tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28515044630090258082023-11-16T12:26:58.157-05:00MarigraphUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger210125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2851504463009025808.post-74684860298832393792013-03-19T06:25:00.001-04:002013-03-19T06:25:36.510-04:00Spring Collage<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Despite the St. Patrick's Day snow, spring unofficially arrived earlier this week with sandbox capers, dusting off the double stroller and lingering by a country roadside to gawk at charming lambs in the sunshine, and playing "beach" on the sidewalk.</div>
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The other day Auntie H entertained N and H all afternoon by fitting on a heap of maternity clothes from my closet. The girls immediately caught the dress-up bug. (N is sporting Auntie's clothes while H models a maternity dress--I mean shirt.)<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2851504463009025808.post-35017174382881569952013-03-18T15:25:00.000-04:002013-03-18T15:25:52.401-04:00First Duet<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2851504463009025808.post-29450132971537103952013-03-18T15:24:00.001-04:002013-03-18T15:24:59.836-04:00Ballet<br />
For some people, all it takes to become a ballerina is a couple of ballet books from the library, a hand-me-down tutu and sparkly pink shoes...or even just a pair of pink tights, too-tight church shoes, and a big sister to imitate.<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2851504463009025808.post-28080594409565507822013-01-25T15:32:00.003-05:002013-01-25T15:32:50.149-05:00N will be age-eligible for kindergarten this coming fall, but already for much of the past year she's been taking her education into her own hands. Yesterday she maxed out our motley collection of magnetic letters and numbers by setting up addition equations, words, and the "number alphabet" (numbers in order). Lacking many essential characters, she improvised them, for example, creating 13 from J, F and K. ("Mommy, please don't count these two lines.") After this photo, she went all the way through 17 in the same inventive style.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2851504463009025808.post-30542373978632025172013-01-24T15:35:00.000-05:002013-01-24T15:35:13.380-05:00This week a friend invited me, N and H for an "Africa Activity Day"--part of a geography unit she and three of her children are studying at home. Another friend, who grew up in Kenya, joined us along with her two little ones.<br />
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We examined maps and read a Maasai storybook.<br />
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We passed around samples of major exports like cotton, dates, millet, and coffee.<br />
We made play dough animals and ground peanuts with a mortar and pestle.<br />
We tried, with scant success, to walk balancing baskets on our heads.<br />
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We tried on Maasai beads and clothing.<br />
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After a few races up and down the frozen lane, lunch--the crowning activity--included peanut soup (Kenya), rice pilaf (Kenya) and dried mango, papaya, and pineapple.<br />
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Of course we made barely a scratch in the surface of all the richness of an enormous continent; still, the morning provided a fun freezing-weather diversion and a tangible connection with loved ones in that part of the world.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2851504463009025808.post-51495128322047098812012-08-01T08:48:00.003-04:002012-08-01T08:48:52.052-04:00Hay Ride<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Summer so far has been a bumpy ride, sometimes downright scratchy, but sweetened by camaraderie and tranquil vistas along the way. </div>
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Recently we enjoyed a gathering of my maternal extended family. Part of the festivities took place at t<span style="text-align: center;">he Farm--my mom's childhood home.</span></div>
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N participated in her first water balloon toss and played like mad with her newly acquainted second cousins.</div>
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We spent a day with the great-grandparents in their new retirement cottage. As N commented, "It's nice here."</div>
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Walking to Bible school at the little church up the road was a highlight for N.</div>
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We can't wait to move into the new kitchen! </div>
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H sampled C's birthday cake batter with gusto.</div>
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<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2851504463009025808.post-54898070792876158982012-07-17T08:40:00.002-04:002012-07-17T08:58:03.110-04:00Little H turned a big <i>numero uno</i> last week.<br />
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Here she is, riding bike with big sister N, on the very spot where she was born:<br />
