t19x61LBN722S1yBOXMCYg/s1600/IMG_7061.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw5a4xaHwdfh_wLNfI-sn3_SZ-cwhUbChV9Dwa3PgbbIde1bWLxUQCdKbn0mmn1-no111sUXIDEnBhDuOC_X_xEfmYpnK3AAksLBouQ_pg5PPEHL209o4u4t19x61LBN722S1yBOXMCYg/s200/IMG_7061.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637225505231537554" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnEtrzhQtbQkEAHIuYwqI9d9p5QVXt4UpCU-tlXJmqgy3qdg7fQ1mFf71Ty_7yUIY2t30ga7Eg_-eVYxG1vljeF4jQ7SNunkfUN4eMt-LSEMlo_hu8g1JwCOhXMMjN6ASXTwARuC7TodM/s1600/IMG_7058.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnEtrzhQtbQkEAHIuYwqI9d9p5QVXt4UpCU-tlXJmqgy3qdg7fQ1mFf71Ty_7yUIY2t30ga7Eg_-eVYxG1vljeF4jQ7SNunkfUN4eMt-LSEMlo_hu8g1JwCOhXMMjN6ASXTwARuC7TodM/s200/IMG_7058.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637226047341897410" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilwO4KPmiJDHNFizgsJVqEDToQvZixpWmVMrs9hUsxhi4KO_C6mPI9fdmAuVIMgWLnJcW_IR1Yv6bC4HmuzQunvsZnb1x-oXHRjqgAViOTeLY3o55hG3y02cL6E2Mc1VxWiB559tooGu0/s1600/IMG_7082.JPG"><br /></a>Abby<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIbEuWWc0XuosP1j53JbThoBVzAgtasKXHLiE5GElwLTIqFzMv_TwBUwrVs-2oNNhLW8aAXTJqPbm2vp10kXZrBhfUfF_spRW2_SHGOzkauVVOhgh0DI4w-_Xqw1wALAkzDZNvOkb2r5s/s1600/IMG_7073.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIbEuWWc0XuosP1j53JbThoBVzAgtasKXHLiE5GElwLTIqFzMv_TwBUwrVs-2oNNhLW8aAXTJqPbm2vp10kXZrBhfUfF_spRW2_SHGOzkauVVOhgh0DI4w-_Xqw1wALAkzDZNvOkb2r5s/s200/IMG_7073.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637224103171848626" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilwO4KPmiJDHNFizgsJVqEDToQvZixpWmVMrs9hUsxhi4KO_C6mPI9fdmAuVIMgWLnJcW_IR1Yv6bC4HmuzQunvsZnb1x-oXHRjqgAViOTeLY3o55hG3y02cL6E2Mc1VxWiB559tooGu0/s1600/IMG_7082.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilwO4KPmiJDHNFizgsJVqEDToQvZixpWmVMrs9hUsxhi4KO_C6mPI9fdmAuVIMgWLnJcW_IR1Yv6bC4HmuzQunvsZnb1x-oXHRjqgAViOTeLY3o55hG3y02cL6E2Mc1VxWiB559tooGu0/s200/IMG_7082.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637226044189360514" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-family:webdings;"><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Happy Birthday Natalie and Abby!<br />We love you so much!<br /></span></span></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqRVQ_pkbFV4FgYAOciqcszxtKJOUIRI_dPBPO6TAIfUfH3TOxjY4J7ivafJ8mtSckCV07MoDNMmguFVcYogzlt8gnp74XBt7nMYOFZoNVWIpLZViFrguTEpZSV0AH7T7E_JiBQE-FI4s/s1600/IMG_7073.JPG"><br /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMVlntumT_rwOKBtoBzt4LzCZq272G-m7pSXUUCXgVuZyK9fId3WsVOTvdT9ZfXXYNxl2soiLIQRs5TuUuLB_I2sBuKdmzME_THmdzF0TMFotSWmHgBRSlv5vqhAZ8HnCTytZ9M0UGZmk/s1600/IMG_7071.JPG"><br /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOEjauKGdmEc5radSAE1i8KDIUHorXb4n3yOL5cBL-ui6CXRcEpAXjo2LEigdwGIKrjtp5bFF0y0-WTH9GlxFKKkVaaBUsSc-eZCzKNQzyQ13lmfJpB5fT6NiPVeLE1ApX_vgCTUgmKyU/s1600/IMG_7075.JPG"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFVwWGHH6TG6oOHVn3_NaNpIeSSeKC0pFzL-etKdpUiGFNOst0DfV_BBys5Hbd3t24yWy7DkiVXreYZBMDeJEOihNvR5b9VHIk8px4CKnG1ThSUok0zWeWkhqELy0K_tozfiQ_yiVABPo/s1600/IMG_7056.JPG"><br /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilnMEw2tTi-emyKceczEjFTEErclDu_GsUrJrz63kKkI2taJjJvCUPExVuc5FrWnJlUJM-wNNafSUe3kb4CWmlN7RyYQMP_H79nsxoqzLQuEgvxVp1Mq4OQrYXQfVhCWsacb-CDOA5dDQ/s1600/IMG_7056.JPG"><br /></a><br /><br /><br /></div></div>Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02241169966641945045noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6720757269020350337.post-8922076682124525652011-06-16T21:55:00.003-04:002011-06-16T22:16:38.086-04:00Moving on up....Blah, blah, blah, bad blogger, blah, blah, blah....<br /><br />Now that that is out of the way...on to the news.<br /><br />Today is a momentous occasion. No, it's not their birthday (I still have to blog about that). It's even better. Today is the day we moved their cribs out of their room. Yes, they just turned 4. Yes, they were still in cribs. I figured as long as they still fit, why mess with it. But, a few nights ago, we discovered we were out of pull-ups for the night. Well, we had one left. So, we decided they could go without for the night and practice getting up to go potty. I'll get to how that worked out in a minute.<br /><br />In order to make getting to the potty easier, we put their mattresses on the floor and the potty nearby on a mat. Sounds like a plan, right? Not so much. The girls were wet by the time Ben went to bed. I checked again around 2 or so, and they were wet again. I think they were wet again in the morning. The next day, I bought more pull-ups. Experiment - over.<br /><br />But, they seemed to enjoy sleeping out of their cribs, so we left them on the floor. Here's the problem, however, with crib mattresses. They are small. You also have to know that Natalie and Abby are <span style="font-style: italic;">very</span> busy sleepers. They often turn completely around in their cribs. This is not a problem when you are behind bars. It's more of an issue when there is nothing keeping you off the floor. We tired the pillow route, we even tried the laundry basket route, but when I went in to check on them in the middle of the night and I couldn't find Natalie (she was nearly in the middle of the floor), I knew the crib mattresses had to go.<br /><br />So, without much fanfare, tonight the cribs were disassembled and regulated to the attic. We borrowed a page from Yaya and Grandpa's and brought out the queen air mattress which helpfully came with a built-in pillow back which works great as a bed rail. With princess pillows creating a divide, the girls are now back in the same bed.<br /><br />Now, we just have to keep them from jumping on it:-)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcQAnRpoEBce_1AeCtS004qFHwyQn-fKAiu12Npz6qjFjTceuKMpDkE2Dkm1m0oYNWwGMhv8JRIJ4UWh7bwSqDcxh4rM87N-k7dfHhg9Lg1J0mj6yUhBeW3353ptwoMQ8e7jcpY_SspUQ/s1600/IMG_7321.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcQAnRpoEBce_1AeCtS004qFHwyQn-fKAiu12Npz6qjFjTceuKMpDkE2Dkm1m0oYNWwGMhv8JRIJ4UWh7bwSqDcxh4rM87N-k7dfHhg9Lg1J0mj6yUhBeW3353ptwoMQ8e7jcpY_SspUQ/s320/IMG_7321.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619006590551579250" border="0" /></a>Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02241169966641945045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6720757269020350337.post-9673873943610203382011-05-04T23:35:00.010-04:002011-05-05T00:30:24.276-04:00Wow - I've been a really bad blogger<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaUQLR94kjlmghryJrjRzbYeZ7x3VTltXbBLR6hzmkTNcBUXd1JKaml10ymnnvRFxT5fzSqRyXSSfkyuhro3jXkTioAQLxkSsuEOBV6XtR9EysYIq7d_exEvuoe7JytGOoEQ4cDbV4rXY/s1600/P1010482.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaUQLR94kjlmghryJrjRzbYeZ7x3VTltXbBLR6hzmkTNcBUXd1JKaml10ymnnvRFxT5fzSqRyXSSfkyuhro3jXkTioAQLxkSsuEOBV6XtR9EysYIq7d_exEvuoe7JytGOoEQ4cDbV4rXY/s320/P1010482.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603082547618287122" border="0" /></a><br />Looking at the blog history, Mommy has been a very bad girl. It's now May (how did that happen?) and I have made a total of 7 posts. 8 if you count this one. That is not a very good average. I'm determined to fall back on the wagon.<br /><br />So, what have we all been up to lately...<br />Well, it's been just over one year since we've moved into our new house. I'm disappointed to say that I have not accomplished half of what I had planned for the first year.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Not Accomplished:</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjikMYyuERlkSNL0Bszcfa0Bax1cst3wvouYzIyoP0l-xuBdVJqJ6OUl-lfbe89Hj8GuN96qkh-cug0r63BUv0GYdLsZlWb2B3kmnGB12MtDFSgA3XrZ-IrvauvdUM4HCC3H4MhnDg8UpY/s1600/P1010428.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjikMYyuERlkSNL0Bszcfa0Bax1cst3wvouYzIyoP0l-xuBdVJqJ6OUl-lfbe89Hj8GuN96qkh-cug0r63BUv0GYdLsZlWb2B3kmnGB12MtDFSgA3XrZ-IrvauvdUM4HCC3H4MhnDg8UpY/s320/P1010428.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603084038808594274" border="0" /></a><br />#1 - Unpacking all boxes. - Yes, there are still a few. In my defense, they all contain pictures, which leads me to #2.<br />#2 -Decorating and hanging pictures including some of the 10,000 plus we have of the girls.<br />#3 - Painting. We have painted exactly 2 rooms of the 8 rooms that need painting. And don't tell Ben, but I want to paint the hall too, which I suppose makes it 9.<br />#4 - Cutting down the trees in the yard to make room for girls play set and room to play.<br />#5 - Building girls' playset. Fortunately, there was one already here, but it is smack in the middle of the yard and I want some additional stuff for it.<br />#6 - Expanding the deck so we can take advantage, or perhaps, minimize the widely sloping backyard and define the flat areas in a way that are useable.<br />#7 - Add planters to above mentioned deck to have more room for flowers and vegetables.<br />#8 - Create patio area to left of deck and add water feature and fire pit area (or designated chimenea spot).<br />#9 - Organized play room to my satisfaction including learning materials.<br />#10 - Implement Montessori at home/home school materials for the girls.<br /><br />Well, I'm sure there are more, but I'm starting to feel bad about myself.<br /><br />So, to balance, here are some things that <span style="font-weight: bold;">have been accomplished </span>in the past year.<br />#1 - Tamed the jungle of the back yard. You couldn't even see the fence. I've worked my butt off clearing stuff out and Ben and I even took down some trees ourselves. Big trees, I have to say. It was pretty impressive.<br />#2 - Ben built flower beds on the side and this year the flowers are gorgeous! I love them!!!<br />#3 - I dug up the unbelievably huge hostas in the front yard and replanted the front beds.<br />#4 - I created a flower bed around the mailbox.<br />#5 - I finally bought frames for the black and white photos I printed to go above the fireplace.<br />#6 - We finally got family room furniture! This took longer than one might think - as in not until September.<br />#7 - In the same vane...we also finally got a beautiful dining room set - in October.<br />#8 - We cleaned out the garage! - well, we cleaned it and it gets junky again, but it's way, way, way better.<br />#9 - I finally got the bookshelves like I always wanted for my own personal library. I now have 5 bookshelves lining the walls of my office. Unfortunately, they are now all full. So, I think I need more. Again, don't tell Ben:-)<br />#10 - Ben tore out the master bath shower because it was leaking. We haven't rebuilt it yet, but tearing it out was quite a bit so maybe we will get that done in the next year.<br /><br />As you can see, many of our accomplishments are yard related (as are many of our not-yet-accomplished). I've really spent most of my energy in the yard trying to get things cleaned up and established so we can enjoy it for years to come. When I come in at night, I'm just too tired to do anything else. But, once it gets crazy hot here, the outside work will cease and the inside work begin!<br /><br />I suppose this is more about Ben and I than the girls, but their environment is about them, right? They have been amazing through all this, actually. They, of course, could care less about the paint or pictures on the walls. They are just happy with their playroom full of toys (however disorganized) and a yard with plenty of dirt to poke around in. They love it when I garden if only because I give them all the worms I find. They have thoroughly enjoyed their new house and yard. They adore their playroom and will spend hours playing in their by themselves. They also love their room too, and will play in there as well, especially in the morning.<br /><br />Next time I promise to give more Natalie and Abby details, such as what they've been up to as they approach the big 4 - which, I have decided to refuse to accept:-)Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02241169966641945045noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6720757269020350337.post-63812322535319855162011-04-14T13:21:00.004-04:002011-04-14T17:44:58.101-04:00A few recent picsJust Natalie and Abby looking cute!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Abby - she wanted to have her picture taken with KitKat. KitKat was less than enthused.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeYWTr3xp2ywOQmIFe2B69WD9I9uWuQKxShb_pPfJJzuKjEHjJ0NZrX_rpB_1wtdIMqtb0cpGXisQwtYyxrN5Ouca4U4iSQa4JqxWLN98ql3QxPKWni10qa8XsqbZoSZFiJ_xjfYDQk3w/s1600/P1010448.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeYWTr3xp2ywOQmIFe2B69WD9I9uWuQKxShb_pPfJJzuKjEHjJ0NZrX_rpB_1wtdIMqtb0cpGXisQwtYyxrN5Ouca4U4iSQa4JqxWLN98ql3QxPKWni10qa8XsqbZoSZFiJ_xjfYDQk3w/s320/P1010448.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595491086272157554" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Natalie and Abby<br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglNwD1mukjv24oJ-fLdshwMdkNsSrMBbhKJJ6DM7Usn1SVnSlXoWzSBXJo20oZBFDSgCB3hhwYceiVToNiaCtMZjxp_3oc9hIjRbncSVRfROghgNtyMw0DbFYEKbU3hBA_AXsRyyP-JZw/s1600/P1010445.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglNwD1mukjv24oJ-fLdshwMdkNsSrMBbhKJJ6DM7Usn1SVnSlXoWzSBXJo20oZBFDSgCB3hhwYceiVToNiaCtMZjxp_3oc9hIjRbncSVRfROghgNtyMw0DbFYEKbU3hBA_AXsRyyP-JZw/s320/P1010445.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595491083406598866" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Natalie - in front of the gigantic hosta I had to dig up. I have 6 or so more bunches similar to this...anyone want some hostas??<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3yUeOpfs18wv2K_CviUMTqM3vaTFwT0jpCz9ofqbMk9pKznBV_AsZGxkj-iM_r3mBPdp_-eayxkBtPXQPbwv719HOMwWiHHoV0CmmtUjQpUVDerQkj38uSX3YweNzm5mo4JAYz48vwZM/s1600/P1010439.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3yUeOpfs18wv2K_CviUMTqM3vaTFwT0jpCz9ofqbMk9pKznBV_AsZGxkj-iM_r3mBPdp_-eayxkBtPXQPbwv719HOMwWiHHoV0CmmtUjQpUVDerQkj38uSX3YweNzm5mo4JAYz48vwZM/s320/P1010439.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595491079204245042" border="0" /></a>Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02241169966641945045noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6720757269020350337.post-64190774345429728082011-03-29T00:56:00.001-04:002011-03-29T00:56:51.188-04:00Gone Fishin'The gorgeous weather of late has given us the urge to enjoy the great outdoors. What better way to spend an afternoon than to go fishing! There's a lovely little lake at a nearby subdivision that we love to visit. It also just so happens that Ben's place of work has several small ponds and large lakes. They are situated such that you can feel you are off in the woods somewhere, miles from civilization. Okay, maybe not miles, but at least several thousand feet:-)<br /><br />Let's start with the most important, and most impressive, catch of the season. That would be my gigantic, nearly record breaking, awe-inspiring Crappie - caught on a worm on the girls 3ft pink, princess fishing road. Prepare to be impressed!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjxTvu_SnyULOanUkOMUrcBXRbyRNEFbwOsu2KoA2iA21uFEFT-W2_bO1VMVa5tS36fuuQowrcEMte4MZ3AvVoPbLxETxfUOl5ekoVNg-VkVEsCog2B9zcLCurHyTCsxBYdGEwdo7lqDQ/s1600/03-10-2011+Crappie%252C+Natalie+199.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjxTvu_SnyULOanUkOMUrcBXRbyRNEFbwOsu2KoA2iA21uFEFT-W2_bO1VMVa5tS36fuuQowrcEMte4MZ3AvVoPbLxETxfUOl5ekoVNg-VkVEsCog2B9zcLCurHyTCsxBYdGEwdo7lqDQ/s320/03-10-2011+Crappie%252C+Natalie+199.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583760579470462130" border="0" /></a>Told ya! Pretty awesome, huh? Here are a few more to put it in perspective.<br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR0X6Mn04j26yDSFWya6M6KcP1SYB-ib2I8aCA-Gd3OMtkbaPLTrw5ZF1DokdDHS_ft9RpkMcWppBGL6eXLxqWvwO6XvL3VhyphenhyphenyHuI54z3HqJy2HQDSHFeb_aka3gd79hruCafpeRpJdaM/s1600/03-10-2011+Crappie%252C+Natalie+and+Abby+203.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR0X6Mn04j26yDSFWya6M6KcP1SYB-ib2I8aCA-Gd3OMtkbaPLTrw5ZF1DokdDHS_ft9RpkMcWppBGL6eXLxqWvwO6XvL3VhyphenhyphenyHuI54z3HqJy2HQDSHFeb_aka3gd79hruCafpeRpJdaM/s320/03-10-2011+Crappie%252C+Natalie+and+Abby+203.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583765281677668066" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4VQBqSbQSwYTtWfM8cHzndgIYS0VgoB0W5Pdh8oYPUvZnYYulzRdDk2yE74sylL0q-Lz8IOBfIUoSDXR8Mwex60PMjgoD9oAfDMsS0reXeI-Pahx6C3aQFHuRXsQt1lLQyUyF-t0WLik/s1600/03-10-2011+Crappie%252C+Natalie+and+Abby+201.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4VQBqSbQSwYTtWfM8cHzndgIYS0VgoB0W5Pdh8oYPUvZnYYulzRdDk2yE74sylL0q-Lz8IOBfIUoSDXR8Mwex60PMjgoD9oAfDMsS0reXeI-Pahx6C3aQFHuRXsQt1lLQyUyF-t0WLik/s320/03-10-2011+Crappie%252C+Natalie+and+Abby+201.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583765273662766802" border="0" /></a><br />Here's a link to the current NC Crappie record. I don't think it would have beat it, but it would have been close. We figured mine was about almost 14in. long but we couldn't figure the girth and of course we didn't weigh it. (I have now added a scale to our fishing gear:-))<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="file:///C:/Users/johelen/AppData/Local/Temp/moz-screenshot-1.png" alt="" /><a href="http://www.ifished.com/blog/new-north-carolina-white-crappie-record"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">http://www.ifished.com/blog/new-north-carolina-white-crappie-record</span></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />And to give credit where credit is due, the infamous Princess fishing rod.<br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDdeIXO3z7YtjpbPwJfdQWlwPwoA42D0EPRI63dppLZwWQZ6hMud5QvB2pGX0mRGhGETE4OqvB5Uaz1IYGvHC2TqVA_2CuWhNPflqYPcFCO_uYUv1qtLj-Rei9TWL9zSkBBhlwdzWl1aI/s1600/P1010228.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDdeIXO3z7YtjpbPwJfdQWlwPwoA42D0EPRI63dppLZwWQZ6hMud5QvB2pGX0mRGhGETE4OqvB5Uaz1IYGvHC2TqVA_2CuWhNPflqYPcFCO_uYUv1qtLj-Rei9TWL9zSkBBhlwdzWl1aI/s320/P1010228.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583796183877736098" border="0" /></a><br />Most recently, we, along with Grammy, spent an entire Sunday afternoon enjoying the weather, a picnic, and daylight savings time.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqjzKgSVeDNLvCm1PgZOPOi2J0qlFXLhdBEJxCX1aqck6HlOeCWll4xQIU4AO7RtMkb22ZFoc6pJDFg5xPtqBodVKy2-G_8AHa_0FlV5MvwniDzR_mPbx7sk35Yrw6hiVFqN5PSF5m8Ec/s1600/P1010210.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqjzKgSVeDNLvCm1PgZOPOi2J0qlFXLhdBEJxCX1aqck6HlOeCWll4xQIU4AO7RtMkb22ZFoc6pJDFg5xPtqBodVKy2-G_8AHa_0FlV5MvwniDzR_mPbx7sk35Yrw6hiVFqN5PSF5m8Ec/s320/P1010210.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583760586587829410" border="0" /></a><br />The best part of the day just may have been watching the girls eat, an activity of which we never seem to tire. Natalie and Abby both went to town on chicken legs with much gusto.