tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55930087001510550002024-03-15T21:10:20.146-04:00knee deep in the baby poolwading through the Bible, baskets of yarn, and lots of poopy diapersEmilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07772958326150643202noreply@blogger.comBlogger795125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5593008700151055000.post-29943804841969325462015-06-27T22:46:00.001-04:002015-06-27T22:48:10.684-04:00Owen’s music classWe have been doing classes a the <a href="http://www.champaignschoolofmusic.com/">Champaign School of Music</a> for awhile off and on. Their Music Together classes are fun for little ones. We’ve decided to let the kids do ONE activity per season for right now. I don’t think there’s reason for them to do more than that, especially as I know it’s going to just get more crazy as they get older. For this spring/summer, we threw out all kinds of sports option to Owen – tball, soccer, swimming lessons, martial arts, etc. Nothing. Refused every one. So I started looking into other things for him and we found the Music Explorers class at CSM. It’s a 45 minute class where they learn the very basics beginning skills on piano (keyboards) and ukulele. He got to pick out a ukulele (red was his choice) and got all his books on the first night of class. He was in love.<a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xK8DnYNLji0/VY9gCS5XCkI/AAAAAAAAgMw/fcBS2TQ1F-o/s1600-h/IMG_5370%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_5370" border="0" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IEhNzx-Fwjw/VY9gCxbwV1I/AAAAAAAAgM4/ZIVMG6k91-g/IMG_5370_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" height="400" style="border: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="IMG_5370" width="300" /></a>They spend the first 5-10 minutes singing a welcome song and things like that. Then they practice the ukulele with Mr. Luke. This includes things like learning the string names, how to hold the ukulele, how to pluck the right string, etc.<a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4RVwC9r1zfA/VY9gDs3fGDI/AAAAAAAAgNA/J4HLgURP_5w/s1600-h/IMG_5225%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_5225" border="0" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0lFJo68HvGo/VY9gEeMyJVI/AAAAAAAAgNI/jRPeKkn_Qr8/IMG_5225_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" height="400" style="border: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="IMG_5225" width="300" /></a>Then, they get to do piano with Ms. Danielle. Basic key recognition, learning soft and quiet, very simple songs, etc.<a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wE4h53qq9iQ/VY9gFPAgSiI/AAAAAAAAgNM/q0QMSMn6jfI/s1600-h/IMG_5223%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_5223" border="0" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hYTuSonUVmU/VY9gFsh2ObI/AAAAAAAAgNU/xFzVH26gnp0/IMG_5223_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="300" style="border: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="IMG_5223" width="400" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PqTNLqag0_M/VY9gGMWhqII/AAAAAAAAgNc/I9p_d3NW_ag/s1600-h/IMG_5222%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_5222" border="0" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tC7AUyVosAY/VY9gGoozO_I/AAAAAAAAgNk/f6RmAJmlgBk/IMG_5222_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" height="400" style="border: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="IMG_5222" width="300" /></a>I will say that I’m not sure the instructors have had a ton of experience teaching small children and there’s been at least one child with some behavior issues in both of his sessions. And the price is a little steep. Buuuuttt the child loves it and refuses to try anything else. So we’re going to keep going for awhile. Now if I could just get him to practice. ;)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Lmmh5eG2-2I/VY9gHCfUPzI/AAAAAAAAgNs/KGpZavtu3sk/s1600-h/blog-signature%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img align="left" alt="blog-signature" border="0" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LmHyo92MiK4/VY9gHWLNNQI/AAAAAAAAgN0/tZP7ttv1FN4/blog-signature_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" height="50" style="border: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px;" title="blog-signature" width="100" /></a>Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07772958326150643202noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5593008700151055000.post-24282819979912704222015-06-16T09:49:00.001-04:002015-06-16T09:51:17.264-04:00DIY Circus Marquee SignI cannot wait to give you a full rundown of the amazing party we threw to celebrate my 5,3,1 kiddos. But before the full show of pictures, I have to share a few of my favorite projects from the party. Has anyone noticed that these circus marquee letters are everywhere in decor these days? I’ve seen them in so many stores, from Hobby Lobby to Target.<br />
<a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sNkPyzk4u5g/VYApS48OmSI/AAAAAAAAgIM/0xLL5YBH6Fg/s1600-h/Fullscreen%252520capture%2525206152015%25252085947%252520PM.bmp%25255B11%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg36Uv5LQws358aztbimsRDV_tnDjNQx3Vrp6IR8_rI_Hl6ucx2xk_Y0D3Wb62ou0hcr4AlXNXpHg4ZgJyo4hESkUBGe0K9tZqD73csfDzw88YpVrCrFdYwBwi5vfIGWpuJ7N3UbkQsco/?imgmax=800" height="239" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="" width="513" /></a> I knew I HAD to have these but when I started hunting around, the lowest price I was seeing was still upwards of $15 for EACH letter. Yeah, not going to happen. So I did what any good crafter would do and started scouring Pinterest for good ways to make them on the cheap. I found a few blogs out there (<a href="http://www.lexiloujewels.com/2013/11/13/diy-marquee-sign/">here</a> and <a href="http://www.tealandlime.com/2013/11/diy-marquee-light-monogram-wreath/">here</a>) but the costs were still a bit high using the paper mache letters or wood. Then I started finding a few that used cardboard. (<a href="http://mopaliving.com/diy-marquee-letters/">here</a>) Bingo. My kind of price.<br />
So here’s what you need:<br />
<ol>
<li>2-3 sheets of posterboard in the color you want </li>
<li>2 sheets of foam board (walmart even carries it). Great if it’s in the color you need, but just paint it if it’s not. </li>
<li>acrylic paint (see above) </li>
<li>hot glue gun </li>
<li>something sharp like a pencil to create the holes </li>
<li>1 string of Christmas lights (I used a 150 light strand I think) </li>
</ol>
<strong>Step 1</strong><br />
Some people can freehand letters. Not this girl. I used my Silhouette software to print out large letters over 4 sheets of paper. You can also do this in excel or photoshop. I used the free font Budmo found <a href="http://www.dafont.com/budmo.font">here</a> and used text size 1500. Print the parts of the large letter, cut them out and tape them together. Then trace them onto your foam board and cut those out. I needed to use an exacto knife to cut through the foam board.<br />
<a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9-2KINsv1ok/VYApUBtVxhI/AAAAAAAAgIc/1nT53wtxJJc/s1600-h/11134147_802940633094040_2304935427416357110_n%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="11134147_802940633094040_2304935427416357110_n" border="0" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--X3EialX3e0/VYApUml9lJI/AAAAAAAAgIk/6GInfG55vGU/11134147_802940633094040_2304935427416357110_n_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="356" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="11134147_802940633094040_2304935427416357110_n" width="356" /></a> <strong>Step 2</strong><br />
If your foam board is not the color you want it to be, paint it. Mine was yellow on one side and white on the other and I needed it to be red. So a little thing of acrylic paint and 2 coats later, and it was red. You don’t need to worry about painting the sides of the boards, just the top. A word of warning, I bought 2 kinds of foam board, one from Walmart and one from the Dollar Tree. The Dollar Tree one was much thinner and actually curled a little bit after the paint dried. I didn’t really care as I wasn’t going for perfect, but you might be happier with the thicker foam board from Wally World or your local craft store.<br />
<strong>Step 3</strong><br />
Poke the holes for the lights. Now there are tons of cool strands of lights out there that look much more like marquee lights. And if I was using these letters for room decor or something for the long haul, I would have splurged. A friend even offered to loan me the lights hanging above their patio (thanks Laura). But 2 hour party folks. A free strand of Christmas lights from the basement tub worked just fine. I started the lights at the top of one letter and poked a hole just a little shorter than the distance between the 2 bulbs on the string. You’re not leaving the lights in the holes yet, just poking the holes.<br />
<a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vCGme_mjzh8/VYApVNr1v5I/AAAAAAAAgIs/m00_126rL48/s1600-h/IMG_5386%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_5386" border="0" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CqPcLfh4qpw/VYApVnuAnlI/AAAAAAAAgI0/h0JIal8vQBk/IMG_5386_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="300" style="border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="IMG_5386" width="400" /></a><br />
<strong>Step 4</strong><br />
Cut your posterboard into 2” long strips. I used almost 2 full sheets of posterboard for my 6 marquee letters.<br />
<a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Pdzj3IPCr6Y/VYApWHYMRmI/AAAAAAAAgI4/WVx94EMF-Jg/s1600-h/IMG_5387%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_5387" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzOYTzDLAHXM5PTd1lX-5R9FS5owGD-q4p5L0IJIIVEp7GD8mJ0f4ng7WlvWWrjKJGKn7mp7K6xQK9lP5wd40Je0uJtsWT9jjBFDIn2ipmdFg25J5Pd-nnLOJdFSyVFtG5hwQGf5w643o/?imgmax=800" height="400" style="border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="IMG_5387" width="300" /></a><br />
<strong>Step 5</strong><br />
Heat up your trusty glue gun. Then slowly, very slowly, put a line of hot glue on the edge of the foam board in 1-2” increments. Line up a strip of posterboard with the bottom the foam board and press to attach. Does that make sense? <a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hMmAFaHob9Q/VYApXDk66uI/AAAAAAAAgJM/RIEMo8gHcJs/s1600-h/IMG_5388%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_5388" border="0" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uDi3ZlDPMqI/VYApXYtUuuI/AAAAAAAAgJQ/RjhQ5W71_8M/IMG_5388_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="400" style="border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="IMG_5388" width="300" /></a>Continue around the edge of the letter and around the inside. It will take a bit of finagling on the small inside spaces of some of the letters, but it wasn’t as bad as I thought it’d be. I found that on the large curved letters, it helped to use 2 smaller strips instead of one long one to get a best fit and without it getting weird and bendy.<a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lSncQfZQgL0/VYApX8Ai5EI/AAAAAAAAgJc/vyWnw-QruWk/s1600-h/IMG_5389%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_5389" border="0" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ltMm7ZkOpyg/VYApYYqMTqI/AAAAAAAAgJk/QykW-qT-804/IMG_5389_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="400" style="border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="IMG_5389" width="300" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AIu9MyXp1cU/VYApZvEpq4I/AAAAAAAAgJs/AaxnMmruiqw/s1600-h/IMG_5390%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_5390" border="0" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pJpXWrzY9Ns/VYApaI5W9uI/AAAAAAAAgJ0/NdOUCO1fhM8/IMG_5390_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="400" style="border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="IMG_5390" width="300" /></a> <strong>Step 6</strong><br />
Now that you have all your letters done, all you have to do it insert your string of lights in the back. They fit pretty snug in the holes, but I did add some painter’s tape along to secure it. Sorry I didn’t take any pictures of this step. When I was done, all the letters were strung together and now had to be moved as a group. Here’s a picture with the lights in focus, not the letters.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hGxX_NyHD7s/VYApap938YI/AAAAAAAAgJ8/KSPQO7-UuWk/s1600-h/IMG_5599%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_5599" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitTjkoliwFPSk0rzX49udfayes-kzbAozYOnmV0d6PrHYgk6bZPaGY7E8-3U_YXZh6IFWGxIkw15SRlP4NzocYwv3w968rn0mjEFWB2J6jlH0ohXtYVvuMCi33SwmG0usm8gqmI3yylUo/?imgmax=800" height="300" style="border-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="IMG_5599" width="400" /></a> </div>
<strong>Step 7</strong><br />
Then you just need to have someone else hang it for you. haha. I simply put some command strips on the back and hung them from the overhang on our patio.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-S0F0R5cliOQ/VYApbhqJCKI/AAAAAAAAgKM/44d-LlF_wJY/s1600-h/531party-9943%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="531party-9943" border="0" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZlEX0sdAmEE/VYApcWaKhJI/AAAAAAAAgKU/Qi7w645b8v4/531party-9943_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="266" style="border-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="531party-9943" width="400" /></a></div>
