tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78177007256408510442024-03-14T13:54:02.226-04:00Hestermania!(formerly Lily Boeple)Nystral Djohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06217559324844108062noreply@blogger.comBlogger457125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7817700725640851044.post-26786253649197704332017-11-03T13:09:00.000-04:002017-11-04T12:49:26.111-04:00New GrowthOver the last ten days, all five kids had their annual well-visits, and they all received a clean bill of health! There were some fun stats:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center; width: 528px;">
<div style="color: #47a7d0; float: left; font-weight: bold; width: 88px;">
<b style="color: black;">2017</b><br />
<br />
LILY<br />
<br />
<br />
JACOB<br />
<br />
<br />
SAM<br />
<br />
<br />
ELLIOT<br />
<br />
<br />
CALEB</div>
<div style="float: left; width: 88px;">
<b>Age</b><br />
<br />
10yr 10mo<br />
<br />
<br />
9yr 5mo<br />
<br />
<br />
7yr 5mo<br />
<br />
<br />
5yr 2mo<br />
<br />
<br />
3yr 1mo</div>
<div style="float: left; width: 88px;">
<b>Weight</b><br />
<br />
74lb 3.2oz<br />
34th%<br />
<br />
76lb 3.2oz<br />
77th%<br />
<br />
51lb 3.2oz<br />
41st%<br />
<br />
34lb 12.8oz<br />
6th%<br />
<br />
36lb 9.6oz<br />
86th%</div>
<div style="float: left; width: 88px;">
<b>Height</b><br />
<br />
55.4 in<br />
37th%<br />
<br />
55.75 in<br />
81st%<br />
<br />
49.5 in<br />
58th%<br />
<br />
41.3 in<br />
12th%<br />
<br />
39.2 in<br />
81st%</div>
<div style="float: left; width: 88px;">
<b>BMI</b><br />
<br />
44th%<br />
<br />
<br />
-<br />
<br />
<br />
-<br />
<br />
<br />
16th%<br />
<br />
<br />
-</div>
<div style="float: left; width: 88px;">
<b>Vision</b><br />
<br />
R 20/20<br />
L 20/20<br />
<br />
R 20/20<br />
L 20/25<br />
<br />
R 20/25<br />
L 20/25<br />
<br />
R 20/30<br />
L 20/30<br />
<br />
-</div>
</div>
<div style="clear: both;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
Last year, Jacob was juuuuust taller than Lily. This year, he is taller AND heavier. I can't believe he's in the 81st percentile for height, because he doesn't FEEL tall - except for when he stands next to other kids his age ;) Our baby chubster, Sam (who was over 10lb at birth and had the world's best rolls!), has slimmed way down into the 44th percentile for weight and up into the 58th for height.<br />
<br />
But the BIGGEST surprise was that 3-year-old Caleb now officially weighs MORE than his 5-year-old brother, Elliot. This should come as no surprise since Caleb is the best.eater.ever, and Elliot still lives on air, carbs, and dairy. Oy... He continues to be at the bottom of his growth charts for height and weight, yet despite the overall lack of eating, he remains on his own steady curve, and the doctors are happy. Fortunately, we live in America where everything is fortified, so he is healthy despite his [aggravating!] lack of variety.<br />
<br />
We are so thankful for all these healthy, growing kids. And thankful that they all passed their vision tests again this year - anther bullet dodged by their two, four-eyed folks!Nystral Djohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06217559324844108062noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7817700725640851044.post-5151577898332402362017-02-09T15:37:00.000-05:002017-02-09T15:48:40.151-05:00Elliot's Broken WristTuesday night, Elliot took a tumble down the basement stairs and fractured two bones on the underside of his wrist, the ulna and the radius. RIGHT as the first Small Group of the semester was getting started in our living room upstairs. I took him to urgent care that night, where they put him in a splint with a sling, and the next day, an orthopedic doctor put him in a hard cast for the next month, after which we go back for more x-rays and, hopefully, removal of said cast.<br />
<br />
By the time Small Group ended Tuesday night and we got to the pediatric urgent care place, the decks were stacked against us. It was two hours past Elliot's bedtime, he was crashing from eating a billion cookies earlier in the night, he fell asleep in the car on the way there so we had to wake him up, and he was in a whole lot of pain - all of which left him TERRIFIED, and he responded to the exam like a caged animal, kicking and screaming. Literally. I didn't know whether to feel worse for my poor, scared, hurting boy, or the doctors he was physically fighting. He wouldn't even accept their offer of a lollipop. He said no to every flavor choice they gave him, until finally he yelled, "No! I don't want ANY of that stuff!"<br />
<br />
Well, OK then. He was just so done.<br />
<br />
The next afternoon at the orthopedic doctor's office, Elliot was a completely different person. He was super chatty with the nurse, discussing how there are bones in his body to help him move, and how he broke some of those bones. He talked about his yellow rain boots and how they were too small and he shouldn't have been wearing them on the stairs. And he loved looking at the pictures of his bones INSIDE HIS BODY on their big computer screen. He picked a dark blue cast and sat there very calmly as they wrapped it around his arm. No kicking, no pushing, no screaming - just some minor hesitation and a whimper or two. It's amazing what a good night's sleep and a little experience can do for a scared little boy.<br />
<br />
They were probably wondering why I was so happy to leave that appointment with a happy, chatty son... with a blue lollipop in his mouth. Nystral Djohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06217559324844108062noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7817700725640851044.post-26741025953855088732016-09-07T20:36:00.005-04:002016-09-07T20:37:10.990-04:00First Day of School, 2016<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
We kicked off a new school year today!
Each kid took a turn coming into my room for a private parent-student conference, answering aloud the questions I read them from the plaque. I wrote down exactly what they said.
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<div>
<b>Lily</b><br />
First Day of: <b>5th </b>(I can't even...)<br />
I am <b>9</b> (She then thought maybe she should add a percentage, but decided against it.)<br />
<b>63.6</b> lbs, <b>46'6"</b><br />
My teacher is: <b>My Mother</b><br />
I love to: <b>Play on screens</b></div>
<div>
I want to be a: <b>Doctor or Vet</b> (her normal answer is vet - I haven't heard her say doctor before.)<br />
Favorite color: <b>Purple</b> (She went back and forth between purple and magenta, but finally settled on purple.)<br />
Favorite book: <b>Cam Jansen </b>(We have been ordering them from the library as quickly as we can, because she is just blowing through them.)</div>
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<div>
<b>Jacob</b><br />
First Day of: <b>3rd</b><br />
I am <b>8 1/4</b> (He was very specific) =)<br />
<b>63</b> lbs, <b>45.5</b>" (Should have been 45.6", as in 45 1/2 - boo, my math.)<br />
My teacher is: <b>My Mom</b><br />
I love to: <b>Play video games</b> (He speaks the truth.)</div>
<div>
I want to be a: <b>Scientist </b>(I've never heard of this before...it almost felt like he said the first impressive thing he could think of, but who knows - maybe it's been kicking around in his head!)<br />
Favorite color: <b>All of them!</b><br />
Favorite book: <b>Ricky Ricotta</b> (He then added Cam Jansen, too.)<br />
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<b>Samantha</b><br />
First Day of: <b>1st</b><br />
I am <b>6</b><br />
<b>48.4</b> lbs, <b>3'11"</b> (Ummm not sure why I wrote 11", considering the only two options were whole and half...)<br />
My teacher is: <b>Mama</b><br />
I love to: <b>Color</b> (Really. Seriously. Girl can COLOR ALL DAY.)</div>
<div>
I want to be a: <b>Spy</b> (You can't tell, but she is wearing all black behind that sign, because, silly, that's what spies wear!)<br />
Favorite color: <b>Blue</b><br />
Favorite book: <b>Snow White</b> (She recently discovered my copy from when I was little, where something new pops out on every page, and she LOVES it.)<br />
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<b>Elliot</b> (When I first asked him his name, he said "E" because he saw that I was going to write and figured I needed help.)<br />
First Day of: <b>PreK</b><br />
I am <b>4</b> (he actually said 3. This is the one answer the kids gave me that I didn't write. I just thought it would be too confusing when looking back. We've been trying to convince him he's 4 for the last two months, but he's still not on board.)<br />
<b>34</b> lbs, <b>33.6"</b> (Again, I botched the height...not sure why that was so hard for me! haha)<br />
My teacher is: <b>Daddy</b> (Apparently, Ryan is teaching him all sorts of things when I'm not around.)<br />
I love to: <b>Paint</b> (We don't do a lot of painting at home...maybe he's trying to tell me something.)</div>
<div>
I want to be a: <b>Elliot</b><br />
Favorite color: <b>Green</b><br />
Favorite book: <b>Thomas</b> ("The Thomas book with the dinosaur!")<br />
<br />
Note to self for next year - buy real chalkboard chalk. The sidewalk chalk wrote great, but it was hard to write with the super wide tip.</div>
</div>
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Nystral Djohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06217559324844108062noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7817700725640851044.post-69776701215149257882016-07-19T17:18:00.003-04:002016-07-19T17:50:44.156-04:00Character TrainingThis summer, my friend Angela and I decided we needed to take a step back and seriously focus on character training with our kids. Right now, we are about 5 weeks in and having a blast! I thought it would be fun to document what we're doing, should we ever need to look back, and so we can have all of our resources / ideas in one place.<br />
<br />
<b>Preparation:</b><br />
<br />
THE BOOK<br />
After some research, we decided to use "<a href="http://amzn.to/29Mu2AK" target="_blank">A Child's Book of Character Building</a>" as our spine, and each ordered used copies from Amazon. It was important to have our base material be open-and-go, from a Biblical perspective, and to cover a wide variety of ages. We have eight kids between us, ages 9 1/2, almost 9, 8, 6, 5, almost 4, 2, and almost 2.<br />
<br />
THE PLAN<br />
We got together for a playdate at her house to decide which character traits we would study - there were 12 covered in the book and we only had 6 weeks together, so we picked the top priorities for our families and narrowed it down in this order: <br />
- Attentive<br />
- Obedience / Creativity<br />
- Tenderhearted<br />
- Diligence<br />
- Patience<br />
- Contentment<br />
<br />
Some traits were easy to eliminate because they felt like duplicates of others, and some traits seemed totally missing. (Angela bought the 2nd book in this series - I wonder if they're in there!)<br />
<br />
We decided to cover one character trait each week (with the exception of the Obedience / Creativity week), and we both separately felt breakfast each day would be the best time to discuss - little kids' minds are ready to listen, and their mouths are full! Each chapter is broken down into five parts: definition, in the Bible, at home, at school, and at play. Ideally, we would cover one each day, but realistically, at least for me, I found myself covering either nothing at breakfast time (because...summer) or cramming two or three days-worth into any one meal. Fortunately, the readings are super short and the kids were always asking for more anyway. The readings sparked some really great discussions to get our days going, and then we had all day to notice each other doing (or not doing!) what we've been discussing. One week, I even make a checklist, and the kid with the most checks at the end of the week earned a special sleepover!<br />
