tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37325056428310400322024-03-13T04:36:09.186-06:00You Are A Fly On My WallAmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15167781724086312806noreply@blogger.comBlogger752125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3732505642831040032.post-26734900935439673552013-11-15T11:47:00.000-07:002013-11-15T11:47:23.989-07:00Don't Kid Yourself<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5N3Q0YrMNhR_frj12-xDcUfEqs5QF-TYJIb4IMid0JiJBmdVo2VqW_DcPs6EugiUavNoNvZ63StKbOSKult3vs3Mv2QCrU6pDSeRCrleY8sFkc0KyNUqA9dEn72EfPZKA2C4KGi7s7EE/s1600/IMG_0117.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5N3Q0YrMNhR_frj12-xDcUfEqs5QF-TYJIb4IMid0JiJBmdVo2VqW_DcPs6EugiUavNoNvZ63StKbOSKult3vs3Mv2QCrU6pDSeRCrleY8sFkc0KyNUqA9dEn72EfPZKA2C4KGi7s7EE/s320/IMG_0117.JPG" width="320" /></a>...being a mom is a big job. Being an interactive mom is a Full Time job. I am not an especially interactive mom because as I just said, it takes a ton of work. Consequently my children are fairly adept at entertaining themselves...which by the way I believe is an essential skill.<br />
<br />
Tinker is sick and has been sick for the past three days. The kind of sickness she has would knock me on my a** and I'd be in bed asleep. If I keep the pain meds coming for her sore throat (she has croup) and a bit for her cough so it doesn't make her sore throat worse, she's being pretty normally active which means she wants to play with friends. I can't find anybody who wants to come over and catch croup from her, so we're on our own (Rachel: this is Charly's official invite :D). I'm home from work for the the 3rd day in a row and although I'm not necessarily bored, mainly because I don't know the meaning of the word, I have extra time on my hands. I'm feeling bad for her because she's sick and bored so I'm trying to entertain her by playing games with her and helping her with crafts. This is where this post is headed though...crafts for preschoolers.<br />
<br />
HELL. O! I have spent the better part of 3 days printing, cutting, in short...PREPARING crafts for her little hands to do. I have cut fabric, riffled through my stickers, scrapbooks, reorganized my miscellaneous craft box looking for pom pons, printed and cut out cardboard glasses, set up and re-moistened watercolors, pulled out and organized beans, macaroni, and an assortment of fall craftable knick knacks. I am a flurry of preparatory activity to the point that my house is a total wreck, dinner was a joke last night, the dishes are stacking up and my laundry is like, "dude, where'd you go woman?" But Tink is happily away "doing something fun" while I am her slave to her Pinterest whim. Yes, thank you Pinterest for providing the fuel to our imaginations because otherwise, not only would I be PREPARING, I'd also be LOOKING FOR IDEAS.<br />
<br />
This is exactly why I sort of resist entertaining my kids all of the time. All they understand is that they get to do a super fun activity. And the whole time they're following me around the house as I pull all the supplies together, they're driving me crazy because they don't get that it takes me like 3x longer to do THAT part, then it does for them to actually DO the activity. <br />
<br />
Now, maybe while she's still working on these glasses, I'll get the dishes done. MAYBE.<br />
<br />Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15167781724086312806noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3732505642831040032.post-13951311279427977012013-10-29T16:28:00.003-06:002013-10-29T16:38:04.243-06:00Fall Gardening Creates Less Spring Gardening...It's The Truth<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEjHHb7c_8hUwx2Dp_25aZluIBotztOL1Ts6CcMDbZIc4L7I_ZBsUlDfxKGMtveXhPHmoTfiyQE00ZTR375sf4tj1W5ylsP_z-ZVSOGIZB_cDiuGMTPkzcpCfu6-YT7WHSRmhm2Yb9oB8/s1600/IMG_0025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEjHHb7c_8hUwx2Dp_25aZluIBotztOL1Ts6CcMDbZIc4L7I_ZBsUlDfxKGMtveXhPHmoTfiyQE00ZTR375sf4tj1W5ylsP_z-ZVSOGIZB_cDiuGMTPkzcpCfu6-YT7WHSRmhm2Yb9oB8/s320/IMG_0025.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
It's the last thing you want to do people. The Last. Summer's over, you're depressed. The fun annual colors are dead, your veggie garden is dead. All the fruit is off the trees and leaves are falling creating a depressing mess in your flower gardens. But look on the bright side! All those hours you spent slaving away in the 100 degree weather are over! Now you can slave away in the cool weather and not feel like you've sweated out every extra molecule of moisture in your body!<br />
<br />
I do not love the hot summer days. During those days, I sadly watch my garden grow weeds and deteriorate because in the past few years, my body has grown a strict intolerance to heat above 80 degrees. It's awful because even when it's evening, I still can't tolerate the heat so my gardens really suffer. Now however, the weather is perfect for some serious gardening and my body loves it.<br />
<br />
Today, I did a major cut back, clean out of my front garden. Cut down all the irisis, weeded like crazy, cleaned out all the leaves, cut back the phlox and basically got that beautiful bed ready for snow. And, when the snow clears and the spring plants start coming up, I will just have to stand back and watch them come. There is literally no spring cleaning needing to be done out there besides my February rose pruning.<br />
<br />
I used to save all of my Fall work for the big Spring cleanup and it was such a mess. All the dead smushed leaves, cutting back last year's perennials etc. Such a mess and a huge drag when all I really want to do is watch the bulbs come up. I've learned in the past couple years that once most of the leaves fall, there's no reason why you can't clean them out, cut back all the perennials (mulch them a bit if you're worried they are too tender) and then sit back and wait for the snow.<br />
<br />
Today, my little 4 year old buddy helped me plant over 100 bulbs in my garden right outside my front door. I showed her how to plant daffodils, tulips, hyacinths and crocus. I also put a few daffodils and tulips up in the front garden, a task I have been wanting to do since I moved here 8 years ago. Perhaps I will do a few more every year - there were some distinct holes.<br />
<br />
I'm feeling very optimistic about Spring also. I have big plans for my garden directly under my front window. I've been letting it go these past few years and it needs a big overhaul. I have some good ideas now and have gotten a little more organized wrapping my head around what needs to be done there in the Spring. Super excited! Even got my 2014 vegetable garden laid out and organized last night in preparation for the Spring. I have never been this motivated in the Fall for the next year.<br />
<br />
BTW, today's big job outside would not have come to pass if I hadn't been so organized with my awesome app mentioned in my previous post. Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15167781724086312806noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3732505642831040032.post-51481930163269252772013-10-29T16:19:00.002-06:002013-10-29T16:19:28.122-06:00Getting OrganizedI have this app on my iPad that syncs with my phone. It is simply an amazing app. I've been using it for a long time for my calendar because it has some awesome features. It also has my contacts and my tasks. I wanted a smaller version of Outlook (like on my computer) and I found it. But the tasks never worked for me. I'm an old Franklin Covey girl and still break down my goals and tasks in that way in my mind. I want them to work for me the way they did back when I carried that ridiculously bulky planner. <br />
<br />
Now, I have Pocket Informant Pro. A mighty powerhouse of an app that until recently I wasn't even utilizing to its fullest capacity and that's saying a lot because I hold this app to a very high standard with my crazy busy schedule for work, home, church etc.<br />
<br />
I found the pdf manual about two weeks ago and spend an afternoon reading the whole thing. I wanted to get a full grasp on hows the task feature could really work for me. And boy did I ever learn a lot.<br />
<br />
I am now so amazingly organized I scare myself. Like organized similar to the insanely over-the-top way I was back in graduate school (I got teased but I was secretly proud to receive it). This app can create projects - like "Spring Gardening Work" and then each task you want to do in that area will be joined and scheduled. THEN to make it better, if there are places that certain tasks need to be done...like you need to buy manure at the nursery but pots at Smiths, you use "contexts" with names like "Nursery" or "Smith's" and then every task, regardless of the project, that needs to be completed at Smith's, will show up in the Smith's list .... when you get to Smith's, just open up that list and do all the shopping for every task that you assigned that context. I now have contexts for each child, stuff to do at my computer desk, in the kitchen, Costco, local errands, Salt Lake errands, the list goes on and on and on. Being able to date-assign the tasks also will make them pop up appropriately instead of just create this never-ending list. I have a TON of tasks but they are all delightfully organized and will poke me at the necessary time. No more stressing about all the stuff I need to do. I have it managed.<br />
<br />
Ta-da!<br />
<br />
You guys. If you use an iPhone, Droid, iPad (and a few other devices but IDK because I'm an apple girl), then you really should look at this app. I am so in love with it. I have literally never felt so organized as a mother.Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15167781724086312806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3732505642831040032.post-26646320956953613822013-04-30T18:36:00.001-06:002013-04-30T18:36:25.311-06:00I Dropped My iPad in a Bathtub Full of WaterSo many people post random things on the internet that other people find especially useful. I always wonder what inspires them to even post that stuff and then I wonder why I am such an information sponge...never giving back to the information superhighway. Here. I am going to give back right now.<br />
<br />
So here's stupid me, sitting next to my patient who is merrily taking a bath. I suppose that sounds like a strange job but hey, it's a paycheck, right? I'm working on my iPad in my lap when it neatly slips off my lap, slides down my legs and fully submerges itself alongside my patient's naked body. Nice.<br />
<br />
I instantly plunge my hands in and snatch my iPad quicker probably than I would have if an infant child had fallen in. I had a moment to recognize that it was still on as I leaned over the edge to reach in and get it out.<br />
<br />
I pull it out and as I grab the first dry towel I see, I again notice that it is responding to my touch. It is still on. I'm still hyperventilating too much to fully grasp that it is still on after submerging itself in water (ok, it didn't submerge itself...I submerged itself with my stupidity). I dry the iPad off completely and then look at it not really sure what to do. So I turn it off. From experience only do I know that water and electronics do not mix. I didn't want any random app to cause my iPad to do some alert that would fry its internal workings.<br />
<br />
I had to finish my work day so I just put it in my bag. When I got home I put it in a gallon sized zip lock bag full of rice and left it until noon the next day. Overall it spent about 18 hours in rice.<br />
<br />