<a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fd0CxazU3zY/VYApc4TA81I/AAAAAAAAgKc/C_B5kqg0lw0/s1600-h/531party-0463%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="531party-0463" border="0" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vCuM3NUydEQ/VYApdQfs47I/AAAAAAAAgKk/Uz7HXdLHE50/531party-0463_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" height="400" style="border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="531party-0463" width="266" /></a><br />
I was pretty impressed that they even survived an hour of good rain. We took them down so they could live in our basement now! Definitely added just the amount of pop I wanted for the party. And not bad for under $5!<br />
<a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bKi3dN0DC3Y/VYApd1f0BjI/AAAAAAAAgKs/4t_0USeflMo/s1600-h/531party-0483%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="531party-0483" border="0" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UDBHuen8z-s/VYApeSDcQBI/AAAAAAAAgK0/KYfiDhRVo3s/531party-0483_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" height="266" style="border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="531party-0483" width="400" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OVJXZX1yIzs/VYApe-NUSuI/AAAAAAAAgK8/2cF2GLGDB6k/s1600-h/blog%252520signature%252520trial%25255B5%25255D.png"><img align="left" alt="blog signature trial" border="0" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FwGimkfws9E/VYApfUVZ6TI/AAAAAAAAgLE/UIkQ_h2BmHM/blog%252520signature%252520trial_thumb%25255B3%25255D.png?imgmax=800" height="52" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px;" title="blog signature trial" width="100" /></a>Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07772958326150643202noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5593008700151055000.post-9502040605670485172015-06-15T21:41:00.001-04:002015-06-15T21:45:47.344-04:00knock knock<p>Anybody there?</p> <p>Is it weird I almost started crying as I sat down to write? It’s like seeing an old friend who you haven’t seen in years. So much has happened. Where do you start? And yet, it feels like no time has passed and the friendship just carries on. Or at least I hope that’s how you feel about my little place in the blog land. I’m hoping you won’t mind that I took some time off. </p> <p>I thought I’d be ok just closing down the blogging chapter of my life. It’s easier just LIVING with 3 kids instead of always writing about how we’re living.</p> <p>But I cannot even count the number of times in my head I’ve said “wow, I should blog about this.” I’ve missed the outlet this little site has given me to share what God’s doing in our lives, how awesome I think my little family is, and the ways that I’ve been using the creative bent that God’s given me.</p> <p>I’ve missed you my dear friend. So glad to be back.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-s5nKx2TdXG0/VX9_yKRZchI/AAAAAAAAgHw/PtrUz7SJfRU/s1600-h/blog%252520signature%252520trial%25255B4%25255D.png"><img title="blog signature trial" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="blog signature trial" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-n44qof2InQo/VX9_ypEY5iI/AAAAAAAAgH4/6eJOhJ3gAvU/blog%252520signature%252520trial_thumb%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="105" height="55" /></a></p> Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07772958326150643202noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5593008700151055000.post-63450264133933719212014-08-13T22:42:00.000-04:002014-08-14T22:43:33.643-04:00speech evaluationFor a year or so, I’ve been listening to my firstborn and wondering, just wondering, about a few of the sounds he makes. Now being an early childhood educator, I knew I was probably being a little over-curious. But this past spring, I called Unit 4 and requested a speech evaluation. Finally, a few months later I got a call saying his eval would be August 12. <br />
<br />
I took Ellie to a friend’s house because I knew they’d get nothing accomplished with her there. ;) We headed to the Early Childhood Center where we met Maureen, a very sweet speech pathologist. She explained they would do the whole early childhood evaluation, as many times they get parents worried about “speech” but there are many other issues that are revealed in the screening. <br />
<br />
Owen didn’t want to go in alone, so I sat outside the open door which was nice because I wanted to see what she did anyways. She asked Owen to do a series of things like stack 9 blocks, draw lines and shapes, and describe objects she laid out on the table. He had fun doing most of them, as witnessed by his hands in the air here:<img alt="photo-001" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga3LtF1KBLpSR98r4xwP9sWi4R2o4O4S3nVue5IlFTgbWFnZjFcHZkCPlJ1Hr2hKlcmFpNai03TiKmXfFl0WYZnxDqpFuR3U_hJItw9kjbG56aN-LfYEbWR3tTKuV0CXdTb5SW4Icqap8/?imgmax=800" height="363" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="photo-001" width="272" />She said (later) that she won’t ever forget Owen because of what he did during one portion of the “test.” He was asked to look at 2 pictures and then she turned them over. Then she held up a matching picture and he was to tell her where to lay it down so it would be on top of it’s matching card. Does that make sense? Well, he did the 2 cards just fine. But then she did it with 3 cards, a house, a duck, and cup. He placed the first one fine, but looked confused about the second. He pointed at where to lay it down and then looked at the cards (which were turned over). He said “that one is wrong.” She asked him how he knew that since they hadn’t turned them over yet and he said “the numbers don’t match on the back.” We both laughed! She said she’d never had a kid pick up on the fact that they were labeled with numbers (for her benefit) on the back before. But of course, she still had to dock him that point even though he showed a higher level thinking skill. (boo to standardized tests)<br />
<br />
Overall, he passed with flying colors and she said he an absolute joy to work with. She did hear the 3 sounds I was worried about, so I wasn’t a complete nutcase for requesting a screening. He replaces his /th/ sound with a /y/ sound. For example, instead of <em>this</em>, it sounds like <em>yis</em>. He also has trouble with a /r/ sound when it’s in a blend. For example, in <em>crayons</em>, it sounds more like <em>cwayons.</em> And lastly he struggles a bit with the /l/ sound. It sounds more like a /w/ or /y/.<em> </em>For example <em>glasses</em> sounds likes <em>gwasses</em> and <em>leaf</em> sounds like <em>yeaf.</em><br />
<em><br /></em>
She said she never does speech therapy for the /th/sound because it almost always corrects itself. And for the /r/ and /l/, she said it is totally normal at his age. I’m supposed to just model over and over and she even suggested using a mirror so he can see what it looks like to make those sounds. So we’ll just work a little on those sounds extra hard as we start preschool here in a few weeks! It was an interesting experience to be on the other side of the teacher table for the first time. :) Glad to know that on paper, he’s right where he needs to be! <br />
<img alt="blog-signature-1" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-RkMqSqDZDcA/UbsTd1RSBTI/AAAAAAAAO_o/fHeJNqKiUvQ/blogsignature12.jpg?imgmax=800" />Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07772958326150643202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5593008700151055000.post-23939473301236190262014-08-13T11:53:00.000-04:002014-08-14T08:09:05.957-04:00Freezer Cooking (with friends!)Awhile back, I hosted a <a href="http://kneedeepinthebabypool.blogspot.com/2014/03/prepfreezecook-party.html">Prep.Freeze.Cook party</a> with some friends. It was super fun, but at about $12 a meal, not something my budget could do every month. Enter: my friend Amy. She decided to take the concept and adapt it for a smaller group of friends and do the shopping/prep ourselves. This month I invited myself to her house for the “party.” :) William held down the fort and Miles and I headed over on Saturday morning.<img alt="photo 1-001" border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-7tDKIo_HnGk/U-uJILukLVI/AAAAAAAAfug/_ge7hW2RmJI/photo10014.jpg?imgmax=800" height="306" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="photo 1-001" width="408" /> <img alt="photo 1 (2)-001" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-AxXOtAn8DIs/U-uJJo34hpI/AAAAAAAAfuo/JK0vKfK23yY/photo120012.jpg?imgmax=800" height="363" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="photo 1 (2)-001" width="272" />How it worked was a week before the party, Amy sent us an email with different shopping lists divided up. We each picked a list to buy. It also had a few items that needed to be prepped ahead of the cooking day. Here’s what my list looked like:<br />
<b>SHOPPING LIST E</b><br />
<ul>
<li>PREP ITEM - 32 medium sliced green peppers </li>
<li>64 oz white vinegar </li>
<li>4 bottles (16 oz each) zesty Italian dressing </li>
<li>8 limes </li>
<li>7 jars (4.5 oz each) or 28 oz of minced garlic </li>
<li>1 bottle (12 oz) of ketchup </li>
<li>64 freezer bags </li>
<li>8 cans pinto beans, rinsed and drained </li>
<li>8 cans black beans, drained </li>
<li>I also decided to pre-label all the bags to save us some time on the morning of </li>
</ul>
Every arrived and unloaded all their goodies.<img alt="photo 5-001" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-v5pUf73Qoqk/U-uJKWIaxpI/AAAAAAAAfuw/sopFBlf2KZo/photo50012.jpg?imgmax=800" height="363" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="photo 5-001" width="272" />These 2 guys were adorable together and were so great throughout the morning. <br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/tThZTWH99JM?rel=0" width="560"></iframe></center>
<img alt="photo 3-001" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-QuXC4uxVgi8/U-uJMGvBpSI/AAAAAAAAfu4/ssa7OSsXVKQ/photo30014.jpg?imgmax=800" height="306" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="photo 3-001" width="408" /> Again, each group of ladies tackled one meal at a time. We simply found the indreitent on the massive table of food and dumped it into a gallon freezer bag. Once all the bags for that meal were done, we sealed them and put one meal in each lady's laundry basket.<br />
<br />
Here was our list of the 10 meals that we prepped (can you tell we're big chicken fans?):<br />
Taco Chili<br />
Black Bean Chicken <br />
Meatballs<br />
Coconut Lime Chicken <br />
White Chicken Chili <br />
Chicken cacciatore <br />
Creamy Italian Chicken <br />
Italian Buffalo Chicken <br />
Crock Pot Aloha Chicken <br />
Crock Pot Philly Cheese Chicken <br />
<img alt="photo 4-001" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQvrSQmZOS4n3Ls7XFUA-EyqK_eOaucRGJAS7xENRqui3SmIj3mWBH3NQhGL-9RDACJjXGxHG_Z6vDkPdEuinrWT4V_IA5E6E9Wf9jFMhyF3tQN7XWiAAKo2uNiP1FRI_2k0I1Wq6MOs8/?imgmax=800" height="363" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="photo 4-001" width="272" /><img alt="photo 5 (2)" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-N9ym8vJVcJc/U-uJNQnGgdI/AAAAAAAAfvE/noJGqDr-JqA/photo522.jpg?imgmax=800" height="363" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="photo 5 (2)" width="272" />All in all, it took us only about an hour and half for everything. And even better, the total was $89.52 for all of it! Definitely worth doing a little of our own prep work to get our cost down.<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf75cFtJMXS0tDV11dFiQ9792M_0BDNKoYM9C88vuJ9V8WaRbwOujh7wLZ5olL0w1NX5nEPrEjRP51yiS9RzEaAPWHYM-7ZVNdZWtu98uJaT-jtaUQfSQBUmKwr9UCSJXRlhJBQHUL4PY2/s400/blogger-image-1426632848.jpg" style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" />Amy has a <a href="http://littlecunningham.blogspot.com/2014/08/freezer-cooking-august-edition.html">full run down</a> of the meals with links to the recipes. I can’t wait to make this a monthly (or bi-monthly) tradition!<br />
<img alt="blog-signature-1" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-RkMqSqDZDcA/UbsTd1RSBTI/AAAAAAAAO_o/fHeJNqKiUvQ/blogsignature12.jpg?imgmax=800" />Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07772958326150643202noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5593008700151055000.post-4096042306568673852014-08-08T14:02:00.000-04:002014-08-11T14:02:41.185-04:00meet Weston!We would like to introduce you to a new name you’ll be seeing pop up on my blog in the next year, Weston!<br />
Our favorite little childcare kid, Sam, is having a blast with his mom and new brother Jack. We were so sad our time with him ended and I really thought there was no way I’d ever find another single kid who only needed care for a few days a week. And then God landed 2 potential jobs in my lap.<br />
<br />