<br />
Angela and I decided to take turns hosting and planning the weekly get-togethers. At least 1/2 of the weeks, we've had to change the time or date around (...summer), so we're getting plenty of practical life experience in a trait missing from the book - flexibility! <br />
<br />
<b>Character Training in Action:</b><br />
<br />
ATTENTIVE<br />
This trait was first because it was at the top of both of our lists! After a quick snack where the kids got to catch up with each other - and, OK, where Angela and I got to enjoy some much-needed grown-up conversation - we headed outside to play our first game.<br />
<ul>
<li><u>The Red Herring</u> - Angela stood on one side of her yard, and the kids stood on the other, with big anticipatory grins on their faces. They slowly inched towards her while she - facing the other way - told a story of many red things, and the minute these ATTENTIVE children heard "red <i>herring!</i>" they had to dash back across the yard to their starting point before Angela could catch them. There were many shrieks of excitement and false starts ("a reeeeeed...PENCIL!"), and they each had a turn being the storyteller. It was a great way to make them pay very close attention, and they had a great time giggling and running around together. Unfortunately, it ended in a few tears - as many of these well-intentioned games do - when a few of the smaller children got unintentionally knocked over by their very eager older siblings. (Either that or because the sight of Angela chasing after them was very, very scary.) ;)</li>
<li><u>I Spy</u> - Angela set many items out on a tray, and after letting the kids study the tray ATTENTIVELY, she removed the items one at a time, and brought the tray back to them. The kids had to guess which item was missing. Sometimes, Angela was sneaky and <i>added</i> an item or two. Their great little memories impressed me!</li>
<li><u>Simon Says</u> - The kids took turns being "Simon" in Simon Says, making sure they were ATTENTIVE and only reacting when Simon Says.</li>
</ul>
OBEDIENCE / CREATIVITY<br />
The next trait I really wanted to work on was Obedience, and Angela really wanted Obedience, so we agreed to do both in one week. My family worked on Obedience at our house while hers worked on Creativity at theirs, and when we got together at my house, we combined the two. After a snack and some outside play, a rain shower brought our first activity into the garage.<br />
<ul>
<li><u>Mother, May I...?</u> - The kids took turns asking me if they could CREATIVELY get closer to me. Then, regardless of whether I said yes or no or amended their propositions, they had to happily OBEY. Animals seemed the main focus of their questioning - "Mother, may I take three slug steps towards you?", "Mother, may I take five kangaroo hops?", or "...Two bunny leaps?" There were also questions about ballet twirls and baby crawls. Overall, I enjoyed their creativity, but eventually, the game digressed into inappropriate potty questions and miscommunication over whose turn it was, and again, our game ended in a few shed tears. We are still a work in progress ;)</li>
<li><u>Coloring Page</u> - I found a fun coloring page where you had to color exactly as you were told, in the order in which you were told. It may sound boring, but the kids realized that there is still a lot of room for individual CREATIVITY while still being OBEDIENT. On the back of their papers, they were told they could draw something familiar in an <i>unfamiliar </i>way. Some kids went totally out on their own, while other kids drew the exact example we gave to illustrate the uniqueness of the idea - whoops!</li>
<li>(There was one more - maybe two! Will remember once I get the photos added in!)</li>
</ul>
TENDERHEARTED<br />
Back at Angela's, we had some super yummy quesadillas and prepared our little ones.<br />
<ul>
<li><u>Bananas and Monkeys Card Game</u> - Angela printed out a card game where the kids could either choose to give each other the matches they needed, or give each other monkeys (kind of like the Old Maid, or the Bear in Pit, but there were many monkeys). After the game was over, the kids who gave out the LEAST monkeys, and were instead tenderhearted in giving their friends the matching bananas they needed, were rewarded with very special tattoos. The goal of the game was not to get yourself the most matches, as they assumed, but to be the most TENDERHEARTED. </li>
<li><u>Squishy Pillow</u> - A variation on musical chairs, each child had to be TENDERHEARTED and share their pillow on the floor with someone else. Every time the music stopped, the kids rushed to sit on the pillows, and then one was taken away before the music started again. By the end, they were all sitting together in a heap on one giant floor pillow, in a fit of giggles. We had fun joking that the name of this game was "Squishy Cushy Tushy Pillow."</li>
<li><u>Fortune Tellers of Kindness</u> - We helped each of the kids make a "<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paper_fortune_teller" target="_blank">fortune teller</a>" - flash-back to when we were little! Hollah! - where the "fortunes" on the very inside flap had to be something kind. "I'm going to give you a hug", "I'll help you clean your room", etc.</li>
</ul>
DILIGENCE<br />
While Angela's husband Adam came over to very DILIGENTLY help Ryan work on digging out the brick walk we're putting in around the side and back of the garage (yesssss, I know, we're always up to something!), Angela and I got the kids together for pizza and some play time before getting down to business.<br />
<ul>
<li><u>Skewering Fruit</u> - No one* was allowed to either eat the yummy fruit OR quit working until they had DILIGENTLY assembled a total of 24 skewers for everyone to share. One of my kids, who shall remain nameless JACOB, left the table after he decided he had made more than enough to contribute to the 24...when in reality, he wanted to see what his little brother - who has zero interest in anything fruit-related - was watching in the living room. We were surprised at everyone else's perseverance, and even the two 2-yr-olds excitedly got in on the action. <br />* adults and children under 5 excluded from fruit-snitching - hah!</li>
<li><u>Making Whipped Cream</u> - Angela put some heavy cream in two little mason jars, and the kids had to take turns DILIGENTLY shaking the jars for 5 minutes straight, until whipped cream formed. It was wonderful dipping our fruit skewers - or in the case of Ian (2), your whole hand - into the home-made whipped cream!</li>
<li><u>Feather-Blowing</u> - A starting line and a finish line were taped far apart on my living room floor, and the kids had to take turns getting a little red feather from one line across to the other - <i>without</i> touching it. Abigail (5) was first, and quickly discovered that blowing the feather DILIGENTLY moved it quickly, but Hayden (almost 9) got extra points for scooping it up with his shirt and running it across the other line. I should have said, "Nothing can touch the feather!" haha. I was hoping someone would fan it over the line with a paper, but no one thought of that. (This was the only time I went to Pinterest for ideas, and there were virtually no activities for Diligence. The only other idea I saw was to have the kids work a puzzle that they <i>knew </i>was missing pieces - the goal being to work diligently until the job is done, regardless of the outcome - but we didn't have enough time.)</li>
<li><u>Super Detailed Dot-to-Dot</u> - Angela's impulse-buy at the grocery check-out was a really cool dot-to-dot, where the numbers were really small and counted up into the mid-200s on each page. We picked out pictures we thought each kid would like (Angela and myself included - we loved doing this!), and thought the results of their DILIGENCE were very telling. Jacob (8), who typically has a lot of trouble finishing what he starts, was the first one done (and he did it well!), while all three girls (9 1/2, 6, and 5) worked away so patiently and seriously until they were finished - even turning over their pages to conquer the other side! They younger two little ladies needed a few pointers from their Mamas along the way, but we were very pleased with how well they did overall. Even Ian worked hard on his paper, and it was super cute.</li>
</ul>
Next up tomorrow...PATIENCE!!<br />
<br />
<ul>
</ul>
Nystral Djohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06217559324844108062noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7817700725640851044.post-42223992372225027762016-03-17T16:57:00.001-04:002016-03-17T17:22:10.666-04:00Where Ya Been?OK, so it's been forever - just shy of two years.<br />
<br />
<i>SAY WHAT??</i><br />
<br />
I've hesitated updating the blog for several reasons:<br />
<ol>
<li>Facebook is so much easier.</li>
<li>Some of the blog design was jacked up. I know that shouldn't be enough of a reason to quit posting details that I don't ever want to forget...but I'm a designer. With OCD. And I just couldn't look at it (or imagine anyone else looking at it) with glaring problems and error messages. So today, I carved out some time, rolled up my sleeves, and dug in to Blogger's crazy code. And even though I didn't add back in some of my friend Jen's beautiful design elements, I was able to remove the broken ones, which is good enough to get me back on track. </li>
<li>Facebook is so much easier. </li>
<li>No matter how many times I link to this blog on Facebook and ask people to comment on the blog, they still comment on Facebook, and then all comments tied to this blog post are lost. So if you came here through a Facebook link and are reading this, please COMMENT HERE. I don't want to lose your comments, dear friends - they are a dynamic, valuable part of this blog!</li>
<li>Facebook is so much easier - in case you missed it ;)</li>
</ol>
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But I am going to work on being more consistent from now on, and you can hold me to that. I am so sad I missed detailing many important events over the last two years - most importantly, the first year and a half of our 5th baby's life! So now I will go back and add things in - so even though it may look like I have been posting, the last thing I wrote about before today was my <a href="http://blog.hestermania.com/2014/06/thing-5-is-on-way.html">Baby #5 Announcement way back in June, 2014</a>. (The two posts immediately following were saved in Blogger as drafts as not published until today.)Nystral Djohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06217559324844108062noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7817700725640851044.post-12634454827462362002016-03-12T17:10:00.000-05:002016-03-17T17:18:53.751-04:00St. Patty's Day ParadeJacob, Lily, and their good friend Hayden marched in our county's St. Patrick's Day Parade with their 4H club, the Mad STEM Scientists. Since their club's banner was not ready on time (their poor leader injured herself while her husband was out of the country on business!), these three little stinkers were asked to carry the general 4H banner for the county, and march out in front of all the 4H groups!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQzqEIYwlxyInKu2p9gOfeHgQt34DRBQRzSXvJFrghEgFyM7lQfqjPcLFyz6wLIXs0Z9DDmovqL1iDi4j0f6Z3_BsJwpKAMhp0y_GzP6w7YxmF3DH1UEldHeXzEIPhmS2FIVEuTHp2YpDn/s1600/IMG_3788.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQzqEIYwlxyInKu2p9gOfeHgQt34DRBQRzSXvJFrghEgFyM7lQfqjPcLFyz6wLIXs0Z9DDmovqL1iDi4j0f6Z3_BsJwpKAMhp0y_GzP6w7YxmF3DH1UEldHeXzEIPhmS2FIVEuTHp2YpDn/s320/IMG_3788.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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For three kids who had never been in a parade, they did an outstanding job - they waved like they were famous and took turns carrying each end of the banner (Jacob did significantly less carrying than the other two).<br />