When I got the iPad out of the rice, I blew all of the rice particles out with compressed canned air. Then I turned it on. It took a long time on the screen with the grey apple but eventually it went away and it came just fine. A few days later, I see no residual deficits from the incident. And I'm amazed. Such I guess is my luck.Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15167781724086312806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3732505642831040032.post-35796479039417843192013-03-29T09:13:00.000-06:002013-03-29T09:13:12.454-06:00Bugs On A Bike<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3foCky3jZcboZXAWjsxO8Ofu9yEqLMjZFJr9cq9aV-FQsBzc_P-2NIW3D4Dx97NuihJl3sWDBsGxeN9W2KVsY7qBSZwGHLnlyLroib8yxm972Mg5iubrX1nd0Yf3teIGFq9Lkcr_Og3A/s1600/IMG_3781%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3foCky3jZcboZXAWjsxO8Ofu9yEqLMjZFJr9cq9aV-FQsBzc_P-2NIW3D4Dx97NuihJl3sWDBsGxeN9W2KVsY7qBSZwGHLnlyLroib8yxm972Mg5iubrX1nd0Yf3teIGFq9Lkcr_Og3A/s320/IMG_3781%5B1%5D.JPG" width="320" /></a>Growing up, 6th grade was the only year I lived within a short enough distance to ride my bike to school. I lived in Southern California, a much different place than it is now from what I'm told. I walked the mile to and from school by myself in an area now that I'm told "a white girl don't wanna show her face, girl!" I would have ridden my bike but we were poo' folk and the only bike I had access to was a huge men's ten speed that was so big I had to jump off of it in order to stop. I was too short to even straddle it. <br />
<br />
For every other grade, I had to take the bus, sometimes great distances. In Maryland, although distance is exaggerated in youth, I think it was 7-10 miles away, most of that freeway. In junior high in California, I was bussed to an inner-city school for program where they try to assimilate the races. It was about 20 miles away but all my friends were bussed on the same bus so it just a big happy hour for us. Free of adults and responsibilities...I remember those days.<br />
<br />
High school again, although it wasn't cool enough to ride the bus, still I lived 7 miles from my school and never had a car so if nobody thought me worthy to pick me up, I was riding the bus. I certainly didn't ride my bike or walk.<br />
<br />
My small family now lives about a block from the elementary school. There are lots of crossing guards, sidewalks and safe routes to get to the school. I let Bugs walk home from school every day and she usually finds friends to walk with. She is in 3rd grade now and today, for the first time has asked me if she can ride her bike to school. The mother hen in me shrieks. Her route will have to be different than that of walking, giving her more exposure to crazy people and texters. I worry so much that one of my most valued possessions won't return home to me at the end of the day.<br />
<br />
Of course I said yes, however. Teaching children independence and responsibility will be stunted if I show her I don't trust and believe in her. She's my responsible child and will listen to instructions and do what I say. I taught her about locking it up, and using her helmet and we went over the route again. I feel this is a new beginning but I'm so glad that we live in a place that I can offer her this little bit of independence and not feel I'm compromising. I'm sure she'll be fine but it's amazing all the ways that a mother can worry!Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15167781724086312806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3732505642831040032.post-61448639552034987312012-09-29T17:15:00.001-06:002012-09-29T17:15:42.841-06:00My MarshmallowTomorrow is my 12 year anniversary to The Marshmallow, the name I gave to my hubby many years ago when he failed to live up to the rock hard exterior he'd always touted to be. He's more like an M&M with marshmallow inside of it, truth be told. He's all the gruff and grouchy until one of his girls gets hurt of she says she wants something. Then the chocolate melts and we can boing liberally on the marshmallow center.<br />
<br />
Marshmallow people...not marshmellow.<br />
<br />
Anyway, at this point in my life my reasons for valuing and cherishing my husband have changed since I was first married. Back then I wanted a strong provider, someone who was trustworthy, caring and a good listener. Someone who would be home each night and take me to breakfast on Sundays. I also needed someone to support me through graduate school but that's a little truth we don't say out loud at the dinner table.<br />
<br />
These days however, my needs are vastly different as they should be after this many years. I still need to know he'll be home every night but it's mainly so I can thrust the casserole serving spoon at him thereby transferring domestic responsibilities, tell him how horrible his children were all day, and finally feel like I'm not doing all of this alone. I exaggerate a little...I don't really "thrust", I give.<br />
<br />
But more than a transfer of power at the end of the working day, I need him to be a good father to my kids. I need him to <i>want</i> to be here, to be <i>engaged</i> with the family and support me as the mom, the Supreme Being of All. I need him to be "one" with me as we parent our kids. I still need him to be the provider but not in the ways I needed him to before. Now I need him provide the majority so I can do my best with our kids.<br />
<br />
I know we all gripe about our spouses from time to time and we have our little "issues" that we deal with ongoing throughout the years. But for the most part, what I have to gripe about is minimal and pretty inconsequential for the most part when viewed in the grandest scheme.<br />
<br />
The Marshmallow has put forth a significant amount of effort this year in creating a safer and more fun haven for our kids. Long has he wished for a sunken trampoline and a re-vamp of our back-back yard space. In the spring, he dug a 12' diameter hole (4' deep) to sink the tramp, a feat which he did with a shovel, no less. Today, he finished the little area by creating a large 12x8' sandbox next to the tramp. He hauled all of the sand by wheelbarrow down from the front to the back and if you know my yard, you know there is no access front to back besides stairs so using a wheelbarrow to transport load after load of sand isn't for the feint of heart.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoDg3efehFU_rlRUtd1jJEedEIM63PjIboKPRTiRmbWPFyAQX_r95fvDHarqowPt4VTtJf6qtWyuIvNKEha6ooxk4FnAV3rAM-15Hfes959ZWyuPcJywBHu1R7MmOkUKXI71hAbYvNOtQ/s1600/from+bathroom.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Tinker loves the sandbox and she was instantly covered in sand the minute the sandbox was finished. I happened to walk by a window a short time later and caught a glimpse of what I love about the Marshmallow summed up in one moment. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9l4N5fVxGiytkqlCFtwOlDSmA6AXkF2LJi2dH1NjVSsdS1tzdqus8E32xnJ3zEpU6wopAFkhxL-JLFlMvDo-XDgVSl7M4H3vqashaTSaG9l06GZQ9ikFZXCmXKkk_1iob6PqVt06gmTo/s1600/photo.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9l4N5fVxGiytkqlCFtwOlDSmA6AXkF2LJi2dH1NjVSsdS1tzdqus8E32xnJ3zEpU6wopAFkhxL-JLFlMvDo-XDgVSl7M4H3vqashaTSaG9l06GZQ9ikFZXCmXKkk_1iob6PqVt06gmTo/s320/photo.JPG" width="320" /></a> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9l4N5fVxGiytkqlCFtwOlDSmA6AXkF2LJi2dH1NjVSsdS1tzdqus8E32xnJ3zEpU6wopAFkhxL-JLFlMvDo-XDgVSl7M4H3vqashaTSaG9l06GZQ9ikFZXCmXKkk_1iob6PqVt06gmTo/s1600/photo.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
What I love about this picture is that if you could have heard The Marshmallow talking this morning, you'd have thought the world was on his shoulders. He had "so much to do" today and it was going to take him forever. A few minutes before this picture was taken, he was out front mowing the lawn and I assume he came 'round back to begin working on it and saw this little critter enjoying her new sandbox and he sat down to soak in her fun. He does stuff like that...stops to "see" and experience those kids in ways I never do, or at least I don't think I do, not like I see him doing. He genuinely experiences pleasure just in watching that kid play. And so I love this picture because Tink is adorable in her little red glove (protecting her finger because she got a 2nd degree burn from touching the truck tailpipe earlier when we got home), as she plays in the new sandbox, Dad is enjoying his baby, and I get to look at all of his labors of love for the kids we made.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I included the below picture so you could also see the tramp better since that was the greater part of the battle.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoDg3efehFU_rlRUtd1jJEedEIM63PjIboKPRTiRmbWPFyAQX_r95fvDHarqowPt4VTtJf6qtWyuIvNKEha6ooxk4FnAV3rAM-15Hfes959ZWyuPcJywBHu1R7MmOkUKXI71hAbYvNOtQ/s1600/from+bathroom.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoDg3efehFU_rlRUtd1jJEedEIM63PjIboKPRTiRmbWPFyAQX_r95fvDHarqowPt4VTtJf6qtWyuIvNKEha6ooxk4FnAV3rAM-15Hfes959ZWyuPcJywBHu1R7MmOkUKXI71hAbYvNOtQ/s320/from+bathroom.JPG" width="320" /> </a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I am so amazingly proud of this man not because he knows how to work, although for that I should be grateful also. But because he's not afraid to work hard for his family to make them safer and happier even for a short period in their lives. Sandbox lifespan: eh maybe 5 years??? Done.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I rarely tell him how awesome he is because I'm rude and horrible and he mades suggestive remarks about what we're going to do when the kids go to bed and it embarrasses me...wait, where was I? Point is, I value him. My life would be awful without him. He is exactly who I needed when I didn't know what I needed at all. How does that happen - we're so young and naive when we make these choices and amazingly they turn out to be the best choices we could have ever made. It's almost like we're not making them on our own.....deep!</div>
Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15167781724086312806noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3732505642831040032.post-15338744831449575052012-09-23T18:54:00.000-06:002012-09-23T18:54:23.981-06:00A Post From The PastI was reading my blog today...going back through the years. It's hard to believe I've had this blog now for 5 years. I'm so glad I've kept this blog - it is really like reading a journal and it brings back so many memories. Over the next couple of days, I'm going to share a few of my older posts that I think are either funny, interesting or just strike me. Like this one, posted in December of 2007. I think it was a meme or something but I think it's hilarious and even a little frightening.<br />
<br />
<h3 class="post-title entry-title">
<a href="http://youareaflyonmywall.blogspot.com/2007/12/things-no-one-knows.html">Things No One Knows</a>
</h3>
<ul>
<li>I blush when I read smut in a romance novel even though
no one knows what I'm reading (I hate romance novels - many people know
that though)</li>
<li>I love the painful feeling when floss bites into my
tender gums, and sometimes over-do it just to feel it again and again
(yeah, sick huh)</li>
<li>I wish my name wasn't Amy...maybe Pepper. You can call me Pepper if you want.</li>
<li>I love the way naked trees look against a dark sky...it makes me pensive</li>
<li>I still like the smell of paste, although I haven't sniffed it since I was a 2nd grader :) </li>
<li>Since about 2 years ago, I hate looking at myself in the mirror and avoid it when I can</li>
<li>I'm lonely most of the time, even though I enjoy spending time by myself</li>
<li>During my clepto teenaged years, I stole from a charity</li>
<li>My worst fear, it's unspeakable and makes me choke and then I can't breathe </li>
<li>I
have a soft spot for homeless people and I give them the entire
contents of my wallet whenever I can (usually $1 lol). I don't care what
they spend it on.</li>
<li>I'm physically unable to put an ailing plant in the trash. I feel like a murderer</li>
<li>I cheated hardcore on a College Algebra final and would not have passed the class had I not done so</li>
<li>I've always ached for something big but don't know what it is</li>
</ul>
Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15167781724086312806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3732505642831040032.post-86837763625963231192012-09-23T15:38:00.002-06:002012-09-23T15:38:15.720-06:00Scavenger Hunt Boredom BustersToday I had a lot of stuff to do in my kitchen to get a bunch of apples I picked put up. True to form, my kids were at each others' throats and driving me crazy. The fact of the matter is they're just bored...bored of me, our house, each other...life's rough right?<br />
<br />
So in a moment of desperation I started dictating various lists to my daughters to go "find". Important stuff I need like "something rough". Thought I'd throw them up here in case anyone else is ever desperate for a Scavenger Hunt list. I made two for the inside, and one for outside. They're not super clever - just filling the immediate need. Feel free to improvise or improve as needed!<br />