Someone posted on <a href="http://www.chambanamoms.com/">Chambana moms</a> that they were looking for part-time care and people were posting suggestions for lots of centers. I put my info out there saying if they were looking for in-home care, I’d love to chat. Rachel emailed me quickly as did another family who saw the post. We met with the other family who needed care for a 1 year old, 3 days a week. While he was adorable and the mom and I had very similar styles of parenting, I was pretty nervous about his age. And I really would prefer the majority of the school week be with my kids (3 days vs 2). So I was thrilled that Rachel and her husband, Dane wanted to meet.<img alt="photo 4" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-7zkFFijnwo0/U-kFDXLCqSI/AAAAAAAAfrw/A0qTp0QGRJQ/photo%2525204%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="363" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="photo 4" width="272" />They came over and Weston played with the kids and we all chatted about every issue under the sun. Then on Thursday, Weston came over for a “trial run” while his mom worked in her classroom. It couldn’t have gone better. He played so well with Owen and Ellison and is such a sweetie. <img alt="photo 4-003" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-0gVL3k3kw0E/U-kFEdZ8IPI/AAAAAAAAfr4/uQa5tE2f2WY/photo%2525204-003%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="363" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="photo 4-003" width="272" /> He loves a good art project like my kids.<img alt="photo 2 (1)" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-amLddDqC5rY/U-kFFEb5fbI/AAAAAAAAfsA/iDe4DeUaeV8/photo%2525202%252520%2525281%252529%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="363" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="photo 2 (1)" width="272" /> <img alt="photo 3 (1)" border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-HefV54WvVeQ/U-kFF8W_aUI/AAAAAAAAfsI/k8XvcLtGxOM/photo%2525203%252520%2525281%252529%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="363" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="photo 3 (1)" width="272" /> And who doesn’t love some outside play time?<img alt="photo 4 (1)" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPYou0JLRW05odD77w-Zw8Q00BdjkZuL1vHww7ZZYK6Va3UUJDVsg7Fij8sKXHxYTD-rm2rmT1P2Gsznu2pW3O7KkXBC1p6sa-rA12wRcPpzcPnufNkz4Sppawoc4oupcr57XQHV3bS8k/?imgmax=800" height="363" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="photo 4 (1)" width="272" /> And the kid sleeps. Hallelujah.<img alt="photo 5" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-QBf42de6fSc/U-kFH3CsCvI/AAAAAAAAfsY/E3Epkjwv92s/photo%2525205%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="363" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="photo 5" width="272" />All in all, it was a great first day. We’ll be getting to hang out with this sweet little guy on Tuesdays and Fridays. I’m so thankful I’ll be able to help add to our budget while still just hanging at home with my kiddos.<br />
<img alt="blog-signature-1" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-RkMqSqDZDcA/UbsTd1RSBTI/AAAAAAAAO_o/fHeJNqKiUvQ/blogsignature12.jpg?imgmax=800" />Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07772958326150643202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5593008700151055000.post-42357366080408828262014-08-06T22:16:00.000-04:002014-08-10T22:17:08.012-04:00Casey’s Birthday WeekendThis past weekend, we packed up and headed to Peoria to help celebrate my brother Casey’s birthday! He flew in from Colorado and we were excited to see him, Philip and Kara, and my folks. We got there mid-morning and just had a fun time hanging out. <img alt="Picture 1961" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-3--rEZdfazw/U-gnVJnFc7I/AAAAAAAAfqA/arcHXZ-LwVE/Picture19612.jpg?imgmax=800" height="363" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Picture 1961" width="272" /> <img alt="Picture 1962" border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-izM6W5JroLs/U-gnV1XMqTI/AAAAAAAAfqI/PWLV618ZDXs/Picture19622.jpg?imgmax=800" height="363" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Picture 1962" width="272" /> <img alt="Picture 1963" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-nz0LIGm9LeI/U-gnW2XH-iI/AAAAAAAAfqQ/ENE2_Lm2Hn4/Picture19632.jpg?imgmax=800" height="363" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Picture 1963" width="272" />The kids had a blast playing in the basement, running naked in the hose outside and feeding the cows. Oh and just being crazy.<img alt="Picture 1943" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-LE2x69I1J9w/U-gnX5MWh9I/AAAAAAAAfqY/Vc7k6R0PFa8/Picture%2525201943%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="272" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Picture 1943" width="272" /><img alt="Picture 1965" border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-tMeQyaZeJd4/U-gnZ7uM7BI/AAAAAAAAfqg/GqR-euiSiQg/Picture19652.jpg?imgmax=800" height="363" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Picture 1965" width="272" />The parental units made an amazing dinner for <strike>Casey</strike> us.<img alt="Picture 1966" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-PrvZSihzXOA/U-gnauPkKNI/AAAAAAAAfqo/YAj0k4u65h4/Picture19662.jpg?imgmax=800" height="363" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Picture 1966" width="272" />Then we finally got to the part Owen was waiting for, Cake and presents. <br />
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Owen was pretty concerned that Casey didn’t get any presents to open, just cards. Welcome to adult life buddy.<img alt="photo 2-002" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-2IQxvWFglII/U-gnbYXTlRI/AAAAAAAAfqw/vBp1ftOpTLs/photo%2525202-002%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="363" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="photo 2-002" width="272" /> We made the mistake of thinking Owen and Ellie could possibly sleep in the same room together. Parent FAIL. I guess we should have known that putting 2 terrible sleepers together is just going to result in more terrible sleep. So somewhere in the middle of the night, we divided and conquered. Ellie came and slept with me (and Miles) and William slept with Owen.<img alt="Picture 1950-001" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-WfhzVM4_B84/U-gncNyaTpI/AAAAAAAAfq4/ETo4l3Qi3Ug/Picture%2525201950-001%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="363" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Picture 1950-001" width="272" />Sunday morning we finally got a picture of my parents and the kids. That’s been a long time coming. I took about 40 and this was the best. :)<img alt="Picture 1931" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-MZJJNdFnMC8/U-gncw9PaGI/AAAAAAAAfrA/CmNRk01gFrU/Picture%2525201931%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="326" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Picture 1931" width="382" /><img alt="Picture 1944" border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-i6-uvRjS9hM/U-gnde3yELI/AAAAAAAAfrI/bCN-1CmRR9M/Picture%2525201944%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="363" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Picture 1944" width="272" /> We had a great time at their church, <a href="http://www.thevineyardchurchpeoria.org/">the Vineyard Church Peoria</a> and after a quick lunch, got on the road. The kiddos were asleep before we got on the highway.<img alt="Picture 1953-001" border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-OYBbwvdJ5Tw/U-gneA2jqsI/AAAAAAAAfrQ/ONYEqPlYorg/Picture%2525201953-001%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="363" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Picture 1953-001" width="272" />When we got home, we finally got around to something we’ve been talking about doing. . .making Ellie’s crib into a toddler bed. As you can tell, she was thrilled!<img alt="Picture 1973" border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-G1S2H_leDcQ/U-gnfOWrDlI/AAAAAAAAfrY/yHvHn0HyObM/Picture%2525201973%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="363" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Picture 1973" width="272" /><img alt="Picture 1970" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-q-VxEODcp3o/U-gnf2KRuII/AAAAAAAAfrg/1OYVk1BkWdw/Picture%2525201970%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="363" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Picture 1970" width="272" />It really hasn’t done much to make sleep better or worse this week which I guess I should be thankful for. Of course we’ve had a few more things to clean up as she now loves to pull books off her bookshelf and take shoes out of drawers. And one night, she did walk downstairs in the middle of the night looking for me. But other than that, we’re on our way to true toddler-hood. Next up: paci only at night and maybe potty training? Lord help us.<br />
<img alt="blog-signature-1" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-RkMqSqDZDcA/UbsTd1RSBTI/AAAAAAAAO_o/fHeJNqKiUvQ/blogsignature12.jpg?imgmax=800" />Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07772958326150643202noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5593008700151055000.post-55860448127261300022014-08-01T14:44:00.000-04:002014-08-07T14:44:59.641-04:00B&N Frozen EventToday we decided to have an outing after naps (rare for us) and we headed to Barnes and Noble for their Frozen event. It was billed as super fun thing for kids and I thought there would be a few more characters present. It wasn’t a glamorous event by any means, but the kids did awesome and it’s always fun to get out and about.<img alt="Picture 1951-002" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-KDJWfLd3mBU/U-PI9MuPDSI/AAAAAAAAfoE/mMDeywT0NTc/Picture19510022.jpg?imgmax=800" height="363" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Picture 1951-002" width="272" />At the first table, they poured what looked like salt into a cup. Owen got to dump in water and it turned into “snow.” They go to play with it in pans and bury animals and such. Then, we build snowman (Olafs) with glitter playdoh.<img alt="Picture 1950" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-f2SpnHYt98c/U-PI-Eji1jI/AAAAAAAAfoM/N6Q9rvR1q98/Picture19502.jpg?imgmax=800" height="363" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Picture 1950" width="272" />We cut out some snowflakes and hung them up on the little stage area. Of course, we had to belt out some Frozen tunes while on the stage!<img alt="Picture 1954-001" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-3yKm6ri4elM/U-PI_EdKtjI/AAAAAAAAfoU/eskVs2HAJ9s/Picture19540012.jpg?imgmax=800" height="363" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Picture 1954-001" width="272" /><img alt="Picture 1952-001" border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-lsfjnTr86-w/U-PI_xlJnvI/AAAAAAAAfoc/OgMwMYZBmAQ/Picture19520012.jpg?imgmax=800" height="363" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Picture 1952-001" width="272" /> They were so awesome that when Owen asked for a treat while we were leaving, I had to oblige. :)<img alt="Picture 1959" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-f8n0IRKNWtw/U-PJAkkQ9eI/AAAAAAAAfok/gcqYrPC3w-4/Picture19592.jpg?imgmax=800" height="363" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Picture 1959" width="272" /><img alt="Picture 1955" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-oh7SZr5M7cA/U-PJBaYBICI/AAAAAAAAfos/f7PP8icZGx4/Picture%2525201955.jpg?imgmax=800" height="306" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Picture 1955" width="408" /> <img alt="Picture 1956" border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-VQ6Mc8XU1us/U-PJCIzkd1I/AAAAAAAAfow/SYtRhIGXPA8/Picture19562.jpg?imgmax=800" height="363" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Picture 1956" width="272" /> <img alt="Picture 1957" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-mv6Vn3MTJjE/U-PJDGICKiI/AAAAAAAAfo4/Hvgwwm_9cmg/Picture19572.jpg?imgmax=800" height="363" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Picture 1957" width="272" /> <img alt="Picture 1958" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRuPtLrbwosvZd9bVbThkimyKTAr2szs7-TmGF10qxCeK91f-8S6gtFZPyr1veQJD5fzebizahERG0rSRhPA-ZuyykDW-4uhH5Ka0bjMQKn6jCuTfj9PrGNKe3KvtR0AJm-i3NJJqlKHk/?imgmax=800" height="363" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Picture 1958" width="272" />It was a fun way to ruin our dinner. :)<br />
<img alt="blog-signature-1" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-RkMqSqDZDcA/UbsTd1RSBTI/AAAAAAAAO_o/fHeJNqKiUvQ/blogsignature12.jpg?imgmax=800" />Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07772958326150643202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5593008700151055000.post-9593754279162900922014-07-27T14:26:00.000-04:002014-08-07T14:26:31.241-04:00Miles {2 months}I was gearing up to start writing Miles’ 3 month post and realized I didn’t finish his 2 month one. Oops. So here’s the short list of that post:<br />
<ul>
<li>his first smile was on June 20. Now he gives us smiles and full belly laughs all day long. Never had a baby so smiley and I LOVE it! </li>
<li>in size 2 diapers and 6 month clothing (around 13 pounds)</li>
<li>awesome nurser</li>
<li>takes 4-5 naps in various locations (swing, stroller, crib)</li>
<li>sleeps in his crib 7:30-1ish and then up every couple hours. But what?! Did I finally get a sleeper.</li>
<li>loves to be swaddled and only sleeps if all arms and legs are snug tight and on his back</li>
<li>adores his paci</li>
<li>loves his siblings</li>
<li>doesn’t love or hate bath time. </li>
<li>hates tummy time</li>
