tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79331565964902644942024-03-05T22:23:54.299-07:00The Harseversewillowspritehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08581052700056433483noreply@blogger.comBlogger432125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7933156596490264494.post-71317321999262348272016-10-31T00:05:00.000-06:002016-11-02T00:06:05.029-06:00<img alt="What a boss" src="http://adam4d.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/2015-03-18-tyndale1.png" /><img alt="What a boss" src="http://adam4d.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/2015-03-18-tyndale2.png" /><img alt="What a boss" src="http://adam4d.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/2015-03-18-tyndale3.png" /><img alt="What a boss" src="http://adam4d.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/tyndale41.png" /><img alt="What a boss" src="http://adam4d.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/2015-03-18-tyndale5.png" /><img alt="What a boss" src="http://adam4d.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/2015-03-18-tyndale6.png" /><img alt="What a boss" src="http://adam4d.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/2015-03-18-tyndale7.png" /><br />
<img alt="What a boss" src="http://adam4d.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/2015-03-18-tyndale8.png" /><br />
<img alt="What a boss" src="http://adam4d.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/2015-03-18-tyndale9.png" />willowspritehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08581052700056433483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7933156596490264494.post-56856069701422160822015-10-31T22:46:00.001-06:002015-10-31T22:46:20.175-06:00Happy Reformation Day!<div style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; padding: 0px 0px 15px;">
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What is Reformation Day? To answer that question, let’s ask another question. When is Reformation Day? It’s October 31; it commemorates the events of October 31, 1517. On that day, Martin Luther, an Augustinian monk, nailed his <a href="http://5minutesinchurchhistory.com/martin-luther-top-5-of-the-95/" style="color: #666666; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" target="_blank" title="Martin Luther: Top 5 of the 95">Ninety-Five Theses</a> to the church door in Wittenberg, Germany. Now, why would Luther do that? To answer this question, we need to introduce a few more characters.</div>
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One of those characters was Albert of Brandenburg. Albert was not old enough to be a bishop, yet in 1517, he was already bishop over two cities, which was against church law. On top of that, he wanted to be archbishop of Mainz. To hold three offices was also against church law, which meant that Albert needed a papal dispensation.</div>
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So now, Pope Leo X enters our story. Leo was from the Medici family of Florence. The Medici were a prominent banking clan and patrons of the arts. It was Leo who brought Michelangelo in to paint the Sistine Chapel ceiling in the Vatican. Albert met with Leo about getting a dispensation, and like good businessmen they struck a deal. For ten thousand ducats, Albert could have his three bishoprics. But Albert had a problem: his money was largely in land and not in cash, so he needed to raise the money.</div>
<pullquote style="color: #ff1800; float: left; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 23px; font-style: italic; letter-spacing: 1px; line-height: 30.59px; margin: 0px; padding: 12.2969px 30.75px 12.2969px 0px; width: 184.5px;">The real main character in Reformation Day is not Luther. It’s the Word of God.</pullquote><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; padding: 0px 0px 15px;">
And so another character enters, the enterprising friar Johann Tetzel. He sold indulgences on Albert’s behalf, and some of the money went to help Albert pay the cost of becoming archbishop of Mainz. These indulgences were supplied by the pope and not only provided for past sins to be forgiven but for future sins to be forgiven as well. And these indulgences also allowed the buyer to get his relatives out of purgatory. And so Tetzel began selling these indulgences, using a jingle to sell them: “As soon as a coin in the coffer rings, the soul from purgatory springs.”</div>
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This development deeply troubled Luther. He saw how these things were contrary to the church’s doctrine at the time, and he watched as the people under his care went to buy Tetzel’s indulgences. So, he did what a scholar could do. He went into his study and penned his Ninety-Five Theses to invite public debate. He posted the theses on October 31.</div>
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The very first thesis says this: “Our Lord and Master Jesus Christ, when He said ‘Repent,’ willed that the whole life of believers should be repentance.” It’s fascinating that Luther makes this reference to Jesus’ calling people to “repent” in Matthew 4:17. There is something else that came into play here, something else that explains Reformation Day.</div>
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In 1516, the Greek New Testament was published by the humanist scholar Desiderius Erasmus. And when Luther read the Greek New Testament, he realized that the Latin Vulgate—for centuries, the official text of the church—was wrong. The Vulgate had translated the Greek word in question—rendered in English as “repent”—as “do penance.” This translation had served for centuries to support the Roman Catholic sacramental system.</div>
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The real main character in Reformation Day is not Luther. It’s the Word of God. What Luther discovered as a monk is that for centuries, the true teachings of the Word of God had been hidden by century upon century of tradition. That’s what Reformation Day is about: it’s about pulling back the covers and releasing the power of the Word of God and the beauty and the truth of the gospel. That’s why we celebrate Reformation Day.</div>
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<strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Also listen to:</strong></div>
<ul style="clear: both; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 20px;">
<li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://5minutesinchurchhistory.com/martin-luther-top-5-of-the-95/" style="color: #666666; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" target="_blank" title="Martin Luther: Top 5 of the 95">Martin Luther: Top 5 of the 95</a></li>
<li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://5minutesinchurchhistory.com/martin-luther-the-95-theses-take-2/" style="color: #666666; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" target="_blank" title="Martin Luther: The 95 Theses, Take 2">Martin Luther: The 95 Theses, Take 2</a></li>
<li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://5minutesinchurchhistory.com/bride-reformation/" style="color: #666666; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" target="_blank" title="Bride of the Reformation">Bride of the Reformation</a></li>
</ul>
<div style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; padding: 0px 0px 15px;">
<strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Stay connected with <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">5 Minutes in Church History</em> by getting the weekly podcast on <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/5-minutes-in-church-history/id684370851" style="color: #666666; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" target="_blank">iTunes</a>, <a href="https://soundcloud.com/5churchhistory" style="color: #666666; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" target="_blank">SoundCloud</a>, or via <a href="http://feeds.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/5ChurchHistory" style="color: #666666; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" target="_blank">RSS</a>. </strong></div>
willowspritehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08581052700056433483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7933156596490264494.post-30100540424149004602015-08-04T21:16:00.001-06:002015-08-04T21:16:26.000-06:00Family Visit!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Mom and Dad came to visit! Although it seemed too short, it was lovely hosting them out here. Thanks for the chats, coffee times, walks, and all the activities you did with the kids. And that particularly hilarious game of Quiddler! We love and miss you! Thank you for visiting us!<br />
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Preparing a welcome banner to hang in their room.<br />
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Playing dominoes!<br />
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Gramma brought some craft supplies. They made their own foam visors.<br />
