tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8743129549183375322024-03-13T12:34:44.210-07:00The Booker PackThe Bookers Embark on Family Life in FloridaLeahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10151040426655323250noreply@blogger.comBlogger263125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-874312954918337532.post-19825458961740822752017-09-23T21:34:00.002-07:002017-09-23T21:34:18.839-07:00Grands<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We were so lucky to have Nana and Pa Booker come for a visit this week. Living across the country and then moving interrupted what would have been their annual trip to the east coast to see us, so it's been a while since they've visited with the kids. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Between trips to the beaches (Pismo, Avila, and Morro Bay this trip), shopping downtown, daily walks at Laguna Lake, and a first Farmer's Market, we kept them pretty busy. It was wonderful to see them and have a chance to catch up.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Of course, we were having so much fun I forgot to get the camera out until just before we drove them to the airport. Brad met us there for the send off.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank you so much for visiting, Ann and Daryl! We love you and are looking forward to seeing you more often now that we are closer!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10151040426655323250noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-874312954918337532.post-41328565328442116732017-08-14T08:42:00.002-07:002017-08-14T08:55:17.086-07:00May the Fourth Be With You<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Will's Fourth Star Wars Birthday Extravaganza was yesterday. We had some friends over to the house and partied like the Death Star had just been destroyed. Will specifically requested three things for this birthday;</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1. To be in a bubble.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2. A Light Saber Dance Party</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3. Broccoli for dinner</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I am happy to say that, over the course of the week, we served up all his birthday wishes and then some.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>First, Nana and Pa sent and awesome new cement mixer! </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Then there was a trip to Tom's toys with the birthday loot from Grandma and Grandpa.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>There was broccoli and cantaloupe for dinner on his actual birthday...</i></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>... with a starter cake for dessert.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>On Sunday, there was a little pre-party relaxing with a good read.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Double chocolate Star Wars Cake with strawberries, raspberries, and Nutella "frosting."</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Dance Party lightsabers!</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>"Be in a bubble," quickly devolved into this... </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>... and this...</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>... and some of this happened, too.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>"Can't Stop the Feeling!"</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>"Iko Iko"</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Sienna taking a breather.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>I think it's fair to say that Sienna showed up Anastasia in lightsabering.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Natalie and Lola went on to take the finals in the Mommy/Toddler round. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>That face!</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>"I,</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i> state your name,</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i> do solemnly swear</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>to not hit any person with my lightsaber</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>but to only touch other lightsabers with my lightsaber,</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>upon penalty of death,</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>SO HELP ME GOD!" </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>"Happy birthday to you!" </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>"Make a wish!"</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Happy, happy birthday, Wilson! You are our very favorite four year old!!! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10151040426655323250noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-874312954918337532.post-87152309818960362832017-08-07T09:28:00.000-07:002017-08-07T09:28:07.919-07:00PreBirthday<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Between the move and a remodel across the country we needed a break yesterday, so we packed up the kids and headed to Morro Bay.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was pretty overcast, but the temperature was perfect! It was so nice to be able to enjoy the beach as a family. And the kids had a great time digging in the sand and wading through the surf. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Jellyfish</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>"Mommy, I'm camouflaged!"</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We have missed you, Morro Bay! </span>Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10151040426655323250noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-874312954918337532.post-14317365584224304282017-07-18T14:00:00.003-07:002017-07-18T14:00:25.611-07:00Aquarium Farewell<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As you all know by now, we are moving back to San Luis Obispo in just a few days. But there was one last thing we needed to do before leaving Tampa.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This year for her birthday Harper asked to Swim With The Fishes at the Florida aquarium. Actually, it's what she's asked for every year since she was two, but I digress. Because we'll be back in SLO before the big day, I decided to take her for MY birthday this year. So here we are, swimming in the shallow reef tank exhibit.</span><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dz1wEV4Wu9yySBImdEapOWh8BJSHMBxntkvhf8J0237P8ut5g4Vu_OfN4q34qqo3pP1YW6G6sQzhpej8fTyJQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Harper did so well! It took her a few minutes to get used to not holding her breath under water and to use the regulator, and then it took her a couple more minutes to get used to swimming away from the main platform over an area too deep for her to comfortably dive. But eventually she got the hang of it and was paddling allover the tank in wonder. I was so proud of her!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">She was simply awestruck! It was a wonderful send off to the Florida Aquarium (our second home; the place where Harper spoke her first word and where Will stood on his own for the first time), a wonderful 45th birthday adventure for me (why does 45 sound so much older than 44?), and an unforgettable Mommy-Daughter Day all around!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Goodbye, Florida Aquarium! We will miss you! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10151040426655323250noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-874312954918337532.post-4691884700849365092017-04-17T13:13:00.003-07:002017-04-17T13:13:40.713-07:00Easter 2017<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Easter this year was awesome. There was egg hunting, flower picking, candy eating, tractor riding, strawberry picking, swing set playing, archery practicing and a lot of picnicking. I'll let the pictures speak for themselves... </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank you for a memorable Easter, MacWherters and Bullians! We are so lucky to have you in our lives!</span>Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10151040426655323250noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-874312954918337532.post-11928528035423188992017-02-13T07:56:00.002-08:002017-02-13T07:56:59.094-08:00Valentine's <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I had my heart set on a Valentine's Day shoot this year, if only because we never got around to it last year. Harper had school off Friday so I got the kids dressed and we headed out. Of course, by the time we left the house the lovely morning haze had burned off and it was too bright out for the kinds of photos I wanted. And also the kids were already tired of having their pictures taken before we even started, of course.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I got these two exceedingly marginal photos...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">... before this started happening.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So we went home and did this for a while.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Notably, the kids were significantly more cooperative for round two.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Also, I have to say that, contrary to the evidence presented herein, I am nuts about my kids. I am so proud of how they have grown to be such loving siblings (usually). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>Happy Valentine's Day, from the Booker Pack!!! </i></b></span></div>