</ul>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Picture 1931" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-JG0VRr-V3fQ/U-PBRzxYwcI/AAAAAAAAfmc/VLxZRNO3-Z4/Picture%2525201931%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="363" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Picture 1931" width="272" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ahh, a sleeper :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Picture 1720-001" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-BjJDH7L5xlU/U-PBSyLrvHI/AAAAAAAAfmk/yCamOLxpC5s/Picture17200012.jpg?imgmax=800" height="363" style="border-width: 0px; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Picture 1720-001" width="272" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">his first smile - I caught it on camera!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Picture 1713-001" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyxaRGgIgcm_CC1uGO8qr_rP0lXh8zBSgImP-9pL7UDw59x8FoDf-W7tsa-ZsiNHlrK6iOK9m5CSRwfxDeyHOtLbPE6XXnmOv9N6gjqZpMzR7oHX6MZ2VDbZO0V929pb7a03fu91y_Du8/?imgmax=800" height="363" style="border-width: 0px; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Picture 1713-001" width="272" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">love his hair line</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Picture 1742-001" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG3rkY8Wj9fcsfPEg7lZhPRO_VZiMjmo_8yka6yTzYbjMR88PVOM764_zchkdR2DkjCqXPwJG86j-DSEg1Rwg8r-wrBrI2uls0vanbq83_O1MJET6GDU9TlFgSuc-hg-mgxPGBNYQzquI/?imgmax=800" height="363" style="border-width: 0px; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Picture 1742-001" width="272" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">June 23 - first time on his playmat</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Picture 1888" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi83VAC2XXfnpk4Yo7PIho_PpUdnr78ot3_IMA8equdMQPIpg_XnBA0W4dp2yuWyS-0Dr6Ce-RCUhjd9W1dw697sSmpMED7dREWHpKnTHUWVibjOyFFABUebCcXzWeQ_RkegorMlcgYJ3M/?imgmax=800" height="363" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Picture 1888" width="272" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">smiley man</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
And some from our 2 month photo shoot:<img alt="IMG_2531-2" border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-usJX0sdEOZI/U-PBW4h9x9I/AAAAAAAAfnM/oIVzsC2N24w/IMG_2531-2%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="272" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="IMG_2531-2" width="408" /> <img alt="IMG_2504" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-aXLNSWz3ZLs/U-PBYBE-C5I/AAAAAAAAfnQ/jwWk7FRL2bY/IMG_2504%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="272" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="IMG_2504" width="408" /><img alt="IMG_2510-2" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjezK9Ztn9KeWBnSr5pdHeSvRCB_tlwkp0fMJxdi3nF4di5xSmt-pUGjp-DGrLTwzHokHD8FcqOO69uLOq5RZ4KRdXTodFm8X8Y-aPnh6cOBRwf52lfdQDEbZxvN2kAE0Hs4ppPVOW0XZs/?imgmax=800" height="272" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="IMG_2510-2" width="408" /> <img alt="IMG_2522-2" border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-9ljhFxtUeHM/U-PBZkt606I/AAAAAAAAfnk/En-r4qStEB4/IMG_2522-2%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="408" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="IMG_2522-2" width="272" /> <img alt="IMG_2525-2" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEq2ZdyVTH-9uFc82tmApmqtFhF6uVJL7Kxw-rzNvWaOb_rX37qmTEQc8PyD_55WXQwiXOWV0NANLa-hrF1aLqBntglKHmZi_UIJs_5kd7kyFUXv3ZmbSJvmtpgtZDgyKnOpaxJyyVc5s/?imgmax=800" height="272" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="IMG_2525-2" width="408" /> <img alt="IMG_2529-2" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-GIVfWm80A8A/U-PBbqAQtZI/AAAAAAAAfn0/XssHM_vNq_M/IMG_2529-2%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="282" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="IMG_2529-2" width="408" /> <br />
<img alt="blog-signature-1" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-RkMqSqDZDcA/UbsTd1RSBTI/AAAAAAAAO_o/fHeJNqKiUvQ/blogsignature12.jpg?imgmax=800" />Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07772958326150643202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5593008700151055000.post-57305559601309424822014-07-24T13:57:00.000-04:002014-08-07T13:58:08.208-04:00Curtis OrchardThis week has been unseasonably cool and so one morning we decided to head over to Curtis Orchard for our first trip of the season! This place is about 5 minutes from our house and just about perfect for an outing. Free play spaces, kitties to hold, goats to feed, and yummy donuts to share. There was only 1 or 2 other families there when we went, so we basically had free run of the place. I also had some tokens left from last season, so the kids got to play in the mini-golf/park area. Owen was also very excited that they had fixed the train that moves around the dining area. (for a quarter :)<br />
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Looking forward to many more trips as fall nears!<img alt="Picture 1988" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-FAFGPHtW2ag/U-O98O2Vc_I/AAAAAAAAflo/niY0IxIMpII/Picture%2525201988%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="363" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Picture 1988" width="272" /> <img alt="Picture 1989" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-kn4Pt31RvVs/U-O99Zl5ZnI/AAAAAAAAflw/XkjUHdIC_SU/Picture%2525201989%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="363" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Picture 1989" width="272" /> <img alt="Picture 1990" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-z0zCuxn8e1Y/U-O9_vGE2TI/AAAAAAAAfl4/FBjLUCHJ-jE/Picture%2525201990%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="363" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Picture 1990" width="272" /> <img alt="Picture 1992" border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-yAUhCk--oAw/U-O-Aa7XPnI/AAAAAAAAfmA/9Tyt6dqJm28/Picture%2525201992%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="363" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Picture 1992" width="272" /> <img alt="Picture 1994" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr-431mMrdrsWRhf_KkEllUGv-MHXP7hnFHoX4FsgSv3B9eblbUd0rlTHP2bWyQSJXLxeqxGrgiqZ1t01nbaXRZ4O3JKfhflpigwILVv5gLR-5PCuYrrJwEWbr6kRppy7PUQIphca1d6k/?imgmax=800" height="306" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Picture 1994" width="408" /> <img alt="Picture 1995" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-uPo8YB3KVbM/U-O-CLpXkEI/AAAAAAAAfmQ/iC0kjq-YHao/Picture%2525201995%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="363" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Picture 1995" width="272" /> <img alt="blog-signature-1" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-RkMqSqDZDcA/UbsTd1RSBTI/AAAAAAAAO_o/fHeJNqKiUvQ/blogsignature12.jpg?imgmax=800" />Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07772958326150643202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5593008700151055000.post-49724919070618143962014-07-20T22:49:00.001-04:002014-07-20T22:50:13.176-04:00VBSThis past week was Owen’s first time attending Vacation Bible School at church! He was pretty adamant that he didn’t want to go, but we basically told him he had to. :) And then once he realized one of his best buddies, Asher, was going all was right with the world again. Erica and I took turns carpooling the boys and they had a great time riding together. The Kingdom Kids team did an amazing job decorating, praying, prepping, and running the great 4 evenings!<br />
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The theme was JUMP and there were jump ropes hanging everywhere and a huge trampoline on the stage.<img alt="Picture 1886-002" border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-NP4vtM-3eNc/U8x_lATfRWI/AAAAAAAAfkM/WZXO1j2WHZQ/Picture18860022.jpg?imgmax=800" height="363" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Picture 1886-002" width="272" /><img alt="Picture 1883-001" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-BCTz9AAyNeA/U8x_mB3sJHI/AAAAAAAAfkU/9mm8XPeZU9c/Picture18830012.jpg?imgmax=800" height="363" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Picture 1883-001" width="272" />These two boys are quite the goofy pair when they’re together.<img alt="photo-001" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ek_g-Bv6EGI/U8x_mgyETdI/AAAAAAAAfkc/D7gO738AFzc/photo0013.jpg?imgmax=800" height="306" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="photo-001" width="408" /><img alt="Picture 1898-001" border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-cjpQhzZqXY0/U8x_ngOxBHI/AAAAAAAAfkk/6TAyKlZjSls/Picture18980012.jpg?imgmax=800" height="363" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Picture 1898-001" width="272" /><img alt="Picture 1900-001" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ILUv3a2_oEw/U8x_oLyN3bI/AAAAAAAAfks/OglJXHAOHq8/Picture%2525201900-001.jpg?imgmax=800" height="306" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Picture 1900-001" width="408" /> <img alt="Picture 1902-001" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHHS8ujKyAl69u5w206xmx8TSeq6e22scbvbYz9Q1qyM2du-v8n-ZYwFdQfw80gAWqnTuQ3aKpd-sW-y7bywNzcKZnDevFajOHeGLlqfqLRchnSdwxrw7O5UPwOxIGmtTT-hYUtL2ZR5o/?imgmax=800" height="306" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Picture 1902-001" width="408" /> <img alt="Picture 1904-001" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-UzqeUUpf2rw/U8x_qIUN9EI/AAAAAAAAfk8/EanQ4Ypc2Mg/Picture19040012.jpg?imgmax=800" height="363" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Picture 1904-001" width="272" />Today the kids helped lead worship to show the songs they learned at VBS. Definitely a fun week for Owen! (Anne D, you’ll enjoy your guy in this one too)
<center><iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="270" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/imrHpl7Lxdw" width="480"></iframe></center><br />
<img alt="blog-signature-1" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-RkMqSqDZDcA/UbsTd1RSBTI/AAAAAAAAO_o/fHeJNqKiUvQ/blogsignature12.jpg?imgmax=800" />Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07772958326150643202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5593008700151055000.post-7814933453311560782014-07-20T21:40:00.001-04:002014-07-20T21:40:23.827-04:00Projects page!<p>Hello blog readers.  :)  I know many of your read this through a blog reader, so just wanted to let you know what I spent the last couple weeks doing.  I added a page called “projects” that you can find on the homepage:<a href="http://kneedeepinthebabypool.blogspot.com/p/projects.html"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Fullscreen capture 7202014 11258 PM.bmp" border="0" alt="Fullscreen capture 7202014 11258 PM.bmp" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-mwTU1o2aS7s/U8xvgP45jCI/AAAAAAAAfjA/RS16LQZY0Xc/Fullscreen%252520capture%2525207202014%25252011258%252520PM.jpg?imgmax=800" width="408" height="298" /></a></p> <p>It’s basically a menu of my most read blog posts and projects.  That way if you want to remember how to make my glass etched pans or read one of my birth stories, you don’t have to go digging for it. :)<a href="http://kneedeepinthebabypool.blogspot.com/p/projects.html"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Fullscreen capture 7202014 125747 PM.bmp" border="0" alt="Fullscreen capture 7202014 125747 PM.bmp" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-SZupsMrOVCQ/U8xvhCer6UI/AAAAAAAAfjI/DjPnU8spP7A/Fullscreen%252520capture%2525207202014%252520125747%252520PM.jpg?imgmax=800" width="408" height="292" /></a>Enjoy!</p> <p><img alt="blog-signature-1" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-RkMqSqDZDcA/UbsTd1RSBTI/AAAAAAAAO_o/fHeJNqKiUvQ/blogsignature12.jpg?imgmax=800" /></p> Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07772958326150643202noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5593008700151055000.post-69426533971206625802014-07-15T22:27:00.000-04:002014-07-20T22:29:08.368-04:00flood!Whew is all I have to say after last weekend.<br />
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The fun began on Friday afternoon. I drove the kids to Bloomington to meet my parents at a McDonald’s. We ate and played in the nice (seriously one of the nicer Mickey D’s I’ve been to) kid area. We switched cars and then I drove home with just this guy:<img alt="Picture 1888" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-X17CR1JgcHc/U8x5Ds2mQYI/AAAAAAAAfjU/EcbdJP5HEMk/Picture18882.jpg?imgmax=800" height="363" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Picture 1888" width="272" /><img alt="Picture 1890" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-GYpyJ2jIIP8/U8x5EevvPPI/AAAAAAAAfjc/P1svr12rlk4/Picture18902.jpg?imgmax=800" height="363" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Picture 1890" width="272" />Saturday morning I was enjoying my coffee that hadn’t been warmed up several times, cuddling with Miles, and reading a book. It was pouring outside and even when our phones went off with a flood alert, I wasn’t too worried. Until William disappeared in the basement and then came up to say he needed help. The sump pump was starting to not keep up with the amount of water that was coming in. So we started shoveling buckets across the room into the shower.<br />
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We realized the storm drain where it pumps to was flooded by many feet of water, so the water we were pumping out had no where to go. I drove as fast as I could to Awesome Machines down the road and we rented a pump with a hose that we put out the window. By the time I got back, our storage area and William's tiled office were covered in water. But with the pump and towels I think we saved our new carpet. It's wet all the way around the edge of the room but we have fans going and rented a wet vac that we used several times. With the dehumidifier as well, I think we’re all good now. It was SO not how we wanted to spend kid-free time, but at the same time I'm glad they were out of the way.<br />