<br />
I told them everything they found had to fit in the container provided... <br />
<br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/>
<w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
<w:Word11KerningPairs/>
<w:CachedColBalance/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><b>Inside Scavenger Hunt #1</b></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Something round and squishy</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Something sparkly</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Something you use everyday</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Something warm</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Something special</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Something purple</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Something small and squiare</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Something gross</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Something a baby would use</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Something boring </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/>
<w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
<w:Word11KerningPairs/>
<w:CachedColBalance/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><b>Inside Scavenger Hunt #2</b></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Something the size of an apple</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Something furry</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Something white</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Something sparkly</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The tiniest blue thing you can find</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Something rough</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Something pointy</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Something long and skinny</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Something orange</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Something round</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Something square</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u>Outside Scavenger Hunt</u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
find:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
one white pebble</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
one red leaf</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
two yellow leaves</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
one lady bug</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
five sticks the size of a pencil</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
four round stones</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
three pieces of trash</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
two pointy leaves</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
a dandelion</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
something yellow</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
something black</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
something the size of an apple</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
something soft</div>
<br /><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15167781724086312806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3732505642831040032.post-18048056776681251882012-09-08T19:29:00.003-06:002012-09-08T19:29:44.059-06:00Organizing Kids' ClothesIf you're anything like me, organizing children's clothing that is sitting on the back burner awaiting its next foray into the closet (the hand-me-downers), is a big green monster that sits on your shoulder always chewing on the back of your brain. In essence, it's a menace and although we should be grateful that we have this problem, (i.e. grateful that we can afford to have enough clothes to supply our growing children), the problem is still there, all over the floors of our storage rooms, piling up in mean little piles in the backs of our children's closets, under their beds and wherever else we can find room for a stack of clothes that are either grown-out of, or soon to be grown-in to. <br />
<br />
Like many of you folks, I went waaaaaay overboard in buying my sweet first-born girl-child ... clothing. As in...I bought enough to clothe every girl-child born that day in Utah for a couple of years. I've toned it down over the years as I've realized that sometimes outfits get worn once and then that was a waste of $20. When the 2nd girl-child came along I guess I was grateful that I had so much to choose from. She still got the shaft though because I absolutely refused to buy anything new. Ok, that's a flat lie but I didn't buy much.<br />
<br />
Fast forward a few years later and I have successfully managed for the past 7 years to sanely manage all of those clothes that have been ceaselessly turning over. I still have some piles here and there but I know that every few months I'll pull them all together and set them to order. Here's what it looks like. Super easy too.<br />
<br />
I have a couple bins in my storage room. One for clothing grown out of. This is where all those random piles end up. When the bin is full, I organize. There's also a bin for grown-out of shoes.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I picked up Space Bags, bless their little souls. I pack them full, suck out the air and stack 'em up tight. I usually need 2-3 bags per size but I label them so I know how many bags I'm looking for when I go in search of the next size up. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDsZ3AkXbFGbjbWLoZVwX1Gp7Uivlf04mk7oqtqsaFal6TAULew96fHLVb-ahNrqiyKxCfo9qbZ9Rh1V-SwNi3RJroTSo3aTNi_PFXeY67LnZrRRB1POBQXxQX1l9YFyEa2SH_dH8pG7s/s1600/2012-09-08+19.02.37.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDsZ3AkXbFGbjbWLoZVwX1Gp7Uivlf04mk7oqtqsaFal6TAULew96fHLVb-ahNrqiyKxCfo9qbZ9Rh1V-SwNi3RJroTSo3aTNi_PFXeY67LnZrRRB1POBQXxQX1l9YFyEa2SH_dH8pG7s/s320/2012-09-08+19.02.37.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDsZ3AkXbFGbjbWLoZVwX1Gp7Uivlf04mk7oqtqsaFal6TAULew96fHLVb-ahNrqiyKxCfo9qbZ9Rh1V-SwNi3RJroTSo3aTNi_PFXeY67LnZrRRB1POBQXxQX1l9YFyEa2SH_dH8pG7s/s1600/2012-09-08+19.02.37.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmjAyaReWlPRkKp909YnrirPoSIrooNYnXBXmcQwBZRHJzK-D8FinRFyO_Ty8YXEVWbxk1HVB-sZG5mpDFyOE1msmQshKHG4NOn_QJcqLatFtndiSeqNioIRhEKt4uDFgmRBejr79i1lE/s1600/2012-09-08+19.02.18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmjAyaReWlPRkKp909YnrirPoSIrooNYnXBXmcQwBZRHJzK-D8FinRFyO_Ty8YXEVWbxk1HVB-sZG5mpDFyOE1msmQshKHG4NOn_QJcqLatFtndiSeqNioIRhEKt4uDFgmRBejr79i1lE/s320/2012-09-08+19.02.18.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The size I have just on these two shelves are 4T to 7 plus all of my baby quilts and some winter things for me and The Marshmallow. It all fits on these two shelves which is so great! I love it! </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Today, I finally was able to go through all of these clothes and I pulled everything that is too small for either of my girls and put it in the spare room to figure out what to do with it. Most likely give it to D.I. unless someone out there could use birth to 12 months (ya, that's all that's here folks. I told you I over-did it). </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijnneh7J9ljTBu_pH1f7tKfMDs7LEZ8cEEYkHDEmtQQgthkO2A3kjStthrPkOX-4NN6zUTq9tTvIu3Si85dRb41gI6dcImqdLswvazslJ6D23gIAIzAv62VdN1L6ksbqyCnE3W1e_BvS0/s1600/2012-09-08+19.02.04.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijnneh7J9ljTBu_pH1f7tKfMDs7LEZ8cEEYkHDEmtQQgthkO2A3kjStthrPkOX-4NN6zUTq9tTvIu3Si85dRb41gI6dcImqdLswvazslJ6D23gIAIzAv62VdN1L6ksbqyCnE3W1e_BvS0/s320/2012-09-08+19.02.04.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Anyway, I have loved how organized all of these clothes are and how easy it is to find what I need. It literally only takes a minute or two to find all of the clothes for a next size. And you can re-use the bags. Nice!</div>
Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15167781724086312806noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3732505642831040032.post-78123422018764929682012-08-26T15:58:00.001-06:002012-08-26T15:58:46.507-06:00Summer's DwindlingAs I mentioned yesterday, we had a big day planned. We started off with Nicole's preschool Open House where Natalie had a few moments of reminiscing and Nicole had fun playing with all of the toys. She really wanted to paint though but we'll save that for another day!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYFlK0WVAY0hoZi-xFmgjsI4eQHf2eAbCaRvKUcKNurcQNkVu7WI3G_U3DWVOPHX2g-EZnuOa8fZnGsQLm-uQ1EJHBJHNPTcL5yqm8Li119qotxGIPrgKYhxo_MARBZdAfSxps0MP8egw/s1600/2012-08-25+10.42.24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYFlK0WVAY0hoZi-xFmgjsI4eQHf2eAbCaRvKUcKNurcQNkVu7WI3G_U3DWVOPHX2g-EZnuOa8fZnGsQLm-uQ1EJHBJHNPTcL5yqm8Li119qotxGIPrgKYhxo_MARBZdAfSxps0MP8egw/s320/2012-08-25+10.42.24.jpg" width="239" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-sdImadm3Uk34rENTRVXslU5YG02CNABbi_Brt5oQkgKBbwzkODPiSsTg7ff99z3HcHip2bmqk4FABe0nOxiw_Id1z6Wlbbjv0s9s9hJC9sAlWRMVFp4-VGnN6_UckvsalX7-fasLToQ/s1600/2012-08-25+10.41.45.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-sdImadm3Uk34rENTRVXslU5YG02CNABbi_Brt5oQkgKBbwzkODPiSsTg7ff99z3HcHip2bmqk4FABe0nOxiw_Id1z6Wlbbjv0s9s9hJC9sAlWRMVFp4-VGnN6_UckvsalX7-fasLToQ/s320/2012-08-25+10.41.45.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRo5Dbggex9fYHHZs8mb_Ty9m37vhDqaZGdyi193y3QH75HfmPj7rsDvvnm9Do_fYXM0BzkzG5obeS_3wc1qS4NbLCIDvu8rWh_-nZTmgGUG7mDsI44qjJmyC2sg2VI2f7uT7Eokdjz4M/s1600/2012-08-25+10.43.37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRo5Dbggex9fYHHZs8mb_Ty9m37vhDqaZGdyi193y3QH75HfmPj7rsDvvnm9Do_fYXM0BzkzG5obeS_3wc1qS4NbLCIDvu8rWh_-nZTmgGUG7mDsI44qjJmyC2sg2VI2f7uT7Eokdjz4M/s320/2012-08-25+10.43.37.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsO_OEzfBG6tz5k_F1l2xCNFEKTH_85dCLLu-58ML93R6mEw4wwY8z_EW5mWn9nMyPo-06xtha7_MhswdOxFDceZs4zYqyHkW8AIAfDZvLiWV4SMDgdsUFn0yXQ_x3fue0KU4k4YOkYL0/s1600/2012-08-25+10.51.41.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsO_OEzfBG6tz5k_F1l2xCNFEKTH_85dCLLu-58ML93R6mEw4wwY8z_EW5mWn9nMyPo-06xtha7_MhswdOxFDceZs4zYqyHkW8AIAfDZvLiWV4SMDgdsUFn0yXQ_x3fue0KU4k4YOkYL0/s320/2012-08-25+10.51.41.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyg0UlZtV4n_wxmkQMmtPAj8187fgoGtM8Y5opawQI4w1HjsaQ4KufmXomrUOotVegb__7bH9uMPNMeNfPnTFiQGjdiD_hJ1GEoVzvKFlM9m9AQ045tGvAOL3NRUZebUv-VhVmVaYpJi8/s1600/2012-08-25+10.42.32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a> From there, we went and got my hair chopped. Danielle, the stylist was so cute. I've never had her before but she was amazing and did exactly what I wanted. I usually have pretty vivid ideas about what I want but an obstructed image of that desire is usually what the stylist gets. I think she did a pretty good job. Too bad my kids acted like farm animals.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkoBeubYnhfabQNLJlRq66722sDYX7-Rbm3GBWOUuDzFPz7HPwq-92evPedEfzzi0bwONM4A0Qke-m2_KmfUkYovYfFy_M0QeuimAdxt9YsEO-4BvHSNuPQWy7o2P26TFHmR9o66h7AR4/s1600/2012-08-26+12.11.04.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkoBeubYnhfabQNLJlRq66722sDYX7-Rbm3GBWOUuDzFPz7HPwq-92evPedEfzzi0bwONM4A0Qke-m2_KmfUkYovYfFy_M0QeuimAdxt9YsEO-4BvHSNuPQWy7o2P26TFHmR9o66h7AR4/s320/2012-08-26+12.11.04.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