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Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10151040426655323250noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-874312954918337532.post-72210613014512399452016-12-18T18:48:00.000-08:002016-12-18T18:55:17.400-08:00Iko!<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Will's in a Iko Iko kind of mood these days. I mean, all day, EVERY day. He demanded we film him singing about a dozen times tonight. (Warning: this may be the cutest thing you'll ever see.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><i>"The 'jock-a-mo fee-no ai ne-ne' part is my favorite part."</i></span></div>
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<br />Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10151040426655323250noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-874312954918337532.post-10044703243759925252016-12-09T20:26:00.001-08:002016-12-09T20:26:45.947-08:00Winter Recital<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Bookers have had a rough past couple of weeks. Like, unbelievably rough. All I want is to close the curtains and hide away with my family in our little home.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Little by little I've been joining the real world again, though. Today was Harper's first violin performance. I'm so glad I braved the outside to attend the recital. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Brad wasn't able to join us (who has a recital at 1:00 pm on a week day?) so I videoed it for him. I could not be more proud of our little Vivaldi. </span><br />
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<br />Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10151040426655323250noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-874312954918337532.post-12217158550680306082016-11-01T03:48:00.001-07:002016-11-01T03:48:31.875-07:00Halloween 2016<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10151040426655323250noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-874312954918337532.post-52404433764061605282016-10-23T15:01:00.001-07:002016-10-23T15:01:26.324-07:00Birthday Bash<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We celebrated Harper's sixth birthday party today. It was Minecraft-themed, as that is her current obsession. This year we tried to keep it simple with just a few close friends. I baked a couple of small chocolate cakes, stuck some Minecraft toys on top and called it a day. Then we let the good times roll at Water Works Park. </span><br />
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Our party goers.</div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I think I get this same picture every year: Fiona and Zoe helping Harper blow her candles out. This year it was all staged because the wind was blowing too hard for candles.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Harper was onto us.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This was some sort of zombie run. Obviously.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Elijah has become quite the athlete recently.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He's the only kid who Brad knows who will watch football with him,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">so he has an open invitation to hang out at our house.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mimi was in excellent spirits... </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">... unlike Birdie, who kept her unbroken streak of crying every time I look at her in tact.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Declan is Harper's new friend from school...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">... as is Armando (whom Harper refers to as her "hugging friend"). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I like to call this one "Collusion."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Serious business.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">End of the day.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thanks to all our dear friends who made it out for a very special SIX year old birthday! </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10151040426655323250noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-874312954918337532.post-49657306278050597332016-10-22T14:51:00.000-07:002016-10-22T14:51:28.667-07:00Birthday Girl<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today our sweet Harper turns six years old. Tomorrow there will be cake and friends, but today we are enjoying her wacky, exuberant little self. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Happy birthday, darling Harper. You are the heart of our family.</span><br />
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<br />Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10151040426655323250noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-874312954918337532.post-69526544007722410212016-09-05T08:01:00.001-07:002016-09-05T08:01:28.566-07:00Last Day/First Vacation<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hurricane Hermine produced an serendipitous five day weekend, which we are still enjoying. It was also Harper's first school break, so we're making the most of it. Yay for days off!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This morning I took the kids to my favorite alley (with the <em>gorgeous</em> painted fence) to get a five minute photo session in. Our favorite neighbor, Shane, popped in for a couple of shots, which worked out perfectly since he has kind of been our third kid recently.</span> <br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I hope everyone had a great few days off!</span> <br />
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Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10151040426655323250noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-874312954918337532.post-40367632462707141152016-08-10T08:20:00.003-07:002016-08-10T09:24:59.554-07:00Birthday Boy and School Girl<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We've had a lot to celebrate, reminisce, and get used to this week. Will turned three on Sunday and Harper started kindergarten today. Where have my babies gone?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">For his birthday, Will wanted to go to "the hotel pool" and "swim with cousins and friends." Despite some obvious challenges, I did my best to fulfill his wishes. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">We planned a swim date at a local hotel pool only to get rained out the day of. So the MacWherters came over for cake and ice cream instead. Later on the kids christened all Will's new trucks and tractors (which are numerous) with Play-Doh. Then we went out to Evos for a special treat: hamburgers and french fries. All in all, it was a success. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><em>The birthday boy!</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><em>As per his instructions, a chocolate tractor birthday cake. (Harper helped decorate.)</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><em>Everyone helped blow out the candles.</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><em>Three year old wish!</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><em>Play-Doh and tractors.</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><em>Dinner out.</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We had to get up at the break of dawn to get Harper to school on time this morning. And even with 35 minutes to drive the six miles to campus, after the car line we got Harper to school exactly two minutes before school started. I'm dreading pick up.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><em>Five years old and cute as a button on the first day of school!</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><em>Our little Sprocket! (Please ignore the toddler in his PJ's. It was all I could do this morning to get that kid to school on time the way things were.)</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We are looking forward to seeing what this next year brings!</span></div>