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We were also excited that it opened some doors with our neighbors. Many lost a lot more than we did. The couple across the street asked William to help move furniture and they let us borrow their dehumidifier until ours arrived. They were super thankful and I hope that through the bad stuff we can chat more often!<br />
We did get a pre-anniversary dinner out and also went out to breakfast the next morning. Miles slept through both so it was super nice. We drove back to Bloomington and met at Avanti’s (yum)! Despite the basement craziness it was refreshing having a short break from the big kids. <br />
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I obviously didn’t take any pictures of the middle of the flooding, but here’s some aftermath pics:<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><img alt="Picture 1884" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-lE5LbuLuaYo/U8x5F06ZE9I/AAAAAAAAfjs/4OEbNUryrCk/Picture18842.jpg?imgmax=800" height="363" style="border-width: 0px; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Picture 1884" width="272" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">the hose going out the window that saved it</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Picture 1886-001" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-nxsYPBeX5eY/U8x5HNXgQVI/AAAAAAAAfj8/62bqTViAH8I/Picture18860012.jpg?imgmax=800" height="363" style="border-width: 0px; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Picture 1886-001" width="272" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ok, so you can't really even see the water, but it's there</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<img alt="blog-signature-1" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-RkMqSqDZDcA/UbsTd1RSBTI/AAAAAAAAO_o/fHeJNqKiUvQ/blogsignature12.jpg?imgmax=800" />Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07772958326150643202noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5593008700151055000.post-80138628483094136742014-07-11T21:39:00.000-04:002014-07-15T21:41:57.312-04:00doctor's visit and the poolThis week, we had a crazy early doctor appointment for Owen and Miles. Seriously, why did I schedule that at 8?! Owen was a total disaster and cried for everything, getting on the scale, getting measured, blood pressure, etc. This then caused Ellie to cry and then Miles got in on it. Fun times. The only thing I remember is that Miles was 13 pounds even. 90-something percentile. Big boy! He has terrible goopy eyes but they don’t do anything about the clogged tear ducts until he’s a year. Hopefully it won’t be that long.<br />
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Miles also has a umbilical granuloma. It’s basically a piece of tissue that stays on your baby's bellybutton after the umbilical cord falls off. Rather than getting covered with skin as it heals, there is a red tissue on the bellybutton. They use silver nitrate to essentially “burn” it away since it doesn’t have any nerve endings. I didn’t really consider asking more questions before Dr. Melvin did it. While it worked for the top of granuloma, the bottom will need more silver nitrate. And because he was moving so much, the silver nitrate got on parts of his belly button and stomach. He cried a lot more than normal that day/night so he was probably in pain. Felt like an awful momma. A little googling just suggested putting Vaseline everywhere before the silver nitrate is applied to protect it. We'll do that before he gets the rest of it removed.<img alt="Picture 1872-001" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcXtU0UWb7wugLKPaN4KJnPyEjBcbUEyZkSy0kJBE8qX935FEFfsZxmWhvNZFkazdvnsGxdbezxQDN46d0XSCVySElVMEYzCbCE2O8wa-fE0dSDQ3chrQv58bnuqzSJjrp68oF17d7xfs/?imgmax=800" height="363" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Picture 1872-001" width="272" />After the doctor, we headed right to the pool. Avery once again was a huge help holding Miles while we played!<img alt="Picture 1841-001" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-YBdYadawJc8/U8XX3oP74eI/AAAAAAAAfaE/PE5BGapKylk/Picture%2525201841-001%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="363" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Picture 1841-001" width="272" /><img alt="Picture 1843" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-JhIf2XUimvg/U8XX4Xn4HyI/AAAAAAAAfaM/exeFnK5RLP0/Picture%2525201843%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="363" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Picture 1843" width="272" />And a cute someone got a hold of my phone during snack break.<img alt="July 2014" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-iTT8dhiZ_-0A_HCRvtUJ0L3UoHdGv4yId7PtZqWT3pfWdUaz_FkLjjRIa1SQ78XvO074xK_cJYd4tm4zu6HZ74R-SZ9lwZcLoYJCL4Ss2GR87oC9jrgoLmh-3ivzbBg-CqWzT4YDi1A/?imgmax=800" height="285" style="border: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="July 2014" width="400" /> <img alt="blog-signature-1" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-RkMqSqDZDcA/UbsTd1RSBTI/AAAAAAAAO_o/fHeJNqKiUvQ/blogsignature12.jpg?imgmax=800" />Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07772958326150643202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5593008700151055000.post-91379651094042062062014-07-10T23:01:00.000-04:002014-07-14T23:01:54.649-04:00Janessa’s b-day partyThis morning, one of Owen’s friends had a birthday party. I got a babysitter for Ellie and then decided I might as well leave Miles since he takes a bottle well. So Miles had his first non-family babysitter and did awesome! And I got to spend some special one-on-one time with Owen.<br />
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The party was at Michael’s craft store and Jennifer had come up a with a super neat art project for them. She spent the time taping off each kiddo’s name on a canvas. Then each kid painted and put handprints on it. <img alt="10420078_10152189134866179_3753231502963404438_n" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-T6GSX7UWmwg/U8SZdyjmc7I/AAAAAAAAfZU/IqrGBbHl3XU/10420078_10152189134866179_3753231502963404438_n%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="272" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="10420078_10152189134866179_3753231502963404438_n" width="408" /><img alt="10463006_10152189135001179_6624307289083599064_n" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-JeStwtvA6Ew/U8SZfLwVIBI/AAAAAAAAfZc/hIRWcfwYrs0/10463006_10152189135001179_6624307289083599064_n%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="272" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="10463006_10152189135001179_6624307289083599064_n" width="408" /> After it dried, we peeled off their names. So cute!<img alt="10351306_10152189135281179_2877078382944981025_n" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-MExJ7myvuLY/U8SZf2MvO8I/AAAAAAAAfZk/QbqTnXC_Ut4/10351306_10152189135281179_2877078382944981025_n%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="272" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="10351306_10152189135281179_2877078382944981025_n" width="408" /><img alt="10390114_10152189134721179_7907307826197936858_n" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-k5XSZsgjUok/U8SZgtN8RoI/AAAAAAAAfZs/vC2tmsQ8ixU/10390114_10152189134721179_7907307826197936858_n%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="272" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="10390114_10152189134721179_7907307826197936858_n" width="408" />Then we enjoyed pizza and cupcakes. Such a fun morning. And can you tell that Jen is a professional photographer? Thanks for all the great pictures of the day! Happy 4th birthday Janessa!<br />
<img alt="blog-signature-1" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-RkMqSqDZDcA/UbsTd1RSBTI/AAAAAAAAO_o/fHeJNqKiUvQ/blogsignature12.jpg?imgmax=800" />Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07772958326150643202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5593008700151055000.post-84517677872491568462014-07-07T22:02:00.001-04:002014-07-07T22:02:05.888-04:00t-ball<p>After the last few weeks of a less-than-stellar attitude from Owen at t-ball, tonight was a hit (pun intended).    His “team” was the first one up to bat and I was thrilled that he actually took the bat and hit it!<img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="photo 2 (1)" border="0" alt="photo 2 (1)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-VuZWN-aT1Tg/U7tRDpzeqgI/AAAAAAAAfYY/D2GrjP_WfBE/photo%2525202%252520%2525281%252529%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="272" height="363" /> He did a great job running around and touching all the bases.<img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="photo 3" border="0" alt="photo 3" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnZeuCK1eZqeJ4jsTHT5wBQrNnPDz5gry9AIz95lS_WzO0UH7e_-BzGjeWHEvN1ef_c0ChW-XyvFRUtRp012uTEcN7Clluq15WTMvGOkcJ4AQfyeITDCP5hpTFmHEeAWCDoKDQB1YDFfE/?imgmax=800" width="271" height="364" /> Miles was super excited to see his brother play t-ball. :)<img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="photo 1 (1)" border="0" alt="photo 1 (1)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Nmb9CdhFd7M/U7tRFk-gzVI/AAAAAAAAfYo/eOkauF83Z0g/photo%2525201%252520%2525281%252529%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="272" height="363" />Then, after a longtime of fielding the balls, each kid got 5 hits with Ms. Lexi.  They’d never done this before so he was excited to do it.<img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="photo 4" border="0" alt="photo 4" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-NQ-1EL4GSkQ/U7tRGV0VG5I/AAAAAAAAfYw/9WZ-t2pCEXM/photo%2525204%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="272" height="363" /><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="photo" border="0" alt="photo" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-QGfOnfKuj9g/U7tRHE0MiII/AAAAAAAAfY4/vv2MNVPmkSE/photo%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="272" height="363" />I packed a picnic for dinner so we ate and played on the little playground before heading home.  Everyone needed baths after the awful humidity of tonight!  Proud of him for trying tonight!</p> <p><img alt="blog-signature-1" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-RkMqSqDZDcA/UbsTd1RSBTI/AAAAAAAAO_o/fHeJNqKiUvQ/blogsignature12.jpg?imgmax=800" /></p> Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07772958326150643202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5593008700151055000.post-7038501284845261082014-07-06T13:44:00.000-04:002014-07-07T22:02:47.846-04:004th of July!We had a fabulous 4th of July weekend. The weather was gorgeous and we had just the right amount of activities planned. Thursday morning, we started getting in the spirit with a Pinterest inspired activity. I taped together bendable straws and they dipped them in paint and made “fireworks.”<img alt="Picture 1839" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-vE0USzioNLk/U7rcbMzXKII/AAAAAAAAfVk/Okr6VFoV0jA/Picture%2525201839%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="363" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Picture 1839" width="272" /><img alt="Picture 1838" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-I7GcYTFzS64/U7rccDVcjuI/AAAAAAAAfVs/5hdyr3t62Qc/Picture%2525201838%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="272" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Picture 1838" width="363" />Friday morning we got all the crazies dressed in their red, white, and blue and then it was off the parade. <img alt="Picture 1865" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuXVXr-lPw1lJSHumQWbDumNJYoZu0BCJjRk3Ags2FazDUZdyHQai7_-nABVi4YGBKLcoZLhQp2mQR7xjI1bj_odjCPgVAGd4i-LEz3fNyeeEbQ3iH0lobljgzVyBkA4pVTo4tMbkmIxc/?imgmax=800" height="408" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Picture 1865" width="272" />It was much cooler than last year and we found a shady spot, so that made it much more enjoyable. The parade is nothing to write home about, but the kids enjoyed the fire trucks, the few horses, and the few large inflatables.<img alt="Picture 1868" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-aC-Hz8IKOQg/U7rcdtK24dI/AAAAAAAAfV8/zmOv-t_ay3A/Picture%2525201868%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="363" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Picture 1868" width="272" /> Love her little skirt and headband:<img alt="Picture 1857" border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-DgaVVYH5K4E/U7rceXboiaI/AAAAAAAAfWE/ok4-3LoaQcw/Picture%2525201857%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="363" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Picture 1857" width="272" /> <img alt="Picture 1861" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-9aFJTae5KgY/U7rcfan29SI/AAAAAAAAfWM/grm23BZWfMY/Picture%2525201861%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="363" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Picture 1861" width="272" />Owen was a little bored except when they threw out some candy: <img alt="Picture 1855" border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-8cSbfF3b3qk/U7rcfzOKwFI/AAAAAAAAfWU/6n9F8fp4Whk/Picture%2525201855%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="363" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Picture 1855" width="272" />I love how smiley this little guy is becoming. I don’t know what to do with a boy who smiles!