tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25620776275137597942024-03-05T02:54:54.426-05:00THOUGHTS OF TODAY....KMChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01537834541805580025noreply@blogger.comBlogger699125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2562077627513759794.post-89451434229199627732016-01-19T22:03:00.004-05:002016-01-19T22:03:52.823-05:00...to help them remember...this past weekend was a big deal.<br />
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#Courage<br />
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"The ability to do something that frightens one."<br />
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Yup.<br />
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These two have courage.<br />
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Not because they can race around on this crazy contraption. <br />
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But because, both Isabella and Will did things this weekend that I am not sure I would have...<br />
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Isabella's school has been trying to put together a debate team. This is something that she is interested in and has the aptitude for. But...her team and only had one practice session and her coach enrolled the team (four students) in a tournament.<br />
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Isabella was mortified that she would not only have to participate in an activity that wasn't prepared for but she didn't even know what to expect.<br />
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After several conversations, and a few tears, we agreed that I would talk with her coach on the morning of the event to 'excuse her' from participating. I *tried*. (With my fingers crossed.).<br />
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Clearly the end of the story is predictable...she participated. <br />
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AND she placed. Second overall. Pretty impressive for a first attempt.<br />
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Next time she intends to win.</div>
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Now Will's boy scout troop has been preparing to go on a Polar Bear camping trip for the past few months. They have been practicing their outdoor cooking skills and first aid activities. This past weekend was the-real-deal.</div>
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I was a nervous wreck. The forecast up north in the Traverse City area was bleak. Windy, snowy, and single digits. Brr. </div>
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This was Will's sleeping arrangement...</div>
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Will was a trooper...</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the end of the first full day outdoors</td></tr>
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And made it home safe and sound...<div>
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After he had unpacked and taken care of all of his things and was sitting down for a few minutes he said to Mark and I, "I am pretty proud of myself."</div>
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You should be buddy. You absolutely should be.</div>
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We are super proud of both of them for trying something really hard and out-of-their-comfort-zones...and succeeding.</div>
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KMChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01537834541805580025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2562077627513759794.post-14405193161247441942015-12-19T21:48:00.007-05:002015-12-19T21:48:52.393-05:00...enjoying the family advent ...activities<br />
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School is out for the year.<br />
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I am not sure if I am more excited about this or the kids. I love the fact that we don't have to worry about bed times and wake-ups, making lunches and finishing homework, or piano lessons and wrestling meets.<br />
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And I love the holiday season. "It's the most wonderful time...of the year."<br />
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All of the kids love the routine we have around here during the month of December. Opening the Lego Advent calendar, opening the family advent calendar, lighting the dinner candles (AND blowing them out). Thank goodness we have an even number of kids; this means every kid gets the same number of calendar-opens and candle-lights.<br />
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Oh yes...and searching for the Elf. They LIVE for finding that guy. Well, at least two kiddos still can't wait to find him.<br />
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I love that even Will gets excited about the activities we do. Some evenings the activities have to be quick. As-in less than fifteen minutes quick, because sometimes that is all the time we have together as a family before it is bathtime/storytime/bedtime.<br />
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He was just as excited about the painting-the-ornament activity as the girls. You know the kind of ornaments that are bought from Michael's for $2.00 that only come with three random colors of nearly dried up paint? Oh yes. He fought with his baby sister about getting the lovely snowflake over the ugly elf.<br />
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On gingerbread house night there was no fighting this year. They were all exactly the same.<br />
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A little background...Making gingerbread houses ranks right up with carving pumpkins in my book. I can never get the house frames to actually stick together. Frosting gets everywhere. There is never quite enough candy included in the kit. <br />
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Decorating houses generally invokes a lot of tears. <i>Mine.</i><br />
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I cheated on the gingerbread houses this year. When I saw that <a href="http://www.ourordinarylife.com/2012/11/holiday-recipes-to-do-with-kids-rice-krispies-house-kit/" target="_blank">Rice Krispies</a> had their own 'gingerbread' kits I couldn't believe my eyes. <br />
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Best. Idea. Ever. <br />
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They enjoyed doing them and they turned out cute...<br />
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Then, they actually wanted to eat them!</div>
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We may try the <a href="http://www.samsclub.com/sams/kellogg-s-rice-krispies-treats-holiday-train-kit-24-83-oz/prod5450081.ip" target="_blank">train</a> next year! </div>
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<br />KMChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01537834541805580025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2562077627513759794.post-82358760578584995062015-12-15T22:35:00.001-05:002015-12-15T22:35:33.826-05:00...to start thinking aloud again......during this thoughtful season...<br />
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This is the busiest time of year. School activities, finals, shopping, sicknesses (mostly mine this year), and advent activities.<br />
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In particular the advent activities are what my kids look forward to most. Each day of the month, one of them opens the door of the calendar, and our family does something special. Some days the activities are more focused, sometimes they take several hours, some days only a few minutes.<br />
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What our children don't realize is that I love making these memories more than they love the surprise of the activities. <br />
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We went to get our Christmas tree after school on the 4th of December at the same farm we cut our tree down at last year. Unlike last year, the weather was surprisingly nice this time.</div>
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Thus, the kids' spirits were surprisingly good!</div>
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It was a good thing we all started out so happy...<br />
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Because we walked a long way and got pretty cold looking for the perfect tree that we <i>never found</i> to cut down.<br />
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Then the sun began to set. And we still didn't have a tree.</div>
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And the kids grew a little weary.</div>
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And a little grouchy.</div>
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'Till we finally settled on one of the farm's pre-cut trees (Abbey was so grouchy by this point she refused to get into the photo).</div>
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A few days later...<br />
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We were taking communion at church and I was last in line behind my family. Audrey and Abbey were leading the way crossing their arms, William and Isabella followed their sisters, and Mark was right in front of me.<br />
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As I stopped to take the cup, the Eucharistic Minister said to me, "You have such a beautiful family".<br />
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She caught me off guard. And I had a catch in my throat and tears in my eyes when I thanked her.</div>
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She sure is right.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGaqOH5OHRxOJrV15YhVNOALRLo_65Jqr0zWHjvGWEPA5c9iI-MHz-SSTB9JjUAo-xvFkV5UAKKWRudCjSlowSPPaSkNvBsXGEflo6wynod6lYfpJeDrTBgsgqS8IgssFnNutlDorjzo0/s1600/DSC_2058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGaqOH5OHRxOJrV15YhVNOALRLo_65Jqr0zWHjvGWEPA5c9iI-MHz-SSTB9JjUAo-xvFkV5UAKKWRudCjSlowSPPaSkNvBsXGEflo6wynod6lYfpJeDrTBgsgqS8IgssFnNutlDorjzo0/s320/DSC_2058.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I am so thankful we are all together and healthy this holiday season.</div>
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<br />KMChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01537834541805580025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2562077627513759794.post-52163866469957079942015-10-20T21:51:00.000-04:002015-10-20T21:51:05.752-04:00This little lady...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
...had her first basketball game.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfvStK9CL1Kw7iarXv4vAl2YDNsXYOHG0-tFnsVOivD_8BhFCSKLzS8oi43ppTEeu-Ops4E_VxHkkVmI-9lcRVHBKf9YNqbRotA7H-4zYkdX6sxxNyvS8O1is5LOQeQqgwFK7o2ot4LCE/s1600/DSC_1694.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfvStK9CL1Kw7iarXv4vAl2YDNsXYOHG0-tFnsVOivD_8BhFCSKLzS8oi43ppTEeu-Ops4E_VxHkkVmI-9lcRVHBKf9YNqbRotA7H-4zYkdX6sxxNyvS8O1is5LOQeQqgwFK7o2ot4LCE/s320/DSC_1694.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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She was pretty excited about it.</div>
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She got the ball several times during the game.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiwzyA2xrgY3W-PcmuvtK-4zMXZd6InxIWULzfoACpFeBjKcoDN1qk4yYk5E0lCucAxhnkcQNEURO6Mfj5rS84LodEsOyzmOOWWjKg0Q8m1Hik0EjTlanUJnrXcKEAKBP2LBSsSJqjZ2Y/s1600/DSC_1699.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiwzyA2xrgY3W-PcmuvtK-4zMXZd6InxIWULzfoACpFeBjKcoDN1qk4yYk5E0lCucAxhnkcQNEURO6Mfj5rS84LodEsOyzmOOWWjKg0Q8m1Hik0EjTlanUJnrXcKEAKBP2LBSsSJqjZ2Y/s320/DSC_1699.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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And dribbled it right down the court.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzCHZ8V0pOJlvFX-ztEukJATvJNoz5brcwEFpcWj6aiBk8bJ5O6ZvopQq4LoAlnF0BHbdaxuSeheMFy2-lkx-1gMrWGfc-Ztfb692vmP0A4tXj9sEmufhaebCm9Hbo1Hqw7pNd0SC7yCc/s1600/DSC_1708.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzCHZ8V0pOJlvFX-ztEukJATvJNoz5brcwEFpcWj6aiBk8bJ5O6ZvopQq4LoAlnF0BHbdaxuSeheMFy2-lkx-1gMrWGfc-Ztfb692vmP0A4tXj9sEmufhaebCm9Hbo1Hqw7pNd0SC7yCc/s320/DSC_1708.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Can you see her there in the mix?</div>