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Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10151040426655323250noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-874312954918337532.post-36878829431196170972016-07-27T18:43:00.003-07:002016-07-27T18:43:50.802-07:00Norwegian Holiday<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We were so lucky to have our dear friends, Pat and Vanya, come for a visit. They were on holiday from Norway, so they were able to squeeze a long weekend in with us before heading out to California (or The Homeland, as I prefer to call it). They also brought along their charming nephew, Sebastian, whom we were delighted to meet for the first time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pat used to work with Brad back in the day at the Cal Poly Organic farm before I worked there (and before he had even met Vanya, for that matter!). I met Vanya at a dog park event and eventually trained her in dog behavior. So, as you can see, our history runs deep.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We had such a great few days showing them around Tampa that we completely forgot to take pictures until literally fifteen minutes prior to their leaving. And even then I forgot my nice camera, so my phone was all we had to prove they were ever here.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sebastian fell in love with the new popsicle place in Ybor.</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Popsicles!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our crew.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Much of photo time was spent coaxing Will to sit still. But this is the only good photo of Sebastian that I was able to get.</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Better.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm not really sure what's going on here.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Will took a real shine to Pat.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Harper was inconsolable when they left.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Look! I got in one, too!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well, two.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank you so much for coming all this way to visit, Pat, Vanya and Sebastian! Looking forward to popsicles in Norway with you!</span>Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10151040426655323250noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-874312954918337532.post-13777642809987824902016-07-10T18:22:00.002-07:002016-07-10T18:22:09.995-07:00Ordinary Life Photo Challenge Day 5<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #1d2129; display: inline !important; float: none; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 14px/19.32px helvetica, arial, sans-serif; letter-spacing: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">I was challenged to post one photo a day for seven days showing the world through my eyes. I also have to nominate one person a day to do the same.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 14px/19.32px helvetica, arial, sans-serif; letter-spacing: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #1d2129; display: inline !important; float: none; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 14px/19.32px helvetica, arial, sans-serif; letter-spacing: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">This one is entitled "Guess Who We Decided To Keep!"</span></span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #1d2129; display: inline !important; float: none; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 14px/19.32px helvetica, arial, sans-serif; letter-spacing: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(Spoiler: this guy.)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yes, it's true, our former foster pup is officially a foster fail. From the minute he walked in here he just seemed to be part of the family. It was like he just knew how things went and that was that. Willa loves him, Mayflower ADORES him, the cats seem amused to toy with him, and the kids can't live without him. So, you see, the decision was really made despite Brad and myself.</span> <br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The only hard part was choosing a name. As you may remember, the Bookers were in a four way tie. I loved the name Argus, while Brad had a visceral reaction and winced every time I said it. Brad opted for Johnny, which offended every creative bone in my body. Harper liked Puppy or Junior, so she went for the hybrid and hyphenated the two. Will, my adorable little wordsmith, was sweet on Cute. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, after much deliberation, we finally agreed on... KILGORE!</span> <br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yes, Kilgore. Kilgore as in Kurt Vonnegut's pseudonym, Kilgore Trout (thus keeping our literary-themed naming streak in tact). Also Kilgore as in "Kill" and "Gore" mashed together to make one super-violent name (which, I think, was the main selling point for both Brad and Harper).</span> <br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So here they are, our THREE (ohmygoshhowdidthathappen?!?!?!) dogs, cozy as can be. How lucky we are he has found us.</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Fpp7RPeJ0Hs/V4LvzOm_g1I/AAAAAAAADPk/p9XOGSbg-oMlIF8rdIahAc0PyBeTGJtNwCLcB/s1600/2016.7.6Dogs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Fpp7RPeJ0Hs/V4LvzOm_g1I/AAAAAAAADPk/p9XOGSbg-oMlIF8rdIahAc0PyBeTGJtNwCLcB/s320/2016.7.6Dogs.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #1d2129; display: inline !important; float: none; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 14px/19.32px helvetica, arial, sans-serif; letter-spacing: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;"></span>Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10151040426655323250noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-874312954918337532.post-39321303803478330022016-06-20T16:50:00.000-07:002016-06-20T18:05:04.168-07:00Puppy<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So, Father's Day morning Brad went for a run with Mayflower and came home with THREE dogs. One belonged to a neighbor but, so far, no one has come forward for this guy. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">He looks pretty much how I would expect May and Willa's offspring to look. He's maybe seven or eight months old, and has a beautiful fawn coat, but pretty small at just 25-ish pounds. He's nice, and has fit right in with the dogs/cats/kids/general melee. Plus he has good house manners and is walking well on leash with our pack. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We're calling him Puppy, because we're <em>not keeping him</em>. So now my backyard looks like this...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">... or sometimes this:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">He didn't even bat an eye when Will grabbed his tail. He just smiled at him and licked his face (side note: kids are terrible to pets).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Harper: "Can we have a puppy?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Me: "You have a puppy! May is a puppy! She's literally right next to you!"</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I can't figure out what his story is. He's well fed and nice, has good house manners and complains if he's alone, which would lead me to believe he's been an indoor dog.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But he was a MESS when I got him: covered in fleas and tar and fly bites, and his ears were DISGUSTING, plus his tail is scarred (likely from a flea allergy) like he's been a yard dog his whole life. Also, he has old and healing bite wounds on his face and sides. And no, I don't think he was a "fighter" or a "bait dog" (cue rolling of eyes). He is GREAT with dogs (very relaxed) but unsure about new people, which makes me think he's been kept with a pack of dogs in a yard and hasn't had much exposure to people (although he has warmed up very quickly). </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Anyway, we'll probably never know. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">May is just thrilled to have him around to play with.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So let me know if you have a wonderful family in mind looking for a petit, handsome little "pit" mix. I just happen to know of one who fits the bill.</span> </div>