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Playing tea party on the front porch:<br />
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N's party clothes:<br />
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H in her favorite hand-me-down hat and standard summer outfit:<br />
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The girls have taken an interest in washing dishes, partly to cool off on hot days. In fact, N recently added breakfast dishes to her list of morning chores, and H always wants to be in on the action (especially now that she's climbing on and off chairs by herself):<br />
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H's first birthday was a bit of a bummer; feeling miserable from a double ear infection, she just wasn't as much into opening presents as everyone else was:<br />
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She was a good sport, though, and tried out her first cousin R's handmade blanket right away:<br />
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We never did get around to singing "Happy Birthday" or putting a candle in a zucchini cupcake. H just kept crying, nursing, and falling asleep at inopportune times. So the party went on without her. Her Auntie H and Uncle M joined the would-be festivities. Here, my visiting cousin R and her boys (H's and N's never-before-met second cousins) enthusiastically decorate the cupcakes:<br />
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Fortunately, after the doctor prescribed antibiotics the next day, H perked up quickly enough to go along on a five-hour family trip to visit Uncle Z, and returned to her usual charming, busybody self. We hung out a lot on the baby-proof deck overlooking the city, reading books, playing with an (empty of compost) stainless steel pail, and tossing orange peels over the railing to the garden below, not to mention munching homemade cookies:<br />
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By way of sightseeing, we spent a rainy morning climbing up and back down 36 stories of stairs at a very tall building at a very large university (flooding the echoey stairwell with harmonies as we descended). I'm proud to say that both girls made it the whole way--H on her dad's back and N on her own four-year-old feet:<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2851504463009025808.post-73987322677770015612012-06-12T21:32:00.000-04:002012-06-12T21:33:09.614-04:0035This was my celebration, five days after the fact: a luxurious cereal-and-berries breakfast overlooking the lush backyard, gifts from husband and daughter wrapped and delivered with much enthusiasm, hands-on blessings from church friends, an excursion for two to the theater followed by Ethiopian cuisine, all topped off with a gorgeous, double-crusted black raspberry pie baked that morning by my husband, of course accompanied by vanilla bean ice cream and good company.<br />
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Thanks to all who had a hand in it!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifSWIMJ9E1HhipANXzXb1OnFl-i0sQaIH0cuF5M7LHFjN1xD5eRAQWE2v4PIdNDXb46ozvLHvBOlMb0Q5OZnBsmGyJDG82aFbo9TeETTU-qh7fCYF7d8HQUbkLvqlkIq4syv600pBIU9t1/s1600/IMG_5782.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifSWIMJ9E1HhipANXzXb1OnFl-i0sQaIH0cuF5M7LHFjN1xD5eRAQWE2v4PIdNDXb46ozvLHvBOlMb0Q5OZnBsmGyJDG82aFbo9TeETTU-qh7fCYF7d8HQUbkLvqlkIq4syv600pBIU9t1/s400/IMG_5782.JPG" width="400" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2851504463009025808.post-90933228774166251752012-05-30T07:08:00.001-04:002012-05-30T07:08:17.616-04:00MobilityThese chicks are on the move!<br />
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For a week or so following her recent first-ever experience of getting a professional haircut (to remedy her own chop job), N's passion was playing hair salon. "First I give you a hairdo, then you give me one." Even I had to admit it turned out to be a fun way to spend a lazy Sunday afternoon.</div>
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2851504463009025808.post-76088808424507242572012-04-04T19:40:00.001-04:002012-04-04T19:41:17.993-04:00On to SpringHere's a sweeping glance of our family's February/March as it flew by on (mostly) balmy wings.<br />
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Which one is the real doll?<br />
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Backyard fun<br />
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New heights<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Story time with Granddaddy</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEWbzdfUcTqgDIfjhgaPmk4lQMOQQaYVbjncwW46_zMd4SMn0Pujp4jfkHhuPk1ILafyYYbc2JRBeTya9BI6Jg07K2Zk8USE1nAg4pUrmJQpbpKI12jMSTYCdQIsm9Y2gPdyz9VpavOWjq/s1600/IMG_5004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEWbzdfUcTqgDIfjhgaPmk4lQMOQQaYVbjncwW46_zMd4SMn0Pujp4jfkHhuPk1ILafyYYbc2JRBeTya9BI6Jg07K2Zk8USE1nAg4pUrmJQpbpKI12jMSTYCdQIsm9Y2gPdyz9VpavOWjq/s400/IMG_5004.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Bath time with Grandmommy<br />
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Sisterly snuggles<br />
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Lakeside excursion with Grandpa and Grandma<br />