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Each time they subbed in they had to shake the girl's hand that they were going to guard. Can you catch a glimpse of the smile on her face?</div>
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This was the last 'break-away' of the game...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh77LeTCXfpYBN3ip-TBAJoA1E4BKUPQcSXzqapZBfb3mHtTe9bY7AdxiIR5G3XVJAc1GZWTbJX4m2IVesoCnNGP9fa6Y-gPRjRiLLaMZ7oJvAE6VT22nQ65AV8wKPpzLE9I-lvNhfUj8/s1600/DSC_1701.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh77LeTCXfpYBN3ip-TBAJoA1E4BKUPQcSXzqapZBfb3mHtTe9bY7AdxiIR5G3XVJAc1GZWTbJX4m2IVesoCnNGP9fa6Y-gPRjRiLLaMZ7oJvAE6VT22nQ65AV8wKPpzLE9I-lvNhfUj8/s320/DSC_1701.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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And she scored.</div>
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She was so proud of herself at the end of the game.</div>
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I was too.</div>
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<br />KMChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01537834541805580025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2562077627513759794.post-83699509078421774542015-10-07T21:05:00.000-04:002015-10-14T21:05:44.438-04:00...a celebration of Will. He is...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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...Eleven.<br />
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We celebrated his birthday with a family favorite...peanut butter pie.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTdtjLlkboubf4XZ0gPIhEe9iT5BMJPcFaosSQLjoxk0VxHxZVuExtsvYlHXSpFcvT2LsCAxPahe2Gjuub6HADZYJr_V38ykhVnvdXRYO_GLyawi3zTsrKnz8O8rlSczK_3Jv3AUzjDcY/s1600/IMG_0840.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTdtjLlkboubf4XZ0gPIhEe9iT5BMJPcFaosSQLjoxk0VxHxZVuExtsvYlHXSpFcvT2LsCAxPahe2Gjuub6HADZYJr_V38ykhVnvdXRYO_GLyawi3zTsrKnz8O8rlSczK_3Jv3AUzjDcY/s320/IMG_0840.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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How can it be?<br />
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When this is how I remember him (in all the places he has lived)...<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/AVvXsEgldRmukiQs56ukn-aO8X_7BOOBb1rFX2KzvZBwBRIrCUk2a_U3hUQjFVaoYm6uP4Sf6s4GFG6ppvn_QHoN2NfgO1_r3v0y2seS3qNeg4Ll2o8-0BNiyiHarGfYUMmWKqXMNPvR-bOm-q4/s1600/MOV00651.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgldRmukiQs56ukn-aO8X_7BOOBb1rFX2KzvZBwBRIrCUk2a_U3hUQjFVaoYm6uP4Sf6s4GFG6ppvn_QHoN2NfgO1_r3v0y2seS3qNeg4Ll2o8-0BNiyiHarGfYUMmWKqXMNPvR-bOm-q4/s320/MOV00651.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lansing, MI</td></tr>
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He still likes basketball...<div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiixpT83iPZYnLEzKiuJsy97S7vZD3U_L0CzU2y5OCUyiAhUv4LCiPiquRJxGWkXCHwd8U811A9_fbZeWDMuQXnsdz-DC92UDBlo8JQlhPvtfnji8CbttZZbX73J8RzTaUC9RRTGID9_EE/s1600/Denver+028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiixpT83iPZYnLEzKiuJsy97S7vZD3U_L0CzU2y5OCUyiAhUv4LCiPiquRJxGWkXCHwd8U811A9_fbZeWDMuQXnsdz-DC92UDBlo8JQlhPvtfnji8CbttZZbX73J8RzTaUC9RRTGID9_EE/s320/Denver+028.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Colorado Springs, CO</td></tr>
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He's still pretty into baseball.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaCzeZv1WvwCpk46QkVGKvpKqZzhtC2s0Uf_L4UEcRQybfXGHNOLfC2bUlI2CXHDfBDnEHYiq7C7qr6igkfTPUkNbsR3gu5B-ICbq5tZlY97LuSotAAXiMU8HjafnMJVQu3etnlthJqIw/s1600/Football+Game+028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaCzeZv1WvwCpk46QkVGKvpKqZzhtC2s0Uf_L4UEcRQybfXGHNOLfC2bUlI2CXHDfBDnEHYiq7C7qr6igkfTPUkNbsR3gu5B-ICbq5tZlY97LuSotAAXiMU8HjafnMJVQu3etnlthJqIw/s320/Football+Game+028.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pennington, NJ</td></tr>
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He's still pretty good with his sisters...</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh7I1FJf1226Mi69pAS3hvakqwl08W2O8DkAoIFkRb6setXRADtzmYG8BDomCn4UZKcx2Zck82jwJdMj8iZpFo1tOqj81yF18quQTd1kQnpkZCmyShnDlChjj7ScS7WgnkeGaZHxYgtcY/s1600/DSC_0068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh7I1FJf1226Mi69pAS3hvakqwl08W2O8DkAoIFkRb6setXRADtzmYG8BDomCn4UZKcx2Zck82jwJdMj8iZpFo1tOqj81yF18quQTd1kQnpkZCmyShnDlChjj7ScS7WgnkeGaZHxYgtcY/s320/DSC_0068.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">West Point, NY</td></tr>
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He still loves his ice-cream...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT6-Lj_YceDPwZL4AXgzFJkD4nFEgfPZXyca9REWdyukGB4AqHEBuCQ6pJQ2A8UjRT82CkEQ6eJbB8Hu2v9j62mOpC4M3_oaz7BUX6yJFU5krPm1ycHH5ezKR-ypWe_R3YX3qRnrzRgv4/s1600/DSC_0009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT6-Lj_YceDPwZL4AXgzFJkD4nFEgfPZXyca9REWdyukGB4AqHEBuCQ6pJQ2A8UjRT82CkEQ6eJbB8Hu2v9j62mOpC4M3_oaz7BUX6yJFU5krPm1ycHH5ezKR-ypWe_R3YX3qRnrzRgv4/s320/DSC_0009.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fort Drum, NY</td></tr>
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He still loves getting presents.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrI7PfpoW1Udp5WzIucvyQbMZhbZ9tgZcxHgjUVf81TRwvT8uOo8jXTMNl8XOecQ2BS3b_uj-O-TlskUAjDu95rpqCarRotZxnCUKYU7EEE4YmVMyUY0vT2usqNSmcSJrhqsD8Dn7kskU/s1600/DSC_1567.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrI7PfpoW1Udp5WzIucvyQbMZhbZ9tgZcxHgjUVf81TRwvT8uOo8jXTMNl8XOecQ2BS3b_uj-O-TlskUAjDu95rpqCarRotZxnCUKYU7EEE4YmVMyUY0vT2usqNSmcSJrhqsD8Dn7kskU/s320/DSC_1567.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ann Arbor, MI</td></tr>
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I think he thinks 11 is pretty great.</div>
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(I wonder how many more homes he'll add to his list?).<br /><br />
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KMChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01537834541805580025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2562077627513759794.post-31335358014098649232015-09-30T22:01:00.001-04:002015-09-30T22:01:24.582-04:00Taking little moments.The start of school and the routines seems to have taken us a little bit by surprise. The kitchen renovation set us back, I have picked up an extra day a week at work, and the kids are moving in even more directions.<br />
<br />
I think, for the most part, all the pieces are moving pretty well.<br />
<br />
The kids have stayed fed.<br />
We are all wearing clean clothes.<br />
The dog is still walked several times a day.<br />
And it's no small feat that no one has been late for any activity <span style="font-size: x-small;">(Except for me to work...I am habitually ten minutes late)</span>. <br />
<br />
This weekend we were able to take a bit of a break and enjoy the company of our best friends.<br />
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Army came into town to play Eastern Michigan University and this was the perfect excuse for us to schedule a visit together.<br />
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It was a lovely day for a tailgate...<br />
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And for some Kan Jam...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmvFZ8C7YP7dTIXIt_QQ987alUgbMaf_oNL4o6-YvkoUO7c8EbOt8h6HbP4uFl-zEtl6NV04L2cPM_kGXypeHO-2qzEbVBhlxgALCYSiUXl-eKHE5N2OOXL1RtAwawoYZAlfwnyeTJTd8/s1600/DSC_1548.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmvFZ8C7YP7dTIXIt_QQ987alUgbMaf_oNL4o6-YvkoUO7c8EbOt8h6HbP4uFl-zEtl6NV04L2cPM_kGXypeHO-2qzEbVBhlxgALCYSiUXl-eKHE5N2OOXL1RtAwawoYZAlfwnyeTJTd8/s320/DSC_1548.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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And for some Corn Hole...<br />
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And for a walk with a buddy...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8VDO_GXnuQ0g_2h5sGxXtU6pHPpR69KfhSiAlag3kMk0MFelTm4cRvAW8P9YWLAZ1uQ619txKKFHMi0DGocgDVA9ryC899QStjOkZrJ7IBzkBsWsYSaMhODmkUOhujudVjZ4AjXAiDjU/s1600/DSC_1555.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8VDO_GXnuQ0g_2h5sGxXtU6pHPpR69KfhSiAlag3kMk0MFelTm4cRvAW8P9YWLAZ1uQ619txKKFHMi0DGocgDVA9ryC899QStjOkZrJ7IBzkBsWsYSaMhODmkUOhujudVjZ4AjXAiDjU/s320/DSC_1555.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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The kids were all excited to go to the game...</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg831YRNLaXPaavoq9EsYZodBYdqKkzie1ekNMMjL2-i8KB4lPBdhso9IT17gErZMaGP-Q0YfOm5pE8onvVIGstub7B0r6eaXYxDh4hKFPFUDhRairi8SwCuDlBPJ3BzBfxfj1drfVHkvQ/s1600/IMG_0796.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg831YRNLaXPaavoq9EsYZodBYdqKkzie1ekNMMjL2-i8KB4lPBdhso9IT17gErZMaGP-Q0YfOm5pE8onvVIGstub7B0r6eaXYxDh4hKFPFUDhRairi8SwCuDlBPJ3BzBfxfj1drfVHkvQ/s320/IMG_0796.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">well...maybe not Declan.</td></tr>
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They were even more excited when they realized their were bouncy slides and houses!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlyB945NMw3ETYcIQOaY5qMUT6KGdecqA4f-cCechY8ZJ8EhMLWxvDhDrnD0-V22obZufiqxVNgyXEGDNdpLKgiSSsPzXcwPMiGCP7lGUDcDASkzXVjujQPhdzPlKyVhGIAimjHlkCVV0/s1600/IMG_0754.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlyB945NMw3ETYcIQOaY5qMUT6KGdecqA4f-cCechY8ZJ8EhMLWxvDhDrnD0-V22obZufiqxVNgyXEGDNdpLKgiSSsPzXcwPMiGCP7lGUDcDASkzXVjujQPhdzPlKyVhGIAimjHlkCVV0/s320/IMG_0754.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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The game was a great excuse for our family to take a time to enjoy many little moments with friends.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPsNXbbpqFVl948Hh5Jc5Y92Myv5V2cepOpYTy5giU8gtvk2irSrMnnfCc20ixN6NAF7QEOUBtoeO9ds3Hs9loJaLgDHkNRNZddeey8Y2dUe5OJwtqYlKbrm03YkRmgXpD_SNpH5sXRU8/s1600/IMG_0768.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPsNXbbpqFVl948Hh5Jc5Y92Myv5V2cepOpYTy5giU8gtvk2irSrMnnfCc20ixN6NAF7QEOUBtoeO9ds3Hs9loJaLgDHkNRNZddeey8Y2dUe5OJwtqYlKbrm03YkRmgXpD_SNpH5sXRU8/s320/IMG_0768.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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The Eastern Michigan Eagles put on a lovely opening ceremony complete with a bald eagle flying through the stadium at the end of the Star Spangled Banner. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf-E2M8oyMcko_CmwtKKPdOHCxMaqPCrN0mw1V1LCFrttKZhPV1d2Mt-qPCNRAy_XeS-PIQutoz_41kdm1612_jLdI09e9h31obN6ufocP72_B95t64gzsNOEN5WKppWh90pLHTGYETIc/s1600/IMG_0797.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf-E2M8oyMcko_CmwtKKPdOHCxMaqPCrN0mw1V1LCFrttKZhPV1d2Mt-qPCNRAy_XeS-PIQutoz_41kdm1612_jLdI09e9h31obN6ufocP72_B95t64gzsNOEN5WKppWh90pLHTGYETIc/s320/IMG_0797.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Go Army!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNHGTA2K5fLisgHIqvIpqLhfBzAlevrMQLRGvcq5s65jF9If6UCzSFtBTAOJgG-FZ5ijIwsgDFYhhCVr4Zhwr9emaAICfRyWnd9hFPEF_FxRp59yuOuFMrk0Hf_bTZftsmfYWLG7jSurU/s1600/IMG_0773.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNHGTA2K5fLisgHIqvIpqLhfBzAlevrMQLRGvcq5s65jF9If6UCzSFtBTAOJgG-FZ5ijIwsgDFYhhCVr4Zhwr9emaAICfRyWnd9hFPEF_FxRp59yuOuFMrk0Hf_bTZftsmfYWLG7jSurU/s320/IMG_0773.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Beat Eastern!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiczdQGeoBibh5oRRow4LGRvhaAbHqil9fJ30j2mz5LLrckyB72ZsTJujqQ8yGonJODwdIpn36kN32CEwnmiFcDpU_xd4p0JApowKj9vpquYW3qR0jL9dh7hc81rnPjhKhOQq0SRfiEAlQ/s1600/IMG_3926.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiczdQGeoBibh5oRRow4LGRvhaAbHqil9fJ30j2mz5LLrckyB72ZsTJujqQ8yGonJODwdIpn36kN32CEwnmiFcDpU_xd4p0JApowKj9vpquYW3qR0jL9dh7hc81rnPjhKhOQq0SRfiEAlQ/s320/IMG_3926.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>
