tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43004461760169170842024-02-07T09:29:34.523-08:00What I Did Today“I am not afraid of storms, for I am learning how to sail my ship.”
― Louisa May Alcott, Little WomenWhat I Did Todayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02499537538615641522noreply@blogger.comBlogger555125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4300446176016917084.post-64728565926565491672017-05-08T11:10:00.003-07:002017-05-08T11:12:20.625-07:00Today I'm Inviting You to My NEW Blog. <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Hi friends! I know it's been far too long. But I'm back. </div>
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Over here: <a href="http://spontaneousday.com/">spontaneousday.com</a> </div>
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Can't wait to reconnect with y'all. Be sure to leave me a comment so I can start following all my blogger friends again. </div>
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And look how big my girls are getting! This pic is pretty honest. </div>
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Do you know how hard it is to get four animated little girls to smile and look at the camera, with their eyes open, simultaneously? </div>
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Basically when it does happen, I consider it a miracle.</div>
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See you at my new website soon!</div>
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I'm also on Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/jamiebhappy/">https://www.instagram.com/jamiebhappy/</a></div>
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And Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SpontaneousDay/">https://www.facebook.com/SpontaneousDay/</a></div>
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What I Did Todayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02499537538615641522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4300446176016917084.post-16064269496395501982015-12-08T23:01:00.000-08:002015-12-09T23:02:14.651-08:00Today I Went to a Christmas Party!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Our church had a simple, potluck Christmas party with Santa Claus and face painting to start off the festivities. The girls were so funny! They were sooooo excited to see him the whole day leading up to the party and then when it was go time, Ash because totally star struck and tongue-tied. Britt was friendly but not her usual exuberant self. Elle cuddle up on his shoulder because she really didn't know what else to do, and Tate stuck out her lip and threatened to cry until a helpful elf handed her a cany cane!<br />
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Dinner was nice and I ate the BEST sweet potato casserole in the whole wide world. My breadsticks were snatched up immediately which made me feel good. :) The girls all got up on the stage and sang their little Christmas songs. Actually, Elle refused. I have no idea why, but she got really grumpy after that so we left. I was sorry to miss the rest of the prepared entertainment, but it was an hour past bedtime for the younger set anyways.<br />
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We are squeezing in as much Christmas celebrating as we can this year. I'm going to try to split my posts about everything between here and Instagram. You can find me at: jamiebhappy<br />
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What I Did Todayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02499537538615641522noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4300446176016917084.post-78372571705246772382015-12-02T23:04:00.000-08:002015-12-06T23:08:15.045-08:00Today I Saw Reindeer.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The girls and I decided to go to Watsons Nursery to check out the reindeer. I thought it would be a short trip, but quickly realized that the marketing team there has skills. They offered a scavenger hunt that took us all over the place and got us looking at the gorgeous Christmas decorations in their store. Prior to this trip I didn't even know they had a store! It was a win-win since I needed an ornament for an upcoming girl's night out ornament exchange. :) And the girls were very pleased indeed as there were flying reindeer prizes at the end of the scavenger hunt. I think I just stumbled upon a new Christmas tradition. <div>
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Anyways, the rest of this post will now be taken over by pictures of all the cuteness.</div>
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(excited)</div>
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(i went my whole first 20+ years thinking it was donner, not donder.) </div>
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(they weren't quite as impressed with us as we were with them.) </div>
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(tate. she's 17 months now.) </div>
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(elle. she's almost 4!!) </div>
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(britt, ringing the sleigh bells. she's 5.5)</div>
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(ash. can you believe she's 7?!?!?) </div>
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(they learned that those christmas flowers are called poinsettas) </div>
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(the end)</div>
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P.S. I reeeeeeeeeeally want to get back into blogging. Any of my old blogging peeps still going strong?</div>
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What I Did Todayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02499537538615641522noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4300446176016917084.post-65470730430256390782015-02-19T13:15:00.000-08:002015-02-19T13:15:25.067-08:00Today I Want to Turn Back Time.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Gone are the days of a cuddly, peaceful baby! **sniff** This little girl is now on the move and bounces back and forth between being happy and pleased with her new found independence, and sad and frustrated with not progressing as fast as she'd like. Today has been a particularly fuss-filled day. How did this baby get to this point sooooooooooo quickly??? My oldest three did not grow so fast, I swear.<br />
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Here is Tate. These pics were taken at 7 months. She's 8 months now. :)<br />
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What I Did Todayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02499537538615641522noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4300446176016917084.post-88454766771716084382014-07-21T21:32:00.001-07:002014-07-21T21:32:42.953-07:00Today I Just Wanna Show Off.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;">I'm no seamstress by any means, but I made these cute, easy, matchy skirts for my girls back in May and just got around to taking a picture of them. That's it. Nothing more. Just loved how simple they were and how cute they turned out. The girls were excited about the fish and mermaid theme. </span><br />
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What I Did Todayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02499537538615641522noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4300446176016917084.post-39665462814856953252014-06-30T21:02:00.002-07:002014-06-30T21:02:23.343-07:00Today I Wrote a Review for "Unbound Enchantment."<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I'm terrible at reviews and book reports but every once in a while something comes along that really needs me to weigh in. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Unbound-Enchantment-Unbreakable-Force-Book-ebook/dp/B00LB9DWP4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1404185448&sr=8-1&keywords=unbound+enchantment"><i>Unbound Enchantment</i></a> is one such book. <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
(i received permission from the author to post this photo)</div>
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Written by Kara Jaynes, this story the first in a series of novellas. And I'm hooked! The setting is an intriguing one with forest dwellers and city dwellers, completely pitted against each other. The city dwellers have luxury, science and education on their side, yet they are completely lacking in ethics and empathy. The forest dwellers are rustic and choose to live in a more primitive manner, yet they have magical abilities and definite grasp of right and wrong and the importance of personal freedom.<br />
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The story is action packed from the beginning! Both the female (from the forest) and male (from the city) protagonists are interesting and draw you into the adventure. I don't want to go into detail about the storyline or characters. Just know that they worth getting to know. I couldn't put the book down so it's good it was a short story, because it's not like I've got oodles of time for leisurely reading. I'm completely left wanting more and cannot wait until the 2nd book is published!</div>
