tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75668723317160719052024-03-13T08:06:19.105-07:00bandwidowthe journal of a stay-at-home mom;
the things that fill my days...bandwidowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01689052910310933483noreply@blogger.comBlogger1043125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7566872331716071905.post-35146368966198651852012-10-17T19:56:00.001-07:002012-10-17T21:33:43.773-07:00N's Current Favorite Book<div class="posterous_autopost">
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I know I haven't been keeping up on our life here, and I have plans of back logging it all very shortly, but for now you can take a listen to N <a href="http://bandwidow.posterous.com/ns-new-favorite-book">"reading"</a> through In The Night Kitchen by Maurice Sendak. He has really taken to this book recently and I can't help but see a little bit of N in the storyline myself.</div>
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bandwidowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01689052910310933483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7566872331716071905.post-9843391943058037672012-09-02T23:47:00.001-07:002012-09-02T23:57:07.446-07:00A Little Street CredE was mentioned on our school's website!<br />
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(sorry for the screen shot pic)<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK1WASacFqOD7zHHxqQpDuWtcP-KdAsQTkf6RZHxHf9PMvbzp6yUNogtJCugMCxdtENHy428xkBkklTpcIHsoL9qs7uHqPe_bbLs2nRxbHmWPjSNXo4ReoRjz1SiHEBBErU2DWIG9QOSih/s640/blogger-image--368632956.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK1WASacFqOD7zHHxqQpDuWtcP-KdAsQTkf6RZHxHf9PMvbzp6yUNogtJCugMCxdtENHy428xkBkklTpcIHsoL9qs7uHqPe_bbLs2nRxbHmWPjSNXo4ReoRjz1SiHEBBErU2DWIG9QOSih/s640/blogger-image--368632956.jpg" /></a></div>bandwidowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01689052910310933483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7566872331716071905.post-30096389250874590902012-08-25T14:13:00.002-07:002012-08-29T22:17:25.106-07:00Birch Bay 2012<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Mom and Kids Only Camping trip! Looking back over the other 2 trips we've taken, I realized that we have steadily increased our stays each time (<a href="http://annkrestene.blogspot.com/2008/08/deception-pass-2008.html">Deception Pass</a> - 1 night, and <a href="tp://annkrestene.blogspot.com/2011/07/ocean-shores-2011.html">Ocean Shores</a> - 2 nights), soon, we may be up to a week! This year we decided on a shorter car ride up north and stayed at lovely Birch Bay State Park, right across the water from Canada. We nabbed a great site complete with it's own forest trails. E spent most of her time in a huge climbing tree with Asher, and N and Mini were great companions. The 3-night trip (as you may imagine) presented itself with its unique challenges; a burst of rain on our ill prepared tents, a tick lodged under Mini's eyelash, early wake up calls, raccoons bumping around in the night, mosquito bites, uncooperative children howling in the showers, and a table full of picky eaters. None were so terrible to deter us from planning another trip again next year. Here are some shots from our time, none sadly from my actual camera, all via Instagram on my phone.</div>
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<br />bandwidowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01689052910310933483noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7566872331716071905.post-59383784148708842622012-08-19T16:18:00.002-07:002012-08-20T21:18:34.606-07:002012 Shark's Picnic<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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To say that swim team was a good experience for E this summer would be an understatement. She <i>shone</i>; our family was incredibly proud of her hard work. She was up every weekday morning for a 8am-9:30 workout and practice and she really swam her hardest at each meet. Her times vastly improved over the corse of the summer! Good work Sweet Girl!<br />
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In League Champs, the final meet of the season which included 5 or 6 teams, she placed 2nd in the 25 yard Backstroke and 3rd in Mixed 100 yard Freestyle for her age group (that's out of 30 or 40 some odd kids in those events)! We're already looking forward to next year!<br />
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bandwidowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01689052910310933483noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7566872331716071905.post-52074757948774051842012-08-11T15:12:00.002-07:002012-08-11T18:03:34.427-07:00Fourth Swim Meet<div style="text-align: center;">
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E's coach has taken a special interest in appropriately pushing E's quickly growing skill set in the lanes. It was decided that she be placed in an event rated for 10-year-olds (she's 7). She was entered into the 100-Yard Individual Medley. This requires her to swim 4 lengths of the pool and a new stroke for each pass. It was exhausting just watching. But she pushed right on through and finished 4th, we were so<br />
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Here's the video:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjshXtAXUiUaiyTqNmjfuJ9tXWOTuspxqyhLUgJ66Z6ldOxIXXHMjQ55s7AL_0n_BvPme2tXiAH3edgODgA-cZb9RT0F_JRJ5ix5ly87DaQQ9tSWPCTq5e5ii9I4RUcsj7ioZHFv071begD/s1600/DSC_0121.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjshXtAXUiUaiyTqNmjfuJ9tXWOTuspxqyhLUgJ66Z6ldOxIXXHMjQ55s7AL_0n_BvPme2tXiAH3edgODgA-cZb9RT0F_JRJ5ix5ly87DaQQ9tSWPCTq5e5ii9I4RUcsj7ioZHFv071begD/s400/DSC_0121.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;">Last minute instruction from Coach Monique</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;">Backstroke</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhABdiGvzKoMlVrNr2UvNhbBqOkTVBnxPtn4FXH6xn8jkYK-UbgSCmyzSA8dVFiRXoVp33jDlU5m5zNCLv6nNcmzZfrxkOJN_UtWeC7DCtHR2uavc1E-bhGQr8oOUDcrK5j5LlEElUpzqH5/s1600/DSC_0143.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhABdiGvzKoMlVrNr2UvNhbBqOkTVBnxPtn4FXH6xn8jkYK-UbgSCmyzSA8dVFiRXoVp33jDlU5m5zNCLv6nNcmzZfrxkOJN_UtWeC7DCtHR2uavc1E-bhGQr8oOUDcrK5j5LlEElUpzqH5/s400/DSC_0143.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;">Freestyle</span></td></tr>