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The icing on the cake? </div>
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Army won.</div>
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By a lot! I have never seen them score this many times (cumulative) over the course of the many years watching them play.</div>
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<a href="http://www.hustlebelt.com/mac-football/2015/9/26/9401721/army-black-knights-emu-eagles-football-recap-final-score" target="_blank">Good stuff.</a></div>
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So glad we set up this opportunity to enjoy the Morrow's company...</div>
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The time was well spent.</div>
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<br />KMChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01537834541805580025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2562077627513759794.post-50056990238287796622015-09-23T21:45:00.003-04:002015-09-23T21:45:56.716-04:00I am terrible at tiling.The house is quiet early this evening. <br />
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We are three weeks into school, it's only mid-week, and everyone is tired and cranky.<br />
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New routines, the stress of the kitchen renovation, and several various extra-curricular activities has all of us a bit <i>out-of-sorts</i>.<br />
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The good news is the kitchen is in its final details stage.<br />
<br />
We have all the appliances.<br />
They are all working.<br />
The cabinets are in.<br />
The dust has been cleaned.<br />
And most importantly...cookies have been baked.<br />
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I would like to report that the first batches of muffins and cookies turned out perfectly-perfect. <br />
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We are only waiting on the new kitchen window and at that point the tiling and trim around the window can be finished.<br />
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Speaking of tiling...<br />
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What a disaster.<br />
<br />
"It's easy." I heard people say.<br />
"It's easy." The tiling experts at Home Depot said.<br />
"It's easy." I told myself after I practically became an expert by watching lots of HOW-TO videos on You-Tube!<br />
<br />
Baloney.<br />
<br />
In the back of my head I kept hearing my brother's words of advice "Every project will take twice as long and cost twice as much". I didn't believe those words of wisdom. <br />
<br />
Phooey. This was going to be a morning project. <i>Easy.</i><br />
<br />
The blogs said this would take just a few hours. The videos showed me <i><b>exactly</b></i> how to do it. <br />
<br />
AND I did everything I was told, read, or watched.<br />
<br />
It took me exactly 21 hours. Twenty-one hours. <br />
<br />
That's a <b>little.bit.longer. </b>than a morning project.<br />
<br />
Leveling. Sticking. Grouting. Repeat.<br />
<br />
What a mess.<br />
<br />
I persevered. <br />
<br />
<i>I loved the look of the tiles. </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>I loved the look of the dark grout I chose.</i><br />
<br />
This grout turned out to be a nemesis.<br />
<br />
It turns out that dark grout stains. My fingers. My clothes. And my new white cabinets. Grr.<br />
<br />
<i>But the contrast is lovely. </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Especially with the stainless steel appliances.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
I was pretty pleased when I went to bed super late that evening.<br />
<br />
But then, by the time I woke up in the morning the tiles had slipped. They were crooked. They were uneven. <br />
<br />
I wanted to rip each pretty little subway tile off of the wall.<br />
<br />
It wasn't a pretty sight.<br />
<br />
Mark was able to gently <strike>took</strike> <strike>peeled</strike> pry the sledgehammer out of my fingers.<br />
<br />
And slowly and painfully the two of us repaired the worst wall in its entirety. We replaced several other crooked tiles. And we decided the bad ones that would hide behind the refrigerator could stay crooked.<br />
<br />
The rest we'll fix and repair when the window comes in.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSNsaa-FPnBLGltUxB3yX_8xNwFLbKjnyS-yF8lZv7MUzTeI3XFOwyLpCd07Cu6uCFDWoX0f4YEmC7bcqBgeoenWVFQkr7PtbIxTCb4y882Kmw0bxUSaQ8yd9xVnaR_2TXfMynHxsUJvI/s1600/posttile.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSNsaa-FPnBLGltUxB3yX_8xNwFLbKjnyS-yF8lZv7MUzTeI3XFOwyLpCd07Cu6uCFDWoX0f4YEmC7bcqBgeoenWVFQkr7PtbIxTCb4y882Kmw0bxUSaQ8yd9xVnaR_2TXfMynHxsUJvI/s320/posttile.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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And the next time I have the bright idea to tile an area...I won't.</div>
<br />KMChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01537834541805580025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2562077627513759794.post-75755583131130902372015-09-16T21:12:00.002-04:002015-09-16T21:12:43.413-04:00ChangesNearly each evening, since I last wrote, I have gone to bed often feeling bad that once again I didn't get a moment to write down my thoughts. I originally started writing because I thought the kids would enjoy reading about our family someday. <br />
<br />
Little did I know that Isabella (and a few others) misses reading my thoughts as much as I miss writing them.<br />
<br />
You may notice I changed the heading.<br />
<br />
When I started writing, and when our kids were younger, I used to create a list of things that I wanted to do each day. Now that the kids are older, I have found I don't get to create the agenda like I used to. Our days aren't filled with trips to playgrounds, zoos, and children's museums any longer. Instead I now spend my time driving car pools, hosting play dates, and attending sporting events.<br />
<br />
I won't write about what <i>'I wanted'</i> any longer, instead I'll reflect on my thoughts. The content will remain the same...there will be pictures, projects, recipes, and other things to remember. Little changes.<br />
<br />
Speaking of changes we've had a few doozies here at the Crow home lately...<br />
<br />
These four started school last week.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFGgkm5GptWGqfRh3Y1Uv5vgL1JRIh50KK4bIaamDUtnjnKSurmGTfcVaZRtIT0gWj3DtXZTojlAmCOg1vF1CW-9RM4zdfMbPp7pP7UD7d3Y5Db9IlH1HBL0YhyphenhyphentM0P6dY08APkblLMuk/s1600/DSC_1540.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFGgkm5GptWGqfRh3Y1Uv5vgL1JRIh50KK4bIaamDUtnjnKSurmGTfcVaZRtIT0gWj3DtXZTojlAmCOg1vF1CW-9RM4zdfMbPp7pP7UD7d3Y5Db9IlH1HBL0YhyphenhyphentM0P6dY08APkblLMuk/s320/DSC_1540.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">Isabella (7th), William (6th), Abigail (2nd), and Audrey (1st)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
And we gutted our kitchen.<br /><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi76ocy6t1I8c7IQewKehs7dSFbqPM2GETz5kLQS3Iamkk2IRMxcw3xy73Vfryu4992KWTsLTRpXs0LzvUSHlmxubD-N8KtEedvxyfOVg6kzGzY6fchJOLxIgkNvUQgO7UkzhcDFdodmD8/s1600/DSC_1537.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi76ocy6t1I8c7IQewKehs7dSFbqPM2GETz5kLQS3Iamkk2IRMxcw3xy73Vfryu4992KWTsLTRpXs0LzvUSHlmxubD-N8KtEedvxyfOVg6kzGzY6fchJOLxIgkNvUQgO7UkzhcDFdodmD8/s320/DSC_1537.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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In hindsight, we <i>probably</i> could have timed the demolition and remodeling of our kitchen a little better. <span style="font-size: x-small;">More thoughts on this another day.</span></div>
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Instead, I close with this lovely photo...</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcg32pRXoZUtydbe3uAxQPvz8VHaTx3JcVtLIf4nmiPxRh99viceVj7LwlfB5LZTVvWdt6O-PBpptvRVli-4x4MNLIl8gfn4vzEenQ82an_3ch4IVoLhz6_TlCqUQsTmYjtgf_XUpceFo/s1600/DSC_1542.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcg32pRXoZUtydbe3uAxQPvz8VHaTx3JcVtLIf4nmiPxRh99viceVj7LwlfB5LZTVvWdt6O-PBpptvRVli-4x4MNLIl8gfn4vzEenQ82an_3ch4IVoLhz6_TlCqUQsTmYjtgf_XUpceFo/s320/DSC_1542.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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...off to his first day of middle school. </div>
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So big. </div>
<br />
So brave.KMChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01537834541805580025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2562077627513759794.post-680901151809550412015-07-09T23:08:00.001-04:002015-07-09T23:08:24.118-04:00...to celebrate #4...on her 6th birthday<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9ytDA807G2fbkO6GNnPON7zfQIrTzNgJa1g4cUtlWNf3X6liortgirbUUZ6GVDUP6sQ_nSMkrnUFdqFZFCK0zVsb7KfmamqYi76SpUmE8KWq8RdrcFypr_zvscRwg-QqgdO79myiQtUk/s1600/image3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9ytDA807G2fbkO6GNnPON7zfQIrTzNgJa1g4cUtlWNf3X6liortgirbUUZ6GVDUP6sQ_nSMkrnUFdqFZFCK0zVsb7KfmamqYi76SpUmE8KWq8RdrcFypr_zvscRwg-QqgdO79myiQtUk/s320/image3.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
The little lady who completed our family turned six today. I guess that means we officially have only big kids now.<br />
<br />
There aren't too many things she can't do for herself anymore...<br />
<br />
She can get herself dressed.<br />
She can brush her own teeth.<br />
She sleeps through the night.<br />
She buckles herself up in the car.<br />
If Mark and I are really tired in the evenings, she can read herself a bedtime story.<br />
She can make her own breakfast.<br />
She can reach her own snacks.<br />
She can pour her own milk.<br />
She made her own lunches the <i>entire</i> Kindergarten school year.<br />
She can even clean her own bathroom.<br />
<br />
Wow. I think she has nearly mastered all the important things to make herself successful for a lifetime. <br />
<br />
Perhaps I should add laundry and grocery shopping to the list of things to teach her when she is 6? <br />
<br />
If it's true, that she is now a big kid, at what point do we stop referring to her and Abbey as: 'the little girls"?<br />
<br />
Will she always be one of 'the little girls'?<br />
<br />
I was talking to 'the little girls' last night about how I was just a <i>little</i> sad they weren't babies anymore...<br />
<br />
Audrey proclaimed she was going to live with me <i><b>forever</b></i>. I think my heart swelled and skipped a beat. Until: She continued by explaining that she would live with me always, and I could take care of the babies that she was going to have. <br />
<br />
Oh. Goody.<br />
<br />
Perhaps I should start focusing a little more on the positives of them growing older. Full stop.<br />
<br />
We get to sleep in on Saturday mornings.<br />
We get to drink coffee together...generally uninterrupted.<br />
Chores that I don't particularly want to do...I can pass along to the kids! (Empty the dishwasher!)<br />
<br />