What I Did Todayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02499537538615641522noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4300446176016917084.post-16098937011207513112014-06-26T09:26:00.001-07:002014-06-26T09:26:41.494-07:00Today I Have Four Little Girls.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;">Actually, I've had four girls for about a week now!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">(first picture!)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">May I introduce our newest little miss ~ <span style="font-size: x-large;">Tate</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">(she was bigger than I thought she would be! she would have been big like elle if she had gone full term!)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">She was born in the 19th and weighed the same as Britt at birth. That would be 7 lbs 11 oz. 19.5 inches (though the follow up doctor visit said she is actually 20.75 inches).</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">(sweet pea)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">She's a little sweetie and has got all of us wrapped around her little finger.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="font-size: small;">(Tony brought the older girls to visit the next morning. hair brushing is not a priority. :P)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">I was induced on the 18th because of high blood pressure, even though I was only 38 weeks along. They started with a cervix softener (that didn't really work) and then started me on pitocin the next day. It was a long-ish labor, but was mostly pain free. The more painful contractions didn't happen until my water broke (on its own). At that point I asked for an epidural (an added measure to control my blood pressure, as well as pain). It was a funny epidural that allowed me to feel my contractions at a low level and when the time came, the urge to push. But my legs were completely numb.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="font-size: small;">(love this face)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Pushing was the easy part. The nurse had turned off the pitocin at that point and my body stopped contracting. But I still pushed Tate out in under 5 minutes! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="font-size: small;">(several days later and at home. four sisters!)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">She was born at 6:49pm. Just a little bit less than 12 hours after the pitocin (and hence, my labor) began that morning. I was so relieved to see her! I had prayed the whole time that my body would progress because it REALLY didn't want to go into labor! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">My blood pressure is good now. Tate is good too. The girls are making a great adjustment. Elle is, of course, the one having the harder time with it, but I know she'll be fine in about a week. They all are so happy to have a new sister and Ash can't get enough cuddle time with her. Britt informed me that Tate is "MY baby, not yours or daddy's. And Elle is Ash's baby. So this one is MINE." </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I'm grateful for Tony who stepped in and took over everything, when we got home, so I could hang out in my room with the baby for days on end! The three older girls were thrilled to have so much daddy time. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'm doing well. Not healing as quickly as I have in the past. But I suppose that's to be expected of a body that has birthed 4 children in under 7 years! And now I have my Summer baby. To go with my Spring, Winter and Fall babies. :) One for each season! And I love that they were all born in even years. 2008, 2010, 2012, and now 2014. Do I feel accomplished? Yes, I do. :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>
What I Did Todayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02499537538615641522noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4300446176016917084.post-79020660016525311552014-05-26T21:13:00.000-07:002014-06-03T21:15:50.908-07:00Today I Went to the Seattle Aquarium.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;">How did you spend Memorial Day? Did you have the day off? Tony did. We decided to take our kids to the Seattle Aquarium. The last time we were there was when Ash was 6 months old. So, it's been about 5 years. And based on the cost of admission, it'll be at least another 5 years (maybe a decade) before we go back. Geez Louise, that place is pricey!!! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">But, the girls had a blast and I got a lot of fun pics, so I'm not gonna complain too much. ;)</span><br />
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(walking across the skybridge, looking down on the seattle waterfront)</div>
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(ash, attempting to turn the wheel) </div>
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(elle, experiencing the texture of a sea anemone)</div>
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(that's a biiiiiig fish tank) </div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
(britt found the octopus!)</div>
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(so many beautiful colors) </div>
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(britt and a fish) </div>
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(ash, watching the seals)</div>
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(my little family, on the dock - not sure why tony was wearing that coat...)</div>
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(cutie face) </div>
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(the girls had fun crawling all over this fun, sea animal themed sculpture) </div>
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(some of the many fish we saw)</div>
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(ash, was very descriptive about the fish she saw)</div>
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(my own little fishies!)</div>
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What I Did Todayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02499537538615641522noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4300446176016917084.post-58114026705852007022014-05-23T20:22:00.000-07:002014-06-03T20:23:59.920-07:00Today I Made Playdough That Smells Yummy!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
One time when I was dropping Elle off at the nursery at church, I noticed they were playing with really pretty, good-smelling, homemade playdough. I asked them how they did that and the teacher said it was Kool-aid. <br />
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So, I was excited to try out <a href="http://www.overthebigmoon.com/our-favorite-homemade-playdough-recipe/">this recipe, from Over the Big Moon</a>, for myself. The recipe, photos, and instructions are perfect so I'm not gonna waste time trying to re-create it. I also wanted to copy a friend of mine, who put glitter in her playdough and mentioned it on Facebook. So, one of the batches had gobs of glitter added. <br />
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I let the girls pick their own colors and we ended up with pink, purple, and red. They had a ton of fun. I loved the smell and that I <i>finally</i> found an appropriate use for Kool-aid. ;) This stuff is beyond easy to make. <br />
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What I Did Todayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02499537538615641522noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4300446176016917084.post-73041152445721170442014-05-21T22:01:00.000-07:002014-05-29T22:02:17.855-07:00Today I Got Out the Rainbow Ice.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Yesterday my girls and I filled various containers full of water, dissolved <a href="http://www.target.com/p/crayola-bath-crayola-color-drops/-/A-13972083#prodSlot=medium_1_1&term=bath+crayola+color">these colored bath drops</a> in them, and then stuck them in the freezer.<br />
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Today I pulled them out and let the girls play with them in bowls of water. Such a fun and simple activity. When it gets warmer, we'll do this again and throw them all in the kiddy pool!<br />
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(thawing) </div>
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(i told her not to taste them, but she couldn't seem to help herself) </div>
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(rainbow ice!)</div>