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzH8_zMAj6ioDxnFMp1T09N1XnUZ7s2bkS9-F4pyLgVX2c4BbOSnybCTFJbJrYLkavWQTZl0qwxVIPEHRSEcQzau03ONjnCq7WWnBbwDxAerX_34abz97iIGUa51aMzZNlFyC2gRYfiL0/s1600/P1010211.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzH8_zMAj6ioDxnFMp1T09N1XnUZ7s2bkS9-F4pyLgVX2c4BbOSnybCTFJbJrYLkavWQTZl0qwxVIPEHRSEcQzau03ONjnCq7WWnBbwDxAerX_34abz97iIGUa51aMzZNlFyC2gRYfiL0/s320/P1010211.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583760595869188482" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqjzKgSVeDNLvCm1PgZOPOi2J0qlFXLhdBEJxCX1aqck6HlOeCWll4xQIU4AO7RtMkb22ZFoc6pJDFg5xPtqBodVKy2-G_8AHa_0FlV5MvwniDzR_mPbx7sk35Yrw6hiVFqN5PSF5m8Ec/s1600/P1010210.JPG"><br /></a>Natalie finished hers off first, with Abby close behind. Yes, folks, you heard that correctly, they each ate an entire chicken leg. Life's simple pleasures...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjxTvu_SnyULOanUkOMUrcBXRbyRNEFbwOsu2KoA2iA21uFEFT-W2_bO1VMVa5tS36fuuQowrcEMte4MZ3AvVoPbLxETxfUOl5ekoVNg-VkVEsCog2B9zcLCurHyTCsxBYdGEwdo7lqDQ/s1600/03-10-2011+Crappie%252C+Natalie+199.JPG"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXitDHyZou-wVLS1tMlOX-F0N9lc-tNcm9I92akowepaQJvZ9V4to1Tc7YJ2NsYNtFGLaiffuFljJ61DKgppO4HnnMVmEW2vqNtyq_xgCA_RGgRSQiSaIeJRcbKfNe9-26EZImWchJRhA/s1600/P1010213.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXitDHyZou-wVLS1tMlOX-F0N9lc-tNcm9I92akowepaQJvZ9V4to1Tc7YJ2NsYNtFGLaiffuFljJ61DKgppO4HnnMVmEW2vqNtyq_xgCA_RGgRSQiSaIeJRcbKfNe9-26EZImWchJRhA/s320/P1010213.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583767775366989826" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzH8_zMAj6ioDxnFMp1T09N1XnUZ7s2bkS9-F4pyLgVX2c4BbOSnybCTFJbJrYLkavWQTZl0qwxVIPEHRSEcQzau03ONjnCq7WWnBbwDxAerX_34abz97iIGUa51aMzZNlFyC2gRYfiL0/s1600/P1010211.JPG"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxpbEvP4sRUvHluz7mqolmqDhcKv2wOAvTm7DzI9RgrXvvBOcFriw5Y3Anzyv_SALona5XYnwvH2ClEl1oaqB32B6gLnqMwllo95mx28Di4C6Trr-nCGUfM9N5KptPQlCOjN86zkEu8pU/s1600/P1010214.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxpbEvP4sRUvHluz7mqolmqDhcKv2wOAvTm7DzI9RgrXvvBOcFriw5Y3Anzyv_SALona5XYnwvH2ClEl1oaqB32B6gLnqMwllo95mx28Di4C6Trr-nCGUfM9N5KptPQlCOjN86zkEu8pU/s320/P1010214.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583767781955599954" border="0" /></a>We didn't catch any monster fish like mine above, but we did have a great time with a number of small bream, catfish, and bass. Grammy also got in on the action...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Rbq8_JRBvXX7oprhyphenhyphenFx2W_aae5jMIq47UGNXpXYdeQmMZvwtz3B8kVusFcUhHlV8lpZ9nhhjPQlZ-nVQXwor4vBEFF9nqTjKOUzoiml9FNtnEtgznmTrxYgpDPeSLBA1Vl7dagt0po0/s1600/P1010221.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Rbq8_JRBvXX7oprhyphenhyphenFx2W_aae5jMIq47UGNXpXYdeQmMZvwtz3B8kVusFcUhHlV8lpZ9nhhjPQlZ-nVQXwor4vBEFF9nqTjKOUzoiml9FNtnEtgznmTrxYgpDPeSLBA1Vl7dagt0po0/s320/P1010221.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583792231578357362" border="0" /></a>Alas, the princess poles did let us down on two occasions. Both mom and I hooked fish that broke the line before we could get them in. I'm not sure what test pound the line is on those poles, but it probably isn't terribly high. That means I was <span style="font-style: italic;">really</span> lucky to catch that crappie (which I think was at least 2-2.5#) or those were some darn big fish that got away!<br /><br />As mentioned before, the girls' favorite activity is playing with the worms. We now buy 2 containers of worms. One for fishing and one for the girls. The worms for fishing actually end up fairing better since we don't get to all of them! The girls like to create worm families: mommy worms, daddy worms, baby worms, sister worms, etc. They dip them in the water to give them something to drink. And, when they are tired of that (or maybe when the worms stop moving), they often throw the worms into water "to feed the fish". Abby also really enjoys trying to feed the fish when we catch them which involves trying to stuff a worm down the throat of the poor fish we have hooked. I guess it's kind of a consolation prize.<br /><br />Before anyone worries about their treatment of animals and possible future psychopathic tendencies, I assure everyone that they show great kindness to kitties, puppies, and old people. Their somewhat torturous behavior only extends to worms, and since we are spearing the other worms with hooks, I'm not too worried about it.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Abby giving the worm some water.</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKNZ1Ja-lS_1DAFxxQTugC8UJu39GBmMG63-unS5aDv6WlMFtQc61ckg86JuJ6HgLNT2bhflGKztIPOaJqb5dFrAdFYFj8k-elQQq0h9ys5qIAPR-0bbgeFszpdskidvAwcRoo0GZJq9s/s1600/P1010192.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKNZ1Ja-lS_1DAFxxQTugC8UJu39GBmMG63-unS5aDv6WlMFtQc61ckg86JuJ6HgLNT2bhflGKztIPOaJqb5dFrAdFYFj8k-elQQq0h9ys5qIAPR-0bbgeFszpdskidvAwcRoo0GZJq9s/s320/P1010192.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583767767153472210" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Natalie getting worms from their container.</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_mYd-O4FRorYy8gf9hfui3pacUWpYWJFrNkKL-TR7Qf8cFhGMxuestGDzojTab7glgy-xyq64TfG5UVq5EbN4N8EMhILKJhjDRIT5w5ytTYwO82jxIYbn1UZ-8vAWq1sOSJHDCRWjwp4/s1600/P1010216.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_mYd-O4FRorYy8gf9hfui3pacUWpYWJFrNkKL-TR7Qf8cFhGMxuestGDzojTab7glgy-xyq64TfG5UVq5EbN4N8EMhILKJhjDRIT5w5ytTYwO82jxIYbn1UZ-8vAWq1sOSJHDCRWjwp4/s320/P1010216.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589356256382487474" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">more worm fun...</span><br /><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfGbg5em_c9QISRAnOHjRZ494o8AvfDJcRJPdh6X_IA6WP1mIaSpW20AtnhQyRVXGM1STCoyuO6xYLf8gQLB9lBEDXC1xVCnsAkmwuvnteRUh250HGFDFAgg6GWAyBxif6ljldflh_MM4/s1600/09-06-2010+Abby+and+Nat_5244.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfGbg5em_c9QISRAnOHjRZ494o8AvfDJcRJPdh6X_IA6WP1mIaSpW20AtnhQyRVXGM1STCoyuO6xYLf8gQLB9lBEDXC1xVCnsAkmwuvnteRUh250HGFDFAgg6GWAyBxif6ljldflh_MM4/s320/09-06-2010+Abby+and+Nat_5244.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589344935522299730" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4jgDtPJbWesSgaKKf65MkOMqjFHjj1T0-R9yaLyvEi7ufXJD6DE9zJXizITUBVo5Z2iUimrmAv0i4lfSJbR9DoE-NwcRIbs79VquO9Yy6dnSu0GD2eX9GcSsgHlUhQdqiLws-I-Commc/s1600/09-06-2010+Nat_5240.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4jgDtPJbWesSgaKKf65MkOMqjFHjj1T0-R9yaLyvEi7ufXJD6DE9zJXizITUBVo5Z2iUimrmAv0i4lfSJbR9DoE-NwcRIbs79VquO9Yy6dnSu0GD2eX9GcSsgHlUhQdqiLws-I-Commc/s320/09-06-2010+Nat_5240.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589344940987216306" border="0" /></a>A few random fishing moments<br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8MxLgpZcedIziyWkdjr7e59g53FBSEUsn7nVYJAXyLNZCnQYrAIxcuX34WbFvUGT3fm16r9zLomh4f54zOI7oLHEmXjzr0uM5MZZ13JVXRNjDyrez2ZUwZdJ8XPyfQTJks8I3Y9yUIe8/s1600/10-30-2010+Nat+and+Abby+Nat+and+Abby_5980.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8MxLgpZcedIziyWkdjr7e59g53FBSEUsn7nVYJAXyLNZCnQYrAIxcuX34WbFvUGT3fm16r9zLomh4f54zOI7oLHEmXjzr0uM5MZZ13JVXRNjDyrez2ZUwZdJ8XPyfQTJks8I3Y9yUIe8/s320/10-30-2010+Nat+and+Abby+Nat+and+Abby_5980.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589347605623666578" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqjAxyTnlO3jmD2uO762ZgKOAOwdt4R3E2q6n4o99J70xT_2sABfz342F_ugXTNQsrYoQyhP1mAnKcYZC4t01uiO0bmu3rcw7_xYFwrH0KyGjDVnNHW61H1igQXkHYaFVFvEM1GJxSIIg/s1600/10-30-2010+Nat+and+Abby_5985.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqjAxyTnlO3jmD2uO762ZgKOAOwdt4R3E2q6n4o99J70xT_2sABfz342F_ugXTNQsrYoQyhP1mAnKcYZC4t01uiO0bmu3rcw7_xYFwrH0KyGjDVnNHW61H1igQXkHYaFVFvEM1GJxSIIg/s320/10-30-2010+Nat+and+Abby_5985.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589347610765265458" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQjggDsWxsQFNvlGRuqehFkGQc4aDRXIplVp4-G9UQbO6lFDJkg9F95cKnIKjVUNYItxcvE0h9NdqjKKFdafbCagbu8D_9Pc1OSVcSD-64AZOqpbF_eXkEGF_stl0-eyAGumEbnFkldSs/s1600/10-30-2010+fishing+at+Cisco+Nat+and+Abby_5974.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQjggDsWxsQFNvlGRuqehFkGQc4aDRXIplVp4-G9UQbO6lFDJkg9F95cKnIKjVUNYItxcvE0h9NdqjKKFdafbCagbu8D_9Pc1OSVcSD-64AZOqpbF_eXkEGF_stl0-eyAGumEbnFkldSs/s320/10-30-2010+fishing+at+Cisco+Nat+and+Abby_5974.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589347597848797922" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpE2t_mihiNixKKVf_xPhuBtUwDqZgYckYcnIndfomh9K1qiVkZFLcevLuDIy4k5mpzqgEYhQptSAeOrwVm95L7_rxaSuA9sOdj5lxk40NSTS2koBsTLmJdA0qOkJ3oOcikPpv6zbYSMo/s1600/10-30-2010+Abby+and+Nat_5997.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpE2t_mihiNixKKVf_xPhuBtUwDqZgYckYcnIndfomh9K1qiVkZFLcevLuDIy4k5mpzqgEYhQptSAeOrwVm95L7_rxaSuA9sOdj5lxk40NSTS2koBsTLmJdA0qOkJ3oOcikPpv6zbYSMo/s320/10-30-2010+Abby+and+Nat_5997.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589345973675283954" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3dlE8-RIDWOMgYQ3YFabJoN13JUFH8q2Keosdh8SF3A9tNGwPtkjOTVBwFRA0wqUM_q8yo6_26dn7XcUaJePCsDExQYroU5PLB-VpWCKUq4tkzGZHoDWKvpsQvYY0O9IiXOLk4Sux-CI/s1600/10-30-2010+Abby+and+Nat_5983.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3dlE8-RIDWOMgYQ3YFabJoN13JUFH8q2Keosdh8SF3A9tNGwPtkjOTVBwFRA0wqUM_q8yo6_26dn7XcUaJePCsDExQYroU5PLB-VpWCKUq4tkzGZHoDWKvpsQvYY0O9IiXOLk4Sux-CI/s320/10-30-2010+Abby+and+Nat_5983.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589345962483378978" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgekc0OeDaS_ze_G_IGxwgbSQiauiNNCbqTmo1qI-PU_Gh5ReQ5OFb_Hh7_JLClU3O5UkFDRxQ64wg7txyJi1AUxGrmxzQugjGcYpmOvmd0KhlQ7p8YiNIf9Nap1NIeSJynCAgft5xDeDs/s1600/10-30-2010+Abby+and+Nat_5976.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgekc0OeDaS_ze_G_IGxwgbSQiauiNNCbqTmo1qI-PU_Gh5ReQ5OFb_Hh7_JLClU3O5UkFDRxQ64wg7txyJi1AUxGrmxzQugjGcYpmOvmd0KhlQ7p8YiNIf9Nap1NIeSJynCAgft5xDeDs/s320/10-30-2010+Abby+and+Nat_5976.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589345961445467682" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4jgDtPJbWesSgaKKf65MkOMqjFHjj1T0-R9yaLyvEi7ufXJD6DE9zJXizITUBVo5Z2iUimrmAv0i4lfSJbR9DoE-NwcRIbs79VquO9Yy6dnSu0GD2eX9GcSsgHlUhQdqiLws-I-Commc/s1600/09-06-2010+Nat_5240.JPG"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrM6zwEA5fb8bkdT_WJHJRKYmvlbUqEULvz2U9XAWdefsszgW6_8JZw_P5P8AZA_2BUz9eVxqoDUaHHDyzBezQKj5u1XJQwpiFpMaDV9F_5qPUZLxPDVRsnHi0fu-3SVMDeE-OS2EhfaE/s1600/09-06-2010+Ben%2527s+big+fish_5242.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrM6zwEA5fb8bkdT_WJHJRKYmvlbUqEULvz2U9XAWdefsszgW6_8JZw_P5P8AZA_2BUz9eVxqoDUaHHDyzBezQKj5u1XJQwpiFpMaDV9F_5qPUZLxPDVRsnHi0fu-3SVMDeE-OS2EhfaE/s320/09-06-2010+Ben%2527s+big+fish_5242.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589344936121251698" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyt8lDMUtrG8w4RkvOIjmUE9uy-NG8xnb2Rxo5KXtnEr6cVss3548b_5tpvLURxsGtSXW9-T7nK2m6XliPxHb-Yh_KDcD0AyCwXAlPCqN0jrT0gDXGKL0PgbySXOM-ntHCq2RYk9LLMgA/s1600/P1010225.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyt8lDMUtrG8w4RkvOIjmUE9uy-NG8xnb2Rxo5KXtnEr6cVss3548b_5tpvLURxsGtSXW9-T7nK2m6XliPxHb-Yh_KDcD0AyCwXAlPCqN0jrT0gDXGKL0PgbySXOM-ntHCq2RYk9LLMgA/s320/P1010225.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583796179110023794" border="0" /></a>Fishing always brings back great memories for me of my childhood and fishing with my family. My dad and I had a running ledger of who had caught the most fish. We also had a saying, "big enough to catch, big enough to eat". I think we must have caught bigger fish back then because some of the ones we've caught recently would have pushed the reality of that axiom to its limit.<br /><br />I am so thankful we have introduced this wonderful and relaxing past time to Natalie and Abby. There is nothing better than enjoying the great outdoors. And, of course, everyone needs a few good fish stories to tell...Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02241169966641945045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6720757269020350337.post-84152576226396481142011-03-16T22:45:00.004-04:002011-03-16T22:52:02.276-04:00March of Dimes Fiasco<h3 class="post-title entry-title" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: normal; font-style: italic;font-size:78%;" >With permission, I copy the following from fellow micropreemie mom, Anne. Her blog about her daughter Eliza can be reached here:<span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"> </span></span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-size:78%;" >http://eliza-grace-micro-preemie.blogspot.com. </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: normal;font-size:78%;" >I encourage you all to add it to your blog lists because Anne is a gifted writer and full of wit and wisdom.</span><br /></span> </h3><h3 class="post-title entry-title"><a href="http://eliza-grace-micro-preemie.blogspot.com/2011/03/march-of-dimes-and-kv-pharmacueticals.html">The March of Dimes and KV Pharmacueticals</a> </h3> <div class="post-header"> </div> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">Unless you spend time in preemie-land this article may not have caught your attention:<a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/41994697/"> Premature labor drug spikes from $10 to $1,500</a></span></div><div><br /></div><div>Up until this week there was a drug known simply as 17P which was used to prevent premature labor in certain pregnant women. It was a compounded drug, widely available, at a cost of about $10 to $20 per injection. In the world of pharmaceuticals this was a bit of a bargain drug. This past week a drug company, KV Pharmaceuticals won FDA approval to be the exclusive manufacturer of this drug which KV Pharma has named Makena. KV Pharma, by all accounts, has a pretty shaky past, only recently having avoided bankruptcy and whose CEO was recently sentenced to prison. You can read about KV Pharma <a href="http://blogs.forbes.com/davidwhelan/2011/03/11/is-kv-pharmaceutical-a-flat-out-evil-company/">here</a> and <a href="http://www.pharmalot.com/2010/04/the-big-disaster-at-kv-pharmaceuticals/">here</a>, but I am sure you can find many more tidbits on your own.</div><div><br /></div><div>KV Pharma seemingly performed no research and development into this drug but got lucky when it purchased the rights to Gestiva (now known as Makena) in 2008. You can read the press release <a href="http://www.kvpharmaceutical.com/news_center_article.aspx?articleid=245">here</a>.</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">So what does all this have to do with the March of Dimes you ask? </span></div><div><br /></div>The following is a post from Dr. Davis (a specialist who places Transabdominal Cerclages (TACs) which was posted on "Abbyloopers" (a yahoo support group for incompetent cervix).<br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span"><i>As many of you have become aware, KV Pharmaceuticals has received FDA approval to be the exclusive distributor for P17. They are planning to charge $1500 per injection for a total cost, per pregnancy, of $30,000!!!!<br /><br /></i></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">The current cost is $10 per injection, or $200 per pregnancy.</span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">There are several points that I would like to emphasize.</span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">The rationale for a commercial manufacturer is to ensure a standard concentration. In theory, this can be a problem with compounding pharmacies although the vast majority of the compounding pharmacies producing this product tat present have extremely exacting standard. The March of Dimes has, unfortunately, bought into this rationale with absolutely no proof that a variation in strength is of any clinical significance. By law, once a drug is commercially available, compounding pharmacies must stop production of that drug.</span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">We have been using P17 for the past ten years from these compounding pharmacies with obvious beneficial effect. So where is the rationale for this change?</span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">March of Dimes receives several million dollars a year in support from </span>KV<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"> Pharmaceuticals - I wonder why! This suggests to me that March of Dimes can be bought. I, personally, have informed the March of Dimes that I am ceasing all support of their organization, financial and otherwise, until they divorce themselves from </span>KV<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"> Pharmaceuticals and support for </span>Makena<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">. They do not realize that they are going to cause an increase in the preterm birth rate, not a decrease. At best, there will be no change other that a massive over-expenditure of health-care dollars.</span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">You have seen the propaganda stating that no-one will be denied the medication because of ability to pay. However, what they don't tell you is that they are going to use very strict criteria. In essence, the only women who will qualify is those who have had a prior preterm birth before 32 weeks secondary to preterm labor. To illustrate this more fully, </span>Aetna<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">/US Health care (one of the largest insurers in the country) covers this therapy when patients meet their strict criteria. Currently, they are paying for P17 for only 1,000 women nationwide per year! There are 4.2 million births in the US annually. 10 - 15%, or 420,000 to 610,000 are premature. And </span>Aetna<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"> is only going to cover 1,000 of these women.</span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">30% of all prenatal care is covered by Medicaid. An additional 10% is covered by charity care. </span>KV<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"> is going to insist that since this care is not coming out of the </span>patient's<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"> pocket, the cost should be borne by Medicaid and charity care. Currently, we can provide good prenatal care for about $2,000 per pregnancy. So for every patient placed on P17, we have to somehow find away to cover an additional 15 pregnant patient. And who pays the medicaid and charity care bill? We all do through higher taxes and higher </span>healthcare<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"> premiums!</span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">Studies show that approximately 30 women need to be treated with P17 to prevent one preterm birth. At $200 per patient, this is very cost effective. That is an </span>expenditure<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"> of $6,000 to save the average of $51,000 per preterm delivery. With current pricing, we will have to spend $9 million dollars in P17 therapy to save $51,000. Does this make sense? And people want to know why health care costs so much.