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Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10151040426655323250noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-874312954918337532.post-45426209697567067732016-06-09T08:47:00.001-07:002016-06-22T08:14:56.607-07:00Wedding Roadtrip 2016<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Happy news! My youngest brother, David, got married in Connecticut this past weekend to his wonderful bride Kate, so we decided to make it into a week long road trip and see the east coast. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After countless hours of calculating and innumerable spreadsheets, we determined that the cheapest/easiest thing to do was split the trip up. So Brad drove up in the van and met me and the kids at the airport in Harford the next day. Besides Brad being exhausted, it was relatively painless. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We got in Thursday night, and the rest of the Bauer family arrived in Old Lyme, where the wedding would take place, throughout the day on Friday.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Old Lyme is picturesque, to say the least. Pretty much the entire place is a postcard. It's nothing but beautiful historical buildings, perfectly groomed gardens and stacked stone walls.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><em>The local schoolhouse. Seriously. The entire town looks like this. </em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><em>We had lunch and ice cream at the Old Lyme Ice Cream Shoppe and Café. It was great. And adorable.</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Living in Florida has been a little isolating. My family had not seen us since Harper was eight months old, and my brothers Jared and David had never met my family, nor had I met David or Jared's wives, and no one had met Will, so we were really looking forward to seeing everyone. Harper and Will were especially excited to see their cousins. Except for my brother Jared, and the bride and groom (who were busy with wedding stuff) we all got together for a short tour of the Florence Griswold House museum and gardens, which once served as a boardinghouse for artists.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><em>The Florence Griswold Home</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><em>Old Lyme, CT</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><em>(Left to right) niece Harriett, niece Maggie, sister-in-law Bess, sister-in-law Anna, mom, dad, niece Hazel, brother Micah, nephew Henri, Harper, Brad and Will.</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><em>Acquainting themselves.</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><em>This was carved from a dead tree.</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><em>Harper was inspired by all the art to construct a turtle of her own.</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><em>"These girls are crazy, dad. Let's go!"</em></span> </div>
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<em><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Hazel was fast and loose with the peace signs.</span></em></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><em>The girls.</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><em>"It took us a few minutes to become best friends."</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We decided to host a pizza/pool/movie night for the kids while the adults attended the Welcome Dinner that evening at the Old Lyme Inn. I am so glad we did! The kids were great and had a wonderful time getting to know each other better. By the end of the night they were thick as thieves.</span> <br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><em>The Old Lyme Inn</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><em>Old Lyme, CT</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><em>Post-swimming pizza!</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><em>Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The wedding was on Saturday and was held at Kate's parent's home not far from town. I hesitate to refer to it as a "home." Probably "estate and grounds" is more appropriate. It was about fifteen plus acres of the most beautiful, green, rolling gardens: an absolutely perfect location for a wedding. (In retrospect, I should have gotten a lot more photos of the gardens.) </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">Harper and Maggie were flower girls so we got there a little early to help corral the girls for pictures. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><em>Flower girls.</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><em>Beautiful Kate and her attendants.</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><em>Beauties.</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><em>The ring bearer (Kate's nephew) was sequestered safely inside the main house.</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><em>I love this one.</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><em>Waiting to start!</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There were no photos allowed during the ceremony so I tried to get a few at the reception.</span> <br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><em>Bess and coy Henri.</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><em>Kate was kind enough to provide art supplies and puzzles for the kids' table.</em></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><em>Stunning Hazel.</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><em>Harriett was goofing around.</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><em>Henri, if you make weird faces every time I try to take a picture of you then I will post a photo of you making a weird face.</em></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><em>Will was a dancing machine.</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><em>In all the jubilation and merriment these were the only pictures I got of my brothers David (the groom, left) and Jared (right) with his wife, Anna.</em></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><em>My mom told me to get a picture of my dad, so I took this one. Then he threatened me. No more pics of dad.</em></span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wPwvkHMY4Zk/V1mDbyVVQhI/AAAAAAAADHM/XAHZyY_kzH0nol7VyDaYzrPtwcHY1YXxwCLcB/s1600/18.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wPwvkHMY4Zk/V1mDbyVVQhI/AAAAAAAADHM/XAHZyY_kzH0nol7VyDaYzrPtwcHY1YXxwCLcB/s320/18.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><em>My guys</em></span>. </div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><em>The girls took a break from their official duties to hang out in the hammock for a while.</em></span> </div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-16f4F7dhld0/V1mDhoil85I/AAAAAAAADHg/yGVD7SXP2IYebAEs_NPm6Hd7f15rmesAACLcB/s1600/20.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-16f4F7dhld0/V1mDhoil85I/AAAAAAAADHg/yGVD7SXP2IYebAEs_NPm6Hd7f15rmesAACLcB/s320/20.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><em>Micah, Bess, and their beautiful family. (Got you that time, Henri!)</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><em>And, of course, this happened.</em></span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7036yj-4kYk/V1mDlxyuTgI/AAAAAAAADHs/_TF7PPwBrNw5jbDmDuUO3dp_GwkNqqVMwCLcB/s1600/23.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7036yj-4kYk/V1mDlxyuTgI/AAAAAAAADHs/_TF7PPwBrNw5jbDmDuUO3dp_GwkNqqVMwCLcB/s320/23.JPG" width="211" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><em>The Booker Pack, June 2016.</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><em>All done.</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The next day we started on our long journey home. First stop: New York City!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It was blustery and dark with thunderstorms throughout the day, but somehow we finagled Brad's old marine buddy, Bill, to show us his hometown.</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I was beside myself with excitement to be in The Big Apple. It was my first time in New York and I wanted to see EVERYTHING. Unfortunately, we didn't have a lot of time, so we decided to see Central Park and visit the American Museum of Natural History, which was AMAZING (truly, if we lived in New York I'd take the kids every day). It was also where Bill's mom was a docent for several years, so it was a kind of second home to him.</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><em>Boat races in Central Park.</em></span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C2G2d3xVv04/V1mK3czdykI/AAAAAAAADK0/Xl3rSteOJwQbsQN6nj1ZqVg1iXJuH_OvQCLcB/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C2G2d3xVv04/V1mK3czdykI/AAAAAAAADK0/Xl3rSteOJwQbsQN6nj1ZqVg1iXJuH_OvQCLcB/s320/4.