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What I Did Todayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02499537538615641522noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4300446176016917084.post-64836374665693513992014-05-17T22:24:00.000-07:002014-06-02T15:41:25.225-07:00Today I Set Up a Scavenger Hunt.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;">We went to a birthday party for my dad, a sister and a brother this afternoon. On the way there, I promised my girls a little nature scavenger hunt. I had purchased a little kid's camera for them to share (Ash was very <i>into</i> it) and told them they could take pictures of the things they found on the scavenger hunt. I also printed out a checklist of items in nature to find. You can get the free printable <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqU68vVb54CAjnu_1Gu7dxt0gM5nLtXDQpzkl-7eoLTpsegRmlSfmO4-sUh5xkosNVexV9EZp-QfwjNqUiCedXsYBg9iQDcZjXiLOoRKnx3YyDa6wxmVxSVDuzGN5JeNFFsJCqUero6Gs/s1000/nature+hunt+printable.jpg">here</a>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We decided to do the scavenger hunt at Lisabeula Beach since it was pretty much on the way and invited my brother, sister-in-law and their kids to come play too. We hunted and played and threw rocks in the water for about an hour, before heading to the party.</span><br />
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(got our checklists and ready to hunt!)</div>
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(new camera and a <i>really</i> excited photographer)</div>
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(picture taking in progress)</div>
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(lisabeula is a small, hidden gem of a pebbly beach)</div>
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(britt lost interest in the scavenger hunt quickly. elle never did more than scribble on her checklist. ash had to find every last thing and check it off before turning her attention to the throwing rocks in the water with her sisters and cousins.)</div>
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(my husband with his little girls and my brother with his little boys)<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Have you ever been on a scavenger hunt? Or to Lisabeula?</span><br />
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What I Did Todayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02499537538615641522noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4300446176016917084.post-85839769061721788162014-05-16T17:08:00.000-07:002014-05-18T17:09:27.894-07:00Today I Took my Girls to Dash Point Park.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;">This week has been broiling at 85 degrees. Until today. Today it was mid-70s and I consider that perfect. Being pregnant doesn't help when the hot weather hits. I should have taken the kids to the beach when it was so hot, but I was working to get a large order of unicorn horns (my etsy shop) finished. </span><br />
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See? I love all the rainbow colors! </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So we went to go check out the beach at Dash Point Park. I was really impressed. There is actually sand there! Most of the beaches are rocky in the Pacific Northwest. The girls had a blast of course. :)</span><br />
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(excited to go!)</div>
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(just arrived)</div>
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(elle's flip flops are a tad too big always come off)</div>
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(silly britt always has to make a face when i'm taking her picture)</div>
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(my three little joys)</div>
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(not cooperating for a mug shot of the sandy face)</div>
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(ash moved their stuff so many times because the tide was coming in)</div>
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(britt would be bored at a completely rock-less beach)</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> My favorite beaches around here are KVI on Vashon Island (because it's where I grew up and is interesting and lots of sand) and Alki in West Seattle (again, good memories and tons of sand). But Dash Point is one we'll be visiting a lot because it's the closest sandy beach to us and we all loved it. :) </span><br />
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What I Did Todayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02499537538615641522noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4300446176016917084.post-62953595137059625822014-05-09T22:00:00.000-07:002014-05-16T22:04:10.505-07:00Today I Cleaned Up Messes.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;">Elle has never been a particularly easy child, but when she started walking, she did become more pleasant and happy about life. Actually, when I got pregnant with this currently cooking baby, all three of my girls were going through really nice, relatively calm phases. For Elle and Britt it was the calm before the storm. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Elle turned two and overnight became a little bull in the china closet. I'm not exaggerating when I say that she breaks, destroys or makes a royal mess out of at least three things a day. I honestly judged other friends when their kids were continually breaking stuff before I had a two year old Elle. I thought they weren't being strict enough or something. Nope. That certainly came back to bite me in the butt! Elle isn't always purposefully trying ruin and break things, but it's becoming very common to hear her say, "I bake it." And she's not talking about cooking. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Today I decided to send Tony a text every time she did something "naughty" (he usually hears about it all later in the evening). </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here are the texts I sent: </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Elle recently covered every single page in a brand new library book with blue permanent marker. It cost me $16 to replace. So - if you have been wondering what I've been up to (besides growing a little person inside of myself), you now know that I've been trying, in vain, to keep up with my very busy, energetic two year old.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Britt has been going through a rough patch (ever since getting her tonsils out in February) and has reverted to screaming, tantrums and fit throwing. Instead of communicating through rational conversations. I'm not the most tolerant with such behavior so we're all working on patience together. At least she does a pretty good job of making me laugh by playing the clown when she's in a good mood. She's the biggest goof ball ever!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Ash has been taking on more responsibilities and enjoying it. I can't even tell you how grateful I am that she (usually) enjoys helping and being "big." I set her up with a sticker chart so she can do extra chores and working towards earning a doll or whatever else she covets at the moment.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'm on the home stretch. Due the first part of July. The baby doesn't appear to have any more heart issues (soooo thankful!!). I have gotten HUGE, which isn't any fun. I crave lightly salted rice cakes constantly. Elle is kind of obsessed with them too. She calls them "cakes." We went to the store to stock up and she was pretty stoked. :)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8KIgVqJrlbsa3_G9kmYFGPogK6-tWHVJ2_lq5QmRt2BE-G7lzidOirdwkJDJYkmzrXiHzaLD0pV_haz0dZJQ395LX_vNZvsAKVZTjd-LI1Usp-QC8goA6rmvCcque__fOzn5By1Yw52E/s1600/rice+cakes.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8KIgVqJrlbsa3_G9kmYFGPogK6-tWHVJ2_lq5QmRt2BE-G7lzidOirdwkJDJYkmzrXiHzaLD0pV_haz0dZJQ395LX_vNZvsAKVZTjd-LI1Usp-QC8goA6rmvCcque__fOzn5By1Yw52E/s1600/rice+cakes.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So, that's us at the moment! </span></div>
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What I Did Todayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02499537538615641522noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4300446176016917084.post-66130947619078819002014-02-12T09:45:00.000-08:002014-02-12T09:45:22.222-08:00Today I'm Completely Wiped Out.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Last Friday I went to visit my midwives for a routine visit. But it quickly turned stressful when the midwife pulled out the Doppler and we realized that the baby's heartbeat was waaaaay too fast and occasionally irregular. She couldn't really do much more but I was scheduled for my mid-pregnancy anatomy screen on Monday. <br />
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Tony got half of Monday off and we took the girls with us to the ultrasound. The tech couldn't tell us much but she could tell us that baby's heartbeat was definitely irregular. But she didn't see anything to point to tachycardia. BUT, the ultrasound was TWO HOURS! There were two reasons for this. The baby is very active (I knew that long before we went) and this made getting the needed pictures difficult. The other reason was because they needed so much more info on the baby's heart then they would normally. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCFTYjY8dhruyaFRekNh49uBH8tm9GxiPM75oEhzs6jxcvznp4NkT8a7q-IS3Wx5fCT5m-CUtX0u0JDKHZdmjCAAFvthilJ94aHjivT5oo-94jqPfAcGTpSgrxGaFlChZrb0fAL3Cg6l0/s1600/ultrasound+pic+fixed+for+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCFTYjY8dhruyaFRekNh49uBH8tm9GxiPM75oEhzs6jxcvznp4NkT8a7q-IS3Wx5fCT5m-CUtX0u0JDKHZdmjCAAFvthilJ94aHjivT5oo-94jqPfAcGTpSgrxGaFlChZrb0fAL3Cg6l0/s1600/ultrasound+pic+fixed+for+blog.jpg" height="290" width="400" /></a></div>