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Sweet little sisters (and brothers) waiting in the crowd to cheer on their siblings!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimKGx7W0OEaJrho67HbmqyGJpzS-Et5ZArdIWs8htCzh5Q9uZkR3xJTj-qMYPWSz02gvutOA72vDbBrf7vkKN6mK-uU8NmebzqLyBrQ4__eThyphenhyphen99RR6ixk4F6MPywdBwDsKgC6mJejy2iW/s1600/IMG_3790.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimKGx7W0OEaJrho67HbmqyGJpzS-Et5ZArdIWs8htCzh5Q9uZkR3xJTj-qMYPWSz02gvutOA72vDbBrf7vkKN6mK-uU8NmebzqLyBrQ4__eThyphenhyphen99RR6ixk4F6MPywdBwDsKgC6mJejy2iW/s320/IMG_3790.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgnHo63m3H_LnuW3b6BdKOZPr36W41St9pnGR3HT8RBKqfI7_KdqSXN9rZc99TwSsoEkX_h8yOgO7wRQHGuMgZnapiRCWcuT0sYjiayZbXCtJkYYZMmQmb1FOhl_nLsMCbggYI2fBxRebn/s1600/IMG_3791.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgnHo63m3H_LnuW3b6BdKOZPr36W41St9pnGR3HT8RBKqfI7_KdqSXN9rZc99TwSsoEkX_h8yOgO7wRQHGuMgZnapiRCWcuT0sYjiayZbXCtJkYYZMmQmb1FOhl_nLsMCbggYI2fBxRebn/s320/IMG_3791.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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Lily's favorite part of the day was getting to spend time with one of the 4H poultry clubs before the parade.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKJ8hYHGdWlWJNBd9dc6M8_Opkf2kSyb0QlEvGyLLWIf2O9983kGfADa7s7UIXeg5fzd2xoOJUVdAfP-YBjyh4K5QW6d4oelT4ecFt9nuIgEpRP3d3p4G_3bRZu14WibdIjVaTgR7wOY0v/s1600/IMG_3783.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKJ8hYHGdWlWJNBd9dc6M8_Opkf2kSyb0QlEvGyLLWIf2O9983kGfADa7s7UIXeg5fzd2xoOJUVdAfP-YBjyh4K5QW6d4oelT4ecFt9nuIgEpRP3d3p4G_3bRZu14WibdIjVaTgR7wOY0v/s320/IMG_3783.JPG" width="240" /></a><br />
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In the evening, we realized we were all burnt - both the marchers and the spectators alike. We certainly weren't expecting to be sunburned in winter!Nystral Djohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06217559324844108062noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7817700725640851044.post-6096087099032923952016-02-23T17:33:00.000-05:002016-03-17T17:41:49.924-04:00Samantha's First Lost ToothOn January 12th, Samantha lost her first tooth! There was much rejoicing over being a "big kid" like Lily and Jacob. She was sitting in the car, about to take a bite out of a banana, when her tooth decided to JUMP out of her mouth and into her lap. She concluded it was afraid of the banana! (Elliot, after hearing the story, also decided he was scared of bananas, because he said eating one would make his teeth fall out, too!) <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2tjr4QBf0x6RBuTSI_nNOJYMaE-5RZprBc_u7uktqxaJFxbWwrapONcvvAB6nVEQb9Pjy9pQa3ip5MECwKK0SjOKIXX5indw5Sb1sTxaRXYv6HFtQsufc5Cw1ukOKKDIvf-ectG7YSn7O/s1600/IMG_2774.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2tjr4QBf0x6RBuTSI_nNOJYMaE-5RZprBc_u7uktqxaJFxbWwrapONcvvAB6nVEQb9Pjy9pQa3ip5MECwKK0SjOKIXX5indw5Sb1sTxaRXYv6HFtQsufc5Cw1ukOKKDIvf-ectG7YSn7O/s320/IMG_2774.JPG" width="240" /></a><br />
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Today, a month and a half later, she lost the second tooth! It was hanging on by a thread, quite literally, and she honored her Opa with the privilege of giving it one final yank.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoTzQMEYt9XrlsMQlje8Gs_jg9yweQjXr-tEkOOChRuVv_F60PoKNwG4wrBmVLgaFoy7nqAAfs_PXE4TtxuYTbwJQGW3A6Mm_-92AY9dA8hMfO4DAGrctRX0bMcSxsQGzjULhl22qJjpeV/s1600/Sam%2527s+2nd+Lost+Tooth.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoTzQMEYt9XrlsMQlje8Gs_jg9yweQjXr-tEkOOChRuVv_F60PoKNwG4wrBmVLgaFoy7nqAAfs_PXE4TtxuYTbwJQGW3A6Mm_-92AY9dA8hMfO4DAGrctRX0bMcSxsQGzjULhl22qJjpeV/s320/Sam%2527s+2nd+Lost+Tooth.JPG" /></a><br />
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<b>Track Back:</b><br />
<a href="http://blog.hestermania.com/2013/10/lilys-3rd-and-4th-toof.html">More Teeth Posts</a>Nystral Djohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06217559324844108062noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7817700725640851044.post-62732238682790539942014-08-03T20:02:00.000-04:002016-03-17T17:19:06.792-04:00More Pregnancy StatsOk, since I'm a fan of stats for keeping track of things, I'm gonna update my last numbers:<br />
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03/05/14 - 09 weeks, 6 days - BP 090/62 - 131 lb - 10cm<br />
04/02/14 - 13 weeks, 6 days - BP 120/70 - 134 lb - 16cm<br />
05/07/14 - 18 weeks, 6 days - BP 100/70 - 140 lb<br />
06/04/14 - 22 weeks, 6 days - BP 104/72 - 146 lb<br />
07/01/14 - 26 weeks, 6 days - BP 098/70 - 154 lb - belly measuring about 30 weeks<br />
07/30/14 - 30 weeks, 6 days - BP 100/64 - 158 lb - belly measuring around 34/35 weeks<br />
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<b>More details:</b><br />
I have gained 27 pounds thus far. In between my two July appointments, I was on 21 days of Amoxicillin for Lymes Disease. Yes, that's what I said. Remind me to show you the bulls-eye rash on my thigh some time. Fun times. Speaking of fun times...the first day of August brought with it the return of the horrible acid reflux I had until about week 22. Luckily, Ryan is an excellent supplier of my yummy berry-flavored Tums whenever I need them. Which is quite often.Nystral Djohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06217559324844108062noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7817700725640851044.post-7417465277419860192014-07-27T16:27:00.000-04:002016-03-17T16:28:08.907-04:002nd Birthday Letter to ElliotDear Elliot,<br />
Tomorrow you turn 2. TWO. I am a little baffled by how that happened. You still seem so little to me, like such a YOUNG two, that it's strange you will meet your LITTLE brother in a few short months. How can anyone be littler than you?<br />
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But I've also seen so much growth from you recently. You're starting to talk more (YAY!) and seem to be enjoying the positive feedback. You're learning how to communicate not just through yelling and throwing things, which is a very nice change.<br />
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You're developing such a sweet little personality. You're starting to get silly, and inquisitive, and able to entertain yourself a little better. You love big Legos (Duplo) and figuring out how to take them apart and put them back together - either bringing them to me with an "Eh eh eh..." when you get stuck, or angrily throwing them across the room - especially any of the ones with wheels. "Cah! Cah!" (car). Still can't get you to say truck or bus or motorcycle or bike or boat or wheel - it's all still just "Cah!"<br />
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You still love Lily to death. And it is SO mutual! That girl will go out of her way to do anything for you. She LOVES getting you out of your crib in the morning or after your nap - something about hers being the first face you see that makes her feel very special. And I can't say I blame her ;) You bring her your cup, insisting, "Wah-wah! Wah-wah!" and she happily scampers off to fill your cup with water, shaking her head and grinning, "Oh, Elliot!" You fall down, and she drops to her knees to make sure you're OK - even if you're angry about falling and throwing things and yelling at her to leave you alone.<br />
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Actually, you're pretty tough. Always have been. You were never the kind of baby to cry after falling down or getting knocked over unless you were REALLY hurt. You just shake it off and get back up and keep going, like you didn't even notice - like it was part of the journey. Of course, if someone comes and SHOVES you over, I'm pretty sure you'll be very vocal about that (forget this crying nonsense - you are a YELLER), though I can't remember seeing that happen. The getting knocked over, now, is a daily occurrence. Comes with the territory of being #4, and you handle it splendidly.<br />
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You and Jacob have such a special relationship. You guys love to GIGGLE together. It's the cutest thing. You play side-by-side quite nicely, and he enjoys building towers for you to knock over, and ramps for you to drive your cars through. And oh the tickling! Sometimes he gets frustrated because you're eager to knock things over that he is not done building, or that he does not intend to have knocked over, and we're trying to teach him to work through TALKING to you about that, instead of just getting mad and carrying you out of the room. Usually when you understand his plan, you're good at going along with it.<br />
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Your relationship with Jacob has changed a little recently. It was a very strong PEER relationship, but in the past month or two, you've realized, "Hey, wait a second, he's a BIG kid...he can be in charge of me and help me with things and hold my hand when we walk through the parking lot." And you're letting him be that big kid, which is so good for Jacob. He really needs to be your big brother.<br />
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And oh, that Samantha. What shall I say. It seems you've both to some kind of truce. In your younger days, you were an avid hair puller - nowadays, you only pull Sam's hair, and only when she's not letting you get your way, so it's maybe weekly instead of many, many times daily. And she, in turn, has finally discovered that you are, in fact, a TODDLER. Not a preschooler or a peer who understands more fully what he's doing. Now, like Lily and Jacob have always done, she sees your shenanigans and just grins, "Oh, Elliot!"<br />
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She also just recently started taking an interest in mothering you. She has taken it upon herself to be the bathroom door closer, so you can not get in and splash around in the potty or take your matchbox cars there for a swim, and has recently started insisting she can take you out of your high chair when you're done eating. Of course, more often than not, that results in both of you in a heap on the kitchen floor, wondering what exactly went wrong and giggling as you scamper away. She also now insists that she's big enough to walk you places, and you will let her (sometimes) take your hand and lead you around. The transition from unpredictable slightly-older sister to 2nd mother/sister is keeping you on your toes.<br />