While I am sad and I do reminisce a bit about the baby, toddler, and preschool years....I do love watching her (and the other three) grow into the persons they are growing to be. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNaJMrmUxGcRxp3rTBEJUsTdYiguxCy-kgd3okNooqbtTpXp80ddup6X-VA0PlOMtoByC2EkatMgioz9zhOZHG-mcUHvZlknkbMoRQc7vYXLdBaQNebtRqVPvJVZExGImjOnMMkb6STSI/s1600/image1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNaJMrmUxGcRxp3rTBEJUsTdYiguxCy-kgd3okNooqbtTpXp80ddup6X-VA0PlOMtoByC2EkatMgioz9zhOZHG-mcUHvZlknkbMoRQc7vYXLdBaQNebtRqVPvJVZExGImjOnMMkb6STSI/s320/image1.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Wish.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This 6-year-old little lady is strong, and fierce. She is wicked smart. She loves without reservation almost as much as she can sting when she is upset. She is independent and creative. She is true.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdvekS3KdhXHFXOT9xWPsjypx_ANZfetiqRqRObPBB5u_FQp5wrLogbIKsdt6yILTgXRnUIXNkdpeah8MSvtscaMhVcrop7OzC0yPGuGamtJmFv3wiUnqZQOh9yn_Z9EgqlFwWIZO7OPo/s1600/image2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdvekS3KdhXHFXOT9xWPsjypx_ANZfetiqRqRObPBB5u_FQp5wrLogbIKsdt6yILTgXRnUIXNkdpeah8MSvtscaMhVcrop7OzC0yPGuGamtJmFv3wiUnqZQOh9yn_Z9EgqlFwWIZO7OPo/s320/image2.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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I can't wait to be part of year seven.</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />KMChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01537834541805580025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2562077627513759794.post-18454564933922661392015-07-07T21:36:00.004-04:002015-07-07T21:36:35.460-04:00...to enjoy the zoo...with my little ladies<br />
<br />
I have had big plans for our summer. Museums, zoos, and parks...oh my. While our days have been busy we haven't even begun to touch my summer bucket list. The big kids have been occupied with band camp, and cyber-safety camp, and I have been busy schlepping them back and forth to these activities.<br />
<br />
But today, today ended up being a 'free' day. So the little girls and I decided to have a date.<br />
<br />
I imagined a leisurely stroll through the gates.<br />
I imagined gazing at giraffes and lions and cheetahs.<br />
I imagined the excitement on my girls' faces.<br />
<br />
Sigh.<br />
<br />
<i>I have read way too many novels.</i><br />
<br />
We parked no less than a mile from the gate. <br />
It was 85 degrees and humid.<br />
We were hungry.<br />
And it was super crowded.<br />
<br />
When we walked through the gate the girls excitedly grabbed their maps and began perusing them...not for the quickest way to make it to the cheetahs but for the short cuts to the snack kiosks.<br />
<br />
I think it has been way too long since I have been to a real city zoo. We have been spoiled by zoos such as the Bear Mountain Zoo near West Point, New York and the Watertown Zoo in Watertown, NY. These zoos were havens for rescued animals native to the areas they were located. <br />
<br />
The Toledo Zoo, upon entering the gates, looks a little more like a toy store or a circus than it does an animal sanctuary. <br />
<br />
My initial conversation with the girls upon entering the zoo went something like this:<br />
<br />
Abbey: Can we get our face painted?<br />
Me: No.<br />
Audrey: Can we get some Dippin' Dots?<br />
Me: No.<br />
Abbey: Can we ride the train?<br />
Me: No<br />
Audrey: Can we ride the carousel?<br />
Me: No.<br />
Abbey: Can we get a tattoo?<br />
Me: No.<br />
<br />
Audrey: You just don't want us to have any fun.<br />
<br />
<i>Excuse me? Say what?</i><br />
<br />
At nearly that exact moment my daughter was saved. She was saved from me lecturing her. Audrey was saved by some poor little boy who was being <i>screamed</i> at by his mother for not standing with his siblings to take a photo.<br />
<br />
My girls couldn't help staring.<br />
<br />
<i>I like to think they were being reminded of just how lucky they are.</i> I am not sure if that is really what they were thinking. But...<br />
<br />
Audrey's response to this situation was this: I know the way to the giraffes. I think we just need to go past the picnic tables and straight there.<br />
<br />
<i>Let's go.</i><br />
<br />
In spite of our initials issues, our day ended up being just fine. We saw a few animals, enjoyed our picnic lunch, and watched a bird show (most definitely, the highlight).<br />
<br />
Even though they know it means no face painting, no tattoos, no train ride and no carousel ride...<br />
<br />
The girls even want to go back again.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />KMChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01537834541805580025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2562077627513759794.post-82249145850826941702015-06-29T21:11:00.000-04:002015-07-02T21:12:35.476-04:00...to use up the stone fruits...and create a warm dessert<br />
<br />
We have had a ton of fruit flies around the kitchen this week. In order to rid ourselves of these pesky creatures I decided I needed to get rid of the fruit we had sitting out.<br />
<br />
How does one use up a dozen peaches, nectarines, and plums that are slightly overripe?<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRD7JVKBEvLkuDlWy4YNBmUUAkdrQ5jrbUEbl9mmfRhdET0-MgCPq2vVxNsmvkTBL0APazvRb5KBRwmyan6EOvq9VWMqGS3dZ6VFoUSOsiYRnZfstJpjqPvkzfkhPiJyuRF9t3u2cOGzc/s1600/IMG_0481.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRD7JVKBEvLkuDlWy4YNBmUUAkdrQ5jrbUEbl9mmfRhdET0-MgCPq2vVxNsmvkTBL0APazvRb5KBRwmyan6EOvq9VWMqGS3dZ6VFoUSOsiYRnZfstJpjqPvkzfkhPiJyuRF9t3u2cOGzc/s1600/IMG_0481.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sticky countertop</td></tr>
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Why...I cook them up with some cinnamon and sugar and add a little oatmeal crumble. Besides, the weather has been cool and a warm dessert sounded delicious.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg89KciU0bs8kDxMAuu0fyFHEY0pSMmtVU2_ZAfLhYbS7RbFdeIkhPwFcVzFsPTtj57l9PiT8fPQNAzg9jN5lTDPU9fPmDLiyFxAkjQWyx0jjZEcI4cYjPhacJjvGbzzy0QUaXdGh8ZwLM/s1600/IMG_0482.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg89KciU0bs8kDxMAuu0fyFHEY0pSMmtVU2_ZAfLhYbS7RbFdeIkhPwFcVzFsPTtj57l9PiT8fPQNAzg9jN5lTDPU9fPmDLiyFxAkjQWyx0jjZEcI4cYjPhacJjvGbzzy0QUaXdGh8ZwLM/s1600/IMG_0482.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">little sticky fingers</td></tr>
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Stone Crisp</div>
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About a dozen stone fruits peeled and sliced</div>
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Sprinkle them with cinnamon and sugar to taste</div>
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Add a crumble mixture of about 1/4 cup soft butter, 1/2 cup oatmeal, and 1/2 cup brown sugar</div>
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Bake at 350 (about 15 minutes) till you can poke a fork easily through the plums. </div>
<br />
Serve it up warm.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />KMChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01537834541805580025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2562077627513759794.post-55501615396138540642015-06-28T21:16:00.003-04:002015-06-28T21:16:50.173-04:00...to take a moment to reflect<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
....on all the photos I have taken since the last time I have sat down to blog.</div>
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<br /></div>
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My biggest fan (Isabella) asked me today when I was going to start blogging again today and another fan (who knew I had two fans? <i>Thanks, Aunt Patty!</i>) also mentioned her disappointment that my last entry had been <i>June 9th</i>.</div>
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<br /></div>
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In honor of my two fans, I decided to share two photos...the first and last photos that were on my memory card. </div>
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<br /></div>
This photo is important for several reasons:<br />
<br />
1. It shows how great Abbey is doing physically! She continues to amaze us with how great she is doing. She is nearly back to her old self.<br />
<br />
2. It also shows just how long it's been since I sat down to download photos...this photo was taken on fun day. At least a week before the kids were finished with school. Oye.<br />
<br />
3. It shows just how wild-and-crazy I am...I <i>allowed</i> my 7-year-old to go to fun day in white shorts. That's me. An out-of-the-box thinker.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg4_Go6Cs0YYKHUZ5I6PgdcPAOx56aepyi7PyLSAoyVwtrW5Vroa4JaXsIZLSqIFkvXyx6czyUMFkP4mXLnqn0JaANGjmbspjnuuLCRXEGYos_sPUFehlbZ5jIAje3-VH9eOCmecQ5bLM/s1600/DSC_0963.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg4_Go6Cs0YYKHUZ5I6PgdcPAOx56aepyi7PyLSAoyVwtrW5Vroa4JaXsIZLSqIFkvXyx6czyUMFkP4mXLnqn0JaANGjmbspjnuuLCRXEGYos_sPUFehlbZ5jIAje3-VH9eOCmecQ5bLM/s320/DSC_0963.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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The last photo:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUMhBeIDGbpTNfgNFJoDSSfSs5MA5wqRFsv3XVIePD4gxerfQWcWblTlcN4E0k27OiAuA3F0e4Y-7EoFd1Kog1F4pn8OrkfxaSfsK1KGqHX-PAel1weYj1C9Poat2m5iNmJHxd6t9XBXc/s1600/DSC_1253.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUMhBeIDGbpTNfgNFJoDSSfSs5MA5wqRFsv3XVIePD4gxerfQWcWblTlcN4E0k27OiAuA3F0e4Y-7EoFd1Kog1F4pn8OrkfxaSfsK1KGqHX-PAel1weYj1C9Poat2m5iNmJHxd6t9XBXc/s320/DSC_1253.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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We enjoyed the company of our large extended family today to celebrate the life of Mark's cousin. This was the last photo on my camera. </div>
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Four darling cousins enjoying each other's company. </div>
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Fitting I think.</div>
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Finally I thought I might share two photos that I found particularly amusing.</div>
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1. Forget the four kids on their last day of school...how about that adorable dog? How cute is he?!?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio1wJ2nh7_VV8514rWXECCL23uLW8Z4iB4SrX2ih6f85p7ex-nfw9M_cTd1FM8Ci6PCitLWnof7bbE1yUEABxrLzI5vGrusEL8fvAU3Rm5DhH4o22spONiEuaNZebuBP7_Cwz3eVY9IJc/s1600/DSC_1047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio1wJ2nh7_VV8514rWXECCL23uLW8Z4iB4SrX2ih6f85p7ex-nfw9M_cTd1FM8Ci6PCitLWnof7bbE1yUEABxrLzI5vGrusEL8fvAU3Rm5DhH4o22spONiEuaNZebuBP7_Cwz3eVY9IJc/s320/DSC_1047.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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2. Does this photo need any words? </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMG0RAjAl1p0QFs0fEkPmbCrYshGkr0pHOS0_3xOlY1wmSClLZW9wV6l9O1U_RWNcDe5l8E-OTObKQmmy2xE6-ukfAxbtdAfA9LAnnwlVUM-0IIrTSd9gHrap0i2flzeCUhNLGnHPjxIM/s1600/DSC_1093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMG0RAjAl1p0QFs0fEkPmbCrYshGkr0pHOS0_3xOlY1wmSClLZW9wV6l9O1U_RWNcDe5l8E-OTObKQmmy2xE6-ukfAxbtdAfA9LAnnwlVUM-0IIrTSd9gHrap0i2flzeCUhNLGnHPjxIM/s320/DSC_1093.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I think this horse has a lot to say...</div>
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<br />KMChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01537834541805580025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2562077627513759794.post-49902865960002074292015-06-09T21:17:00.001-04:002015-06-09T21:17:51.758-04:00...to plan, prepare, attend......the end of year activities.<br />
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While life here on the blog has been quiet...I can assure you life at the Crow house has not been.<br />
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The end-of-school-year activity fairies have been busy creating activities, field trips, class picnics, field days, outdoor fun days (not to be confused with field days), and sporting banquets for us to participate in. <br />
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Multiply those things times four.<br />
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Meanwhile, I have been day-dreaming about the start of summer vacation. I have been creating chore-lists, activity lists, and project lists. It's going to be so lovely and relaxing...drinking coffee, catching up, and my house is going to be so tidy.<br />
