Free(man) to Be, You and Me

tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25819030686996423562026-04-21T16:19:59.396-07:00Free(man) to Be, You and MeThe Freeman chronicles of living in the Bay Area. A testosterone laden home where Mommy is outnumbered in the physical presence of boys.Free(man) to be you and mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15500075613374745300noreply@blogger.comBlogger102125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2581903068699642356.post-71190986524954215192015-03-27T09:05:00.000-07:002017-04-08T09:22:19.523-07:00Winter Break - No childcare Day 1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheA4IqAwooc98YsrD-OKOAxHeMfjYopk1PTXBw-fwmAotd6fFy1gja3rj9VSTu8Aw5DFoD8IZaVCe2a1Cj3SkdFWIpD7EWAxo1gqHXWBTzizCgfyfva4-YAMB-pN-GPmaOlTFMzesoteHk/s1600/jfree2be-1491667441935.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheA4IqAwooc98YsrD-OKOAxHeMfjYopk1PTXBw-fwmAotd6fFy1gja3rj9VSTu8Aw5DFoD8IZaVCe2a1Cj3SkdFWIpD7EWAxo1gqHXWBTzizCgfyfva4-YAMB-pN-GPmaOlTFMzesoteHk/s400/jfree2be-1491667441935.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div> <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">This week is Presidents' Week - or more aptly named, Ski Week, or in working parents terms, ANOTHER WEEK WE HAVE TO FIND CHILDCARE! In an effort to offset some costs, we are not doing childcare, or camp, or anything. We are fortunate enough to be able to flex our work schedules and doing our best to be <strike>parents</strike> multitaskers. </span><br /> <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Here are the highlights of day one. </span><br /> <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Kids came to our Tax Appointment (note the offset childcare comment)- tablet and iPad in hand. After we left...</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br />"Mom, how many laptops can you buy with $X dollars?"</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br />"Where did you get that number..." (Oh wait, someone was listening at the tax appointment).</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span> <div> <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"A lot."<br /><br />Couch Cinema double feature: <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0110366/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1" target="_blank">The Little Rascals</a> and <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1587414/" target="_blank">Lego: The Adventures of Clutch Powers</a> (while Mommy worked).<br /><br />Played referee while the 2 boys argued over who was more "annoying" and who would not give the other access to the multitude of Lego bins. I called it. It was a tie.<br /><br />Overheard iPad convo with my almost 6 year old and Siri: "I want to see big boobs."</span><br /> <div> <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Note: he did not get his wish.</i><br /><br />And my personal favorite: My 9 year old son is a compulsive reader. In a fit of desperation and unbeknownst to us, he started reading a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/SOS-Practical-Handling-Everyday-Behavior-ebook/dp/B00O4HSN18/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1424239280&sr=1-1&keywords=parents+sos" target="_blank">parenting book</a> off of the "grown-up" bookshelf. Today, he told me how to properly execute a time-out and how offended he was by some of the cartoons outlining the trials of parenting.</span><br /> <div> <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div> <div> <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">And we got a new puppy.</span><br /> <div> <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div> <div> <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">10:39pm, Back to work. </span><br /> <div> <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7q0Jyj7xBsKOoQQ2b45KSVpUYt8G_sp_di7fFXeYZ2zvmSBbAvDKfQZg3tOkcL8NyA_mALQJ1CdjDaGVDSNhAw0rq0aNARJo7iZuCe7G8jDUF0N1i7O9NILDTQCVib6-pSKXAnjVxoQ7W/s1600/10922845_10204679670463848_5983245414954184066_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7q0Jyj7xBsKOoQQ2b45KSVpUYt8G_sp_di7fFXeYZ2zvmSBbAvDKfQZg3tOkcL8NyA_mALQJ1CdjDaGVDSNhAw0rq0aNARJo7iZuCe7G8jDUF0N1i7O9NILDTQCVib6-pSKXAnjVxoQ7W/s400/10922845_10204679670463848_5983245414954184066_n.jpg" width="300" /></span></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">This is Poppy, Foxy, Curry, Cheeto Freeman. Poppy for short.</span></td></tr> </tbody></table> <div> <br /></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> Jordana F.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10409409028015958974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2581903068699642356.post-75254343743818626632014-09-26T12:00:00.001-07:002017-04-08T08:58:29.842-07:00What happened to my blog?Hi everyone. I'm sick today, so I figured I would catch up on 2014. My blog has clearly fallen by the wayside which makes me sad because it has been my plan all along to not only reach out to parents about stuff to do, stuff to make and stuff to buy, but to use this as our family's historical timeline. Clearly, we will have been in the nonexistent period from January to September, but that is all going to change - today.<br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://instagram.com/p/j5KVD5gou2/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="500" id="blogsy-1411758546063.2383" src="https://scontent-a.cdninstagram.com/hphotos-xpa1/t51.2885-15/1799657_651152091597997_2101598563_n.jpg" width="500" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <em>Finding my force</em></div> <br /> The first stop on the rewind, our vacation to Yosemite... To be continued.<br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmv4XxxgtxQLV_Zz-j3RqpEl43W1JT0jIGQyeqji2M7iCqYvcHUElW4Jd5nhCpNhZd5b0bfzUNwuphB0Gdrrj8cIVUhYPC7H6psSO5sUsRbg0dJuXJPQdcL4yyOl8t7mzbp8Xy4XYPtuNX/s1600/jfree2be-1491666911822.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmv4XxxgtxQLV_Zz-j3RqpEl43W1JT0jIGQyeqji2M7iCqYvcHUElW4Jd5nhCpNhZd5b0bfzUNwuphB0Gdrrj8cIVUhYPC7H6psSO5sUsRbg0dJuXJPQdcL4yyOl8t7mzbp8Xy4XYPtuNX/s640/jfree2be-1491666911822.