<img alt="Picture 1873" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-pbEO89i_59o/U7rcggSWoJI/AAAAAAAAfWc/08k9Aj_ILzU/Picture%2525201873%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="381" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Picture 1873" width="272" /><img alt="Picture 1877" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Qv8rT8Q2hUw/U7rchTRKMRI/AAAAAAAAfWk/h97EFCZdDXg/Picture%2525201877%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="363" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Picture 1877" width="272" />We didn’t have any other plans so we spent the day just hanging out and enjoying having William home. Saturday morning, we enjoyed another gorgeous day and took a long family walk. We got everyone (including Owen) to take decent naps as we knew it’d be a long night. <img alt="Picture 1886" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-K0OnbvdU2OQ/U7rch4vAeiI/AAAAAAAAfWs/y5nRrPlefBg/Picture%2525201886%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="371" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Picture 1886" width="266" />After naps, we packed everyone up and headed to Tuscola where Owen’s best buddy Sam and his family live. We ate an awesome dinner and the boys had a blast playing with each other. We also finally got a picture of Miles and Jack – maybe future bff’s? <img alt="Picture 1898" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-gBomSSp95lQ/U7rcinnAiyI/AAAAAAAAfW0/qpUCVTxB3pE/Picture%2525201898%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="286" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Picture 1898" width="272" /><img alt="Picture 1904" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-0OlVf-sz7HY/U7rcjtYQ3fI/AAAAAAAAfW8/D3Sy6lPljoU/Picture%2525201904%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="335" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Picture 1904" width="272" />At about 8 we drove over to Tuscola’s park area – it had a pool, park, baseball fields, etc. We really could not have asked for a better experience. Our vans are literally 5 feet away (in case of babies waking up or Ellie getting scared). We were one of maybe 6 families on this whole field. The kids played with their glow sticks while it got dark. I brought things to make snack necklaces (a piece of yarn with things like fruit loops, butter cookies, pretzels, etc to string on). That went over like a lead balloon. They just ate the snacks.<img alt="Picture 1919" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-NQrdWNkjuYY/U7rckfN2FsI/AAAAAAAAfXE/vCdZJmzVoWk/Picture%2525201919%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="363" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Picture 1919" width="272" /> <img alt="Picture 1920" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-BFyq5Ydzmqk/U7rck_UnhmI/AAAAAAAAfXM/7y--4SwhJbg/Picture%2525201920%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="363" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Picture 1920" width="272" /> <img alt="Picture 1921" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-4AKwnZ99r-0/U7rclk8gqKI/AAAAAAAAfXU/_922pOXhhEs/Picture%2525201921%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="363" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Picture 1921" width="272" /><img alt="Picture 1918" border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-i1VLZV_cKMs/U7rcmaeckcI/AAAAAAAAfXc/miknW1wLan0/Picture%2525201918%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="363" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Picture 1918" width="272" />I was pretty nervous about how Ellie and Miles would do. But it was awesome. Ellie covered her ears for the first half, but then forgot about it and seemed fine. Miles literally slept the whole time, and the whole way home too! The show was great for a small town and the perfect length. And getting out of the park only took about 15 minutes. So much smoother than I think it would have gone at Memorial with the huge crowds. I definitely think we’re going to make this a yearly tradition with the Bubbs! Happy 4th of July everyone!<br />
<img alt="blog-signature-1" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-RkMqSqDZDcA/UbsTd1RSBTI/AAAAAAAAO_o/fHeJNqKiUvQ/blogsignature12.jpg?imgmax=800" />Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07772958326150643202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5593008700151055000.post-63673970283135616092014-07-03T23:02:00.000-04:002014-07-04T23:12:54.271-04:00brotherly/sisterly loveNo real reason for this post except for these cute pictures of Owen and Ellie. While they fight and drive each other crazy, there are many more of these kind of moments. So thankful they have each other. And that I have them.<img alt="Picture 1766" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-AeqA0qSmP1k/U7dqrbIsqkI/AAAAAAAAfU4/0JCkwdU_mkk/Picture17663.jpg?imgmax=800" height="306" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Picture 1766" width="408" /> <img alt="Picture 1755" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-1PjZ8B9-hB0/U7dqsOvvSKI/AAAAAAAAfVA/lPuIWXNR_bM/Picture%2525201755%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="306" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Picture 1755" width="408" /> <img alt="Picture 1827" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB7XBIb84bpJ2RZcPbloW30IPR-LAYe8o891JcZkzuxUDkZXl02s_Fh5HQ-h-b6fNtPZFWHfFU2HobpcCz8VzCcqZ-yJOc412sGVevO3GiXxOWnpNU9Bo3zPScRR1Iy1BLXCmjXt3roDw/?imgmax=800" height="363" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Picture 1827" width="272" /><br />
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<img alt="Picture 1775" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-BbGYoHVBl3U/U7dqtloLSpI/AAAAAAAAfVQ/pjTo3P1nV6U/Picture17753.jpg?imgmax=800" height="408" style="border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Picture 1775" width="306" />And here they are playing on the steps and discussing the chapstick Ellie has in her purse and the color of polish on their toes. (yes, Owens' toes are painted)</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="344" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/82YQD6x71Cc" width="459"></iframe> </div>
<img alt="blog-signature-1" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-RkMqSqDZDcA/UbsTd1RSBTI/AAAAAAAAO_o/fHeJNqKiUvQ/blogsignature12.jpg?imgmax=800" />Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07772958326150643202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5593008700151055000.post-40316659598600016972014-07-02T21:49:00.000-04:002014-07-04T22:37:22.744-04:00wedding seasonSummer is wedding season and Miles has already been to 2! The first one was for one of our favorite babysitters, Sarah. I used to babysit this girl when she was 3. And now she’s married! Miles and I went to this one on our own since it was right during Ellie’s naptime.<img alt="Picture 1801" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-1oRpkvr8fjE/U7dkV8XENFI/AAAAAAAAfTw/hKlh3PG2q-c/Picture18013.jpg?imgmax=800" height="408" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Picture 1801" width="306" /><img alt="Picture 1800" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-boqR_C4FBlI/U7dkWppFbuI/AAAAAAAAfT4/ZhRT14WJyhk/Picture18003.jpg?imgmax=800" height="408" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Picture 1800" width="306" />The next weekend William’s co-worker Whitney got married. William’s parents were in town so we were able to enjoy the whole wedding without the bigger kids and without having to pay a babysitter. I wasn’t expecting to have a good time with not really knowing the crowd, but we ended up having a really nice evening!<img alt="Picture 1736" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgddHI1IPk9YEIwRVJsYUTLO9EzDkxcECiHCuKi3hK_6HHvOLtsQGjsLCggG7Qldpe0Wz7FQdafTU2f_x-qmuhTH_08vy5a4Qy65vsDfIuYW9_gsuIuRIav-sp0vI-VAKtHmkIiBJseidE/?imgmax=800" height="363" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Picture 1736" width="272" /><img alt="Picture 1742" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-43lROQ0hThA/U7dkX_WvuCI/AAAAAAAAfUI/ozPmE4guvzw/Picture17422.jpg?imgmax=800" height="363" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Picture 1742" width="272" /><img alt="Picture 1747" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-yHT1KCGq2cw/U7dkYhZwR0I/AAAAAAAAfUQ/tZuRYBi-dvs/Picture17472.jpg?imgmax=800" height="363" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Picture 1747" width="272" /> <img alt="10464007_10204115101423490_7879861050635382006_n" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-OSt__MVLlWU/U7dkZmosKqI/AAAAAAAAfUY/-uVvOvteZAE/10464007_10204115101423490_787986105%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="408" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="10464007_10204115101423490_7879861050635382006_n" width="230" />Miles just got passed around and we had a very nice dinner at Silvercreek. The cheesecake was probably the most amazing cheesecake I’ve had. Seriously.<img alt="Picture 1746" border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-WHsJw5gtU6g/U7dkaEtoo9I/AAAAAAAAfUg/kOUeMYnSh1w/Picture17462.jpg?imgmax=800" height="363" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Picture 1746" width="272" /><img alt="Picture 1740" border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-gKVjBaI75AA/U7dkazg18RI/AAAAAAAAfUo/7IN0l6OXSn8/Picture17402.jpg?imgmax=800" height="363" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Picture 1740" width="272" /><img alt="blog-signature-1" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-RkMqSqDZDcA/UbsTd1RSBTI/AAAAAAAAO_o/fHeJNqKiUvQ/blogsignature12.jpg?imgmax=800" />Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07772958326150643202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5593008700151055000.post-8298701976082016982014-06-30T12:10:00.001-04:002014-06-30T12:10:08.791-04:00Owen is 4!<p><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_2198" border="0" alt="IMG_2198" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-h_EtkIAREfU/U7GLzkBUKTI/AAAAAAAAfSs/XzFBKYQwj8k/IMG_21981.jpg?imgmax=800" width="408" height="272" />This little guy is 4!  So hard to believe.  </p> <p>I have no stats for ya as his doctor had to cancel the appointment and we don’t go for another week or so.<img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_2175" border="0" alt="IMG_2175" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-q_4Xhfm3k4E/U7GL0VTt7CI/AAAAAAAAfS0/Fejhju31sAg/IMG_21751.jpg?imgmax=800" width="408" height="272" />3 was a hard year for this guy.  But I’m already starting to see hope in the age of 4.  He’s been so helpful and sweet lately with his little brother.  I’m hoping for an awesome year.<img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_2191" border="0" alt="IMG_2191" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-LCBOP_Xqy0c/U7GL1BCvO-I/AAAAAAAAfS8/5Bmu1VRGJaU/IMG_21911.jpg?imgmax=800" width="408" height="272" />I love watching his imagination.  He loves to make up stories and is very into telling me about his super hero powers right now.<img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Picture 1780" border="0" alt="Picture 1780" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-5P84cGJknjI/U7GL1_wtY7I/AAAAAAAAfTE/JFilxZSUJLM/Picture17802.jpg?imgmax=800" width="272" height="363" /> He is an individual that’s for sure.  Here are his toes painted in a pattern of his choosing after seeing Ellie and I do our nails.<img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Picture 1705" border="0" alt="Picture 1705" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIkUjFnSssUhqbw7Hmtc4FCZhUNfDi16vT-gRIKtxJPzyotcwEm0rK0JJWfqn3EomOTonPFifTJHPMolTIgPQdsmo0QifjZp8ZuARoJQx9CDGXOYl8NvLtldyqfkYXIIP-jrUb4aRyM9k/?imgmax=800" width="408" height="306" /> He’s quiet (in public), inquisitive, and a deep feeler.  He still doesn’t sleep through the night, although is becoming less of a picky eater.<img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Picture 1725" border="0" alt="Picture 1725" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-PtTWDSOuvqY/U7GL3dLyezI/AAAAAAAAfTU/KZJIbdwOy-c/Picture17252.jpg?imgmax=800" width="272" height="363" /> He loves to draw and reading books is always a favorite thing to do.  So looking forward to our school time starting again this fall and watching him learn!<img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Picture 1779" border="0" alt="Picture 1779" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-K5myRIlwPvw/U7GL33zYuMI/AAAAAAAAfTc/Q2CDFWi9Yvg/Picture17792.jpg?imgmax=800" width="272" height="363" />Happy 4 years to my firstborn!</p> <p><img alt="blog-signature-1" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-RkMqSqDZDcA/UbsTd1RSBTI/AAAAAAAAO_o/fHeJNqKiUvQ/blogsignature12.jpg?imgmax=800" /></p> Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07772958326150643202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5593008700151055000.post-3214340291423173072014-06-27T11:58:00.000-04:002014-06-30T11:59:41.891-04:00Miles {1 month}<img alt="IMG_2393-2" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-zIHk1nrq32Y/U7GJENrkyXI/AAAAAAAAfRY/k5-uVgSnTrU/IMG_239323.jpg?imgmax=800" height="318" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="IMG_2393-2" width="408" />This kid is one month old (ok, 6 weeks upon this posting but who’s really counting besides me). I was wanting an “official” weight before posting and got it this morning. We don’t have his official appointment until next week, but Miles is a part of a U of I study called <a href="http://familyresiliency.illinois.edu/research/strong_kids_synergistic.html">Illinois Strong Kids</a> and he had his 6 week visit today where they weigh him. (side note – if you’re having a baby soon here in C/U you should sign up for this study! Every visit they do comes with gift card!)<br />