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I also have visions of preparing farm fresh veggies and fruits for dinner al fresco, riding our bikes to the local pool, picnics at the park, perusing at the Art Fair....<br />
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In the meantime, the kids are in school thru the 12th and I am in school thru the 18th. We'll muster through the last of the homework, bring popsicles to the picnics, attend Will's 5th grade graduation ceremony, and try to fit in playdates, playground fun, and softball and baseball practices.<br />
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And I'll try to share a few Kodak moments when I get the opportunity to sit and reflect.<br />
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<br />KMChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01537834541805580025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2562077627513759794.post-74397708588929218602015-06-03T22:08:00.003-04:002015-06-03T22:08:49.050-04:00...to enjoy the beginnings...of the end-of-the-year madness<br />
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One of the benefits that I have had working part-time this year is that I can swap my work days to do special activities with the kids.<br />
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Today I had the opportunity to go on a walking tour of Ann Arbor fields with Will's class.<br />
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We walked 7.5 miles. All over the city. <br />
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We went to:<br />
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The Farmer's Market via<br />
Nickel's Arcade<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/AVvXsEilqvNLSsOMJiQoAGx2HGwKvjRxENPxsZjAgy5tUw7P6tal5j3nDARueRTx-F-wK_s2ofnQTzaKxGRRGTJyx_AZy9pzjT9kKNO9uzxqEHQf7EzbRLGBdAsxQUu9qY95VFTWqnjTFEXxjt0/s1600/IMG_0289.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilqvNLSsOMJiQoAGx2HGwKvjRxENPxsZjAgy5tUw7P6tal5j3nDARueRTx-F-wK_s2ofnQTzaKxGRRGTJyx_AZy9pzjT9kKNO9uzxqEHQf7EzbRLGBdAsxQUu9qY95VFTWqnjTFEXxjt0/s320/IMG_0289.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our chaos through Nickel's Arcade</td></tr>
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A science presentation<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqUbz6ZqrAU4YjvI2RL210DWbsNxybTXe19dp1pwD-av3tOezWHxdhwGvSFIgtmza9YBi950WJnoso5Pwk9tlUqHD4igVn0PF_fYXZO2_PlJjF2QV8fcluVOHt0H8u9E1deYv30hzCRec/s1600/IMG_0290.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqUbz6ZqrAU4YjvI2RL210DWbsNxybTXe19dp1pwD-av3tOezWHxdhwGvSFIgtmza9YBi950WJnoso5Pwk9tlUqHD4igVn0PF_fYXZO2_PlJjF2QV8fcluVOHt0H8u9E1deYv30hzCRec/s320/IMG_0290.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A photo from the beginning of a wonderful science presentation</td></tr>
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The Business School<br />
The Law Quad<br />
The Art Museum<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghsHCqBAmTMYdppetrGvfK_s9zBggNrALqtaKNhAd4JvBAisFOQpqO9ZMQ3sR4GBMc46gPLfI2-c7idHny9FNEDrIJ5eBTgbvVAhV3h0mGXcStb8XPfM-OEnREfv52l5tiKxHHcYh1hZA/s1600/IMG_0300.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghsHCqBAmTMYdppetrGvfK_s9zBggNrALqtaKNhAd4JvBAisFOQpqO9ZMQ3sR4GBMc46gPLfI2-c7idHny9FNEDrIJ5eBTgbvVAhV3h0mGXcStb8XPfM-OEnREfv52l5tiKxHHcYh1hZA/s320/IMG_0300.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">swinging on a sculpture at the Art Museum</td></tr>
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Next was a soccer scrimmage.<div>
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There are two, first grade soccer teams at Burns Park. I am the coach of one of the teams and many of Abbey's friends are on the other team. We decided we would host a 'friendly' scrimmage in lieu of our last practice.</div>
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I was worried about this event...because Abbey was worried about this event. The girls on my team have come a really long way. They run after the ball. They are more aggressive. They take chances. They play hard. I try to be diligent about making sure every girls gets to play nearly every position each game. They are awesome in my eyes. I love watching them improve each game. But they haven't won very many. </div>
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And her friends' team hadn't lost a soccer game yet. Eek.</div>
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Our team played one of their best games yet this evening. They took chances. Passed the ball a few times. Ran hard. Our goalies had several saves. The other team played well too. At the end of the third quarter...the score was tied. It was shortly after 5:00, the time when our practices were supposed to be over. So...we called the game. </div>
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It was a tie.</div>
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Phew.</div>
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I think all the girls were pretty pleased.</div>
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I can't think of a better ending for a 'friendly' scrimmage.</div>
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Except of course to finish off with a pizza party to celebrate the season.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_EhZ6CqF9Ygdvke8EXLuToU86k5wxoPwaY-0HrE8CbzcDYSKz07-HZJCB-Ua4PF_8uxGIvE11gCh3RBGmFFfY6IPcJDvH5xvWd0VCugz6zc6O6jaIci6-C0E_0f7WYsZUVhpk_cbNnSw/s1600/DSC_0956.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_EhZ6CqF9Ygdvke8EXLuToU86k5wxoPwaY-0HrE8CbzcDYSKz07-HZJCB-Ua4PF_8uxGIvE11gCh3RBGmFFfY6IPcJDvH5xvWd0VCugz6zc6O6jaIci6-C0E_0f7WYsZUVhpk_cbNnSw/s320/DSC_0956.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I think she was pretty happy.</div>
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KMChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01537834541805580025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2562077627513759794.post-24697568817632074202015-05-30T20:27:00.000-04:002015-05-31T21:38:36.374-04:00...to watch them play...soccer, soccer, soccer, and baseball.<br />
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Our weekend was full of activities and it was the first time in a long time that I had to try to juggle the madness on my own.<br />
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Here in AA, much like in our former Army communities, neighbors and friends are always willing to pitch in. Audrey attended her game with her friend Clara and then was invited to stay for a playdate until I returned from the other two girls' games.<br />
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I wasn't able to take very many photos of the activities this weekend...<br />
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Abbey was watching Isabella play in one of the rare moments this weekend when the sun was shining...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2-EFNKj5LpiVX2lAO7Y_prC9YKuIIMG6Z0XJKxStVTH6BxMWZrenhRbXXZhzO91dI8mn5PlCzMMqhrWVfZ8Krq0vGarxRJi7VL4-P4_dY9lBqgwUe0lWHhHl7IcvsC7pn7WsKAniXMe4/s1600/DSC_0924.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2-EFNKj5LpiVX2lAO7Y_prC9YKuIIMG6Z0XJKxStVTH6BxMWZrenhRbXXZhzO91dI8mn5PlCzMMqhrWVfZ8Krq0vGarxRJi7VL4-P4_dY9lBqgwUe0lWHhHl7IcvsC7pn7WsKAniXMe4/s320/DSC_0924.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Isabella enjoyed her last soccer game of the season and played in spite of not feeling very well again the few days previous to her game. But these two coaches were the kind of coaches you WANT to play for. They were kind, well-spoken, demanding, and they really cared for the team.</div>
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Isabella enjoyed playing for the Strikers...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNibnFG5xv795d__hae6Lx55aQ__18OMnbfNJ__Rv7AFvlr-YzMsa2jb_O5GNoNCXP8DJPxRoD6JYH4sMwDgew6Y4Q19ir4BgPfIX1pnDMyrdHQAjhA_znk6NY3v2U9xPHLgaYOh0p_dU/s1600/DSC_0922.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNibnFG5xv795d__hae6Lx55aQ__18OMnbfNJ__Rv7AFvlr-YzMsa2jb_O5GNoNCXP8DJPxRoD6JYH4sMwDgew6Y4Q19ir4BgPfIX1pnDMyrdHQAjhA_znk6NY3v2U9xPHLgaYOh0p_dU/s320/DSC_0922.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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And they were a really nice group of girls.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQSQRRUXiI08HiAFst-pjwmmmWIjakACPD2xVNEwCNRM1KW1bfpaLGJXVaHzpWeZzvPJ1GkcIL4UtQbQWhzndgELpj7nnQGDzbe6swuJ9m8p0m-sFDmYLmj0LNKR-kcAdpv7tr7RiNrNM/s1600/DSC_0927.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQSQRRUXiI08HiAFst-pjwmmmWIjakACPD2xVNEwCNRM1KW1bfpaLGJXVaHzpWeZzvPJ1GkcIL4UtQbQWhzndgELpj7nnQGDzbe6swuJ9m8p0m-sFDmYLmj0LNKR-kcAdpv7tr7RiNrNM/s320/DSC_0927.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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It takes a special person to coach middle school girls...and these two guys did a stand-up job.</div>
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Not only did they send out a team Mother's Day photo earlier in the season but they also handed out personalized medals to each of the girls. AND they baked chocolate chip cookies for them...in the shapes of each of the girls' initials. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUzkOpx0Q0xkRIeoPJP0wKsg07N7IIQI01Y5T83r06ExugjVgB_CHZ0JCNDaLtkpxU62YZ9-i7KqIkPOUK6CVIjXInXk_QUQx90albufZNbFYPqIOVKXEgbBKNLOoNJDck0I4UiZE3acE/s1600/DSC_0934.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUzkOpx0Q0xkRIeoPJP0wKsg07N7IIQI01Y5T83r06ExugjVgB_CHZ0JCNDaLtkpxU62YZ9-i7KqIkPOUK6CVIjXInXk_QUQx90albufZNbFYPqIOVKXEgbBKNLOoNJDck0I4UiZE3acE/s320/DSC_0934.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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AND at the beginning of the season they bought the girls their soccer socks with their team name on it.</div>
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We were so pleased to hear they are going to coach again in the fall...in spite of the fact that the head coach's daughter is moving up to high school. Isabella reported she "is definitely playing in the fall". I am so glad that I 'highly encouraged' her to play this season. Turns out:</div>
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#itsamiracle </div>
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#she-enjoys-raising-her-heart-rate-after-all</div>
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The rest of the day I watched Will play two baseball games between the rainstorms. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI959kT-AoyHqyKrm3Vkku_T11ebyXcDqwT8ulp4xE9ElRHTBFsDRpYscGjHGann-WnxfhaTdrAihAYn5c3bk5yzhPjv87_BtKdFefey8VmgMCaBR7fHbSW1qczjFBcCmlXNyFLGvpTOo/s1600/IMG_0273.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI959kT-AoyHqyKrm3Vkku_T11ebyXcDqwT8ulp4xE9ElRHTBFsDRpYscGjHGann-WnxfhaTdrAihAYn5c3bk5yzhPjv87_BtKdFefey8VmgMCaBR7fHbSW1qczjFBcCmlXNyFLGvpTOo/s320/IMG_0273.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
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Bernie enjoyed the day of darting between games...he didn't seem to mind the mud and rain either.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBJs20CBCSsjNBRv662KSlbfNX6Hjc3CZH7W7dXoDPSPg8-JyY3mMdzR8piaXZOGuIQMle2jNmQsltjJsxnUhNpUpsunREeYTTDckwOrcGUlLLIQu14lZwrU9ChmlrI_9q6X32d13exCQ/s1600/IMG_0272.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBJs20CBCSsjNBRv662KSlbfNX6Hjc3CZH7W7dXoDPSPg8-JyY3mMdzR8piaXZOGuIQMle2jNmQsltjJsxnUhNpUpsunREeYTTDckwOrcGUlLLIQu14lZwrU9ChmlrI_9q6X32d13exCQ/s320/IMG_0272.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguGIVbWVJjvBKGm7_kcrMdesQxLMp_CMLMbSD8r5vJM6_TL8IBHFOZqid2D219SsiPD7pK1EnMOGbkPeW3RbGeTcpFRdg8Bvm6eDxvVOEp0nIVYbQ7NggfwQtyz2aCVdcO4R3-ZtpzSCs/s1600/IMG_0276.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguGIVbWVJjvBKGm7_kcrMdesQxLMp_CMLMbSD8r5vJM6_TL8IBHFOZqid2D219SsiPD7pK1EnMOGbkPeW3RbGeTcpFRdg8Bvm6eDxvVOEp0nIVYbQ7NggfwQtyz2aCVdcO4R3-ZtpzSCs/s320/IMG_0276.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">one wet pup</td></tr>