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Making use of the packaging materials from our new daybed/pullout double bed. Tracing figures.<br />
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Hanging out in the warm sun!<br />
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Gramma's turn!<br />
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C-note hanging out with Grampa and reading.<br />
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The nightly story ritual.<br />
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Campfire and s'mores!<br />
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Lots of visits to the local park.<br />
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Swimming at the pool in a nearby town.<br />
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Of course we had to stop by the school to check out the new renovations. This is C-note's new classroom!<br />
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Beach day at Long Island Lake!<br />
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Helping re-shingle our sad, sad shed.<br />
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Stopped by our new church building to see how it was getting along.</div>
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Bye Gwampa! See you next year!willowspritehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08581052700056433483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7933156596490264494.post-24388024989637526772015-07-01T21:57:00.001-06:002015-07-01T21:57:27.124-06:00Two Years<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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On Sunday we celebrated two years of having little Strawberry in our lives! <a href="http://harseverse.blogspot.ca/2013/07/our-little-girl.html" target="_blank">Her birth</a> seems so long ago! She arrived in quite a tumultuous time in our lives as a family. Stu had just been diagnosed with skin cancer two months before her birth. In May of 2013 we learned that he had melanoma, and required surgery twice. They took so much skin from his arm they had to bend it back a bit and put a cast on, which made it hard to help out and hold the baby when she arrived! Lots of meetings with a dermatologist, surgeon and oncologist followed.<br />
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After his second surgery, the surgeon told us that the depth of the spot indicated there may be a chance it had moved into his lymphatic system, so a biopsy of several lymph nodes. which included injecting radioactive dye, which was quite painful, and full body scan. The cancer was present in one of them, so a right radical auxiliary dissection was ordered for him, which removed all of the lymph nodes from his ribs to his neck, including his arm. Thankfully this surgery was scheduled right when Stu's parents had come to visit so we had extra help, as Strawberry was only a few weeks old, and it required an overnight stay in the city, and I was still recovering from a cesarean section. He had to wear a drainage tube for a couple of weeks to get rid of fluid buildup, which was awkward and became infected after a while.<br />
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So, although it was a frightening and uncertain time for us, we put our trust in God to carry us through yet another trial, because we know, whatever happens, He hold us in His hand. We were blessed with helping hands in our community as we were both recovering. There's always a chance of it returning, but our dermatologist sees us every four months to check his spots and watch for any changes, and every year he needs a full body PET scan. He also needs to be careful lifting heavy things with his right arm, and watch for swelling, as it could lead to lymphedema. <br />
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So, yes, this is not only a post about Strawberry's birthday, but also a little about what was going on in our lives as well during her arrival! Because whenever I think about when she was born, I can't help but think of that entire summer our lives were turned upside down again. I've always meant to write the story, I just haven't yet! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTOqFGTWfcVgfcR1CnqRl39Lww-UWErj286YHHAsMNgcN7YIKA0Nmf-6mFJhGYYev6QzF8CZuB0EfmUCTcJQFml6zIn-hIiuXiWPf79X5xXKLc7cFQWGwNKh0y1dJ_MJ05-rNwWEh1h_Y/s1600/IMG_3683.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTOqFGTWfcVgfcR1CnqRl39Lww-UWErj286YHHAsMNgcN7YIKA0Nmf-6mFJhGYYev6QzF8CZuB0EfmUCTcJQFml6zIn-hIiuXiWPf79X5xXKLc7cFQWGwNKh0y1dJ_MJ05-rNwWEh1h_Y/s320/IMG_3683.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Loves to swing!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim0VypVnBoRLynn-LjGzwlAtI0ZpF0tAIIjigQgMP0HlvH5IViKoJ08lGoO-qZxRR2z7rgaUoHuYSB5LHIyaIrxideLAtVHv2ASmpxZkW7NNNJZsJpzZM3JK-H3x8AOCkC6jhnMDamRrU/s1600/IMG_3571.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim0VypVnBoRLynn-LjGzwlAtI0ZpF0tAIIjigQgMP0HlvH5IViKoJ08lGoO-qZxRR2z7rgaUoHuYSB5LHIyaIrxideLAtVHv2ASmpxZkW7NNNJZsJpzZM3JK-H3x8AOCkC6jhnMDamRrU/s320/IMG_3571.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Loves to read!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Loves playing with her big brother, and inseperable from her pink bunny.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Loves to dance</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was too hot to bake a cake for her birthday, so we had ice cream!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All three kiddies</td></tr>
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Dear Strawberry, you're a bright light in our lives. You are an intelligent, goofy-but-mostly-serious, snuggly, and sometimes quite demanding little girl, and we love you so much! Keep singing your little ditties and dancing your crazy dances! And we don't mind that you save your smiles and giggles for us (and one close friend!)<br />
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<br />willowspritehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08581052700056433483noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7933156596490264494.post-6803191104956869592015-04-23T00:03:00.002-06:002015-10-20T11:28:13.319-06:00Salted Honey Caramels<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Ever since I began making my own chocolates, truffles, and candy I have found store bought stuff to be pretty bland and...cardboardish tasting. I have discovered that nothing compares to freshly made confectionery cooked up in your kitchen and made with real ingredients. Whenever whipping cream is on sale, you can be sure I'll be cooking up a batch of these mouth-watering morsels!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">These caramels are buttery smooth and delicious, it's hard to eat just one! They are also super easy to make, you just need some time. I recommend using a candy thermometer for accurate results. You can pick one up at a department or hardware store in the kitchen supply section for about $5.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I started with a basic caramel recipe from <a href="http://www.joyofbaking.com/candy/Caramels.html" target="_blank">Joy of Baking</a>. I don't buy corn syrup and after a bit of research discovered honey can be an acceptable substitute, which is perfect for a gal who has plenty of local unpasturized honey at her disposal. Have fun trying it out!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Salted Honey Caramels</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span class="bod"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">1 1/2 cups heavy 'whipping' cream (cream with a 35-40% butterfat content)</span></span><br />
<span class="bod"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">1 cup granulated white sugar</span></span><br />
<span class="bod"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">2/3 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar</span></span><br />
<span class="bod"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">1/3 cup honey</span></span><br />
<span class="bod"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract</span></span><br />
<span class="bod"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">3/4 teaspoons kosher salt</span></span><br />
<span class="bod"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">1/4 cup butter, diced</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Extra salt for sprinkling</span><br />
<span class="bod"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span><span class="bod"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Line an 8 inch (20 cm) square baking pan parchment paper. Set aside.</span></span><br />
<span class="bod"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span><span class="bod"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">In a large, heavy bottomed saucepan, stir together the cream, sugars, honey and salt. Place the saucepan over medium high heat and bring to a boil, stirring constantly with a rubber spatula. Once it is boiling, stop stirring and c</span>lamp a candy thermometer to the side of the saucepan. Make sure the bottom of the thermometer isn't touching the bottom of the pan. </span><br />