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And her best event; the 25 Backstroke was another success! She improved her time by 2 seconds and brought home another blue ribbon!</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="480" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Fdepw5MJDVo?rel=0" width="640"></iframe>bandwidowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01689052910310933483noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7566872331716071905.post-84786733843529805152012-07-29T21:50:00.002-07:002012-07-29T22:10:47.254-07:00Third Swim Meet<div style="text-align: center;">The backstroke is E's strongest stroke, she won first in her division today! A very proud moment for all that were there cheering her on. D and I were serendipitously timing her lane and got to watch the whole thing unfold right under our noses. She's in lane 4 (4th from the top).</div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/eWeTjepVKQU?rel=0" width="640"></iframe></div><br />
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*Thanks to Grandpa for taking the video.bandwidowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01689052910310933483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7566872331716071905.post-87442587709654682322012-07-20T21:21:00.000-07:002012-07-21T09:22:45.232-07:00Second Swim Meet<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/xwNExWELvKk?rel=0" width="480"></iframe></div>bandwidowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01689052910310933483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7566872331716071905.post-28253658051095134652012-07-16T13:26:00.000-07:002012-07-16T13:26:09.420-07:00N's First Swim Lesson<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Swimming lessons have been a top priority for our family. I took them every summer until I earned a Red Cross Certification, E's been in the water since 2 1/2 almost year round, and now it's time for the boy. He's reverted back to his clingy self as of recent, so I wasn't sure what to expect. I gave him the rundown, and he had loads of questions. It helped that E was already in the water doing "her lesson," and he just got right in! For the most part he listened attentively and participated in everything (at one point he even shot off the raised dock to imitate his teacher only to find himself near the bottom of the pool...coughing a sputtering he have me a soggy smile while his instructor placed him back on solid ground, undeterred in the least).</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">*You can see E watching from the far left lane on the other side of the pool and cheering him on!</span>bandwidowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01689052910310933483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7566872331716071905.post-40556421632325047132012-07-08T21:02:00.000-07:002012-07-09T09:06:23.453-07:00E's First Swim Meet<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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E was all smiles during all 4 of her events (she must have swallowed a gallon of water with her mouth open like that). She competed with other 7/8-year-olds, and felt great about the experience. I was volunteering the entire evening as a timer, so I didn't get to focus on her like I would have preferred, but her 4 grandparents were in there in full force along with N, I was so thankful for their support.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">*This cracks me up every time. She's swimming, but more interested in spotting her grandparents on the side.</span>bandwidowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01689052910310933483noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7566872331716071905.post-19640931028990861812012-07-06T14:20:00.000-07:002012-07-07T14:40:17.923-07:00N's First Bike Ride<div style="text-align: center;">
We got E the tiniest little bike when she was 2. She rode it a lot until it was outgrown and then we lent it out. Well, it's back in the hands of another 3-year-old... One who strangely enough is content to pedal at a snails pace. Just like his sister though, N's is having a little bit of trouble with the pedaling direction and often stomps back to a jolting halt. I have no doubt that very shortly I'll be screaming at him from the front porch to slow down, and stop playing chicken with oncoming traffic.</div>
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This clip is almost 2 minutes long and mostly placed here for posterity. Please forgive the gushing motherly instruction and encouragement.</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/yfFYFjHotnI?rel=0" width="480"></iframe></div>bandwidowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01689052910310933483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7566872331716071905.post-48303763761346730402012-07-04T10:22:00.001-07:002012-07-04T10:53:07.896-07:00Knee High by The 4th of July<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Our popping corn is plugging right along, and if the forecast is correct the next stretch of sun will really help things along!</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">H</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">a</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">p</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">p</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">y</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">4</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">t</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">h</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">!</span></b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFl4GjA7-l659O8S96ajAv-_5cWmNlRUShZoe4VvGgiiIh__YaEuDjOftHcw-m5Y9uHwGuqXVj8-F5xHEF4tD7GN5Varuu8rVKOZ1uzqaTXA_-SCcRfLUcTcqA8_YKrGD_IGcUNJBKZqD2/s1600/skirt1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFl4GjA7-l659O8S96ajAv-_5cWmNlRUShZoe4VvGgiiIh__YaEuDjOftHcw-m5Y9uHwGuqXVj8-F5xHEF4tD7GN5Varuu8rVKOZ1uzqaTXA_-SCcRfLUcTcqA8_YKrGD_IGcUNJBKZqD2/s320/skirt1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>bandwidowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01689052910310933483noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7566872331716071905.post-17756437516922202762012-06-30T21:14:00.000-07:002012-06-30T21:14:22.742-07:00Conversations With a 7-Year-OldSetting: Backyard; I'm in our shed cleaning and organizing and she's swinging on her tree swing near the door.<br />