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Thanks to my darling cousin and her husband, I didn't even have to entertain the girls. The tournament wasn't too far from their home and they brought the girls back to their house to play and hang out. I was able actually to watch both games; uninterrupted too. Too bad they didn't win either of their games. </div>
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Bernie didn't care if they won or lost...He was just happy to be included.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfrrsjz6uVVBrbNFdzcCdSVxFhFQ2-pBcpE2SktBxw7u0U8bjbknP9JWszfKsNLZmIdzJ2L8tNM0U5QMj3ZxKJ7U6bSs57Ydff87Z2lOOHkxjoLgqAigrEIxaYFbs26R26rsVimPhogQI/s1600/IMG_0278.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfrrsjz6uVVBrbNFdzcCdSVxFhFQ2-pBcpE2SktBxw7u0U8bjbknP9JWszfKsNLZmIdzJ2L8tNM0U5QMj3ZxKJ7U6bSs57Ydff87Z2lOOHkxjoLgqAigrEIxaYFbs26R26rsVimPhogQI/s320/IMG_0278.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<br />KMChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01537834541805580025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2562077627513759794.post-87789684453683155472015-05-22T21:23:00.000-04:002015-05-27T21:23:41.671-04:00...to enjoy a lemonade stand...one that I didn't have to run!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi737UjlQV8RIUQtuFaH_vq6YC1doiDc36Pzaona29Tia7RrH553HMaGpABGoLvIJYYWSJBzIWyqnmyMCM2M9dLmT8QMhVtGUI4QrcKuC-phgIVA86Cxw8_2ESLPzr1-PrR6y2Q-yeCZzQ/s1600/DSC_0784.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi737UjlQV8RIUQtuFaH_vq6YC1doiDc36Pzaona29Tia7RrH553HMaGpABGoLvIJYYWSJBzIWyqnmyMCM2M9dLmT8QMhVtGUI4QrcKuC-phgIVA86Cxw8_2ESLPzr1-PrR6y2Q-yeCZzQ/s320/DSC_0784.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This young lady and her three friends have been planning a lemonade stand since April. Each day she would come home from school and give me additional details about this plan. These details became increasingly elaborate.<br />
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<li>There was a plan to have a chef (little Olive).</li>
<li>There were to be walkie-talkie's to radio the prep staff.</li>
<li>There was a driver (driving his little electric car) to drive the goods from the kitchen (at the back door) to the front yard.</li>
<li>There was a raffle to meet the chef. </li>
<li>Facepainting. By real artists.</li>
<li>Oh yes...and there was to be food. Cookies and fruit.</li>
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Charley and Abbey. Two of the four masterminds. Charley's mom earned her mom-of-the-year badge for this event. Not only did she agree and coordinate this event, but she went above and beyond in setting up and carrying out <strike>all of</strike> several of the important details.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6x8fdrIv9R9keFRmU_9x9XuRXIE0iobML_Qiwj8yHvC6_GlqYoMElZE-riu5wjxX72_V6vDR4aBZVyder3KNyk78zmwyrwDY6iPk433Fqf4UcXfff1yMH-T69ZaIxJrV-pxQsycaZMy8/s1600/DSC_0811.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6x8fdrIv9R9keFRmU_9x9XuRXIE0iobML_Qiwj8yHvC6_GlqYoMElZE-riu5wjxX72_V6vDR4aBZVyder3KNyk78zmwyrwDY6iPk433Fqf4UcXfff1yMH-T69ZaIxJrV-pxQsycaZMy8/s320/DSC_0811.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Chef Olive.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8la7vRASILgU4paoxnjO28vlURWuB0IL7j73TIE0ItnfiEPMLgudu3hSANfO8Qd0CI8HIYuk7ZY8GDLxjgN-SGG20W-v1wseVQYM0IjUMf2PFEtjC_P5PIqvP7z4zhptRbq-zBlj7_UE/s1600/DSC_0783.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8la7vRASILgU4paoxnjO28vlURWuB0IL7j73TIE0ItnfiEPMLgudu3hSANfO8Qd0CI8HIYuk7ZY8GDLxjgN-SGG20W-v1wseVQYM0IjUMf2PFEtjC_P5PIqvP7z4zhptRbq-zBlj7_UE/s320/DSC_0783.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Advertiser and sous chef Sylvia.</div>
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Their stand was a happening place.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqpTOB-IgRfjmyBF2vUERkAh0fwXyE2rrv086nGImUicIg_DJdU9KD5f-pmnR9Y7_c1LQWrTpYZjHfKU3ZGq-0JdMJXzooraxbIQLuZA5spT4ewPc9QaYMovHf_2y44QSK_oKqiA4OBZM/s1600/DSC_0808.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqpTOB-IgRfjmyBF2vUERkAh0fwXyE2rrv086nGImUicIg_DJdU9KD5f-pmnR9Y7_c1LQWrTpYZjHfKU3ZGq-0JdMJXzooraxbIQLuZA5spT4ewPc9QaYMovHf_2y44QSK_oKqiA4OBZM/s320/DSC_0808.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The face painting was a hit.</div>
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And we even topped the event off with the release of our butterflies.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs3woFwRDrpMafoBJw2dnMbYTyKBdBHZ6Azb4piX-3Nzj1o3z1x4kkUclBWQv44vssGOTOEexd9mlYVw0qW4j5Srh1NYSlxWiroYfslcOjLiZa6dpd26iTzeVxyj-OKV_9ANgeAkbROzA/s1600/DSC_0799.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs3woFwRDrpMafoBJw2dnMbYTyKBdBHZ6Azb4piX-3Nzj1o3z1x4kkUclBWQv44vssGOTOEexd9mlYVw0qW4j5Srh1NYSlxWiroYfslcOjLiZa6dpd26iTzeVxyj-OKV_9ANgeAkbROzA/s320/DSC_0799.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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They were amazing to watch...</div>
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And a couple of them even stopped to smell the flowers.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLiV8FqbtCVDzbhZkwR0B1xBSbGn3Htr6yNHlxt1QMf74AlSt95O-2zm2WD1zJUK_ECqv9HBZ6PKZFRG2a3pd_RJbnPHwi2_3-UmAmsaPv54Sn8PlWY_eQj6fBxIYTWfc-n5llXn6DOHM/s1600/DSC_0802.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLiV8FqbtCVDzbhZkwR0B1xBSbGn3Htr6yNHlxt1QMf74AlSt95O-2zm2WD1zJUK_ECqv9HBZ6PKZFRG2a3pd_RJbnPHwi2_3-UmAmsaPv54Sn8PlWY_eQj6fBxIYTWfc-n5llXn6DOHM/s320/DSC_0802.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The event was a success. The kids really enjoyed their <i>entrepreneurial</i> event. They are already planning another one. I told Abbey that we are busy that weekend. </div>
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<span id="goog_1507674635"></span><span id="goog_1507674636"></span><br />KMChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01537834541805580025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2562077627513759794.post-19198910501846526542015-05-03T21:44:00.000-04:002015-05-05T21:45:15.408-04:00...to enjoy a few activities...over the weekend...<br />
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This weekend proved to be no more relaxing than last weekend. But it sure was full of activity, fun, and exercise!<br />
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Isabella had a soccer practice.<br />
The family participated in the <a href="http://www.burnsparkrun.org/" target="_blank">Burns Park Run</a>. Mark is going to help chair the event next year so he was busy shadowing this year's event organizers. <br />
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The rest of us participated in the running portions.<br />
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Isabella, Abbey, and Audrey all did the fun run.<br />
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Will and I both ran the 5K and while I didn't break any PR's Will beat his time from a few weeks ago by 5 minutes!<br />
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The girls and I attended a local community theatre production The Little Mermaid.<br />
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Will played five baseball games this weekend.<br />
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Here are a few fun photos from the weekend...<br />
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How cute is this kid?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEcaeJem9njtnH2J4pfAUQPhBOgMy6XUjg1SCtvKesEAi81LD6D6wScBCLJeHQ7KCf6UzQXxW5t3wHaQjpP8Mu8Iaxw1JSbT1DAJnCziZS8lRjfipNb9GABPbvE2hAL3oPccusGllg5FI/s1600/DSC_0352.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEcaeJem9njtnH2J4pfAUQPhBOgMy6XUjg1SCtvKesEAi81LD6D6wScBCLJeHQ7KCf6UzQXxW5t3wHaQjpP8Mu8Iaxw1JSbT1DAJnCziZS8lRjfipNb9GABPbvE2hAL3oPccusGllg5FI/s1600/DSC_0352.JPG" height="211" width="320" /></a></div>
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How about this little guy?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNMUBxsXIqQPgKqGw55uarlMfZUQtPEbHYC5m0oJsozDkuLf0fmsBkcpqQM73xvROnpEMDlOtzdUJW3boGKFQAbMBzmPHqjZDAfKDPS2tMyLhcYZl4wpi1Iz2VOwP0k2_UH2chkfcu-qY/s1600/DSC_0430.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNMUBxsXIqQPgKqGw55uarlMfZUQtPEbHYC5m0oJsozDkuLf0fmsBkcpqQM73xvROnpEMDlOtzdUJW3boGKFQAbMBzmPHqjZDAfKDPS2tMyLhcYZl4wpi1Iz2VOwP0k2_UH2chkfcu-qY/s1600/DSC_0430.JPG" height="211" width="320" /></a></div>
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Like father like son.</div>
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Thanks for coming Mimi and Richard.</div>
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Thanks for coming Grandma and Grandpa.</div>
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Thanks for coming big and little sisters.</div>
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And thanks for coming Papa (not pictured).</div>
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After announcing their boredom...the little girls finally found a place to entertain themselves...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcZvoW6pfNeycUSpsKWaprrF4ARaKG12FvBrk2gkvpY6qG9zMRDNUj_DBCaDbiuCJnAboh70oZ_PvLcbkAhEc-ik7WdAXPGPO2hE-dFkOc4XMHZ__e6A-9N4eW7TU395q4ubEw_Xf0O3w/s1600/DSC_0532.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcZvoW6pfNeycUSpsKWaprrF4ARaKG12FvBrk2gkvpY6qG9zMRDNUj_DBCaDbiuCJnAboh70oZ_PvLcbkAhEc-ik7WdAXPGPO2hE-dFkOc4XMHZ__e6A-9N4eW7TU395q4ubEw_Xf0O3w/s1600/DSC_0532.JPG" height="211" width="320" /></a></div>
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And Isabella enjoyed the peace by herself.</div>
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As for Will, his team came away with second place in the tournament!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ_gj-HHAsdZdz8wjswlChsEgiSnC81OFwRIaF2PIvgSl8QgmyuVLJktE3KgJqtq26_E4owoe2_xijOTd-IjG3ep5d2QnPm5SFCKo_CfBEaQf0_cFzDjmOpZvKWazuHjdcCMQ75gNNUOU/s1600/DSC_0558.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ_gj-HHAsdZdz8wjswlChsEgiSnC81OFwRIaF2PIvgSl8QgmyuVLJktE3KgJqtq26_E4owoe2_xijOTd-IjG3ep5d2QnPm5SFCKo_CfBEaQf0_cFzDjmOpZvKWazuHjdcCMQ75gNNUOU/s1600/DSC_0558.JPG" height="211" width="320" /></a></div>
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And Mark is now home recovering from two solid days of being on his feet morning till night.</div>
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<br />KMChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01537834541805580025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2562077627513759794.post-83735700094185163152015-04-30T22:37:00.000-04:002015-05-04T22:38:03.388-04:00...to go to Abbey's bridging ceremony...how can it be that she is already a Brownie?<br />