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You get sooooo excited every time Oma and Opa come to visit. You hear the other kids shout, "Oma and Opa are here!" and go running to the front door, yelling, "Oma! Oma! Opa! Opa!" louder than any of the rest of them. You love your Opa to carry you around allll day, and you love your Oma to read you books (over and over and over) as she snuggles with you on the couch.<br />
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You love Kacki to death. Her name was one of your first words - dare I say, before "Mama" was a regular? - and sometimes when you wake up, you will call for her to come get you from your crib, as if the mere mention of her name will magically bring her to your house.<br />
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But the first name you call when you wake up is "DAHHHHH-DY! DADDY!!!" over and over and over. As if every day was the weekend and he was always here to come get you out of your crib. When Daddy does not respond, you usually move on to calling for Kacki, and when that doesn't work, then you might call Mama as a last resort. Which is amusing, because 90% of the time, it's me or Lily taking you out of your crib.<br />
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It's good to dream big, kid.<br />
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In addition to your increasing vocabulary, your appetite has improved slightly in the last couple of months. You no longer live on air and water and animal crackers. You will eat real food (in moderation) from a bowl with a spoon or fork, just like a real live little toddler. You are still the pickiest eater I've ever seen, but this small improvement has me hopeful.<br />
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<i>We love you so much, little guy! </i> Nystral Djohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06217559324844108062noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7817700725640851044.post-4427587385516814932014-06-06T15:53:00.001-04:002014-06-06T15:54:14.894-04:00Thing #5 Is On The Way<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigKx2ON39upXXMPKaDETx3rrn_5UnvSmnAMDkvS9nPnt3gdsspt18HJ4qqRvV6Pjkd2nXLWIe5vl9bjWnDYXsX0Ur72qmkdFn49M-DzgMMOa6QmdT0JvCvaeYe6X9XAZCweYQFP0bajeSX/s1600/IMG_2984-cropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigKx2ON39upXXMPKaDETx3rrn_5UnvSmnAMDkvS9nPnt3gdsspt18HJ4qqRvV6Pjkd2nXLWIe5vl9bjWnDYXsX0Ur72qmkdFn49M-DzgMMOa6QmdT0JvCvaeYe6X9XAZCweYQFP0bajeSX/s1600/IMG_2984-cropped.jpg" height="311" width="400" /></a></div>
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Looks like it's shaping up to be a busy Fall - the new H5 will be rolling off the line! Yes, there will be another little Hestermania running around, and we are quite excited.<br />
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And a little tired.<br />
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So far, here are all the stats from my midwife appointments, so I don't forget:<br />
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3/5/14 - 09 weeks, 6 days - 10cm - BP 090/62 - 131 lb<br />
4/2/14 - 13 weeks, 6 days - 16cm - BP 120/70 - 134 lb<br />
5/7/14 - 18 weeks, 6 days - ??cm - BP 100/70 - 140 lb<br />
6/4/14 - 22 weeks, 6 days - ??cm - BP 104/72 - 146 lb<br />
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So according the the doctor's office, I've gained 15 lb at just over halfway, which sounds perfect, but a.) I know I weighed 128 at 4 or 5 weeks when I first found out I was pregnant, so my "starting weight" is NOT 131 lb like it was at my 10 week appointment, and b.) with the exception of my pregnancy with Elliot, when I had gestational diabetes and had to seriously watch what I ate, I have a history of gaining more weight at the end of pregnancy than at the beginning. But honestly, I'm OK with that. At this point, I'm just so happy to have a valid excuse to take a break from the low-carb diet I maintained from last August to this February (buh-bye, 24 lbs!), and to not have to take the GD test early in the pregnancy, like I was once told I'd have to, because it was handled so well with diet and *ahem* exercise last time. This is my slim window to relax about what I'm eating...so I will, thankyouverymuch.<br />
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The only negative we've really had so far is that I had placenta previa at my 19-week ultrasound visit. In the high majority of cases, this resolves itself by the 3rd trimester, so we're not stressing. It's on our radar and will be rechecked with another ultrasound around 30 weeks. Either way, it will be fine - even if I still have a full previa by the end of this pregnancy and have to have a C-section - the complete opposite of my past four au-natural births - at least there's nothing wrong with the baby.<br />
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Just the baby's exit strategy ;)<br />
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<b>Track Back:</b><br />
<a href="http://blog.hestermania.com/2012/01/its-about-that-time-again.html" target="_blank">Announcing Pregnancy with Elliot</a>Nystral Djohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06217559324844108062noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7817700725640851044.post-33054739238804718302014-06-06T15:20:00.001-04:002014-06-06T15:20:41.689-04:00Biker Gang<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAzyF3u8h5Y3v0wQrcm6vQokSjasczouP_g3y1sUJKW5BJ2LFv5vpDwrhUwnvKLi3lmGSNWLI1TkaVIcLPx-NbjZeWMz5a5y7BrWVW7Ohl7kAcC1Oqwgtvnvs931HcwaGwtMdV2dfWNgKK/s1600/10001113_10152398093805709_1188013462306026029_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAzyF3u8h5Y3v0wQrcm6vQokSjasczouP_g3y1sUJKW5BJ2LFv5vpDwrhUwnvKLi3lmGSNWLI1TkaVIcLPx-NbjZeWMz5a5y7BrWVW7Ohl7kAcC1Oqwgtvnvs931HcwaGwtMdV2dfWNgKK/s1600/10001113_10152398093805709_1188013462306026029_o.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Nystral Djohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06217559324844108062noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7817700725640851044.post-32061330781471476102014-06-06T01:21:00.001-04:002014-06-06T14:51:41.750-04:00The Hungry Pig<div>
It all started with a refusal:</div>
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("I will not read a book but I will rite a book") </div>
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Which led to the start of something absolutely adorable:</div>
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(LOVE the bite taken out of the P!)</div>
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(Pretty sure she envisioned this on the inside of the dust jacket.)</div>
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Next, she wanted to add the "Table of Continents," but I suggested maybe she should add that AFTER she started her story and saw where it went. </div>
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("The Baby Pig. On a farm thar was a mommy pig and a daddy pig. one day the mommy pig had a baby pig")</div>
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I'm eagerly awaiting it's continuation!</div>
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Despite her initial written protest, once Jacob woke up and we had official quiet reading time, she quickly got lost in her book:</div>
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I never read "The Boxcar Children" growing up, but I've heard great things! Too bad our library didn't have #1 and she had to start on #5. Not that she seemed to notice...or care.</div>
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The kids officially finished 2nd grade and Kindergarten the week before last, and unless I find outside activities for them every day, they are stir crazy without the structure of school! I'm wondering if they will eventually find ways to occupy themselves without my constant intervention...because, honestly, it's making me want to jump right in to starting 3rd and 1st! I already have all the curriculum, and they seem so unable to occupy themselves without complaining or bickering... We shall see. </div>
Nystral Djohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06217559324844108062noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7817700725640851044.post-16712979953513356692014-04-18T16:59:00.002-04:002014-04-19T17:35:21.979-04:00VocabElliot just added one new "word" to his repertoire: All done! Sounds more like "Ahh-dahh" but hey, that totally counts ;)<br>
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Frequent, daily words:<br>
Car (Cahhhh) - over and over and over and over allllll day<br>
Hot (Haaa) - with a very concerned look on his face<br>
Yum! (Ummm!) <div>Uh-huh<br>
Uh-oh!<br>
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Just a few times: <br>
Cracker (cah-cah)<br>
Hi (Hahh!)<br>
Hello? (Hehh-oh?) - when picking up a toy phone<br>
Water (dahh-dahh) - just a few times yesterday<br>
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And today:<br>
All done (Ahh-dahh)<br>
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Yes, I realize it's not much for a boy who will be two in just over three months (wow! when did that happen?), and there's still no Mama or Dadda, but we'll still celebrate every new little word, and encourage him to keep going!<br>
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<br></div>Nystral Djohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06217559324844108062noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7817700725640851044.post-23274119313421745482014-04-15T20:14:00.001-04:002014-04-18T17:00:24.613-04:00It's Finally Spring!Glad we enjoyed the beautiful weather yesterday because it's raining cats and dogs today!<br />
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First, we did school on the deck... moments before the umbrella got sucked up by the wind and blew into the yard!<br />
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Followed by an unplanned lesson in Economics at a local Homeschool Flea Market, where local moms sold curriculum, clothes, toys, etc. - and where my kids decided to sell homemade rubberband bracelets (Lily) and random household junk (Jacob). </div>
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Watching their innate selling tactics in action was eye-opening for me. Lily came prepared with homemade signs, her wallet, and a firm selling price. Jacob came prepared to make as much as possible by going table to table, asking anyone would listen if they would pay, say, $10 for an old pen, or $2 for his (nearly-broken) dollar store toy. The boy had NO FEAR. </div>
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Next time we buy a car, we're totally taking him with us.</div>
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In the end, he spent all the money he made on snacks other kids were selling, and Lily - who only sold one bracelet (there was fierce competition) and gave another one away - spent her money on one snack and a cool magnetic pattern game. </div>
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Then they played on the adjoining playground for a long, long time - it's so hard to leave when they're making homeschool friends we can actually meet up with during the week! - and I almost passed out (I exaggerate not) from dehydration by the time we finally left. Lesson learned: always bring water, even when you're only planning to be out for an hour, because on a beautiful day, when the kids are being wonderful, it could easily turn into four. </div>