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E "Mom, if you could have just one wish what would it be?"<br />
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Me "Probably that we wouldn't have to ever worry about money."<br />
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E "Ok, what if I add you up to <i>5</i> wishes?"<br />
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Me "Whoa, well that's a lot to think about."<br />
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E "Ok I'll minus you down to 3."<br />
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Me "Ok, no money worries, health and safely for those I love, and...well peace I guess just about covers it."<br />
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E "Well, what if our car could <i>fly</i>? Like a rocket button?"bandwidowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01689052910310933483noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7566872331716071905.post-46510238231416295682012-06-26T15:00:00.001-07:002012-06-26T15:00:42.869-07:00Carnival Ride at the Fun Center<div class='posterous_autopost'><p><div class='p_embed p_video_embed'> <a href="http://bandwidow.posterous.com/carnival-ride-at-the-fun-center"><img alt="" src="http://getfile0.posterous.com/getfile/video.posterous.com/bandwidow/rHnGwCywoGzfshrvxsyoeBzponlvGEeCmHmkpDscrGrzErcqlkJDurvdeAuu/frame_0000.png" /></a> <div class='p_embed_description'> <strong>p93.mov</strong> <a href="http://bandwidow.posterous.com/carnival-ride-at-the-fun-center">Watch on Posterous</a> </div> </div> </p></div>bandwidowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01689052910310933483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7566872331716071905.post-74160412159592203642012-06-24T14:37:00.001-07:002012-06-24T14:37:09.882-07:00Water Park Surf Room<div class='posterous_autopost'><p><div class='p_embed p_video_embed'> <a href="http://bandwidow.posterous.com/water-park-surf-room"><img alt="" src="http://getfile6.posterous.com/getfile/video.posterous.com/bandwidow/dkjtIuAwqxGwjCdusHypvBkJbjvyJbIwIuzdHHaGdhidnwgFAmGEfgHtFHth/frame_0000.png" /></a> <div class='p_embed_description'> <strong>p77.mov</strong> <a href="http://bandwidow.posterous.com/water-park-surf-room">Watch on Posterous</a> </div> </div> </p>E was a maniac, loved this feature!</div>bandwidowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01689052910310933483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7566872331716071905.post-52166160623103795152012-06-17T22:08:00.002-07:002012-06-17T22:08:58.526-07:00Blue<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />bandwidowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01689052910310933483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7566872331716071905.post-5111855111420823042012-06-17T18:27:00.001-07:002012-06-17T18:27:03.761-07:00Happy Daddy Day!<div class='posterous_autopost'><p><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <a href="http://getfile9.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/bandwidow/tfrykkBcvHwscJwJazEIumvoispIrbtalhqEphBztbgqsHGmlkfjunsildtc/p73.jpg.scaled1000.jpg"><img alt="P73" height="670" src="http://getfile7.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/bandwidow/tfrykkBcvHwscJwJazEIumvoispIrbtalhqEphBztbgqsHGmlkfjunsildtc/p73.jpg.scaled500.jpg" width="500" /></a> </div> </p></div>bandwidowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01689052910310933483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7566872331716071905.post-77153863211480966232012-06-14T16:02:00.002-07:002012-06-14T18:39:29.022-07:00St. Louis Gateway Arch<div style="text-align: center;">
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E got a close up look at the arch today, incredible!</div>
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As I mentioned before E got to tag along on the last leg of her daddy's tour. Kinda awesome, right? Not too many kids get to take a week and a half off of homelife and drive from Atlanta back to Seattle in a tour van. She's loving it. I've had a harder time not having her around. I think there were 2 consecutive nights I spent away from her last year sometime, but nothing like this type of separation. Our family is equally divided down the middle; 2 away and 2 stay. Of course we have our multiple daily conversations when I have to interrogate her on teeth brushing and vitamin taking. Every once in a while my phone let's me know there is a video chat afoot; let the silly face making contest begin! Her and her N could have hour long spells doing this: </div>
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We miss her, and cannot wait until next week when we're all back together again.</div>bandwidowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01689052910310933483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7566872331716071905.post-56933292075865180532012-06-13T10:03:00.000-07:002012-06-13T10:04:41.853-07:00Boy TimeI'm not sure how I'm going to cope. My first born off on an adventure with her dad for the next 10 days.<br />
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Me.<br />
At home.<br />
With the boy.<br />
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Day in and day out with N. No school, no schedule to speak of, just us and the long <i>long</i> days. I haven't been a parent of <i>one</i> in a long time, "How do I do this again?" He still naps more often than not, and he really will eat most anything so that's <i>something</i>. Wait! He loves the children's museum, the zoo, the aquarium, going on hikes, taking long baths, digging outside with me, playing on our swing set, visiting the swimming pool, playing indoors, cooking...hmmmm on second thought I think this is going to be fine, we might actually not be able to fit everything in! And isn't this exactly what I was lamenting when he was born; that he wouldn't get that undivided attention E had for the first 5 years of her life? This is going to be really good.<br />