<span class="bod"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span><span class="bod"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Every few minutes I take my rubber spatula and run it around the edge of the pan and give the works a stir. Keep checking your thermometer once it nears the 240 degree mark, because the hotter it gets, the quicker the temperature rises...aka don't try doing something else while you are making caramels or you will end up with rock hard candies that still taste amazing but are really hard to cut. Not that <i>I've</i> ever done that. </span></span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Ahem. </span><br />
<span class="bod"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span><span class="bod"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Boil the mixture over medium high heat until the temperature reaches 250 degrees F. </span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Once you've reached that sweet spot - I stop<i> juuuust </i>before the 250 degree mark - take it off the stove and stir in your butter and vanilla, mixing until all the butter has melted. Pour into your prepared pan. If you so desire, sprinkle a little kosher or flake salt on top right now. It looks pretty and if you like sweet/salty combinations, you'll love a bit of salt on top. If not, they are great as is. Then you can just call them "Honey Caramels." ;)</span></span><br />
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<span class="bod"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Let it sit for a few hours or overnight, then pop it out by lifting the edges of the paper. Cut into pieces with a large knife. I like to wrap mine in wax paper and give as gifts in a beribboned treat bag. Another option is cutting them a bit smaller and dipping them in chocolate. Mmm. Share and enjoy! </span></span><br />
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<br />willowspritehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08581052700056433483noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7933156596490264494.post-77430344306568886212015-03-14T21:56:00.000-06:002015-03-14T21:56:43.490-06:00Five!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A-team turned five this past Sunday! He was, as all little boys are, very excited the last few weeks up until his birthday. We love our goofy guy, full of adventure and derring-do. He loves to be a super hero, fire fighter or knight and save people from harm. Often he will come up to me and proclaim in a serious, deep hero voice, "What do you want me to do?" Then I have to tell him about my cat in the tree, or a fire in the kitchen, or enemies attacking the castle.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dad and big bro building his firetruck for him</td></tr>
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Lately he has become a deeper thinker and is asking questions about life and faith. Or he will make a comment about spiritual things - and that's when we as parents realize that what we talk about is taking hold, and we rejoice in that and pray he will continue to grow in the knowledge of his Saviour.<br />
This fall he will be going to Kindergarten! Right now I am teaching him his letter sounds in preparation. Right now he can read simple words with made with the letters a, s, d, t, e, r, and m. I did that with C-note too and I think it really helped him get a head start and interested in reading as he reads all the time!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Attack of the balloons!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fun with static!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Friends came for supper and cake!</td></tr>
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<br />willowspritehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08581052700056433483noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7933156596490264494.post-86484276292716445272015-02-21T21:35:00.002-07:002015-02-21T21:37:02.713-07:00Play Dough!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Once a year, or every other year, depending on how long our last batch lasted, we make play dough. It's super easy to make, and a lot of fun to play with! I can't remember which recipe we used last time, but this year we found <a href="http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Make-Playdough-Play-doh/?ALLSTEPS" target="_blank">Instructibles</a>. They have all steps listed and pictured so it's really easy to follow. All cooked dough recipes out there are basically the same, this one made a bit more than the last one because it filled my dough containers and we had some left over!</div>
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The cooked and kneaded dough, ready for colour and scent!<br />
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Blue and a couple of drops each of peppermint, wintergreen and spearmint. This is A-team's favourite.<br />
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Refilled containers of freshly made dough! Yellow has lemon and lemongrass oil, green is lime, and orange has mandarin and sweet orange essential oils.</div>
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So fun!willowspritehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08581052700056433483noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7933156596490264494.post-35106416007902341152015-01-16T23:08:00.000-07:002015-01-16T23:08:28.418-07:00One and a Half<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Playing outside after going for a walk. The tears are from the chilly wind!</td></tr>
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Eighteen months already. Where does the time go? </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Playing with homemade play dough. It's hard to keep her off the table!</td></tr>
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Strawberry enjoys playing with play dough, colouring, reading books, climbing and getting into anything her brothers are doing, even Lego! Loves to read and dance to music.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Giving her upset big brother a hug </td></tr>
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She is very observant and continues to surprise us with her ever-expanding vocabulary. Even things you don't think someone that little would remember or pay attention to. Like picking up C-note's Flat Stanley and saying, "Stanee! Stanee!" Or hearing me tell her brother that some friends are coming over and she runs over and repeats the names and gets excited!<br />
Newest phrases are "Catch you!" "Where going?" "What doing?" "Go walk? Boots? Hat?" She thinks it's funny when she sits in someone else's chair or takes a bite of someone else's food. She gives a grin and says "Hey!" <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg02npR6ti8cES6TJb83fyNvtqRt4VtISaImDi27DSCfct8HXQoVZVAFB5jwHYCZc7N_xVmlBxc-O2GqaFA2LAc6lXdzg8j3AwlrlX8wVcatYHomcKhLOc0vePw8Usj6KqG3mlQO6drPEU/s1600/IMG_3038.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg02npR6ti8cES6TJb83fyNvtqRt4VtISaImDi27DSCfct8HXQoVZVAFB5jwHYCZc7N_xVmlBxc-O2GqaFA2LAc6lXdzg8j3AwlrlX8wVcatYHomcKhLOc0vePw8Usj6KqG3mlQO6drPEU/s1600/IMG_3038.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peanut butter monster</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 13px;">She likes to help and likes to be involved with everything going on around the house. She'll hand me every piece of cutlery from the basket when emptying the dishwasher, and "help" fold laundry. "Daddy shirt," "Cammum sock," while handing me the clothes! Lately she's been trying to put on her pants and shirt herself and refuses my help until she gives up. And she'll find random articles of clothing laying around and try them on. She's had everyone else's slippers in at one time or another and clomp, clomp, clomps around with them on, grinning all the way.</span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglF2lEtQexS1l1NJ4x6xkl2qyh9Nz92xstNAgt-NlHOYbRts5QBWpAITVPqvmvTeqaAIVVv0TnO918ZztMN1TN9psVlR45G43NeJzmEX8dwvjRjsKGJiEF0QC5d1MW28jEPCsLIDL8PeI/s1600/IMG_3072.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglF2lEtQexS1l1NJ4x6xkl2qyh9Nz92xstNAgt-NlHOYbRts5QBWpAITVPqvmvTeqaAIVVv0TnO918ZztMN1TN9psVlR45G43NeJzmEX8dwvjRjsKGJiEF0QC5d1MW28jEPCsLIDL8PeI/s1600/IMG_3072.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big brothers are hilarious! C-note gets the best giggles when he's goofing around to make her laugh.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL5thoF8rUT_LFAEWIfsZdOpijpAtq7Wwkd3UogVI8K0m-MTIJeGTm0EPQ8aK8l0MELYndW-wGPYJPv4UBquq9RziQGBcLW37qA4KTgELYY9gpfZD7Mxhr7FxAR0CcAu-vZ7nMhUCFsYM/s1600/IMG_3127.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL5thoF8rUT_LFAEWIfsZdOpijpAtq7Wwkd3UogVI8K0m-MTIJeGTm0EPQ8aK8l0MELYndW-wGPYJPv4UBquq9RziQGBcLW37qA4KTgELYY9gpfZD7Mxhr7FxAR0CcAu-vZ7nMhUCFsYM/s1600/IMG_3127.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Having a chat at (on) the table. Maybe a lecture about her always climbing onto it??</td></tr>