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We didn't really get any questions answered except that we are going to be welcoming Baby Girl #4 sometime the beginning of July! I'm thrilled that Elle will have her own buddy. She's getting tired of being the third wheel. <br />
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Yesterday I took Britt to Seattle Children's Hospital for her scheduled tonsillectomy and adenoid removal. They were HUGE! She had sleep apnea that made her sound like Darth Vader while sleeping, and occasionally caused her to stop breathing. We had to get up suuuuuuuuper early. Everything went well and she did so good. Quite the model patient. She charmed all the staff, of course. My sister-in-law and sister, Rach, were awesome and took care of the other two girls. My mom and another sister met Britt and I at the hospital and we were glad to have their company and assistance. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQjR8QGOyTfv-4mQTl1MSbYpMHUnsRC2zHuuCt1qOSomziXTOhgifj0yCP6ZX6LvBaRKD7AUOQtzQ8yaz7X1bgd8Hj8bX6C3ytxlljELXcQlIzaWWTcuoF8_5veWxX3zgbINEa6qWAqvw/s1600/Tonsillectomy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQjR8QGOyTfv-4mQTl1MSbYpMHUnsRC2zHuuCt1qOSomziXTOhgifj0yCP6ZX6LvBaRKD7AUOQtzQ8yaz7X1bgd8Hj8bX6C3ytxlljELXcQlIzaWWTcuoF8_5veWxX3zgbINEa6qWAqvw/s1600/Tonsillectomy.JPG" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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(left: cutie pre-surgery! top right: ready to go to sleep and last pic with tonsils. bottom right: groggy but tonsil and adenoid free!</div>
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Britt was pretty groggy on the way home and for about an hour afterward. Then she perked up when I showed her all the treats that she was allowed to have whenever she wants. She's been ingesting yogurt and popsicles like a crazy person! She's on an alternating round of acetaminophen and ibuprofen. The doc also prescribed a narcotic to be given if needed (which she didn't take all day)<br />
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(feelin' better)</div>
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I had her sleep with me last night. Tony was sweet and gave her his bed. She woke up crying around midnight and threw up. I gave her the narcotic and more acetaminophen and then she slept until 7:30. I didn't sleep so well because she kept randomly crying out in her sleep and then going back into deeper sleep. I'd wake up, thinking she needed something, and then have to get myself back to sleep. I'm a great sleeper, when I'm NOT pregnant. <br />
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Britt was super hyper when she woke up, but that only lasted for about 15 minutes. She's eating and drinking and I can't complain. She has been relatively easy. But I'm <i>so</i> exhausted from the events of the past several days! <br />
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I received an email from one of my midwives and can only assume that they aren't overly concerned, or that there really isn't anything anyone can do for fetal arrhythmia. Here is what the email said about the baby's heart, based on the ultrasound:<br />
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From the radiologist - "Intermittently detected arrhythmia, most commonly a prolonged pause between beats. One episode of fetal tachycardia was documented with a transient heart rate of 242 BPM. Apparently fetal tachycardia has been identified on clinical assessment. By report, a fetal echocardiogram has been scheduled, and is pending." <br />
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From the midwife - "Your ultrasound looks normal! I hear that you already have an echocardiogram scheduled to evaluate the fetal arrhythmia. Let us know if you have any questions."<br />
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The order for an echocardiogram has been put in but I was told they like to wait until about 22 weeks to do them, so they haven't actually called to schedule yet. I'm 20 weeks today. **sigh** It's hard to know that things aren't quite right but not know the whys and whats. This wasn't a problem in December (last time I was seen by a midwife). So, what happened between then and now? <br />
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So, that's the update on things here. I'm looking forward to naptime!<br />
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What I Did Todayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02499537538615641522noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4300446176016917084.post-86018344734504745882014-02-09T23:30:00.000-08:002014-02-10T00:05:46.607-08:00Today We Played in Some Fluffy White Stuff.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">SNOW!!!!!!!!!!!!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">It snowed a little right before Christmas and then again last night. So the girls were chomping at the bit to go outside and throw some snowballs at Tony and me. Church was cancelled so we took them out to play after breakfast. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Britt likes to throw snowballs, but she doesn't appreciate receiving them. Ash is all about making snowmen. Elle just likes to go back and forth between playing around in it and leading me by my finger for a little walk. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">We tried using a cardboard box, but it would only go about 2 feet at a time. Too bad our sleds are in storage 1.5 hours away! </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Long story. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I took more pictures with my phone. If I could figure out how to attach my Instagram account to my blog, I could tell you to go look over there to. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">In the meantime, some of my favorites:</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidA1SvllBLnNA5JeGwHCwQKrWY-c0fzefXy5tZh4oE2t6e4ZHNvqSozKRUU7EYyTYLjba5MwcAzJ0WTR4ysiRBSuENqORsmbmg-KoaIwOU-BiXCb4a2_vnQ3YJtfypnfUP3_0Y0Scmmho/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidA1SvllBLnNA5JeGwHCwQKrWY-c0fzefXy5tZh4oE2t6e4ZHNvqSozKRUU7EYyTYLjba5MwcAzJ0WTR4ysiRBSuENqORsmbmg-KoaIwOU-BiXCb4a2_vnQ3YJtfypnfUP3_0Y0Scmmho/s1600/1.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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(daddy had just pegged her in the head with a snowball)</div>
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(thrilled)</div>
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(britt-britt)</div>
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(love this profile)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoojQ__BHPDVjF8GAiJi_ciMwzlJ8wdWlfamLrUvyBdkxMVT9fFW47A9QLFpRjFtCGuhBoVT6tN5UJygvluDYyuB8d6utbw6ZTGGVN78foC0p_-plYmKVbhb4nIS4ZnEf7LJWmsIt6wUY/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoojQ__BHPDVjF8GAiJi_ciMwzlJ8wdWlfamLrUvyBdkxMVT9fFW47A9QLFpRjFtCGuhBoVT6tN5UJygvluDYyuB8d6utbw6ZTGGVN78foC0p_-plYmKVbhb4nIS4ZnEf7LJWmsIt6wUY/s1600/5.jpg" height="440" width="640" /></a></div>
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(can you believe she's 2?!?!)</div>
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(contagious enthusiasm)</div>
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(baby's turn)</div>
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(oops!)</div>
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(kitty cat eyes)</div>
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What I Did Todayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02499537538615641522noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4300446176016917084.post-91361381426754926462013-09-19T23:50:00.000-07:002013-10-16T23:53:29.689-07:00Today I Went to the Fair.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Today we went to the Washington State Fair in Puyallup, WA. The girls were quite impressed. It was fun. I don't have huge amounts of narrative to add. Just pictures. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ZaI8lHqJhEwgG9f1dktvSo50sesQ2shmsLYZWpGDM2gn-MXhnaHuzmKifZjnSxQpagNOGPvqkEAfvIf0APfFAnb976H4_GB0VVqt8TM7Z6ZmNrN_DwCY_eO2DnHd6uHQUUB2gSZTtTE/s1600/Cow+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ZaI8lHqJhEwgG9f1dktvSo50sesQ2shmsLYZWpGDM2gn-MXhnaHuzmKifZjnSxQpagNOGPvqkEAfvIf0APfFAnb976H4_GB0VVqt8TM7Z6ZmNrN_DwCY_eO2DnHd6uHQUUB2gSZTtTE/s640/Cow+Collage.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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(ash wasn't too impressed with the cow pies)</div>
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(the goats were a big hit)</div>