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Nystral Djohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06217559324844108062noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7817700725640851044.post-68082470012591838122014-02-20T20:13:00.003-05:002014-02-20T23:30:22.670-05:00Stats from Elliot's 18-Month Visit<b>February 20, 2014 (almost 19 months) </b><br>
Weight: 22lb 14.5oz (28th%)<br>
Length: 30.5" (2nd%)<br>
Head Circumference: 49.5"<br>
Weight/Height Ration: 68th%<br>
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So glad little buddy is gaining weight! Not sure why he's so short - waiting for Ryan's tall genes to start kicking in here! His weight to height ratio is GREAT, and after all that "failure to thrive" nonsense in his first year, his weight is very solidly back on the chart. Praise the Lord!<br>
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As with the last visit, the biggest concern was his speech. Or lack thereof. I think he is officially our slowest speaker. (Sam was officially our EARLIEST speaker...and hasn't stopped since.) Both Jacob and Lily were also speech delayed, and both were seen by Early Intervention, with a prognosis that they were just slow...or lazy. Only EI probably phrased it better ;)<br>
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Dr. Craig said most babies are expected to say about 50 words by the time they're 2, but with Elliot's late start, she said she'd be happy if he's saying 20, so long as he is also putting at least two words together. We shall see.<br>
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We talked again abut his possible allergy to fried egg whites - he's fine with baked eggs, since they're cooked at a higher temperature. She said we have to wait until he's 3 to test any further ourselves, although if we wanted to take him to an allergist, they could test him there. I wish our insurance was better so I could try that out! But for now...we wait. Better than the last doc who told me if I really couldn't wait to test out egg whites once more, make sure I do it in the parking lot of the ER!<br>
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I told her about his stubborn and persistent nature - which she just attributed to him being 1 1/2, but Mama knows better. He most certainly started having very strong opinions much, much earlier than any of the other kids. His persistent nature (remember the part about him being born 12 minutes after we arrived at the hospital?) is mirrored in his sisters - definitely not in his brother, Jacob the Quitter.<br>
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I mentioned his few signs: all done and up/down (both are very frequent), milk and more (infrequent/inconsistent, though we have seen them unprompted a handful of times). He points a lot, though oftentimes when you give him what he's pointing at, that's not what he wants at all, so we keep trying until we realize maybe he just likes pointing - who knows!<br>
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A couple other things I wrote down to tell her:<br>
<ul>
<li>He loves playing hide-and-seek - no better thrill than being sought and then jumping out with an incoherent yet loudly excited, "Bjhdjf a jasdfj!" (Here I am!)</li>
<li>He is a good helper. "Elliot, can you pick that up for me? Elliot, put that back! Elliot, can you put your toys away?" Except of course when he doesn't want to listen. See that part about him being stubborn, above. One of his favorite games with Lily is taking the toilet plunger out of the bathroom (a no-no), finding Lily, and happily obliging her cheerful, "Elliot, can you put that back, please?"</li>
<li>He loves cars. He sleeps with cars, carries them around ALL DAY, throws them, drives them everywhere (sound effects included), rolls them down the ramps Jacob builds him, and shrieks like a Nazgul when he can't reach one, has one taken away, or can't find the one he's looking for. Not that we always know which one he's looking for. See that part about him not speaking, above.</li>
<li>Lastly, he LOVES his siblings. LOVES with the most emphasis possible. And it is very, very mutual. Lily delights in taking care of him, and Jacob has no greater joy than entertaining him and making him giggle. This stage where Elliot is endlessly entertaining to the kids is wonderful. They think everything he does is hysterical, and he is more than happy to put on a little show. I am also looking forward to Elliot being a little older so the boys can really PLAY together - they are going to be thick as thieves, those two. Samantha is still up in the air about her little brother. One day she likes him, another day they just bother each other. He pulls her hair, she knocks him over. At 3 1/2, she doesn't have the maturity to realize that he is treated differently because he is a BABY, not a threat. She gets mad and yells when he does a snatch-and-run with her toys (which is of course why he always does it), while Jake and Lily just roll their eyes and laugh, "Oh, Elliot!" and gently take it back (or more likely let him keep it - spoilers!). </li>
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Overall, Elliot is a sweet little boy. He is silly and serious all at once, with some new-found charm mixed in. He is thoughtful and smart, though not very communicative. Half the time, I don't know what he wants, because he hasn't figured out an alternate way to tell me - or maybe I'm just not that good at reading babies...even after four of them. Nystral Djohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06217559324844108062noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7817700725640851044.post-38473182454739262662013-12-14T17:55:00.003-05:002013-12-14T18:09:20.839-05:00The NutcrackerThis afternoon, despite the snowstorm, we took a family class trip to see the Nutcracker, performed by the excellent <a href="http://www.njballet.org/" target="_blank">NJ Ballet</a>.<br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>(photo from the <a href="http://www.njballet.org/" target="_blank">NJ Ballet</a> website)</i></span></div>
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Lily's favorite part of the show was the two hot pink ballerinas. <br />
"I couldn't take my eyes off them!" </div>
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Jacob's favorite part was "the guy who did all of the flips!" (the Russian dancer).</div>
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Lily and Jacob with one of the mice during intermission.</div>
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Jillian with one of the Nutcracker's soldiers.</div>
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Kacki giving the kids a visual tour of the orchestra pit.</div>
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Jacob was very excited to notice the balcony and requested we sit there next time. Sounds good! </div>
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We have been studying <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000001KD9/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000001KD9&linkCode=as2&tag=raitheran-20" target="_blank">Tchaikovsky</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=raitheran-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B000001KD9" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="0" /> for the last month or so in school, focusing mainly on the Nutcracker. We've read the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0679823859/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0679823859&linkCode=as2&tag=raitheran-20" target="_blank">The Nutcracker Ballet</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=raitheran-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0679823859" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> (many, many times), listened to <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00000146R/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00000146R&linkCode=as2&tag=raitheran-20" target="_blank">the CD</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=raitheran-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00000146R" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
, watched <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0091658/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1" target="_blank">the movie</a> on Netflix, and even acted it out in our living room.<br />
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On the way home this afternoon, Ryan asked, "So now that we've done the ballet thing, we're done with it, right?" Hmmm guess ballet is not his cup of tea!<br />
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<b>Great resources:</b><br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000001KD9/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000001KD9&linkCode=as2&tag=raitheran-20"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B000001KD9&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=raitheran-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=raitheran-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B000001KD9" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00000146R/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00000146R&linkCode=as2&tag=raitheran-20"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B00000146R&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=raitheran-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=raitheran-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00000146R" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0679823859/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0679823859&linkCode=as2&tag=raitheran-20"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0679823859&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=raitheran-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=raitheran-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0679823859" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
Nystral Djohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06217559324844108062noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7817700725640851044.post-33607491600610775802013-11-28T21:57:00.001-05:002013-11-28T22:02:29.290-05:00Thankful, Part 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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There's not much cuter or sweeter than five-year-old boys.<br />
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When I asked him who met the Pilgrims on shore, he shouted, "Indiana Jones!"</div>
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On the way to Thanksgiving lunch today, he prayed for us to have a safe trip and to make sure we DON'T CRASH.</div>
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One of my favorite treats is sneaking in a nap with Jacob. This doesn't happen often because there are three other little people in need of supervision during naptime. </div>
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But when there's another grown-up in the house and I get to snuggle with my sweet boy - and listen to all his sound effects while driving cars around on my bed until he slowly settles in to sleep - I couldn't be a happier Mama. </div>