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><em>The park had amazing views everywhere you looked.</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><em>And... this is where Harper wants to spend the rest of her life. On a side note: that's a LIFE SIZED blue whale affixed to the ceiling. People just lie on the floor beneath it in awe.</em></span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wTRg_4cxTdo/V1mK6Pa-W7I/AAAAAAAADLM/IEX-YxJBKCwPCOy8YOiQUInReX1qsQC0ACLcB/s1600/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="271" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wTRg_4cxTdo/V1mK6Pa-W7I/AAAAAAAADLM/IEX-YxJBKCwPCOy8YOiQUInReX1qsQC0ACLcB/s320/6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><em>Obviously, I had to get a photo of this.</em></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The next day we headed to Washington D.C.</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The mall and capitol were both under construction so it was hard to get good pictures of anything.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><em>The sculpture gardens, however, had lots of great stuff, like a thinking hare...</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><em>... and a metal tree.</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Then we stopped for popsicles (warning: gratuitous snacking series follows).</span> <br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We did the Smithsonian's Museum of Natural History and the National Air and Space Museum.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><em>Smithsonian Museum of Natural History</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><em>Washington, D.C.</em></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><em>This elephant is in the lobby to greet you.</em></span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fv1O0AqxA-E/V1oTkmBsWPI/AAAAAAAADNI/JUz0oJ-XsCU0hnn6j0R9itz3uoI-XLthwCLcB/s1600/Smithsonian%2BNational%2BMuseum%2Bof%2BNatural%2BHistory%2BOcean%2BHall%2Bno-.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fv1O0AqxA-E/V1oTkmBsWPI/AAAAAAAADNI/JUz0oJ-XsCU0hnn6j0R9itz3uoI-XLthwCLcB/s320/Smithsonian%2BNational%2BMuseum%2Bof%2BNatural%2BHistory%2BOcean%2BHall%2Bno-.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><em>They also had a whale. Harper's second favorite place on Earth.</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><em>Learning about our ancestry.</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><em>Contemplating.</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><em>Harper took this one (I absolutely love it!)...</em></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><em>... and this one.</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><em>That night everyone was pretty exhausted.</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The next day was Savannah. Our five hour trip somehow turned into eight hours, so we got in late and hungry and grouchy and ready to stretch our legs. We walked around for a couple of hours, threw in the towel and went to a nice hotel for a swim and then straight to bed. Maybe another time, Savannah.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><em>We were here.</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><em>I really wanted to get a nice picture of this bridge., but by the time we passed it, it was too dark.Oh well.</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><em>Savannah had beautiful trees.</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><em>My new favorite family portrait.</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thank you for inviting us to your beautiful wedding, David and Kate! We will miss you both and all the Bauers!</span> </div>
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Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10151040426655323250noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-874312954918337532.post-32163878063865485002016-05-25T09:27:00.000-07:002016-05-25T17:43:33.413-07:00Exhibition<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Last night Harper performed at her gymnastics exhibition. It was kind of like a dance recital, but there was no routine and significantly more ways for the kids to sustain life-threatening injuries</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sorry the pictures aren't great. It was dark and the kids were moving and we were in the back. Still, you'll get the idea.</span> <br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HPeU-9z1V9k/V0XPOCYzZmI/AAAAAAAADE0/bSkit45SQtYkug5JVIORN6CPxDc2GrLIwCLcB/s1600/1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HPeU-9z1V9k/V0XPOCYzZmI/AAAAAAAADE0/bSkit45SQtYkug5JVIORN6CPxDc2GrLIwCLcB/s320/1.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">She had some anxiety at the onset of the performance.</span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pMSEGnO_52M/V0XPO2RTzbI/AAAAAAAADE8/WMKaPoa4rVEiRWPZUNFYvTXT8kA_tr14ACLcB/s1600/2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pMSEGnO_52M/V0XPO2RTzbI/AAAAAAAADE8/WMKaPoa4rVEiRWPZUNFYvTXT8kA_tr14ACLcB/s320/2.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is where years of balancing precariously on sidewalk gutters and low planters really paid off. </span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kU-Lr-_Tw0w/V0XPO85jPWI/AAAAAAAADE4/uqJBu8bof9YAA26BkJwcV7_jb93DI2RNwCLcB/s1600/3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kU-Lr-_Tw0w/V0XPO85jPWI/AAAAAAAADE4/uqJBu8bof9YAA26BkJwcV7_jb93DI2RNwCLcB/s320/3.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Butt Cupping" seems to be how Harper centers herself. Both figuratively and literally.</span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GYWW_fvFgqU/V0XPPPne7YI/AAAAAAAADFA/Eiog_AJj_o025iDtC3WCmBeCscuhRZ8KwCLcB/s1600/4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GYWW_fvFgqU/V0XPPPne7YI/AAAAAAAADFA/Eiog_AJj_o025iDtC3WCmBeCscuhRZ8KwCLcB/s320/4.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">She balanced like this for an uncomfortably long amount of time.</span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GuzVuF-DMA8/V0XPQe-IIUI/AAAAAAAADFE/UL0jJtDhXIIMavfiU3XqRwU21KweMSSWQCLcB/s1600/5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GuzVuF-DMA8/V0XPQe-IIUI/AAAAAAAADFE/UL0jJtDhXIIMavfiU3XqRwU21KweMSSWQCLcB/s320/5.JPG" width="230" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Bless those spotters! They take their lives into their hands with every stray foot and miscalculated landing.</span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ryssuzrInGI/V0XPRwDp8UI/AAAAAAAADFQ/8b_YxXwpjXcuhGJ4Xhh0crnzJK2GMvSDwCLcB/s1600/6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ryssuzrInGI/V0XPRwDp8UI/AAAAAAAADFQ/8b_YxXwpjXcuhGJ4Xhh0crnzJK2GMvSDwCLcB/s320/6.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Camera mugging mid-performance.</span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RVxvYn4R4Qk/V0XPR79n-kI/AAAAAAAADFU/bqW-1BYDfPQq1Cm7uutogzhnPZF8wfssACLcB/s1600/7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="190" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RVxvYn4R4Qk/V0XPR79n-kI/AAAAAAAADFU/bqW-1BYDfPQq1Cm7uutogzhnPZF8wfssACLcB/s320/7.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'm not really sure what was going on here but, be assured, there was a lot of this kind of thing happening pretty much throughout the entire performance.</span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3IuuIRV2Vv4/V0XPRcLZEyI/AAAAAAAADFI/7jfUsjre9sgBSvi2f6RXWh0CwnCYGBLVgCLcB/s1600/8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3IuuIRV2Vv4/V0XPRcLZEyI/AAAAAAAADFI/7jfUsjre9sgBSvi2f6RXWh0CwnCYGBLVgCLcB/s320/8.JPG" width="222" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Now we're talking! That's beginning to resemble actual gymnastics!</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jqzZGE7PIy0/V0XPRmbNM3I/AAAAAAAADFM/ITcJTwixmX8Gg130XU44ZsboNSMlp_L8wCLcB/s1600/9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jqzZGE7PIy0/V0XPRmbNM3I/AAAAAAAADFM/ITcJTwixmX8Gg130XU44ZsboNSMlp_L8wCLcB/s320/9.jpg" width="231" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Congratulations to all the little gymnasts!</span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2yiztkFpuV0/V0XPM5V2WVI/AAAAAAAADEw/0ohk5MibYso3c8nuMB0uE-2rm-43POsCwCLcB/s1600/10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2yiztkFpuV0/V0XPM5V2WVI/AAAAAAAADEw/0ohk5MibYso3c8nuMB0uE-2rm-43POsCwCLcB/s320/10.jpg" width="207" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And now we have this to put on our refrigerator. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Harper was absolutely giddy all evening long. Then, as I was loading the kids into the car to leave, there was this final exchange...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">"Mom, was I the best one?" </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">"Oh, honey! I can tell you really love gymnastics."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We can't wait for the next one!</span></div>
Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10151040426655323250noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-874312954918337532.post-81809667270312128452016-05-19T18:23:00.003-07:002016-05-19T18:23:42.128-07:00Almost Famous<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Look who made the City of Tampa Parks and Recreation video! (Hint: check out the ballerinas.)</span><br />
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/TampaParksRecreation/videos/629813870507939/?pnref=story">https://www.facebook.com/TampaParksRecreation/videos/629813870507939/?pnref=story</a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was only a matter of time before she'd make it big.</span>Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10151040426655323250noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-874312954918337532.post-35924032080834662362016-04-03T04:49:00.002-07:002016-04-03T07:31:57.049-07:00On the Subject of Death<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Harper: "If I died would you be very sad and cry and cry a large river of salty tears and your heart would be broken forever and ever and you would never forget me?"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Me: "Of course!"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Harper: "If you died I would be sad, too."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Me: "Thank you. But everyone is very healthy so I don't think you need to worry..."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Harper (interrupting): "And then daddy would have to marry a new woman..."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Me (to myself): "Well, he wouldn't HAVE to get remarried."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Harper: "... </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">and I would have a new mommy. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Will the new woman be nicer than you?"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Me: "I don't see how that could be possible." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">*Please note her use of the word "will" as in daddy is definitely going to marry a younger, prettier replacement mom before your body is cold in the ground and she will obviously will be a much better parent than you are currently. Nice. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10151040426655323250noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-874312954918337532.post-88349198932135216042016-03-27T19:05:00.001-07:002016-03-29T06:41:53.487-07:00Farm Easter 2016<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'm not going to lie: our Easter started out a little rough. Saturday night our brand new refrigerator stopped working and we lost about $100 in groceries. We didn't get a chance to go shopping for Easter picnic stuff because we were distracted with cleaning up the mess in the kitchen so we decided to just pick something up on the way to the farm on Sunday. Those plans, too, were dashed after Brad spotted a screw in the rear tire of the minivan Sunday morning. After a little improvising we packed a sad lunch made from the few things left that hadn't spoiled, loaded up Brad's truck, and headed out to meet our friends at the farm. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This year we celebrated with the Blackburns, the MacWherters (or Holy MacWherters, as Harper prefers to call them), and the Bullians. We did the traditional egg hunt and lunch and took lots of photos of all melee. </span><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dJ1QgjqF_X0/VviIHPwC_QI/AAAAAAAADCI/8aTWDv7TFwkdwsB5ImJMJ7qNs5f3fYHNw/s1600/IMG_1449.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dJ1QgjqF_X0/VviIHPwC_QI/AAAAAAAADCI/8aTWDv7TFwkdwsB5ImJMJ7qNs5f3fYHNw/s400/IMG_1449.JPG" width="365" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>This is as close as I got to an Easter portrait of Harper and Will this year.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Lame, uncooperative kids.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>It looks like a poster for an Easter horror movie. </i>Easter: The Rising. </span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rrd8ifxHw5c/VviISNyZA1I/AAAAAAAADCU/xZ1vBEkZom8-nAJXgPGEVRUflgKj7cSzg/s1600/IMG_1457.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="273" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rrd8ifxHw5c/VviISNyZA1I/AAAAAAAADCU/xZ1vBEkZom8-nAJXgPGEVRUflgKj7cSzg/s400/IMG_1457.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Funny Bunnies</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NX2T8R7YD4Q/VviIPlQ1cqI/AAAAAAAADCM/8gacTAPxsr4e9G9ZMRU-4HJ9A94veFIUw/s1600/IMG_1450.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="278" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NX2T8R7YD4Q/VviIPlQ1cqI/AAAAAAAADCM/8gacTAPxsr4e9G9ZMRU-4HJ9A94veFIUw/s400/IMG_1450.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Silly Rabbits</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UDX7pq67JZo/VviIQLt01CI/AAAAAAAADCQ/vz9_zCAEckcPEpcz1DBpCxCayMxo3Mmhw/s1600/IMG_1474.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UDX7pq67JZo/VviIQLt01CI/AAAAAAAADCQ/vz9_zCAEckcPEpcz1DBpCxCayMxo3Mmhw/s640/IMG_1474.JPG" width="404" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Snap Dragons for Easter</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xCd3MPdUbWw/VviIb4qpgzI/AAAAAAAADCY/cLAlA1WghrgT2IVz58nVf0nO8sLO7z5-w/s1600/IMG_1480.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xCd3MPdUbWw/VviIb4qpgzI/AAAAAAAADCY/cLAlA1WghrgT2IVz58nVf0nO8sLO7z5-w/s400/IMG_1480.JPG" width="307" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Fiona and Mimi</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kVTYYCcCkj0/VviIrz6e48I/AAAAAAAADCg/i5hsDuy_sHEgmCHpxb7tb5ko8CaWFOIlg/s1600/IMG_1483.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kVTYYCcCkj0/VviIrz6e48I/AAAAAAAADCg/i5hsDuy_sHEgmCHpxb7tb5ko8CaWFOIlg/s400/IMG_1483.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>On your marks... get set... GO!</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>(This is the only photo of all of the kids together.)</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p_GjEumoKH8/VviIm1wuxrI/AAAAAAAADCc/44DIrxkJinows99ZrPMNEUaWPYZFcX1zg/s1600/IMG_1487.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p_GjEumoKH8/VviIm1wuxrI/AAAAAAAADCc/44DIrxkJinows99ZrPMNEUaWPYZFcX1zg/s640/IMG_1487.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Beautiful Birdie</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0bXwkQZH7eY/VviIsgHhEtI/AAAAAAAADCk/gc-8grFUqJgtX1U8-UHM_jTj3VjnrP27g/s1600/IMG_1492.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0bXwkQZH7eY/VviIsgHhEtI/AAAAAAAADCk/gc-8grFUqJgtX1U8-UHM_jTj3VjnrP27g/s400/IMG_1492.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Will couldn't help but open his eggs in the field.</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sZT3u3Py0Z4/VviI0l3lpmI/AAAAAAAADCo/-UJjUmGS8B0B8wqx7_cbOtSNVddkJ5wVQ/s1600/IMG_1496.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sZT3u3Py0Z4/VviI0l3lpmI/AAAAAAAADCo/-UJjUmGS8B0B8wqx7_cbOtSNVddkJ5wVQ/s640/IMG_1496.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Jeremy and Birds</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KVVQq12-rOU/VviI77Gk5qI/AAAAAAAADCw/n7zNySxj-VwA6NiI79PIzVfKu676RConQ/s1600/IMG_1498.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KVVQq12-rOU/VviI77Gk5qI/AAAAAAAADCw/n7zNySxj-VwA6NiI79PIzVfKu676RConQ/s640/IMG_1498.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Easter Ham</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r_qCWVwisUM/VviJFdQaF6I/AAAAAAAADC4/PKfXM1K-88w_NMQDSuf8cAPT8hngQxuWg/s1600/IMG_1499.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r_qCWVwisUM/VviJFdQaF6I/AAAAAAAADC4/PKfXM1K-88w_NMQDSuf8cAPT8hngQxuWg/s400/IMG_1499.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Scott and Bradford had important grown-up stuff to discuss.</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wB56ex0Ih5M/VviJD0XZT8I/AAAAAAAADC0/kXgHAOne78g6wsclvSv0zLSO77gCmWryQ/s1600/IMG_1507.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wB56ex0Ih5M/VviJD0XZT8I/AAAAAAAADC0/kXgHAOne78g6wsclvSv0zLSO77gCmWryQ/s400/IMG_1507.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Vanessa was not falling for Birdie's shenanigans.</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WFNHl8DXWKk/VviJMFqBj9I/AAAAAAAADDE/gC8qqZSJPvsV04qf8GdaHSKQ5PE8Xq9PA/s1600/IMG_1508.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="286" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WFNHl8DXWKk/VviJMFqBj9I/AAAAAAAADDE/gC8qqZSJPvsV04qf8GdaHSKQ5PE8Xq9PA/s400/IMG_1508.