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Can you see her tiny picture in the photo below? I have had a hard time locating other early photos of her in Daisies.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEo-9xwEJ3hR9xxPDCXq4ao6eo6yfqKVBEHfcSCKEdKJ0ckNF2v-rHlINSgG2g9RNBRN6RO7foCsclFfN91I91L6eBq5SQOjNgyw50U32fi_CfMzTX_KB2FlZR8CXWnZHcFn2KRKrz8I0/s1600/DSC_3672.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEo-9xwEJ3hR9xxPDCXq4ao6eo6yfqKVBEHfcSCKEdKJ0ckNF2v-rHlINSgG2g9RNBRN6RO7foCsclFfN91I91L6eBq5SQOjNgyw50U32fi_CfMzTX_KB2FlZR8CXWnZHcFn2KRKrz8I0/s320/DSC_3672.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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You can see just how small Audrey was...and charming too? :)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXdOhLIX08JVaGtgleWIamb0E7ry1KobY1SnzfcvbdhcMSaJwhAL2p_QcAWLDR2y0P-4pcbEcnsDQVl1Bzlc2j43rFgTi1enSIZXffeYvyZvCYfKfpB6zphN2Z6GHgXTjLcMF2UiMeXUM/s1600/DSC_3680.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXdOhLIX08JVaGtgleWIamb0E7ry1KobY1SnzfcvbdhcMSaJwhAL2p_QcAWLDR2y0P-4pcbEcnsDQVl1Bzlc2j43rFgTi1enSIZXffeYvyZvCYfKfpB6zphN2Z6GHgXTjLcMF2UiMeXUM/s320/DSC_3680.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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The photo of Isabella is perhaps the most representative of how young they were nearly two years ago...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB_n4j2ieqKurFGjI0KFk4IXLSNB3mkwbt0b_8xBywx4MrT-QsvEUrRZ1cQaIGcx3hfPc2SZJyMmRSBDMA_1BhBXXCYuNzuxFFzuTI-Yvz1Z8UY7gqUfQG0VjGLQexVlOPgtRWv2_tAJQ/s1600/DSC_3681.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB_n4j2ieqKurFGjI0KFk4IXLSNB3mkwbt0b_8xBywx4MrT-QsvEUrRZ1cQaIGcx3hfPc2SZJyMmRSBDMA_1BhBXXCYuNzuxFFzuTI-Yvz1Z8UY7gqUfQG0VjGLQexVlOPgtRWv2_tAJQ/s320/DSC_3681.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I think she has had a lot of fun in Daisies.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglIVgU7mAIyPwtryPIQNTJCsW2GnRzCvNDn512InH7_h5t3cpt7mMBztIt65dOWHamDF3rgncZGoIvhIiN30SORnI_PEUlQUjMOveiE3Yy5BZGkXusOh-ivDnAh2iSnFuIFjloAV7C-r0/s1600/DSC_0267.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglIVgU7mAIyPwtryPIQNTJCsW2GnRzCvNDn512InH7_h5t3cpt7mMBztIt65dOWHamDF3rgncZGoIvhIiN30SORnI_PEUlQUjMOveiE3Yy5BZGkXusOh-ivDnAh2iSnFuIFjloAV7C-r0/s320/DSC_0267.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here is a photo of our new troop here in Ann Arbor. I am so glad that Abbey and Audrey got to overlap together for these few months!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg81z1F-pNGiJjqMpyb2PCh4GY-UNI5rI97rEUUt5cbQYBnmyehuIJbs22vfKlFpvMMX9Cws_G3bK93LyI7KBxYPKIc9Nv5s2y6KFgStDIDequi8ipqXDDdKwWqWCWo8mDFwp9ddO7mbWA/s1600/DSC_0273.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg81z1F-pNGiJjqMpyb2PCh4GY-UNI5rI97rEUUt5cbQYBnmyehuIJbs22vfKlFpvMMX9Cws_G3bK93LyI7KBxYPKIc9Nv5s2y6KFgStDIDequi8ipqXDDdKwWqWCWo8mDFwp9ddO7mbWA/s320/DSC_0273.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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There she goes...over the bridge. On to...Brownies.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjY1CCSjh-8Q3s1rGMBLWteXYip6uXWRvyoURvWA0kyednMllUFSKchac5BnI5R2m5UfgRMGcJ6eWAJfhq9pfo1ve_6lyKhMaB5ZoavxRZzyJsMtWT6BkVWoUv0txgJF2k7jAYwJFd7bE/s1600/DSC_0292.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjY1CCSjh-8Q3s1rGMBLWteXYip6uXWRvyoURvWA0kyednMllUFSKchac5BnI5R2m5UfgRMGcJ6eWAJfhq9pfo1ve_6lyKhMaB5ZoavxRZzyJsMtWT6BkVWoUv0txgJF2k7jAYwJFd7bE/s320/DSC_0292.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />KMChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01537834541805580025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2562077627513759794.post-20356275637147763292015-04-27T21:24:00.000-04:002015-04-27T21:24:00.667-04:00...to get some photos from our weekend...but our schedule was a little over the top.<br />
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*Five soccer games<br />
*A baseball practice<br />
*A bowling birthday party for all the kids and Mom<br />
*Soccer practice for Isabella<br />
*Sleepovers<br />
*And a half-marathon for Mark<br />
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I forgot to take photos. Actually I forgot to even grab my camera.<br />
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I did however, remember to feed the children and get each of them to each of their respective events. That counts for something right?<br />
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These are a few moments I captured with my phone.<br />
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Mark went to stay at our friends' house in Toledo on Saturday evening and the girl's and I enjoyed a girl's night. Movie. Popcorn. And selfie to commemorate the evening.<br />
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Sunday morning we were getting ready for the birthday-party-soccer-games-events. And Audrey came down ready with barely a reminder to get ready.</div>
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Well, that girl certainly has her own sense of style. Her leopard <i>long-sleeved</i> (the only requirement I mentioned to her because it was freezing outside) shirt is actually a <i>long-sleeved</i> dress complimented by bright pink sweatpants. </div>
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I think her teammates were able to locate her.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho95bjOHGAtIh4fjTSg-ke3gXqne7UvGvuWgg-y7Faw-xcyapgwrb0Jxhev4PWA4uaWlsBnu7sf8EUZzNCKYp_QiriFwg9nUbfvV68MuEnn3JVWnCvAhjOi4Y8w_p6eS6sTiyn6IMNImE/s1600/IMG_0043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho95bjOHGAtIh4fjTSg-ke3gXqne7UvGvuWgg-y7Faw-xcyapgwrb0Jxhev4PWA4uaWlsBnu7sf8EUZzNCKYp_QiriFwg9nUbfvV68MuEnn3JVWnCvAhjOi4Y8w_p6eS6sTiyn6IMNImE/s1600/IMG_0043.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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My bowling dates.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv6yF-_XA8Z-kUOajzw-T_3k96ov_vg-GNRFWAa9YV_ryFMmpetuL5amyT3ZyIj4C93lBT0lOYlVSXeB_eRz2F3-sO58wYt4Vy4_27Eon_OagbzH2dhyphenhyphenUOZqo5j7pICoMUXyx52eFZPmk/s1600/IMG_0046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv6yF-_XA8Z-kUOajzw-T_3k96ov_vg-GNRFWAa9YV_ryFMmpetuL5amyT3ZyIj4C93lBT0lOYlVSXeB_eRz2F3-sO58wYt4Vy4_27Eon_OagbzH2dhyphenhyphenUOZqo5j7pICoMUXyx52eFZPmk/s1600/IMG_0046.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Isabella disguised as a GIANT Oriole.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh90ZgDktnxSvxNBl56T1n0DVVunGjwM6n2stnLlcRt3Ku6fSEeZcb4BdqWouXmt6NTRe2mYoKNpPcduBKEDJA8jtOEUyR6pCbut_Hm6tTuMeuA_Ew4zQ8-1cs14EMiNpgIMFEOPGOKqkA/s1600/IMG_0048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh90ZgDktnxSvxNBl56T1n0DVVunGjwM6n2stnLlcRt3Ku6fSEeZcb4BdqWouXmt6NTRe2mYoKNpPcduBKEDJA8jtOEUyR6pCbut_Hm6tTuMeuA_Ew4zQ8-1cs14EMiNpgIMFEOPGOKqkA/s1600/IMG_0048.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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Next weekend I'll be sure to remember my camera.</div>
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<br />KMChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01537834541805580025noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2562077627513759794.post-34529796242487304092015-04-23T20:56:00.003-04:002015-04-23T20:56:37.306-04:00...to share Abbey's progress...she's come such a long way.<br />
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This update is long overdue. Perhaps its because we are still holding our breath that this disorder will come again...perhaps its because we are still in some kind of recovery mode from the stress of all that happened...and perhaps it's because things are getting back to normal and I don't want to jinx her progress.<br />
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December 28, 2014 seems so long ago.<span style="text-align: center;"> </span><br />
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Abbey was just being admitted to the DeVos Children's Hospital in Grand Rapids, MI. At the time this photo was taken I am not sure we really understood the severity of Abbey's condition. We just knew she was in good hands.</div>
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Within a few hours of this photo we were informed her diagnosis was <a href="http://myelitis.org/symptoms-conditions/acute-disseminated-encephalomyelitis/" target="_blank">ADEM</a>.</div>
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The severity of her diagnosis hit us slowly.</div>
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She was such a good patient. This may seem cliche but this child handled pokes, and IV's, and medications like a champ. </div>
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This photo was taken while her favorite nurse was flushing her IV. This was her least favorite part of any process. And she was so good about it.</div>
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She was a sick little girl.</div>
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After about a week of high dose steroids and intense physical and occupational therapy we were sent home to Ann Arbor. The doctor's were pretty reassuring that this would never happen again. And her prognosis for recovery was excellent. Nonetheless, I was a mess when we left the hospital. In my mind she was in good hands in the hospital. </div>
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We took Abbey's recovery process very seriously. She participated in her therapies and we reintegrated her into school very slowly. The most important aspect of her recovery they told us was going to be rest. She rested. </div>
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And she began to recover. She was soon walking again. She was regaining her strength in her arms. And she was excited about school. She returned for just two hours a day for three days for one week.</div>
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Then she caught another virus. We were worried. We talked with the doctor's office each day. They reassured us Abbey was going to be fine. Until she wasn't.</div>
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Once again she was readmitted. This time to Mott's Children's Hospital here in Ann Arbor where she underwent nearly another week of high dose steroids. Her symptoms this time were more stroke-like. Her speech was slurred and she had more trouble with her emotions.</div>
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Her recovery has been remarkable.</div>
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Within a short period of time she was playing with her sister again. </div>
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We were taking short walks outside. You can see the steroids made her quite puffy.</div>
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We reintroduced her to school even more slowly this time. We panicked when she got her first fever. We panicked again when she got her first cold. And both time she received just fine.</div>
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About two weeks ago she received a clean bill of health from her neurologist. He doesn't expect her to have a recurrence.</div>
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I think Mark and I would say she is about 90% recovered. Physically she is doing extremely well. She has been discharged from both physical and occupational therapy. She is playing soccer, and running with her dad, and leaving Art projects all over our kitchen table.</div>
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Academically, in spite of missing nearly two months of school, she is doing very well in school. She is diligent about doing her homework, practicing her math facts, and working on her writing tasks. Her teacher doesn't have any concerns.</div>
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Abbey continues to struggle with the brain functions that we take for granted. She tends to be quite emotional, she is more impulsive, she giggles very easily, angers quickly, and cries if you look at her cross-eyed. She struggles with sustained attention, short-term memory and word-recall. </div>
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Although these things are hard for her, she is aware of her weaknesses and works on improving them. She reminds <i>us</i> when its time to work on her cognitive therapy tasks.</div>
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We are so lucky she is doing so well. She is expected to fully recover. We can still marvel that some things haven't changed...</div>
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She still loves to take care of little ones....</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVrwO6ibWlAJiLRTcsyuOPQ-dd5Ixu7Jc1h0ceJaZDr38P4V9VBs4XZTnjVIV_YUna8Ln6znJx9ka0zYiz_NfljKrNEZWpMMFOgYQlKA8n07Y79BqaWS6JMxN3ZgiDs3JLhd80zvrm0bg/s1600/DSC_0095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVrwO6ibWlAJiLRTcsyuOPQ-dd5Ixu7Jc1h0ceJaZDr38P4V9VBs4XZTnjVIV_YUna8Ln6znJx9ka0zYiz_NfljKrNEZWpMMFOgYQlKA8n07Y79BqaWS6JMxN3ZgiDs3JLhd80zvrm0bg/s1600/DSC_0095.JPG" height="211" width="320" /></a></div>