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<br />willowspritehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08581052700056433483noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7933156596490264494.post-88201867432787752962015-01-07T22:00:00.000-07:002015-01-07T23:40:04.526-07:00Crayons<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhYLCFOza13ayZGjGHm2ToMdG4XCj0NimIzFBf-R810iv9o8QjXlf8mOCE7MPjqEUx3sSCzOsSxMxzy4EWj6pU7Um2QqYGDvW-3FKukZnpKSvrCkLY8PVm0EEQfGpvaxhrg6GeJERIG68/s1600/IMG_3139.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhYLCFOza13ayZGjGHm2ToMdG4XCj0NimIzFBf-R810iv9o8QjXlf8mOCE7MPjqEUx3sSCzOsSxMxzy4EWj6pU7Um2QqYGDvW-3FKukZnpKSvrCkLY8PVm0EEQfGpvaxhrg6GeJERIG68/s1600/IMG_3139.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
Yesterday school was cancelled because of frozen pipes. So the boys and I did some experimenting with crayon stubs that we've been hanging on to for a long time. I found this ice mold on clearance at Ikea last year, and the crayons were free from school. They were going to be thrown away so we took the poor lil' guys in. After much peeling, sorting, snapping, and melting, we poured them into the tray, along with a fish-shaped mold as well.<br />
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They turned out ok, but some broke easily whilst trying to get them out. The mold was pretty thick so it was a little hard to bend, but also the crayons themselves seemed brittle. I think maybe using only one brand might make it work better. Maybe paraffin and soy waxes don't amalgamate well. <br />
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They're kind of chalky looking for some reason. Maybe because they're old. And of course they're not as shiny as new crayons because they came from a rubber mold that has a bit of texture, but hey, they still work. <br />
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The fish shaped ones are perfect for little hands.<br />
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Fun and cute!willowspritehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08581052700056433483noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7933156596490264494.post-60157578502204864182014-10-31T23:07:00.000-06:002014-10-31T23:07:39.808-06:00Happy Reformation Day!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://truthremains.org/films/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRMwawynjYehNOzqm4mgFlFWRszpKVvmOE0JKpY0I14F7F6Ux0uESzGmnXlROxI-nokYLggFpEa8JirZe2sMGLDl4XZKhXADHhWAxagQwT29K0sFe1aLiZHYYxw7jn4N_WU321vfqbzEg/s1600/OutOfDarkness_Web.jpg" height="148" width="400" /></a></div>
I came across <a href="http://truthremains.org/films/" target="_blank">this website</a> from David Murray's blog and found the mini-documentary very informative. If you have a few minutes and are interested in learning about the humble beginnings of the Reformation, please watch!<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<strong style="background-color: rgba(161, 161, 161, 0.298039); color: white; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype', 'Book Antiqua', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Out of Darkness; The Story of the English Bible </strong><span style="background-color: rgba(161, 161, 161, 0.298039);"><span style="color: white; font-family: Palatino Linotype, Book Antiqua, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">is a four-part mini documentary, produced by Truth Remains, that tells the story of God's careful preservation of Scripture through the centuries. The men who gave their lives to translate the Bible into English are not household names, yet the bloody price they paid fuelled the Reformation and shaped the modern world, enabling countless Christians to enjoy the privilege of owning and studying God's Word in English.</span></span></span></blockquote>
I also enjoyed reading <a href="http://stuharse.blogspot.ca/2014/10/reformation-day-assembly-2014.html" target="_blank">this article about Ulrich Zwingli</a> by some guy on another blog. Definitely worth a read! I am amazed, humbled, and so thankful for these brave men who challenged the authority of the Roman Catholic Church and stayed true to the Word.willowspritehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08581052700056433483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7933156596490264494.post-66072631488301634322014-10-31T22:47:00.001-06:002014-10-31T22:47:18.634-06:00Autumn - a wrap-up in photographs<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKpGTbq7eEMjd4NE8caaISwU3T01YNndw_MwJzExOL6gfJ7W3xK1v07RZ41Uxy3UcqWACI18keTQQy3lLJzIBfSZKG6AewtKsHEbkixBzqncur-SNWqOWvKoqF6nsdrc02QwfFzEaEcHc/s1600/IMG_2430.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKpGTbq7eEMjd4NE8caaISwU3T01YNndw_MwJzExOL6gfJ7W3xK1v07RZ41Uxy3UcqWACI18keTQQy3lLJzIBfSZKG6AewtKsHEbkixBzqncur-SNWqOWvKoqF6nsdrc02QwfFzEaEcHc/s1600/IMG_2430.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reading.<br /></td></tr>
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Since we've been having such chilly weather lately, it feels like Fall is already over. It doesn't last long around here, though! It was beautiful while it lasted and we got some great walks in. We've been puréeing pumpkins and shredding carrots the last couple of weeks to store in the freezer for future incorporation into baked goods. School is going well for C-note, but we've all been fighting virus after virus since it started! A-team is enjoying staying home with mommy yet, and gets along well with his little sister, until she cracks him on the head with something. <br />
Life is busy, and full of snotty noses, but it's good. We have much to be thankful for. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Drawing</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtGmjQ7NlMECH3k3yEpDYomgXbUEr8T-fXD4WlS4OILu5OkT9JMblKNucVpwp2LWJM5eUlrLM0Las2m5SfkkjvPv8RMb5qN8CM5GFX0CRuPzMGKAUnGNCfOrfa7Yv_oWbqR0h1ClMpEhE/s1600/IMG_2618.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtGmjQ7NlMECH3k3yEpDYomgXbUEr8T-fXD4WlS4OILu5OkT9JMblKNucVpwp2LWJM5eUlrLM0Las2m5SfkkjvPv8RMb5qN8CM5GFX0CRuPzMGKAUnGNCfOrfa7Yv_oWbqR0h1ClMpEhE/s1600/IMG_2618.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Making sock puppets...and putting on a show!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More reading...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdLCT8WI1CXVIuPv6rr48jtwFEWJV8izV7i5ALuv2Jj1E8bAWDdTXGsO2091QQ-iQ3FPAzTswJFdrwTVB4YTVkAOHy5Nn7HO6w8f64ZA7ykPB8H-0UXmJDivU-1hz-A9n7iATh4RPcWmQ/s1600/IMG_2627.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdLCT8WI1CXVIuPv6rr48jtwFEWJV8izV7i5ALuv2Jj1E8bAWDdTXGsO2091QQ-iQ3FPAzTswJFdrwTVB4YTVkAOHy5Nn7HO6w8f64ZA7ykPB8H-0UXmJDivU-1hz-A9n7iATh4RPcWmQ/s1600/IMG_2627.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Playing with leaves...</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCTAuF7WsGF-1p4KA_MYRuezfoseAi-XxxBWHccfhIETRISEhJLD_EqMBGvv8wNKUkFNFbLN5Ek2yjybaJRteBZ2wuJ3UTBsbDI6bfFWnySDQMPsN4zmQDthXj5wJehTQctBDjhfVHZv0/s1600/IMG_2656.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCTAuF7WsGF-1p4KA_MYRuezfoseAi-XxxBWHccfhIETRISEhJLD_EqMBGvv8wNKUkFNFbLN5Ek2yjybaJRteBZ2wuJ3UTBsbDI6bfFWnySDQMPsN4zmQDthXj5wJehTQctBDjhfVHZv0/s1600/IMG_2656.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC7CU5Q1djQKpWYbiPzetZPvcnRP_qcUwA_XF7HnbO7NImsNjP0GEx-tjfF-szxFZ4XsbJO3Ce1i7O-6wpVa9S-ZRblk0S_EgZHbXE37yGyo_f7eKkOMk3xUffth9mALXIfZz3mBC9yiU/s1600/IMG_2658.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC7CU5Q1djQKpWYbiPzetZPvcnRP_qcUwA_XF7HnbO7NImsNjP0GEx-tjfF-szxFZ4XsbJO3Ce1i7O-6wpVa9S-ZRblk0S_EgZHbXE37yGyo_f7eKkOMk3xUffth9mALXIfZz3mBC9yiU/s1600/IMG_2658.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Watching a video </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv67cQRn7L-mYai3sJNTnPR0W1jJrVCpK7Ztq6A8NZgSacjS7wiZl0OxBGOsBqp4R6FAEX2LNtXNG0rklIyXLjtoG9cahiMYxRHq60j5h0Mc06WGVZwlW86e5X2El6EcPVG1pCfWpVpHY/s1600/IMG_2731.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv67cQRn7L-mYai3sJNTnPR0W1jJrVCpK7Ztq6A8NZgSacjS7wiZl0OxBGOsBqp4R6FAEX2LNtXNG0rklIyXLjtoG9cahiMYxRHq60j5h0Mc06WGVZwlW86e5X2El6EcPVG1pCfWpVpHY/s1600/IMG_2731.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Playing with cloud dough</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBy7aFOxBNoNo1grAsvJdrCdQL1F2EEktd5y7VKxlqqRv3BeqVGzQQ1_f2N357_gIaS2zsJtkWedxkbsv1JV2iAIhQQV1fVkbc-Fv2Vr1alsQzXoshnLOM4xhOclGgvbXJEbkT7Toc8A0/s1600/IMG_2441.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBy7aFOxBNoNo1grAsvJdrCdQL1F2EEktd5y7VKxlqqRv3BeqVGzQQ1_f2N357_gIaS2zsJtkWedxkbsv1JV2iAIhQQV1fVkbc-Fv2Vr1alsQzXoshnLOM4xhOclGgvbXJEbkT7Toc8A0/s1600/IMG_2441.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9MMz5XesCRguqD2gavkonynku3tC1KA4Gi0pORtAE8iPsXRe07BKNu51joCxwSswXZzg0tmkG45za6gPfv6Zqhvy3km_mgmLL3YqITqjwhNqwKUavwAN7YZeerwGT7sE4GYsViroGS_Y/s1600/IMG_2443.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9MMz5XesCRguqD2gavkonynku3tC1KA4Gi0pORtAE8iPsXRe07BKNu51joCxwSswXZzg0tmkG45za6gPfv6Zqhvy3km_mgmLL3YqITqjwhNqwKUavwAN7YZeerwGT7sE4GYsViroGS_Y/s1600/IMG_2443.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Going for walks, and seeing the last of the insects...</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMhHGknDg1a7biv0Vocw203LA2SH6jFab3GdfXHlKdXMgh4LKdl4xT1rsoQgZhLLkOatdaYVo4Ym2AWjiEYnqaxoKlboOwNkTzSm2YfGacrFb3b1nP1J8gwouQHx-qKZd9iLP1_ce5XoU/s1600/IMG_2449.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMhHGknDg1a7biv0Vocw203LA2SH6jFab3GdfXHlKdXMgh4LKdl4xT1rsoQgZhLLkOatdaYVo4Ym2AWjiEYnqaxoKlboOwNkTzSm2YfGacrFb3b1nP1J8gwouQHx-qKZd9iLP1_ce5XoU/s1600/IMG_2449.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsHPBwU6hgUBuvrCgyVN8bjDxLcjcYu0p7hPjaxFN-chAKByn9HH3un5Yw_p0tbT5YDLkkMQdJZW81Myh1EZJvrBugirK07BCGNDOjiPSsOFl2oFznqPc4kFxBQqQnOk3i3T0W9BNiKgY/s1600/IMG_2438.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsHPBwU6hgUBuvrCgyVN8bjDxLcjcYu0p7hPjaxFN-chAKByn9HH3un5Yw_p0tbT5YDLkkMQdJZW81Myh1EZJvrBugirK07BCGNDOjiPSsOFl2oFznqPc4kFxBQqQnOk3i3T0W9BNiKgY/s1600/IMG_2438.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baking!</td></tr>