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Here is my latest solution to his accumulating <a href="http://store.playmobilusa.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-US-Site/en_US/Search-Show?cgid=Bau">Playmobil construction</a> collection: IKEA has these extra large shallow under-the-bed storage boxes that are the perfect fit for keeping the mess contained and easy play! Now if we could just manage to get him in matching pajama's once in a while, who is his mother anyhow?bandwidowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01689052910310933483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7566872331716071905.post-57930485953123289032012-06-12T19:05:00.001-07:002012-06-13T13:16:29.513-07:00The Definition of an OrchardThe definition of an orchard as spelled out by wikipedia is "an intentional planting of trees or shrubs that is maintained for food production." My guess is that my front yard won't look the way it does for many more years. I am slowly replacing ornamental's with plants that give a little bit back. Last fall I planted a 4-way cherry, a 4-way pear and a Gravenstein apple. In years past I put in blueberries, raspberries, rhubarb and strawberries. Everything is growing and looking very healthy (except maybe save for the strawberries, can't figure out why they only want to make pea-sized berries). I wasn't sure I would get <i>anything</i> this season from my fruit trees what with it being their first year in my yard and the flip-floppy weather we're so famous for in the lovely Seattle area. Here is a little peek at my orchard.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The apples are right now about the size of a 'shooter marble' and my mouth just waters when I think of the pie and homemade sauce in my future!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is on the Bartlett branch, disappointingly no D'Anjou this year (which is kinda the reason I got the tree in the first place)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMJ_IWgd-Mt555q7e_2Xz5qgX-dVuZWDWg-HP5cvGoZQWW3AG5VmjdBsZEYJprHbSiVQ7oZpMTQ3Leb6Z8GeG3g6VcOvNFAPNuLwwKHCn56WfF-RPcsUa87SFouAfMg37vOnnJWU7-oa54/s1600/DSC_0199.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMJ_IWgd-Mt555q7e_2Xz5qgX-dVuZWDWg-HP5cvGoZQWW3AG5VmjdBsZEYJprHbSiVQ7oZpMTQ3Leb6Z8GeG3g6VcOvNFAPNuLwwKHCn56WfF-RPcsUa87SFouAfMg37vOnnJWU7-oa54/s400/DSC_0199.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I have exactly 3 cherries growing this year; have to put up the bird netting soon I would die if birds ate them!</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/AVvXsEh0XMXLL2ptaotMV2FHHm6uSrTq-6MxyqywcKgUZ2-1dTGjdzQ3I4QpSw7na6eFtxVCi69-6s87hDmS__Ayle1TvKivHlfo_WW22dO2pXnLvdpBXbYvcjNy0nu6QkNaXVZSz3TBbumVG5N8/s1600/DSC_0202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0XMXLL2ptaotMV2FHHm6uSrTq-6MxyqywcKgUZ2-1dTGjdzQ3I4QpSw7na6eFtxVCi69-6s87hDmS__Ayle1TvKivHlfo_WW22dO2pXnLvdpBXbYvcjNy0nu6QkNaXVZSz3TBbumVG5N8/s400/DSC_0202.jpg" width="272" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Loads of raspberries comin'; these are the epitome of summer fruit in my mind, nothing better.</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/AVvXsEiBLvZJeBmLhBo1m-Yq53arWfbT7-tLUFABFRphCGVC8h1m2zGPtf1zt3IAnYc15llmyFz1z3_xfmxJVPkqL_GNenSrT49-2sZf-9KQvuUNCchL4HMzY3cO15zTYuuCTeLYZK_FwAclapzv/s1600/DSC_0203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBLvZJeBmLhBo1m-Yq53arWfbT7-tLUFABFRphCGVC8h1m2zGPtf1zt3IAnYc15llmyFz1z3_xfmxJVPkqL_GNenSrT49-2sZf-9KQvuUNCchL4HMzY3cO15zTYuuCTeLYZK_FwAclapzv/s400/DSC_0203.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blueberries makin' their way too!</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/AVvXsEhM-CoBw_GhlmTSiylKBiHLyt0YiNtAZ406y3oeaboXa4tdPVTyL4AewDGEvO4xakPRHDH2sv-v_mHfYqsHUEoeNfQSt5jNu5MKgCsjXY7mXBbivyy_DKSzF1hnQvKxt2Ze6PtSQjlmr6b2/s1600/DSC_0206.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM-CoBw_GhlmTSiylKBiHLyt0YiNtAZ406y3oeaboXa4tdPVTyL4AewDGEvO4xakPRHDH2sv-v_mHfYqsHUEoeNfQSt5jNu5MKgCsjXY7mXBbivyy_DKSzF1hnQvKxt2Ze6PtSQjlmr6b2/s400/DSC_0206.jpg" width="272" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here are my funny little strawberries, the smallest things I have ever seen (but darn tasty when ripe)! Anyone know what's happening here? I acquired them from a neighbor and his berries were 'normal' - they're <a href="http://www.csmonitor.com/The-Culture/Gardening/diggin-it/2011/1012/Alpine-strawberries-Perfect-in-foliage-and-in-fruit">Alpine</a> which are a more petite berry, but come on; I'd need 100 of these things to call it a snack!</td></tr>
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<br />bandwidowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01689052910310933483noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7566872331716071905.post-21265384314186873442012-06-11T21:48:00.000-07:002012-06-14T15:40:25.373-07:00My Garden Defines MeSo this is the 3rd/4th year I have worked/expanded our family vegetable garden. I started with a pretty foundational love of plants and working in the dirt and have now turned over most of my southern facing side yard to food production. In past years I've grown some family standards and then also thrown a few "hmmmm...that would be interesting" cultivars in the mix. This year I decided to stick with only things I know my family will eat (maybe with a little coaxing). I started everything from seed (mostly using Territorial Seed Company mail order) except the tomatoes came as 3" starts. And <a href="http://annkrestene.blogspot.com/2012/04/sigh.html">cartwheeling greenhouse</a> aside, this is looking like my best year ever (knock on wood). A <i>huge</i> thanks goes out to my dad for opening up the sky for me, with the branches gone my yard and food budget got a great face lift.<br />
<br />
This years garden list is as follows:<br />
Dutch Fingerling, Yukon Gold, Red and White Potatoes<br />
Sunflowers (for seeds)<br />
Red and Golden Raspberries<br />