</span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">Most of you (greater than 90%) who will be on P17 now will be faced with doing without or paying $1500 per injection out-of-pocket. If you are currently on this medication, make sure that your doctors order enough for you right away to cover the entire pregnancy. You could have as little as one week. If you are early in pregnancy or planning a pregnancy soon, talk to your doctors about getting this now to have on hand. Most suppliers warrant the drug to be effective for one year.</span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">So, what can you do?</span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">Firstly, contact </span>KV<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"> Pharmaceutical and voice your displeasure:</span><br /><br />KV<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"> Pharmaceuticals Contact Information: </span>investorrelations<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">@ </span>kvpharmaceutical<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">.com</span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">Second, notify your local media outlets about this issue.</span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">Third, write or email your congressman and senator:</span><br /><br /><a rel="ext nofollow" href="http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senatorscfm.cfm" style="line-height: 18px;">http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senatorscfm.cfm</a><br /><br /><a rel="ext nofollow" href="https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml" style="line-height: 18px;">https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml</a><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">Fourth, contact the FDA and find out why they elected to give </span>KV<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"> exclusivity for this product. Competition will bring down the price dramatically.</span><br /><br /><a rel="ext nofollow" href="http://www.fda.gov/AboutFDA/ContactFDA/default.htm" style="line-height: 18px;">http://www.fda.gov/AboutFDA/ContactFDA/default.htm</a><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">Fifth, write to the president:</span><br /><br /><a rel="ext nofollow" href="http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact" style="line-height: 18px;">http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact</a><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">Sixth, contact your state Medicaid offices and your insurance carriers. Get them involved</span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">Seventh, get as many of your friends, family members, co-workers, etc. as possible to do the above.</span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">Eighth, feel free to cut/paste/email the above to as many contacts as you can. Let's make this issue go viral!</span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">If we can get enough of a protest mounted, we stand a chance of averting this "rape" of the </span>healthcare<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"> system that is motivated almost entirely by a profit motive. Even if </span>KV<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"> decides to not manufacture the drug for fear of losing money, we will be better off than with what they are currently planning.</span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">Thank you.</span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">Dr. D</span></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">When the public, or at least the public in preemie-land got wind that the MOD endorsed the proposal to give </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">KV</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">Pharma</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"> the exclusive manufacturing rights, there was, well, outrage. All was not well in preemie-land. Many parents of preemies, like myself, had raised tens of thousands of dollars for the MOD and we were disappointed to see that the MOD had made such a bone-headed and irresponsible (and possibly deliberate) decision to endorse </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">KV</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">Pharma's</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"> exclusive rights to manufacture this drug.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">There are only a few reasons that the MOD blindly endorsed KV Pharma's application to be the exclusive manufacturer of Makena. Either (a) the MOD was so tickled pink with the continued contributions from KV Pharma and its subsidiaries that it ignored the fact that having an exclusive manufacturer of the drug would lead to a price increase (particularly a manufacturer that seems to have had its recent share of financial troubles); (b) the MOD, despite being a huge corporate entity, felt no obligation to perform any due diligence into whether or not the granting of exclusive rights to KV Pharma would be beneficial to the very population the MOD </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">purports</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"> to serve or (c) someone at the MOD was so naive as to think that switching to an </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">exclusive </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">manufacturer and thereby creating a monopoly would not have an ill effect on the price of the drug (under this scenario one must accept that no one in the employ of the MOD majored in history or has a law degree).</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">The MOD's response to the outcry today was posted on the MOD's Facebook page:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span">Thank you to everyone who has shared their concerns about the cost of Makena. The March of Dimes agrees that the price of Makena is too high. We have shared our concerns about the price with Ther-Rx in the past and will do so again today. Ther-Rx has promised that every eligible woman will get care regardless of their ability to pay and we will hold them to that promise</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">.</span></i></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></i></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;">The MOD also stated on its Facebook page that:</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span">We will also work with insurance companies and Medicaid to be sure that there is coverage. The needs of moms and babies are our only priority and your voices will be heard</span></i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><i>.</i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span style="line-height: 14px;"><span>The MOD's responses are nonresponsive to the question of why the MOD chose to endorse this decision</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;">. Now the MOD shares its concerns about pricing? The MOD is relying on the promise of a subsidiary of KV Pharma (Ther-Rx) to provide the drug to "eligible" women who can't pay for it? The MOD is going to "work with" insurance companies to be sure there is coverage? Exactly how does the MOD plan to do this? The MOD can't even get insurers to offer Synagis to babies who need it so why should anyone have faith in the MOD's newly found powers of persuasion?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;">My decision to no longer fund raise for the MOD was made last year, before this latest debacle. There are many charities that perform admirable work toward preventing birth defects and prematurity and which support families of premature babies in ways far more effective than the MOD. Those charities and non-profits are no doubt not immune from problems, but at least so far none of them to my knowledge have contributed, directly or indirectly, to the financial burdens already faced by families raising premature children or who are having an already difficult (and therefore more costly) pregnancy.<br /><br /><br /></span></div>Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02241169966641945045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6720757269020350337.post-74913110644567787872011-03-16T18:48:00.004-04:002011-03-16T22:43:36.087-04:00I resign...Tonight I witnessed Natalie and Abby eat chicken with BBQ sauce (Abby asked for seconds), cooked carrots, a bite of potato casserole, croutons <span style="font-style: italic;">(crunchy things)</span>, and start on some corn on the cob.<br /><br />This is something I never thought I would see. I think the most amazing part of it was hearing them beg for more carrots and having Abby ask for more chicken.<br /><br />So, I officially resign - from the <span style="font-style: italic;">"My kids have eating issues"</span> club. I do this out of respect for my fellow preemie moms whose kids really do have eating issues, like my friend Anne who daughter eats about 5 foods (and by eat I mean takes one or two bites of <span style="font-weight: bold;">A </span>chip) and gets only about 200-400 calories a day from food. The rest comes from a highly concentrated formula that costs about $50ish a gallon. Parents like Anne would give their front teeth if their kid would eat just one of the above mentioned foods, nevermind all at the same time.<br /><br />So, our time to whine and complain is over. Natalie and Abby are now "normal" eaters. Of course, as pre-schoolers that means they may only eat 1 or 2 decent meals a day every other day. But, they are eating, and for that, we are grateful, astonished, and overjoyed.Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02241169966641945045noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6720757269020350337.post-86352026235648545612011-03-13T22:03:00.005-04:002011-03-13T23:29:24.261-04:00Out of the Mouths of Babes...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyO2Z10ko8ECFqkQAXgvNXjY8v1tH8eLlj4qFP6zR7gTZbwK60-WSPGdrHY7skwZ3CDbO5oVIT4zLIWvbAjRf_sWz_7P4xox7T2fe1Vknoi46jIDl4W9sOCwce0kMgm2iTWdNb-qILz3E/s1600/P1010246.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 263px; height: 197px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyO2Z10ko8ECFqkQAXgvNXjY8v1tH8eLlj4qFP6zR7gTZbwK60-WSPGdrHY7skwZ3CDbO5oVIT4zLIWvbAjRf_sWz_7P4xox7T2fe1Vknoi46jIDl4W9sOCwce0kMgm2iTWdNb-qILz3E/s320/P1010246.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583751949055720882" border="0" /></a>Natalie: When I get bigger and bigger and turn into a boy, I can drink coffee.<br /><br />Mommy: But you won't turn into a boy, you'll turn into a woman.<br /><br />Natalie: But, I don't want to be a woman.<br /><br />Mommy: You want to be a boy and drink coffee?<br /><br />Natalie: Yes.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx_N4MHf-B4LXQ0O0eotLyOxI3b6-mMMTtqPIHfJp0gWsPA9-nXZ8TcyKuhNvMuzH6D8bJN7wMcLNHCjZq8seOFYZf6QrTFhW5Cnk-4gg1MslyaUbcSpePj8WKXhK3sDEAsrW5iTqyzcs/s1600/P1010012.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 253px; height: 190px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx_N4MHf-B4LXQ0O0eotLyOxI3b6-mMMTtqPIHfJp0gWsPA9-nXZ8TcyKuhNvMuzH6D8bJN7wMcLNHCjZq8seOFYZf6QrTFhW5Cnk-4gg1MslyaUbcSpePj8WKXhK3sDEAsrW5iTqyzcs/s320/P1010012.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583771075749447522" border="0" /></a><br />Scene: <span style="font-style: italic;">Waiting at a stop sign to turn towards home. Natalie and A</span><span style="font-style: italic;">bb</span><span style="font-style: italic;">y are notoriously impatient in these situations.</span><br />Abby: Go mommy, Go.<br /><br />Mommy: I have to wait for the cars.<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">(horn honks behind us)</span><br /><br />Abby: Get out of the way, DUDE!<br /><br />Uh-oh. Good thing "dude" is the extent of my road-rage!Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02241169966641945045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6720757269020350337.post-32694644214488172952011-02-10T21:23:00.035-05:002011-03-02T01:49:54.497-05:00January...So, what's been happening in January? Well, as I sit here and think back...really, not much at all. I'm trying to actually think of something exciting we've done this month, and I'm drawing a complete blank. January has just been incredibly slow. Mostly, we enjoyed just hanging out and enjoying ourselves.<br /><br />There is a wonderful lake nearby and they have a resident population of geese (in the big pond) and ducks (in the little pond). Since the weather was nice and the girls love feeding the ducks, we spent a little time in the cold sunshine with our feathered friends.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWH7aQkjZwpvAm1o__fu_ryW9OQOStyz_tbaFowye3q-e-f5p2pyLSmMjB-MN-csvyuKo2YKHPnNNAmqxVplZk9AMwzCAFtB7-PdTm5osFDic2JCrZ4Q7KYA_NFmSFi83GEsEgGsBF5zA/s1600/P1000797.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWH7aQkjZwpvAm1o__fu_ryW9OQOStyz_tbaFowye3q-e-f5p2pyLSmMjB-MN-csvyuKo2YKHPnNNAmqxVplZk9AMwzCAFtB7-PdTm5osFDic2JCrZ4Q7KYA_NFmSFi83GEsEgGsBF5zA/s320/P1000797.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572262049888713586" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI1A2TT3dQZi_poA5Tp2PBO5EE1_rkdAU9OWnj5qyEHdz3TJwmkvzlfIXpYmD0ZMVZ2QVvF3kYriIWl2UZ82gCMaD3KBzmJHThCw2FBVDE3iAIvMoAwDdn1kXRarzk7m9R5JH6y8K8Go8/s1600/P1000793.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI1A2TT3dQZi_poA5Tp2PBO5EE1_rkdAU9OWnj5qyEHdz3TJwmkvzlfIXpYmD0ZMVZ2QVvF3kYriIWl2UZ82gCMaD3KBzmJHThCw2FBVDE3iAIvMoAwDdn1kXRarzk7m9R5JH6y8K8Go8/s320/P1000793.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572262045396605778" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilfOw-sp8N_94v93xAmqTj-H4u_MsxgPH2TJ3uiAomsqTemPqD5iNg_J04drtj7XobrK_-o4j24xH41IhNX2TO6vqtCf3MxRVcz-pDAQj9YT-RfhWhvbZYe0V8v5Fy3DeNQx_OSqzuamw/s1600/P1000811.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilfOw-sp8N_94v93xAmqTj-H4u_MsxgPH2TJ3uiAomsqTemPqD5iNg_J04drtj7XobrK_-o4j24xH41IhNX2TO6vqtCf3MxRVcz-pDAQj9YT-RfhWhvbZYe0V8v5Fy3DeNQx_OSqzuamw/s320/P1000811.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572283246833893218" border="0" /></a><br />Dolly the horse is still a big hit and she really enjoy photo ops with Natalie (upper) and Abby (lower).<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_AWEj10brVhUiUS9jEig2rBuLnvRgCOuX3MB6h12JsuWnXdk99sryTu0RSmi-yBmtbuIVzxwr8x_ZrMjkwhGTEboK15bdzsaq54KJPFqhHJFPkJFyU9F6T43a3t0-Vi12dEbMtsLmkCg/s1600/P1000846.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_AWEj10brVhUiUS9jEig2rBuLnvRgCOuX3MB6h12JsuWnXdk99sryTu0RSmi-yBmtbuIVzxwr8x_ZrMjkwhGTEboK15bdzsaq54KJPFqhHJFPkJFyU9F6T43a3t0-Vi12dEbMtsLmkCg/s320/P1000846.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572660215650635410" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqHCMqZpMhxFkZtoS7QpgkfVZr3W3TPMicMGC5Wb9y0_5KPQJOE8vgILiHk7Z2L_RA8MfyexKZ8DrvuGcfl4UN10Ht9Tp9Zi-VhGwpcyKeibzfjRVzoE_6o9cCEcNlMyNJykOuiFDp0Oo/s1600/P1000876.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqHCMqZpMhxFkZtoS7QpgkfVZr3W3TPMicMGC5Wb9y0_5KPQJOE8vgILiHk7Z2L_RA8MfyexKZ8DrvuGcfl4UN10Ht9Tp9Zi-VhGwpcyKeibzfjRVzoE_6o9cCEcNlMyNJykOuiFDp0Oo/s320/P1000876.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574122148195134242" border="0" /></a><br />Uh-Oh...caught! Not in the cookie jar but with the sacred jar of Nutella! Abby is a chocoholic. We are considering treatment options.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ-gJff4wzhcTrfJvLtB1cle25E3aagdgdiHqw6_KmiYNYTzlBCn56jAHWmvX-6kZ1yBJpT3GD9yW2Y1TigJwrDB9RmGNz3IebL2XDwHlrBMKOLex3-lfRn02K68ADqtqZbePH15A9MVg/s1600/P1000853.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ-gJff4wzhcTrfJvLtB1cle25E3aagdgdiHqw6_KmiYNYTzlBCn56jAHWmvX-6kZ1yBJpT3GD9yW2Y1TigJwrDB9RmGNz3IebL2XDwHlrBMKOLex3-lfRn02K68ADqtqZbePH15A9MVg/s320/P1000853.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574119897846715810" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhT8dauZ_TjrNzHaFyl8BbRMOSEDhAxC9VqbA8cuuzXIXfh7yHCfNf_5vwelNaVD-zVDAyu0b0iwbosFUukB15VmtQF-8PypAcLI5Tkn7wtjiNC3cuwn6QnwSbzXQrd4m_JRNNBox6vAo/s1600/P1000858.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhT8dauZ_TjrNzHaFyl8BbRMOSEDhAxC9VqbA8cuuzXIXfh7yHCfNf_5vwelNaVD-zVDAyu0b0iwbosFUukB15VmtQF-8PypAcLI5Tkn7wtjiNC3cuwn6QnwSbzXQrd4m_JRNNBox6vAo/s320/P1000858.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574119907781098306" border="0" /></a>Including Natalie in her chocolate schemes...<br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhKrA6YY7knt9G6qtvWt7z-L9KGx8Dc-oqaDBQS3tyssQ7syPtI2ddwdCFeFVY9Ik_MoD3hybAuP8nkgd9MZC84fmasm2cqliaBrQYe7mDsWSkknrrc77F-vSCE4pQPHq5jZWFnlBtlDM/s1600/P1000855.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhKrA6YY7knt9G6qtvWt7z-L9KGx8Dc-oqaDBQS3tyssQ7syPtI2ddwdCFeFVY9Ik_MoD3hybAuP8nkgd9MZC84fmasm2cqliaBrQYe7mDsWSkknrrc77F-vSCE4pQPHq5jZWFnlBtlDM/s320/P1000855.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579343091922787778" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">We also took some time to bake and have some fun with crafts.<br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWjXqtIIYHlB05DpR6Q2WMAsmJmqC4TmbEXn2Z1Oui3-K_BO1RvkdBt0VlnWMSt5GeU2yKK_p66H00AM1nwBoOgqOP-w9XAyumoygANPiT37neDCE5xL-96YsA3CmGeRmOkdgDBH7DURc/s1600/P1000866.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWjXqtIIYHlB05DpR6Q2WMAsmJmqC4TmbEXn2Z1Oui3-K_BO1RvkdBt0VlnWMSt5GeU2yKK_p66H00AM1nwBoOgqOP-w9XAyumoygANPiT37neDCE5xL-96YsA3CmGeRmOkdgDBH7DURc/s320/P1000866.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574119914693050914" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8G5fAojtzM7vZ_EYp06Uh2jgtMqeNR8gvsD08gH6tvYcch3vWgE8Fl2_uC1zRCUqxzylPgmNRWtPkosA1qvLeDPGFDlKF4CqDtL4uUEx4ITZsyl5m_vFb6TRqZANdNueif4twZ4cXG34/s1600/P1000919.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8G5fAojtzM7vZ_EYp06Uh2jgtMqeNR8gvsD08gH6tvYcch3vWgE8Fl2_uC1zRCUqxzylPgmNRWtPkosA1qvLeDPGFDlKF4CqDtL4uUEx4ITZsyl5m_vFb6TRqZANdNueif4twZ4cXG34/s320/P1000919.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577477852349630930" border="0" /></a><br />We can thank Olivia (remember that swiney upstart who usurped The Wonder Pets?) for the inspiration for what will become our paper-mache planet Earths. Sarcasm aside, I actually love Olivia. I think she's pretty adorable. I do miss The Wonder Pets though, and have to speak up on their behalf. Anyway, I regress. One Olivia episode involved a school assignment to make a model of the planets. Olivia, of course, ended up making the whole solar system plus Planet Olivia. The girls enthusiastically wished to follow suit and Earth was our first attempt. We have since added our continents and hung them on a string...just like Olivia.