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<br />willowspritehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08581052700056433483noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7933156596490264494.post-21824125943389775352014-10-06T08:00:00.000-06:002014-10-22T22:08:22.336-06:00Fifteen Months<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8m28sW3vZZLTFbFGoQDmizFsZdkQZAub6_OwJBkMUYOCg_fP0aaQ0F61qmdL0nDCwh13Fy6ACM9TbQq-8h0azUJWDORw03sy2KO4ikLgVNs7GDavs5uYnFCg8-j2JL6fy0qtNPOF_4kQ/s1600/IMG_2641.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8m28sW3vZZLTFbFGoQDmizFsZdkQZAub6_OwJBkMUYOCg_fP0aaQ0F61qmdL0nDCwh13Fy6ACM9TbQq-8h0azUJWDORw03sy2KO4ikLgVNs7GDavs5uYnFCg8-j2JL6fy0qtNPOF_4kQ/s1600/IMG_2641.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Gramma's red hair </td></tr>
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Strawberry loves to read books and will often imitate reading a story, babbling away as she turns the pages. She's got the walking thing down pat, and even figured out how to go down the stairs all by herself. She knows all her body parts "Where's your ear?" and understands and complies with simple phrases like "put it back," or "close the door" but every time we ask her a question she answers "no." Unless it's something she would like, such as going outside or having a snack, then it's answered by a huge grin and "Eeee!"<br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCnK5K7DFuMUhe0-nXCSH9BMXdFC9nnsYesI388JObfgXO4wbrlxm11-OOIoShhHYoL4N-zyg20s2BbMKXgnGZxq4z3sf6FueTyamGBY1dHKJM8hZ_GHZf-ijkNKYdoJW616ZyP5jSEyQ/s1600/IMG_2631.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCnK5K7DFuMUhe0-nXCSH9BMXdFC9nnsYesI388JObfgXO4wbrlxm11-OOIoShhHYoL4N-zyg20s2BbMKXgnGZxq4z3sf6FueTyamGBY1dHKJM8hZ_GHZf-ijkNKYdoJW616ZyP5jSEyQ/s1600/IMG_2631.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Daddy's toes</td></tr>
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She understands (or copies) communication well and likes having a conversation with me in her own language, complete with intonation. She also can say lots of real words too, like shoes, bubble, cheese, cracker, baf, cookie, apple, and that a cow says moo and sheep say baa. It amazes me how bang-on she can be with pronunciation. Once I was buckling her in her car seat and told her so. "Buh?" she said. "Yes, buckle." "Cuckle?" she answered. "Almost! Buckle." I say, not thinking she would quite get it. "Buckle!" came the triumphant reply!<br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuHtcTmHbj7fYSsSTt2mZ4npK1weQMrjs4JAXQarxDqV-q_QSbqCNWqcfHru5jnP2t4q_KV_uoQ0Agsy3Y2xO_vjmY9EVz90BkWVNkpPMVcPTkgxfD8-p8NHAs8WRT2exYabknCGv3pgs/s1600/IMG_2483.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuHtcTmHbj7fYSsSTt2mZ4npK1weQMrjs4JAXQarxDqV-q_QSbqCNWqcfHru5jnP2t4q_KV_uoQ0Agsy3Y2xO_vjmY9EVz90BkWVNkpPMVcPTkgxfD8-p8NHAs8WRT2exYabknCGv3pgs/s1600/IMG_2483.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Our littlest blessing. :)</td></tr>
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Still only has two teeth, which finally showed up at the end of her first year, but two are about to push though at the top as well. Still wary of others who are not her family, she reserves her smiles for us only. Still hates the nursery but will tolerate it for a little while if held constantly. She frequently goes through phases of independent play to being clingy. It's the age of opposites. And separation anxiety!willowspritehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08581052700056433483noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7933156596490264494.post-70303360624245076852014-09-12T23:42:00.000-06:002014-09-12T23:42:44.341-06:00Walkin'<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dymFUHme1goy8mDNXTDKzGYjNgovQlAMpIZ39Qtt9ppZer_64aneIBx4gzqerNpUX0hdEh1EqUoJc5LcKsF_A' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />willowspritehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08581052700056433483noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7933156596490264494.post-11690077520590674952014-09-09T22:32:00.000-06:002014-09-09T22:32:34.553-06:00Snow in SummerI don't think I've ever needed to use the furnace in June before. Nor have I seen snow in that month either, as far as I can recall! But in the first week we actually had some snowfall, and needed some extra heat. Unfortunately our furnace was broken at the time so we lit all the candles we had. And baked just for the warmth of the oven.<br />
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Well, now it's September, still summer (technically) and now we are experiencing some more chilly weather as you can see...<br />
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At least our furnace is repaired.<br />
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And it's supposed to warm up again by the weekend.<br />
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Welcome to northern Alberta!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj467SI2MbB5lrXfAIkgNInr8Di7Q0K-3NugXlImm0vL1NWUyXDTL5cl_dGodHN6D3cCqT9p1YqZW6n-SJpbXkwnd7ugcFzp2ifTDwM6QVsoK9vPMKlZEcE_VPbUAahLy9NEZxZdJiWaeo/s1600/IMG_2421.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj467SI2MbB5lrXfAIkgNInr8Di7Q0K-3NugXlImm0vL1NWUyXDTL5cl_dGodHN6D3cCqT9p1YqZW6n-SJpbXkwnd7ugcFzp2ifTDwM6QVsoK9vPMKlZEcE_VPbUAahLy9NEZxZdJiWaeo/s1600/IMG_2421.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My poor lilies.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPGi1nlkMT4JLBtE5TxENgmv8C4ZqlEd6gf7P4I8Km_d1YeLcRw3MMCM_yjiRjsVcZT-PzDkOi4zlugVoOt14ce926f2kp_T_Y8h-TkkKn-vx-gruuz36sHoFIW_R-ljM_u3iW5aIaoeA/s1600/IMG_2423.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPGi1nlkMT4JLBtE5TxENgmv8C4ZqlEd6gf7P4I8Km_d1YeLcRw3MMCM_yjiRjsVcZT-PzDkOi4zlugVoOt14ce926f2kp_T_Y8h-TkkKn-vx-gruuz36sHoFIW_R-ljM_u3iW5aIaoeA/s1600/IMG_2423.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoHDJz7vi380XqUiw3fBqiMYs1_7zfV2k7AlIHenBX_tzcWKp32dbbpBmrv8XJlCFe_vFUpUNNMNo1LfDbAn4neO52beqcg7Iq6Bn7JUchJO6WzYGyavHSwPCisLGa1XIeB0m8jkU8KgQ/s1600/IMG_2422.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoHDJz7vi380XqUiw3fBqiMYs1_7zfV2k7AlIHenBX_tzcWKp32dbbpBmrv8XJlCFe_vFUpUNNMNo1LfDbAn4neO52beqcg7Iq6Bn7JUchJO6WzYGyavHSwPCisLGa1XIeB0m8jkU8KgQ/s1600/IMG_2422.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Watching the flakes fly.</td></tr>
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willowspritehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08581052700056433483noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7933156596490264494.post-68967939938857775282014-08-30T21:41:00.000-06:002014-08-30T21:43:59.207-06:00Seven<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg1PbjvCNwH-1r0akLshA_wRKQvHTYkOUAk8ctY6xXuIO5l3U6KIriX8rzwMlEYs_X0K5JQSLnq2HMJwS_YT81ZBMLwXe6NEEzFOjJkuZohLEL8n21JwxilwwvDhU2GdZ-6MyY5nvLgZo/s1600/IMG_2323.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg1PbjvCNwH-1r0akLshA_wRKQvHTYkOUAk8ctY6xXuIO5l3U6KIriX8rzwMlEYs_X0K5JQSLnq2HMJwS_YT81ZBMLwXe6NEEzFOjJkuZohLEL8n21JwxilwwvDhU2GdZ-6MyY5nvLgZo/s1600/IMG_2323.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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Seven years ago we had our first "little man." It's hard to believe sometimes that it has been that long since he came into our lives, kicking and screaming! We love our sensitive, loving guy who is smiling more often than not, and gets along with everyone, making friends easily. He's also getting pretty good at jokes, still loves to draw and reads lots of books.</div>