Green, Burgundy, and Yellow Bush Beans<br />
Garlic<br />
Storage Onions<br />
Broccoli<br />
Brussel Sprouts<br />
2 Varieties of Kale<br />
Spinach<br />
Romaine<br />
Salad Mix<br />
Dual Purpose (baking and carving) Pumpkins<br />
Sugar Snap Peas<br />
Tomato's 8 Varieties<br />
Zucchini<br />
Cucumber<br />
Purple Bell Pepper<br />
Purple and Orange Carrots<br />
Easter Egg Radishes<br />
Flat and Curly Leaf Parsley<br />
Popping Corn<br />
Some random squash from seeds I saved from last year.<br />
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Photos of above mentioned deliciousness:<br />
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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/AVvXsEhnNHDdcn9509wA7342eIZjiRXfLqIfcs1UJjkkelQi72jr7qNl8v4PJlLiyDXNIfdPovTW9NR831jGnQV1tkahf0_1-N8iTfO3ITLOQHI2NFR6dLfy6H96c9aFYVjOB_uOKnVlIwEnV5my/s1600/IMG_2685.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnNHDdcn9509wA7342eIZjiRXfLqIfcs1UJjkkelQi72jr7qNl8v4PJlLiyDXNIfdPovTW9NR831jGnQV1tkahf0_1-N8iTfO3ITLOQHI2NFR6dLfy6H96c9aFYVjOB_uOKnVlIwEnV5my/s400/IMG_2685.JPG" width="296" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Realizing that this photo doesn't really do the space justice this is a 5x17 foot bed</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/AVvXsEiBt2PADvTUtZqQxvzr01c4mVX3Q4-MzNnse2D0PcNenNVwyX2lAO4cM0QE7cVIzYbt4L6EjZqn18F_MTNjFd_Yz2KS42R1JKFx_unjQAzmx-E7s4sxuu4h5rPymF5qOtkoOCyLTkb0GwJS/s1600/IMG_2686.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBt2PADvTUtZqQxvzr01c4mVX3Q4-MzNnse2D0PcNenNVwyX2lAO4cM0QE7cVIzYbt4L6EjZqn18F_MTNjFd_Yz2KS42R1JKFx_unjQAzmx-E7s4sxuu4h5rPymF5qOtkoOCyLTkb0GwJS/s400/IMG_2686.JPG" width="296" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">4.5x15' bed</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/AVvXsEjANNczc4UdIvFTKGtGt4JKnTJvbUK_E-QdMfbzjBrN8EKsC0JSah5jsJUSLv1xLLCV7AETZxhwyTjJSHcIhlkZJ8M_2tl6QFq-W9_nh-NEDKx58GHIrARiIYNEaVZsbH7H5bIcC2twvm02/s1600/IMG_2688.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjANNczc4UdIvFTKGtGt4JKnTJvbUK_E-QdMfbzjBrN8EKsC0JSah5jsJUSLv1xLLCV7AETZxhwyTjJSHcIhlkZJ8M_2tl6QFq-W9_nh-NEDKx58GHIrARiIYNEaVZsbH7H5bIcC2twvm02/s400/IMG_2688.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">9x17' with 2 foot walkway divider</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiKf-nMAQUPKBKPR5DZqGvKFZ6NYeO1FTDTweNr72xoINOjNHL5-COep203tl35ag4t0jApv6PtPLtDSDS36mUMOHfK3T1Wet5aWO_FCPtwh_Ioly5EI7Ehlr8R_xb1CyV5GFjYGaYvRnY/s1600/IMG_2689.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiKf-nMAQUPKBKPR5DZqGvKFZ6NYeO1FTDTweNr72xoINOjNHL5-COep203tl35ag4t0jApv6PtPLtDSDS36mUMOHfK3T1Wet5aWO_FCPtwh_Ioly5EI7Ehlr8R_xb1CyV5GFjYGaYvRnY/s400/IMG_2689.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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To put it all in perspective, I have a close-as-I can-get-aerial-shot of the garden. Because this is taken from the furthest perch on my deck the bed against the house is not pictured nor the popping corn rows just behind the tomatoes and wooden raised bed.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNHoS0S9EzX6RfyH8vlt5vMvaRsetas54fzinx0mOPiHNzy8VzWJhLRa4aBjOz0PR1yPNVSjrVTJK8RK27YYLQ04JgDc0VsjcOZe93lw03E7967pItL4N7Uj47dWy6qRxOyPitO79rV3nw/s1600/whole.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNHoS0S9EzX6RfyH8vlt5vMvaRsetas54fzinx0mOPiHNzy8VzWJhLRa4aBjOz0PR1yPNVSjrVTJK8RK27YYLQ04JgDc0VsjcOZe93lw03E7967pItL4N7Uj47dWy6qRxOyPitO79rV3nw/s320/whole.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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As for my goals:<br />
<br />
<ol>
<li>I really want to continue to replace and repurpose my existing ornamental beds with ones for food. I am visualizing a blueberry hedge just in front of the apple and pear trees in the front and ripping up more lawn for over-wintering raised beds.</li>
<li>I want to save the seeds of things that we loved (just one tomato offers so many seeds!)</li>
<li>I want to continue my investigations in succession planting to have a constant harvest.</li>
<li>I want to do a cover crop for the first time.</li>
<li>I really want to pay attention to what grows well on my plot and what we will eat. I have wild dreams of wheat and quinoa in years to come too. We'll see.</li>
</ol>bandwidowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01689052910310933483noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7566872331716071905.post-51191867045887227492012-06-10T22:37:00.000-07:002012-06-14T14:00:30.551-07:00Party Time!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
N got to celebrate his big day for a week. I started decorating the house a week before the actual party, and I was glad to have it so festive! N really wanted a Totoro Party. Our family has a very soft spot in our collective family heart for the Studio Ghibli animated films and Totro is at the squishy center. I set to work checking out blogs from moms that had done the same thing, I filed some good ideas away and wondered if I was really going to pull this off? I found a site dedicated to<a href="http://www.squidoo.com/my-neighbor-totoro-coloring-pages-and-printables"> free printable's</a> I used for hanging ceiling decorations, I found another that offered <a href="http://www.animepaper.net/search/totoro">free wallpapers</a> that I downloaded and printed up for magnets. The kids and I started sunflower seeds so our guests could take home a few sprouts a la the acorn garden scene. I visited a handful of Asian markets to pick and choose a few snacks that our American kid palates would appreciate. I began strategizing how to pull off a Cat Bus birthday cake and Soot Sprite and Totoro carnival games...I had waaaaay too much fun with this.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyTGkBcPdbmDJO7pe7Wo-Jup4BhXD2Ermu-uuhyl7W1GUCc3PVW4DBK1YeHDvo2E_4kUVuftoncfGLvBlmgKRrqnusVNdrzVd0Kbn8XeI0SVrdrHU3HkUV_ByJUM96r_Wq-VA6xDhBpwyS/s1600/IMG_2546.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyTGkBcPdbmDJO7pe7Wo-Jup4BhXD2Ermu-uuhyl7W1GUCc3PVW4DBK1YeHDvo2E_4kUVuftoncfGLvBlmgKRrqnusVNdrzVd0Kbn8XeI0SVrdrHU3HkUV_ByJUM96r_Wq-VA6xDhBpwyS/s400/IMG_2546.jpg" width="301" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seed Starting</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnHoh3Ps-QtyeiVa_BnhDb7AcYq6FO1q2sC1bSAYy8W3EtsWKuDpbc6HnMFb_I9PNaP23k88Fxgt3ht8h6Np3LkpIC3VkbRqEyJ8XGVlM6kgDApfDPXYr1UtLr8Lr2uPfsHqkSDZhAekdZ/s1600/DSC_0077.