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The artist in her studio<br />
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"Rest time" under the tree<br />
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Dishwasher in training<br />
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Game with Grandpa<br />
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H playing with Papi<br />
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Egg dyeing with cousins<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Group break to examine treasures </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiePfA6MDDLYQ5d4NSZ3lNNDSbbVkhyR6jK9ytJ2QEf2v3yqe07QszU4z0eiqWgPc2i2EUadGZTFqVrD6D9JJE1cUYqXcoq_5VACXGtv3AWgZcdDX-K_nLjhhnKtxWfcqvF0xnV095x9DLX/s1600/IMG_5295.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiePfA6MDDLYQ5d4NSZ3lNNDSbbVkhyR6jK9ytJ2QEf2v3yqe07QszU4z0eiqWgPc2i2EUadGZTFqVrD6D9JJE1cUYqXcoq_5VACXGtv3AWgZcdDX-K_nLjhhnKtxWfcqvF0xnV095x9DLX/s400/IMG_5295.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2851504463009025808.post-46045092736958441322012-01-31T15:42:00.000-05:002012-01-31T15:42:31.119-05:00Pics from the Pile: January in ReviewLast week, when I described to my husband how, some days, my life feels like a "nondescript pile of crumbs," he countered, "Well, at least it's not a pile of nondescript crumbs."<br />
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I hope the following fragments from my heap will add a descriptive spark to your day, dear reader.<br />
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My second annual attempt at<i> Rosca de reyes</i> (a.k.a. King's Day or Epiphany sweet bread), this time inspired by a Mexican cookbook bursting with colorful photos, turned out almost as festive-looking as the pictures.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjijPY8LBtmYJMuPTFHjgECarcjnExK2Sb6kGRAeU0tfM6n40hGpmJUKvXg5vEg0T-mUN9Lsslg1maZrBw9PKw-Hyq6Va6onuSef-iyjB-nZvFZlt9w2PvrpMF_a_vj48u3AL26UzdrldHk/s1600/IMG_4739.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjijPY8LBtmYJMuPTFHjgECarcjnExK2Sb6kGRAeU0tfM6n40hGpmJUKvXg5vEg0T-mUN9Lsslg1maZrBw9PKw-Hyq6Va6onuSef-iyjB-nZvFZlt9w2PvrpMF_a_vj48u3AL26UzdrldHk/s320/IMG_4739.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
H's blessing service at our little church drew an impressive critical mass of family members from both sides and painted warm memories all around.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">One of my favorite moments was when the pastor carried H around to be blessed by each person.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiswcf2lDpEHkwWlcwzjq5bAdJG7rERI__mHrHU45Peyj19k3Bh-6owYYa7Xir3Id-kueNHglBMtPEDbQVnWkX60yUsexliqryThNTUw1Cd60MSCtWUw3lvfTFlD0Mb2qJw2D7v-kTj2TAS/s1600/IMG_4836.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiswcf2lDpEHkwWlcwzjq5bAdJG7rERI__mHrHU45Peyj19k3Bh-6owYYa7Xir3Id-kueNHglBMtPEDbQVnWkX60yUsexliqryThNTUw1Cd60MSCtWUw3lvfTFlD0Mb2qJw2D7v-kTj2TAS/s400/IMG_4836.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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Sister C and husband D spent a precious few days afterward, en route to three years of living and serving on another continent. That Sunday the gathered family knotted a comforter to send along for their receiving community.<br />
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</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8dlgk3HtGptgjjSHrSZ104VR5kpGUNNmeiXaIfGZbd1cLypVb3W-kaM118UjEw1SD0Ip2gaTWR7X7UOL8nLYysr81Z3pjRfRPm6VQFSQ_rMSUWMKZ22Jg6VqJcYdiHYBVHywfBRerN1J2/s1600/IMG_4865.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8dlgk3HtGptgjjSHrSZ104VR5kpGUNNmeiXaIfGZbd1cLypVb3W-kaM118UjEw1SD0Ip2gaTWR7X7UOL8nLYysr81Z3pjRfRPm6VQFSQ_rMSUWMKZ22Jg6VqJcYdiHYBVHywfBRerN1J2/s400/IMG_4865.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Cousins connected.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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H enjoyed unwrapping a few gifts, including Grandpa's handmade truck, while showing off her new sitting skill.<br />
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</div>Our chilly walk at a nearby (new to me) forest was a highlight of C&D's visit.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitG9K3RV3ysSOnW7t4NgRFteztNYfv9MJTW1QEhl9ZTMf3tO3gJKLNxPqg4FH48NMVT0zXuvoZS7KgV_GxRh8A0OlmGDzXXsZ8Awj65ZewUScjeIhHwIakEpYg-MDRueaeMxA7-ejfVKDx/s1600/IMG_0042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitG9K3RV3ysSOnW7t4NgRFteztNYfv9MJTW1QEhl9ZTMf3tO3gJKLNxPqg4FH48NMVT0zXuvoZS7KgV_GxRh8A0OlmGDzXXsZ8Awj65ZewUScjeIhHwIakEpYg-MDRueaeMxA7-ejfVKDx/s320/IMG_0042.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
N enjoyed their company immensely.<br />