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To celebrate his birthday we went to the mall in "the city" and bought tickets for the sea lion show/marine life exhibit. The aquariums were underneath the grandstand and we could see nurse sharks, sea turtles, and various other fish inside. On the other side we could see African penguins diving in the water in their tank. We were just in time for a penguin presentation where an employee talked a bit about African penguins and welcomed questions afterwards. </div>
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Brownbanded bamboo sharks. These were in an open tank where you could actually touch them. There was also a tank that usually housed some bullnose stingrays you could pet as well but it was under renovations. I forgot to take a picture of the beautiful sea anemones, which you could also touch!<br />
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After lunch we came back to watch the sea lion show, which was pretty entertaining. Callum was chosen as a volunteer (but he only volunteered after he saw someone else take a turn!) to throw a basketball for the sea lion to carry back to the edge of the tank on her nose. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgZ5KxIAw9c8KWsKxNv7a51FPtM0SV8BownYCn-wZRV4y2QEty1zJYUJHeScF61C3O57Kc0PBJYViwJsF-mvIpagWOUtUNIMj3qbP5MMMvo71-03MwLPPElvyCutlbRRzGZTRx9JGV8Xs/s1600/IMG_2353.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgZ5KxIAw9c8KWsKxNv7a51FPtM0SV8BownYCn-wZRV4y2QEty1zJYUJHeScF61C3O57Kc0PBJYViwJsF-mvIpagWOUtUNIMj3qbP5MMMvo71-03MwLPPElvyCutlbRRzGZTRx9JGV8Xs/s1600/IMG_2353.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mugging for the camera.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigvlS5gMK8TnICwnFYAq6wyYzjXyL6sAIYlAC3opriRuOY03o7yXSQk8laWeJg4WDFomr7us9X_sE3WNAWMl6KLQcrUp6sCugi5MbylXSs3z1YDDlFXCxrBfOVIlpCBJ3bpMeEsngtd3E/s1600/IMG_2368.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigvlS5gMK8TnICwnFYAq6wyYzjXyL6sAIYlAC3opriRuOY03o7yXSQk8laWeJg4WDFomr7us9X_sE3WNAWMl6KLQcrUp6sCugi5MbylXSs3z1YDDlFXCxrBfOVIlpCBJ3bpMeEsngtd3E/s1600/IMG_2368.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a>After that we came home and whipped up a huge (atari-inspired) birthday brownie we had with ice cream (after a healthy supper of course!) </div>
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It was a fun day!</div>
willowspritehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08581052700056433483noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7933156596490264494.post-31955004903227964732014-08-30T10:45:00.003-06:002014-08-30T10:45:48.845-06:00Our Community<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/uGOMabVhGgI?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />willowspritehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08581052700056433483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7933156596490264494.post-52257642909103687922014-08-04T13:04:00.000-06:002014-08-25T13:04:44.339-06:00One<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This post is a little late in coming, but it's summer and the days have been very family-oriented as we are making up for lost time during the school term! We also took a trip to Ontario to see all of our family. It has been three years since we've all been back and it was so wonderful to see everyone again! It was very sad to leave, though. After spending three weeks with everyone it felt like we were moving away again.<br />
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More on our trip later, though. Here are some photos of Strawberry in her twelfth month! <br />
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She loves books, just like the rest of us.<br />
And goofing around with Daddy.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU5jDNYhIx4QR-Kz6DQi8gZvOGTHl1j-uvVgHjdJ2OAzUFDb70JaHnvLQxuTxguCJVg20tY7c0fTSVDrA8eepuiSdxusVfkbkd4ngzseY72tkqGbF4R_y-zIwBqsVSYy960PNz-9FI9EA/s1600/IMG_1782.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU5jDNYhIx4QR-Kz6DQi8gZvOGTHl1j-uvVgHjdJ2OAzUFDb70JaHnvLQxuTxguCJVg20tY7c0fTSVDrA8eepuiSdxusVfkbkd4ngzseY72tkqGbF4R_y-zIwBqsVSYy960PNz-9FI9EA/s1600/IMG_1782.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a>Anticipating birthday cake.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZQFZf2fzZddkUWl0JcMT3pl0-1NMbTYX5fqxc7Gg7n-e-gA5CF42CjyrOzUQYS4uw0qHcSakfGV5gAtZzWvdGfFk7HbAVdoAYUvFw_gSogGGaBdD-FQ76KXT8Jofbeyw8xFfI1YrYF-M/s1600/IMG_1788.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZQFZf2fzZddkUWl0JcMT3pl0-1NMbTYX5fqxc7Gg7n-e-gA5CF42CjyrOzUQYS4uw0qHcSakfGV5gAtZzWvdGfFk7HbAVdoAYUvFw_gSogGGaBdD-FQ76KXT8Jofbeyw8xFfI1YrYF-M/s1600/IMG_1788.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a>A card in the mail from Gramma!</div>
<br />willowspritehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08581052700056433483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7933156596490264494.post-92128931718637701052014-06-23T21:35:00.001-06:002014-06-23T21:37:11.107-06:00Boyhood<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Knee abrasions sustained over three days. Friday he fell off a skateboard and Saturday he tripped on the sidewalk walking to the street festival. The freshest ones were from falling on the walk from the van to church. Mr. Tough barely cried, though....willowspritehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08581052700056433483noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7933156596490264494.post-24338723468922899142014-06-02T10:30:00.000-06:002014-06-02T10:30:01.965-06:00Fresh Pasta<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqkhAZmq1mIybKiTQRYHcYaI7AKK2gj2rWTJ_Z8TbsqBzh8fnokMybMwgfJ0FKdSOGSN-PkapbNCvJvEzsc_vFXCxlAFq6jpr0bS0WEIO9J-dxO0gGsuXS2XuST9tHiJapYNqFcdFANVA/s1600/031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqkhAZmq1mIybKiTQRYHcYaI7AKK2gj2rWTJ_Z8TbsqBzh8fnokMybMwgfJ0FKdSOGSN-PkapbNCvJvEzsc_vFXCxlAFq6jpr0bS0WEIO9J-dxO0gGsuXS2XuST9tHiJapYNqFcdFANVA/s1600/031.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
It's been a few years since I've made fresh pasta. I used to make it regularly when we were first married - you know, when I had nothing but time - mostly ravioli with a cheese filling. A-team likes taking the pasta machine out and cranking paper through it, so finally I decided it was time to show him what it's really used for...<br />
I found this recipe online at <a href="http://www.cookingchanneltv.com/recipes/kelsey-nixon/fresh-pasta-dough.html" target="_blank">The Cooking Channel.</a> I used half all purpose flour, half whole wheat flour. After scraping the remains of the dough off the counter, I decided to use a bowl next time! <br />
After forming the pasta we cooked it in boiling water for about five minutes. <br />
We ate it with homemade pasta sauce and pesto.<br />
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<h2 style="background-color: white; color: #323232; font-family: arial; font-size: 16px; margin: 14px 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-transform: uppercase;">
INGREDIENTS</h2>
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<li class="ingredient" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1em; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 13px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-weight: bold; outline: none;">2 </span>cups flour</li>
<li class="ingredient" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1em; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 13px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-weight: bold; outline: none;">3 </span>eggs</li>
<li class="ingredient" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1em; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 13px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-weight: bold; outline: none;">1/2 </span>teaspoon salt</li>
<li class="ingredient" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1em; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 13px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-weight: bold; outline: none;">1/2 </span>teaspoon <a class="crosslink" debug="66 88" href="http://www.foodterms.com/encyclopedia/olive-oil/index.html" style="color: #386cb4; outline: none; text-decoration: none;">extra-virgin olive oil</a></li>
<li class="ingredient" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1em; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 13px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><h2 style="font-family: arial; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; margin: 14px 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-transform: uppercase;">
DIRECTIONS</h2>
<div class="instructions" style="line-height: 22px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">