Later, after I put 3/4 of Jurassic Park, the novel, behind me we headed over to the our friend's place for ice cream and slippy slide. It wasn't really that warm at 7:30 in the evening but that didn't stop the kids, and it definitely didn't stop chattering teeth. We wrapped it up with toast, peaches, a movie and Tinker throwing a fit telling us it was time to say good-bye.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2mQ992SyRO6UfnD6uOCmefJFzpqepMTG0EWx1uvJ7PB3A7ZTbGAJVGzz9Kmbo-6nww6OHyIWjyg9QfDafwr_RY8Nf0jtwMYRyQ_Ak7jHtOhqsR90eLYYqZzP_toYSu13P4lSMQZcrfbU/s1600/2012-08-25+19.29.46.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2mQ992SyRO6UfnD6uOCmefJFzpqepMTG0EWx1uvJ7PB3A7ZTbGAJVGzz9Kmbo-6nww6OHyIWjyg9QfDafwr_RY8Nf0jtwMYRyQ_Ak7jHtOhqsR90eLYYqZzP_toYSu13P4lSMQZcrfbU/s320/2012-08-25+19.29.46.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhilc_MFoiNk_qwO0k8s96flAjOtNIIqTgXAujTc7b23JOQATpRsYKyNqE04ylW1mW5wBy7N-v8wfwt9fDPLMcZTH3_TE-ya4-rBCkvNraCKpfjA_m77ox46BGmo3Vf1DbombtIMSa0m60/s1600/2012-08-25+19.35.27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhilc_MFoiNk_qwO0k8s96flAjOtNIIqTgXAujTc7b23JOQATpRsYKyNqE04ylW1mW5wBy7N-v8wfwt9fDPLMcZTH3_TE-ya4-rBCkvNraCKpfjA_m77ox46BGmo3Vf1DbombtIMSa0m60/s320/2012-08-25+19.35.27.jpg" width="239" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXoGGm9j-9B5xuzd_1mEy0YHzkrqLVgT8SS6PCXPMj9tOnnr_A3nhyJU5p57Fu4EDVm9EkMX3IVoJDC0ajk9QHp-YoAT0wSD_-TZWVopmtvN_gZFmZEbjIjrR7uMG28rsJm_KkCkXt5QQ/s1600/2012-08-25+19.29.49.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXoGGm9j-9B5xuzd_1mEy0YHzkrqLVgT8SS6PCXPMj9tOnnr_A3nhyJU5p57Fu4EDVm9EkMX3IVoJDC0ajk9QHp-YoAT0wSD_-TZWVopmtvN_gZFmZEbjIjrR7uMG28rsJm_KkCkXt5QQ/s320/2012-08-25+19.29.49.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu2huajV8CSijCv2trxg_Zl8FR70DLhId2cofzxvIvX-rVAvs6LpkYIdbvuTKqZp-AIoeYNF_zFlwyU34SDJ-5HVy571STbdYWZZ7xWxO8-VLh9dDzof3XHV1Zw1tC9QopMP-0r_mA-O0/s1600/2012-08-25+19.36.18.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu2huajV8CSijCv2trxg_Zl8FR70DLhId2cofzxvIvX-rVAvs6LpkYIdbvuTKqZp-AIoeYNF_zFlwyU34SDJ-5HVy571STbdYWZZ7xWxO8-VLh9dDzof3XHV1Zw1tC9QopMP-0r_mA-O0/s320/2012-08-25+19.36.18.jpg" width="238" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu2huajV8CSijCv2trxg_Zl8FR70DLhId2cofzxvIvX-rVAvs6LpkYIdbvuTKqZp-AIoeYNF_zFlwyU34SDJ-5HVy571STbdYWZZ7xWxO8-VLh9dDzof3XHV1Zw1tC9QopMP-0r_mA-O0/s1600/2012-08-25+19.36.18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5yaIkzSGfXv7hXHj0_vH7we8UevAAx51NQ_j4vPGbVOTsI1EBYqopt2Qcx7Q0V7SOdb_KR_Z9WNVeqhfd-TlVQg8h9EAX84O0W1Xdn9ebbiJTvTognFqjGG_FtCJdt6uC_jp9pD6wjJg/s1600/2012-08-25+19.36.19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5yaIkzSGfXv7hXHj0_vH7we8UevAAx51NQ_j4vPGbVOTsI1EBYqopt2Qcx7Q0V7SOdb_KR_Z9WNVeqhfd-TlVQg8h9EAX84O0W1Xdn9ebbiJTvTognFqjGG_FtCJdt6uC_jp9pD6wjJg/s320/2012-08-25+19.36.19.jpg" width="239" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjot0uHFWNk0Lv_AvO5o0hOYovLR1k9v_0C7ibnL6fkq_audQWvR5RIdgTiRw36xxSLEIfRd4jefpT1ozi3XxVcpdy53AkHJlQoiFLvhxQPSVR08kvXyugZo0piywE6zvqIhiHjkojAXYs/s1600/2012-08-25+19.36.53.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjot0uHFWNk0Lv_AvO5o0hOYovLR1k9v_0C7ibnL6fkq_audQWvR5RIdgTiRw36xxSLEIfRd4jefpT1ozi3XxVcpdy53AkHJlQoiFLvhxQPSVR08kvXyugZo0piywE6zvqIhiHjkojAXYs/s320/2012-08-25+19.36.53.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
I finally got the kids settled down asleep and I stayed up until 2am to finish Jurassic Park. Very good ending to another day that I didn't kill my children :)Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15167781724086312806noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3732505642831040032.post-9495104372419581142012-08-25T07:34:00.004-06:002012-08-25T07:34:54.933-06:00Preschool For The BabyMy baby starts preschool in a week. I feel a little startled, caught off guard about it, like I just came out of a time capsule 20 years in the future and have lost my orientation.<br />
<br />
I have mixed feelings as I think most of us do when our children start school. Happy for their new opportunities and experiences; happy for the tiny slice of liberty it allows us as parents; and yet sadness for the loss of niavity and innocence that will surely come as a result of the exposure to the new "teachers" whether they be true teachers or the kids who will shed new light onto the meager understandings of their young world.<br />
<br />
Today there is an Open House for the preschool as, since Bugs went to the same preschool, the teacher has moved the location which is in the basement of her home. Evidently she wanted more space for the preschool. She has expanded in the past few years to include 3 year olds. When Bugs went, it was only for 4 year olds but it was actually her first year doing preschool.<br />
<br />
We're very excited to see the new Preschool and Tink is beside herself with anticipation. I received the invitation a few weeks ago and not being very detail-oriented mistakenly thought it was for last week. We got Tink all pumped up to go and when we arrived at the appointed time, we were disappointed and chagrined to realize that we were a week early. The Marshmallow just rolled his eyes at my error. I guess he's used to these types of incidents living with me for the past 12 years.<br />
<br />
I believe we have the right week now and so we'll go up there at 10 to check out the new digs, see Miss Deborah again and get Tink oriented. <br />
<br />
When Tink got up this morning, I told her we were going to go see Miss Deborah today. She was so excited she could hardly speak and when she did, this is what she said:<br />
<br />
"We're going to go see Miss Deborah? I have my pretty underpants on!"<br />
<br />
Yes she does. They're silky little rumba pants with lace rumba on the back. Tink is very fancy - do you know Fancy Nancy? This is Tink. I didn't even bat an eye to know these were her first thoughts.Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15167781724086312806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3732505642831040032.post-12378270445088098212012-07-17T12:35:00.000-06:002012-07-17T12:35:00.704-06:00Wow, I Amaze MyselfI had a random thought today as I contemplated some of the things that I want to do in my life, both small and large. I startled myself with my profundity, and then found myself amusing because my profundity was rather simple and ordinary.
Here goes.
I am in control of my life. Hehe. Isn't that funny? What all of my personal decisions boil down to is...I am in control. If I want these things, then I am the only person in the way of achieving them. In this world, so many things are out of our control - how much our jobs pay us, how our kids behave (ok, so it's kind of in our control), weather, other people and how their decisions affect us, the prices of necessities and the list goes on. But the things that are totally within our power are our own behaviors, thoughts and decisions about our behaviors.
Having said that, why then is it so difficult to achieve goals? These are the things we TRULY want! And I have control of those things! It came to me this morning...and I had a He-Man moment - I HAVE THE POWER!! I do. And now I just need to use it.Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15167781724086312806noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3732505642831040032.post-28036130394548803192012-04-04T16:45:00.000-06:002012-04-04T16:45:24.233-06:00I Don't Want To Be FrailWhat a not great day, and come to think of it, what a not great month for my health that is. I'm just so frustrated with myself. I've got several issues that keep holding me back, causing me pain and wrecking my rhythmn. Today, I had a fun day planned for the girls since they're on Spring Break. We went to The Lorax and then as a reward for Bugs bringing home another stellar report card, I took them to the Discovery Kids' Museum. I let them play there for about an hour and a half and I would have stayed longer except that my back was killing me! All I could think of was laying down on a heating pad - like an old lady!<br />
<br />
This back pain has been getting worse and worse ever since I got pregnant with Tink. I thought that having her would also deliver me of the pain and it did for awhile but progressively it has been getting worse and worse again to the point that I'm practically back to where I was when I was pregnant - only having a limited stance tolerance. I'm an active person! What am I supposed to do with this?<br />
<br />
I had an x-ray and an MRI a couple of years ago with unsignificant results (a little arthritis was all they reported) which left me basically at square one.<br />
<br />
I wouldn't be complaining <em>lol, probably</em> if it was just one stupid thing I was dealing with but I also have this very painful and very annoying knee pain on both sides! I have no idea what I did but it is killing me! I feel like I walk like an old lady - I have had to modify all of my routines and even getting on my elliptical exacerbates my pain. <br />
<br />
These are not the only things I'm dealing with but I'd only bore you with the details of arthritis, and other infirmities. I just don't feel healthy right now mainly because exercising is difficult and being so busy doesn't help my motivation to find extra time to do things that will only make me hurt worse. I need to figure this out.Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15167781724086312806noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3732505642831040032.post-76103974913667488142012-03-21T21:29:00.000-06:002012-03-21T21:29:36.809-06:00Carrot Cake ExpertThe Marshmallow is addicted to the carrot cake at, of all places, Chuck-a-Rama. And before you ask...yes, it's our favorite restaurant (for the family) for a variety of reasons and anyone with children will understand why. We all eat for less than $30, anything we want in any quantity. The kids can eat noodles, fries, baby corn, hard boiled eggs, and pieces of ham and mom and dad can have grown up food or at least comfort food. And it's remarkably good for a buffet. So we go there frequently.<br />
<br />
I've decided to become a carrot cake expert and surely I can do better than Chuck-a-Rama, right? Surely. So I started tonight.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsF0eyuilQdagsYJ8vVu9Q8ibcQ0a8B1DBu2MPg7vrbZWuhbVjd_ySfr88ATkRvsg6oPuDVoa0bcHDgtyqogRK-Ch8AT8XPU1gPpvYkPDhqK69zUd67Bn9cMRkfWKLwUthd-W-rgOPPyA/s1600/best+bites.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>My sister gave me a cookbook for Christmas...<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsF0eyuilQdagsYJ8vVu9Q8ibcQ0a8B1DBu2MPg7vrbZWuhbVjd_ySfr88ATkRvsg6oPuDVoa0bcHDgtyqogRK-Ch8AT8XPU1gPpvYkPDhqK69zUd67Bn9cMRkfWKLwUthd-W-rgOPPyA/s1600/best+bites.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsF0eyuilQdagsYJ8vVu9Q8ibcQ0a8B1DBu2MPg7vrbZWuhbVjd_ySfr88ATkRvsg6oPuDVoa0bcHDgtyqogRK-Ch8AT8XPU1gPpvYkPDhqK69zUd67Bn9cMRkfWKLwUthd-W-rgOPPyA/s1600/best+bites.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
So far I haven't used it but I found their carrot cake recipe and decided it was a good place to start. It calls for butter flavored crisco! Who uses that? I guess I do...but the dough was very smooth and fluffy. Sort of like zucchini bread. In fact it tasted like zucchini bread. Is this all there is to it? I have a great zucchini bread recipe. Do I just cover it with cream cheese frosting? Hmmm, put this away in my file cabinet in my head (wait, I might never find it again...).<br />
<br />
I just took the cake out of the oven and lo...the middle fell a tiny bit. 's Ok. I'm sure it'll taste the same but who wants a cake to fall? Now I just have to wait for it to cool and then put on the frosting. I'll report on the results - how will The Marshmallow grade my cake against Chuck-a-Rama? I'll probably want to try other recipes. If anyone out there has a good one, shoot it my way! Maybe I can get Chuck-a-Rama's recipe.Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15167781724086312806noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3732505642831040032.post-61341976451110148762012-03-19T16:22:00.000-06:002012-03-19T16:22:55.503-06:00I Shouldn't Be Allowed To Be A Grown-upCan I tell you a secret? If you want free electronics, like brand new iPhones and new iPads within 2 days of them being released, then go hang out at Smith's Marketplace in Bountiful in the entrance where people leave their carts. Surely, it won't be long before you find one or both in an empty cart just waiting for you!<br />
<br />
How, do you ask, would I know this? Because not two weeks ago, I left my iPhone in a cart there one night when I was grocery shopping. I realized it several hours later. I panicked because it didn't even have a password on it and every shred of personal information about me and my entire family is on there. I returned at 11pm. Someone had turned it in, God bless their sweet little soul. <br />
<br />
You'd have thought I had learned my lesson.<br />
<br />
No. I. Did. Not.<br />
<br />