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Nystral Djohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06217559324844108062noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7817700725640851044.post-42062154033503125402013-11-27T23:11:00.001-05:002013-11-27T23:15:03.921-05:00Thankful<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbJutP2SMOLiZpeynNvvyTqdPqFIw2qWVLNXe714bjx5hd1Yi4KkwPEekgIZiTwQ-TUU2gM1ut9DDWT-HD7aVhnmW3CjaflVLA2_4ZyILTpy9VbApXkYEvqrLs9zfUZqxyiEHmYKfM9Pgy/s640/blogger-image-1400019237.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbJutP2SMOLiZpeynNvvyTqdPqFIw2qWVLNXe714bjx5hd1Yi4KkwPEekgIZiTwQ-TUU2gM1ut9DDWT-HD7aVhnmW3CjaflVLA2_4ZyILTpy9VbApXkYEvqrLs9zfUZqxyiEHmYKfM9Pgy/s640/blogger-image-1400019237.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">This evening, I am thankful for this little stinker. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibLviO53x5kpcXQDsaUiDIUK_h-MwAvyCZEPvuDb0wjOmi_1Wj3cKl-oFEs3JzkNbFIcELFZnng741j8t59RmHYQbZ2bJ9B_JoGw3PBXdQr1YjXByo10BFHF2nq0AzVMdrDhpOlvXBvTxd/s640/blogger-image-981859918.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibLviO53x5kpcXQDsaUiDIUK_h-MwAvyCZEPvuDb0wjOmi_1Wj3cKl-oFEs3JzkNbFIcELFZnng741j8t59RmHYQbZ2bJ9B_JoGw3PBXdQr1YjXByo10BFHF2nq0AzVMdrDhpOlvXBvTxd/s640/blogger-image-981859918.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">The one who walks up to every, single person in church and makes them admire her fancy braids. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNeik3C1VZMJreKTdMFJ9Hj2BKvUABhMP_m2b36XDJNaqtrEpZ75qssbn-7733AZ_1EFZy5t6sGWRFJM6G_E_dTzSgKh_nB189JUgiN8qF2WQx42yvIug5YhgzM8JG9-x33-V-yM9rMWkC/s640/blogger-image-1751308043.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNeik3C1VZMJreKTdMFJ9Hj2BKvUABhMP_m2b36XDJNaqtrEpZ75qssbn-7733AZ_1EFZy5t6sGWRFJM6G_E_dTzSgKh_nB189JUgiN8qF2WQx42yvIug5YhgzM8JG9-x33-V-yM9rMWkC/s640/blogger-image-1751308043.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">Who LOVES to help in the kitchen - especially when Daddy is making apple pie. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaFmqMFRs8XnMtKWDQO-cyS0XXBIWgNlgW9uir1d_f9o-WJhJWb7Uv5EMGbBbybYLokQzCpLmOatT3BDMg4ibrPMqy2Wi1u5n3YDAyCxxwx6D5Ye12nm3mFhRgVGpb-o3PXWU8z6W0fP71/s640/blogger-image-761416461.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaFmqMFRs8XnMtKWDQO-cyS0XXBIWgNlgW9uir1d_f9o-WJhJWb7Uv5EMGbBbybYLokQzCpLmOatT3BDMg4ibrPMqy2Wi1u5n3YDAyCxxwx6D5Ye12nm3mFhRgVGpb-o3PXWU8z6W0fP71/s640/blogger-image-761416461.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">Who gets a kick out of adorning herself with stickers. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifqot7HIutJKJjj44dYmq3ikv1MMO5AnRqr2i7Vma7OOrQPmM5N1cq94xwOjsO22I2XBDINvTona6Oc9x6cW0HStCl5VmG3yGsQwAB-LgYJdN2S0ulrRCXNgHmMZZtHaClv6tX7PGjdpj3/s640/blogger-image-1064748267.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifqot7HIutJKJjj44dYmq3ikv1MMO5AnRqr2i7Vma7OOrQPmM5N1cq94xwOjsO22I2XBDINvTona6Oc9x6cW0HStCl5VmG3yGsQwAB-LgYJdN2S0ulrRCXNgHmMZZtHaClv6tX7PGjdpj3/s640/blogger-image-1064748267.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div>Who is the stubbornest kid we've had (yet), but consistently charms the socks off of everyone she meets. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFIKNsoP3ReX4aPSjsqL-9zmzQLJNg1IVw880zekjSBRjNHiWdIooOtv9CW30zYAztlQOKJL_1MvgU0xBNzALXalx-W4dZWbV58CwsEcvQVM8GaK8ovlbdeUJyvs4TvGpjFgeZQL_Bn53k/s640/blogger-image-1264739856.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFIKNsoP3ReX4aPSjsqL-9zmzQLJNg1IVw880zekjSBRjNHiWdIooOtv9CW30zYAztlQOKJL_1MvgU0xBNzALXalx-W4dZWbV58CwsEcvQVM8GaK8ovlbdeUJyvs4TvGpjFgeZQL_Bn53k/s640/blogger-image-1264739856.jpg"></a></div><br></div>And whose <span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">sweet </span>face has been my lock screen since the day I got my phone. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">No plans to change it any time soon. </div>Nystral Djohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06217559324844108062noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7817700725640851044.post-78230120980053927032013-11-26T17:08:00.001-05:002013-11-26T17:15:15.906-05:00Reading Time with HaydenEvery other Thursday, we get together with Angela for reading time and preschool time. The days leading up to reading time, Lily and Jacob get very excited choosing and practicing reading the books they're going to share with Hayden. These times together are a great exercise not only in reading aloud, but in preparing, taking turns, and listening quietly. It's something we always look forward to!<br />
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<b>Late October:</b></div>
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One of Lily's favorites right now: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0679882839/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0679882839&linkCode=as2&tag=raitheran-20">There's a Wocket in My Pocket!</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=raitheran-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0679882839" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> </div>
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Jacob usually picks one of the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0439845009/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0439845009&linkCode=as2&tag=raitheran-20">BOB Books</a> he's read lately.<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=raitheran-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0439845009" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><i><br />(Looks like Hayden and Lily are enjoying it!)</i></div>
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<i>It's fun to be ONE! </i></div>
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While I'm grinning from ear-to-ear watching the oldest three reading to
each other, Angela guides Sam and Abigail in a preschool lesson -
usually about whatever Abigail is learning that week. Samantha is always more than happy to join in! This time, they were working on the letter E.<br />
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Samantha and Abigail making elephant ears</div>
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Cute Abigail displaying not only the elephant ears, but the trunk, too!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZpjf368VZQkxtdcp4GBCL4Dd4R1_AndONefPTGbzLc9_rJexOaiteyMVEXZVyxzo6VYet4OUwp1rNgnMvTXYE2X4RcjOrM-2svU-qt6UvROCv3snubbMF-4IyrCkjIC3PY4z2M_35igyb/s1600/IMG_9147.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZpjf368VZQkxtdcp4GBCL4Dd4R1_AndONefPTGbzLc9_rJexOaiteyMVEXZVyxzo6VYet4OUwp1rNgnMvTXYE2X4RcjOrM-2svU-qt6UvROCv3snubbMF-4IyrCkjIC3PY4z2M_35igyb/s400/IMG_9147.JPG" width="300" /> </a></div>
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Sneaking in a little Bible verse memory time. </div>
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Lily very much wanted to make her own set of elephant ears. She LOVES crafts! I love how she worked super hard on the first ear, then realized, "That takes way too long!" and quickly filled in the second ear with any old color just to get it done - hah! </div>
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<b>Early November: </b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJUx5zhCKAcRTNJePS-vSv__txiKnbWxrqPJEuWqSlr1IAQ4Py8FCITmxZ1elurAPfjJeZeI3vnAPD5q7gM5djkG2F4plgSozxA8VFZuwX9G5TamtCZ8WStqO8UTw7rLN9UE21mPuuNTGS/s1600/IMG_9720.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJUx5zhCKAcRTNJePS-vSv__txiKnbWxrqPJEuWqSlr1IAQ4Py8FCITmxZ1elurAPfjJeZeI3vnAPD5q7gM5djkG2F4plgSozxA8VFZuwX9G5TamtCZ8WStqO8UTw7rLN9UE21mPuuNTGS/s400/IMG_9720.JPG" width="400" /></a> </div>
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Jacob chose another one of his <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0439845025/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0439845025&linkCode=as2&tag=raitheran-20">BOB Books</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=raitheran-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0439845025" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /></div>
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<i>(I loooove the little bare legs) </i></div>
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<i>(Can my kids be any closer to Hayden? Haha) </i></div>
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Sam and Abigail (and Abigail's doll) working hard on their number 4 project. </div>
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<img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFox8yQrgBskXfKUibc4nLN9uIswmITiJsfk1pez6nt2O8NdZBsY3jpy0udhflo3WKQyaxJXHW7U1MJqIcDdaQizLlPnaG8KEDcTPBrDVG_jO6vPuYOwV3uStOO3etIg2-4ypDgLUJN-JI/s400/IMG_9702.JPG" width="300" /> </div>
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Sneaking in some more Bible verse memory time... </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsW3nD259qyWGlJbudf1i85wqmUDw6xW3NoTgTtK4XqbxpcofMysFfbd9MROr_5vISvVeZwizC4h4O0XdCxdHBpQXYDNYiTiS-ECuFrktz9qzu-QXEEAWo_fW1ZdoMFpwhY-3E_z-vhUrr/s1600/IMG_9737.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsW3nD259qyWGlJbudf1i85wqmUDw6xW3NoTgTtK4XqbxpcofMysFfbd9MROr_5vISvVeZwizC4h4O0XdCxdHBpQXYDNYiTiS-ECuFrktz9qzu-QXEEAWo_fW1ZdoMFpwhY-3E_z-vhUrr/s400/IMG_9737.JPG" width="300" /> </a></div>
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And reading time should always end with delicious smoothies! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRWJVV_2uKjLa2_-kAlaplVDIgcaZrm2WM-OpRwYkfZiEKy5_fc5j75pxK8WNoyrsFzv8vHe-2PqYM_XA3l08x3ekLJ0XK_yykS992n54zHLiAi6hn0oOsQtCZYKToPVfIIfxmpeRAevd-/s1600/IMG_9743.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRWJVV_2uKjLa2_-kAlaplVDIgcaZrm2WM-OpRwYkfZiEKy5_fc5j75pxK8WNoyrsFzv8vHe-2PqYM_XA3l08x3ekLJ0XK_yykS992n54zHLiAi6hn0oOsQtCZYKToPVfIIfxmpeRAevd-/s400/IMG_9743.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>Late November:</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9eX1Lluv7UG7Np6vH6JhNrPuxHtpAiV6x-FUuGk0Vu2ll0VFH9beRQ3y12JxL02bOtP4MD99qbJw_aylWOFVV4NS0t8YvVF06kPAKLuK7c7TZ9VPx-qlq769-G32uXKzMIeJJ0VqbjiGm/s1600/IMG_0408.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9eX1Lluv7UG7Np6vH6JhNrPuxHtpAiV6x-FUuGk0Vu2ll0VFH9beRQ3y12JxL02bOtP4MD99qbJw_aylWOFVV4NS0t8YvVF06kPAKLuK7c7TZ9VPx-qlq769-G32uXKzMIeJJ0VqbjiGm/s400/IMG_0408.JPG" width="400" /> </a></div>
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Hayden chose a story from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0671631985/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0671631985&linkCode=as2&tag=raitheran-20">Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=raitheran-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0671631985" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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Jacob shared one of our favorites, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003X09Y6K/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B003X09Y6K&linkCode=as2&tag=raitheran-20">Sheep in a Jeep</a> (with much assistance from his sister).
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP51-faEO7iL4FZnJrKja4RCzLDJWqUESAImx1S0FAlSeodvJ6msxYjZ1DPh7eut7iAg_kjhJSLxA9CZiHo3rKjSfMmChl2lZEERE1uJMQML7ZwMA28B95Tss-GM1CXlOq0lIFidrNWiYe/s1600/IMG_0412.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP51-faEO7iL4FZnJrKja4RCzLDJWqUESAImx1S0FAlSeodvJ6msxYjZ1DPh7eut7iAg_kjhJSLxA9CZiHo3rKjSfMmChl2lZEERE1uJMQML7ZwMA28B95Tss-GM1CXlOq0lIFidrNWiYe/s400/IMG_0412.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Lily read <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00GRXTFGE/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00GRXTFGE&linkCode=as2&tag=raitheran-20">Once Upon a Cool Motorcycle Dude</a>, followed by <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1404860681/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1404860681&linkCode=as2&tag=raitheran-20">In One Ear, Out the Other</a>