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Sister H brings out the music in my daughters.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Tea parties with friends keep the winter doldrums at bay.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUTHbWnzndjTjzoBW9-iv8LNNhcxyuoHoBta7hG6QW3mfjoLMkKh8C5kTTnnqXhjUnbGWUyWeFGK_C5wJxCsUyClVYLCft5xf06I8kevN-ah-4aWZll5pxE6_TNNlFNO53O7epNjGXYKuI/s1600/IMG_4904.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUTHbWnzndjTjzoBW9-iv8LNNhcxyuoHoBta7hG6QW3mfjoLMkKh8C5kTTnnqXhjUnbGWUyWeFGK_C5wJxCsUyClVYLCft5xf06I8kevN-ah-4aWZll5pxE6_TNNlFNO53O7epNjGXYKuI/s400/IMG_4904.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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H sits up proudly.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQesLkliYJN_55UNWXK9K91xcFo3vHRtuYMRDLbK2EkwMt71SkkwpFZsQfNohUHCMUhp6YxlHDcUfDCJ-tepti8H9gup27KLjw9ulXgWwCFYT1szUzkJWaUobtt7mjtgPL6HMs99EWavjt/s1600/IMG_4929.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQesLkliYJN_55UNWXK9K91xcFo3vHRtuYMRDLbK2EkwMt71SkkwpFZsQfNohUHCMUhp6YxlHDcUfDCJ-tepti8H9gup27KLjw9ulXgWwCFYT1szUzkJWaUobtt7mjtgPL6HMs99EWavjt/s320/IMG_4929.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2851504463009025808.post-2490861320713277012011-08-17T16:37:00.001-04:002011-08-18T17:19:37.396-04:00August<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Now that CP's back to work, the girls and I have gotten out for walks a couple of times. Here, N takes the stroller. Yesterday, though, she opted to walk the whole quarter mile to the playground. These days, there's no end to how she surprises me with her grown-up-ness.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Compared with the July heat wave, August has felt almost fall-ish. To keep H from getting chilly on our final appointment with the midwife, I dug out the rainbow leggings that N had worn. They were a bit tight around her thighs. She weighed 10 lb 11 oz (going on three pounds' gain in five weeks).<br />
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N enthusiastically shares one of her passions--books--with H. N's current read-aloud is Little House on the Prairie. She enlisted my help to find all the books in the series that we have on our young adult fiction shelf and lodge them on the shelf in her own room, so that she can visually anticipate reading them all.<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2851504463009025808.post-46712555625488915282011-08-09T22:51:00.001-04:002011-08-10T07:29:47.625-04:00Thirty Days Young<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkT88C7RDKuvKRHcrOG-tGm0moD0M8KLJ5W35NX0Wo0XDUPQx0n6YFZKUjDL1VdDDUmvHkx4ctrkAM3brW1wMKN7EIkM6FHr89qXQQZB0Jo2oEsaqLbhDCrdC4Lr7_Do7U6pQ6HYOWUofL/s1600/IMG_3407.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkT88C7RDKuvKRHcrOG-tGm0moD0M8KLJ5W35NX0Wo0XDUPQx0n6YFZKUjDL1VdDDUmvHkx4ctrkAM3brW1wMKN7EIkM6FHr89qXQQZB0Jo2oEsaqLbhDCrdC4Lr7_Do7U6pQ6HYOWUofL//" width="266" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxZ11Q0UUcwRJ4aF6PiONsjGr7u8YFAUnRayWk8hoeRcVsaebEvUc2ZnsJ-rvcfyn-8nCaLu36wwjWtG1dLTQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2851504463009025808.post-46317281604250717032011-08-01T22:06:00.001-04:002011-08-01T22:07:34.919-04:00Keeping Our CoolHere's how we've survived the heat wave of the past few weeks.<br />
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Shedding clothes and taking lots of baths:<br />
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Hiding out in the basement (here N is playing "doctor," taking notes):<br />
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Working our tails off (well, at least some of us):<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Ice cream:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFTg8HhHxCLN7tQPVKMCS9y25lHrOrVLNAu0cz_uh1bCrVi9MrO8viZpmHx7ctmo2Rj8FGuQJpxEVI1yOgJSgfhk9-sBMsob45M3CTQcro1REzNDLyjrOEvbOJM4BlZnswx-aF2015spEt/s1600/IMG_3242.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFTg8HhHxCLN7tQPVKMCS9y25lHrOrVLNAu0cz_uh1bCrVi9MrO8viZpmHx7ctmo2Rj8FGuQJpxEVI1yOgJSgfhk9-sBMsob45M3CTQcro1REzNDLyjrOEvbOJM4BlZnswx-aF2015spEt/s320/IMG_3242.JPG" width="212" /></a></div><br />
Lots and lots of desserts, such as birthday cake, requiring ice cream accompaniment:<br />
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Sleeping (here, H joins friend M, 12 days her senior, on the sleeping baby train):<br />
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Tea parties:<br />
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Hours old:<br />
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The birth team (minus my husband, the photographer). L-R: Sister H, me with new daughter, midwife M, apprentice, assistant. My sister and my midwife arrived minutes before H's birth. The other two missed it.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS6vISifN3uvXYXjvG8D4F69xUwoc8ej-IoSGcyJ-dH4X8fpWgadSVhi8ZQCRMUiTuckCxp-YOezoKjqVBvYvlNbSlvGLPOU15uH9-E_ec-dSQvWcqxPSbhtd5un4qIzVwPHdBqgiysNxZ/s1600/IMG_2956.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS6vISifN3uvXYXjvG8D4F69xUwoc8ej-IoSGcyJ-dH4X8fpWgadSVhi8ZQCRMUiTuckCxp-YOezoKjqVBvYvlNbSlvGLPOU15uH9-E_ec-dSQvWcqxPSbhtd5un4qIzVwPHdBqgiysNxZ//" width="400" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Getting acquainted:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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Grandpa and Grandma meet HV. Note Grandma's latest baby quilt creation in background:<br />