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He’s 12 lbs, 4 oz! Holy cow, no wonder he’s in size 2 diapers and in 6 month clothing. I had to exchange several packs of diapers that were too small. I’ll admit I was a bit sad packing away his untouched 0-3 clothes as I didn’t get to cuddle a small newborn for very long. But I’m so thankful he’s healthy and a great eater!<img alt="Picture 1733" border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-4aGEkzYfbdc/U7GJEw8zbWI/AAAAAAAAfRg/eCmSCx3VmG8/Picture17332.jpg?imgmax=800" height="363" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Picture 1733" width="272" /><strong>Eating</strong>: He’s a great nurser and is getting on a good eat, play, sleep pattern. He takes a bit longer to eat than my first two did and definitely has to eat from both sides. He is an awesome burper when he’s done. Thankfully, his little body is dealing just fine with the copious amounts of caffeine I’ve been drinking. :)<img alt="IMG_2376-2" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-PCsxj9UpsTI/U7GJFX5qOVI/AAAAAAAAfRo/JtIyvjvXmws/IMG_237623.jpg?imgmax=800" height="291" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="IMG_2376-2" width="408" /><strong>Sleeping</strong>: Knock on wood, he seems to be a better sleeper than my first two. But he HAS to be swaddled. If he so much gets a fingertip out of the swaddle, all bets are off and he’s screaming. We even use the swaddle blankets in the car seat to make those rides more enjoyable for all of us. Having firm pressure also is the best way to calm him as opposed to bouncing or rocking. Day naps are falling into a 5 nap “routine” and his bedtime is slowly moving up. He usually goes down between 8-9 and sleeps until about 1 (twice he made it until 2:30!). But from them until the morning, he’s usually awake every hour or two. Because Owen and Ellie still get up in the night (ugh) William is in change of those two and I focus on Miles.<img alt="Picture 1819" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-NkW795AI25o/U7GJGAmp3SI/AAAAAAAAfRw/hyiK4hsB9H0/Picture18192%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="363" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Picture 1819" width="272" /><img alt="Picture 1782-001" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-JHsr92tHj_w/U7GJG-0MtFI/AAAAAAAAfR4/3CvOCt2-ETA/Picture17820012.jpg?imgmax=800" height="363" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Picture 1782-001" width="272" /><strong>Random info</strong>: He has an adorable dimple on his left cheek (just like his sister). His first 3 weeks, he HATED diaper changes but I think that’s starting to get better. He loves his pacifier. His eyes are blue/gray and definitely lighter than the other kid’s. Still not sure if they’ll go brown like there’s though or stay in the blue family like mine.<br />
<img alt="Picture 1805" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-3JJCQRa_eM4/U7GJHXRw6eI/AAAAAAAAfSA/iSIQybqkDiY/Picture18052.jpg?imgmax=800" height="363" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Picture 1805" width="272" /><strong>How we’re all doing</strong>: Well, in general I’d say really well. I think I was a bit worried about the transition to 3 from everyone who keeps saying “you’ll be outnumbered.” “You’re going from man-to-man defense to zone defense, etc.” But so far, it’s felt pretty doable! Yes, you just need to plan an extra 45 minutes or so to get out the door. That means packing up the extra stuff and fitting in a feeding. But I’ve gotten out by myself quite a bit with all 3. Just not grocery shopping. That’s happening in the evenings now with just Miles in the Ergo carrier. For me 1 to 2 kids was harder than 2 to 3. I also like that Owen and Ellie can play (and fight) together while I’m occupied nursing.<br />
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Bed time is hard. With 2 older kids that have a hard time going to sleep and staying asleep, William and I both dread this time. <br />
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Owen loves him and gives him kisses, but isn’t too interested in holding him. Ellie loves giving him a pacifier, but whoa is she needy! I kind of figured she’d be the hard one and that’s proven true. She’s whinier and needs to be held all the time!<br />
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Oh one other thing. I felt like my bonding took a little more time with Ellison than it did with Owen. Maybe it was just learning how to give 2 kids what they need. But with Miles it was instant. Maybe it was watching him being wheeled away to the NICU without me. But wow if I didn’t fall instantly and completely in love with this little guy.<img alt="IMG_2342-2" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-EPgW_UHxaYI/U7GJH2bo22I/AAAAAAAAfSI/eaNTHwdPVpk/IMG_234223.jpg?imgmax=800" height="272" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="IMG_2342-2" width="408" />So in general, I love it. I love that while before, William and I each could have a “kid.” But now we’re a whole team. And yes, everyone asks if we’re done. And I don’t have an answer on that quite yet. But I will say that if I had to answer today, I want 4 and William’s fine with 3.<br />
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We love you Miles Grayson Pool!<br />
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<strong>Some more pictures from our 1 month shoot</strong>:<img alt="IMG_2400-2" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-cLcC0izRgeA/U7GJInzqR0I/AAAAAAAAfSQ/taS3Bm9pWVw/IMG_240024.jpg?imgmax=800" height="336" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="IMG_2400-2" width="408" /> <img alt="IMG_2371-2" border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-FZyfnkK06cc/U7GJJAxGdpI/AAAAAAAAfSY/4DBDhry7A0E/IMG_237124.jpg?imgmax=800" height="321" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="IMG_2371-2" width="408" /><img alt="IMG_2335-2" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-QdnAK3-n3gE/U7GJJ2ptHRI/AAAAAAAAfSg/E9KtDGON2tM/IMG_233522.jpg?imgmax=800" height="381" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="IMG_2335-2" width="272" /> <img alt="blog-signature-1" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-RkMqSqDZDcA/UbsTd1RSBTI/AAAAAAAAO_o/fHeJNqKiUvQ/blogsignature12.jpg?imgmax=800" />Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07772958326150643202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5593008700151055000.post-3648845204319797632014-06-26T14:06:00.001-04:002014-06-26T14:08:40.976-04:00first pool dayI’ve been a little sad as I’ve started to see all these great pool pictures from friends taking their little ones swimming. I didn’t get a pass this year as I knew taking 3 kids to the pool by myself wasn’t going to happen. But this morning, my friend Lori asked if we wanted to meet at Sholem. Her girl, Avery, is a fabulous babysitter-in-training. She held Miles for a good majority of the morning and had no problem missing out on the swimming fun. <img alt="Picture 1766-002" border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-BIjiSMYmsrU/U6xhNMsDqII/AAAAAAAAfQs/73ZNSr8DV2Y/Picture17660022.jpg?imgmax=800" height="363" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Picture 1766-002" width="272" />Owen and Ellie acted like they hadn’t missed a beat with swimming and were both braver than I had anticipated them to be. They blew bubbles in that water and both went down the slide. <img alt="Picture 1775-002" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-SpoC78Ts_VQ/U6xhOabtqNI/AAAAAAAAfQ0/C6DJeIiqqhU/Picture%2525201775-002%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="363" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Picture 1775-002" width="272" /><img alt="Picture 1768-001" border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-KFZB9HIvsm4/U6xhO0Qoh5I/AAAAAAAAfQ8/7V0EXxIrTKo/Picture%2525201768-001%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="363" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Picture 1768-001" width="272" /> I definitely could not have done it by myself. Ellie refused to get out while I nursed Miles, so Lori played with her. And taking Owen to the bathroom was much easier without having to drag the other two along. And the best part – the long afternoon naps had by all. Even Owen who hasn’t taken a nap in quite a while!<img alt="Picture 1769-001" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-46kASMwUKNI/U6xhPspwkzI/AAAAAAAAfRE/L540WSYgJI4/Picture%2525201769-001%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="363" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Picture 1769-001" width="272" />Thanks ladies (and Ryder). We can’t wait to go again! <img alt="Picture 1764-001" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-RMzQCwdhgPY/U6xhQTV4ARI/AAAAAAAAfRM/b599RSpykYs/Picture%2525201764-001%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="306" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Picture 1764-001" width="408" /><img alt="blog-signature-1" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-RkMqSqDZDcA/UbsTd1RSBTI/AAAAAAAAO_o/fHeJNqKiUvQ/blogsignature12.jpg?imgmax=800" />Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07772958326150643202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5593008700151055000.post-1581155521515043352014-06-16T20:17:00.000-04:002014-06-18T20:17:59.431-04:00t-ball!Tonight was Owen's first venture into the world of organized sports - t-ball! Athleticism is not something that really runs in the Hoerr family, so I had set the bar pretty low. :) We’re just doing it through the Savoy Rec Center, so I didn’t anticipate as big of a crowd as there was. There were about 40ish kids in all. Despite the large number and the fact that many had no idea what was going on, Lexi and her helpers did a nice job keeping the chaos pretty organized. They started by running around the bases together.<img alt="photo 2 (1)-001" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-UvKYRKu615s/U6IoYnb2HLI/AAAAAAAAfFY/KMxwax8FgwQ/photo%2525202%252520%2525281%252529-001%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="408" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="photo 2 (1)-001" width="306" /> <img alt="photo 3-002" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-WmwglqY5kYo/U6IoZk_k3ZI/AAAAAAAAfFg/qrzv_68dF68/photo%2525203-002%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="408" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="photo 3-002" width="306" /> Then they did a little throwing practice:<br />
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Then, every child got a turn to bat. Out of all the kids, one decided he didn’t want to even try to step up to bat. Want to guess which child that was? :) Oh well maybe next week! And maybe next week I'll be a more prepared t-ball mom and bring a blanket or something to sit on. <br />
<img alt="blog-signature-1" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-RkMqSqDZDcA/UbsTd1RSBTI/AAAAAAAAO_o/fHeJNqKiUvQ/blogsignature12.jpg?imgmax=800" />Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07772958326150643202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5593008700151055000.post-14688504937819375902014-06-13T18:04:00.000-04:002014-06-22T18:06:13.468-04:00Owen’s 4th birthday!Owen’s birthday celebration began early on Saturday. We’ve been talking a lot about what kind of bike he wanted. So we headed to Toys R Us to try some out. He immediately gravitated towards this orange bike, even though he’s been saying from the get to that he wanted a blue bike. He hopped on it at the store and rode like a pro. After trying a few others ones out, he still said this was the one he wanted. So it came home with us, along with a hot wheels helmet!<img alt="Picture 1812" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_Kc0Oy75IHk/U6dSyVowszI/AAAAAAAAfOs/Y56URdFQoAc/Picture18122.jpg?imgmax=800" height="363" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Picture 1812" width="272" />We struggled to get him back inside after riding.<img alt="Picture 1814" border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-z4eJoxQYOac/U6dSywONVCI/AAAAAAAAfO0/F7QWTi3yqho/Picture18142.jpg?imgmax=800" height="363" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Picture 1814" width="272" /> <br />