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnHoh3Ps-QtyeiVa_BnhDb7AcYq6FO1q2sC1bSAYy8W3EtsWKuDpbc6HnMFb_I9PNaP23k88Fxgt3ht8h6Np3LkpIC3VkbRqEyJ8XGVlM6kgDApfDPXYr1UtLr8Lr2uPfsHqkSDZhAekdZ/s400/DSC_0077.jpg" width="268" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Making Acorn Bean Bags</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6H1P-fwwToB7C8EhUip99E8QBusqGl7Rw7K3JOqvZrJ3N770Duw5PzS7cRCCrBfmG1CA0sE76Ci1lvQcaE7QJWeHFOKuUmBZW-wD1c6f7QK_zZAH99mE4A0UkRU04tQs_Us10vbkiRith/s1600/IMG_2565.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6H1P-fwwToB7C8EhUip99E8QBusqGl7Rw7K3JOqvZrJ3N770Duw5PzS7cRCCrBfmG1CA0sE76Ci1lvQcaE7QJWeHFOKuUmBZW-wD1c6f7QK_zZAH99mE4A0UkRU04tQs_Us10vbkiRith/s400/IMG_2565.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Turned out Great!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSBiL9NFRC0clBrXoiB6WdSo0FAnu3ziADSO4XsGg00ulwWDFriH928EEV_6FX84GDLLQqqbJsqiXYQ8iACEcuWeyVL47LtJA73Wj2ChPAZBSHtEbCXVR6rwgNmFJ-cjn_N0QppHuPNtpw/s1600/DSC_0082.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSBiL9NFRC0clBrXoiB6WdSo0FAnu3ziADSO4XsGg00ulwWDFriH928EEV_6FX84GDLLQqqbJsqiXYQ8iACEcuWeyVL47LtJA73Wj2ChPAZBSHtEbCXVR6rwgNmFJ-cjn_N0QppHuPNtpw/s400/DSC_0082.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Exacto</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBA2mP7yJ6ZGT2zfDwogScVO6XdxuJA2Sc3FudrqE3EVV97Jh26d8ezhlJLOgOF5wG-Y4u9wFeRYh1VGYnoEOAK-XdOjs8UoY2-HPfNDz4mWW4406qquRkBXx5dhNzhLq_cBjecfIbgg_G/s1600/DSC_0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBA2mP7yJ6ZGT2zfDwogScVO6XdxuJA2Sc3FudrqE3EVV97Jh26d8ezhlJLOgOF5wG-Y4u9wFeRYh1VGYnoEOAK-XdOjs8UoY2-HPfNDz4mWW4406qquRkBXx5dhNzhLq_cBjecfIbgg_G/s400/DSC_0001.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These Guys were Lurking Everywhere!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRQa04pKLATXkcUgrcZblUlKuvyNa8lsX0x3GsxWdEMqWOjlqJPRmTrOi3-vMMJMBPYbBCqwpDaBSXKv-OLBcQaZtTt1OLXfwwfJeMOkSJ6ZTRaT7q2nhVJ4kFSRJrh2b889zNpMizBQBw/s1600/DSC_0086.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRQa04pKLATXkcUgrcZblUlKuvyNa8lsX0x3GsxWdEMqWOjlqJPRmTrOi3-vMMJMBPYbBCqwpDaBSXKv-OLBcQaZtTt1OLXfwwfJeMOkSJ6ZTRaT7q2nhVJ4kFSRJrh2b889zNpMizBQBw/s400/DSC_0086.jpg" width="270" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Making Pom Pom Soot Sprites</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/AVvXsEgIX_RFuTKBCkdfVW3KmC7rivTmkN8EB-xzVhk3DW03BCnyX-n85pErKNNreOwDk3sq5OAe3r2I3UXVWdAlkNitFqLFUcmbUJbMu_oOczLn665INhNnvJ0TC6wCutv50vo1DG0aO7aMjsF0/s1600/DSC_0090.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIX_RFuTKBCkdfVW3KmC7rivTmkN8EB-xzVhk3DW03BCnyX-n85pErKNNreOwDk3sq5OAe3r2I3UXVWdAlkNitFqLFUcmbUJbMu_oOczLn665INhNnvJ0TC6wCutv50vo1DG0aO7aMjsF0/s400/DSC_0090.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Assembly Line</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/AVvXsEi5_No8seA62hfIzLIx1PzKxG9mAr-tUpsUYjtgLF3EhN-ZD4F9_6ExFFc3qVNt_tvf-8e2Q7HB_Q63N-vmZHTgud1n7laCwd5dicTSrHyenAorQ1MKHR7Mc6KGtv5K-YdJUDbGv8O9Gw5G/s1600/DSC_0092.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5_No8seA62hfIzLIx1PzKxG9mAr-tUpsUYjtgLF3EhN-ZD4F9_6ExFFc3qVNt_tvf-8e2Q7HB_Q63N-vmZHTgud1n7laCwd5dicTSrHyenAorQ1MKHR7Mc6KGtv5K-YdJUDbGv8O9Gw5G/s400/DSC_0092.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Super Cute</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/AVvXsEiwuRCcGacdDsuBO277vkZ1VvMQ1iPfCBj-9AfX-bWc1iFtqlK2-xZBtjWE3jgOTKK3e8jgLe-0WqxC3sgKLVIH0xDEMd8FtDdcj8vxLEZhPIECVn1sNwVCD9kY11_YzUrw-gau0-EKhr5q/s1600/DSC_0108.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwuRCcGacdDsuBO277vkZ1VvMQ1iPfCBj-9AfX-bWc1iFtqlK2-xZBtjWE3jgOTKK3e8jgLe-0WqxC3sgKLVIH0xDEMd8FtDdcj8vxLEZhPIECVn1sNwVCD9kY11_YzUrw-gau0-EKhr5q/s400/DSC_0108.jpg" width="268" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Late Night Cake Assembly</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/AVvXsEh3HbGNo1R1a5-UXM8_9V-mxu75Y77Ksku9rHfN2hC2dlvHqgorFQ8UZvj3skpIPdSQj4_VPebOY7Ac17y9qcaH9ftFudb6_xNJYjur5MEIM7EGRFObEPQyxmPNwDxXoo5YheH5vByOu29e/s1600/DSC_0004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3HbGNo1R1a5-UXM8_9V-mxu75Y77Ksku9rHfN2hC2dlvHqgorFQ8UZvj3skpIPdSQj4_VPebOY7Ac17y9qcaH9ftFudb6_xNJYjur5MEIM7EGRFObEPQyxmPNwDxXoo5YheH5vByOu29e/s400/DSC_0004.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Magnets</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/AVvXsEixFAIgPcfuv_FdeGDZ-D57m1erB-k9prOmQYgF6oQiVRLAMJ9avVItPvi8uu3nhtaljXGw_dQdGJrEdSgWfAV69RHUMZW-FVZDMtp7WW1BEplFmoAXj4HBUPAoi0FX0Fi6VerlcSRKL40u/s1600/DSC_0008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixFAIgPcfuv_FdeGDZ-D57m1erB-k9prOmQYgF6oQiVRLAMJ9avVItPvi8uu3nhtaljXGw_dQdGJrEdSgWfAV69RHUMZW-FVZDMtp7WW1BEplFmoAXj4HBUPAoi0FX0Fi6VerlcSRKL40u/s400/DSC_0008.jpg" width="398" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bean Bag Toss Final Product</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/AVvXsEh4XhY8JLH_S7RdbFwgnlhf-ITGvlbSsRFFk309M9goKrYfHSWm-RANhdJ_DI0IKogfG9E0wylSX_06HMF11z-zia8J0YgrzBxHZ6loQB_YdfOVZ6KKSl2MbfiEN62yao-8gRqyb1zyrhHb/s1600/DSC_0117.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4XhY8JLH_S7RdbFwgnlhf-ITGvlbSsRFFk309M9goKrYfHSWm-RANhdJ_DI0IKogfG9E0wylSX_06HMF11z-zia8J0YgrzBxHZ6loQB_YdfOVZ6KKSl2MbfiEN62yao-8gRqyb1zyrhHb/s400/DSC_0117.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hiding</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/AVvXsEiJhqPXXgFgbxQEglk9h26KYi47zrjcP4BC3AywCYLCKVq9RRnIioARdY7jor17W3rxaUYLhmeWQQASWZWZFRYNqwrQNXFgk75CBStpMMDTy5mk7d9jtCuHGcbN3lAaXUrMT5O2b_uunZL0/s1600/DSC_0127.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJhqPXXgFgbxQEglk9h26KYi47zrjcP4BC3AywCYLCKVq9RRnIioARdY7jor17W3rxaUYLhmeWQQASWZWZFRYNqwrQNXFgk75CBStpMMDTy5mk7d9jtCuHGcbN3lAaXUrMT5O2b_uunZL0/s400/DSC_0127.jpg" width="268" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fishing for Soot Sprites (we also had leaf hats and soot sprite necklaces )</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/AVvXsEh3Cybz71jWS5KQmAWUwRQi4IGI8I-tftw-5g58pAi9-leDmeNRSMbym3c7VnqUBNJnpVG2H0PDJqR_ZtU1PssTN_Pu1Xcd4Euhv47HRWBhhEOvthFA9cu-vX8EA91Ru7z9MgmX-0u6pJG_/s1600/DSC_0134.