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Riding in style:<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Cousins from afar meet the babe and feast on corn:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXkF8yjvMsD9TZRARO6d5ANvfMzBySTLkPwi6y4-R88f_m1rOU13ZbOQq7T1pZGGQuleRTPt6Oe0OEjs1k7FTs-NEAxEbXksEfW0bfHl1-iba4PFTyGn2Ez2-yHqseJtyz5x1azmlKOLRd/s1600/IMG_3195.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXkF8yjvMsD9TZRARO6d5ANvfMzBySTLkPwi6y4-R88f_m1rOU13ZbOQq7T1pZGGQuleRTPt6Oe0OEjs1k7FTs-NEAxEbXksEfW0bfHl1-iba4PFTyGn2Ez2-yHqseJtyz5x1azmlKOLRd//" width="400" /></a></div><br />
HV communes with cousin-still-in utero:<br />
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The new family unit:<br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2851504463009025808.post-36577766870421730942011-06-02T16:47:00.002-04:002011-06-02T21:46:22.310-04:00The End of an EraMaybe that's a bit melodramatic, but last night's end-of-term potluck at the adult program where I've been teaching <i>was</i> a sort of milestone. If and when I return to that job, I will be the mother of not one, but two children.<br />
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Evening ESOL teachers, L-R: My intermediate level co-teacher; advanced level teacher; me; beginning level teacher (my friend K, who introduced me to the job originally--notice we're both pregnant roughly to the same degree, and thus both taking leave from the program).<br />
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Our class (only about half of the students are pictured, but they're among the most regular attenders). Countries represented this term included Laos, Brazil, Cuba, Mexico, Honduras, Eritrea, and Ukraine. I was impressed by the students' participation, motivation, and progress.<br />
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My Brazilian student (second from L) hit it off with the Cuban husband/engineer-wife/lawyer-brother/veterinarian trio (center). He and his family are moving to Russia, where he hopes to connect with the long lost brother of two of the Cubans.<br />
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Another recently bygone era has been marked by N's graduation from toddler wheels to pedal-pushing. It's astonishing that just three years ago the same child was tasting her first solid food, blowing spit bubbles and babbling.<br />
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First she tried out the trike at Grandpa and Grandma's.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDssfgkb9M8Lfggnq2_JsrgcrerT3catTswRkyEFkp1pvsGPPYhNCdvLAx6iY0lIA955VvrxXQKmoxm6asEfPv2NjNmPJnFdziVxJ-IutKBBQ7SmUmNqMzPPte86TfKUDtGkGGUJFypDeF/s1600/IMG_2584.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDssfgkb9M8Lfggnq2_JsrgcrerT3catTswRkyEFkp1pvsGPPYhNCdvLAx6iY0lIA955VvrxXQKmoxm6asEfPv2NjNmPJnFdziVxJ-IutKBBQ7SmUmNqMzPPte86TfKUDtGkGGUJFypDeF/s320/IMG_2584.JPG" width="213" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1qitEgpapAYYprCiLjx3odUZA4Y-QPY_XRsaFOSfZjvg0ZQDriVuA5eDXtMdXBqCoZmFUi1f0fBHX8jzF0_0APdsAYdI0b1kwoi4u4ne_ODIjk2KtpB8DCC9ir21P69IgaUYdSCVx0AS2/s1600/IMG_2555.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1qitEgpapAYYprCiLjx3odUZA4Y-QPY_XRsaFOSfZjvg0ZQDriVuA5eDXtMdXBqCoZmFUi1f0fBHX8jzF0_0APdsAYdI0b1kwoi4u4ne_ODIjk2KtpB8DCC9ir21P69IgaUYdSCVx0AS2/s320/IMG_2555.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">That was just the jump-start she needed to practice on her new bike at home.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWwE-X4hLiFXHVrEHG_MoprYJJDpmB3E8MRoYxbnsWu4PCzdQ58NkOJQm-aauITReq6vZiVVG1ol0SVGnD18E0qXzrxekba3GTo6E1VDxPPI_FCtLJ1CHq_7Bns-Ydo1tCp5tpe09ikDXb/s1600/IMG_2378.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWwE-X4hLiFXHVrEHG_MoprYJJDpmB3E8MRoYxbnsWu4PCzdQ58NkOJQm-aauITReq6vZiVVG1ol0SVGnD18E0qXzrxekba3GTo6E1VDxPPI_FCtLJ1CHq_7Bns-Ydo1tCp5tpe09ikDXb/s400/IMG_2378.JPG" width="266" /></a><br />
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A serious biker needs a serious helmet.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAOvR2AtnGzOkOrjqY5pBxN5MVZ34E95esP7BDQIKqdVnW0kTehwRPbvXoPKTRFvClmvlr9SQditBuwgeTWm7nW6TTpLu4NG_dXxtfuWqFiLTqno4QD_XqeYtcVweVQsKIkJ6l5EpEPh7e/s1600/IMG_2596.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAOvR2AtnGzOkOrjqY5pBxN5MVZ34E95esP7BDQIKqdVnW0kTehwRPbvXoPKTRFvClmvlr9SQditBuwgeTWm7nW6TTpLu4NG_dXxtfuWqFiLTqno4QD_XqeYtcVweVQsKIkJ6l5EpEPh7e/s320/IMG_2596.JPG" width="212" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2851504463009025808.post-32940225209805401442011-01-16T17:47:00.002-05:002011-01-16T17:50:54.225-05:00Reader<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">NS loves listening to stories, but she's also delighted to read to a rapt audience (thanks to JMB for the photo).</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtWUygYBlKKDWBN2yE-fec8cAaSYrKBgqiH5kf6CCgcEc57xhPxy0cPZITnt0QGIddyq8UjVPcSF8l48Y0c8yRpQBLbHH3PJgWrHmjgyzKljJ_3J45RgaqDeEKsIt6whjNv17JgBYrBAI/s1600/DSCN8727.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtWUygYBlKKDWBN2yE-fec8cAaSYrKBgqiH5kf6CCgcEc57xhPxy0cPZITnt0QGIddyq8UjVPcSF8l48Y0c8yRpQBLbHH3PJgWrHmjgyzKljJ_3J45RgaqDeEKsIt6whjNv17JgBYrBAI/s400/DSCN8727.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="300" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2851504463009025808.post-28334425894563569442011-01-10T08:17:00.001-05:002011-01-10T08:25:20.672-05:00Soup SuccessThe other day I made tomato soup to go with grilled cheese sandwiches and dill pickles. To my amazement, the flour did not clump and the milk did not curdle. For the first time...maybe ever?... I turned out a tomato soup that I would have been proud to serve to company. It was herbed and tomatoey and creamy, without being overly rich or thick, or too watery or milky. <br />