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlcW5k3xvxNZludCCImXAnFF8w-NImaeC4gVl_NUJIK16l_wPgyoyTxs4C6SwylZJfGmXEcs4ZqAZErMPn5x9AY25clY5rnkabQqUGiBQm-XN1hVz76ZMwyHWgXRypY7IQ3MUz9ezaiGo/s1600/P1000868.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlcW5k3xvxNZludCCImXAnFF8w-NImaeC4gVl_NUJIK16l_wPgyoyTxs4C6SwylZJfGmXEcs4ZqAZErMPn5x9AY25clY5rnkabQqUGiBQm-XN1hVz76ZMwyHWgXRypY7IQ3MUz9ezaiGo/s320/P1000868.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574122130999630146" border="0" /></a><br />The biggest event of January was probably the end of the fall session of their Little Gym class. It culminated with a display of skills on all the major apparatus: Uneven bars, balance beam and floor. They actually had little routines and it was really, really cute. At the end they received ribbons - their first ribbons! Natalie is in the purple and Abby is brown (I think she was being chocolate that day). In that last picture, their little friend, Kenan, is between them.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIAU2eERF0S2Iz-Hq8Eyx0OYhmbtOMILtUPGwH7brx9I1JinGQBIgBQMY06xhMDoZP3kwlyrVZpjF5DFC_bEcdCMikL1fjjFHgp1KFBAcFINOqcNavl4yNkooVSM4kzPfH6xouuQwUeHU/s1600/P1000902.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIAU2eERF0S2Iz-Hq8Eyx0OYhmbtOMILtUPGwH7brx9I1JinGQBIgBQMY06xhMDoZP3kwlyrVZpjF5DFC_bEcdCMikL1fjjFHgp1KFBAcFINOqcNavl4yNkooVSM4kzPfH6xouuQwUeHU/s320/P1000902.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579333467439188978" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfWSI2qCn60junhlZlLGZfdqTyHvaBmKIaYo5BgOsh9rVoHaWR_C5AS842z62M7qEf9nOw9U7VZfJeh69eABtZ8f4kSG2bNYqgXuXHmt0e8UgpDIJSIJIzTAP89w7QtmR0jxLYXcFVEwA/s1600/P1000903.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfWSI2qCn60junhlZlLGZfdqTyHvaBmKIaYo5BgOsh9rVoHaWR_C5AS842z62M7qEf9nOw9U7VZfJeh69eABtZ8f4kSG2bNYqgXuXHmt0e8UgpDIJSIJIzTAP89w7QtmR0jxLYXcFVEwA/s320/P1000903.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574137872020289042" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSJrGZ1BLCu8dbZ0emLP0NYESo19IpBxm23bvY9INSK7-cX9MwdFvoT_qkPVlNPK-7yyNpeFHhzGNO4yCoPqiO9cS2Z648G6eGiPuLZw3Kdy7oxrGkLzUMi8juW310sZ63CBuFx3QhnYI/s1600/P1000900.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSJrGZ1BLCu8dbZ0emLP0NYESo19IpBxm23bvY9INSK7-cX9MwdFvoT_qkPVlNPK-7yyNpeFHhzGNO4yCoPqiO9cS2Z648G6eGiPuLZw3Kdy7oxrGkLzUMi8juW310sZ63CBuFx3QhnYI/s320/P1000900.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574137861573556626" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoiCrHfDoMXJa1INIrKTerbSFBGGXNmxeks6BndcBoUszL_n5Oqi2Jn56_vy98Vcglw097y5Sv4EV5gR9srXik4_2o-zcVwByMl0O4hA9Llacsth5RbXWbZnJdHQN7Lxt3HEtI_aUiqHs/s1600/P1000901.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoiCrHfDoMXJa1INIrKTerbSFBGGXNmxeks6BndcBoUszL_n5Oqi2Jn56_vy98Vcglw097y5Sv4EV5gR9srXik4_2o-zcVwByMl0O4hA9Llacsth5RbXWbZnJdHQN7Lxt3HEtI_aUiqHs/s320/P1000901.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574137868831904434" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgftQ2fh4nGudU0VXdMJIgjMKEENIwmbV2ghxp3KWAKNsmH8g_EAxPWvFayiZh8gxXdbAqifvKoD6YnCXwQ3PWUq7REzGPAVzo2yp4B7H2Fw3yZiGz2hPT_081IK4vj4pw2mkK9KTf-1hk/s1600/P1000916.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgftQ2fh4nGudU0VXdMJIgjMKEENIwmbV2ghxp3KWAKNsmH8g_EAxPWvFayiZh8gxXdbAqifvKoD6YnCXwQ3PWUq7REzGPAVzo2yp4B7H2Fw3yZiGz2hPT_081IK4vj4pw2mkK9KTf-1hk/s320/P1000916.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579349107401087634" border="0" /></a><br />We did have a special visitor in January. Unfortunately, I don't think he felt the same way. I'm not sure how, but somehow this poor little guy slipped into our garage. I don't know how long he was in there (we don't open it daily) but one day we found him curled up at the foot of the stairs. I had been in the garage the day before and saw no evidence of the little fellow. He was barely alive, but we scooped him into a box, gave him some water and a banana, and covered him up. Sadly, I think he was too far gone (I'm guessing starvation and dehydration) and the next morning he was dead. Bye-bye little possum, we hardly knew you.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDte9x5DlnW4OHwPWCgu75XjOfFwa4H7LtUgjiufRP8omdFZu619u5kqRhToZyICGXXnGpVOt-lLOEOO-vDgqXe3h1s442UuiHr4cVGpX3Knp0VliM78pKgousJQAL4HLKRPl0pJ038ew/s1600/P1000869.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDte9x5DlnW4OHwPWCgu75XjOfFwa4H7LtUgjiufRP8omdFZu619u5kqRhToZyICGXXnGpVOt-lLOEOO-vDgqXe3h1s442UuiHr4cVGpX3Knp0VliM78pKgousJQAL4HLKRPl0pJ038ew/s320/P1000869.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574122133614885666" border="0" /></a>January did have a few nice days where the girls could run around outside. Natalie is becoming quite the tricycle-riding expert. Abby enjoys speeding down the oh-so-slightly inclined driveway on her little blue car. Even on the not-as-nice days, the girls were thrilled to put on their jackets and gloves and have a little fun digging in the dirt (or spilled bird-seed) and playing on their own little gym. (These pictures are just Abby. It's hard to tell, but in the third picture, Abby is throwing hand-fulls of birdseed into the air - and into her hair:-))<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA8SDItYkaJEivLpDipAhP9iVUQQYqBl49EGGHb7XedSV7BoCxEKWQrJKCa1xoGHHLEw2VyujVYrDMbAU4wcD9MFFkEdKdAE4fI2_A_BqustqZ5iZv7GLET5ExQVib9BdPEDbAkYWBIrw/s1600/P1000982.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA8SDItYkaJEivLpDipAhP9iVUQQYqBl49EGGHb7XedSV7BoCxEKWQrJKCa1xoGHHLEw2VyujVYrDMbAU4wcD9MFFkEdKdAE4fI2_A_BqustqZ5iZv7GLET5ExQVib9BdPEDbAkYWBIrw/s320/P1000982.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577477855748918290" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTwovxMWtk-mWBWI8d4nath0ZtTRmxUfeooDHJHWSyO1OeUZJ5xC14nBlMyh63R_DcU_Vs18RGTsWXLzjsNpNpT2yvnzfTuaFwgo-8uTLM6HSOqdVAcqB6QvW3i7_Oja5co0RbmpiMPes/s1600/P1000986.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTwovxMWtk-mWBWI8d4nath0ZtTRmxUfeooDHJHWSyO1OeUZJ5xC14nBlMyh63R_DcU_Vs18RGTsWXLzjsNpNpT2yvnzfTuaFwgo-8uTLM6HSOqdVAcqB6QvW3i7_Oja5co0RbmpiMPes/s320/P1000986.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577479964629268914" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdm5IrY51NXzdOt6tN_LxMz9cNU14N4QLxylQKtmIYTCLiu78Q4zoRs3-vkQGqVE1FQeRxN-VIigGB-FCZ6VwswELztMBjp0ZSgUs90IrkNzTmxr7T60UFOqEOlH3_tKWBDd4zSdc7dQg/s1600/P1000988.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdm5IrY51NXzdOt6tN_LxMz9cNU14N4QLxylQKtmIYTCLiu78Q4zoRs3-vkQGqVE1FQeRxN-VIigGB-FCZ6VwswELztMBjp0ZSgUs90IrkNzTmxr7T60UFOqEOlH3_tKWBDd4zSdc7dQg/s320/P1000988.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577479969014842402" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsriwFz4foQ3ZdT2vQ9NlEX825ck5DxpFPUtoPpbiHYhJMh5yDWQPhi3FluifbuRcoOiF9wDm_tU-JMVRg0_LBIvqhvNipevUtvXPrnvD0pw5WwHzdE_CZqcbzDaZZRvqMfeBMTCDS_24/s1600/P1000990.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsriwFz4foQ3ZdT2vQ9NlEX825ck5DxpFPUtoPpbiHYhJMh5yDWQPhi3FluifbuRcoOiF9wDm_tU-JMVRg0_LBIvqhvNipevUtvXPrnvD0pw5WwHzdE_CZqcbzDaZZRvqMfeBMTCDS_24/s320/P1000990.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579352356345159106" border="0" /></a>We capped off the month with a post-Christmas gathering of my dad's family. He has 5 brothers and we generally all get together at Christmas. I think this was the first year since I was a child that we didn't have it. I guess it's harder now that all the cousins are grown-up with kids of their own and going in so many different directions. This year, Ben and I were happy to host everyone who could come in a post-Christmas event. We had a lot of fun and might just start it has a new tradition.<br /><div style="text-align: center;">Hanging around the kitchen - where all good parties start!<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijeZCufNoBQ_LXreznRtbq0RgATi-cIUs7MjeHLuKotdDNIvFK8oq4KSfSEV2tJGdTXI2Qx4vZbitIeZvgRecqPIN-w_x6tEDTsnWazMvhMxjm8yrOGpJLbpyD1MD-i9aZ8ehmQiYxWGg/s1600/P1000963.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijeZCufNoBQ_LXreznRtbq0RgATi-cIUs7MjeHLuKotdDNIvFK8oq4KSfSEV2tJGdTXI2Qx4vZbitIeZvgRecqPIN-w_x6tEDTsnWazMvhMxjm8yrOGpJLbpyD1MD-i9aZ8ehmQiYxWGg/s320/P1000963.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579357017039942642" border="0" /></a> Cousins having fun - or hiding - in the playroom:-)<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKv_3C_wI3kPZ7JM7CsrtP56bk8vBIM2nW7FjrfXKsJhM1-6RyA5A1dhn6Ix9CkP79VEgFu4AKs033XK4IAHt4sxSoZYKAdxjEuKoSPXhon4Aux2KezIrqJBtovd-RO3tAUWCDeIbfwSw/s1600/P1000981.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKv_3C_wI3kPZ7JM7CsrtP56bk8vBIM2nW7FjrfXKsJhM1-6RyA5A1dhn6Ix9CkP79VEgFu4AKs033XK4IAHt4sxSoZYKAdxjEuKoSPXhon4Aux2KezIrqJBtovd-RO3tAUWCDeIbfwSw/s320/P1000981.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579366364452680082" border="0" /></a>My dad and 3 of his brothers.<br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjILasw93qw43-zVgY-tKyaMu8K7k2ewRKovaKnXeSvVLuhN_Oo8ThatMs4VGPUzKY1Ye_8bck5X4Fy8VLK5d9FcDJpgd5fxCIBv2Hm-kwTRncxsNwlzFT9Bg7S1Zu-chKOJePQL7_4GEs/s1600/IMG_0008.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjILasw93qw43-zVgY-tKyaMu8K7k2ewRKovaKnXeSvVLuhN_Oo8ThatMs4VGPUzKY1Ye_8bck5X4Fy8VLK5d9FcDJpgd5fxCIBv2Hm-kwTRncxsNwlzFT9Bg7S1Zu-chKOJePQL7_4GEs/s320/IMG_0008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579366367450180962" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA8SDItYkaJEivLpDipAhP9iVUQQYqBl49EGGHb7XedSV7BoCxEKWQrJKCa1xoGHHLEw2VyujVYrDMbAU4wcD9MFFkEdKdAE4fI2_A_BqustqZ5iZv7GLET5ExQVib9BdPEDbAkYWBIrw/s1600/P1000982.JPG"><br /></a>Looking back, it's possible January was more exciting than I thought! Thank goodness for a visual record or I wouldn't remember anything:-)<br /><br />I had hoped to stay up-to-date in February, but clearly that battle has already been lost. I will try to get February's "post of the month" up asap and do better in March.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI1A2TT3dQZi_poA5Tp2PBO5EE1_rkdAU9OWnj5qyEHdz3TJwmkvzlfIXpYmD0ZMVZ2QVvF3kYriIWl2UZ82gCMaD3KBzmJHThCw2FBVDE3iAIvMoAwDdn1kXRarzk7m9R5JH6y8K8Go8/s1600/P1000793.JPG"><br /></a>Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02241169966641945045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6720757269020350337.post-50105831391082692122011-01-16T03:26:00.062-05:002011-01-28T01:36:38.289-05:00Christmas 2010Christmas was the most wonderful event this year. Natalie and Abby were fully into it and watching their excitement was contagious.<br /><br />Natalie and Abby fell in love with Santa this year - especially Abby. Even before Christmas she would say, "I miss Santa" or "I love Santa". Since Christmas she has talked about how Santa left her Ariel (The Little Mermaid) and how she wishes he could come back and that she misses him. It's really cute.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTa_vzhyphenhyphentHRtUwXnpsduZ43GjzQ0kt2lz-HWQfB1_Jk_E89-L56jJJSP0yBjCIXMp7FKza0HeoXvM-TrpGB9ob2-D1U9T5Wv7tHF80ZSA6RWoINIbR03i4MxgP10UC_e02B38CMguSJOY/s1600/P1000327.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTa_vzhyphenhyphentHRtUwXnpsduZ43GjzQ0kt2lz-HWQfB1_Jk_E89-L56jJJSP0yBjCIXMp7FKza0HeoXvM-TrpGB9ob2-D1U9T5Wv7tHF80ZSA6RWoINIbR03i4MxgP10UC_e02B38CMguSJOY/s200/P1000327.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566917056333178162" border="0" /></a>Christmas was officially kicked off by a visit to Santa. This year was <span style="font-style: italic;">very</span> different than years past. Natalie and Abby were ALL about Santa. Abby waited with baited breath and beamed when Santa waved at her. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZHazaRF4Gj1t9AlJ4zuQvKFxIEeUnBLweNBO5jVHLjTtm_6Ou5BcJGxVVEJN2fe7Ga4LO2cuhq_RyhKfaI4fTz5tLZi6pgUieGvOESoT4H285_TugVXi5kJib6NVYkQxqKzsBd94am58/s1600/P1000326.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: left; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZHazaRF4Gj1t9AlJ4zuQvKFxIEeUnBLweNBO5jVHLjTtm_6Ou5BcJGxVVEJN2fe7Ga4LO2cuhq_RyhKfaI4fTz5tLZi6pgUieGvOESoT4H285_TugVXi5kJib6NVYkQxqKzsBd94am58/s200/P1000326.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565994472842875154" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOk0x2HrXqSoXhLAdDP5dIIfMvcxNBzp8krruYIe2yN-Qc4JmUKr_4qePu156O73wvGk7FlFuuDGNy-6slE_B7-GYLzya4TKc9n-OEWMo1t1_N7O81qHpyg_gfjiWCJnHkmU6naIQtifE/s1600/P1000325.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOk0x2HrXqSoXhLAdDP5dIIfMvcxNBzp8krruYIe2yN-Qc4JmUKr_4qePu156O73wvGk7FlFuuDGNy-6slE_B7-GYLzya4TKc9n-OEWMo1t1_N7O81qHpyg_gfjiWCJnHkmU6naIQtifE/s200/P1000325.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565994467578339778" border="0" /></a>Christmas Eve was very busy for us this year. We started the say participating in our first <span style="font-style: italic;">Mitzvah Day</span> sponsored by the Durham/Chapel Hill Jewish Federation. We chose to help out with the Genesis Home (http://www.genesishome.org/) which works to end homelessness. We bought hats and gloves for a family and a bag full of "like-new" books and had a wonderful time spending the morning wrapping presents for all the mothers and their children.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0-g87_zh4gB1i8ijXuZTiAU9-145WDQyQ-x7NdnXe6BgnMjKCRMo-kVNC7iP1btobnxko2TBngw9B_5jEPhJRlezw_Yd89jceyRwS2z49v21hvCKUHVZL_19djEuagWKX1EukAkJZfg4/s1600/IMG_1014.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0-g87_zh4gB1i8ijXuZTiAU9-145WDQyQ-x7NdnXe6BgnMjKCRMo-kVNC7iP1btobnxko2TBngw9B_5jEPhJRlezw_Yd89jceyRwS2z49v21hvCKUHVZL_19djEuagWKX1EukAkJZfg4/s200/IMG_1014.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565994444985434322" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJIjHcwhkp153N-b0LXzs8g9vkQX61eFwRjDQaeuniffoNAb70SLIL5deXQOXZ7SNcEpuX9bQhfjF9I29QmmmI8NWBPpyRHNIk9xn5oTnKIGfOPZhFIQmTR96eZuhnjlocleDCJWySdBA/s1600/IMG_1016.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJIjHcwhkp153N-b0LXzs8g9vkQX61eFwRjDQaeuniffoNAb70SLIL5deXQOXZ7SNcEpuX9bQhfjF9I29QmmmI8NWBPpyRHNIk9xn5oTnKIGfOPZhFIQmTR96eZuhnjlocleDCJWySdBA/s200/IMG_1016.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565994450095237362" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We also had to join with kids everywhere and prepare cookies for Santa. The girls had a great time adding icing and sprinkles to their cookies.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgZw9OcnseNLlKpAY6EOZoPQHiOJNr0E2OxGvbKq8rCagSP6FT2wVYTLh3Sn7YQoNWNZn29JXZiEEp2eMlb_VKBsVWC4R-9OIh9tKvOZbdcHkPnqWXPPRxt7k3Jl3Bzy8t3MVrX4BGbn0/s1600/P1000388.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgZw9OcnseNLlKpAY6EOZoPQHiOJNr0E2OxGvbKq8rCagSP6FT2wVYTLh3Sn7YQoNWNZn29JXZiEEp2eMlb_VKBsVWC4R-9OIh9tKvOZbdcHkPnqWXPPRxt7k3Jl3Bzy8t3MVrX4BGbn0/s200/P1000388.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566917645770296482" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-keWJIW6e41dFh8UsTKCsMyAZaztLMq_WimZI8HaHYWhQ3nVZJAdN4C3TWTT1pr_7j0mAGr62xMJcCkmvMrqtSG_EJQCitwpme38AVyrs_SNRWkApeM6AZatecI8x0HmsI-V5Ou9lQdg/s1600/IMG_6687.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-keWJIW6e41dFh8UsTKCsMyAZaztLMq_WimZI8HaHYWhQ3nVZJAdN4C3TWTT1pr_7j0mAGr62xMJcCkmvMrqtSG_EJQCitwpme38AVyrs_SNRWkApeM6AZatecI8x0HmsI-V5Ou9lQdg/s200/IMG_6687.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566927906132709090" border="0"/></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />We also spent Christmas Eve engaged in a few traditions: some old (the reading of The Night Before Christmas) and some new: discussing the Christmas Story and having the girls act it out with their Nativity. Ben's dad used to read The Night Before Christmas to Ben and Jeff every Christmas Eve. We were thrilled Grandpa was at our house to read it to the girls.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWtLmp1xbXgCBodqWxaeibLuMgRHFckAqjiDN2by1WoKqwTVGMBdsGUdq4Uu2MzfCAY_qUAN3d1m9XfKZx_9AJQngryHjav62Ajf4w0nISkRJVIQpI_ZB8B_ZPZjw-BS60S5hyA8-fkp0/s1600/P1000398.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 112px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWtLmp1xbXgCBodqWxaeibLuMgRHFckAqjiDN2by1WoKqwTVGMBdsGUdq4Uu2MzfCAY_qUAN3d1m9XfKZx_9AJQngryHjav62Ajf4w0nISkRJVIQpI_ZB8B_ZPZjw-BS60S5hyA8-fkp0/s200/P1000398.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566918861307230098" border="0" /></a>Thankfully, the <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ4ojkwqCK67qV-HsO1hWvaSqxjmZ78XXzkkEmt_FE_xCDE4Blz3RY1zMdE5eBFcebYvLN8-NyrIxECSMM6jPPi-rB-n2Np6ymC710BBzqw6NythNxKyK02iRGlIVgFUmGVFNzXnmqKJI/s1600/P1000392.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ4ojkwqCK67qV-HsO1hWvaSqxjmZ78XXzkkEmt_FE_xCDE4Blz3RY1zMdE5eBFcebYvLN8-NyrIxECSMM6jPPi-rB-n2Np6ymC710BBzqw6NythNxKyK02iRGlIVgFUmGVFNzXnmqKJI/s200/P1000392.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566918766070618578" border="0" /></a>girls are equally as excited about Baby Jesus as they are about Santa. I'd given them each a Nativity Set and they played with it often. They loved to circle all the characters around Baby Jesus. They also love hearing the story - and know it quite well. They often say to me, "Tell the story, Mommy".<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxcqDTyPbeqg8tsrEUlYIPmUI4HTqYX0jE4YnR6qTRHl_P-ICKBtL41x9_P8CV4w3Xjgv9VSTICIQkhwWHkCHSFTJZvCJRg1vTo2KeWKK-JsLjiWaXfQk8fuRRHE0Pw8X1qhjOogd6T94/s1600/P1000426.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxcqDTyPbeqg8tsrEUlYIPmUI4HTqYX0jE4YnR6qTRHl_P-ICKBtL41x9_P8CV4w3Xjgv9VSTICIQkhwWHkCHSFTJZvCJRg1vTo2KeWKK-JsLjiWaXfQk8fuRRHE0Pw8X1qhjOogd6T94/s200/P1000426.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566919346994009762" border="0" /></a>We spent Christmas Eve at Duke Chapel for the 10:30pm service bringing in Christmas Day. It was how we spent our first Christmas with the girls as well. Not that much had changed...Auntie rocked the girls to sleep and they were out through most of the service. That first year, we were joined by Grammy, Auntie and Mema. This year, Auntie and Grammy were joined by Ya-Ya and Grandpa. Duke Cha<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQZDTqeEbd89M9_HqL2_oetXNADOO41KuDl-eR5uu9RPxb72aXBufFYiOYGn-GsCqVf6O5ORDj3hLu-5UoXgrenbaPCWvvG2dGYeswk-JTUtAbQMwC3ln1blFrpO5ooiyZksLYxpi39x4/s1600/P1000417.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQZDTqeEbd89M9_HqL2_oetXNADOO41KuDl-eR5uu9RPxb72aXBufFYiOYGn-GsCqVf6O5ORDj3hLu-5UoXgrenbaPCWvvG2dGYeswk-JTUtAbQMwC3ln1blFrpO5ooiyZksLYxpi39x4/s200/P1000417.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566919168830920706" border="0" /></a>pel is technically a Methodist Church, though it functions in the spirit of non-denominational-ism. However, in ceremony it what one would call "high church" in the liturgical fashion. In other words, the service is traditional in nature complete with vestments, crosses and processions. I think it was quite an experience for Ya-Ya and Grandpa:-) although hopefully they enjoyed it.<br /><br />It really was a beautiful service though. It was a series of scripture readings each followed by a musical selection that corresponded to the reading. They finished with the Hallelujah Chorus, which is truly a glorious way to bring in Christmas Day.