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Cybz71jWS5KQmAWUwRQi4IGI8I-tftw-5g58pAi9-leDmeNRSMbym3c7VnqUBNJnpVG2H0PDJqR_ZtU1PssTN_Pu1Xcd4Euhv47HRWBhhEOvthFA9cu-vX8EA91Ru7z9MgmX-0u6pJG_/s400/DSC_0134.jpg" width="268" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bubbles are always a hit</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/AVvXsEhNq7QmLTej7-z48nYx8NDXQHTqRqBGrTRFFz4ncZnLnJmBJgMzwriw8Z0jRln7POaD1aGOZRM3hGsP5Q0mavlOop5PFuJuradNxHgF9Aa9WOqJsOQ9PXfPMfQ0T3-XorKV-FYyUnHFm0kQ/s1600/DSC_0139.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNq7QmLTej7-z48nYx8NDXQHTqRqBGrTRFFz4ncZnLnJmBJgMzwriw8Z0jRln7POaD1aGOZRM3hGsP5Q0mavlOop5PFuJuradNxHgF9Aa9WOqJsOQ9PXfPMfQ0T3-XorKV-FYyUnHFm0kQ/s400/DSC_0139.jpg" width="268" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Soot Sprite Balloons</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZne4B-Q7UK1f7I-wZeT3d7izIIFuhKn7KB2k-gq7ee_ccupHEKI6cycxz3sMik5pFnCMwkeL2Hytv83uiCCLKaYRgXiKPwe33r40EeIOAOr5t-8WlxIhK4QkjlM1xshpgOPcZkyqRC3c_/s1600/DSC_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZne4B-Q7UK1f7I-wZeT3d7izIIFuhKn7KB2k-gq7ee_ccupHEKI6cycxz3sMik5pFnCMwkeL2Hytv83uiCCLKaYRgXiKPwe33r40EeIOAOr5t-8WlxIhK4QkjlM1xshpgOPcZkyqRC3c_/s400/DSC_3.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">Take Home Gifts</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/AVvXsEiBP6itmov9pYBaHJDOb0LoF6zf0oKVygs1ki7OoDcdvqDpIGIDxzCwVvEdMay6b6YC0PrmduEJEaPfLlKs4uKX5bik8LXfUPLGPba_cy39Sp0D17qlxQdg_xXvcExGVgOspuz7gAzPGF0X/s1600/DSC_0142.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBP6itmov9pYBaHJDOb0LoF6zf0oKVygs1ki7OoDcdvqDpIGIDxzCwVvEdMay6b6YC0PrmduEJEaPfLlKs4uKX5bik8LXfUPLGPba_cy39Sp0D17qlxQdg_xXvcExGVgOspuz7gAzPGF0X/s400/DSC_0142.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The weather was so nice</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/AVvXsEjpRR80K6JlfJQDmD_3NuemOn4oND3NXvkmRr1qCZyYjkcLUfe9X6pGSI2ns9wzURF4jvoANIcghZkDGrmqaIwKomCukG5Yc9-QrXL-aQsNEYLrqZDLVxFdeLic5H67fuM726RX0DAcWphD/s1600/DSC_0144.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpRR80K6JlfJQDmD_3NuemOn4oND3NXvkmRr1qCZyYjkcLUfe9X6pGSI2ns9wzURF4jvoANIcghZkDGrmqaIwKomCukG5Yc9-QrXL-aQsNEYLrqZDLVxFdeLic5H67fuM726RX0DAcWphD/s400/DSC_0144.jpg" width="268" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The finished product</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/AVvXsEjfLYattYL3VHtvLFClQ3ofYTsvNQ1fOOX4JtfV4azHoaDGk9pV1mZUNCg-hQnEAxmhQ7yLCDb6zfmFUbsuBAaWvhlKmIIDEJzc-EZV74I6AZysHfdN72MdEwJd0UyQ7hv_NLuWnB85NFS8/s1600/DSC_0145.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfLYattYL3VHtvLFClQ3ofYTsvNQ1fOOX4JtfV4azHoaDGk9pV1mZUNCg-hQnEAxmhQ7yLCDb6zfmFUbsuBAaWvhlKmIIDEJzc-EZV74I6AZysHfdN72MdEwJd0UyQ7hv_NLuWnB85NFS8/s400/DSC_0145.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Surveying the Goods</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/AVvXsEgk0x3-VroTqTopkI6KJH8-8nIP0hbycCsrp6dwYmf2w4BC2VL-EJsWtOZWpOa3ecfbgvx-JAdokqlc2uuv-6pfC4qmyoC68eX4Zrv4vjqtYhwJVvnNNwnTeGDalvNJfMtNtf4w-ItJbbwU/s1600/DSC_0150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk0x3-VroTqTopkI6KJH8-8nIP0hbycCsrp6dwYmf2w4BC2VL-EJsWtOZWpOa3ecfbgvx-JAdokqlc2uuv-6pfC4qmyoC68eX4Zrv4vjqtYhwJVvnNNwnTeGDalvNJfMtNtf4w-ItJbbwU/s400/DSC_0150.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stamp of Approval</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/AVvXsEgkMkksIY8I-P_YbmsKzYqpVrf4LxxjarevzgszPARk0XjtyJ6OA44j-MS-OyWM8WT4mtcDVhKFD5OERo0hWkAaFJLBkg2e8OIEJ2ZvHqvxW7IjKdq3cj2bJ5KiWj82zlu8Wtga8BiF8FZN/s1600/DSC_0157.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkMkksIY8I-P_YbmsKzYqpVrf4LxxjarevzgszPARk0XjtyJ6OA44j-MS-OyWM8WT4mtcDVhKFD5OERo0hWkAaFJLBkg2e8OIEJ2ZvHqvxW7IjKdq3cj2bJ5KiWj82zlu8Wtga8BiF8FZN/s400/DSC_0157.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blow out the candles</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/AVvXsEgOLTwq7Zse9-cwZollAaUNAtCJnYDsVSqMPOUhQCD83kIgakHWxS9jkk_QyIhYnI2gcfS3yx0tWMNZaHgKvW30Q4hqgN2HJF3eOocys-k5rHmZ7RPLaQNBQ7yF0RuHKntnorJ2YvVuoln0/s1600/DSC_0164.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOLTwq7Zse9-cwZollAaUNAtCJnYDsVSqMPOUhQCD83kIgakHWxS9jkk_QyIhYnI2gcfS3yx0tWMNZaHgKvW30Q4hqgN2HJF3eOocys-k5rHmZ7RPLaQNBQ7yF0RuHKntnorJ2YvVuoln0/s400/DSC_0164.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Soot Sprite Cupcakes</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/AVvXsEiWyFGR5AvNlkuqTEX4cYGrtVqYaVE7y-Jxw37SCcVE4cKB-eepTrSgHOQD3H4u5R4a8AjYsWZoxTg1sNv14qUadiKIHKJmuY7GFe81SQO7NQ95tMObHwT7IqIYgX4Pz_9NP7T-v0fp-Vgk/s1600/DSC_0175.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWyFGR5AvNlkuqTEX4cYGrtVqYaVE7y-Jxw37SCcVE4cKB-eepTrSgHOQD3H4u5R4a8AjYsWZoxTg1sNv14qUadiKIHKJmuY7GFe81SQO7NQ95tMObHwT7IqIYgX4Pz_9NP7T-v0fp-Vgk/s400/DSC_0175.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<br /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gifts! (notice the lovely Totoro hat he got!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP2c9X4GRUAQiD3S-BAJ8iEsDCQbwXZU0EicLM2Bs_3tziRHTKv1XhuzD32zMF-4IYnXlaSfwUvUja1_Uqs6VaZ3af3mnGCobbIAj9vMMx1JZDYRlCyeGuype9BxfeBOnFRmV6iNX309k-/s1600/D1BCJS.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP2c9X4GRUAQiD3S-BAJ8iEsDCQbwXZU0EicLM2Bs_3tziRHTKv1XhuzD32zMF-4IYnXlaSfwUvUja1_Uqs6VaZ3af3mnGCobbIAj9vMMx1JZDYRlCyeGuype9BxfeBOnFRmV6iNX309k-/s400/D1BCJS.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">Thank You Card Sneak Peek</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">* Thanks so much to Jason and Eileen for taking pictures for me at the party, you made this post possible!</span>bandwidowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01689052910310933483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7566872331716071905.post-67151486703075853652012-06-07T01:46:00.000-07:002012-06-13T13:39:01.860-07:003 AlreadyHe joined us with a ferocity to be reckoned with. Big in stature and personality. He gives his 7-year-old sister a run for her money <i>every day</i>. He's a sweet and strong headed, bright-blue-eyed and brown haired hurricane. He's 3 today.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlJ-bKDpd5ggp-IjJgj2oVKy4-iPcKOno9m3cFEKOAFwzt1pz7KmKMumkDr_4hWb9NnN2oSFG4c-GCB5StvVHOK0YQ6C2669Emi_SyrZusXJQC9lIf_1IFadaMEhksXm-x30ZB-1uq9lmA/s1600/DSC_0248.