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If you're hoping for a recipe...sorry. There is none. In fact, I have no idea why it turned out better than usual this time. I followed my normal pattern of sauteeing onion and lots of garlic in a little butter and oil, stirring in a few tablespoons of flour and a pinch of sugar, sprinkling oregano, basil, salt, and pepper to taste, and dumping in a quart of home-canned tomato juice to heat. I did deviate from the standard by adding maybe a cup of leftover home-canned pasta sauce. Then I mixed some hot tomato juice in with a several of cups of milk (1%, to be precise) in the room temperature tomato juice jar before slowly stirring it all back into the soup pot to reheat.<br />
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Do you think I can pull off the magic next time?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2851504463009025808.post-29811812737034390782011-01-10T08:05:00.001-05:002011-01-11T07:38:37.361-05:00Epiphany 2011At our house, we celebrated Christmas without stockings or gifts or a tree. NS' birthday, which happens to coincide with Christmas, did involve a modest showering of presents. Still, Epiphany (a.k.a. Three Kings Day) provided a unique opportunity--at least in theory--for everyone in the family to experience the joy of giving. Besides, a post-holiday holiday can help ease the transition to the new year and daily routines.<br />
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On the eve of January 6 we each placed a shoe on the hearth. Morning brought a few merry surprises. There were watercolors for NS and homemade coupons for CP. I, the instigator of this first annual tradition, found my lovely "mothers naturally" bookmark which NS had confiscated, then later, in a generous change of heart, instructed me to hide in my own shoe.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJoKR8RzlRkgoFZi7QmCbsvnZmxtorJIKUpI4bkuwqs3prDN17_0jf6LzjqyittBti6UR-9ssp-SfUfEn_dCHFkizl-IBjtbDU7Y5YKVOSe1laOztYXhxKN8ZY_KQSpsx55PMixdKSXMO3/s1600/IMG_1947.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJoKR8RzlRkgoFZi7QmCbsvnZmxtorJIKUpI4bkuwqs3prDN17_0jf6LzjqyittBti6UR-9ssp-SfUfEn_dCHFkizl-IBjtbDU7Y5YKVOSe1laOztYXhxKN8ZY_KQSpsx55PMixdKSXMO3/s400/IMG_1947.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
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NS also helped me to make a tea ring with a shiny 2010 penny hidden inside. Alas, none of us was the lucky finder of the coin. Uncle J found it in the piece we gave him.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2SRy5HXK6Ce4nyDan7JPoga5W2GdrnEO5lN0wpKr6OiY-_JktF4sZdaIrWbFOCAjqe02-3BRHlaVnsPdftrDHKTt2tAgDdys6m_X6g8FcwNyI1NjN0XEFn6301nxoAwfQdgeOTwmYzFO3/s1600/IMG_1944.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2SRy5HXK6Ce4nyDan7JPoga5W2GdrnEO5lN0wpKr6OiY-_JktF4sZdaIrWbFOCAjqe02-3BRHlaVnsPdftrDHKTt2tAgDdys6m_X6g8FcwNyI1NjN0XEFn6301nxoAwfQdgeOTwmYzFO3/s400/IMG_1944.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2851504463009025808.post-61290343696791308422011-01-07T08:56:00.001-05:002011-01-07T08:57:24.791-05:00December 2010 Highlights: Part IIWe spent the last week of 2010 with my sister and brother-in-law G&M and their children. The 12 hour trip there would not have been too bad, except that we forgot to take most of the listening entertainment that we'd borrowed from the library, and the car made weird noises, causing us to spend the night at a motel to avoid getting stranded on the highway in freezing temps. All's well that ends well, and we gratefully arrived at our destination the next morning. Several days and a large check later, the local mechanic ensured a smooth trip home.<br />
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We had two days of good sledding and one of great snowman-building, followed by a couple of unseasonably warm, snow-free days. Baby nephew got his first taste of speed. I read <u>Sarah, Plain and Tall</u> to my older niece and nephew. The kids conned the adults into giving them an impromptu puppet show from behind the couch. Baby boy charmed the socks off us all. And we had a jolly good time.<br />
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Note: In the third-from-last picture, nephew N demonstrates the proper use of his present from Grandpa and Grandma--a set of small PVC pipes.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU_IJyBb6LVfKJc8MZYTT3ZmvYWesahdl3YoTui4T9dQEKx-p_ExIvJkXHmRHl-qwNP7HLLhWWJ-SXW9OF8t7rF93ciUBF7P2p6z79iFWhaIVyGeOBS2UsMTOm_ML9tCGJlVH5XptcDNkz/s1600/IMG_1922.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU_IJyBb6LVfKJc8MZYTT3ZmvYWesahdl3YoTui4T9dQEKx-p_ExIvJkXHmRHl-qwNP7HLLhWWJ-SXW9OF8t7rF93ciUBF7P2p6z79iFWhaIVyGeOBS2UsMTOm_ML9tCGJlVH5XptcDNkz/s400/IMG_1922.