Mound the flour on a clean work surface. Hollow out the center making a well in the middle of the flour with <a class="crosslink" debug="109 114" href="http://www.foodterms.com/encyclopedia/steep/index.html" style="color: #63889d; outline: none; text-decoration: none;">steep</a> sides. <b style="outline: none;"><br style="outline: none;" /></b>Break the eggs into the well. Add the salt, and olive oil to the hollow center and gently mix together with a fork. Gradually start incorporating the flour by pulling in the flour from the sides of the well. As you incorporate more of the flour, the dough will start to take shape. <b style="outline: none;"><br style="outline: none;" /></b>With your hands or a bench scraper continue working the dough until it comes together. If the dough is too dry, add a little water; if too wet or sticky, add a little flour. <b style="outline: none;"><br style="outline: none;" /></b>Begin kneading the dough and keep kneading until it becomes smooth and elastic, about 8 to 10 minutes. At this point, set the dough aside, cover it with plastic, and let it rest for 15 to 20 minutes. You can store the dough in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours, but allow it to return to room temperature before rolling it out.<b style="outline: none;"><br style="outline: none;" /></b>Divide the pasta dough into 4 even sections. Keep each section covered with <a class="crosslink" debug="1028 1040" href="http://www.foodterms.com/encyclopedia/plastic-wrap/index.html" style="color: #63889d; outline: none; text-decoration: none;">plastic wrap</a> or a clean towel while you work with each one. Flour the dough, the rollers of a pasta roller (or your rolling pin), your hands, and the work surface. <b style="outline: none;"><br style="outline: none;" /></b>If using a <a class="crosslink" debug="1214 1227" href="http://www.foodterms.com/encyclopedia/pasta-machines/index.html" style="color: #63889d; outline: none; text-decoration: none;">pasta machine</a>: Flatten 1 of the of the dough pieces between your hands or with a floured <a class="crosslink" debug="1303 1314" href="http://www.foodterms.com/encyclopedia/rolling-pin/index.html" style="color: #63889d; outline: none; text-decoration: none;">rolling pin</a> until it forms a thick oval disk. <a class="crosslink" debug="1349 1353" href="http://www.foodterms.com/encyclopedia/dust/index.html" style="color: #63889d; outline: none; text-decoration: none;">Dust</a> the disk, the roller, and your hands with additional flour. Flour a baking sheet to hold the rolled out finished pasta. <b style="outline: none;"><br style="outline: none;" /></b>With the roller on the widest setting, pass the pasta through the machine's rollers a few times until it is smooth. Fold the dough over into 1/3, and continue to pass through a few more times until the pasta is smooth again. Begin adjusting the pasta machine settings to become thinner, passing the dough through a few times at each setting. </div>
</li>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="text-align: start;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: start;">Fresh pasta is superior in flavour and texture to the boxed kind, and it's actually really easy to make. (Plus, it's cheaper, bonus!) </span></div>
willowspritehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08581052700056433483noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7933156596490264494.post-27909564219075746392014-06-02T10:00:00.000-06:002014-06-02T10:00:01.014-06:00Eleven Months<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjztE_NY0K8-E2MyHBpfD3NAjodyynGgEgIsYvxRfEMM4dbCZ74xgMuSDtqt8jkfhwQ8uV5TZb6DtW8HyiDp91kB6PDuYTA-nX_c-HcvTnCx0z9DFEdJIpelWhDL-YHGUW4kh9B8MhmZVQ/s1600/051.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjztE_NY0K8-E2MyHBpfD3NAjodyynGgEgIsYvxRfEMM4dbCZ74xgMuSDtqt8jkfhwQ8uV5TZb6DtW8HyiDp91kB6PDuYTA-nX_c-HcvTnCx0z9DFEdJIpelWhDL-YHGUW4kh9B8MhmZVQ/s1600/051.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
Still no teeth...yet...<br />
She is a little chatterbox, and knows quite a few words. She loves to sing and listen to people singing.<br />
She loves to imitate our actions, and now folds her hands to pray at mealtimes.<br />
Has a temper. ;) willowspritehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08581052700056433483noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7933156596490264494.post-65609240760682394182014-04-29T22:30:00.000-06:002014-04-30T15:22:58.074-06:00Ten Months<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Our little Strawberry has already reached the ten month mark. She loves to give hugs but also lets it be known when she doesn't want one from her brothers by protesting loudly. She doesn't have teeth yet, but is enjoying a variety of "big people" food like oatmeal, bananas, cheese, bread, soups and casseroles. Her first word is her brother's name - "Aaaashjou, aaaashjou," she calls him when she sees him. Her second word is Daddy. :) She enjoys imitating different sounds, and when she hears the word "bath" she grabs the front of her shirt and pulls, trying to get it off so she can take a bath! She waves "hi" and claps. She doesn't crawl, rather, she prefers to scoot around on her bum.</div>
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Goofin' around with her brothers.<br />
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Watching the birds...hooray, spring has finally arrived!</div>
willowspritehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08581052700056433483noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7933156596490264494.post-45774378344291853702014-04-29T22:13:00.004-06:002014-04-29T22:23:09.472-06:00Stitched<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaWKa11HAyZLSPWfBk_aap37Geidnp8p1Pv9jt4W1nUBRvY5i-TYMFXNZeL49B4owP4DQi8PHbpdYPYbd448etHXd4DMDYWVXvwsjx488RpzK5x0Z0RRLsp9UJNVYPYMGwK4J9XYw_LZU/s1600/IMG_1485.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaWKa11HAyZLSPWfBk_aap37Geidnp8p1Pv9jt4W1nUBRvY5i-TYMFXNZeL49B4owP4DQi8PHbpdYPYbd448etHXd4DMDYWVXvwsjx488RpzK5x0Z0RRLsp9UJNVYPYMGwK4J9XYw_LZU/s1600/IMG_1485.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
"AHHH, THERE'S <span style="font-size: large;">BLOOD</span>!" C-note came running into the house, wailing loudly, and indeed gushing blood. He had fallen against the side of our house out front, which is finished with decorative stucco. And, just for the uninformed, decorative stucco = sharp, stoney protrusions all over the wall. I wonder how much worse it would have been had he not been wearing a winter hat! <br />
Thankfully it was March break so both of us were home at the time. Three stitches later it was all over. The nurses were very nice and held his hands while the doctor sewed him up. I don't think they were very busy at the time. ;)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyEvSoykKdZ2lWFjPL71pd0AhFRWakoDUrVPAKUrTL3_xk2leQGNgQbDDN3uZ2nQINhQhO38M9VsevEg2mOwasbGc1Wmz_f_viXawDi9Lnw5yKCiitqmWUSnuf7Ri0PL9xfQrt3bMR6fQ/s1600/IMG_1550.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyEvSoykKdZ2lWFjPL71pd0AhFRWakoDUrVPAKUrTL3_xk2leQGNgQbDDN3uZ2nQINhQhO38M9VsevEg2mOwasbGc1Wmz_f_viXawDi9Lnw5yKCiitqmWUSnuf7Ri0PL9xfQrt3bMR6fQ/s1600/IMG_1550.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
Now it's just a wee scar, and he's got bragging rights as the first kid in the family with one. <br />
<br />willowspritehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08581052700056433483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7933156596490264494.post-336850752402613102014-03-14T20:23:00.000-06:002014-04-03T21:57:28.522-06:00Chocolate Cake<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrnpMERuUwGL5A-oSyvqKoR5sOs6EdlW_wyaFj3tJTnB0Sher5pOdegFWE5oLrzEOs0-a4Gvhi2SaFnCOFqCRGroFdPK3g2FQPfN8c64MKRkcZ8rZJgY1F4-hj91bCsPxVIqCT6hBXapo/s1600/IMG_1396.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrnpMERuUwGL5A-oSyvqKoR5sOs6EdlW_wyaFj3tJTnB0Sher5pOdegFWE5oLrzEOs0-a4Gvhi2SaFnCOFqCRGroFdPK3g2FQPfN8c64MKRkcZ8rZJgY1F4-hj91bCsPxVIqCT6hBXapo/s1600/IMG_1396.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fudgy, chocolatey, yummy cake! A favorite here in the Harseverse for birthdays.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="item"></span><br />
<h3 id="ingredients" style="clear: left;">
<span class="item">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Ingredients:</span></span></h3>
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span itemprop="ingredient" itemscope="" itemtype="http://data-vocabulary.org/RecipeIngredient">
</span></span>
<br />
<div class="ingredient">
<span itemprop="ingredient" itemscope="" itemtype="http://data-vocabulary.org/RecipeIngredient">1 cup white sugar</span><br />
<span itemprop="ingredient" itemscope="" itemtype="http://data-vocabulary.org/RecipeIngredient">1/2 cup brown sugar</span><br />
<span itemprop="ingredient" itemscope="" itemtype="http://data-vocabulary.org/RecipeIngredient">1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour</span><br />
<span itemprop="ingredient" itemscope="" itemtype="http://data-vocabulary.org/RecipeIngredient">3/4 cup cocoa</span><br />
<span itemprop="ingredient" itemscope="" itemtype="http://data-vocabulary.org/RecipeIngredient">2 teaspoons baking soda</span><br />
<span itemprop="ingredient" itemscope="" itemtype="http://data-vocabulary.org/RecipeIngredient">1 teaspoon baking powder</span><br />
<span itemprop="ingredient" itemscope="" itemtype="http://data-vocabulary.org/RecipeIngredient">1 teaspoon salt (reduce by half if using salted butter)</span><br />