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlJ-bKDpd5ggp-IjJgj2oVKy4-iPcKOno9m3cFEKOAFwzt1pz7KmKMumkDr_4hWb9NnN2oSFG4c-GCB5StvVHOK0YQ6C2669Emi_SyrZusXJQC9lIf_1IFadaMEhksXm-x30ZB-1uq9lmA/s400/DSC_0248.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://annkrestene.blogspot.com/2009/06/ndb.html">I delivered him here at home</a> he weighed in at 10 pounds 12 ounces!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitrnRySN42YJY_dQP8pr6XVJevjuPxX2IWMKshrbESOye51-QSCrrQAY2w_k0wFanf0UTQqXrgOQbtWIqXLCsQLFKXPxDLHDoP30GM-RNmOpdzCuh6d2d5gYOfEtKjjd4TfzJdhaKK_o-S/s1600/DSC_0163.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitrnRySN42YJY_dQP8pr6XVJevjuPxX2IWMKshrbESOye51-QSCrrQAY2w_k0wFanf0UTQqXrgOQbtWIqXLCsQLFKXPxDLHDoP30GM-RNmOpdzCuh6d2d5gYOfEtKjjd4TfzJdhaKK_o-S/s400/DSC_0163.JPG" width="285" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He was a little slow learning to walk, but practically runs everywhere now!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWgvjNzPkxi2xKPbhmgQVX4M_uP612aB-GziwqMSs1MHnJwrZDI_ygKeiuGya4mfdZ3h5tkJ1h_MVFwhYZJ06A_K1q5cHR92APddJhRSUoHK0zHS6q0k4CtGBl76gpx47xyIarFO4enNaW/s1600/DSC_0104.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWgvjNzPkxi2xKPbhmgQVX4M_uP612aB-GziwqMSs1MHnJwrZDI_ygKeiuGya4mfdZ3h5tkJ1h_MVFwhYZJ06A_K1q5cHR92APddJhRSUoHK0zHS6q0k4CtGBl76gpx47xyIarFO4enNaW/s400/DSC_0104.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Give this a guy a shovel and he's happy for hours; at the playground, beach or in the garden with Mama.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfbYO_aULeCnblzEzPWtMo55h_M5pIkBha5EvBwQEEu8ue2GM_tMSsPGFHYXiK3Vsz5cut1pNsJFbcKkAqSyZW70oBUYV7pIB8pdlKk3FcDkZPLwQIMlXqPKbMAi5cYgDVdcQJ4IQxVp07/s1600/IMG_2440.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfbYO_aULeCnblzEzPWtMo55h_M5pIkBha5EvBwQEEu8ue2GM_tMSsPGFHYXiK3Vsz5cut1pNsJFbcKkAqSyZW70oBUYV7pIB8pdlKk3FcDkZPLwQIMlXqPKbMAi5cYgDVdcQJ4IQxVp07/s400/IMG_2440.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Like many boys wheels are his thing.</td></tr>
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<br />bandwidowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01689052910310933483noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7566872331716071905.post-55613649973644659312012-05-30T22:51:00.000-07:002012-05-30T22:51:43.079-07:001st Grade Art AppreciationI have had the pleasure to teach an art class to E and Kaela this last year. We've dabbled in many areas but none so satisfying as our slow intro into the world of drawing. My guide: Drawing With Children by Mona Brookes.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_PzYrBlJzhqWQrXfZ7afmSc2iGrFpYef0Ds_97k_0wpwnki0vsOU0ToyScX6-SF_3ePombYekhpg5KkEMNeGoOTJQkqN2EI_nlWI5hVg7-lfMgApHh5XE6TKleikAilPCAFzXHsJii1k/s1600/drawing_with_children_mona_brookes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_PzYrBlJzhqWQrXfZ7afmSc2iGrFpYef0Ds_97k_0wpwnki0vsOU0ToyScX6-SF_3ePombYekhpg5KkEMNeGoOTJQkqN2EI_nlWI5hVg7-lfMgApHh5XE6TKleikAilPCAFzXHsJii1k/s320/drawing_with_children_mona_brookes.jpg" width="267" /></a></div>
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This has been my teaching bible and given me the confidence to have the ability to impart these foundational skills to these two girls that love to draw. After weeks of drawing duplication and mirror imaging warm-ups, and then abstract designs we were ready to attempt our first lesson. The gals did fabulous, and I felt so inspired to have imparted some grain of knowlege to them, however small.<br />
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The girls were instructed to listen silently to each step, complete, and then wait for the next instruction; i.e. draw a dot anywhere on your paper, make a small angled line in front of the eye, etc.<br />
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Here is what we got!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOsgWNQ3qM9Jw7anhG5NuCrMTD0J1sqK4TqIyM_bv9K7QqTZ6M-skVe9u-w7Its_l3uxg3u6rPysyNhQwnwi0KRZmlg2XfMMMPnZF7LoUltJPJimCr5A9TQkpQeuziZccNBBSSMueYkROl/s1600/bridK.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOsgWNQ3qM9Jw7anhG5NuCrMTD0J1sqK4TqIyM_bv9K7QqTZ6M-skVe9u-w7Its_l3uxg3u6rPysyNhQwnwi0KRZmlg2XfMMMPnZF7LoUltJPJimCr5A9TQkpQeuziZccNBBSSMueYkROl/s400/bridK.jpg" width="398" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">by Kaela</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCX32ON7gN_TYWcp4gZ0NlawAf7WN6jGbZ3iSWITqwPzl09Sv8voMVFyx3p_VhBXrvPqK7BZa-5bd6Atr3q3zhUlQIows1euIM052M4QeoKPJlYV8NQSxujro_8Bfx6GlQRO5ZMYfjG3Mc/s1600/brid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCX32ON7gN_TYWcp4gZ0NlawAf7WN6jGbZ3iSWITqwPzl09Sv8voMVFyx3p_VhBXrvPqK7BZa-5bd6Atr3q3zhUlQIows1euIM052M4QeoKPJlYV8NQSxujro_8Bfx6GlQRO5ZMYfjG3Mc/s400/brid.jpg" width="397" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">by E</td></tr>
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<br />bandwidowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01689052910310933483noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7566872331716071905.post-79159625116098820332012-05-23T21:25:00.000-07:002012-05-25T21:24:27.165-07:00Girl Scout Bridging Ceremony<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFMo4vtVxfBRmVno7taAp1xMU5EmfE3TDJQ-ChhfWsP_TR7-KaOV051CLkngJWavlIDFV-5XouLYjEFRf6cobrgUnCpWDC8ja2rLUHnx-qKjYxyli4jCuBR8MqV_aGAO1kvL_SZJOg3CVc/s1600/DSC_0074.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFMo4vtVxfBRmVno7taAp1xMU5EmfE3TDJQ-ChhfWsP_TR7-KaOV051CLkngJWavlIDFV-5XouLYjEFRf6cobrgUnCpWDC8ja2rLUHnx-qKjYxyli4jCuBR8MqV_aGAO1kvL_SZJOg3CVc/s400/DSC_0074.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This Lucky Girl got to sit next to her best friend, Kaela.</td></tr>
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E has graduated to a Brownie; we attended her Bridging Ceremony this evening! Unfortunately during the ceremony she changed from this giddy gal pictured here to an ashen shell of a girl. The flu hit her hard; high temps and aches with a furry. I watched her sink lower and lower in her chair as the evening went on, and when we met up afterward she was pale and could barely walk to the car.<br />
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