<br /><br /><br />Christmas Morning was an absolute delight. The funny thing was though, that despite all their talk and excitement, Natalie and Abby forgot all about Santa when they woke up Christmas morning. Ben and I were sleeping in the loft and the girls piled into bed with us at a decent hour (8ish). We decided to see how long it would take them to remember it was Christmas. They never really did! Finally, after Auntie got up, we gave them hints and suddenly the light bulbs went off. And then it was Abby shouting down the stairs, "Santa came, Santa came!<br /><br /><br />I can understand w<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8yk1NEfG7r4q7V3efOKS9K-vcqSBGyH-n1EdValc0MPFGYUnDasccjnyBeO3HTA0aUm8R501yRyUyQ2MfCGuJ-MaoXykR2oETY1Wm53v2WfJu7J2RdnRLC2Ck5kOIQQJHV1Cl6vrrSbE/s1600/P1000448.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8yk1NEfG7r4q7V3efOKS9K-vcqSBGyH-n1EdValc0MPFGYUnDasccjnyBeO3HTA0aUm8R501yRyUyQ2MfCGuJ-MaoXykR2oETY1Wm53v2WfJu7J2RdnRLC2Ck5kOIQQJHV1Cl6vrrSbE/s200/P1000448.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566919610450462226" border="0" /></a>hy the girls are in love. Santa was VERY good to them this year:-) It was quite a spread.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJVVRRmm-Ujl_ZEmFvn4VBVb_IepnQVgDc8UdJanVgUc0BT1-lK6wRA0K5jxWI5MsMLu-27a4d0xKTgKc66rDI8Fxr2VNHzTZ9lH3Wx10idPybJRTscZ_3fUbCi1-oEXWvlORsmApb6HI/s1600/P1000450.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJVVRRmm-Ujl_ZEmFvn4VBVb_IepnQVgDc8UdJanVgUc0BT1-lK6wRA0K5jxWI5MsMLu-27a4d0xKTgKc66rDI8Fxr2VNHzTZ9lH3Wx10idPybJRTscZ_3fUbCi1-oEXWvlORsmApb6HI/s200/P1000450.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566929323843106930" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Of course, this doesn't even take into account the rest of the loot from mommy and daddy, grandparents, and aunts and uncles.<br /><br />It was so much fun seeing the girls come into the room and see what Santa left them. Abby ran straight for the Princess pillow and shouted, "I got a pillow, I got a pillow!" Natalie wanted to know if her Polar Bear was ok since he likes it cold.<br /><br />Natalie and Abby only had one real request for Santa this year. Wait for it....cookies. Every time they were asked what they wanted Santa to bring them, the answer was cookies. (Maybe Santa should have stopped there!) So, Santa obliged, and the girls loved their cookies.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFncy8WfMmTWnzV-vULPBn8Tfuk1d78SLSK6cQiDqWKz1gZkFvU1eAXfcbvNqX4yeTywg5MiIfk2OiJ2jhASJr8QAXxC-eDp6Jh3txwPrMnXNUOs2pGXTD3XaHb_c6cbdTx_30xi46Mmo/s1600/P1000441.JPG"><img style="float: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFncy8WfMmTWnzV-vULPBn8Tfuk1d78SLSK6cQiDqWKz1gZkFvU1eAXfcbvNqX4yeTywg5MiIfk2OiJ2jhASJr8QAXxC-eDp6Jh3txwPrMnXNUOs2pGXTD3XaHb_c6cbdTx_30xi46Mmo/s200/P1000441.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566932562067988642" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHXR0Y3FpDrQ2Bf4kVE28XC1kStjIe-V6sB8M6hcXVjwLn4Z-vWuPE4wozlyI3NemX6VLnnxfSoqTJO_KGgEauWEQzNiZF912Kl6mP9DhNvGXe6aBWRgIkuWjmFMc_7UqOJbVVGlO3ihY/s1600/P1000485.JPG"><img style="float: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHXR0Y3FpDrQ2Bf4kVE28XC1kStjIe-V6sB8M6hcXVjwLn4Z-vWuPE4wozlyI3NemX6VLnnxfSoqTJO_KGgEauWEQzNiZF912Kl6mP9DhNvGXe6aBWRgIkuWjmFMc_7UqOJbVVGlO3ihY/s200/P1000485.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566919615181526642" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbBaRN-DnpOFFlLpxO1lDTc1aWl2h8NNzM9eGrGf5yn9-NejcDPGwWinDOt9lb2ezSCvPinfj1wRbuXnHXRmZNM79rwJNPzGWkEUp6GdzVu4szhSNgeI0CYGw5Y3PUJHrxe5zBHw5lxOU/s1600/IMG_1025.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbBaRN-DnpOFFlLpxO1lDTc1aWl2h8NNzM9eGrGf5yn9-NejcDPGwWinDOt9lb2ezSCvPinfj1wRbuXnHXRmZNM79rwJNPzGWkEUp6GdzVu4szhSNgeI0CYGw5Y3PUJHrxe5zBHw5lxOU/s200/IMG_1025.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566932852282480146" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7KpfNeMoDayk0xT25B8fNX1XicM6-VyNWIbEM18CuqnqjljBHQC8Qmkioqvld94GBs94AzneAkOjlodTQSqOxFw2dl2RiAMneOrWwfq4NvaUK9wJ7MLhMKruNQWDSSyIScAAI3EKOIJU/s1600/P1000442.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7KpfNeMoDayk0xT25B8fNX1XicM6-VyNWIbEM18CuqnqjljBHQC8Qmkioqvld94GBs94AzneAkOjlodTQSqOxFw2dl2RiAMneOrWwfq4NvaUK9wJ7MLhMKruNQWDSSyIScAAI3EKOIJU/s200/P1000442.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566932162228914914" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This year there were actually few things I felt like they needed. I generally pick their toys very carefully. So, although it appears that their playroom looks like Toys R Us exploded, nearly every single toy was chosen for a specific developmental purpose. Even the multitude of kitchen stuff and baby dolls has a specific aim of developing imaginative play. I usually have list of new toys I want to get for the girls to work on some new skill. This year...I was stumped. So, in the absence of sensible, practical, educational toys...everyone went a little wild.<br /><br />Exhibit A: The 4 foot tall horse - named Dolly (horse in the Apple Tree Farm books) (Grammy)<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWfXnCDLaOU_b8ouGURshaQGv_8KLanR8xlMPcjZxP8kt-F2E7kWbLXxrGm0N9wOAfGSsSkhuUQIdcWlU4YtckLua42M9r1i6twtn-DE5rA6rofTE0hFDWFf0iR1VIJsqQ_VIdxas3MWQ/s1600/P1000508.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWfXnCDLaOU_b8ouGURshaQGv_8KLanR8xlMPcjZxP8kt-F2E7kWbLXxrGm0N9wOAfGSsSkhuUQIdcWlU4YtckLua42M9r1i6twtn-DE5rA6rofTE0hFDWFf0iR1VIJsqQ_VIdxas3MWQ/s200/P1000508.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566929882359483874" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVVsLJo1eQcoej27OoDC8ZOOrcbbUCHBP-mB0c7Mg5IgVFr11gd6DqcnDFLocJXhQZbzrLweGdproy1b_op8T2zshZvgdvGAZXezmjvMLGel78_DwfCrumxoKpqp-WEPN-0gls_B6iKbM/s1600/P1000513.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVVsLJo1eQcoej27OoDC8ZOOrcbbUCHBP-mB0c7Mg5IgVFr11gd6DqcnDFLocJXhQZbzrLweGdproy1b_op8T2zshZvgdvGAZXezmjvMLGel78_DwfCrumxoKpqp-WEPN-0gls_B6iKbM/s200/P1000513.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566921681573596818" border="0" /></a>(also makes a nice tent)<br /><br />Daddy is hopeful, Dolly the Horse will take the place of this:<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii-Ayr2BCYwcB_7UE-45WxoeDrLjhyphenhyphenfttR9r6LT8EXg4PoAovaDhZIVHsAtacwXy5pzkSe5MYkuLW6fWec5EaP5i81ZSKecfpwIB1EjjHbuRo19FXzxgRfZkfAaIttt7n7aQ536TZjpMQ/s1600/P1000352.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii-Ayr2BCYwcB_7UE-45WxoeDrLjhyphenhyphenfttR9r6LT8EXg4PoAovaDhZIVHsAtacwXy5pzkSe5MYkuLW6fWec5EaP5i81ZSKecfpwIB1EjjHbuRo19FXzxgRfZkfAaIttt7n7aQ536TZjpMQ/s200/P1000352.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566917180643450210" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br /></div>Exhibit B: The double-seater Princess car (Poppy, Nanny, Mommy and Daddy)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTsuu4hXj8aiYdnX5eNT1GNnZufs3E6xvh4_Mm-FFMFEF9jUpVl9_1dqrx06PhSBJq8AZI0H-IfY5AFXJol_1ke-3j8MlryPP59I_qa7-gsy616tP6KFt4HWs6ubL348ZAIHQNgowJQ8E/s1600/P1000669.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTsuu4hXj8aiYdnX5eNT1GNnZufs3E6xvh4_Mm-FFMFEF9jUpVl9_1dqrx06PhSBJq8AZI0H-IfY5AFXJol_1ke-3j8MlryPP59I_qa7-gsy616tP6KFt4HWs6ubL348ZAIHQNgowJQ8E/s200/P1000669.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566930325737896978" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn-ya55dSS20ZSyRvhDJETprVSvWhLMznnZEI8urLrAQcIKilf9oaE4TQhZATHgKhJf4Ju9ZmpI1-xqOalSeJlsrEBhMa4cSt2zx42Hm-tabkzFTrjb5kCy2T9YYPmeCBA5TuuHztIJuQ/s1600/P1000540.JPG"><br /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeUa93qo3jRElAUSyUIRBfXXJ92jNmf9uvpwdX7bPyunkvpmCCoFYOsIv-igBDv_5UQiXf_JoVXD4XaG-oJlW5Ooone1nq7OkOuq7lVAT4NievlHdyuyJtQHAUFTnxLz-cL8EoCcFpu80/s1600/P1000678.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeUa93qo3jRElAUSyUIRBfXXJ92jNmf9uvpwdX7bPyunkvpmCCoFYOsIv-igBDv_5UQiXf_JoVXD4XaG-oJlW5Ooone1nq7OkOuq7lVAT4NievlHdyuyJtQHAUFTnxLz-cL8EoCcFpu80/s200/P1000678.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566930327696052706" border="0" /></a><br />Exhibit C: Camping Out Princess Style (Ya-Ya and Grandpa)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn-ya55dSS20ZSyRvhDJETprVSvWhLMznnZEI8urLrAQcIKilf9oaE4TQhZATHgKhJf4Ju9ZmpI1-xqOalSeJlsrEBhMa4cSt2zx42Hm-tabkzFTrjb5kCy2T9YYPmeCBA5TuuHztIJuQ/s1600/P1000540.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn-ya55dSS20ZSyRvhDJETprVSvWhLMznnZEI8urLrAQcIKilf9oaE4TQhZATHgKhJf4Ju9ZmpI1-xqOalSeJlsrEBhMa4cSt2zx42Hm-tabkzFTrjb5kCy2T9YYPmeCBA5TuuHztIJuQ/s200/P1000540.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566930332134645154" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr_hZAFqho5WWI77zgyRIXYp_Tv20LKBUqHe022xCcGxfU-lJFk8CVDysPLuqjfH40GjCqFTf6hl0tYKo2ZuByoKdk03baZZTV_uwFN2hrBRLJlFLeKpX_wN65NedJEgCdK4J3rf_OxOM/s1600/IMG_6756.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr_hZAFqho5WWI77zgyRIXYp_Tv20LKBUqHe022xCcGxfU-lJFk8CVDysPLuqjfH40GjCqFTf6hl0tYKo2ZuByoKdk03baZZTV_uwFN2hrBRLJlFLeKpX_wN65NedJEgCdK4J3rf_OxOM/s200/IMG_6756.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567101236068305778" border="0" /></a><br />Exhibit C1: Coordinating Camping Chairs (Mommy and Daddy)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxa447WVtIm_4NlHVwyebEFEm5gPHlCJlkbe2f1DpyhpgTgCm6Nt7iBg4tVwMUdrNaiHy4RaSMXVZY2Ow5q9tLRTPpKlkW0t3nFXMYOkuZj5QZ4AV2DeeSP9XaGst75yxV7_Y0CC6KxkQ/s1600/IMG_6755.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxa447WVtIm_4NlHVwyebEFEm5gPHlCJlkbe2f1DpyhpgTgCm6Nt7iBg4tVwMUdrNaiHy4RaSMXVZY2Ow5q9tLRTPpKlkW0t3nFXMYOkuZj5QZ4AV2DeeSP9XaGst75yxV7_Y0CC6KxkQ/s200/IMG_6755.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567101236421056930" border="0" /></a>Exhibit D: Everything Else! As you can see, Princesses ruled the day!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLPNnbZNerLAEcm3YJB3UkfesKRZod1nTOtpN0gpxMcB8zEbg6mhK_jDvrnCXuzp8xeyu9T5SR7252e-NXviIlbYmp7sGzRP4i7kllVbX5B8UCxLMSW025Uc96QjW7c9s9w8R1Sr_Rkds/s1600/P1000483.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLPNnbZNerLAEcm3YJB3UkfesKRZod1nTOtpN0gpxMcB8zEbg6mhK_jDvrnCXuzp8xeyu9T5SR7252e-NXviIlbYmp7sGzRP4i7kllVbX5B8UCxLMSW025Uc96QjW7c9s9w8R1Sr_Rkds/s200/P1000483.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566920766950375810" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkVZFKR7_P6UbACjIKKOYZw2EDqnjUzSYWyTAXH0Z2UyMhzU0ee9cSXxQV9Gv1iQ8fLM3w6TMqo65ReXZdco-kPWbdVYhZvi4RMebCzJ2SNIeJ5zkUngFg1JvvwHzECsFtIfs7C0lD8F8/s1600/IMG_1018.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkVZFKR7_P6UbACjIKKOYZw2EDqnjUzSYWyTAXH0Z2UyMhzU0ee9cSXxQV9Gv1iQ8fLM3w6TMqo65ReXZdco-kPWbdVYhZvi4RMebCzJ2SNIeJ5zkUngFg1JvvwHzECsFtIfs7C0lD8F8/s200/IMG_1018.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566933849627365666" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />The girls also got something called "Calico Critters" (courtesy of Aunt Joyce). They are a new-fangled thing and absolutely the most adorable things. They are little families of animals: Mouse, Hedgehog, various Cats, Panda, Cow, Elephant, Dog, Bunnies, Fox, Pig...you get the idea. And you can get pairs of little twins which are even more adorable. And, if that's not enough and you have any money left, you can purchase Tree Houses, Townhomes, a Manor, furniture, and Playground stuff. It's awesome.<br /><br />Abby received a set of Pandas and Natalie Cows. Grammy pitched in with some playground equipment. Abby adores them. She actually plays with them quite a bit. A few days ago, I heard a conversation like this:<br />"Do you want to ride on Daddy's back...ok...that was fun...now it's your turn..." So. Cute.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-R4GLYqG51eC49IHjp7qa5oKd9uJpIzuQHCllSC44FRtPVyLympLgO_2T2aQY3EjleRFWXOz58mTFq3K1_97VKdG44FNxQo_n8Sd-I4uj48J2UW0Kl9T93ZyOpwIBqxnXw4yhAvN4h4E/s1600/P1000545.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-R4GLYqG51eC49IHjp7qa5oKd9uJpIzuQHCllSC44FRtPVyLympLgO_2T2aQY3EjleRFWXOz58mTFq3K1_97VKdG44FNxQo_n8Sd-I4uj48J2UW0Kl9T93ZyOpwIBqxnXw4yhAvN4h4E/s200/P1000545.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566935248495733474" border="0" /></a><br />This Christmas was full of so much joy and laughter and delight. Natalie and Abby experience everything with un-abandoned jubilance that is infectious. But, this year was tempered with some sadness as well. It was our first Christmas without Mema and we miss her terribly. It was fitting then, that Auntie had prepared a very special present for Grammy.<br /><br />Mema was very fond of flannel pajamas. It seemed she had dozens of them - partly because her sister, my Aunt Joyce, was quite fond of gifting her with pjs on many occasions:-) After Mema died, Kimberly gathered a number of these PJs and had them made into a quilt - two quilts actually. One for my mom and one for Aunt Joyce. They are beautiful and a perfect memorial for my Mema who loved being warm and who warmed our souls as well.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiZhEhkdGS56Gw0v993s-aBC03KyoIfS1uGd0U1bGWtuMVKUu-w3O1aX1qYnaraUiUuZCUeiM7qz3Oax1dHn4Vt2ZcmzRPy7nyjmi64yu7JfmK3E2bxBNHvPOb5irGaWl1NvC520F18K8/s1600/P1000634.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiZhEhkdGS56Gw0v993s-aBC03KyoIfS1uGd0U1bGWtuMVKUu-w3O1aX1qYnaraUiUuZCUeiM7qz3Oax1dHn4Vt2ZcmzRPy7nyjmi64yu7JfmK3E2bxBNHvPOb5irGaWl1NvC520F18K8/s200/P1000634.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566936145014571650" border="0" /></a><br />And if all that wasn't enough fun, we also had snow. Not quite a White Christmas, but the day after. It was beautiful and enough for the girls to stomp around in.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcINKPBqobcbkL0AgGTGImu5uEXL7k2eV4jIjUEbvVOhue0vCVsp9LGY2QSk0MC6aTvAsod3-lTh9HC1EihOhJRdvOZXOhfFehhoMHkhWWtF1Ot5f2qO3Z-N7XQACElSU0vLMyhJrHLME/s1600/P1000553.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcINKPBqobcbkL0AgGTGImu5uEXL7k2eV4jIjUEbvVOhue0vCVsp9LGY2QSk0MC6aTvAsod3-lTh9HC1EihOhJRdvOZXOhfFehhoMHkhWWtF1Ot5f2qO3Z-N7XQACElSU0vLMyhJrHLME/s200/P1000553.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566921531697474946" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHkv7iA6sTOphTDxYW9JnJIadYmX2ed3kbVDmL-gGI0WdfHE-GYx0aE0hLWl2TfY8X8pmwfnZj2iSU0l7JnE9R6aOvlqR4uYe9tXXeutf3eqaQ4XK4drL9ic5hX5874IqB7ufBh1GjqA8/s1600/P1000556.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHkv7iA6sTOphTDxYW9JnJIadYmX2ed3kbVDmL-gGI0WdfHE-GYx0aE0hLWl2TfY8X8pmwfnZj2iSU0l7JnE9R6aOvlqR4uYe9tXXeutf3eqaQ4XK4drL9ic5hX5874IqB7ufBh1GjqA8/s200/P1000556.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567105140279583138" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />And if that wasn't enough fun for one week...while Poppy and Nanny were here, we decided to cap off Christmas with our first ice skating trip. Natalie and especially Abby, have long been expert "sock skaters" (sliding around the kitchen floor in their socks shouting, <span style="font-style: italic;">"wee, wee look at me, this is fun!"</span> Unfortunately, <span style="font-style: italic;">ice</span> skating wasn't nearly as successful.<br /><br />We headed out to Hillsborough Sports Plex and after some trial and error with sizes, we laced up our skates. That's where the fun ended. Poor little Natalie and Abby couldn't even stand up NOT on the ice. Keep in mind that Ben has never been ice skating and I went for the first time in 20 years this summer. I also have an exaggerated fear of falling. Put us all on the ice (Ben and I clinging desperately to the edge and the girls clinging desperately to us), and well, it wasn't pretty. Natalie and Abby were crying and sobbing and begging to get off the ice.<br /><br />Fortunately, the rink has these amazing gadgets that are basically old people walkers for the ice - child size. The kid holds on to the walker and mom or dad pushes the walker. Instant fun.<br /><br />Natalie loved it. Mommy did too. No longer impeded by the fear of falling and breaking my wrist, I could fly like Michelle Kwan. With the wind in our hair, we breezed around the rink and Natalie beamed.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBV0W87RsKA8TzLx8KXTyUO3ixYTEtxU_qZdLpBSDYQbqCpfZRuLlWLmzTwZaH5Vz5GCsbl4DBIdwwXoCE0sz5TA55U68Te8Qa7rXiqEeU8uieDt323Z-HxhjiAeYlEBzfJS5tm_OTwLA/s1600/P1000753.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBV0W87RsKA8TzLx8KXTyUO3ixYTEtxU_qZdLpBSDYQbqCpfZRuLlWLmzTwZaH5Vz5GCsbl4DBIdwwXoCE0sz5TA55U68Te8Qa7rXiqEeU8uieDt323Z-HxhjiAeYlEBzfJS5tm_OTwLA/s200/P1000753.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567016945876626706" border="0" /></a>Unfortunately, Abby had already been traumatized and not even the thrill of speed could endear her to ice skating. She could just never keep her little ankles straight and her experience is pretty much summed up by this shot:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfQXR_l2qPguUD3YIveVeDgdpwQS8qYS_RuMaPr131z1vtiAksWJX2bJB4i5svailS-to334-fdN7U4guM5HPwtBUsepH9-H5PYo6hjJ-9ea0E2JNiQlkIQA_ooahFLs75BnwI7g4rUeU/s1600/P1000759.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfQXR_l2qPguUD3YIveVeDgdpwQS8qYS_RuMaPr131z1vtiAksWJX2bJB4i5svailS-to334-fdN7U4guM5HPwtBUsepH9-H5PYo6hjJ-9ea0E2JNiQlkIQA_ooahFLs75BnwI7g4rUeU/s200/P1000759.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567018294919938450" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJWtPgGoGfsPRsiEhWY0L4Y4myLqJL0rnJhAM4dKdvwlTvlofkgTC0BK75EglAj0cIwgIyjBqA-Mf65nmFpge09aNR9EkpBEOuWurwv6Zm2WX7-l90SlZUDI3YzWrGFAupGbYQSXRYJ0k/s1600/P1000760.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJWtPgGoGfsPRsiEhWY0L4Y4myLqJL0rnJhAM4dKdvwlTvlofkgTC0BK75EglAj0cIwgIyjBqA-Mf65nmFpge09aNR9EkpBEOuWurwv6Zm2WX7-l90SlZUDI3YzWrGFAupGbYQSXRYJ0k/s200/P1000760.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567020589955836978" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwJFQzGtc0HN9Icy_blnKWYH03QqfKbPxwr5cnRAMzIKsArjA9lKqZVNrati07gd8-En2-oMrV6irs3TJBwtKQgVj4F3FU7Zuv18V8GL5rRGzOoaidjFsY0xnUA1sSA51FJk8D5NHUhyphenhyphenA/s1600/P1000763.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwJFQzGtc0HN9Icy_blnKWYH03QqfKbPxwr5cnRAMzIKsArjA9lKqZVNrati07gd8-En2-oMrV6irs3TJBwtKQgVj4F3FU7Zuv18V8GL5rRGzOoaidjFsY0xnUA1sSA51FJk8D5NHUhyphenhyphenA/s200/P1000763.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567020594566452386" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />In the end, it was decided that they would stick to sock skating for a while:-)<br /><br /><br />So, Christmas is over for another year and I have a feeling Abby will be counting the days until Santa comes again. She's already stated a few times how much she misses him. I really loved this year's Christmas Season - decorating our new home, buying stuff for the girls, visiting with family and friends, and remembering the birth of our Lord and Savior. I am excited to see what this year brings and can't wait to deck the halls in only ...349 more days!