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2851504463009025808.post-64197852483672280082011-01-07T08:36:00.003-05:002011-01-07T08:46:51.774-05:00December 2010 Highlights: Part I<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My second term of teaching intermediate English wrapped up with an amazing international potluck. I came home with so many leftovers that we invited friends over to help us eat them. Here's my class, minus two students. I'm second from right; my co-teacher is second from left. What a great bunch!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE3ZX4JAg_MWSUQci3V7hCxtWizuvbuMzlUvhCy7Y2g9MQDDsNlhM2-yegvImYl0qvs8s60Fa4lh9TPcRcvcLzgCSa1bjwKVOS7ZOliPMM8L4CojMw5u5Enhmyc31dwPzeRr5ya5vOeTG-/s1600/IMG_1659.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE3ZX4JAg_MWSUQci3V7hCxtWizuvbuMzlUvhCy7Y2g9MQDDsNlhM2-yegvImYl0qvs8s60Fa4lh9TPcRcvcLzgCSa1bjwKVOS7ZOliPMM8L4CojMw5u5Enhmyc31dwPzeRr5ya5vOeTG-/s400/IMG_1659.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;">Sometimes NS likes to read "books for mommies."</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We witnessed the butchering of Dad's deer. NS wondered if the meatballs were going to fall out. She ate six pieces of venison tenderloin for supper.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">NS helped Grandma make gingerbread cookies. Here's one she designed and loaded with gumdrops. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;">NS cuddles with Grandmommy and her handmade, personalized blanket.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The artist in her studio:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI6-1Tahz4Ek8YSEbWhddsFHxIBH5PsXQaMCE3BSm2SNF709spVG0lx6BQ9w0Zn7pG4X5CQZ82x11ejE5OvAQQCNXJ4rE3Sun0_fWxJmYmI0Y8QZK_jxiiu0G46a9UsEAAnFlDimXS9heV/s1600/IMG_1704.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI6-1Tahz4Ek8YSEbWhddsFHxIBH5PsXQaMCE3BSm2SNF709spVG0lx6BQ9w0Zn7pG4X5CQZ82x11ejE5OvAQQCNXJ4rE3Sun0_fWxJmYmI0Y8QZK_jxiiu0G46a9UsEAAnFlDimXS9heV/s320/IMG_1704.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;">When they came on Christmas Eve, NS read Grandma and Grandpa one of her favorite story books. They reported that some parts were verbatim.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;">Our present to NS for her third birthday was a set of baskets with dress-up clothes. She went straight past the firefighter, doctor, frog, and cow costumes to single out this princess dress. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlo37xHqHt_QHiYqLfE_-qGZwrDZB9VfybI6zKc5PecDvea9uNAs7YbH2XajDdbTZZEpRHOuqj5oXBLaffmmyF60y6eyv3S-iru5Pq4dS0f2g1925XcVHxTBkQR8t4omxcYKau_W4Lpzmg/s1600/IMG_1792.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlo37xHqHt_QHiYqLfE_-qGZwrDZB9VfybI6zKc5PecDvea9uNAs7YbH2XajDdbTZZEpRHOuqj5oXBLaffmmyF60y6eyv3S-iru5Pq4dS0f2g1925XcVHxTBkQR8t4omxcYKau_W4Lpzmg/s320/IMG_1792.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Based on her favorite <u>Little Bear</u> book, NS chose birthday soup and birthday cake. She helped to make and decorate the bear-shaped chocolate cake.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqgG69rzaUz28CCVmEWE5yd4TvDl4KQZhcYWs99fNuAbGgLs4kz3-fv1wCFj1xVtTy1hOhNbAmmxybcJOaXLpTUdlFDZMXXARGaD1TW74NlRQGSZbtGx-_Ug_lTa0ohnNOe_Y93GkSR7oW/s1600/IMG_1812.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqgG69rzaUz28CCVmEWE5yd4TvDl4KQZhcYWs99fNuAbGgLs4kz3-fv1wCFj1xVtTy1hOhNbAmmxybcJOaXLpTUdlFDZMXXARGaD1TW74NlRQGSZbtGx-_Ug_lTa0ohnNOe_Y93GkSR7oW/s320/IMG_1812.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">By the time the whole gang of aunts, uncles and grandparents got around to dessert, NS was too tired to blow out the candles.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmXhr_MXzi4kmHVGe3LehQeaW9yRW_Tlt_DSaCZqBuK62obCjiZ7gSZmw2tgkhkEbW5ya_zKqtt97Gc1d0ciAZvTJxyaD4rk9e4d1JRJO8fKLbAJseUE58jW16xLtYCI1rHoGbh7HndtTY/s1600/IMG_1825.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmXhr_MXzi4kmHVGe3LehQeaW9yRW_Tlt_DSaCZqBuK62obCjiZ7gSZmw2tgkhkEbW5ya_zKqtt97Gc1d0ciAZvTJxyaD4rk9e4d1JRJO8fKLbAJseUE58jW16xLtYCI1rHoGbh7HndtTY/s320/IMG_1825.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Next afternoon we all reconvened at Auntie A and Uncle D's house for tea, more goodies than we could do justice to, and a goofy white elephant gift exchange. Note NS' golden slippers--her other favorite item from the dress-up box.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7WRzWBJVsbkHWpa6_BDzo3kqvvAR3txWRHV5kxj_EldsgiUxL8jL5OtUWVr8mcepUEJcjq2cEsh9ujrQYpsDan4gSY0RauOPjLRSu5Jl5wj0FCK7uuF2MY3XJ2Z0K0BlqGuhw3Z9_hnyn/s1600/IMG_1846.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7WRzWBJVsbkHWpa6_BDzo3kqvvAR3txWRHV5kxj_EldsgiUxL8jL5OtUWVr8mcepUEJcjq2cEsh9ujrQYpsDan4gSY0RauOPjLRSu5Jl5wj0FCK7uuF2MY3XJ2Z0K0BlqGuhw3Z9_hnyn/s320/IMG_1846.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7WRzWBJVsbkHWpa6_BDzo3kqvvAR3txWRHV5kxj_EldsgiUxL8jL5OtUWVr8mcepUEJcjq2cEsh9ujrQYpsDan4gSY0RauOPjLRSu5Jl5wj0FCK7uuF2MY3XJ2Z0K0BlqGuhw3Z9_hnyn/s1600/IMG_1846.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;"></span></a></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7WRzWBJVsbkHWpa6_BDzo3kqvvAR3txWRHV5kxj_EldsgiUxL8jL5OtUWVr8mcepUEJcjq2cEsh9ujrQYpsDan4gSY0RauOPjLRSu5Jl5wj0FCK7uuF2MY3XJ2Z0K0BlqGuhw3Z9_hnyn/s1600/IMG_1846.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