(twice - there was oh so much giggling!)<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=raitheran-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00GRXTFGE" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=raitheran-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1404860681" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> </div>
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Then it was time for a WORM HUNT! Yes, totally unrelated, but hey, they really wanted to...and it sounded like a fun adventure!</div>
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<i>(So many little heads gathered around one big bucket...LOVE IT) </i></div>
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There were no worms to be found (too cold?), but we did happen upon one snail shell - and the most exciting find of the day, a garter snake! </div>
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<i>(Angela desperately waiting for her loan guy to call her back - she closed on her first house the next morning. CONGRATULATIONS!!)</i></div>
Nystral Djohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06217559324844108062noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7817700725640851044.post-80483460472260177422013-11-23T20:19:00.002-05:002013-11-23T20:19:43.760-05:00The Sweetest ThingWe had a wonderful, full day, but by far the sweetest part was my baby boy falling asleep in my arms at the end of it all. So sleepy. Curled into my body, one fist to his temple, one hand resting gently on my lips. Yes, love, I'm still here. First looking around the room, then only staring up at my eyes, as his eyes blink slower and longer, until they are finally closed for good. His breaths gets deeper, and louder through his nose. His leg twitches, followed by the loud click-sucking of his pacifier until he calms again. I kiss him on the forehead, and he smells so good. He smells like HIM. My sweet baby.<br />
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I rise to put him in his bed, and he curls into me more, his eyes staying closed as I walk. I slowly lower him down, and he startles slightly. He arches back and wriggles himself into his new surroundings. The fingers that rested on my lips now reach out and rest on a bar of the crib. Yes, love, it's still there. His head pushes farther to the side, and his eyes slowly close again. I cover him to the neck with a soft, fuzzy blanket, and I can almost see his body relaxing under it, grateful.<br />
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I slowly leave the room, so incredibly grateful for the baby that cries, that fusses, that doesn't like anything you feed him, that shrieks when you don't let him carry around the Kcups, that still hasn't really said a word. So incredibly grateful. I don't want to forget a second.Nystral Djohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06217559324844108062noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7817700725640851044.post-52089948445612302162013-11-14T16:24:00.002-05:002013-11-27T23:54:55.530-05:00Shutterfly Christmas Card GIVEAWAY!Much thanks to Shutterfly for providing me with the promise of many lovely Christmas cards in exchange for my sharing how much I love their products. We get our cards from them every year, and have not been disappointed once, so it was an offer I was more than happy to accept.<br />
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But here's the dilemma: the more kids we have, the more difficult it is to create appropriate cards. Do we just feature one family pic? What if we can't GET one good family pic? Do we give each kid his/her own spot? Do we find a card that features a combination of both, like last year?<br />
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Here are the cards from the last three years: <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnWBSOjizYJD5kk0E-xdcOPbihiRlQYXvqFeBIJlzkhXrdRqUqGOKzl_8DyK96SoKYRwTxOznYO2B9cCqwBv6cvPVelxDJvu5s3xXJvclZ1s_VVHOyRuerrxhhe7RGT6tXwSnllUCUF4BT/s1600/card.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnWBSOjizYJD5kk0E-xdcOPbihiRlQYXvqFeBIJlzkhXrdRqUqGOKzl_8DyK96SoKYRwTxOznYO2B9cCqwBv6cvPVelxDJvu5s3xXJvclZ1s_VVHOyRuerrxhhe7RGT6tXwSnllUCUF4BT/s320/card.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Christmas, 2012: Is it just me, or is Elliot the only one who looks any older since last Christmas?)</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKRij776ue-HtHpetuBQlkNTA1iRkvqlsNSXQcRa5sv8WpjPEC-h9LRS8Lowe9t4UCg4YHiBIaWtUzP4qlRhbkbh28bu9EWPEq-sKZfpmFaQJiBJjortuAgvN-Q3L8ANVfnNk3I4noCKYF/s1600/2011-Christmas-Card.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKRij776ue-HtHpetuBQlkNTA1iRkvqlsNSXQcRa5sv8WpjPEC-h9LRS8Lowe9t4UCg4YHiBIaWtUzP4qlRhbkbh28bu9EWPEq-sKZfpmFaQJiBJjortuAgvN-Q3L8ANVfnNk3I4noCKYF/s320/2011-Christmas-Card.jpg" width="225" /> </a></div>
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<i>(Christmas, 2011) </i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmtIjWjxH2k5sJAP2TTpiVO9HIAhaeJvi64HwWk0o4e76n_6hpz0EAJmz-sOh7YLIqZdcNPbz1VnHCSxxgpibT0o3PbDdhOBptGtP0JpFhCt6kzdTwtfwO9XxLDgG8Q7vP1-LSLq9-Vbzs/s1600/hohoho.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmtIjWjxH2k5sJAP2TTpiVO9HIAhaeJvi64HwWk0o4e76n_6hpz0EAJmz-sOh7YLIqZdcNPbz1VnHCSxxgpibT0o3PbDdhOBptGtP0JpFhCt6kzdTwtfwO9XxLDgG8Q7vP1-LSLq9-Vbzs/s320/hohoho.jpg" width="220" /> </a></div>
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<i>(Christmas, 2010: Look at those CHEEKS on Sam!) </i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQdC_F2ojbjJ5UhtkyA3DIEs8Il1G1GDEoOk6GBRPHfEF7o0IlppnNn-asnMduTm-di3ec2ODGmBqpX4oIJOvCbfWv4Yox2GWzcGDcN-KPi6NN2l80bK_E-p8gBGzsQJtSpmanMTtZ2dIs/s1600/STATIONERYCARD_5x7-23046-9150-MERCHMEDIUM_THUMB-REGULAR_REGULAR-v138393543600036038.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQdC_F2ojbjJ5UhtkyA3DIEs8Il1G1GDEoOk6GBRPHfEF7o0IlppnNn-asnMduTm-di3ec2ODGmBqpX4oIJOvCbfWv4Yox2GWzcGDcN-KPi6NN2l80bK_E-p8gBGzsQJtSpmanMTtZ2dIs/s1600/STATIONERYCARD_5x7-23046-9150-MERCHMEDIUM_THUMB-REGULAR_REGULAR-v138393543600036038.jpg" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpAMk-Up3LXYOcVNZ3n-Eo8AC-45a5mAZU3HBeokHMxQ_lCfeki9q5tZ_ISOkslLWBeIzjfFtvYwz1-yjBl6eD-Sa0N8fl2jf3I9KTieuI2GXFcrcQfhyphenhyphenV6LZNkVdwsq6p8gHCqqmtVtdK/s1600/STATIONERYCARD_6x8-89046-9152-MERCHMEDIUM_THUMB-ROUNDED_REGULAR-v138273965300057357.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpAMk-Up3LXYOcVNZ3n-Eo8AC-45a5mAZU3HBeokHMxQ_lCfeki9q5tZ_ISOkslLWBeIzjfFtvYwz1-yjBl6eD-Sa0N8fl2jf3I9KTieuI2GXFcrcQfhyphenhyphenV6LZNkVdwsq6p8gHCqqmtVtdK/s1600/STATIONERYCARD_6x8-89046-9152-MERCHMEDIUM_THUMB-ROUNDED_REGULAR-v138273965300057357.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCUJyVtnjW_iLh_iSFkjdGpPfYxfetR3N-utlAWYsGeaUL8FenaRc4xfrdel3HmbU3AdX6eg4V6JnmJEUo3ZSPdJ9h8e5f2_Q5ggden5pVDRBMjUbhJE_SmwF2XjW5NPeyRGJUJk39_nSX/s1600/STATIONERYCARD_5x7-23046-9167-MERCHMEDIUM_THUMB-REGULAR_REGULAR-v138273863800051243.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCUJyVtnjW_iLh_iSFkjdGpPfYxfetR3N-utlAWYsGeaUL8FenaRc4xfrdel3HmbU3AdX6eg4V6JnmJEUo3ZSPdJ9h8e5f2_Q5ggden5pVDRBMjUbhJE_SmwF2XjW5NPeyRGJUJk39_nSX/s1600/STATIONERYCARD_5x7-23046-9167-MERCHMEDIUM_THUMB-REGULAR_REGULAR-v138273863800051243.jpg" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig372NNqWPAbxjmjwTdToupVjteDuiJmJ-7C0EPpbHmSyub0r_xYRpiHjc9wIoW6WushbJOwH6lpJO5JU1ZyB2r_rwFziPrgF7rUY_2YTUQzq3em9fQ0Dfd5N0WI4zOxHyLPgPhj_4OrCS/s1600/STATIONERYCARD_6x8-89046-7978-MERCHMEDIUM_THUMB-ROUNDED_REGULAR-v137704929800052658.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig372NNqWPAbxjmjwTdToupVjteDuiJmJ-7C0EPpbHmSyub0r_xYRpiHjc9wIoW6WushbJOwH6lpJO5JU1ZyB2r_rwFziPrgF7rUY_2YTUQzq3em9fQ0Dfd5N0WI4zOxHyLPgPhj_4OrCS/s1600/STATIONERYCARD_6x8-89046-7978-MERCHMEDIUM_THUMB-ROUNDED_REGULAR-v137704929800052658.jpg" /></a></div>
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This year, I am [predictably] drawn to all cards "merry and bright" - I love happy colors and fun lettering. And our cards also needs to say "Merry Christmas" - none of this Happy Holidays politically correct stuff. Jesus is the reason for the season!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif_bsyuvnt4I0lDtynFYgRKc143bSikeAdizQYJ_2JxwPYoxV3KQJRNWKnbVy72yhJVl0woaateZOExBW4yZVl1lLzvUMBq-_1SHlighngVFd-Q2oPtvXnjSbcSx4Lf6A_blEP3BDIf2mH/s1600/STATIONERYCARD_6x8-89046-9123-MERCHMEDIUM_THUMB-REGULAR_REGULAR-v138393549300045426.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif_bsyuvnt4I0lDtynFYgRKc143bSikeAdizQYJ_2JxwPYoxV3KQJRNWKnbVy72yhJVl0woaateZOExBW4yZVl1lLzvUMBq-_1SHlighngVFd-Q2oPtvXnjSbcSx4Lf6A_blEP3BDIf2mH/s1600/STATIONERYCARD_6x8-89046-9123-MERCHMEDIUM_THUMB-REGULAR_REGULAR-v138393549300045426.jpg" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjckiz7JGaqCF0Eo49ImGaLE1GQWoh5n3QsrGGuUYyiZYGZJuR86aDvqP7WSBnJYLgmi7kJbZ6UIm1IvN36fnKFqV4Y5z1rHkr9xC6qt3wm40w25kPdWO0eyIId3mBCl8qfVpH0pSHVA7xn/s1600/TRIFOLDCARD_5X7-139046-9107-MERCHMEDIUM_THUMB-REGULAR-v138273981800048834.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjckiz7JGaqCF0Eo49ImGaLE1GQWoh5n3QsrGGuUYyiZYGZJuR86aDvqP7WSBnJYLgmi7kJbZ6UIm1IvN36fnKFqV4Y5z1rHkr9xC6qt3wm40w25kPdWO0eyIId3mBCl8qfVpH0pSHVA7xn/s1600/TRIFOLDCARD_5X7-139046-9107-MERCHMEDIUM_THUMB-REGULAR-v138273981800048834.jpg" /></a></div>
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We only need two more kids to make this first card above a hit! Pretty sure we can't accomplish that by Christmas. ;) But I do love the black and white contrast in the center. And I certainly don't think our family is big enough to qualify for a tri-fold! I certainly don't remember seeing those before. <br />
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<b>The Giveaway </b><br />
I'm glad I still have a LITTLE time to think about this, because the options seem endless! But the even better news is that one of you lovely readers now has the chance to win a $50 SHUTTERFLY GIVEAWAY - <i>including free shipping </i>- so I won't be the only one overwhelmed with options!<br />
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All you need to do is have a look around Shutterfly's "<a href="http://bit.ly/SJEv0l" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Holiday Cards landing page</a>" and then come back here and comment on your favorite card(s).<br />
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For a SECOND entry, I would love it if you would leave a "merry and bright" comment of your own that you know might make me smile - because Mama can always use extra smiles! ;)<br />
<br />
If you subscribe to my RSS feed (http://blog.hestermania.com) or
already have, you can leave a THIRD comment letting me know. Wow, three ways to enter! Super cool.<br />
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The Details: Make sure you leave your e-mail address in the e-mail field so I know how to contact you if you win. All entries must be received by Tuesday, 11/26/2013 - so you have 1 1/2 weeks starting NOW. Please know that if you comment more or differently than the three specific ways mentioned above, or leave inappropriate comments, all of your comments (and therefore your entries) will be deleted.<br />
<br />
Shutterfly wants to make sure I mention their plethora of <a href="http://bit.ly/1dqUyfz" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">photo gifts</a>.
DONE. And if you're a tweeter, which I mostly am not, please know they
are having a Twitter Party #PhotosYouLove on November 15 at 8:00 p.m.