<br /><br />A few more Christmas pics:<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp75WkYECySRq0RLENs_F43YdFHPd7Hu4wSXTBBg2RNMn8tHZiIC1l81liGlKx6tbaASNjEVz48haEy5UWV1lzc0HxNk-w_6jd5B7a-qRlsmpgD9GeygZ70Ftz_tvabyGDodhdx2ctO6Y/s1600/P1000767.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp75WkYECySRq0RLENs_F43YdFHPd7Hu4wSXTBBg2RNMn8tHZiIC1l81liGlKx6tbaASNjEVz48haEy5UWV1lzc0HxNk-w_6jd5B7a-qRlsmpgD9GeygZ70Ftz_tvabyGDodhdx2ctO6Y/s200/P1000767.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566920610724015618" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh02_Y33PIdcXH-O2ZpPqSgy-J4GaJ2475ZFur9gLwiWtrgrAt5pqlFgBdH6ugT9fuKq-pAvoDimj36zuTBrhMIJueN3PAOu7KKImHrUJzEBF5n3XcdFRquq4KvWz78qqVqvPZ1z_JJyc/s1600/P1000777.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh02_Y33PIdcXH-O2ZpPqSgy-J4GaJ2475ZFur9gLwiWtrgrAt5pqlFgBdH6ugT9fuKq-pAvoDimj36zuTBrhMIJueN3PAOu7KKImHrUJzEBF5n3XcdFRquq4KvWz78qqVqvPZ1z_JJyc/s200/P1000777.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566920505890681474" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4w7ZfWx6FoDz6rJtsNaqjrYB05mE9otY5j9iHn5GmyOjl1NjTrrY1Byzg9GLSPe4dVQp0aWqDi1hmRHpcHFCdnH9C80xnGk7lkqxt8oNo0RLRSZS_vtAkjB6gEwhf107E_owlPvKWGrs/s1600/P1000452.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4w7ZfWx6FoDz6rJtsNaqjrYB05mE9otY5j9iHn5GmyOjl1NjTrrY1Byzg9GLSPe4dVQp0aWqDi1hmRHpcHFCdnH9C80xnGk7lkqxt8oNo0RLRSZS_vtAkjB6gEwhf107E_owlPvKWGrs/s200/P1000452.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566920271080262322" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg1Iafeaco0k5Vtc1dK24CsttPdgMwXH6RmpBtQ5mf31kPhHHVYDcU8mHPdtwiSC8gzTlRywJ_OwQbikm-qiGoE3VZmzgJMPLYdfXIKR1iEADA5guRNHQJ0AYAk23k_Qaot8ZzpHURqa4/s1600/IMG_1055.JPG"><br /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjICgNWbzH8eFGDT6NgS6WVyoDgNUrRSldI4_UIFctm1REVcd5_vaUDu7hrPqfPnwWT5ebToSeLUml5mAAorVo2CRV2jeeXFvfghXvjFMroG2XJLvoXShwUlszoJpjfQrgoh4tailjR31M/s1600/P1000544.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjICgNWbzH8eFGDT6NgS6WVyoDgNUrRSldI4_UIFctm1REVcd5_vaUDu7hrPqfPnwWT5ebToSeLUml5mAAorVo2CRV2jeeXFvfghXvjFMroG2XJLvoXShwUlszoJpjfQrgoh4tailjR31M/s200/P1000544.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567028817167091250" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixyRfM_-Az5AQWpjAHvhHabKvfbm_n8PTwNZsM1QtvB1_B6QDSky_ECTMiUupNfiyzZaNbbzYYgZPokmeW0_FsV_WhESPN0cih-5uMP3c8M-QJOKs51U3qRKDbfq5LMW3mv1OIc7J5Fqc/s1600/P1000613.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixyRfM_-Az5AQWpjAHvhHabKvfbm_n8PTwNZsM1QtvB1_B6QDSky_ECTMiUupNfiyzZaNbbzYYgZPokmeW0_FsV_WhESPN0cih-5uMP3c8M-QJOKs51U3qRKDbfq5LMW3mv1OIc7J5Fqc/s200/P1000613.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567028806899597410" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNRLs-LdxKlkkR9doeHWGenepedFoC21oQObs7VN5Hwswnj32sYV12Of6z1KUkOUqBp3e0lWE6pKXLoGuhhg-65NWaMKkh-j-YYtdiQ2wQEezWTJuPMRIxuIZQ0hwvcdAXT8PtKsKbqaE/s1600/P1000716.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNRLs-LdxKlkkR9doeHWGenepedFoC21oQObs7VN5Hwswnj32sYV12Of6z1KUkOUqBp3e0lWE6pKXLoGuhhg-65NWaMKkh-j-YYtdiQ2wQEezWTJuPMRIxuIZQ0hwvcdAXT8PtKsKbqaE/s200/P1000716.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567028804331606754" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOTmOcyS0ffjeMsWw9ebiEGW6nxi47NVIqyJQ0ooAoJPhC9uDcIM_nRNKKxZ6BZ9Mi-YjSJxvD8e_6UUxmcRb4qWX8cgRk1QG7H0-XaT1cSDIpUnCpbJDgqQL98FUDJclV8MO_8mvZdDM/s1600/P1000572.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOTmOcyS0ffjeMsWw9ebiEGW6nxi47NVIqyJQ0ooAoJPhC9uDcIM_nRNKKxZ6BZ9Mi-YjSJxvD8e_6UUxmcRb4qWX8cgRk1QG7H0-XaT1cSDIpUnCpbJDgqQL98FUDJclV8MO_8mvZdDM/s200/P1000572.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567033048255956034" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkZe4cSSNrvSW-VIRBDwxTYLmigp12xN3MXinlxTZ90WxwYZvuoqdVsVRlPE2lhBdWy4qgB-EQAIN9HohA4T8dCLs8GJ8sF2I6jAIfkfMJ0VEna-eeq3xyiYX-5SPGpOoEawv-sFDlWUs/s1600/P1000525.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkZe4cSSNrvSW-VIRBDwxTYLmigp12xN3MXinlxTZ90WxwYZvuoqdVsVRlPE2lhBdWy4qgB-EQAIN9HohA4T8dCLs8GJ8sF2I6jAIfkfMJ0VEna-eeq3xyiYX-5SPGpOoEawv-sFDlWUs/s200/P1000525.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567033038735216274" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe7hGUpmSBpvbbq6Wt2g20vIVhAmuKUJOwo-WOcFXHncs9dvjbXXPqOYhDQ5EHdHbS_gf2ZF9QR08pMI3xqZWWSGI0pnWkjBy_G8kA04eGKkpTiz-Z8fkV3B5sXpIWYssLhv-RdClOm78/s1600/IMG_1057.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe7hGUpmSBpvbbq6Wt2g20vIVhAmuKUJOwo-WOcFXHncs9dvjbXXPqOYhDQ5EHdHbS_gf2ZF9QR08pMI3xqZWWSGI0pnWkjBy_G8kA04eGKkpTiz-Z8fkV3B5sXpIWYssLhv-RdClOm78/s200/IMG_1057.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567033031649574754" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIGCMEb31Qo57taLqwFC6aSHVVXSTSHatNRP3jNcr7saHr3MBeKIPnNd9x74sb_UCvOC1HwW6ByxO1MYvC4SZWlH1KstquiS4zYZT5O4K8_odE4-h2PI2EeteDMXfiEhvJayQC80OdW6g/s1600/P1000483.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIGCMEb31Qo57taLqwFC6aSHVVXSTSHatNRP3jNcr7saHr3MBeKIPnNd9x74sb_UCvOC1HwW6ByxO1MYvC4SZWlH1KstquiS4zYZT5O4K8_odE4-h2PI2EeteDMXfiEhvJayQC80OdW6g/s200/P1000483.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567113137622464146" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizymeI0MlAgHxSwOTktPtmshILtUT5WMXY3QEppmtXuseoNAmrImGARzZcmsHBXft9an50Qext_4VzR1f06E-O6NmIbNnQjLGaj2tsf0uUo4siNJ2TDhcYyDtgB8eUKLAnuzpats5qURY/s1600/P1000479.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizymeI0MlAgHxSwOTktPtmshILtUT5WMXY3QEppmtXuseoNAmrImGARzZcmsHBXft9an50Qext_4VzR1f06E-O6NmIbNnQjLGaj2tsf0uUo4siNJ2TDhcYyDtgB8eUKLAnuzpats5qURY/s200/P1000479.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567113137014244482" border="0" /></a>Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02241169966641945045noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6720757269020350337.post-85803259885138265912010-12-20T00:11:00.007-05:002010-12-20T01:11:28.460-05:00Yes, we did celebrate Thanksgiving...We actually had a fantastic Thanksgiving weekend...I just haven't written about it yet!<br /><br />I can honestly say it was the least stressful and most pleasant Thanksgiving I have ever experienced. Despite the fact that we had two different parties and I cooked and cleaned and prepped for a week, I wasn't stressed, everyone had fun and it was generally delightful.<br /><br />Thanksgiving Day saw most of our family gathered 'round the table for our first Thanksgiving in our new home. The only absence was my mom, Grammy. Unfortunately, she was sandbagged at work buried under charts and the threat of an impending state audit. She simply has too much work to do and not enough time to do it. We really missed her and it was very different not having her around.<br /><br />But we did get to celebrate with many others: Poppy, Nanny, Ya-Ya, Grandpa, Auntie, Reagan, Jeff, Wayne and Jane. It was wonderful and we were so glad everyone could come.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHK6dtkEBrNEtHIak3IJrkRFeicEYj4RbYbuk8IbfwLj85_xWETcSp7vA7L0JnsiI7z3jJfVvU-UOcJrtbuXwp16_pnsJBnpTyndxfw7QvIXcYcYbxM-oC3q3L5wbc2oJrOM72RS-O0j8/s1600/IMG_7559.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHK6dtkEBrNEtHIak3IJrkRFeicEYj4RbYbuk8IbfwLj85_xWETcSp7vA7L0JnsiI7z3jJfVvU-UOcJrtbuXwp16_pnsJBnpTyndxfw7QvIXcYcYbxM-oC3q3L5wbc2oJrOM72RS-O0j8/s320/IMG_7559.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552641918703672242" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFWFT0ndZTm1EjK99v-H4Xl7kQ-5XQ7TkAEV9ELtvgIy5dNUT5pY8JB-1Fkd85zP6TpCPZLjmezXGJ9WQP6hyTjbLkYDtEV179HeJFj0wf_KPDp3XYEcD54Jhu7kfkG62e4LAnQgaWLn8/s1600/IMG_7532.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFWFT0ndZTm1EjK99v-H4Xl7kQ-5XQ7TkAEV9ELtvgIy5dNUT5pY8JB-1Fkd85zP6TpCPZLjmezXGJ9WQP6hyTjbLkYDtEV179HeJFj0wf_KPDp3XYEcD54Jhu7kfkG62e4LAnQgaWLn8/s320/IMG_7532.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552641917335665122" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4pnPrJEYRlXTEXlPYSZ-cUydXI8zzROGTbqRguPON3QvmMYseOMdjwStNHFq6LzgmvtiPq5z8lckkwdDc0gydmo5ssSkdInRYUBVJum6hKHwVejPabCRQ7H8T1hXy3PaUF-DaSCYcZjA/s1600/IMG_7522.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4pnPrJEYRlXTEXlPYSZ-cUydXI8zzROGTbqRguPON3QvmMYseOMdjwStNHFq6LzgmvtiPq5z8lckkwdDc0gydmo5ssSkdInRYUBVJum6hKHwVejPabCRQ7H8T1hXy3PaUF-DaSCYcZjA/s320/IMG_7522.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552641911934312306" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfTY64ZtCLXYQWgfQGgLjwiP-EpUv_USW-VhfbfmFWuC_In0IjZvf_9pZb572WJ_IzkUdXE2VkG8aA0IgWE87o4PLU_AoGVXq1gntTgEL7BrlEptRXrsQQTm0i6CXoZwfcMgpvUJIwH4k/s1600/IMG_6427.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfTY64ZtCLXYQWgfQGgLjwiP-EpUv_USW-VhfbfmFWuC_In0IjZvf_9pZb572WJ_IzkUdXE2VkG8aA0IgWE87o4PLU_AoGVXq1gntTgEL7BrlEptRXrsQQTm0i6CXoZwfcMgpvUJIwH4k/s320/IMG_6427.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552635790127118322" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQXW4Z82XBrKjTaIeOY4lglc8mXeOo86IFtBuTmlmENc5ui5SWC09ifmPc0YfxM5iV54b5I6wnBQBKyMpz_E89IJQPDaNRzakJ5RTPV547HbhreC-jYd1yG4NKvNFo0bwfxzR0YtzWMY0/s1600/IMG_6418.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQXW4Z82XBrKjTaIeOY4lglc8mXeOo86IFtBuTmlmENc5ui5SWC09ifmPc0YfxM5iV54b5I6wnBQBKyMpz_E89IJQPDaNRzakJ5RTPV547HbhreC-jYd1yG4NKvNFo0bwfxzR0YtzWMY0/s320/IMG_6418.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552635785306615282" border="0" /></a><br />We were also pleased to host this year's Annual SCAT Christmas party. SCAT stands for Summer Camp Assistance Team - the staff at Johns River Valley Camp - which I attended as a child and where I worked both as a volunteer and on staff for several years. My friends from camp are my closest and dearest and being with them thrills my soul and brings me great joy. It was such a pleasure to host everyone this year and it was just perfect. The younger kids enjoyed the playroom, the pre-teens made good use of the air hockey table, a few friends hung out by the fire in the chimenea, and the rest milled about talking and laughing and watching football. As always, we had a great time catching up and playing the "Dirty Santa" game. If only we could get together more often...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho4LxD310ikU_C_jIEVv_LYu1VJrr3YXdo_q0VDOaQrMGb49Num6evH_fa8mreT6yIkwgyA8UNLwh1lw4Re8FHlSu03Ntvc4KCjlr9ui_rOkaFxZmVuhYtunBlCQhJFEC9KHxFKK-0FPs/s1600/IMG_6509.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho4LxD310ikU_C_jIEVv_LYu1VJrr3YXdo_q0VDOaQrMGb49Num6evH_fa8mreT6yIkwgyA8UNLwh1lw4Re8FHlSu03Ntvc4KCjlr9ui_rOkaFxZmVuhYtunBlCQhJFEC9KHxFKK-0FPs/s320/IMG_6509.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552635796240737938" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEWwQNJHep4bIuxCrMOOhvnalp102t25VVWZgyW9bdfCR0upTcvm2HsKMqt1za-QrDZionjju5f6wNOGyeJgW8PhBirrnTLoJ-uPnj3gZZhgc1bP0Hdg3Hlnv6bJ_2MwMDu5XaJpOgz6o/s1600/IMG_6489.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEWwQNJHep4bIuxCrMOOhvnalp102t25VVWZgyW9bdfCR0upTcvm2HsKMqt1za-QrDZionjju5f6wNOGyeJgW8PhBirrnTLoJ-uPnj3gZZhgc1bP0Hdg3Hlnv6bJ_2MwMDu5XaJpOgz6o/s320/IMG_6489.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552635791992653730" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihGZ69IW_t61m5mZnoZo_aZ-IuzljxV01xkfMc_y6XyMkPzQWPV5mCAKtGFLFAZANXN-rRrhK40lAodmZSHWyGIwHfX41oGB-4w7g2QHBeuzWnc3V_vKEimunLBwVm-sSsIF6V4SIqLz8/s1600/IMG_6485.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihGZ69IW_t61m5mZnoZo_aZ-IuzljxV01xkfMc_y6XyMkPzQWPV5mCAKtGFLFAZANXN-rRrhK40lAodmZSHWyGIwHfX41oGB-4w7g2QHBeuzWnc3V_vKEimunLBwVm-sSsIF6V4SIqLz8/s320/IMG_6485.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552635789797136066" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfTY64ZtCLXYQWgfQGgLjwiP-EpUv_USW-VhfbfmFWuC_In0IjZvf_9pZb572WJ_IzkUdXE2VkG8aA0IgWE87o4PLU_AoGVXq1gntTgEL7BrlEptRXrsQQTm0i6CXoZwfcMgpvUJIwH4k/s1600/IMG_6427.JPG"><br /></a>Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02241169966641945045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6720757269020350337.post-39548419888517759092010-12-08T15:49:00.009-05:002010-12-14T00:18:03.598-05:00Changing of the GuardLife is full of transitions. Sometimes they are big: moving, death, starting school. Sometimes they are more subtle: the new favorite toy, changes in speech, and new ways of playing.<br /><br />The girls have been full of small and subtle changes lately, especially Abby. It makes me a little sad since each new development means they are getting older and giving up some of their "baby" ways.<br /><br />Abby has probably shifted the most lately. She has had the cutest little way of saying Natalie's name - "Nannie". I think it evolved out of an attempt to say "Natne" and somehow the "t" just disappeared. Natalie calls her self <span style="font-style: italic;">Nannie</span> too, and Ben and have also taken to calling her that. I think we like it better than the nickname "Nat" or worse, "Nat-Nat". Plus, it's been so cute hearing the girls say it. Of late, however, Abby has started calling her <span style="font-style: italic;">Na(t)-a-lie</span>. It's hard to explain and it sounds very much like <span style="font-style: italic;">Natalie</span>, but I think the "t" is still under-pronounced so it sounds a bit different. It's still cute, but I liked that she had a special little name for her sister. I blame their speech therapist. I think she spent a day on their names and Abby fell for it. Natalie is still stubbornly referring to herself as <span style="font-style: italic;">Nannie</span>, and speech issues aside, I'm thrilled with it.<br /><br />Abby has also started showing preference for her baby doll, Baby Sam, over Mouse. (I failed to document when Natalie gave up Elmo for Baby Bean and Abby "Dorge"/Curious George for Mouse, so I want to be sure to catch this...) It's not a complete transition, but I can see it coming (through my tears, I might add). Mouse is still required for sleep, but rarely makes it out of the bed. Most all day-time play is done with Baby Sam. This could simply be because Sam is actually a doll, vs a mouse, and falls more easily into Abby's love of pretend Mommy play. Baby Sam is regularly given a bottle, fed bear soup, put to bed, put in the swing to swing, pushed in the stroller and comforted when sick or hurt. It's hard to say which is more preferred, Mouse or Baby Sam, since she is very tied to both at bedtime. I do, however, see Sam gaining ground in the future.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSAB1YLeS5g73f0WGCmsUhX3Ln63fIfoCEpQjGAnvHer3Godx7kGxP7rOtpfjWaxFYSl_IAu0yeQFpbWWESDPQ3MlZ88tMS65Vl_E8kOobV_yykqeIN6ZVDR2HMAbA0KUNZHjGSU_LqmE/s1600/IMG_6655.JPG"></a><div style="text-align: center; font-style: italic;">Abby's Babies<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >(from left to right: Dorge (George), Mouse, Baby Sam, Panda, Pink Baby - aka Car Baby - meant to stay in the car)</span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiALLgRiTdEuYFTxuZUFyM8u3oCypPSpAvt8QKe5gvIceucBY5ikBcCyI31UfykJJBsKaWdKdO7IgFDtwlMgGrqYcXFOyY6iycnYs4dCx9g1givojWWj_myyZAsKtbJpmOqVDMQL-9YxcU/s1600/IMG_6667.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiALLgRiTdEuYFTxuZUFyM8u3oCypPSpAvt8QKe5gvIceucBY5ikBcCyI31UfykJJBsKaWdKdO7IgFDtwlMgGrqYcXFOyY6iycnYs4dCx9g1givojWWj_myyZAsKtbJpmOqVDMQL-9YxcU/s320/IMG_6667.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550388212529941122" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Natalie's Babies</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">(Baby Bean, Elmo, Yellow Baby, Polie, Baby Susie)</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe2LoOPANk7AUGm6fkiXHclmm1xiec8wtZM5dHhrZc-Cn5yJhnKcgk-VvYy99LNZ5LN0poLjrkk1pwqxOG-7CA5_9eiyOTPgZxTwCsGjkjnPu2CTKmewHFAbd_HxRSjWl1_TpMq-B_DtA/s1600/IMG_6663.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe2LoOPANk7AUGm6fkiXHclmm1xiec8wtZM5dHhrZc-Cn5yJhnKcgk-VvYy99LNZ5LN0poLjrkk1pwqxOG-7CA5_9eiyOTPgZxTwCsGjkjnPu2CTKmewHFAbd_HxRSjWl1_TpMq-B_DtA/s320/IMG_6663.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550388211641435986" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">and the whole crowd...</span><br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwTpAZAJo18BxdBKkV52qzf1ClM4_-O5wjutULWDqVJW5SaR6hCnjSex_I5m_-de3Ef-JmcAZY3Rfphaao1tpjEiydgAVfLD-LMryhSncfEPy_kyxzn2ZSDxjzVXU8Hb_0lrnqJeI-2tQ/s1600/IMG_6668.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwTpAZAJo18BxdBKkV52qzf1ClM4_-O5wjutULWDqVJW5SaR6hCnjSex_I5m_-de3Ef-JmcAZY3Rfphaao1tpjEiydgAVfLD-LMryhSncfEPy_kyxzn2ZSDxjzVXU8Hb_0lrnqJeI-2tQ/s320/IMG_6668.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550388218032873586" border="0" /></a>For the record, Natalie's Baby Bean has never been quite as involved in daily play as Baby Sam. Baby Bean often spends all day in the bed. But, Natalie is quite insistent on her at night and in comfort situations. I think this is in part because Natalie is less consumed by "Mommy play" than Abby. She does rock, feed, etc Baby Bean (in fact, she just fetched her from her bed about an hour ago), but she is also just as likely to pick up whatever is closest (bunny, duck, other doll) and plop it into the high chair or give it a bottle. <span style="font-style: italic;">(Natalie swinging Baby Bean)</span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSAB1YLeS5g73f0WGCmsUhX3Ln63fIfoCEpQjGAnvHer3Godx7kGxP7rOtpfjWaxFYSl_IAu0yeQFpbWWESDPQ3MlZ88tMS65Vl_E8kOobV_yykqeIN6ZVDR2HMAbA0KUNZHjGSU_LqmE/s1600/IMG_6655.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSAB1YLeS5g73f0WGCmsUhX3Ln63fIfoCEpQjGAnvHer3Godx7kGxP7rOtpfjWaxFYSl_IAu0yeQFpbWWESDPQ3MlZ88tMS65Vl_E8kOobV_yykqeIN6ZVDR2HMAbA0KUNZHjGSU_LqmE/s320/IMG_6655.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550388221716268402" border="0" /></a><br />Another rather surprising switch is the hostile takeover of a oinky little upstart named Olivia. For a change in pace (for me), I let the girls watch an episode of Olivia instead of Wonder Pets, and they've become quite hooked. Now, instead of "I want to watch Wonder Pets" at 8am, I'm hearing, "mommy, I want to watch Olivia!" Sesame Street is also getting popular, but we only watch it downstairs. (It's an hour vs only 30 minutes and gives me more time to cook or clean or do whatever if I need to.)<br /><br />Play time is getting more sophisticated too. They still spend a good bit of time engaged in imaginative imitation play: feeding, rocking, and putting their babies to bed and cooking (usually bear soup). They also do a lot of climbing: on the stairs, on the couches, on Mommy. They love to jump and will sometimes place pillows around to create things to jump on on. Spinning is also popular and various forms of ballet and dance movements.<br /><br />They are also starting to create games and give directions to each other. "Now, Nannie, you do this..." They are also beginning to independently seek out puzzles and more fine motor activities. We have started playing a couple of games and they are getting the idea of taking turns and how games work. They also like to color and cut. Books are still a favorite activity and I've caught them "reading" the books to themselves and to their babies.