Yesterday, I was there <i>again</i> with my iPad doing a little shopping for the candy decor we made yesterday and I grabbed all the bags and my Priorities...MY CHILDREN...and we got in the car and headed home looking forward to excitement and crafting all the day long. Until I got home and instantaneously realized I had left my iPad IN THE FREAKING CART. O My Gosh. My heart <i>exploded</i> in my chest as I hurtled back to the grocery store. I did not even STOP to buckle up my Priorities in the backseat but drove at breakneck speed the 2 1/2 miles to that store where I found that no one had turned it in. I nearly started to scream at the service attendant or CRY or both when I realized that there was a infinitesimal chance that it hadn't even left the cart yet. I walked in slow motion back over to the carts and someone had actually shoved the cart back into its cart row and never even noticed the black leather case in the cart. It was right there...so easy for anyone to steal. But no one had even noticed it. Except me...and I snatched it up again feeling like I was going to cry. What the...I'm really speechless. I mean how lucky can one person be? I'm not kidding. I think a train is going to hit me next just for karma's sake!!<br />
<br />
My Priorities are expressly forbidden to divulge this tale to The Marshmallow. And I will tell him at a later date...after I have buttered him up with whatever I can think of. He will probably not ever let me buy another toy again...and I do not blame him at all.<br />
<br />
Am I lucky? Yes. Am I stupid? Yes.<br />
<br />
Should I be allowed to purchase expensive gadgets? The answer is clearly no.Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15167781724086312806noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3732505642831040032.post-5864556895264963042012-03-18T18:40:00.001-06:002012-03-18T18:44:57.587-06:00We Don't Just Pin To Pinterest - We Create Pinterest Stuff!Don't you love all the little Pinterest pins alluding to the loser lives we have and all we do is pin and wish on Pinterest instead of DO stuff?<br />
<br />
I actually am quite inspired by Pinterest. I love logging on there and immediately feeling inspired to create something cute that I pinned there. I've made so many fun things lately but today was the best. A little reminder popped up on my phone today telling me that it was time to decorate for Easter (ya, I give myself these reminders, lol) and I thought - hey! I've got some cute Pinterest stuff for Easter! So my girls and I gathered the supplies (i.e. we talked about the Repentance process as we drove to the craft store on Sunday) and began working on several projects that I've pinned to Pinterest. My results are never quite like the pics on Pinterest - who is ever that awesome (not me), but we got some super fantastic results, loads of candy left over, a huge mess on the kitchen table, and great kid/mom time.<br />
<br />
Here are my girls and I being creative instead of just gawking at Pinterest stuff, which by the way is one of Bugs and my favorite things to do as we're putting off bedtime together. Her fav thing to look at is desserts in bright colors. We tried a few and mostly gagged (chocolate dipped peeps, cream cheese frosting stuffed strawberry-cake cookies - oh my gosh, that was the sickest thing ever) but they're pretty anyway.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6SiVFcF9VIb__wwCc_WxvM5StNpCUQOQtEwuelWR0Cd70bdMPdJkg1zTt5RyEgXWspGgcZNYz9vHEqgMP95K0BUtg8cIjkPnBrhZvIbB0kZr999e8iIolBZDgF9e-_j45nEYnPAQx3GY/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6SiVFcF9VIb__wwCc_WxvM5StNpCUQOQtEwuelWR0Cd70bdMPdJkg1zTt5RyEgXWspGgcZNYz9vHEqgMP95K0BUtg8cIjkPnBrhZvIbB0kZr999e8iIolBZDgF9e-_j45nEYnPAQx3GY/s400/2.jpg" width="300" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Rxq0hqIN2nlXuXOOiYsbr8lT_o1LZTBKw86o2W2WuWH76aW9bKAO8e4WX1DxDRcCwzMYflAj8ksSPRyQYEbAulhYJSgrKCDgONV-K5-LbH3GgCZmDOSIXRxrznOC8QrD6zu7aU1d7yw/s1600/1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Rxq0hqIN2nlXuXOOiYsbr8lT_o1LZTBKw86o2W2WuWH76aW9bKAO8e4WX1DxDRcCwzMYflAj8ksSPRyQYEbAulhYJSgrKCDgONV-K5-LbH3GgCZmDOSIXRxrznOC8QrD6zu7aU1d7yw/s400/1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq5iUUrzIlhdKYk7ChQg5QMDcfGwMkD62UaceyJ1RRLudzotOwh5IqVgz-Ge0nxR5K8U53Wg2Q1SX0bvWAYJOihxg6S8frBpomRvPxP1Cqwh364-kpWOMW3zCfHx6_8J_Nx5_JWk0De_Y/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq5iUUrzIlhdKYk7ChQg5QMDcfGwMkD62UaceyJ1RRLudzotOwh5IqVgz-Ge0nxR5K8U53Wg2Q1SX0bvWAYJOihxg6S8frBpomRvPxP1Cqwh364-kpWOMW3zCfHx6_8J_Nx5_JWk0De_Y/s400/4.jpg" width="400" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Rxq0hqIN2nlXuXOOiYsbr8lT_o1LZTBKw86o2W2WuWH76aW9bKAO8e4WX1DxDRcCwzMYflAj8ksSPRyQYEbAulhYJSgrKCDgONV-K5-LbH3GgCZmDOSIXRxrznOC8QrD6zu7aU1d7yw/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4aKmiWI0cl0XYMjHE8zbWuHBgBZniKHprjW4NryIMYBieMbZi9DMiFTcdLTof8HqbbCTS7GMxzg3JlbaG4oWaSaKx4l8gR3KE3_9P20-KiasiBRnuns25NtHIEKaQZu-32lSbUPiIxTg/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4aKmiWI0cl0XYMjHE8zbWuHBgBZniKHprjW4NryIMYBieMbZi9DMiFTcdLTof8HqbbCTS7GMxzg3JlbaG4oWaSaKx4l8gR3KE3_9P20-KiasiBRnuns25NtHIEKaQZu-32lSbUPiIxTg/s400/3.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTOrMA6uWe0L-Fv92pnl0glBigzEKm4kHnLajxbMaIJx_guCHtqf8xz9Jhe9PRZ_m3uLf7FJL43sH50a4eNJK9EzX3MZOQGTcBzA7MgYqRYOJJWzN8HvDB-2cI5lwqo-EQK71pz_Pg8os/s1600/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgA35isUtJofj-AJkovsO0zHpHD06baHVqmObBjnC1VT3__BfuH1fdvf5zBpsN_hmpd15zYMdmsSNAHwUIGs4W2vEwlLgvJhIxclINY2TGfS0zv3a6S3nJvl7JlQ6npHFkCMKYhkDuM2M/s1600/8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgA35isUtJofj-AJkovsO0zHpHD06baHVqmObBjnC1VT3__BfuH1fdvf5zBpsN_hmpd15zYMdmsSNAHwUIGs4W2vEwlLgvJhIxclINY2TGfS0zv3a6S3nJvl7JlQ6npHFkCMKYhkDuM2M/s400/8.jpg" width="400" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu6UOnu_UN1ZXSqg2fES3YTJiruJ5iPBcl2vSzPHs0qLzX5N5JIy5nQvlmIsW0vqH53UITx9wrGqiSlMvqZSmVCjajwcqDgLicR2sVblo33TFo-N8scF-y6XygXO8g_PuE-AnhBXiZsOc/s1600/7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu6UOnu_UN1ZXSqg2fES3YTJiruJ5iPBcl2vSzPHs0qLzX5N5JIy5nQvlmIsW0vqH53UITx9wrGqiSlMvqZSmVCjajwcqDgLicR2sVblo33TFo-N8scF-y6XygXO8g_PuE-AnhBXiZsOc/s400/7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmCsKBeOhjDVntyCjc2WCTLkKj2H4VrFiZqRxqxCFfVmkFUHCIroRst78CgZyJcBEMTa6j8QUIj3sp1UOjiSY3OpSg8IYyou2Xr6kG2W4sR5rdpIJ-wkvYv59q9U2lyQEAWvU8vsyeySw/s1600/5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmCsKBeOhjDVntyCjc2WCTLkKj2H4VrFiZqRxqxCFfVmkFUHCIroRst78CgZyJcBEMTa6j8QUIj3sp1UOjiSY3OpSg8IYyou2Xr6kG2W4sR5rdpIJ-wkvYv59q9U2lyQEAWvU8vsyeySw/s400/5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is another thing we tried from Pinterest. It's curls for a little girl. I dampened her hair a bit then corkscrewed it for the day. Then let it out and look - it's beautiful! I wish my hair would do this but it's a bit short for this look. I am CONSTANTLY jealous of this little girls' hair. It's the perfect color, texture and length. I guess mine would look like hers if I wasn't consistently damaging it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTOrMA6uWe0L-Fv92pnl0glBigzEKm4kHnLajxbMaIJx_guCHtqf8xz9Jhe9PRZ_m3uLf7FJL43sH50a4eNJK9EzX3MZOQGTcBzA7MgYqRYOJJWzN8HvDB-2cI5lwqo-EQK71pz_Pg8os/s1600/6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTOrMA6uWe0L-Fv92pnl0glBigzEKm4kHnLajxbMaIJx_guCHtqf8xz9Jhe9PRZ_m3uLf7FJL43sH50a4eNJK9EzX3MZOQGTcBzA7MgYqRYOJJWzN8HvDB-2cI5lwqo-EQK71pz_Pg8os/s400/6.jpg" width="400" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTOrMA6uWe0L-Fv92pnl0glBigzEKm4kHnLajxbMaIJx_guCHtqf8xz9Jhe9PRZ_m3uLf7FJL43sH50a4eNJK9EzX3MZOQGTcBzA7MgYqRYOJJWzN8HvDB-2cI5lwqo-EQK71pz_Pg8os/s1600/6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbS9NPg06MdfWd8_VvFdB2CjjLq9-qGsppsWSSUJBZEhmTbIB-kya6tqJft5T9RvlHY58Lc-ijFk1IiO90pUv0bKDpDah7fQuK_Vrgf3tbEoutq4XKcVDpAdWZlzI_3OqtWvnaXlITAkQ/s1600/IMG_2244.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbS9NPg06MdfWd8_VvFdB2CjjLq9-qGsppsWSSUJBZEhmTbIB-kya6tqJft5T9RvlHY58Lc-ijFk1IiO90pUv0bKDpDah7fQuK_Vrgf3tbEoutq4XKcVDpAdWZlzI_3OqtWvnaXlITAkQ/s400/IMG_2244.JPG" width="300" /></a></div> Look how happy she is!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq79JN0ML8S1z7oovipBFFUzwiO8IjwVC3_r8aSqDnl6bon5l7scyYmZXcCMkmuUiZyNIQ81e9vIO4zdVyVe6XUFAfetO_hyphenhyphenjsog6pJZlRxj9ZNa6R0RZHrdJ5mwPBqkREoBPNiQxod_g/s1600/IMG_2247.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq79JN0ML8S1z7oovipBFFUzwiO8IjwVC3_r8aSqDnl6bon5l7scyYmZXcCMkmuUiZyNIQ81e9vIO4zdVyVe6XUFAfetO_hyphenhyphenjsog6pJZlRxj9ZNa6R0RZHrdJ5mwPBqkREoBPNiQxod_g/s400/IMG_2247.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15167781724086312806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3732505642831040032.post-65409772556432449602012-03-10T19:39:00.000-07:002012-03-10T19:39:09.625-07:00Guest Post: Throwing Your Daughter a Great Birthday Party<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/> <w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> <w:Word11KerningPairs/> <w:CachedColBalance/> <w:UseFELayout/> </w:Compatibility> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267"> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Cambria","serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style> <![endif]--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal">I've never had a guest post on my blog before but thought it might be fun to try one. Lisa from <a href="http://www.thepartyworks.com/" target="_blank">The Party Works</a> has some fun ideas for little girls' parties that I thought you might enjoy...... </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">For the first couple of years birthday parties are more like a gathering with cake and lots of photos.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is to say that 1, 2 and 3 year olds don’t really have themed parties so much as an occasion for families and a few friends to gather and celebrate their turning another year older.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once they turn 4 or 5 it’s time to think about what kind of birthday party you want to throw for your kiddo, where they can invite their little friends and enjoy games or crafts and party favors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here are a few ideas for throwing your little girl a wonderful party that she will never forget!</div><span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Princess Theme</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Really girly girls love to get dressed up with a tiara and wand and prance around holding court.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Decorations for the princess theme are easy to find and the tiaras and wands make great party favors to send home with your guests.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bowls filled with sparkly costume jewelry for the girls to accessorize with can be set out among the snacks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A craft station with lots of glue, glitter and little jewels for the girls to decorate an item of your choice, such as their own tiaras or felt princess bags.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Tea Party Theme</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Go to a thrift store and pick up a few sun hats, the bigger the better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Note the theme in the invitation and have the girls wear their Sunday best.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Make little crust-less cucumber sandwiches and break out a tea set (plastic is best), with saucers, teapot and sugar caddy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The girls will love the cute little finger foods and giant hats they get to pick out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If the birthday is in the spring months this is ideal for setting up small tables outside with little vases full of flowers and place cards for the guests. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Lisa is a guest post blogger who loves throwing her kids birthday parties and has tried both Princess and Tea Party for her daughter and used </span><a href="http://www.thepartyworks.com/super-mario-brothers-party-supplies" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Super Mario party supplies</a><span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> for her son. </span><a href="" name="_GoBack"></a></div><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/> <w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> <w:Word11KerningPairs/> <w:CachedColBalance/> <w:UseFELayout/> </w:Compatibility> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267"> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Cambria","serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style> <![endif]--><a href="" name="_GoBack"></a>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15167781724086312806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3732505642831040032.post-16910868597776770532012-03-07T14:06:00.000-07:002012-03-07T14:06:44.295-07:00Really???I took Tinker to her pediatrician a month or so ago for what I thought might be croup. The visit itself run me about $75. Not bad, right? For the peace of mind that your child is getting the oxygen they need, probably not going to die and that somebody besides you has diagnosed your child with a fairly routine ailment, I think it's ok. Except this...<br />