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<div style="text-align: left;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXSamzrtGRberAUd0zGzRyyEXAwbCt9v9smGWwtHb1YHY_q4Tmt9jcOwn3zu2NMozNLeUql_h07V7RElfU3pvsparjTOHr2xjnPIhah06d5abMX45gFxOof5C8NRWleqMJ8c3RlgVeVS96/s1600/IMG_1844.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXSamzrtGRberAUd0zGzRyyEXAwbCt9v9smGWwtHb1YHY_q4Tmt9jcOwn3zu2NMozNLeUql_h07V7RElfU3pvsparjTOHr2xjnPIhah06d5abMX45gFxOof5C8NRWleqMJ8c3RlgVeVS96/s320/IMG_1844.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYptSESvFZBpErJzuOA5zkuNVliLB_dbMcOQZcsq-_Pyq7kFe1lGO5YlTPjlQsqrHYVCSGM2bQRfQiGwTSyrtfbLe8hd8SuevDwmsf6m1BfF6ImK3m9LeQSdSgaADGqqBZPwigPJqsJDxe/s1600/IMG_1854.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYptSESvFZBpErJzuOA5zkuNVliLB_dbMcOQZcsq-_Pyq7kFe1lGO5YlTPjlQsqrHYVCSGM2bQRfQiGwTSyrtfbLe8hd8SuevDwmsf6m1BfF6ImK3m9LeQSdSgaADGqqBZPwigPJqsJDxe/s320/IMG_1854.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><span id="goog_659139622"></span><span id="goog_659139623"></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2851504463009025808.post-74193884987248879992010-11-15T21:46:00.000-05:002010-11-15T21:46:27.659-05:00It's time for a photo update. Some of these are already a month old...<br />
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A great-grandparental visit:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitueNKKUPViIoIjAu8lpZ4E_eKxGjFZLvl8xb3_Wy1jqGXMzhJmeaLC9McBrgnzWcc06jbFraHMKBVYzQakmj1X_oZxtn4vypxBJkTyHW00_bpp-A8quyERLktR4DozFv-KKAw6KZtBaUf/s1600/IMG_1406.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitueNKKUPViIoIjAu8lpZ4E_eKxGjFZLvl8xb3_Wy1jqGXMzhJmeaLC9McBrgnzWcc06jbFraHMKBVYzQakmj1X_oZxtn4vypxBJkTyHW00_bpp-A8quyERLktR4DozFv-KKAw6KZtBaUf/s320/IMG_1406.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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A grandparental visit:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8E4LjVK5YEl5C6KNqVgEC_G9otXlL_8ateA7YDUt1jcpNN6YIcySMXRKSVuk6jX7HigOwBSyE2_3c1WokNym2iGTv-eOSpqq7WRf40ifkXpmVRvOHne8to-dD7A6joG_0tUAnAvrVdg8_/s1600/IMG_1482.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8E4LjVK5YEl5C6KNqVgEC_G9otXlL_8ateA7YDUt1jcpNN6YIcySMXRKSVuk6jX7HigOwBSyE2_3c1WokNym2iGTv-eOSpqq7WRf40ifkXpmVRvOHne8to-dD7A6joG_0tUAnAvrVdg8_/s320/IMG_1482.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhHSdwTFNb5G-W2A1DiPHbzOe0vpihfDy7frtR-8jKnXwW90silRrqpxvCpBzOkxsPOvChykUu1yjpRwTvVVJ01mPWm7PiWHTBGpS1kthlMv8eMpxjLpU0LKvybIxHx7lDp0t6zUaoYpG1/s1600/IMG_1472.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>Bedtime!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhHSdwTFNb5G-W2A1DiPHbzOe0vpihfDy7frtR-8jKnXwW90silRrqpxvCpBzOkxsPOvChykUu1yjpRwTvVVJ01mPWm7PiWHTBGpS1kthlMv8eMpxjLpU0LKvybIxHx7lDp0t6zUaoYpG1/s1600/IMG_1472.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhHSdwTFNb5G-W2A1DiPHbzOe0vpihfDy7frtR-8jKnXwW90silRrqpxvCpBzOkxsPOvChykUu1yjpRwTvVVJ01mPWm7PiWHTBGpS1kthlMv8eMpxjLpU0LKvybIxHx7lDp0t6zUaoYpG1/s320/IMG_1472.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
The other week NS and I got to go for a hike with sister and bro-in-law C&D on a local trail. It was our first time there; I was pleased as punch with the discovery. About halfway through, NS surprised me by asking to get out of the backpack and hiking on her own two feet the rest of the time.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOC9L4azDHwZVwRAtz4MY9ddOrrQ7NKa3RGTKgnmdLavDZ_l_q0GypJaWageg7czA3s5ONIs4kheJmAW-t_IO1upIKkvFOUZFOA0FlX8OBFSm2xYJB1SVqpYMgHttM5R-tnAZMIIkOzoVj/s1600/IMG_1480.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOC9L4azDHwZVwRAtz4MY9ddOrrQ7NKa3RGTKgnmdLavDZ_l_q0GypJaWageg7czA3s5ONIs4kheJmAW-t_IO1upIKkvFOUZFOA0FlX8OBFSm2xYJB1SVqpYMgHttM5R-tnAZMIIkOzoVj/s320/IMG_1480.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2851504463009025808.post-86574338092729029792010-10-27T12:37:00.000-04:002010-10-27T12:37:45.690-04:00Oh, Happy Day!Monday: Oh, happy day! The diapers are finally packed away!<br />
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Tuesday: An unexpected autumn joy: fresh salad! The lettuce re-seeded in a thick springy carpet of baby greens. I yanked some and savored it with garden tomatoes, radishes, peppers, and even bits of late green beans.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2851504463009025808.post-17131804888684288682010-10-10T19:06:00.001-04:002010-10-10T21:44:37.513-04:00QuotablesTonight as CP prepared dinner, the nasal melancholy of Willie Nelson's <a href="http://www.metrolyrics.com/last-thing-i-needed-first-thing-this-morning-lyrics-willie-nelson.html">"The Last Thing I Needed First Thing This Morning"</a> wafted up the stairs, "...The alarm clock rang two hours late...And this morning at breakfast/I spilled all the coffee," etc. From the bathroom I heard NS exclaim with a laugh, "Mom! That music is sorta funny!"<br />
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Earlier this week, NS demonstrated her comprehension of the danger of going near the road. I asked her to walk with me to take a letter to Dad and Mom's mailbox, which is on the other side of a busy rural thoroughfare. As we left the house, hand in hand, she slowed and said seriously, "I don't want to go on the road because a car might bump me. Then I would be dead and we wouldn't have any girl."Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3