EST. <br />
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<i>Happy card perusing!</i><br />
<br />
<b>Trackback:</b><br />
<a href="http://blog.hestermania.com/2012/10/christmas-cards-and-giveaway.html" target="_blank">Last year's Shutterfly Christmas giveaway</a><b><a href="http://blog.hestermania.com/2012/10/christmas-cards-and-giveaway.html" target="_blank"> </a></b><br />
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<strong>UPDATE 11-27-13:</strong><br />
Commenter #14 LAURA is our winner! Laura, I've sent you an e-mail letting you know you won, and Shutterfly will be contacting you directly about how to redeem your $50 at their site. <em>CONGRATULATIONS!</em>Nystral Djohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06217559324844108062noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7817700725640851044.post-28587617460223999032013-11-13T00:25:00.001-05:002013-11-26T17:09:08.738-05:00Science Time with the Cousins<div>
Today's science topic: FIZZ! </div>
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Lori, her kids, and Kacki came over today to continue our group journey through <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0794514057/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0794514057&linkCode=as2&tag=raitheran-20">Science in the Kitchen</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=raitheran-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0794514057" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />, one of the science books we're going through this year with <a href="http://www.mfwbooks.com/products/M50/40/5/0/1" target="_blank">My Father's World</a>. Hands-on experiments are always more fun with your best friends.<br />
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For our first experiment, we watched what the fizz in a jar of Sprite did to raisins:<br />
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The bubbles clung to the raisins and carried them to the surface, where they popped and dropped the raisins back to the bottom, repeating the process all over again.</div>
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<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875);">It was super cool to watch, and I think the grown-ups and kids alike could have all sat there staring at the jar, making predictions on which raisin would take flight next, for a good long time...like it was some kind of lava lamp.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7KNHREbDlGc6eTFY3YUBRFf4sdcoEAo7krHsALkLUgu6jD44vj7qgZMpezu8Xi1P90jJongIdKy5IdrDL21DEtLFluzj2c4KmyVP0TMGyvsJQVJqOdVBBKDT20PzXsomkoBsN7TcSexXy/s640/blogger-image--1221749500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7KNHREbDlGc6eTFY3YUBRFf4sdcoEAo7krHsALkLUgu6jD44vj7qgZMpezu8Xi1P90jJongIdKy5IdrDL21DEtLFluzj2c4KmyVP0TMGyvsJQVJqOdVBBKDT20PzXsomkoBsN7TcSexXy/s400/blogger-image--1221749500.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">Next, we made our own fizz. Each kid got a cup with a little vinegar and one drop of food coloring. After a few kids (mostly Jacob) somehow managed to spill colored cups of vinegar all over the counter...repeatedly...all the kids did an impressive job</span><span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);"> patiently waiting until each person had a spoonful of baking soda. Then on the count of three, they dropped their spoonfuls into their cups at the same time.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">Their cups runneth over! I was super surprised the reaction was so big and so immediate. Just like with the Sprite and the raisins, I was as excited by the results as the kids!</span></div>
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I believe it was Jeffrey who postulated that perhaps blue food coloring hindered the reaction more than red food coloring, which was why the boys' cups did not fizz as high as the girls' cups. Hmmm, if anyone has any scientific evidence to support that clever theory, I'm all ears!</div>
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For our third experiment, the kids mixed one part baking soda and one part citric acid with eight parts powdered sugar. This time, the reaction could not be seen, but when moistened - on the kids tongues! - it sure started to fizz!</div>
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I wish I got a picture of some of their reactions. Some of the kids thought it was great fun bubbling away in their mouths. A couple others (namely Lily and Sam) realized, "Hey wait a second. This is not so pleasant," and presently ran over to the garbage to spit it out. Hah! The grown-ups tried it next and we all thought it was pretty cool - like homemade Pixie Stix or Pop Rocks. Perhaps even like Alka Seltzer, which also seems to activate once wet. </div>
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(I saved this mixture and continued the experiment after Small Group this evening. I had some very willing taste-testers! Then Ryan decided to pour water and Sprite into the mixture, and it bubbled and fizzed for a good 10 minutes. Our friend Ann then used it as a dip - tasting first a cracker, then a pickle covered in this runny, fizzy mess. I was not willing to go that far! It was certainly fun - and unexpected - getting adventurous grown-ups involved.)</div>
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Lastly, we took a look at the bubbles in the yummy pear torte that Kirsten made early this morning and brought to share with her fellow scientists. Mmmm...every science time should end with homemade goodies!</div>
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And with Clara snuggles. </div>
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Two little boys who love each other very, very much, making the most of their post-science lunch break. </div>
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After little tummies were full, we headed outside (despite the cold!) for a gym lesson from <a href="http://www.familytimefitness.com/fitness4homeschool/Fitness4HomeSchoolLandingPage.php" target="_blank">Family Time Fitness</a>. Although there is no photographic proof, I'm here to tell you there was much skipping and hopping and relay-racing and hula-hooping. And teeth-chattering. </div>
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And two sweet little ones who very much wished they were just a little bit bigger.</div>
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Soon enough, future scientists!</div>
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<b>UPDATE TWO WEEKS LATER: </b> </div>
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Took a picture of the science journal page Lily completed later that day. Too funny:</div>
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Nystral Djohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06217559324844108062noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7817700725640851044.post-68285503195310513952013-11-11T20:26:00.001-05:002013-11-14T16:27:32.518-05:00Gospel for Asia Collage, Year 3It's that time of year again: Time to glue together our annual collage of gifts the kids have chosen to send to families in need through "Gospel for Asia."<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNXGVHevMNrCP93E1wZ-Z3PvvHVgvVVZRNNl8ZXC-Y5RDvUVSbaTx1UUKMvMhPSgU8EYDh8yMgI57zHLqcvT_G3j3qQUfZeQJRIHkWAGWcEdxygcnRp0e1ZMTOlUpxxzvfT2C9MPfeXqFX/s640/blogger-image-1451647682.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNXGVHevMNrCP93E1wZ-Z3PvvHVgvVVZRNNl8ZXC-Y5RDvUVSbaTx1UUKMvMhPSgU8EYDh8yMgI57zHLqcvT_G3j3qQUfZeQJRIHkWAGWcEdxygcnRp0e1ZMTOlUpxxzvfT2C9MPfeXqFX/s400/blogger-image-1451647682.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Perusing the catalog. </div>
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Deciding how to divvy up their $20 each. Hello, extra math time. </div>
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Cutting out pictures of the rabbits and chickens and Bibles they've chosen to buy. </div>
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Jacob. Using scissors. Without complaining or cutting off that person's arm or head. I was in awe. He did a GREAT, focused job. Hello, successful fine motor skills time.</div>
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Lily starting the collage, Jacob still cutting. </div>
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See? No beheading! Rounded corners. I've noticed such an improvement in his overall focus and fine-motor stamina this year. Well, sometimes. </div>
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Pasting on his addition. Lily had by now moved on to cutting out the remainder of the catalog's cute livestock for a collage of her own, which she entitled, "We want." Never one to mince words, that girl. </div>
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The finished product...which Lily chose to hang in the exact same spot as the last two years...after I talked her out of hanging it on the front porch.</div>
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Before nap time, we spent some time praying for the kids and families who would receive these gifts. And for little hearts that would not be envious about giving -and not getting - these gifts. </div>
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<b>Trackback:</b></div>
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<a href="http://blog.hestermania.com/2012/12/gospel-for-asia-collage-year-2.html">Last year's collage</a></div>
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<a href="http://blog.hestermania.com/2011/11/this-morning-ryan-let-me-know-how-much.html?m=0">The year before that</a></div>
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Nystral Djohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06217559324844108062noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7817700725640851044.post-1765317327722235482013-11-09T23:18:00.001-05:002013-11-26T17:09:22.047-05:00Field Trip: George Washington, Part 2<div>
Yesterday, we finished school early and completed the second leg of our George Washington field trip by heading over to <a href="http://www.nps.gov/morr/historyculture/jockey-hollow.htm" target="_blank">Jockey Hollow</a> with my parents. </div>
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Inside the Visitor's Center, we shook hands with a [handless?] colonial soldier, then the kids tried on some authentic tattered clothing for themselves. </div>
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Brrrrrr, it's COLD in these rags in the knee-deep snow!</div>
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Sam leading the army. Onward!<br />
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I loved the gardens at the Wick house, maintained by the Herb Society of America's New Jersey Chapter. It was such a beautiful - albeit COLD - fall day. </div>
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Good thing they closed up the well!</div>
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The smoke house. </div>
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Anybody know what kind of fun and funky mushrooms these are on the tree stump? </div>
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<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875);">The four reproduction soldier cabins near the Pennsylvania Brigade encampment were super cool.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhCzE5z0KfSXj4tZfHIVMKjtU9QVWlrfh7y_pXq2Pe0Kc4C7ABR2hRQztOwKUBEEvB4QOfwjd41gyau1igv0CAonFts1yYrSiYAi4kfOcUSOR6vw-uIVMEGJWJVRXL-ZrR3avRmnZs0hhR/s640/blogger-image-8929105.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhCzE5z0KfSXj4tZfHIVMKjtU9QVWlrfh7y_pXq2Pe0Kc4C7ABR2hRQztOwKUBEEvB4QOfwjd41gyau1igv0CAonFts1yYrSiYAi4kfOcUSOR6vw-uIVMEGJWJVRXL-ZrR3avRmnZs0hhR/s640/blogger-image-8929105.jpg" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">Each one was meant to house 12 soldiers in four sets of three-story bunks running along three of the four inner walls. The chimney was on the fourth wall. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);"><br /></span></div>
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I asked the kids what happened to this cabin - Jacob said it "got fired" and Sam said it was a fireplace. Hah!<br />
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The officer's cabin was <span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">farther up the hill and </span>separated in half, housing just two men on each side, each with its own fireplace. How posh. </div>
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There was much hill rolling. </div>
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And hill climbing. </div>
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And fence climbing. </div>
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Once the Wicke house finally opened, we were able to see how the higher-ranking officers lived, as compared with General Washington (in a veritable mansion 5 miles away at the Ford house), and the soldiers (either in the freezing cold snow or in the slightly-less freezing log cabins). </div>
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<i>(Good thing Jacob was available to hold up this fallen tree!)</i></div>
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I'm glad we were able to spend the time fully exploring George Washington's <a href="http://www.nps.gov/morr/planyourvisit/index.htm" target="_blank">northern Jersey stomping grounds</a>. I'm not sure why it's taken me so long to full embrace the field trips - I'm finally feeling some relief from the stress of teaching two grades at once for the first time, and the stress of "getting it all done."</div>
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Next trip: the Liberty Bell and Ben Franklin museum. Philly, here we come!<br />
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Jump back to <a href="http://blog.hestermania.com/2013/11/field-trip-george-washington.html">Part 1</a></div>
Nystral Djohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06217559324844108062noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7817700725640851044.post-47970489887471908722013-11-06T23:27:00.000-05:002013-11-26T17:09:38.069-05:00Enjoying the Mild Fall WeatherIt was a beautiful day to finish up school early and hit the park with friends.<br />
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A few weeks ago, Lily declared she wants to be a "climber" when she grows up. Surprise, surprise, now the other two do, too. I suppose we'll have to have a lesson in economics sometime soon. </div>
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<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875);">Wish I took more pictures of Elliot giggling as he kicked around the beautiful leaves.</span></div>
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Nystral Djohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06217559324844108062noreply@blogger.com0