<br />
A few weeks later (after the bill had been paid), I get another bill from the pediatrician. It's for $14.73, an odd amount especially considering the visit bill had already been paid in full. I call the accounting department and they tell me that that all of the charges hadn't been submitted when the bill was paid and that the $14.73 was the charge for using the pulse oximeter. Do you know what this is? It's that little thing they put on your finger that tells you your oxygen saturation. True, this is not a reading I can get at home since the pulse ox I use for work is for adults but this is my gripe...<br />
<br />
The doctor sees patients...<br />
I see patients...<br />
<br />
The doctor charges per visit...<br />
I charge per visit...<br />
<br />
The doctor monitors vital signs...<br />
I monitor vital signs...<br />
<br />
The doctor routinely uses a pulse oximiter on her patients...<br />
I routinely use a pulse oximiter on my patients...<br />
<br />
The doctor charges for each use of the pulse oximeter...<br />
I consider it part of the visit fee to use the pulse oximiter...<br />
<br />
Why didn't they charge me for using the thermometer, the stethescope and every other object they utilized during the visit? Why just for the pulse ox? It is just another device to measure vital signs!<br />
<br />
I am so irritated about this that I actually laughed when the billing creature told me what it was for. Wow, I thought. Now that's really getting down to the nitty gritty. Am I going to be charged for the lollipop next?<br />
<br />
I sound like my dad. Frickin' doctors.Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15167781724086312806noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3732505642831040032.post-53085774213483196602012-02-21T17:13:00.000-07:002012-02-21T17:13:51.543-07:00No More Meal Stress<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Scenario: Yesterday (could be any day in my life though)<br />
<br />
It's 5pm. I just walked in the door. I'm exhausted...the kids are spider-hugging my legs...I'm lugging what feels like 2 week's worth of vacation-luggage which is in fact all the crap I take to work every day...I need to pee...The Marshmallow will be home any minute <i>hungry</i>...all I want to do is climb in my bed and pretend I am single and child-less.<br />
<br />
In actuality, what used to be one of my day's worst challenges is set in front of me. What do I make for dinner? Do you remember this <a href="http://youareaflyonmywall.blogspot.com/2012/01/e-mealz-ill-take-help.html" target="_blank">post</a>? About<a href="https://emeals.com/" target="_blank"> e-meals</a>? It's been about 6 weeks since I found this wonderful website and am still TOTALLY RAVING about it because it has literally changed so many things in my life. Like I feel like a good wife and mother, am feeding my family healthy foods, I'm in control of a big huge stressor <i>every day</i> and we eat together every night because there's actually something on the table to eat! Since I've been using e-meals, I've found that there are several similar services out there. I don't know about them because I've never used 'em but what I do know is that e-meals is now tried and true for me/us and one of my favorite things things in the world.<br />
<br />
I got home a few minutes early today which really just meant 4:30. Still not much time to figure out what to make, defrost the meat, wrastle up whatever it is I'm going to make for the main meal and that's not even <i>talking</i> about sides! Unfortunately for me, The Marshmallow is NOT a one-dish meal kinda guy. Too bad because I <i>really really</i> love casseroles. They are the ultimate in comfort food for me but The Marshmallow is a total "course" guy. Like as in first, second, third or the meal at least has to have several components. Blah blah ya, suck fest for me at 5pm on my typical day. Too Bad Marshmallow. Eat yer freakin' Tuna Surprise and be happy you got sumpin' right? Well, I'm a wife who aims to please. Who knows what'll get me right? heh heh.<br />
<br />
Anyway, tonight it's 4:59 and instead of standing helpless in my kitchen, I am <i>blogging</i>. It's because not only do I <i>know</i> what's for dinner, it is practically all ready. There is about 5 minutes work left to be done when The Marshmallow walks in the door and I can look like June Cleaver in my Bear Claw boots sans dress, hair, figure and attitude. <br />
<br />
Here's what's the main course tonight: Pasta Carbonara<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb9IKBNBDvBvyYfTM8TGuSuVT9shTpgsgaCfxgDPsQhIMkMFNts6AT5LPOifVBTYjohu4wfTHyq8CUAm2YgYRXbpoSYZSsjAv41eYRXiEvMDP0Ogm7DbjpWzAgrLzUQVhyMjaLkHV_IsU/s1600/spaghetti-carbonara.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb9IKBNBDvBvyYfTM8TGuSuVT9shTpgsgaCfxgDPsQhIMkMFNts6AT5LPOifVBTYjohu4wfTHyq8CUAm2YgYRXbpoSYZSsjAv41eYRXiEvMDP0Ogm7DbjpWzAgrLzUQVhyMjaLkHV_IsU/s320/spaghetti-carbonara.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Served along side this yummy bacony, garlicy, pasta-y yumminess will be fresh, steamed green beans and garlic cheese bread. Yesterday after a hellacious day we had Cajun Talapia, parmesan-roasted broccoli and pasta salad.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">And all I did was print, shop for 1/2 hour and throw a little something together. This working mom and her family are eating like I don't work 30 hrs a week outside the home. And that's something to shout about!</div>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15167781724086312806noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3732505642831040032.post-14097532773242459322012-02-18T17:02:00.000-07:002012-02-18T17:02:51.618-07:00Tinker's Three!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7IsMG3nthg-YAItWft9NgLwEhKbCnNhPhd2_Sp-Wp98AtkXa82P1iwCR7Ag9Q1BiKpIafkOwxw-KQfHt0DDK0eZje_8hbEKq90ap8Zhxy95283d8qmEWA7bHGRd7LFpWu5m1Ijl1nbtE/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7IsMG3nthg-YAItWft9NgLwEhKbCnNhPhd2_Sp-Wp98AtkXa82P1iwCR7Ag9Q1BiKpIafkOwxw-KQfHt0DDK0eZje_8hbEKq90ap8Zhxy95283d8qmEWA7bHGRd7LFpWu5m1Ijl1nbtE/s400/4.jpg" width="267" /></a></div>Today my littlest turns three. She was born at about 7:30 AM February 18th, 2009. I remember that day like it was yesterday. I look back on those pictures from her birth and recollect vividly the first time she was placed in my arms. That little tiny body snuggled up to me - so perfect and the answer to my prayers.<br />
<br />
We've had a lot of crazy times since then as I've gotten to know her. She's headstrong, stubborn, passionate, dramatic, fierce, and more and more loving every day. She has a hilarious sense of humor which makes it a lot easier to be a member of this family. She refuses to be potty trained, can't wait to start pre-school, adores her big sister, is scared of shadows, calls Natalie "Lallie", has a wonderful little singing voice, and climbs like a monkey. I love this little girl with a tenderness that can break my heart. To walk in her room at night and see her <i>silent</i> and<i> serene</i> and <i>beautiful, </i>it makes me so grateful that I was lucky enough for her to come into our family.<br />
<br />
There's some questions going around that you can ask your kids on their birthday. I've done this a few times with Bugs but never Tinker. She's really only barely at an age where she can answer them. <br />
<br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:RelyOnVML/> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/> <w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> <w:Word11KerningPairs/> <w:CachedColBalance/> </w:Compatibility> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267"> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
</style> <![endif]--> <br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 10.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 0in 25.0pt 50.0pt 75.0pt 100.0pt 125.0pt 150.0pt 175.0pt 200.0pt 225.0pt 250.0pt 275.0pt 300.0pt; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "A Red Bucket"; font-size: 36.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: GillSans; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">Nicole is three!!</span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 10.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 0in 25.0pt 50.0pt 75.0pt 100.0pt 125.0pt 150.0pt 175.0pt 200.0pt 225.0pt 250.0pt 275.0pt 300.0pt; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "A Red Bucket"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: GillSans;">What is your favorite color</span><span style="font-family: "A Red Bucket"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: GillSans;">? <span style="color: red;">purple</span></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 10.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 0in 25.0pt 50.0pt 75.0pt 100.0pt 125.0pt 150.0pt 175.0pt 200.0pt 225.0pt 250.0pt 275.0pt 300.0pt; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "A Red Bucket"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: GillSans;">What is your favorite toy?</span><span style="font-family: "A Red Bucket"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: GillSans;"> <span style="color: red;">elephant</span></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 10.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 0in 25.0pt 50.0pt 75.0pt 100.0pt 125.0pt 150.0pt 175.0pt 200.0pt 225.0pt 250.0pt 275.0pt 300.0pt; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "A Red Bucket"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: GillSans;">What is your favorite fruit?</span><span style="font-family: "A Red Bucket"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: GillSans;"> <span style="color: red;">candy</span></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 10.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 0in 25.0pt 50.0pt 75.0pt 100.0pt 125.0pt 150.0pt 175.0pt 200.0pt 225.0pt 250.0pt 275.0pt 300.0pt; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "A Red Bucket"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: GillSans;">What is your favorite tv show?</span><span style="font-family: "A Red Bucket"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: GillSans;"> <span style="color: red;">Bubble Guppies</span></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 10.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 0in 25.0pt 50.0pt 75.0pt 100.0pt 125.0pt 150.0pt 175.0pt 200.0pt 225.0pt 250.0pt 275.0pt 300.0pt; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "A Red Bucket"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: GillSans;">What is your favorite thing to for eat lunch?</span><span style="font-family: "A Red Bucket"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: GillSans;"> <span style="color: red;">a cheese sandwich</span></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 10.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 0in 25.0pt 50.0pt 75.0pt 100.0pt 125.0pt 150.0pt 175.0pt 200.0pt 225.0pt 250.0pt 275.0pt 300.0pt; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "A Red Bucket"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: GillSans;">What is your favorite outfit?</span><span style="font-family: "A Red Bucket"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: GillSans;"> <span style="color: red;">um, i dunno</span></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 10.