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And she is always side-by-side her sister.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRYtIu3d_ajONX0pEdR-zSoq8Wn-Ap319iLVcWvl_Qk-gekQRbmu23APJ5I1bXai3C03BJPw0DClO-Zc7HomyM6-JrRtSL76Tv6-J6_fyilv6GEUgYzVXI3ArAyGCtdg2nPCqamxONuMw/s1600/DSC_0170.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRYtIu3d_ajONX0pEdR-zSoq8Wn-Ap319iLVcWvl_Qk-gekQRbmu23APJ5I1bXai3C03BJPw0DClO-Zc7HomyM6-JrRtSL76Tv6-J6_fyilv6GEUgYzVXI3ArAyGCtdg2nPCqamxONuMw/s1600/DSC_0170.JPG" height="211" width="320" /></a></div>
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She is much more attached to Mark and I since all this has happened...you can usually find her right by our side...</div>
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She sits with me...</div>
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She plays with Mark...</div>
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We don't mind. </div>
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We are simply thankful that our days have returned to normal. Easter egg hunts, visits with the Easter bunny...</div>
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...birthday parties, and playdates...</div>
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We have big dreams for you little one. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjb_V-uPimuuX__uuGq2HLGnCVZ-AfbSTxohss79jJuug7TGTqXNln3c1jwi4r-9nhMdqg2hMnZXH9feD41M7Zxi31mYpjUcyFF7quUPXHhGDoboJcas4bWxdOe3g3NCt30EydtnSoWQE/s1600/DSC_0017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjb_V-uPimuuX__uuGq2HLGnCVZ-AfbSTxohss79jJuug7TGTqXNln3c1jwi4r-9nhMdqg2hMnZXH9feD41M7Zxi31mYpjUcyFF7quUPXHhGDoboJcas4bWxdOe3g3NCt30EydtnSoWQE/s1600/DSC_0017.JPG" height="320" width="248" /></a></div>
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We are so happy playing on the jungle gym is normal again.</div>
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KMChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01537834541805580025noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2562077627513759794.post-25716873153783701422015-04-21T21:21:00.000-04:002015-04-21T21:21:18.636-04:00...to enjoy a concert performance ...was it really a few days ago already?<br />
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Will had his first guitar recital this past weekend.<br />
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He told Mark that his stomach was 'doing back flips'. He was concentrating so hard during his warm-up.<br />
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Will had his personal posse at the event. They were engaged...in coloring.</div>
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Will is pictured here with his guitar teacher Dave Buehrer. He is such a patient teacher and clearly loves what he is doing.</div>
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Will played two songs. He played the Star Spangled Banner and Cheatin' Heart. Dave played the chords while Will played the melody.</div>
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Don't mind the videography skills...the videographer forgot her tripod.</div>
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I'm not sure I could get up in front of a crowd of people...but I sure am proud of the dedication that Will displayed.</div>
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KMChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01537834541805580025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2562077627513759794.post-22277645965446215342015-04-12T21:33:00.000-04:002015-04-13T21:35:06.216-04:00...to try a new recipe...since we are back on track here in MI!<div>
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We had a great week off. Spring break was fun for the family, relaxing in the sense we had a break from all of our activities, and productive with a few projects around the house.</div>
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We are prepped and ready for the week.</div>
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Lunches are made.</div>
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Chores are done.</div>
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The kids have been read to.</div>
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And the meal plan is ready.</div>
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I even have two new recipes on the list for the week...remember I had wanted to try at least one new recipe a week? I am playing catch up.</div>
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This <a href="http://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/chicken_fajitas/" target="_blank">one</a> was a winner for so many reasons.</div>
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1. Everyone loved it.</div>
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2. It was very easy.</div>
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3. The vegetables were delicious! </div>
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4. I may never overcook chicken again using this method. </div>
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Side note: My chicken is often on the dry side if I grill it or fry it. Mostly because I fear I am going to contaminate my offspring with salmonella. Thus I cook and cook and cook it. I might cook it for least five minutes per side and sometimes I would even flip the chicken twice. I can't believe I didn't know how to make chicken this way. In a way it is similar to how I cook beef...the meat keeps cooking from its own heat after I take it out of the oven.</div>
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The kids are so happy. New recipe day wasn't a disaster!</div>
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Mark is so happy. He says these are his new favorite fajitas.</div>
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Me...I am not as happy. I had leftovers on our menu for Thursday. </div>
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There <i><b>are no</b></i> leftovers.</div>
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KMChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01537834541805580025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2562077627513759794.post-46751255396050203412015-04-11T22:04:00.000-04:002015-04-13T22:04:45.210-04:00...to cheer on Mark and Will...at the Big House 5K<br />
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So proud of this little guy!<br />
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Doesn't he look so proud of himself! He should be. What a feat!<br />
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3.1 miles.<br />
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He worked hard training with his Dad. He even ran during our vacation. And I might add, he left Kyle and I in the dust. Kids have no respect for their elders I tell you! If we could have caught him we <i>might have</i> tried to trip him...!<br />
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I digress.<br />
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As you can see Will was quite nervous when I dropped them off.<br />
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Proud runners-to-be.</div>
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You can see why Will was nervous by the glimpse of the crowd waiting up ahead.</div>
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These two came along with me to cheer Will and Mark on. Isabella stayed home to babysit our little sleeping beauty, Audrey. That girl loves to sleep in on the weekends.</div>
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Burny was very popular.</div>
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People even stopped running to come over and pet him! </div>
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We were waiting for Mark and Will just before they ran into the Big House.</div>
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Moral support.</div>
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I think he was happy to see Abbey and I here at the end.</div>
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What a great experience for Will! And a fun activity for them to do together.<br />
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My guys.</div>
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<br />KMChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01537834541805580025noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2562077627513759794.post-59143736979662019572015-04-08T21:01:00.000-04:002015-04-08T21:30:43.841-04:00...to bring home ...our puppy.<br />
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We had a wonderful Easter weekend with my brother, Taylor, and the kids. While my kids were sad to leave their cousins and their Aunt/Uncle there was a <i>little carrot</i> dangling at the end of their trip...<br />
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By the name of Bernie...or Burny... or Berney...<br />
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After weeks of arguing we finally agreed upon a name. We have not however, agreed how to spell his name.<br />
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But...since I will be the one to take him to all his doctor appointments AND get him his license...then I will get to spell his name the way I want. Bwahahahahaha!<br />
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I introduce to you Burny Bo Crow.<br />
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He is a real heartbreaker I tell you.<br />
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And already he is such a good boy.<br />
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He was exactly 8 weeks old yesterday when we picked him up. He weighs ten pounds. He slept like a champ and seems as if he is going to be very mild-mannered.<br />
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Perhaps he'll be better behaved than my children?<br />
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No matter. I have four kids who are awfully happy to have him as part of our family.<br />
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Hopefully he's awful happy to be a part of our family.</div>
<br />KMChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01537834541805580025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2562077627513759794.post-52874048359066028262015-03-28T21:17:00.000-04:002015-03-30T21:17:29.665-04:00...to see our lil' pup again...isn't he just the sweetest?<br />
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The kids were super excited about going down to see our little guy for a short visit.</div>
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They are convinced he has grown...</div>
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And the name debate continues.</div>
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We <i>are</i> starting to get a bit desperate. Mark and I are ready to name him without a general consensus. Our votes count more than all theirs combined anyhow!</div>
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We'd like a name that is relevant to Ann Arbor. </div>
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The front runners are: Burny (for Burns Park the neighborhood we live in) and Bo (for Bo Schembechler). Other popular names in no particular order include: Yost, Argo, Oliver, Forest, Charley, and Mitch. Perhaps Amos after his Dad? Audrey is still holding on to Elsa...</div>
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Elsa = Veto</div>
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We'll figure out his name, but we had better do it soon. We have been told that he is already showing just how smart he is. He has already learned to sit and shake without even being taught...just by watching his parents.</div>
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We are looking forward to having him around...</div>
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...whatever his name may be.</div>
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<br />KMChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01537834541805580025noreply@blogger.com1