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(we saw a really fun steam punk acrobatic show in sillyville. unfortunately, we sat too far away to get a good pic with my phone.)</div>
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(lots of smiles today)</div>
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(we ate lots of yummy, not so healthy, food!)</div>
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Where you able to go to a fair this year?</div>
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What I Did Todayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02499537538615641522noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4300446176016917084.post-28628154289095269432013-09-17T13:21:00.000-07:002013-09-17T15:17:14.385-07:00Today I'm Going to Tell You Why I Choose to Homeschool. <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Ash and I had a great day, today! We are loosely following the <a href="http://www.sonlight.com/">Sonlight</a> Pre-K curriculum and since I call the shots, I'll be starting her on the Kindergarten curriculum when she turns 5 in November. Britt is doing preschool and will start Pre-K when she turns 4 early next year. :) Elle is just experiencing life and learning daily! </span></span><br />
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(ash, on the far right with her sister, Britt, and two of her aunties)</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Today Ash and I did a lot of reading and she did some work pages from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Developing-Early-Learner-Level-1/dp/0940406012/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1379440547&sr=8-1&keywords=developing+the+early+learner">Developing the Early Learner</a>, which she is almost done with. She'd sit down and do each book in one sitting if I'd let her!</span></span><br />
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(ash, with a mouthful of chocolate)</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">We read several stories and did some counting (I wanted to test her ability to match the physical number with the numeral and she did great) with chocolate chunks and an egg carton. She was spot on! </span></span><br />
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(homemade counting activity)</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">We also read about what nature is and went on a nature walk. I took pictures of everything she found and more! </span></span><br />
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("baby pinecones, mom!")</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Now, my reasons for why Tony and I choose to homeschool our children (not in any particular order of importance): </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span>
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<![endif]--><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Curriculum Planning (seriously, so much fun!). </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Closer
relationship/bond with my kids.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">More time spent
with each other (goes hand in hand with #2).</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I get to set up
the environment instead of letting virtual strangers decide.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">We can go as fast
or as slow as we want (no conveyor belt method for us!).</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">We can take a
holiday whenever we want.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">My kids get to be schooled based on how <i>they</i> think, learn
and experience life (instead of a failing system).</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">We can sleep in if we want (Elle definitely does NOT).</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Things are chill.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">No school shootings.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Little to no
bullying.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Little to no peer pressure.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">No school lunches
to pack.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I'm social but very picky about the quality of our social life. </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">No ridiculously indoctrinated
teachers to deal with (I worked as one and can tell you, we were fed a load of
bunk to parrot back to the parents of our students!)</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I make it my business to know my children and pray everyday that God will help me teach them what and how is best. For me that means not giving them to someone else to teach and raise for the majority of the day.</span></span></li>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyzk-M_Iv8A4t_R_svQIWvsCmeb0SOMCmHammmN0FE5g8iPFoqSD939bwzXmvI73uVY4XuiRDyIVU7crCiBh43P7AY857QdhdrpMl6m9uDm-Yn6hhMHLi5PCjArbP1hpvYfJbzEL3bWVw/s1600/clover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyzk-M_Iv8A4t_R_svQIWvsCmeb0SOMCmHammmN0FE5g8iPFoqSD939bwzXmvI73uVY4XuiRDyIVU7crCiBh43P7AY857QdhdrpMl6m9uDm-Yn6hhMHLi5PCjArbP1hpvYfJbzEL3bWVw/s640/clover.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
(all three-leaved and all heart-shaped)</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I'm sure that you may have found some of the words I chose to be strong. I feel strongly about this. I feel that the traditional classroom setting isn't a natural environment for children to learn in. I fail to see how one or two teachers can adequately help every child in their class. I also do not agree that the public schools, in general, can offer my children an appropriate or desirable social experience. I love spending time with my children. Is my house immaculate? No. Not even remotely, but the trade off is beyond worth it. And while I don't get a whole lot of "me time," I get enough and know that these precious babies will only be little for so long. </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX6jww_A9q6IS_VNR_wfrR3qPDG7_1vGIg5CWrEybAYvYSgyqdIpgxg7FlCPNejwVu4s7pCXwZpC4X_IP1H83BA1j0AfomwW1WUAvU9KL_6744dX-hMtFLlezYRSM2S7qQ-h_lE9Uz37Y/s1600/moss.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX6jww_A9q6IS_VNR_wfrR3qPDG7_1vGIg5CWrEybAYvYSgyqdIpgxg7FlCPNejwVu4s7pCXwZpC4X_IP1H83BA1j0AfomwW1WUAvU9KL_6744dX-hMtFLlezYRSM2S7qQ-h_lE9Uz37Y/s640/moss.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
(moss)</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Please don't take offense (if you are angry, I invite you to take a day or two before commenting). I am in no way criticizing anyone. I am listing the main reasons <b><u>I</u></b> choose to homeschool my children and recognize that others are making a different choice work for them. I also want to let any of you who might be contemplating homeschool know that while it <i>is</i> more labor intensive, it is also infinitely rewarding and 100% worth every minute of your time, effort and sacrifice (if you want to even call it that, which I don't usually). If you have any questions or concerns, I'd be happy to do my best at answering. I was homeschooled by choice, home taught most of my biological siblings (in at least one subject), studied and taught early childhood education for many years and consider myself somewhat knowledgeable on the subject of teaching, while still learning more about it everyday. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">My email address is: spontaneousday@gmail.com</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The following are more nature walk pics. :)</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOOpCgW54vGIreXqZDG1Wy-ms2QiRYpag6qAECoK6Dbj_9Pz-Bws6bvbiax3nyIDLcva3I3ulqEfj6GMum5OOuIHgFpx_q3gNVLDpzknsz8SswhGmd8mYusoxxrK6QPrYdFj7_z8keR08/s1600/frog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOOpCgW54vGIreXqZDG1Wy-ms2QiRYpag6qAECoK6Dbj_9Pz-Bws6bvbiax3nyIDLcva3I3ulqEfj6GMum5OOuIHgFpx_q3gNVLDpzknsz8SswhGmd8mYusoxxrK6QPrYdFj7_z8keR08/s640/frog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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(there are little tree frogs right outside our front door!)</div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl_7qZ1oq5Wn44DMUAkD3nqFSd6eL-0DCVv6i0EtpHve6tESsCWMikPmw-7zo0wxGryR7x-fzachiQK_dajTHZHiAGqP5VZDQF6R-4nIMxMZvcxQyd5Ilt4oJZJUjHaLB-iIYTwUKqmaw/s1600/look+to+the+sky+-+britt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl_7qZ1oq5Wn44DMUAkD3nqFSd6eL-0DCVv6i0EtpHve6tESsCWMikPmw-7zo0wxGryR7x-fzachiQK_dajTHZHiAGqP5VZDQF6R-4nIMxMZvcxQyd5Ilt4oJZJUjHaLB-iIYTwUKqmaw/s640/look+to+the+sky+-+britt.jpg" width="466" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
(britt)</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF5Zh6eBrdnO7NAbTmnTbzYdkawOHk815NWW2zjDKnxGi6yMiiGARZoZnT0Yl_mL_1Z01udo2-TdiMuQW7l-qWoiHuV7lxovpnoA49vv-y6bzCXR6J8u5b-FMKrYL59aaNYqjTFQ-azd4/s1600/mushrooms.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF5Zh6eBrdnO7NAbTmnTbzYdkawOHk815NWW2zjDKnxGi6yMiiGARZoZnT0Yl_mL_1Z01udo2-TdiMuQW7l-qWoiHuV7lxovpnoA49vv-y6bzCXR6J8u5b-FMKrYL59aaNYqjTFQ-azd4/s640/mushrooms.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