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 0in 25.0pt 50.0pt 75.0pt 100.0pt 125.0pt 150.0pt 175.0pt 200.0pt 225.0pt 250.0pt 275.0pt 300.0pt; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "A Red Bucket"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: GillSans;">What is your favorite game?</span><span style="font-family: "A Red Bucket"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: GillSans;"> <span style="color: red;">the eating game</span></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 10.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 0in 25.0pt 50.0pt 75.0pt 100.0pt 125.0pt 150.0pt 175.0pt 200.0pt 225.0pt 250.0pt 275.0pt 300.0pt; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "A Red Bucket"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: GillSans;">What is your favorite snack?</span><span style="font-family: "A Red Bucket"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: GillSans;"> <span style="color: red;">fruit snacks</span></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 10.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 0in 25.0pt 50.0pt 75.0pt 100.0pt 125.0pt 150.0pt 175.0pt 200.0pt 225.0pt 250.0pt 275.0pt 300.0pt; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "A Red Bucket"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: GillSans;">What is your favorite animal?</span><span style="font-family: "A Red Bucket"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: GillSans;"> <span style="color: red;">an elephant</span></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 10.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 0in 25.0pt 50.0pt 75.0pt 100.0pt 125.0pt 150.0pt 175.0pt 200.0pt 225.0pt 250.0pt 275.0pt 300.0pt; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "A Red Bucket"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: GillSans;">What is your favorite song?</span><span style="font-family: "A Red Bucket"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: GillSans;"> <span style="color: red;">Choose The Right</span></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 10.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 0in 25.0pt 50.0pt 75.0pt 100.0pt 125.0pt 150.0pt 175.0pt 200.0pt 225.0pt 250.0pt 275.0pt 300.0pt; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "A Red Bucket"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: GillSans;">What is your favorite book?</span><span style="font-family: "A Red Bucket"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: GillSans;"> <span style="color: red;">Hello Bee, Hello Me.</span></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 10.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 0in 25.0pt 50.0pt 75.0pt 100.0pt 125.0pt 150.0pt 175.0pt 200.0pt 225.0pt 250.0pt 275.0pt 300.0pt; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "A Red Bucket"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: GillSans;">Who is your best friend?</span><span style="font-family: "A Red Bucket"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: GillSans;"> <span style="color: red;">You, (mommy</span>)</span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 10.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 0in 25.0pt 50.0pt 75.0pt 100.0pt 125.0pt 150.0pt 175.0pt 200.0pt 225.0pt 250.0pt 275.0pt 300.0pt; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "A Red Bucket"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: GillSans;">What is your favorite cereal? </span><span style="color: red; font-family: "A Red Bucket"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: GillSans;">Ice Krippies</span><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "A Red Bucket"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: GillSans;"></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 10.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 0in 25.0pt 50.0pt 75.0pt 100.0pt 125.0pt 150.0pt 175.0pt 200.0pt 225.0pt 250.0pt 275.0pt 300.0pt; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "A Red Bucket"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: GillSans;">What is your favorite thing to do outside? </span><span style="color: red; font-family: "A Red Bucket"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: GillSans;">ride a big old bike when I grow up like Lallie.</span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 10.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 0in 25.0pt 50.0pt 75.0pt 100.0pt 125.0pt 150.0pt 175.0pt 200.0pt 225.0pt 250.0pt 275.0pt 300.0pt; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "A Red Bucket"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: GillSans;">What is your favorite drink? </span><span style="color: red; font-family: "A Red Bucket"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: GillSans;">milk</span><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "A Red Bucket"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: GillSans;"></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 10.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 0in 25.0pt 50.0pt 75.0pt 100.0pt 125.0pt 150.0pt 175.0pt 200.0pt 225.0pt 250.0pt 275.0pt 300.0pt; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "A Red Bucket"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: GillSans;">What is your favorite holiday? </span><span style="color: red; font-family: "A Red Bucket"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: GillSans;">Halloween</span><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "A Red Bucket"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: GillSans;"></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 10.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 0in 25.0pt 50.0pt 75.0pt 100.0pt 125.0pt 150.0pt 175.0pt 200.0pt 225.0pt 250.0pt 275.0pt 300.0pt; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "A Red Bucket"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: GillSans;">What do you like to take to bed with you at night? </span><span style="color: red; font-family: "A Red Bucket"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: GillSans;">elephants </span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 9.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 0in 25.0pt 50.0pt 75.0pt 100.0pt 125.0pt 150.0pt 175.0pt 200.0pt 225.0pt 250.0pt 275.0pt 300.0pt; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "A Red Bucket"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: GillSans;">What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? </span><span style="color: red; font-family: "A Red Bucket"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: GillSans;">Ice Krippies</span><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "A Red Bucket"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: GillSans;"></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 10.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 0in 25.0pt 50.0pt 75.0pt 100.0pt 125.0pt 150.0pt 175.0pt 200.0pt 225.0pt 250.0pt 275.0pt 300.0pt; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "A Red Bucket"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: GillSans;">What do you want for dinner on your birthday? </span><span style="color: red; font-family: "A Red Bucket"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: GillSans;">cupcakes</span><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "A Red Bucket"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: GillSans;"></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 10.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 0in 25.0pt 50.0pt 75.0pt 100.0pt 125.0pt 150.0pt 175.0pt 200.0pt 225.0pt 250.0pt 275.0pt 300.0pt; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "A Red Bucket"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: GillSans;">What do you want to be when you grow up? </span><span style="color: red; font-family: "A Red Bucket"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: GillSans;">Big</span><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "A Red Bucket"; font-size: 14.0pt;"></span></div><br />
Today, we started the day with birthday balloons then hit Chuck E Cheese for lunch where the kids spent a couple hours playing games. This was Tinker's choice - she couldn't wait to see "The Big Mouse". From there, we went to Build a Bear. Gateway was packed because of an Olympic remembering event going on and we waited in line for probably 45 minutes just to stuff the bear. We usually let the kids pick what we have for dinner but seeing as Tink only eats "loodles" (her favorite are the Wagon Wheel variety), we'll probably have something the whole family can agree on like ... peas. haha jk.<br />
<br />
Happy Birthday Tink.Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15167781724086312806noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3732505642831040032.post-60167852822912056842012-01-30T19:19:00.001-07:002012-01-30T19:20:19.085-07:00God Must Love Girl Scout CookiesTwo weeks have flown by during which time Bugs and I have been devoted to selling Girl Scout cookies in her efforts to reach a certain goal. They sell themselves but it's still a ton of work! <br />
<br />
We had two order forms nearly completely filled out, the second one filled out by spending <em>hours</em> this past Saturday driving all over town as Bugs went door to door. She was insanely brave for a 7 year old asking complete strangers to buy cookies. I was so proud of her because that's some serious scary stuff! She always took the rejection with a smile and I would want to punch the person in the nose. Just kidding - ok, maybe one or two times. Easy Mother Hen!<br />
<br />
Yesterday sales officially ended and the order forms were due back to the Troop. Problem was, I hadn't seen that 2nd form since we got home on Saturday and it had been nagging at me for a couple of days. So when it was time to drive them over and drop them off, I couldn't find it anywhere. Anywhere. <br />
<br />
Have you ever let your child down? Bigtime like this? I was not equipped to come clean with her innocent little brave face that I had screwed up so royally and lost all of her hard work. I was SURE I was the one who had lost it, thinking it very likely that I accidentally threw it away and the garbage truck came this morning. I was totally freaking out looking everywhere I could think of. I finally stopped and tried meditating through my steps on Saturday which only made me freak out worse. So I said a quickie prayer and immediately afterward, I was sure I said to myself, "Find her lunchbox and it'll be right with it." Bugs had her lunchbox in the car with us so she could eat her lunch while we were out selling. But I really did think it was my own voice - it was a good idea but it was MY idea, right?<br />
<br />
A few minutes later, I was in her room and I looked under her bed, I think subconsciously looking for her lunchbox. There was the lunchbox...and right next to it was the order form.<br />
<br />
It wasn't until later did I remember that simple sentence in my head, "Find her lunchbox and it'll be right with it." What I imagined at the time to be my own good idea is not so easily passed off as luck. I've never had a prayer answered so clearly. But there's no other explanation. I am humbled.Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15167781724086312806noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3732505642831040032.post-28727075186022990032012-01-29T13:31:00.000-07:002012-01-29T13:31:29.294-07:00Ruffle Skirts - They're AddictingA couple years back I made a whole bunch of ruffle skirts for Bugs when she was 5 and now they no longer fit her. To buy them brand new, it is outrageous what they cost especially when you consider it takes probably $5 worth of remnant fabric and a few hours of time to make a better product than what can be purchased!<br />
<br />
Problem now is that Bugs has grown. She has grasshopper legs like The Marshmallow and the skirts are way too short for her gangle legs (isn't that descriptive?)<br />
<br />