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On Tuesday (his real birthday), he woke up to this: <img alt="Picture 1840" border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-k7Eak2hIttI/U6dSzRzzbeI/AAAAAAAAfO8/AR0Jpzuwwd0/Picture%2525201840%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="363" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Picture 1840" width="272" /><img alt="Picture 1855" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-7HozsXVoTeo/U6dS0DuBZMI/AAAAAAAAfPA/AhVxtlvIgV8/Picture%2525201855%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="363" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Picture 1855" width="272" /> He of course wanted to open his presents immediately.<img alt="Picture 1841" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-he2ATUj1EZE/U6dS0qTJTbI/AAAAAAAAfPE/snmQ1vWslCw/Picture%2525201841%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="363" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Picture 1841" width="272" /> <img alt="Picture 1845" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-FQ8eZV47LWo/U6dS1CH365I/AAAAAAAAfPU/ZtKyUz6xhvg/Picture%2525201845%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="363" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Picture 1845" width="272" /> We had birthday donuts for a special treat.<img alt="Picture 1853" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-07gS31d5RXce_n6ZxvN49qI6oR5A9loCQrUJB8ibK5GYNZYtohtlXHizhdBD3HjAVHXqqFBPGE9H3dTF9KhineVcyl9OyvRSHG3zV-RTwB5ebOARdIG23483pGxAlUf6ZFxxgxcnEOs/?imgmax=800" height="363" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Picture 1853" width="272" /><img alt="Picture 1854" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-RVG8S5BzY1Q/U6dS2fVFlnI/AAAAAAAAfPk/QxcbJdvQylo/Picture%2525201854%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="350" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Picture 1854" width="282" />Elmer and Jackie (William’s parents) arrived later in the day and he got to open even more presents!</div>
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<img alt="Picture 1859" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTXiJnZsnQu_0VC1vqv1ysNereUCJ47uKqXdu1QmCo4mZf8egbLtLdQoEsqJbKWj8Nthept4ig7jGIZRl4FeIS9SuJMWmyksFr3hmsWX81s2HxvANvyvc593e7SJVYg1lhYMLvMcPKZEI/?imgmax=800" height="306" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Picture 1859" width="408" /><img alt="Picture 1861" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-P7UE5vKH2vk/U6dS33PUCTI/AAAAAAAAfP0/SBKIAgciN_g/Picture%2525201861%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="408" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Picture 1861" width="306" /> Owen wanted to help decorate his own cake. So not Pinteresty but fun to do it together.<img alt="Picture 1865" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-1FctmqacJvo/U6dS4hJ9bUI/AAAAAAAAfP8/jKp9CLR4yq4/Picture%2525201865%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="306" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Picture 1865" width="408" /><img alt="Picture 1869" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-loF42Gwsriw/U6dS5ANBk1I/AAAAAAAAfQE/2rKECIVuqho/Picture%2525201869%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="363" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Picture 1869" width="272" /> <br />
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For the last part of his birthday celebrations, he got treated to a movie with his best buddy, Sam. Carrie and Rob (and baby Jack) came to pick him up Saturday morning and they all went to see How to Train Your Dragon 2. He had an absolute blast. <img alt="Picture 1707" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Rx3iXGUGQYo/U6dS6Ah3uVI/AAAAAAAAfQM/6pcYMIWEkDA/Picture%2525201707%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="381" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Picture 1707" width="272" /> <img alt="Picture 1710" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDsRvYKzVvSu6xN_z4PgYwIwRD6c0oDQ-hLCKra18M7ZoCZPOAtGZidO2h_b5xGc7mB_iB9IY6_U4vYL3Ctf-hNwGmg3gET6bfnCzpLifIQBbj6be8m6BSGam-xGL66KreJ-E48DV315Q/?imgmax=800" height="363" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Picture 1710" width="272" /> </div>
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<img alt="Picture 1713" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-kPa8_YyxDuk/U6dS7s0MNtI/AAAAAAAAfQc/prFt8EkbkQk/Picture%2525201713%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="363" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Picture 1713" width="272" />All in all, it was a super fun week of celebrating him! Definitely not a <a href="http://kneedeepinthebabypool.blogspot.com/2013/05/moo-moo-party-review-inspiration-and.html">birthday party complete with animals</a>, but we’ll go big again next year when I haven’t just had a baby. :)</div>
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Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07772958326150643202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5593008700151055000.post-51738326889480712442014-06-12T07:47:00.000-04:002014-07-07T16:49:32.903-04:00DIY paper airplane mobileNow that I’m trying to get back in the regular routine of blogging, I need to show off some of Miles’ room cuteness. Since I overhauled the plan for his room about 2 months before he arrived, his mobile plans also needed to change.<br />
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I just couldn’t land on anything I loved. I’m not a “themey” person when it comes to my kiddo’s rooms, so I had colors in mind but not a shape. I was going to just do a cute circle one with my leftover fabrics and then I spotted this on Etsy:<img alt="Cute Paper Airplane Mobile - Choice of Colors" height="269" src="https://img1.etsystatic.com/000/0/5930140/il_570xN.330542149.jpg" style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="268" /></div>
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(<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/98065541/cute-paper-airplane-mobile-choice-of?ref=favs_view_1">source</a>)</div>
Adorable, expect for the price tag and I wanted to add a few more pattern instead of just solid papers. So I busted out my trusty glue gun and got to making one myself. Here were all the supplies I used:<br />
<ul>
<li>2 wooden embroidery hoops – 8” and 10”</li>
<li>paint for the hoops</li>
<li>hot glue gun</li>
<li>about 8 different scrapbook papers in gray, yellow, and white</li>
<li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/South-Bend-Monofilament-Line-50-Pound/dp/B001AXF31M/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1402342562&sr=8-2&keywords=south+bend+fishing+line">fishing line</a> – I wish now I would have used line that was a bit thinner and more transparent, but you can’t be picky when you’re nine months pregnant and doing craft projects</li>
<li>little white hook to attach everything to the ceiling</li>
</ul>
<img alt="Picture 1763" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-hmyjG-sClGY/U5YToIBPd3I/AAAAAAAAe8o/aNFsjcHmQWA/Picture%2525201763%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="408" style="border: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;" title="Picture 1763" width="306" /><img alt="Picture 1756" border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-iHfUCdAB-ak/U5YTpFZx0hI/AAAAAAAAe8w/XASsW0sBDQI/Picture%2525201756%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="311" style="border: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Picture 1756" width="400" /><br />
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1. There are a few tutorials on how to make your own paper airplane mobile <a href="http://www.tinysidekick.com/diy-nursery-crib-mobile/">here</a> and <a href="http://www.architectureofamom.com/2012/08/paper-airplane-mobile.html">here</a>. Mine isn’t super detailed as I forgot to take pictures of lots of steps.<br />
2. I only used the insides to my embroidery hoops, not the outside part that has the hardware on it. You can discard that part (or save it for another project). Then I started by painting my hoops with a gray spray paint I had and hated the coverage and color. So I switched and did 2 coats using a acrylic craft paint and loved it much more.<img alt="Picture 1819" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-WQ5OnPpea5c/U5YTp0_0RUI/AAAAAAAAe84/VqmZlz3GWyk/Picture%2525201819%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="272" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Picture 1819" width="363" />3. Make your airplanes! There are a million different ways to make your paper airplanes. Look here for some good examples <a href="http://www.10paperairplanes.com/">here</a>. After lots of trial runs, I decided I wanted something very simple with very few fold lines.<br />
<ul>
<li>I cut my paper into 4.5” x 5” rectangles.<img alt="Picture 1831" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-v1tGmwAsI2Y/U5YTqmzETFI/AAAAAAAAe9A/M44aY4NdzGs/Picture%2525201831%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="204" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Picture 1831" width="272" /></li>
<li>fold your paper in half<img alt="Picture 1832" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Mc_ALIylbgw/U5YTrQYFsYI/AAAAAAAAe9I/KKZPUQFhMbk/Picture%2525201832%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="204" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Picture 1832" width="272" /></li>
<li>open it back up and fold each top corner down and line up with the fold down the middle<img alt="Picture 1834" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-0s8uVUIjUjw/U5YTsPS2ThI/AAAAAAAAe9Q/MJ9QcfKZlAA/Picture%2525201834%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="204" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Picture 1834" width="272" /></li>
<li>fold in half again<img alt="Picture 1835" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-RgG1QtofChU/U5YTsxBPnoI/AAAAAAAAe9Y/emPqDl8ixMQ/Picture%2525201835%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="204" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Picture 1835" width="272" /></li>
<li>Take each side and fold down so the top fold line, lines up with the bottom of the plane. Does that make sense?<img alt="Picture 1836" border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Uj83FYcR88o/U5YTtj2HL3I/AAAAAAAAe9g/BkhLtFLVmWo/Picture%2525201836%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="204" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Picture 1836" width="272" /></li>
<li>And that should make your simple airplane!<img alt="Picture 1839" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-XOqnt2idlB0/U5YTuvR50uI/AAAAAAAAe9o/1hiFicZUf4c/Picture%2525201839%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="204" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Picture 1839" width="272" /><img alt="Picture 1840" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-jgz3Y98PH2A/U5YTvqeNdcI/AAAAAAAAe9w/RQ6MvzM_VB4/Picture%2525201840%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="204" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Picture 1840" width="272" /></li>
<li>I hot glued it together in all the places it could come unfolded and while the glue was still hot, I stuck in a long piece of fishing wire to hang it<img alt="Picture 1841" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTqgp87p19Gfe08gzOhx74IZjkXNN6BeP-hwjS_xlSjJtdFsu2VvdSi4WNv4nvRFxT6KhXPnjwi3zg6WYgrCjoHSGyf7fC4GsGgxQYdH-30ncsf3UE2uJLtDuhe38MHAs5Qr_3zcluz1I/?imgmax=800" height="204" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Picture 1841" width="272" /><img alt="Picture 1842" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-yZgRImW5om4/U5YTyWbRqoI/AAAAAAAAe-A/u8WycPST_z4/Picture%2525201842%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="204" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Picture 1842" width="272" /><img alt="Picture 1843" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-KowBPqk8EV4/U5YTzVddQJI/AAAAAAAAe-E/25xmK7elun4/Picture%2525201843%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="204" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Picture 1843" width="272" /></li>
</ul>
4. I tied 3 fishing wires evenly around each hoop (6 lines total) and tried as best I could to hang the 2 hoops so they were even with each other. They’re actually not tied together in any way.<br />
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5. After I made lots of airplanes, I tied them loosely around the hoops to figure out how I wanted to space them, which colors I wanted where, etc. When I was happy with the placement, I tied the fishing wire as tight as I could and added a small dot of hot glue to secure it. Then I cut off the excess fishing wire. (the beginning stages of mobile is hanging from the ceiling fan in this picture)<img alt="Picture 1850" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-4iZ6pFbd7M0/U5YTz3fLXvI/AAAAAAAAe-Q/RsR6MsecWNA/Picture%2525201850%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="408" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Picture 1850" width="306" />6. Lastly, William helped me measure and hang it from the ceiling just using a little white hook.<img alt="IMG_9591" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-a-HrfSHT7fQ/U5YT01g5aWI/AAAAAAAAe-Y/LxPxWHV5AHo/IMG_9591%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="408" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="IMG_9591" width="306" /><img alt="photo" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-1CFlchALBxQ/U5YT1wUf6AI/AAAAAAAAe-g/xaKndyi38bQ/photo%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="408" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="photo" width="306" /><img alt="IMG_9588" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-fhqoLulXtuA/U5YT2htgmPI/AAAAAAAAe-k/m-NZ6319wQM/IMG_9588%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="296" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="IMG_9588" width="333" />I love how it turned out and I hope Miles enjoys this view from his bed.<br />
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<br />Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07772958326150643202noreply@blogger.com0