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Jeremy took command of all kite-related operations. (Thank you, Jeremy!)</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pMrvY2D9-Yc/VviJMT12dZI/AAAAAAAADDI/c4acuHGne-8ccs-WbLydLd3XTcdemBkhA/s1600/IMG_1514.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pMrvY2D9-Yc/VviJMT12dZI/AAAAAAAADDI/c4acuHGne-8ccs-WbLydLd3XTcdemBkhA/s640/IMG_1514.JPG" width="440" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>The girls had a blast.</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gW1FS0VBmd8/VviJG_NmRbI/AAAAAAAADC8/gEGgn33YZa8l5oxa8Hn8A5ol4TWlBFRWg/s1600/IMG_1516.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gW1FS0VBmd8/VviJG_NmRbI/AAAAAAAADC8/gEGgn33YZa8l5oxa8Hn8A5ol4TWlBFRWg/s640/IMG_1516.jpg" width="419" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Harper went first. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>(Photo courtesy of Vanessa)</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eUS_x6RDWN0/VviJVIh1oVI/AAAAAAAADDM/ltAaHIkRgk4Py1F0sOJt1Gq9u-FAbBgIA/s1600/IMG_1525.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eUS_x6RDWN0/VviJVIh1oVI/AAAAAAAADDM/ltAaHIkRgk4Py1F0sOJt1Gq9u-FAbBgIA/s640/IMG_1525.JPG" width="432" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Mimi rocked the kite aeronautics.</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V72a-oQcoY4/VviJX-IP4FI/AAAAAAAADDU/jlSFn4xoV784Fu773WsBW_ghAPljKLJCQ/s1600/IMG_1533.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V72a-oQcoY4/VviJX-IP4FI/AAAAAAAADDU/jlSFn4xoV784Fu773WsBW_ghAPljKLJCQ/s400/IMG_1533.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Then this happened.</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gOLu4m1Sgjc/VviJWvQdTpI/AAAAAAAADDQ/VFwXHjt-CIozsw-BtbXyITU-CBVuxQL_w/s1600/IMG_1540.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="253" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gOLu4m1Sgjc/VviJWvQdTpI/AAAAAAAADDQ/VFwXHjt-CIozsw-BtbXyITU-CBVuxQL_w/s400/IMG_1540.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Even Birdie got to fly the kite!</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EQg0P_OntVw/VviJca8TumI/AAAAAAAADDc/xClKOu3fsQ8ZLwbMMu4XmTYTgv58FS8ug/s1600/IMG_1545.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EQg0P_OntVw/VviJca8TumI/AAAAAAAADDc/xClKOu3fsQ8ZLwbMMu4XmTYTgv58FS8ug/s640/IMG_1545.JPG" width="452" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Hugging it out.</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oqHMiIJxVbA/VviJfdxhSyI/AAAAAAAADDg/76Xa1wttaeML800i4fxJhAjbZ7iGnpgMA/s1600/IMG_1547.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oqHMiIJxVbA/VviJfdxhSyI/AAAAAAAADDg/76Xa1wttaeML800i4fxJhAjbZ7iGnpgMA/s640/IMG_1547.JPG" width="416" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Pouting.</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ceumcgNTlS8/VviJlrHvHZI/AAAAAAAADDk/OGstpWSyKvQ0aWOIdBEGSSY9xVULr7Frw/s1600/IMG_1548.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ceumcgNTlS8/VviJlrHvHZI/AAAAAAAADDk/OGstpWSyKvQ0aWOIdBEGSSY9xVULr7Frw/s400/IMG_1548.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Vanessa was not having it.</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AjsHlSR4FOM/VviJ7iTG8JI/AAAAAAAADDw/BgV-R6QKI5sg08sN8OHkLSaXJM6Y4VaRA/s1600/IMG_1559.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AjsHlSR4FOM/VviJ7iTG8JI/AAAAAAAADDw/BgV-R6QKI5sg08sN8OHkLSaXJM6Y4VaRA/s400/IMG_1559.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Off to the swing set!</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r5E2WFgmAU0/VviJp5e3lQI/AAAAAAAADDo/STncSUG-6kMSdIZeR3EgPCRATmKaKqCLg/s1600/IMG_1571.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r5E2WFgmAU0/VviJp5e3lQI/AAAAAAAADDo/STncSUG-6kMSdIZeR3EgPCRATmKaKqCLg/s400/IMG_1571.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Farms have so much fun stuff!</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SrLkl7E6WCE/VviKA_zA15I/AAAAAAAADD0/Ub-mJTcbJGUNa1-5WiUJd4L9IQKxcVBzg/s1600/IMG_1572.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SrLkl7E6WCE/VviKA_zA15I/AAAAAAAADD0/Ub-mJTcbJGUNa1-5WiUJd4L9IQKxcVBzg/s640/IMG_1572.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Will got ahold of his very own bubbles...</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3MfXDwkbrpk/VviKINjawKI/AAAAAAAADD4/byoFZ2XGv_IZ-eKOXCcss7UrS0Tb0Gwuw/s1600/IMG_1573.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3MfXDwkbrpk/VviKINjawKI/AAAAAAAADD4/byoFZ2XGv_IZ-eKOXCcss7UrS0Tb0Gwuw/s400/IMG_1573.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>... and decided to try them out.</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gcY0wsBABGs/VviKX8rnctI/AAAAAAAADEE/dfuBd0XsP38o06zZ8yNiFo_aE43qJzgCA/s1600/IMG_1574.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gcY0wsBABGs/VviKX8rnctI/AAAAAAAADEE/dfuBd0XsP38o06zZ8yNiFo_aE43qJzgCA/s400/IMG_1574.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Success!</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZoqQRw-eYe8/VviKY4q905I/AAAAAAAADEI/zC7UNQ76D94-ZOYQu8JrRbxX3CcCeaCBg/s1600/IMG_1579.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZoqQRw-eYe8/VviKY4q905I/AAAAAAAADEI/zC7UNQ76D94-ZOYQu8JrRbxX3CcCeaCBg/s640/IMG_1579.JPG" width="425" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Sweet satisfaction.</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kAHfQmt_CaI/VviKRPCrh7I/AAAAAAAADEA/raNyFe4axOwsQoCgmM2NwqVvzSzsFfSjw/s1600/IMG_1582.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="307" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kAHfQmt_CaI/VviKRPCrh7I/AAAAAAAADEA/raNyFe4axOwsQoCgmM2NwqVvzSzsFfSjw/s400/IMG_1582.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Then it was Birdie's turn to take the gator for a little spin.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>At the end of the day Brad piled all the kids into the tractor and drove them around the farm. The inside of the cab looked like a clown car.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In the end it turned out to be a perfect day. Thank you for spending Easter with us MacWherters, Blackburns and Bullians! We are beyond lucky to have you in our lives! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Happy Easter from the Booker Pack!</span></div>
Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10151040426655323250noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-874312954918337532.post-24115750402501759052016-02-23T06:51:00.001-08:002016-02-23T06:51:41.805-08:00Circle of Life<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Having a child is life changing. There is a reverence that you feel holding that sweet baby in your arms for the first time. He seems so tiny and frail, yet, there seems to be a universal wisdom behind his eyes. What would he say, you wonder, as you gaze down at him in wondrous adoration.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And then he begins to grow. His tiny fingers grow plump. He becomes more animated. You spend your days chasing him around the house. But still, when he sleeps, you glimpse that same wise sage you saw upon his birth. He is a peaceful shaman willing to impart to you the wisdom of the ages. But you are unable to understand.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Soon his coos and gurgles become words. He swims tentatively in a sea of consonants. "Dah-Dah" he forms carefully from his bowed lips. "Muh-Muh." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Little by little he begins to speak; a "dog" here, a "night-night" there. Our worlds are beginning to collide. What are you thinking, my little one? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And then, one quiet morning, he looks at you with those same sage eyes and says, "Mommy is a silly, poopy head." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And the spell is forever broken.</span><br />