<span itemprop="ingredient" itemscope="" itemtype="http://data-vocabulary.org/RecipeIngredient">2 eggs</span><br />
<span itemprop="ingredient" itemscope="" itemtype="http://data-vocabulary.org/RecipeIngredient">1 cup buttermilk</span><br />
<span itemprop="ingredient" itemscope="" itemtype="http://data-vocabulary.org/RecipeIngredient">1 cup strong black coffee </span><br />
<span itemprop="ingredient" itemscope="" itemtype="http://data-vocabulary.org/RecipeIngredient">1/2 cup butter or coconut oil, melted</span><br />
<span itemprop="ingredient" itemscope="" itemtype="http://data-vocabulary.org/RecipeIngredient">1 teaspoon vanilla extract</span></div>
<span itemprop="ingredient" itemscope="" itemtype="http://data-vocabulary.org/RecipeIngredient">
</span>
<br />
<h3>
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="item"><div id="directions" style="clear: left;">
Directions:</div>
</span></span></h3>
<span class="item"></span><br />
<div itemprop="instructions">
<div class="instructions">
<ol><span class="item">
<li>Heat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour two 9-inch round baking pans or one 13x9x2-inch baking pan. (I use one 10-inch, one 9-inch, and one 6-inch pans, dividing the batter evenly between them to get the three-layer cakes pictured below.) </li>
</span></ol>
<ol><span class="item">
<li>Stir together sugar, flour, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder and
salt in large bowl. Add eggs, buttermilk, coffee, melted butter and vanilla; beat
on medium speed of mixer 2 minutes (batter will be thin).</li>
</span></ol>
<ol><span class="item">
<li>Pour batter evenly into prepared pans. </li>
</span></ol>
<ol><span class="item">
<li>Bake 30 to 35 minutes for round pans, 35 to 40 minutes for
rectangular pan or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean.</li>
</span></ol>
<ol><span class="item">
<li>Cool 10 minutes; remove from pans to wire racks. Cool completely. </li>
</span></ol>
<div id="directions" style="clear: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="item" style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Now choose your frosting... The vanilla compliments the chocolate cake quite nicely, kind of how the icing in an oreo just works with the cookie. But if you have a serious chocolate craving, stick with the chocolate frosting. Both are delicious!</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="item" style="font-size: small;"></span></span><br />
<div>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="item" style="font-size: small;"><br />
<b>Chocolate Frosting</b></span></span></div>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="item" style="font-size: small;">1/2 cup butter, softened</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="item" style="font-size: small;">2 oz unsweetened chocolate, melted</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="item" style="font-size: small;">3 cups powdered (icing) sugar</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="item" style="font-size: small;">3 Tbsp milk</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="item" style="font-size: small;">2 teaspoons vanilla</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="item" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="item" style="font-size: small;">Combine all ingredients and mix with a hand or stand mixer. Frost cooled cake.</span></span><br />
<br />
<div id="directions" style="clear: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="item" style="font-size: small;">
<b>Vanilla Cream Frosting</b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="item" style="font-size: small;"><span class="amount"><span class="quantity">1-1/4</span> <span class="unit">cups</span> </span><span class="metricUnit">(300 mL) </span><span class="ingredientSingular active name">butter</span>, softened</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="item" style="font-size: small;"><span class="amount"><span class="quantity">6</span> <span class="unit">cups</span> </span><span class="metricUnit">(1.5 L) </span><span class="ingredientSingular active name">icing sugar</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="item" style="font-size: small;"><span class="amount"><span class="quantity">3/4</span> <span class="unit">cup</span> </span><span class="metricUnit">(175 mL) </span><span class="ingredientSingular active name">whipping cream</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="item" style="font-size: small;"><span class="amount"><span class="quantity">2</span> <span class="unit">tsp</span> </span><span class="metricUnit">(10 mL) </span><span class="ingredientSingular active name">vanilla</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="item" style="font-size: small;"><span class="ingredientSingular active name"> </span></span></span>
<br />
<div class="instructions">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="item" style="font-size: small;"><span class="ingredientSingular active name">In large bowl, beat butter until fluffy. Alternately beat in sugar and
cream, making 3 additions of sugar and 2 of cream. Beat in vanilla. Frost cooled cake.</span> </span></span><br />
<span class="item"><br /></span>
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</span>willowspritehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08581052700056433483noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7933156596490264494.post-24007712324672174622014-03-13T20:46:00.001-06:002014-03-13T20:46:26.005-06:00Four<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj01jqOauvKOxfmcI40RhIHnSxTIHDVvgqnM91WjVQfxdvp6y7pUxzr_ruEnQjcBPPOhgHIfpU_FPDYcTuE8HVVlV31o-y4YbgOD7r3f-Uv6dQSJFG7bALqtrof8m0ZR3iOQcfkudbmgTQ/s1600/Untitled-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj01jqOauvKOxfmcI40RhIHnSxTIHDVvgqnM91WjVQfxdvp6y7pUxzr_ruEnQjcBPPOhgHIfpU_FPDYcTuE8HVVlV31o-y4YbgOD7r3f-Uv6dQSJFG7bALqtrof8m0ZR3iOQcfkudbmgTQ/s1600/Untitled-1.jpg" height="247" width="320" /></a></div>
A-team is four! He's our goofball as you can tell by my attempt to get a "nice birthday picture" above.
He's always on the go and plays well by himself. He also still likes
playing with his mom too. But it's usually fighting, and he always
wins. Unless we play cars. But that usually gets violent too. He's
creative as well, but not really into drawing. His play is creative.
Any object can be something, but then change into something else and the
whole scenario changes as well. He likes helping me in the kitchen and he'll help with other stuff
like dusting and sweeping. "I'm making the house all shiny!" We love his squeaky voice and silly walks.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZID2Yk0vBH5NSCiT8vYA8_zkJ4e_RiwvVg7PlawmdKOyHJGpIYHDt8cK9HYu3HJgZmZ-9yxJOyXv_Uv-C9OEPJNZaqgMGgCjJusNirJVLdpd0jvY3yf7gpcZMBtAoqFFHdXFCrkeIhws/s1600/IMG_1392.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZID2Yk0vBH5NSCiT8vYA8_zkJ4e_RiwvVg7PlawmdKOyHJGpIYHDt8cK9HYu3HJgZmZ-9yxJOyXv_Uv-C9OEPJNZaqgMGgCjJusNirJVLdpd0jvY3yf7gpcZMBtAoqFFHdXFCrkeIhws/s1600/IMG_1392.jpg" height="228" width="320" /></a></div>
We
celebrated the day with friends for dinner. His birthday dinner choice
we had eaten the night before, though, because just the thought of
cooking pancakes for 10 people made me tired. So we had slow cooker
chili and challah! willowspritehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08581052700056433483noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7933156596490264494.post-25496735292390109512014-03-01T08:53:00.002-07:002014-03-01T12:15:26.806-07:00Eight Months<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxYkHsfGbs1_9TVk1rvoQtAtFvCqMA2LBbwAyUS9tFXqGk7eY2SUg3WEUl_5SX6nNsIEhiVDOnN3qgt7cC66O5UsRR7Tp_1RruIjG6lrHGtd6iM50EgqFBpfYQiVKjoTinDNICebwbG9E/s1600/IMG_1346+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxYkHsfGbs1_9TVk1rvoQtAtFvCqMA2LBbwAyUS9tFXqGk7eY2SUg3WEUl_5SX6nNsIEhiVDOnN3qgt7cC66O5UsRR7Tp_1RruIjG6lrHGtd6iM50EgqFBpfYQiVKjoTinDNICebwbG9E/s1600/IMG_1346+copy.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
Miss S is two-thirds of a year old! She loves to play peek-a-boo, and will put things (or her fists) on her forehead and peek out from underneath with a big grin. She eats a bit of solid food now, and particularly likes banana chunks. She's a cheerful baby who loves to babble and shriek and blow raspberries. Her family gets to see that side of her - strangers, not so much. I think to them she is serious. If anyone tries to talk to her she'll just stare at them blankly. And check to see that Mommy is still close by. <br />
She doesn't like to be held by anyone but Mommy or Daddy. Everyone else is too scary, apparently. She knows the words kiss, (leans forward for one) bath, (evokes a huge grin) where are you? (during peekaboo) and Daddy. She still dislikes tummy time. It will be a while before she learns to crawl. ;)willowspritehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08581052700056433483noreply@blogger.com2