I have a hard time buying patterns for ruffle skirts because there are so many free tutorials. But beware, some of them are LAME with poor directions, inaccurate measurements etc, etc, etc. Take for instance the one I made last night. I've made a lot of ruffle skirts so I knew where this woman was going wrong and made attempts to correct mistakes. But it was too far gone and while my result is wearable, the dimensions are screwy and I'd be better off unstitching it and adding a bit more fabric to make it more comfortable, let alone modest since it's really just too short. That's what I get for sewing when my kids are in bed and not available for try-ons.<br />
<br />
The reason I tried this tutorial instead of going with one I already liked was that my very favorite tute I did a couple years ago was one I could not find for the life of me. I was sure I'd printed it off or bookmarked it somewhere but it was nowhere. This is the skirt.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivk6a-2-mMK5sk91e3xIiLKzkKhE3sE8J3rnjg7jjkXh1RhRSUJk1MoxuHi-XfWW4Hr76S8O5XbJMf9FcVIurz8VngtX9pEtdaJOBenZo5suQIbXHas10zsdpkd0N932qjChgNjHsruVM/s1600/skirt.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivk6a-2-mMK5sk91e3xIiLKzkKhE3sE8J3rnjg7jjkXh1RhRSUJk1MoxuHi-XfWW4Hr76S8O5XbJMf9FcVIurz8VngtX9pEtdaJOBenZo5suQIbXHas10zsdpkd0N932qjChgNjHsruVM/s320/skirt.jpg" width="240" /></a>We get compliments on it wherever we go. Tink wears it now and it is adorable on her but I really wanted to make one for Bugs too! <br />
<br />
I finally did a new search adding "2009" to my search terms and it was the 2nd google result! This was today and I am sooo happy! I'm definitely going to print it off and save it on my harddrive this time because it's tried and true and a total favorite. So, if you're looking for a very excellent tutorial that is excellent for beginners (it was the very first one I ever made) then this one is for you. Not to mention that it has stood the test of time. It's been through two children, the washer numerous times, lots of ironings and play times. Not a single stitch is coming out of place. It's a very full skirt with lots of fabric but that's what makes it so cute. Now that I have the tute again, I'm going to make several of these. Even as a beginner, I noted in my blog post that it only took me 1/2 a day to make it. Now that I'm a tiny bit more seasoned, I'll bet I can whip it up in just a couple 2-3 hours easy. Now that's what I'm talking about.<br />
<br />
Here's the link to the tutorial:<br />
http://www.polkadotchair.com/2009/09/sydneys-skirt-tutorial.html<br />
<br />
Have fun!Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15167781724086312806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3732505642831040032.post-19826805792892489642012-01-28T15:37:00.000-07:002012-01-28T15:37:52.713-07:00Vaseline ReportI wanted to let you know the final results of my foray into <a href="http://youareaflyonmywall.blogspot.com/2012/01/vaseline-not-mothers-friend.html" target="_blank">Vaseline expulsion</a> from the other night. I have rarely demonstrated such diligence into any particular effort. Time is too precious at this point.<br />
<br />
My efforts at removing 2 oz of Vaseline from my beautiful microfiber duvet were...successful 100%. I didn't even want to open my eyes to do the final inspection after all efforts were exhausted. I did a final wash in the washing machine and let it dry on the line but once it was dry, I peeked at it through squinted eyes to see what I was left with. Because at that point, I would be left with whatever was there. I had no more ideas, no more effort.<br />
<br />
This is what I tried and I do NOT know what was successful exactly but that the entire combination eventually did the trick. I'm putting this out there for posterity and the desperation of some random woman out there who wants to save her prized ... whatever it may be after her toddler discovered Vaseline. Vaseline.... it's viscosity must be that one temptation that can not be overcome by any amount of toddler will power. I speak from experience (two toddlers who have stuck pudgy hands down deep into pots of the stuff).<br />
<br />
I.......<br />
1) cried.<br />
2) washed with Tide & OxyClean on hot (do not dry)<br />
3) scrape all remaining Vaseline off with a butter knife<br />
4) dab vigorously with alcohol<br />
5) spray hydrogen peroxide generously and lightly scrub<br />
6) spray all spots with WD40, let sit for 18 hours (less is probably fine - I just didn't get back to it before then)<br />
<br />
At this point I was highly alarmed at the "stain" that the WD40 left and thought I'd have a new disaster to deal with so I...<br />
<br />
7) doused the whole stain with dish soap, plunged it into a bathtub of hot water and scrubbed like a woman from 1870.<br />
8) let sit in the hot water until the hot water wasn't hot anymore<br />
9) threw it all into the washing machine AGAIN and washed for a normal cycle on hot with Tide and Oxyclean.<br />
10) Line dried<br />
<br />
I think it looked better than it did before. Whew! I think that Vaseline will forever be on the list of items not allowed in this house ever again upon risk of hanging. I'm serious.Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15167781724086312806noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3732505642831040032.post-54672914079555469252012-01-25T22:23:00.000-07:002012-01-25T22:23:15.548-07:00Vaseline - Not a Mother's Friendor perhaps a 3 year old and quiet time are not a mother's friend. Either way, my oldest came to me while I was otherwise engaged (enjoying the fact that my children were occupying themselves which should have been the first sign of chaos), to inform me that Tink was sitting on my bed covered in Vaseline.<br />
<br />
Reverse to about 8 months ago when I finally allowed myself to purchase a beautiful new Duvet cover plus sheets and the whole nine yards for my King sized bed. I only mention the size because the bigger the bed, the bigger the investment. And yes, it was a heavy investment, one I had been thinking about for a long time but knew it was going to break the bank. So I'm totally in love with my duvet which is a stormy blue sort of micro-fiber and is soft as a baby's bum. It's one day I wish my bed wasn't made because who gives about white sheets? Vaseline stains wouldn't even show up!<br />
<br />
That [precious] child of mine had vaseline <i>caked</i> all over her face, stuffed clear to the brim of her entire ear, and slicked into her hair like Pomade from the seventies, <i>at least</i>. It covered her shirt and her hands were practically webbed. But all of THAT is easy to clean compared to the mess on my beautiful duvet [that is only a possession, nothing at all compared to my daughter who is of greater worth than all my material wealth...] that brings me such joy at night. To my credit, I did not yell at all. All I said was, "was that naughty or nice?" she says, "naughty" and I have to smile at her tiny, greasy face that is so precious and beautiful and curious and trouble-some. These are not the times when I lose my cool fortunately.<br />
<br />
I immediately laundered the items on high heat. Whether or not that was recommended, it was instinct. Pre-treat and high heat for oil. It did not work...at all. There was still vaseline residue all over even. On to rubbing alcohol...rubbing each and every spot and there are millions. This worked for about a 50% improvement. Next...hydrogen peroxide which worked considerably better but my elbow grease is running out. Where can you buy that stuff...I need some more NOW! Currently I'm waiting the alloted 10 minutes with the WD40 takes a crack. I'm also testing ChemDry carpet cleaner, and will move on to baby powder, baking soda and mixtures of all sorts of things should these solutions prove fruitless. It's 10pm. I'm wearing out.<br />
<br />
For the record, the child is not yet 3. She will be 3 in about 3 weeks. Just this morning at a store I commented to a store clerk that I hoped that 3 would be better than 2 and that it was seeming a possibility as her behavior is starting on an upward trend. I either should have immediately found some wood or just kept my trap shut seeing as how the day ended up.<br />
<br />
I almost forgot, my first line of defense was to plop the kid into the bathtub where I thought I washed her well. She was squeeky. However later when I got around to putting her to bed, I picked her up to nuzzle her neck and stuck my nose into a glob of Vaseline in her hair. I guess I didn't lather her quite enough. She looked like a greasy homeless child as she went to bed. At least she's happy.Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15167781724086312806noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3732505642831040032.post-58516848655434418422012-01-21T16:58:00.000-07:002012-01-21T16:58:17.263-07:00Impressive DedicationThe other day I was at the rec center waiting for a spin class to start. I have to get there about 15 minutes early sometimes to make sure I get a bike and this day the previous class wasn't out yet so I sat outside the room waiting. In the area where I was sitting is also the prep area for the skating rink. It was 5:45 AM and it was dark outside, the rec center was practically deserted. <br />
<br />
After a few minutes, in comes this girl about 14 years old. She trudged slowly in carrying a huge and obviously heavy duffel bag slung over her sagging shoulder. She had bed hair and her eyes never left the floor. She was obviously wishing she was still in bed. But she sat down, pulled off her big cozy boots and proceeded to dig into the depths of the duffel bag to pull out her ice skates.<br />
<br />
When the girl had gotten one of skates on, I noticed someone else coming into the area. This was a tall, thin woman wearing sweats and a huge down coat that looked like she had dragged her comforter off her bed and into the car with her. A hat covered her bedhead and she carried a large soda and a chocolate covered doughnut wrapped in a greasy napkin. She set these down on the table next to me and sat on the bench across from the girl to help her put on her other skate. They talked softly as they worked together to get the girl ready to go out on the ice.<br />
<br />
I had nothing else pressing going on so I watched what was obviously a frequent occurrence in these two peoples' lives. They had the drill down all the way to the greasy doughnut. I was impressed with the young girl because at that age, to have found something she was willing to sacrifice sleep for is paramount to establishing necessary self-discipline and confidence (both of which are not necessarily high on the priority list of a typical 14 year old). I was struck by the fact that although she probably wanted to keep sleeping that morning, she still found the inner strength to show up. To Be There. To Just Do It. I started feeling a little less sorry for myself for sitting there at 5:45 to ride a bike - a recreational task that likely won't do much for me other than make me breathe really hard and make me sore tomorrow.<br />
<br />
What's more, I was equally as impressed with the girl's mother who I ended up talking to more later on when her daughter went out onto the ice. This mother could have easily made the decision early on that before-dawn lessons were too much to ask. That it just went above and beyond what she should have to do to be a good mom. But there she was. She Was There. Doughnut in hand. She was Doing It. Putting herself out there - making herself uncomfortable for a totally unselfish reason. Being there for her daughter. It almost made me cry I was so proud of her. But also I had to consider my role as a mother. Would I easily make that decision? Would I be that doughnut-toting, 5:45 AM, help-my-daughter-with-her-skates, give-up-my-own-sleep mom? Would I? Or would I say, can't we take a lesson at another time?<br />
<br />
Turns out this girl has lessons 7 days a week. 3x a week they are early in the morning. It was almost an every-day occurrence. She said they weren't necessarily on the "fast-track" to competition anymore due to an injury but that they were still serious. Even more applause. I just don't think I could do it. I could be selling myself short, who knows. We all do "what we have to do", right? Given a similar situation and it's what my daughter <i>really</i> wanted, perhaps I'd Be There too. But right now, an 8:00 piano lessons once a week sometimes feels over the top. I've got room to grow.<br />
<br />
Way To Go Doughnut-Mom!Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15167781724086312806noreply@blogger.com4