(mushrooms)</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXCD2uFB5ow2JICI3ekCXtcOmlylxAfkbu5JcejUn3ASQznLLNAxNkm7uZLK9Mgyyr9RZbNYJbFs6ltHVB25uDyum_20pir_7S_y7YWUngKkD8jiS9QUGQq7bk8SWOymM8fAqhJ6waXq0/s1600/sun+spots.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXCD2uFB5ow2JICI3ekCXtcOmlylxAfkbu5JcejUn3ASQznLLNAxNkm7uZLK9Mgyyr9RZbNYJbFs6ltHVB25uDyum_20pir_7S_y7YWUngKkD8jiS9QUGQq7bk8SWOymM8fAqhJ6waXq0/s640/sun+spots.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
(our classroom is wherever we are!)</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrT8h4lzUvuyXBenntTok18DjiT45jJJz9ok_2n1kSv3-jXAp_jLBLSrvAa3LdQyZbJJSO3wT5mh-aNz-mDrDbeGxWE2uWFSX6netrD_8dugCTBfbsKS90u6D_Hv4NTjFycID_d0i9hZg/s1600/sheep.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrT8h4lzUvuyXBenntTok18DjiT45jJJz9ok_2n1kSv3-jXAp_jLBLSrvAa3LdQyZbJJSO3wT5mh-aNz-mDrDbeGxWE2uWFSX6netrD_8dugCTBfbsKS90u6D_Hv4NTjFycID_d0i9hZg/s640/sheep.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
(sheep friends)</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjQzpguYaT4akcFyXJiW48OmEoCydlq9bwxy2eJCQ2hiT3tqMEXufP7tVmORdWC_i1d2aO067aUPeAgp41NPk-ydpnIM05rHdWn4o0fg4N_e0O8n70WNBdMQPGQ0iu1K98QglADwqCBFA/s1600/spider.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjQzpguYaT4akcFyXJiW48OmEoCydlq9bwxy2eJCQ2hiT3tqMEXufP7tVmORdWC_i1d2aO067aUPeAgp41NPk-ydpnIM05rHdWn4o0fg4N_e0O8n70WNBdMQPGQ0iu1K98QglADwqCBFA/s640/spider.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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(garden spider - these things are everywhere!)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIzHKrSuyN4CJAOR7Fodf1I58muBtoOH71jpOpmJOX8uRiyvAQLzwgbMGkSIsFG17GhcLKqQ0PhrdScQtDCEc8siCGGCndyHS0JqSM1xX41466YbQ1MixWJPkciBkgK0wqYlxqOHEzEso/s1600/tree+hugger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIzHKrSuyN4CJAOR7Fodf1I58muBtoOH71jpOpmJOX8uRiyvAQLzwgbMGkSIsFG17GhcLKqQ0PhrdScQtDCEc8siCGGCndyHS0JqSM1xX41466YbQ1MixWJPkciBkgK0wqYlxqOHEzEso/s640/tree+hugger.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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(tree hugger)</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">And just because it seems to be what most parents are concerned about, a couple more thoughts on socialization. Look at the kids you know. Then look at their parents. Regardless of how/where those children are schooled, if those kids spend any time with their parents, they WILL be the same kind of social as their parents. If their parents are awkward, the children will struggle with that. If the parents are involved and outgoing, the children will usually follow suit. I have yet to encounter a family that proves my observation wrong. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I loooooove that my friends were not restricted to a class of kids all my own age and that my peers and examples weren't just a bunch of immature kids, like myself, struggling with a lot of the same things. Blind leading the blind, maybe? My socialization involved people of all ages, from all walks of life and from as many nationalities as my community could offer. </span></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="http://www.homeschool.com/articles/Socialization/default.asp">Read this article from Homeschool.com.</a> I don't want to shorten it or paraphrase anything. Just read it and see more of where I'm coming from (though there <i>are</i> certain things I don't put any value on, like prom). </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I believe that as I let our lives happen naturally and my children are involved with family, friends, and groups they love and are passionate about, they will be socialized in the best possible way. </span></span><br />
<br />
<br /></div>
What I Did Todayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02499537538615641522noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4300446176016917084.post-54308565564807568242013-08-08T13:42:00.000-07:002013-09-17T13:43:33.494-07:00Today I am SOOOOOOO Proud of My Husband!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
He did it! Tony graduated on Tuesday and now we are in the Seattle area. The move was a whirlwind event that occurred right after his graduation. And a big shout out of THANKS! to my sister Rachel for coming to help. A life saver right there. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1eLHXUVkqALET4xd5HBVCoYgMfcFKkNU6EK-r4oSj5tBh3gm5nyUO7ZBFXu2BtoJ4PyqtuWTf1JxxXlngCf_9Z6_LBXwb7ldmi9Ol0CsMKFXd4HwlK4YG6m48jDIF2G-lTG90_PpyML8/s1600/graduation+day.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1eLHXUVkqALET4xd5HBVCoYgMfcFKkNU6EK-r4oSj5tBh3gm5nyUO7ZBFXu2BtoJ4PyqtuWTf1JxxXlngCf_9Z6_LBXwb7ldmi9Ol0CsMKFXd4HwlK4YG6m48jDIF2G-lTG90_PpyML8/s640/graduation+day.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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(happy man!)</div>
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Tony's graduation was nice and we skipped the first, more formal half because it was just a bunch of speeches that the girls would not have sat still for. The second half was when all the different groups split up depending upon their major. It was cool. There were a handful of great speeches and the giving out of diplomas took the longest!<br />
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Tony graduated with a degree in Communications with an emphasis in Public Relations. So, if you know of any positions opening up in that field...... lemme know. :)<br />
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Right now he's doing the required internship that all seniors have to do. It's most likely that he will have to do at least one more internship to get into a good firm.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1LG3aCA3byMDpedoyF02yQ-8L-ax8wXyexbsSUi5SYPbZeFkJ8D10mcjWI90eGsVnyOPAltmBdk0oRAZdrMQnECW0Yo1mozNEsAEqvyk1_Yx-ZbVzsRPRkr_ibC1Zh1ncLwudF_1t9zo/s1600/graduation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1LG3aCA3byMDpedoyF02yQ-8L-ax8wXyexbsSUi5SYPbZeFkJ8D10mcjWI90eGsVnyOPAltmBdk0oRAZdrMQnECW0Yo1mozNEsAEqvyk1_Yx-ZbVzsRPRkr_ibC1Zh1ncLwudF_1t9zo/s640/graduation.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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(our little family at graduation)</div>
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So, we're currently homeless. :P We're living with Tony's parents and we all share a bedroom, which is going better than I thought it would, except for when Elle wants to get up early and I don't. **big bags under my eyes** We're still trying to figure out a space of our own, where that should be and whether we really need a second car or not.<br />
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Apartments (which aren't even desirable) are way out of our current price range for 3 bedroom places. Some 2 bedroom apartment complexes won't rent to us because they only allow 2 people per bedroom. We have 5. And of course houses usually rent for much more than apartments. So, our most serious thought is getting a travel trailer and living in that for a year or so. <br />
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We'll see! No matter what, it's awesome to be back home. But I sure do miss my friends in Rexburg! Wish I could have brought some people with me....<br />
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What I Did Todayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02499537538615641522noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4300446176016917084.post-33895220769922711582013-07-16T21:51:00.000-07:002013-07-16T21:51:03.779-07:00Today I Let My Daughter Choose.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji1k0baPZiQnz62t_7ftY84L6O7NUhJERgIbsCPb8nwp9iZUQH7e2zDnyCZ5GQyNoxTH02eTIJv98z_Bz_IAhCsuk-Myomyhd2LwtzRdcunrXwC6YZAqGtcrO4rfJGj4t-J5GwO7X6gH8/s1600/eyes+open+week+3+-+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji1k0baPZiQnz62t_7ftY84L6O7NUhJERgIbsCPb8nwp9iZUQH7e2zDnyCZ5GQyNoxTH02eTIJv98z_Bz_IAhCsuk-Myomyhd2LwtzRdcunrXwC6YZAqGtcrO4rfJGj4t-J5GwO7X6gH8/s640/eyes+open+week+3+-+7.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">This is Britt, sportin' her new hair do. I took her over to my friend's house (who also happens to be my hair dresser) and had her chop Britt's hair short. I just think it fits the shape of her face so well, not to mention that it also goes along with her sassy personality too!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Then, today, Ash found a pic in a magazine that she must have found inspiring and decided that she wanted her hair cut too. She talked about it for over an hour. I have to admit that, initially, I tried everything I could think of to convince her to just leave her pretty, long hair alone! Then I realized that I was being silly. And controlling. And I don't like controlling people. And it's not like she was asking to to shave her head or put neon green streaks in it, for heaven's sake! **deep breath**</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I realized that I needed let go and act on what I believe. I believe that we were sent to this earth by a loving Heavenly Father to learn to make choices. And though my job IS to teach her what is right and wrong and guide her into good paths, and put my foot down when she wants to do something that hurts herself or others, I also need to let her make her own choices. Like, the majority of the time. How else will she learn about consequences to her own choices? Not because I told her to or not to. I realized that if she hates it, she'll learn to be more cautious when making snap decisions about her appearance. And if she loves it, she'll gain self esteem because SHE made a good choice. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Voila! Cute little, matching English girls!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiKbJIu2wZ2VNZEB0HZx4cZUOtttVYRJPSxfwdxzKDr2-3NzyLc3mdR1iEY9oMp7SJJf63yaaLRkXHzJHGj-e4tcvduL9wn2Ws7tGj0Ys042ltjsAA7pA0ecQWr7md7x2IslhIuyCVfNk/s1600/eyes+open+week+3+-+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiKbJIu2wZ2VNZEB0HZx4cZUOtttVYRJPSxfwdxzKDr2-3NzyLc3mdR1iEY9oMp7SJJf63yaaLRkXHzJHGj-e4tcvduL9wn2Ws7tGj0Ys042ltjsAA7pA0ecQWr7md7x2IslhIuyCVfNk/s640/eyes+open+week+3+-+8.jpg" width="640" /> </a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGe6xVBucy7UG8UrBSlQnd71wdfV0DAuf9DFX0Zn1zTkMQoO-Gzl2OEhZvMz8FIbMGZxM0m6i6TUdMLTyV2s2O3g-k91rLOEjPj_r1FHIROVwIkqgG2pSl1BpqyADlrUZU4Vz9WM8Gork/s1600/eyes+open+week+3+-+9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGe6xVBucy7UG8UrBSlQnd71wdfV0DAuf9DFX0Zn1zTkMQoO-Gzl2OEhZvMz8FIbMGZxM0m6i6TUdMLTyV2s2O3g-k91rLOEjPj_r1FHIROVwIkqgG2pSl1BpqyADlrUZU4Vz9WM8Gork/s640/eyes+open+week+3+-+9.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Yes, I think she's beautiful. They both are. Yes, I miss her long hair already. But, hair grows. Yes, I am so proud of her. She's getting so big and really is a good helper with her sisters. **tear*</span>*</span><br />
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What I Did Todayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02499537538615641522noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4300446176016917084.post-57700560879759829362013-07-15T21:22:00.000-07:002013-07-15T21:22:34.645-07:00Today I Took Pictures.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Hi friends! Long time, no talk! <br />
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Just wanted to share a current picture of Ash, Britt, and Elle. I've been practicing shooting pictures in manual mode. Today I was messing around with dark rooms and bumping the ISO way up. Makes for an interesting grainy look. Not my fave, but artsy looking anyway.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMFCVrT4bpcn2W5yVcmXlEWh9P94RViMZ036K9H3xtEc4ZrEoCuW1I5fCjsnV_UjOvZUKebFXz1y7wFCCm6LgqYROxQVqfgDDgF-Xfad4ch6XAcgIlPccVRf9f2IZ-ZaNQSKZ9Gus44j4/s1600/eyes+open+week+3+-+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMFCVrT4bpcn2W5yVcmXlEWh9P94RViMZ036K9H3xtEc4ZrEoCuW1I5fCjsnV_UjOvZUKebFXz1y7wFCCm6LgqYROxQVqfgDDgF-Xfad4ch6XAcgIlPccVRf9f2IZ-ZaNQSKZ9Gus44j4/s640/eyes+open+week+3+-+4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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(my favorite little people) </div>
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So, remember how I said I was gonna let this blog go dark and blog with my husband over at wordpress? Yeah...............<br />
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He lost interest, so I lost interest, plus wordpress is SO different and I just couldn't figure it all out!<br />
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School has been a major struggle for me and I've come to the conclusion that I want to continue learning, <u>but</u> I also want to be able to be a good wife and mom and still have time to do other things I want to do. So, I'm going to just take one class a semester. <br />
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I've also been doing CrossFit, which I absolutely LOVE, but I messed up my back and hip (from a former injury), so I've got to take a break and do exercise that is less intense. Boo! <br />
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I've been contemplating whether I should share the next bit and I think I will. I miscarried 3 weeks ago. I was only 5-6 weeks along and it wasn't a pregnancy that I was planning or expecting. Still, I was sad, but also grateful that I lost the baby early instead of later, as I tend to get more and more attached as the weeks of pregnancy progress. :(<br />
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Tony is done with school in a week. Graduation time!! Woohoo! Then we will be moving back to the Seattle area. So. Stinkin'. Stoked!! <br />
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How's that for a super quick update? I seriously miss you guys. But I'm not gonna go making blogging promises I might not keep. It'll be what it'll be. <br />
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What I Did Todayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02499537538615641522noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4300446176016917084.post-44728921408487337312013-03-30T22:36:00.000-07:002013-03-30T22:36:21.465-07:00Today I Am Moving On.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I know it's been awhile since I posted. I got lazy. And then we got hit with the worst stomach bug I think I've ever had. Tony and Ash got lucky and stayed yuck-free. Elle caught it and gave it to me and Britt. I literally wanted to die by the second day. There is one thing for being sick. It REALLY makes you grateful for health when it returns!!<br />
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Ok, so about the moving on part. I recently asked my husband, Tony, if he would like to co-blog with me. I was surprised, but he actually liked the idea! **totally stunned, but thrilled**<br />
<br />So, he has set up a completely new blog for us and I will be posting there from now on. We will continue with the "spontaneous day: what i did today" theme but you'll get to hear from both of us. And I think I will attempt to get more guest posts too. That is really appealing to me right now. :D<br />
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Here is our new blog link: <a href="http://spontaneousday.wordpress.com/">spontaneousday.wordpress.com</a><br />
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Hope this doesn't throw all you bloggy friends off! Hope you can make the switch easily! <br />
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(elle with a candy bunny bracelet in her mouth.)</div>
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P.S. I had several posts planned about stuff we did this past month. I will try to play a little catch up at our new virtual place. :) </div>
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What I Did Todayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02499537538615641522noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4300446176016917084.post-19441737624678886232013-03-11T19:56:00.000-07:002013-03-14T20:37:18.268-07:00Today I Weaned Elle.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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(what my sweet, baby elle looked like a year ago.) </div>
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Elle has been gradually weaning herself. She reacted badly to cow's and goat's milk. So I've been giving her rice and coconut milk regularly since she was....11 months, I think. Somewhere around her first birthday, anyways!<br />
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We were in a long phase where Elle would nurse first thing in the morning and then right before she went to sleep.<br />
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Last week she cut out the morning feeding. Today I sat down with her, after she was all ready for bed to nurse her. Keep in mind, we're talking about speed-eating. 5-7 minutes tops.<br />
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Tonight she latched on, sucked a bit (not long enough for me to let down), then looked up at me, right in my eyes, came almost all the way off and BIT ME! Then she sat up, pushed herself up and took up running, laughing and playing.<br />
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Just like that. We're done. I can't even tell you how I knew. But that is exactly what she said to me in her non-verbal language. It was the funniest thing. I've never had an experience quite like that. I've never had a child tell me they were done breast feeding, for good. It was my decision to wean with the other two. <br />
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Elle is in such an independent stage right now. She wants to do everything herself. She wants to feed herself, dress herself, make her own choices about what she plays, who she plays with, when she will received hugs and kisses, etc. It's so hilarious because she just doesn't have the mastery over her body yet to dress or feed herself very well! I've wondered if I should introduce the potty......<br />
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Anyways, so yeah! Elle is weaned.<br />
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**UPDATE**<br />