<br /><br />Other favorite games include pretending to fish, hiding, chasing daddy, playing with their little animals and building block "houses", taking care of the cats, and Natalie loves riding her little tractor around the house with a few animals or babies in the trailer. They also love to help us cook. They are also getting really independent and like to get their own water from the dispenser with one ice for Natalie and 2 for Abby:-)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkjE6V1IBJqRD17qUTCXFEaHxKfbmG7C0NmTowA04Za0VJp-yLSkcUw9L4nt154UA3vaU65b3bPlibPG79gAzzyECT2VHGiFyMh-iiGaxaqxvuCqN_opIeAHj0a-dvp3xTBEnoFHHPBkY/s1600/IMG_6392.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkjE6V1IBJqRD17qUTCXFEaHxKfbmG7C0NmTowA04Za0VJp-yLSkcUw9L4nt154UA3vaU65b3bPlibPG79gAzzyECT2VHGiFyMh-iiGaxaqxvuCqN_opIeAHj0a-dvp3xTBEnoFHHPBkY/s320/IMG_6392.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550399229657893074" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmy-7MnuNASBFjzgcDaoQr_LBjL_U4TQyKU88yKudYQSV_xpGyWxSi_kOZMQ2OzAl8wQH0RLbcxz3bzCfNXyKNOF69mZSgfOEJDexkzzSDM6MHvBx8cwohYwGcfWtvLsLbxawSHxDyrsQ/s1600/IMG_6690.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmy-7MnuNASBFjzgcDaoQr_LBjL_U4TQyKU88yKudYQSV_xpGyWxSi_kOZMQ2OzAl8wQH0RLbcxz3bzCfNXyKNOF69mZSgfOEJDexkzzSDM6MHvBx8cwohYwGcfWtvLsLbxawSHxDyrsQ/s320/IMG_6690.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550388233704281602" border="0" /></a><br />Some of mommy and daddy's favorites:<br />- Having the girls come running and climb in our bed in the morning (we took the crib tents off so they can get out by themselves).<br />- The girls like to fix daddy coffee in their little kitchen and bring it to him on the weekends.<br />- Mommy loves to watch the girls play together, make up games and help each other.<br />- Watching them take care of Baby Sam - the real one:-) They are so sweet with him. They bring him toys and hug him and kiss the top of his head. It's so sweet. Today the girls held him in their laps and just beamed - especially Abby - she is incredibly maternal.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpbQdKZUkwEhoo-UD3P6lAvSDc-Lb0Tzd47sRjHvdLnluQNpreAmWaYY7YGlYOgUOKiU2FQXN9cKD1IA8nAGrPHHYW_5YUYKPn78Uzpkdu7COe4Uvy3fs7tZjVFENhGtvwSrkudDEtglw/s1600/IMG_6311.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpbQdKZUkwEhoo-UD3P6lAvSDc-Lb0Tzd47sRjHvdLnluQNpreAmWaYY7YGlYOgUOKiU2FQXN9cKD1IA8nAGrPHHYW_5YUYKPn78Uzpkdu7COe4Uvy3fs7tZjVFENhGtvwSrkudDEtglw/s320/IMG_6311.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550396711430008002" border="0" /></a>I'm a bit nostalgic about all these changes - especially the switches of the beloved comfort item. I have this Velveteen Rabbit complex that the forsaken toys are now lonely and sad because they have been rejected and replaced...(Names and numbers of competent psychiatrist can be submitted in the comments section). Mostly, I'm just sad because it means they are growing up and I'm really, really, really not a fan. I love this stage. They could stay 3.5 years old forever. Maybe what I have is a reverse Peter Pan complex. I want to go to Never Never Land not so that I won't grow up, but so my girls never will. Well, there's always the grandchildren...<br /><br />Now to wax a bit philosophical...<br /><br />I've always loved watching children play. If you really just sit back and watch and listen, it's quite an extraordinary experience. To see their little minds at work, watching as they work out problems, express their own fears through their babies or toys, and find fun and joy in something as simple as a pipe cleaner (snake, fishing rod, a little shot). It's truly amazing what a child can do given the space, time, and encouragement and even just a few simple toys.<br /><br />We have spent a number of afternoons at the Marbles Museum in Raleigh which is an enormous and astonishing hands on museum for kids. There is a pretend bus, ambulance, fire truck and burning house, grocery store, kitchen, garden, stage, post office, and barn. And that's just in one part downstairs. Upstairs, there are art spaces, a sock hockey rink, giant legos, fashion design station, pet spa, pizza restaurant and woodworking area where you can make your own birdhouse with a hand saw, hand drill and some screws.<br /><br />What is absolutely amazing is to watch the children at work in these spaces. They know exactly what to do and they are so intent on doing it. There are no electronics, TVs, video games or music. Yet, the kids are completely engaged and entertained. The revel in the freedom and opportunity to be creative and explore. It's a world of make-believe where they can be firemen, bus drivers, cooks, architects, fashion designers, or pirates on a giant ship that frankly is probably not much smaller than the actual Santa Maria. It's truly joyous to watch and if you have never had the opportunity to observe children at play, I suggest you find a way. It will open your eyes to a whole new world.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8p4ruOGuq398dM9EUuHoV5DVtaRbn8f0L3VGswvJHcUG6UrRlfJ7GFN_4xYC8zGtzJM2V6cC8yolStpEvZZctnObi8d9ThazuNkkVaPx6A_BUwBI_8WFLWFXX3JgKOAxMJEPJYypDyhw/s1600/11-08-2010+Abby+and+Nat+Duke+Park_6180.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8p4ruOGuq398dM9EUuHoV5DVtaRbn8f0L3VGswvJHcUG6UrRlfJ7GFN_4xYC8zGtzJM2V6cC8yolStpEvZZctnObi8d9ThazuNkkVaPx6A_BUwBI_8WFLWFXX3JgKOAxMJEPJYypDyhw/s320/11-08-2010+Abby+and+Nat+Duke+Park_6180.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550402549142523218" border="0" /></a>Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02241169966641945045noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6720757269020350337.post-92078206512665939442010-11-06T23:49:00.006-04:002010-11-07T22:08:43.139-05:00Halloween!This was the girls' first "real" Halloween. Last year, we were at my mema's and went to my aunt's and a friend of mema's, but the Natalie and Abby didn't really get the whole thing. This year, they were all about it.<br /><br />This year we also did jack 'o' lanterns, which were more about Ben than the girls. Natalie and Abby were less than enthusiastic about reaching into the squishy pumpkins. So, we let Ben handle the muck and we just enjoyed the results.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXe9gBbK_g2QcZAADPm4X1x7jnHbUjaMW39QKQ8zJ7MmIoifxOK83e5r1hMTe5J6T7n4_WhsULFEhFY3dYdqppJO6blvkT_mazz9F_jjhZYelShgh838j19Yx9Eqm-OtHdyDQ2PXSUBN0/s1600/10-31-2010+Abby+and+Nat_6037.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXe9gBbK_g2QcZAADPm4X1x7jnHbUjaMW39QKQ8zJ7MmIoifxOK83e5r1hMTe5J6T7n4_WhsULFEhFY3dYdqppJO6blvkT_mazz9F_jjhZYelShgh838j19Yx9Eqm-OtHdyDQ2PXSUBN0/s320/10-31-2010+Abby+and+Nat_6037.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536657393064481858" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcYVjnsJgN2dGLxdkEfvDKsHa0EXCG3qV8tkO4QS_G92vqDQF410WSz8v3nBtHI2UZuZDG8XopwuEc30gNE_kHW4mPtFUsOaTuVHPgAx-SighRFe020ILS7JwaNM_v07oNEFvDwkmo-HE/s1600/10-31-2010__6046.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcYVjnsJgN2dGLxdkEfvDKsHa0EXCG3qV8tkO4QS_G92vqDQF410WSz8v3nBtHI2UZuZDG8XopwuEc30gNE_kHW4mPtFUsOaTuVHPgAx-SighRFe020ILS7JwaNM_v07oNEFvDwkmo-HE/s320/10-31-2010__6046.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536657388921531314" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Natalie had expressed for about a month that she wanted to be a cow for Halloween. I looked everywhere but couldn't find one. I was not especially inclined to get creative and make one, so I did the next best thing. I convinced Natalie she could be a farmer instead and carry around a cow.<br /><br />This worked for me in two ways. One: I already had a funny "farmer" costume that was free in a bag of a bunch of hand-me-downs. Two: I no longer had to search for a cow costume.<br /><br />So, I told Natalie she was Old McDonald and hooked up a little wagon to their little tractor. We visited the thrift store, found some stuffed pigs, a deer and of course, a cow. They joined a few other stuffed friends in the wagon for some trick-or-treating fun. Natalie bought into it completely and actually had a blast. She drove her little tractor up and down our street just as happy as could be. It was pretty adorable. She would park the tractor in the driveway, climb off, get her candy, get back on, back-up, turn and travel on down the road. She loved it.<br /><br />Abby didn't seem to have any strong feelings about her costume, so she was a Bumble Bee (also found in the hand-me-down bag). She was the bee gathering pollen to make honey on Old McDonald's Farm.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMwNt-ROWd8YAUO22vynO3AJXwxKUlgKnZq7hgOZaBR_p27u8eQa8pxxRPQ7XYpELck4G_cWsTq-y4MIMlQOzwGv__s3Vi_HiXdea8n64UceOiU1nUTjsTg0zGYnNhjU32zaSSuZ7NlE0/s1600/10-31-2010+Nat+and+Abby_6050.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMwNt-ROWd8YAUO22vynO3AJXwxKUlgKnZq7hgOZaBR_p27u8eQa8pxxRPQ7XYpELck4G_cWsTq-y4MIMlQOzwGv__s3Vi_HiXdea8n64UceOiU1nUTjsTg0zGYnNhjU32zaSSuZ7NlE0/s320/10-31-2010+Nat+and+Abby_6050.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536657415325419714" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjALvdq2qF_rNDzz86UDogheKRXUzYVrjfxq35nNj7_anl_79i-1eCA-Q6NNeWDTSMtU9nMhP0L_Ig09BzQVAXgSNFxlCHX7lsiAoFUMSG5Shp-fHJv4DNHGXBWHVE2gsnXNyTCEkrfexs/s1600/10-31-2010+Nat+and+Abby_6048.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjALvdq2qF_rNDzz86UDogheKRXUzYVrjfxq35nNj7_anl_79i-1eCA-Q6NNeWDTSMtU9nMhP0L_Ig09BzQVAXgSNFxlCHX7lsiAoFUMSG5Shp-fHJv4DNHGXBWHVE2gsnXNyTCEkrfexs/s320/10-31-2010+Nat+and+Abby_6048.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536657401404575506" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdZAkA6_1oL9upJHBhfWofbiaXtWuzbqGbbsI9MMEVbpVUj6NOMZxrvpJXsWzpZRZ-13tOwJpJGoRsh2hjQ7Aey-tBD5OUmPtosvFblbGhg54BLZdvwX3VuoACia6fyklYZz8-tMnge8E/s1600/10-31-2010+Abby+and+Nat_6047.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdZAkA6_1oL9upJHBhfWofbiaXtWuzbqGbbsI9MMEVbpVUj6NOMZxrvpJXsWzpZRZ-13tOwJpJGoRsh2hjQ7Aey-tBD5OUmPtosvFblbGhg54BLZdvwX3VuoACia6fyklYZz8-tMnge8E/s320/10-31-2010+Abby+and+Nat_6047.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536657398532103122" border="0" /></a>We only visited about 6 houses, partly because it took a while to travel from house to house on the little tractor. But, it was plenty for the girls. They had a great time. After returning to the house, we had these comments:<br /><br />Natalie: <span style="font-style: italic;">That was FUN!</span> ....and my favorite<br /><br />Abby: <span style="font-style: italic;">That was some good trick-or-treating.</span><br /><br />Being very kind and generous parents who well-remember our stingy and mean parents on Halloween, we let the girls have several of their pieces of candy. (What's with that <span style="font-style: italic;">"only one piece on Halloween" </span>crap...it's like saying you can stare at all the gifts from Santa but only open one!)<br /><br />They tried out the sour worms, the Tootsie Roll Sucker, and of course, some chocolate. Ahhh....happy kids.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt1xCFs1KkCX6YU5wT2BIOfNjCPN9XGEaTOsZR-oKvsZXdmGDXRoC7hC4VctKPNkP-ekYCqbFqzpk7uvll0NHvvY82NCGdTH92oljr8zO8B8i_NJPgf8tJEiXPtuvnHT9BwZYxDly_UIU/s1600/10-31-2010+Abby+and+Nat+-+the+Loot_6068.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt1xCFs1KkCX6YU5wT2BIOfNjCPN9XGEaTOsZR-oKvsZXdmGDXRoC7hC4VctKPNkP-ekYCqbFqzpk7uvll0NHvvY82NCGdTH92oljr8zO8B8i_NJPgf8tJEiXPtuvnHT9BwZYxDly_UIU/s320/10-31-2010+Abby+and+Nat+-+the+Loot_6068.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536661920693249682" border="0" /></a><br />We've had several requests to go trick-or-treating again. They've accepted well the idea they will have to wait until next year.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja2gHfTm9G9EjJoQZCz0sZYSmu9RA5tA-FQHYmrz8IsBuZGBWiFqOiKDfcU-iEBL0xOH8uHLMmp_6CeCVQcAJ8fhx67Pkyu7s2P71WXw5Fo0DprEtTcDLKx7ScZAeLEr4vBxD4n2Qflho/s1600/10-31-2010+Nat_6065.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja2gHfTm9G9EjJoQZCz0sZYSmu9RA5tA-FQHYmrz8IsBuZGBWiFqOiKDfcU-iEBL0xOH8uHLMmp_6CeCVQcAJ8fhx67Pkyu7s2P71WXw5Fo0DprEtTcDLKx7ScZAeLEr4vBxD4n2Qflho/s320/10-31-2010+Nat_6065.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536661917159374434" border="0" /></a><br /> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3LwboKp9rGb5iWEOlHYJbkqrW-KroMMTReaEycVkNzwUzoc1hc5Ga3MDNSwYNuw2ZGLWvg8RL-W7Lsnl6S1kbT5klWcjFrVP6dt2DUXeOtJUhEbxO1SDfb7OZTogvkEyiJ01TpAhyphenhyphenqeY/s1600/10-31-2010+Nat+and+Abby_6064.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3LwboKp9rGb5iWEOlHYJbkqrW-KroMMTReaEycVkNzwUzoc1hc5Ga3MDNSwYNuw2ZGLWvg8RL-W7Lsnl6S1kbT5klWcjFrVP6dt2DUXeOtJUhEbxO1SDfb7OZTogvkEyiJ01TpAhyphenhyphenqeY/s320/10-31-2010+Nat+and+Abby_6064.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536661913373643106" border="0" /></a><br /> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkEueD2dCmIfbM7f2-TV4LxAwwoUFZ4D8TfWjdOOYh9VX7CAbEleD5AEt_H0YEZw18GHCylUJETMI8PHD0J5-Jg2wVDfrxqMYL-LzGkFWjnU1AZTzrRTYybCQlxEsaiFN6Q7DTYn8Mt48/s1600/10-31-2010+Nat+and+Abby_6062.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkEueD2dCmIfbM7f2-TV4LxAwwoUFZ4D8TfWjdOOYh9VX7CAbEleD5AEt_H0YEZw18GHCylUJETMI8PHD0J5-Jg2wVDfrxqMYL-LzGkFWjnU1AZTzrRTYybCQlxEsaiFN6Q7DTYn8Mt48/s320/10-31-2010+Nat+and+Abby_6062.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536661900664028594" border="0" /></a>Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02241169966641945045noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6720757269020350337.post-11561795281101617212010-10-28T17:52:00.003-04:002010-10-28T17:53:33.684-04:00Sister, sisterBen just asked Abby if she would like to go out with him for dinner for some special one on one time. <br />Abby: No, I want to stay with Nannie.<br />Ben: Why?<br />Abby: I want to stay with Nannie because I love her.<br /><br /><br />Ahhhhh.Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02241169966641945045noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6720757269020350337.post-42879526342790919672010-10-26T13:33:00.003-04:002010-10-26T13:35:54.799-04:00Teeny-Tiny TushyWe have a few of the girls' old preemie outfits around. I've discovered they are great for dolls, and especially fit the Cabbage Patch Kids perfectly. So, Abby just found and put on a pair of bloomers that go with a PREEMIE outfit that she wore when she was 4 or 5 months old (at about 8lbs). <br /><br />They fit.<br /><br />*sigh*Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02241169966641945045noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6720757269020350337.post-34482398937513708102010-10-15T21:35:00.020-04:002010-10-21T23:41:22.108-04:00Fall Fun<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRTw3SJdMPSNITnOhrIQCFP8HSUSsCmfIWWw64tK4uuLdsZ4grJfI0LY0RyJm6zUPCC_Rk-l7K5m_4lv8baGk-4pIBjJRve_SyDvWoGY4HLcY6bBeRtjalLLduhg9VTe_j7rcxu7DWkgw/s1600/IMG_5692.JPG"><br /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyHt0E3FPwp1pOZbeeje2aSRZoSfymlkP5hbT0MYdc4ox1tkReSmv2eKEJyF-YwdQeGz5hKuViD-q9Xs2ehoiLuJEqUyvTHlIn8JypBMjUhZ-8BRJXKN8fEmTfxCbifmLnsfvj2oxfGFs/s1600/IMG_5583.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyHt0E3FPwp1pOZbeeje2aSRZoSfymlkP5hbT0MYdc4ox1tkReSmv2eKEJyF-YwdQeGz5hKuViD-q9Xs2ehoiLuJEqUyvTHlIn8JypBMjUhZ-8BRJXKN8fEmTfxCbifmLnsfvj2oxfGFs/s200/IMG_5583.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528481409428859474" border="0" /></a>Wow! We spent last weekend at Poppy and Nanny's house and we had the most fantastic time. It is amazing how much we managed to cram into 3 days.<br /><br />We started with the Luray Rescue Zoo. It's quite a nice little place (although Zoo might be generous) considering the size of Luray. The most impressive part of the Zoo is their extensive snake/reptile collection. They have an impressive number of highly venomous snakes (cobras, Gabon Viper, Mambas) as well as US and local venomous and non-venomous snakes. To me, the most impressive was the Canebrake Rattlesnake (sub-species of the Timber Rattlesnake). This snake was massive. It was easily 6 inches in width - maybe more. I had no idea they were they wide and it was quite impressive.<br /><br />Natalie was impressed by the very large pythons, which both she and Abby seemed delighted to think were going to eat them. They find this more amusing then scary - fortunately.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUI_kQ0twXsG2dDVqqIR3J655RME_VoYauNjjoK6YKOxafVrjwiDAM88bouYAu-_QLJHVa-1TVLQ0U-vpLBPd9ltLCVIm4mZfpaBnG5a9PMin_U3UkuzopSrg2ZcaKvtR2cYSlZMfURYM/s1600/IMG_5467.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUI_kQ0twXsG2dDVqqIR3J655RME_VoYauNjjoK6YKOxafVrjwiDAM88bouYAu-_QLJHVa-1TVLQ0U-vpLBPd9ltLCVIm4mZfpaBnG5a9PMin_U3UkuzopSrg2ZcaKvtR2cYSlZMfURYM/s400/IMG_5467.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528456260566025202" border="0" /></a><br />The Zoo also has a host of owls, birds, some kind of monkey, a petting area of a pig, donkey, yaks, deer, goats, etc. There are also a few cats: a bobcat and their pride and joy - a Bengal Tiger.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguvncONYN3YgV3QuEjgw4NuNuVmHcMsN_EQg71aAcsr4EY2KvU9CvoRsuq9utxh5CGItj-DCU2OOi18MK-Szs4bMGF7qi5cxp65e8s81z_MVzpT-ohbwblR8r4AzFMuvGkLBr_VJz3nzM/s1600/IMG_5473.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguvncONYN3YgV3QuEjgw4NuNuVmHcMsN_EQg71aAcsr4EY2KvU9CvoRsuq9utxh5CGItj-DCU2OOi18MK-Szs4bMGF7qi5cxp65e8s81z_MVzpT-ohbwblR8r4AzFMuvGkLBr_VJz3nzM/s200/IMG_5473.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528458726400933570" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGsagj9jwGeKD-2YxlgFpao-mZZxklFLO2p-g13kDXD4Ojcf3XEG8J5HiWUdNXC3nnpwheZ4oq-NHrRqv_fK943Od0QNsk4BAZk0P31dwjwDLJ07j_yOe2-xH_xYX4MBbZHqArVqv_ucU/s1600/IMG_5469.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGsagj9jwGeKD-2YxlgFpao-mZZxklFLO2p-g13kDXD4Ojcf3XEG8J5HiWUdNXC3nnpwheZ4oq-NHrRqv_fK943Od0QNsk4BAZk0P31dwjwDLJ07j_yOe2-xH_xYX4MBbZHqArVqv_ucU/s200/IMG_5469.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528458714198040386" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDyZI2nSByPowudHwIeEE22wwSqNtmqa08NpQutnTYEXeqYWHCkfmB5zR91UwcwiMla_3AuY1kSUTVfLqlW2-ZoYNZ21Sx8GbQlPYUAIDTS64lBgMSDB7C-pZgLGxebh0IioAHLJXrbPM/s1600/IMG_5478.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDyZI2nSByPowudHwIeEE22wwSqNtmqa08NpQutnTYEXeqYWHCkfmB5zR91UwcwiMla_3AuY1kSUTVfLqlW2-ZoYNZ21Sx8GbQlPYUAIDTS64lBgMSDB7C-pZgLGxebh0IioAHLJXrbPM/s200/IMG_5478.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528458744864019554" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfEkl3lpAdRuU3ICvKDQ2rI_ANV8jKANO6KK_BbdTVmyP8a-E64gr-gSibYVPZACI9FJ8W05Jq5PLN705je1WQMjT31UdCGNpD14QRYMYczOJVG_xYQnxQNw5mEWl3SFUBL23j1NLm-78/s1600/IMG_5489.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfEkl3lpAdRuU3ICvKDQ2rI_ANV8jKANO6KK_BbdTVmyP8a-E64gr-gSibYVPZACI9FJ8W05Jq5PLN705je1WQMjT31UdCGNpD14QRYMYczOJVG_xYQnxQNw5mEWl3SFUBL23j1NLm-78/s200/IMG_5489.