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Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10151040426655323250noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-874312954918337532.post-17377743140065856352016-01-29T15:37:00.001-08:002016-01-29T18:13:58.287-08:00First Allowance<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Harper got her first allowance today. After marveling at the two stacks of shiny quarters, her sole purpose in life became spending all of them immediately. So after lunch we walked down to the corner drug store so that Harper's wildest fantasies could become a reality.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After much debate, she settled on one imported plastic, glowing kitten night light-like thing. It changes colors. Oh, and it's covered in hearts, so she <i>had </i>to have it. Obviously. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On the way to the register, Will spied the diecast metal cars (I should have had the foresight to take the next aisle over, and I have regretted my decision ever since.) and refused to proceed until he had thoroughly perused them. As I had just cleared out the toy bins of several gruesomely disemboweled vehicles (thanks to our future engineer), and Harper was purchasing something for herself, I decided to let him pick one out. He sweetened to a cherry red ambulance which we purchased in haste.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Not two and a half minutes after leaving the store Will LOST it. "School bus, mama! Not ambulance! Go back! Go back!" he wailed for the next ten minutes. He clearly had pre-nap buyer's remorse and my patience was wearing thin.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I reasoned: two year olds cannot possibly comprehend the weight of their decisions. If he were to calm down I might consider exchanging the offending ambulance for the school bus that he now pined for, and then my burgeoning headache might subside. So I asked him, "Will, would you like the school bus and not the ambulance?"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">He brightened immediately. "Yes, mama."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"If you are calm and sit in the stroller, we will go back to the store and buy the school bus, but there will be no more ambulance."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Yes, mama! Yes! School bus! New school bus!" He chanted cheerily, and handed me the ambulance. I kissed his sticky, tear-stained cheek and we headed back to the store.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It turns out that, shockingly, two year olds are fickle. He found the beautiful school bus for which he was longing not quite so spectacular upon our return. Finally, after an inordinately long decision making process, he chose a police jeep with a shiny light bar and articulated doors. We thanked the cashier for being so accommodating and exited the store.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Then, not thirty seconds after leaving, Will began bawling.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Go back, mama! Fire engine! Not police jeep!"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And that, my friends, is why you don't negotiate with a terrorist. </span> <br />
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Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10151040426655323250noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-874312954918337532.post-23867469801713897312016-01-22T09:54:00.000-08:002016-01-29T08:57:49.866-08:00Island Vacation<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Brad's parents very generously treated his entire family to a week long family vacation on Anna Maria Island. We just got back and are still de-vacationing. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The weather was a little cool but, for those of us who have experienced an unseasonably hot winter this year it was a welcome change. And, except for the tornado, it was beautiful. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The kids spent all week alternating between playing at the beach and swimming at the beach house in the (barely) heated pool. They ate nothing but fruit and cheese sandwiches and were perpetually shivering. Basically, it was the happiest I've ever seen them. Plus, it was Uncle Ed's birthday, so that made it extra celebratory. (Photo Credit: Ed Booker)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Brad's mother made matching skirts for Harper and cousin Zoe, and picked out a complimentary country-western shirt for Will so Uncle Ed could get some portraits of the kids together. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Our attempt at a family photo. Nailed it.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Cousins.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>I think Harper's face says it all here.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>This is the only one of Nana smiling. I love it.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>The Bookers. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After the photoshoot, we headed down to the beach and I got a couple of quick shots. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It was such a relaxing week I simply didn't get my camera out to take the pictures I wanted to take, so on the final day I got a couple of final shots of Brad and the kids before we headed out.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It was wonderful to see all the Bookers! We need to figure out how to make this an annual event. Thank you again for a wonderful week, Ann and Daryl! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10151040426655323250noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-874312954918337532.post-2032123220701659942016-01-12T12:25:00.001-08:002016-01-22T09:31:26.860-08:00Excerpt from a Homeschool Log<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">10:00 am Start
Time<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">10:01 am Give
puppy chew toy. Put puppy in the kitchen and lock baby gate. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">10:02 am Put
Truck Tunes on TV and Mighty Machines on computer for toddler. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Also place a
dozen of toddler’s favorite toys strategically around the living room.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">10:05 am Tell
schooler to finish with morning chores and sit down at the table. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">10:06 am Empty
dishwasher.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">10:07 am Toddler
wants a snack. Get toddler milk and graham crackers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">10:12 am Finish
emptying dishwasher. Start folding laundry.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">10:16 am Check
on schooler. Schooler informs me she needs to use the restroom. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">10:21 am Folding
laundry. Smell something coming from the kitchen. Clean puppy pee and poop. Put
puppy outside. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">10:31 am Toddler
needs milk refill.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">10:36 am Where
the heck is schooler? Find schooler engrossed in a book on the commode. Give
schooler 4 minute ultimatum. Set timer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">10:40 am Begin
schooling. Review homonyms. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">10:48 am Notice
smell emitting from living room. Change toddler’s diaper. Yell from the
changing table to have schooler start on handwriting book.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">10:51 am Realize
puppy is unusually quiet. Check on puppy. Puppy has dug a hole the size of a
basketball in the middle of the lawn. Feel sick to my stomach. Let it go.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">10:53 am Check
on schooler. Work through mistakes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">11:00 am Money
puzzles. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">11:03 am Toddler
is afraid of trucks- wants cuddles. Bribe toddler with alphabet cookies and new
video.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">11:05 am Check
on puppy. Puppy is chewing on unidentified mushroom. Run to the neighbor’s
house to borrow Hydrogen Peroxide.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">11:10 am Administer
Hydrogen Peroxide to puppy. Move homeschooling outside. Draw food webs in chalk
on the patio while puppy vomits the contents of her stomach. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">11:32 am Puppy
has finished vomiting. Clean remaining vomitus. Crate puppy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">11:37 am Back
inside. Write short captions for each of schooler’s drawings from the night
before.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">11:40 am Hear
toddler in the bathroom. Find toddler playing with favorite toys in the toilet.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">11:42 am Bathe
toddler.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">11:43 am Instruct
schooler to just do some pages in her mazes and puzzle book.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">11:58 am Dry
and clothe toddler. Add bleach to tub. Throw toys in tub.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">11:59 am Reconsider
going back to work full-time.</span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">12:00 pm Lunch!</span><o:p></o:p></div>
Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10151040426655323250noreply@blogger.com0