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She hasn't tried to nurse at ALL. She just wants rice or coconut milk! She was for real. Bittersweet for me, but I've served my purpose!<br />
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What I Did Todayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02499537538615641522noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4300446176016917084.post-84146878764381639052013-03-07T19:44:00.000-08:002013-03-13T19:44:47.029-07:00Today I Just Want it To Be Spring Already!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The girls and I definitely have cabin fever. The temps around here are rising but it's still too cold for the snow to melt! Spring is right around the corner! Why doesn't it look like it?????<br />
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I was perusing Facebook this evening and one of my adventurous, childless, outdoorsy friends posted pics from her camping trip to The Grand Canyon. It looked <u>gorgeous</u> and I felt a teensy bit jealous. :)<br />
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I'm just done with snow. Haha! Looking forward to Saint Patrick's Day (did I ever tell you I'm the <a href="http://spontaneousday.blogspot.com/2010/09/today-i-dance-to-high-kings.html">descendant of an Irish princess</a>?), First Day of SPRING, Britt's birthday, and Easter! That last two weeks of this month are gonna <i>rock</i>!!<br />
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Just hope Mother Nature gets into the festivities too....<br />
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(i bundled the girls up and took them outside. they loved it, even though it was cold and they kept slipping on the ice. and ash had a hard time riding her scooter. i just love this pic of elle.)</div>
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What I Did Todayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02499537538615641522noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4300446176016917084.post-43744327396256373702013-03-01T22:40:00.001-08:002013-03-01T22:40:40.602-08:00Today I Worked On My Biggest Order Yet.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I recently had a boutique owner from California contact me at <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/SpontaneousDay">my etsy shop</a> and ask for 20 unicorn horns! Yay! So, the past couple of nights, the hubby and I have sat down to watch a movie while I work on unicorn horns. Not the most efficient and quick way to make them, but they get pretty tedious after a while. It's nice to have something else on which to split my attention. Hope everyone has a great weekend! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVQpaL6c5eEtYTrgYrZHdpI9J_QcBYcTKPsDNuZBMwgQfjnCmadUFIl0hWGUnEBG9v7V1aBsKVydoHrvGnn2BoPdvdi0HMdmXaUuUmvJr6pHIiJsHxreY_p6ERqamGJud3ss4dYAC8pcg/s1600/unicorn+horn+project.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVQpaL6c5eEtYTrgYrZHdpI9J_QcBYcTKPsDNuZBMwgQfjnCmadUFIl0hWGUnEBG9v7V1aBsKVydoHrvGnn2BoPdvdi0HMdmXaUuUmvJr6pHIiJsHxreY_p6ERqamGJud3ss4dYAC8pcg/s640/unicorn+horn+project.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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(fun, bright, pretty!)</div>
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What I Did Todayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02499537538615641522noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4300446176016917084.post-87394468704906231262013-02-14T19:22:00.000-08:002013-02-14T19:22:17.444-08:00Today I Upcycled a T-Shirt and a Sweater.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I love the idea of re-purposing. I would really like to get better at "use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without." I see all sorts of great ideas online of how to upcycle clothes so they get a second chance. I love all the home decor posts, featuring items that are being re-used. LOVE IT!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJhStcXXYwu5vMb4KCR6u15tzB7dqWBt-nsRRonlN0F6f-M6JyEIjFS3npKj5lxfYuPqDenRCDqv9UIuWiT1mKAYmiRGCH6DRM8UalUfopw1fcEDwhiUImce7aLRrhwsVo5Ws5LPamfyQ/s1600/valentine's+day+2013+-+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJhStcXXYwu5vMb4KCR6u15tzB7dqWBt-nsRRonlN0F6f-M6JyEIjFS3npKj5lxfYuPqDenRCDqv9UIuWiT1mKAYmiRGCH6DRM8UalUfopw1fcEDwhiUImce7aLRrhwsVo5Ws5LPamfyQ/s640/valentine's+day+2013+-+1.jpg" width="474" /></a></div>
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(blurry, but still super cute. especially since hugs are not always something britt enjoys giving or receiving from her big sister)</div>
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Today is my first time, that I can remember, taking two shirts that were headed for the second hand store (because they were stained) and turning them into something worth keeping. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7lHuqTlU8dxgj0Hhazab0ixDmyK-sPG2Moz0d-OouPgWuUSq-o45KkuEZR308yvRWCcXo5Upy-LbZbhgDO_gh5TEtrn06em9MYM367VJXlbKMn6eRdkivZdvnl_eFNcGTAQULI883wA8/s1600/valentine's+day+2013+-+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7lHuqTlU8dxgj0Hhazab0ixDmyK-sPG2Moz0d-OouPgWuUSq-o45KkuEZR308yvRWCcXo5Upy-LbZbhgDO_gh5TEtrn06em9MYM367VJXlbKMn6eRdkivZdvnl_eFNcGTAQULI883wA8/s640/valentine's+day+2013+-+4.jpg" width="474" /></a></div>
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(elle in her sweet outfit. remember seeing it on britt, <a href="http://spontaneousday.blogspot.com/2011/02/today-im-washing-packing-up-sweet.html">way back when</a>? i do <i>not</i> save that many firsts anymore.)</div>
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Reason: Elle got Britt's adorable hand-me-down Valentine's Day outfit. But Britt and Ash had nothing. I do not have the funds to run out and buy cute t-shirts right now, especially for a one day celebration. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA-MD9jdOoAgH0HXaSz5f1-xgeKfQQc2lpGRP3h3DPSFcFZo2jEJzlxoyPAMtoDdixgnirz7F9T6ckz5qQKszNF8UrtF-csto0cGL31xL1J4x1dPYNCCCEgkt9RscO4J9gg6IKkI9pywo/s1600/valentine's+day+2013+-+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA-MD9jdOoAgH0HXaSz5f1-xgeKfQQc2lpGRP3h3DPSFcFZo2jEJzlxoyPAMtoDdixgnirz7F9T6ckz5qQKszNF8UrtF-csto0cGL31xL1J4x1dPYNCCCEgkt9RscO4J9gg6IKkI9pywo/s640/valentine's+day+2013+-+5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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(my 3 little sweeties. <i>most</i> of the time!)</div>
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So - I dug around in a bag I have of mostly white clothes that I have been planning to try to bleach the stains out of before giving up on them. I must admit, those clothes have been in that bag for a year. The only two tops that worked were both too big for Britt and Ash, but better than too small, right?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiwo0lCy-pVIQ0k1be8IbUfE_WWThOQCfEpZfI_Dm1JY_tqmm0j-xw9VVGKnCcm-VD0cn8qPCQW1mGHotsZ_x5pkd866FWfRlEsUiQAeEEjpBbN3Jm0RYAwyK2ethoq6bR2GT9ST2Qfec/s1600/valentine's+day+2013+-+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiwo0lCy-pVIQ0k1be8IbUfE_WWThOQCfEpZfI_Dm1JY_tqmm0j-xw9VVGKnCcm-VD0cn8qPCQW1mGHotsZ_x5pkd866FWfRlEsUiQAeEEjpBbN3Jm0RYAwyK2ethoq6bR2GT9ST2Qfec/s640/valentine's+day+2013+-+2.jpg" width="374" /></a></div>
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(too excited! would not make a "normal" face at all. heehee!)</div>
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The tops were already clean. I just ironed them, held them up to the outside light to see exactly where the stains where and then grabbed the felt and fabric glue. For Britt's I glued the hearts first, then stitched. I didn't glue Ash's because I wasn't sure if I wanted her felt heart to be permanent or not. Plus, it's a chunky knit and the glue would have gone through, most likely.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgujBoAFyNssLc5Qy9NBhWd6cEUaO8IADtZKzgU7M0YiBq4Pdyin-02Jr9A1FshMep6L37l3gZwaVUhyMZ-K4rcWgTpgUjWzSpgjpTVFCTwiGBmQTvWNzBebB5LJFHI0tlRb3lwDpT3E64/s1600/valentine's+day+2013+-+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgujBoAFyNssLc5Qy9NBhWd6cEUaO8IADtZKzgU7M0YiBq4Pdyin-02Jr9A1FshMep6L37l3gZwaVUhyMZ-K4rcWgTpgUjWzSpgjpTVFCTwiGBmQTvWNzBebB5LJFHI0tlRb3lwDpT3E64/s640/valentine's+day+2013+-+3.jpg" width="406" /></a></div>
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(see? so big, it's falling off her shoulders. but stinkin' adorable regardless!)</div>
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I'm really pleased with how they turned out!<br />
I love upcycling!<br />
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I've decided that these are not soooo valentine-y that they can only be worn one day. I'm gonna put Britt's away for Spring or Summer (hopefully she grows a bit) and she can wear it more then. Ash can keep wearing her sweater for the next 2 freezing cold months we have yet to get through. Spring doesn't usually arrive on time around here. <br />
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What I Did Todayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02499537538615641522noreply@blogger.com10