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528458738359145346" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3rjx0ne6AgixcRTgbMoLUTG8c_EtGUCckE5uPkDwlIgt9XcPLtDJfMVS426f-kH6Icw63zQNsepXVhymQnS4ZOCH3p8iCSHOsg-jO5fkVaY51F9NMddsE0ms_aWE9oeI0KZKJcdQR9LI/s1600/IMG_5486.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3rjx0ne6AgixcRTgbMoLUTG8c_EtGUCckE5uPkDwlIgt9XcPLtDJfMVS426f-kH6Icw63zQNsepXVhymQnS4ZOCH3p8iCSHOsg-jO5fkVaY51F9NMddsE0ms_aWE9oeI0KZKJcdQR9LI/s200/IMG_5486.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528458733839608450" border="0" /></a><br />Friday afternoon was spent on a canoe trip I'd been wanting to take forever. Luray has a wonderful walking "Greenway" through the middle of town that hugs a little creek perfect of canoeing. The water was a bit low, but it was enough to have a little fun. Ben started out with us, but the water was too low for all of us. He and the girls abandoned ship to feed the ducks, but I picked the girls up again a little downstream. The girls seemed to have a great time and I was happy to do something I haven't had a chance to do in probably 9 years.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgahyphenhyphenPfp8OdThUG_ib6hEQ6dNgdTqKDQF_EoCSibo175GKVSsXL42m4ro6zWLX9kDR1PIhp7kfcGUXnIWfZXVavIuXAgenrc9c3gdz2CDbbNwiwLuyHExTsHpm1Z5u2B8cSJb80Zs-WTdI/s1600/IMG_5517.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgahyphenhyphenPfp8OdThUG_ib6hEQ6dNgdTqKDQF_EoCSibo175GKVSsXL42m4ro6zWLX9kDR1PIhp7kfcGUXnIWfZXVavIuXAgenrc9c3gdz2CDbbNwiwLuyHExTsHpm1Z5u2B8cSJb80Zs-WTdI/s320/IMG_5517.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528462373685895826" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi30XAFeNqg32jKto13K7jiym86mb_QmdiKkI9Wvnebzu1TK1kh6xFM3cK3wpeh5ucvDFLRD8JmgyPzzACaP5nIjoTY880RAGuDOwPVUDwfqMK5w2l-uDrxGKbhFcSoECADdEfdlslFwxg/s1600/IMG_5522.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi30XAFeNqg32jKto13K7jiym86mb_QmdiKkI9Wvnebzu1TK1kh6xFM3cK3wpeh5ucvDFLRD8JmgyPzzACaP5nIjoTY880RAGuDOwPVUDwfqMK5w2l-uDrxGKbhFcSoECADdEfdlslFwxg/s320/IMG_5522.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528462377545631026" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ2_QOAD-qw_cNEcrcWoex3Oz_cw3sz7nhpbMf9GBZyfvM9wpH85OLmMZqCKEo5Zj5rPREjdsoYEqtSatTgi5i09PwvM7K9a0JU0ZrNnhDw0IWh85BQZOz2BxCexogG2SsrlGpns5gJ-I/s1600/IMG_5543.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ2_QOAD-qw_cNEcrcWoex3Oz_cw3sz7nhpbMf9GBZyfvM9wpH85OLmMZqCKEo5Zj5rPREjdsoYEqtSatTgi5i09PwvM7K9a0JU0ZrNnhDw0IWh85BQZOz2BxCexogG2SsrlGpns5gJ-I/s320/IMG_5543.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528462380190266498" border="0" /></a><br />Saturday night we closed the day with a roaring bonfire and smore's and hot cider. My chocoholic children were mostly interested in tossing the graham cracker and marshmellow parts and scarfing down the chocolate. It was a wonderful way to end an amazing day.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6JaqW-9lpSmowhyphenhyphenGh6lJXNj95tnDCc_HvMOd4bhww1x2BDxHHwQDcmFwVUlAqH_XT12hyphenhyphenaYQIicT_fEzvk8peRvXabsu-nohTjV7QDKhpA0oRSEpmPe_fE55QfK3yZV6h8-sFBcMqZPg/s1600/IMG_5556.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6JaqW-9lpSmowhyphenhyphenGh6lJXNj95tnDCc_HvMOd4bhww1x2BDxHHwQDcmFwVUlAqH_XT12hyphenhyphenaYQIicT_fEzvk8peRvXabsu-nohTjV7QDKhpA0oRSEpmPe_fE55QfK3yZV6h8-sFBcMqZPg/s320/IMG_5556.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530691648140432770" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXgwgFYBLmucPC0EjCRvR3hxHIxlMOfOgCn-nUKsAFP6YSuHDR4-kvdNWyCC-3_PAwrMfyNTJZ3OaqWtn-EYum4PD6YVWIXuACtYPVgSSFELzxzqWXIuWSvQEoUjGHuIR2o8TB5FbAYl0/s1600/IMG_5573.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXgwgFYBLmucPC0EjCRvR3hxHIxlMOfOgCn-nUKsAFP6YSuHDR4-kvdNWyCC-3_PAwrMfyNTJZ3OaqWtn-EYum4PD6YVWIXuACtYPVgSSFELzxzqWXIuWSvQEoUjGHuIR2o8TB5FbAYl0/s320/IMG_5573.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530691659303084498" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4F97ltd_hScD8NFkZSpwXZWGR3DDbteFg64MnWoxMVKcSIn4cWOsaV0tWwAO-1C8TWJmVmvVDahRW0noxtMRM2qW083szT7Sk8OvxwXkNdKy4p5gOQ0mFkfNVDThvgWhInjVOvfLFzPE/s1600/IMG_5562.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4F97ltd_hScD8NFkZSpwXZWGR3DDbteFg64MnWoxMVKcSIn4cWOsaV0tWwAO-1C8TWJmVmvVDahRW0noxtMRM2qW083szT7Sk8OvxwXkNdKy4p5gOQ0mFkfNVDThvgWhInjVOvfLFzPE/s320/IMG_5562.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530691655064222962" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE68_NbZ6VWK2oMxGmClIJx92vynkS626e5zSTyhbzSJkSnRfydyRe4giUPMUF157t_4qbWzh8tfRAzXg0dkLLJFxSt1n3wc1h8Fl6AmdklzZRUWsLivKmpglcyqoqzK0BwS50IkehhzY/s1600/IMG_5578.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE68_NbZ6VWK2oMxGmClIJx92vynkS626e5zSTyhbzSJkSnRfydyRe4giUPMUF157t_4qbWzh8tfRAzXg0dkLLJFxSt1n3wc1h8Fl6AmdklzZRUWsLivKmpglcyqoqzK0BwS50IkehhzY/s320/IMG_5578.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530691660100572578" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3jNBjLNIJNodkh0H0DBp4uZlsujOxTdurfTQeNkBpelGSfXgAaDv9V7KuvWGMjCmqOQyAwJ6_MQ0Qz3bfI9rAKFlP76MMKj5gTKS44HtZFg2JKKZjuQDmXPLhORXtYCsM5uoBfzCW1ZQ/s1600/IMG_5587.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3jNBjLNIJNodkh0H0DBp4uZlsujOxTdurfTQeNkBpelGSfXgAaDv9V7KuvWGMjCmqOQyAwJ6_MQ0Qz3bfI9rAKFlP76MMKj5gTKS44HtZFg2JKKZjuQDmXPLhORXtYCsM5uoBfzCW1ZQ/s200/IMG_5587.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528481423100447378" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Saturday</span> we started the day with a wonderful breakfast with a former member of Poppy's church who had always offered such wonderful support and prayers. Then we headed off to Syria, Virginia to Graves Mountain Apple Farm for the Apple Festival. This year was much more crowded, and hotter, so we didn't stay as long. But, we had plenty of time to ride some ponies, check out the hay bales, and visit the petting area of the farm. They even had baby pigs, which were a real treat to watch as they ran around chasing each other.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEircT1imIii8kEALrHFX6502_XE8mhD3bVgsE799SaouXFQzLf6MvAGBESgcCg4kOO06ghwqSwXCqM4ObJsGK3zekZMh6GYsQfGXJiuNqCUnqlX84xFoyJRvbwFiHyb19RqHnBTT7do-7M/s1600/IMG_5595.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEircT1imIii8kEALrHFX6502_XE8mhD3bVgsE799SaouXFQzLf6MvAGBESgcCg4kOO06ghwqSwXCqM4ObJsGK3zekZMh6GYsQfGXJiuNqCUnqlX84xFoyJRvbwFiHyb19RqHnBTT7do-7M/s320/IMG_5595.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528470014937602594" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgar1r8Y2ZPA8mzmwy5sihVjABieTJCATdHdnmI2WJKmuwa8nnm-qh19fKE2Ohk1_ETe5W4eN7nY5D472KGl3t9Ka-AH8kERSCZkckBlw_yMGD6J15Gam1e787Kz-WF21N7du7qS0lbNCU/s1600/IMG_5594.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgar1r8Y2ZPA8mzmwy5sihVjABieTJCATdHdnmI2WJKmuwa8nnm-qh19fKE2Ohk1_ETe5W4eN7nY5D472KGl3t9Ka-AH8kERSCZkckBlw_yMGD6J15Gam1e787Kz-WF21N7du7qS0lbNCU/s320/IMG_5594.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528470008960450850" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWoFctRRn0fKbjvpqZtcSjAXi4xNxZfSxFw2ag_psN5wMBmIiwWafqhwXq1dDzE0csnHvhvUS7dQrQzPcGTuQ9QV7GLTjse2rfIVxP7xA00p5WAM2pONcRg4ECNjuf2g1CA2wYVy37B3Q/s1600/IMG_5618.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWoFctRRn0fKbjvpqZtcSjAXi4xNxZfSxFw2ag_psN5wMBmIiwWafqhwXq1dDzE0csnHvhvUS7dQrQzPcGTuQ9QV7GLTjse2rfIVxP7xA00p5WAM2pONcRg4ECNjuf2g1CA2wYVy37B3Q/s320/IMG_5618.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528483407438833234" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFQ1vp2nnzBk7_3amI-baoJRpDF5W6WQzmP1pCzCx3rvXUJkZ-JoHhDlCM6DNoC5JUnssKHOxnsNHMQtSklYLkgUJDKauV3fzhj_aTZj_Zfo5PCb4lVrO4Rz8WjwBym4zqC7-Q3EgOMlQ/s1600/IMG_5615.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFQ1vp2nnzBk7_3amI-baoJRpDF5W6WQzmP1pCzCx3rvXUJkZ-JoHhDlCM6DNoC5JUnssKHOxnsNHMQtSklYLkgUJDKauV3fzhj_aTZj_Zfo5PCb4lVrO4Rz8WjwBym4zqC7-Q3EgOMlQ/s320/IMG_5615.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528483402617502690" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinviYfm_4PaAlOV525y1UrX_mUS7bF_fAxV4QHRT9S2T7IAoK-q5GPZtVLMVVGlZbRLaxN9KxJHLw85guffqL1E8_F-antAS3Gx-SqlIvD08ZObUnYlDUljYynBhcj12Le_WPAOhb8DlE/s1600/IMG_5611.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinviYfm_4PaAlOV525y1UrX_mUS7bF_fAxV4QHRT9S2T7IAoK-q5GPZtVLMVVGlZbRLaxN9KxJHLw85guffqL1E8_F-antAS3Gx-SqlIvD08ZObUnYlDUljYynBhcj12Le_WPAOhb8DlE/s320/IMG_5611.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528483402230997154" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEscwDG3c3P6qdDU6bXCjG4hmSqZa9EO3eZCXdeibaXviCXFfmgSvnyTXaOG83GmC4OK0xLqVtkY9Cff2orwBH3MNR17QvlT9bwW6Qda9re3Bb7pyW26SjAhmI-pxHE2HMNiPcN4DL_CI/s1600/IMG_5604.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEscwDG3c3P6qdDU6bXCjG4hmSqZa9EO3eZCXdeibaXviCXFfmgSvnyTXaOG83GmC4OK0xLqVtkY9Cff2orwBH3MNR17QvlT9bwW6Qda9re3Bb7pyW26SjAhmI-pxHE2HMNiPcN4DL_CI/s320/IMG_5604.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528483396340438882" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMiiNIKn_igLbRWjqXG53sbrHbCaUIOsp05C24v0B3NMnKEKGjNOmHOPFs2yVvhB15KJhWSyqFhlzNXl64LdnEBPRTJT-AkuYB7Q04s5qUKe84xrC9EiMyGtAxT4m6P-ew50oF2xbEYkM/s1600/IMG_5603.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMiiNIKn_igLbRWjqXG53sbrHbCaUIOsp05C24v0B3NMnKEKGjNOmHOPFs2yVvhB15KJhWSyqFhlzNXl64LdnEBPRTJT-AkuYB7Q04s5qUKe84xrC9EiMyGtAxT4m6P-ew50oF2xbEYkM/s320/IMG_5603.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528483394787505282" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuoJVCNZRyNit8sK7aERk2TZuDGnWRugqs9eJ-Ynhc9a6IE-zG7G1b4yP6ZFcHl8bLTXJHMkw3rlHkFFGfKyp6Ay-CPYPy604pNbfSphyNn4cR_lxD7_K3veJwJWJwHETS7-kJmW4SQQE/s1600/IMG_5587.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuoJVCNZRyNit8sK7aERk2TZuDGnWRugqs9eJ-Ynhc9a6IE-zG7G1b4yP6ZFcHl8bLTXJHMkw3rlHkFFGfKyp6Ay-CPYPy604pNbfSphyNn4cR_lxD7_K3veJwJWJwHETS7-kJmW4SQQE/s320/IMG_5587.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528484809432181986" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwEH_rc2DrQ9gUNbM2xxXH-WGY4HUCoDQtRtILThEap3jtVax1GTghtIkLp4x-bO5G5IcwKElaGWLHKKaLWB9YVNaeN6Rvu9uQBrYvge40TkGrNHSb8SYs_UN9HXkVzaVPnvyxvxK3bgg/s1600/IMG_5585.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwEH_rc2DrQ9gUNbM2xxXH-WGY4HUCoDQtRtILThEap3jtVax1GTghtIkLp4x-bO5G5IcwKElaGWLHKKaLWB9YVNaeN6Rvu9uQBrYvge40TkGrNHSb8SYs_UN9HXkVzaVPnvyxvxK3bgg/s320/IMG_5585.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528484806627639186" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGrSz66oT4sO05KKrRHMJblElBRYHEwseCJ0yVAYFnfmOGK-kcRUqKPj4FmjYn8yNQ6Di1Dq5eiCslLTOcDWZC6IzIaQlxw7hhUU8TfN4m4mEgKlkA48-gi6UnaVNbJScfO3lFc8QSG8I/s1600/IMG_5666.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGrSz66oT4sO05KKrRHMJblElBRYHEwseCJ0yVAYFnfmOGK-kcRUqKPj4FmjYn8yNQ6Di1Dq5eiCslLTOcDWZC6IzIaQlxw7hhUU8TfN4m4mEgKlkA48-gi6UnaVNbJScfO3lFc8QSG8I/s320/IMG_5666.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528484800020359458" border="0" /></a><br />Saturday afternoon we headed back to Poppy and Nanny's to get in a little more fun. Ben and Nanny hung out with the girls and Poppy and Mommy took a little canoeing adventure. We put in on the Shenandoah River behind their house and followed the river to see where it would go! We knew it would hit under the bridge (our pick-up spot) but we weren't sure how long it would take or what water conditions we would find. (I was hoping for white water all the way:-)) What we discovered was a wonderful stretch of river with some beautiful smooth cruising water and a few fun little rapids.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIDbn1anj8j0yGDLFar_w5_kaRlF9Ja05-3yR72hjA0xOR5O7zCjTHsngPCXRL6KwguktRJlpKF_CfTpRez1RQXNxomnmWEdPbHHeKLUhcfMseI480JqsXxVmmHclXjB6cKdN4T85rwKc/s1600/IMG_5668.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIDbn1anj8j0yGDLFar_w5_kaRlF9Ja05-3yR72hjA0xOR5O7zCjTHsngPCXRL6KwguktRJlpKF_CfTpRez1RQXNxomnmWEdPbHHeKLUhcfMseI480JqsXxVmmHclXjB6cKdN4T85rwKc/s320/IMG_5668.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530683865471061554" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGQP57ohAkG3ppxYYfQb1e-vl-PKhsr9BJ6xDmSZWvUFNBWJ87ThXR5J5nSK6aa2wtjbqfS7JJfWQZSHEUflFgkHraB0_7QIIT0YJlB6LgBwY7qELQsidffm9oc4dIJq2kBP2RJe9ldNc/s1600/IMG_5671.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGQP57ohAkG3ppxYYfQb1e-vl-PKhsr9BJ6xDmSZWvUFNBWJ87ThXR5J5nSK6aa2wtjbqfS7JJfWQZSHEUflFgkHraB0_7QIIT0YJlB6LgBwY7qELQsidffm9oc4dIJq2kBP2RJe9ldNc/s320/IMG_5671.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530684998386129362" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKR6Q1BbHYEnnfSNWEKPf4HuE7lCa5RqjrS3pBT5F3sOD-2gbFmHS1Odc5KqgzT-I9o20V5cXPbcgkAES0RK3XZlAVBDEsLtLrJIYzSs2A9S3SHsn1nn76iQ_lW665AULiBpb2ND9bAXE/s1600/IMG_5587.JPG"><br /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwtJSSRpSbA92q0WmRDRLy0oWhTb3L7intquk8xkyIK8Lp5dl8tVYZ7ev_dTMnMU-sFsFlbN4s6NSSIPtg7hWkPCpE3BTdtpHjkOR_9H3gEmb1FCSNQwqsB51G70NGU_q4WhpVc2OmX84/s1600/IMG_5585.JPG"><br /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP48iAEfbN7f1JzYnD9aFTUEBkBp95h7RFP-eVnAE7PPrwxc91yMc6Ex4qGG-iJ-_i7NcU5zNakhytaOPQvi_aSzDe5RQt6GuP7d1lBOYgaOgPaTR8cAOJblXkCOp_j10m6QuTQ2_um2M/s1600/IMG_5583.JPG"><br /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ2_QOAD-qw_cNEcrcWoex3Oz_cw3sz7nhpbMf9GBZyfvM9wpH85OLmMZqCKEo5Zj5rPREjdsoYEqtSatTgi5i09PwvM7K9a0JU0ZrNnhDw0IWh85BQZOz2BxCexogG2SsrlGpns5gJ-I/s1600/IMG_5543.JPG"><br /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDyZI2nSByPowudHwIeEE22wwSqNtmqa08NpQutnTYEXeqYWHCkfmB5zR91UwcwiMla_3AuY1kSUTVfLqlW2-ZoYNZ21Sx8GbQlPYUAIDTS64lBgMSDB7C-pZgLGxebh0IioAHLJXrbPM/s1600/IMG_5478.JPG"><br /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />After picking us up, Dad and Ben dropped me off at the same spot we ran the day before so I could run it myself and go a bit further. It was wonderful, although going "a little further" turned out not to be so smart since there was not actually a good place to take out the canoe. So, Ben and I ended up carrying it a good bit back to the truck. Did I mention it was dark by then? While I was gone, Poppy gave the girls his own version of a hay ride in the little trailer pulled by his lawn mower. They loved it! The next time we are there in the snow, we will have to hook up a sled and go for a spin.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Sunday</span> we enjoyed attending church at Poppy's church and seeing all our Luray Church friends. The girls were actually wonderful and made it all the way through the service up to the sermon when Natalie said she needed to go the potty. I think they would have made it through if not for that. (It was a short sermon:-))<br /><br />At lunch, the girls continued to make liars out of our complaints about their eating habits as we watch them eat salsa with a spoon as if it were soup, handfuls of chips, and 2 or 3 chicken wings. It was remarkable.<br /><br />After lunch we headed to Luray's Heritage Festival where Poppy had a friend who would give us a horse and buggy ride. The girls loved it. We also rode more ponies and took a ride on the cutest homemade train made from barrels - and pulled by a tractor! It was so much fun.<br /><br />And to cap the whole weekend off - we found a lovely little garter snake on the road that we were able to hurry along before it was smushed.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3v5L5eYtDLJBUsUzhyphenhyphenmZXM8aYn8OgPtf6DZx94SvzhwYKdP8CQzUCm_5hEh8ou3rlOTjMXaWFz8AXEbvN-TFSL3wyuYh1BqU0DSHq_r4WJVQh8IwKq5ebLo2WXEhKGCKZvM0-0MZiDDI/s1600/IMG_5685.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3v5L5eYtDLJBUsUzhyphenhyphenmZXM8aYn8OgPtf6DZx94SvzhwYKdP8CQzUCm_5hEh8ou3rlOTjMXaWFz8AXEbvN-TFSL3wyuYh1BqU0DSHq_r4WJVQh8IwKq5ebLo2WXEhKGCKZvM0-0MZiDDI/s320/IMG_5685.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530698184897876386" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWi848i3gSqfQXGyQwqiD_dGPczTObNA2BVTzCrv9TO14dNPmaacPF8buDSQWTRPlHErHM6RepKmAEtrYrkbwgFH-Q-EaR5UQcC0fRmZteYXonZYlfmfbr6dRaBNUH90BIXpri6AejXY8/s1600/IMG_5689.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWi848i3gSqfQXGyQwqiD_dGPczTObNA2BVTzCrv9TO14dNPmaacPF8buDSQWTRPlHErHM6RepKmAEtrYrkbwgFH-Q-EaR5UQcC0fRmZteYXonZYlfmfbr6dRaBNUH90BIXpri6AejXY8/s320/IMG_5689.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530698192447231906" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRLXaRACGI-RFkq8oerb_L7D4qZJBAasxabnuqjk7Nflg3gc2QqgDszowkWZ7yVz7C-piinXD8VwoXbEt0FXvV_iJSObCJIEeDA2em78u6USllgcPISSpQHYbcfZyZHg6Qs6Fow9Ee3uE/s1600/IMG_5687.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRLXaRACGI-RFkq8oerb_L7D4qZJBAasxabnuqjk7Nflg3gc2QqgDszowkWZ7yVz7C-piinXD8VwoXbEt0FXvV_iJSObCJIEeDA2em78u6USllgcPISSpQHYbcfZyZHg6Qs6Fow9Ee3uE/s320/IMG_5687.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530698189955291410" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRTw3SJdMPSNITnOhrIQCFP8HSUSsCmfIWWw64tK4uuLdsZ4grJfI0LY0RyJm6zUPCC_Rk-l7K5m_4lv8baGk-4pIBjJRve_SyDvWoGY4HLcY6bBeRtjalLLduhg9VTe_j7rcxu7DWkgw/s1600/IMG_5692.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRTw3SJdMPSNITnOhrIQCFP8HSUSsCmfIWWw64tK4uuLdsZ4grJfI0LY0RyJm6zUPCC_Rk-l7K5m_4lv8baGk-4pIBjJRve_SyDvWoGY4HLcY6bBeRtjalLLduhg9VTe_j7rcxu7DWkgw/s320/IMG_5692.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530698197086874418" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX5QWX81SwDPBzG3c-tMa1Svo5GipmuXHPTWmHyOAHBnoMyLwlez-TeoZx_vUw3eTNPfOzAA4dyOBVaxZBaybyaGac3vmNx99v7ZsA7JUfzBsZPwD8ydF_DftUCxsagzQXGh5meVS47b0/s1600/IMG_5681.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX5QWX81SwDPBzG3c-tMa1Svo5GipmuXHPTWmHyOAHBnoMyLwlez-TeoZx_vUw3eTNPfOzAA4dyOBVaxZBaybyaGac3vmNx99v7ZsA7JUfzBsZPwD8ydF_DftUCxsagzQXGh5meVS47b0/s320/IMG_5681.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530698176038236114" border="0" /></a><br />As always, our time in Luray ended too soon. It was amazing to at least have a 3 day weekend instead of just two and it made all the difference in being able to relax and have fun.<br /><br />Coming soon to a blog near you: Natalie and Abby's first trip to the NC State Fair!Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02241169966641945045noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6720757269020350337.post-586416154166580392010-10-15T21:32:00.003-04:002010-10-15T21:35:47.100-04:00My Ingenious Laundry Sorting SolutionI'm rather proud of this. I hate the laundry ending up all over the floor. This works great for us!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCQnUs7LEJKVLC5wgNPrTdI4HG79kL3gg5nRidsIfeW-6sqpfcYsGCEuNN713DosUHAycYJxU_2cnHC4vpmfxMdEqxuos1UTMZGPsmvfbPRgXlZ65nYmbjkDDWH4hdektc0nB1kgpIqOM/s1600/10-04-2010+Laundry+Solutions_5442.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCQnUs7LEJKVLC5wgNPrTdI4HG79kL3gg5nRidsIfeW-6sqpfcYsGCEuNN713DosUHAycYJxU_2cnHC4vpmfxMdEqxuos1UTMZGPsmvfbPRgXlZ65nYmbjkDDWH4hdektc0nB1kgpIqOM/s400/10-04-2010+Laundry+Solutions_5442.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528451270067103826" border="0" /></a>Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02241169966641945045noreply@blogger.com4