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <br /> <br /> <div id="blogsy_footer" style="clear: both; font-size: small; text-align: right;"> <a href="http://blogsyapp.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Posted with Blogsy" height="20" src="https://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" style="margin-right: 5px; vertical-align: middle;" width="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div> Jordana F.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10409409028015958974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2581903068699642356.post-80915368131238896152014-01-03T17:47:00.001-08:002017-04-08T09:09:33.097-07:00Lego Organization. How We Roll.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: "georgia";"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMAzrlyCwT3gsbNOcoQGNFujC2JeuyprFySoazw0ikxy89E21TB2U5BFoZMyoRWyi4VjQiru9MIZdNafZPd3JZndlN_Ofif-HLe-HNoZP9KurC6cdWBbuwiez7f3GHLipN6MnXe8GNfRpM/s500/Photo%252520Jan%2525203%25252C%2525202014%25252C%25252011%25253A32%252520AM.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="373" id="blogsy-1388802464477.5981" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMAzrlyCwT3gsbNOcoQGNFujC2JeuyprFySoazw0ikxy89E21TB2U5BFoZMyoRWyi4VjQiru9MIZdNafZPd3JZndlN_Ofif-HLe-HNoZP9KurC6cdWBbuwiez7f3GHLipN6MnXe8GNfRpM/s500/Photo%252520Jan%2525203%25252C%2525202014%25252C%25252011%25253A32%252520AM.jpg" width="500" /></a></span><span style="font-family: "georgia"; line-height: 1.3em; text-align: justify;"><br /> </span></div> <span style="font-family: "georgia"; line-height: 1.3em; text-align: justify;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "georgia"; line-height: 1.3em; text-align: justify;">You may remember when I first approached this daunting topic, </span><a href="http://freemantobe.blogspot.com/search/label/legos" style="font-family: "georgia"; line-height: 1.3em; text-align: justify;" target="_self" title="">here</a><span style="font-family: "georgia"; line-height: 1.3em; text-align: justify;">. You know, the impossible feat of organizing organisms...well, they feel that small to me. Since Christmas, Hanukah, and a December birthday have passed, we have been hit again by the influx of yet, MORE LEGO! I think I need a support group.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "georgia"; line-height: 1.3em; text-align: justify;"><br /></span> <br /> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "georgia";"><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">Recently, I was asked about Lego organization by a flustered friend of mine and it inspired me to write this follow up post on what storage solution is working best for us (more like a work in progress). These tiny little <strike>evil</strike> bricks have caused equal amounts of joy and pain in our home. Mental and physical - the bottom of your feet will agree, and my eyeballs cannot go for more than a minute without scanning a Lego brick or mini-figure in my sight line. Legos and my boys are like peas and carrots. If you are like us, you have a Lego problem.</span><br /> </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "georgia";"><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">In all reality, the toy is fantastic. There is nothing better than watching your child sit for hours following written directions to build the monumental Death Star or Empire State Building, or use their imagination to create a masterpiece of their own. It's all educational, fun and inspiring, until it's time to clean them up. Or really, do they ever actually ALL get put away? If your answer is "yes," then I hate you. You're lying, or your kids don't love Legos the way mine do, or truthfully, maybe you're just more well adjusted and not OCD like me. This is a story about brick frustration - somewhat self-inflicted.<em> And, continue rant...</em></span><br /> </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "georgia";">Here is the biggest problem I have with Lego and the reason it can be the bane of my existence. Some of these more intricate Lego sets can cost in the realm of $150-$200 and up, per set. My issue is, that barring a trip to Disneyland, on nothing else would I spend this type of money for a few hours of use. My son will spend a half of a day constructing these sets, he will play with them like one would a doll house, and then what? Well, after several days, it needs to be put away. I don't have space to display every set created, and unlike many that will argue this point, I refuse to just throw them into a box with a million other sets, to never be built again as written.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "georgia";"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "georgia";">I am fully aware that many parents are totally comfortable with dismantling the project and dumping it into a communal bin. This is not okay with me and it is not okay with my 8 year old. My influence? My OCD? Could be... but it really does pain me that the life span of an expensive Lego set is truncated by our ability to store it. In a perfect world, a set could be built and rebuilt again, with all of the pieces in tact. Some would argue that the communal bin inspires creativity...well, in my home, it inspires frustration and the inability to find ANYTHING! Oh, and keeping the original boxes? Not an option.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "georgia";">Okay, here is how we roll, and what we have discovered....</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "georgia";"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "georgia";"><strong>What we don't like. Don't sort by color.</strong><br /> </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "georgia";"><strong><br /></strong></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "georgia";">Sorting by color makes it really difficult to find specifically shaped pieces. This is a common way I've heard parents say they organize, and we just think it makes pieces WAY harder to find.</span></div> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrO-YWghazPap24NcKmR3pz8tyX6mVH3E6pfn3-k359HkSIZiEJCt5zvz9cW439QKRybbyfKfLrzAeQHgkd5Qu4Y4UayJ9dEtT90xyI9rtuRHId_4fUj1y3L6ioj6RBMGBmv2T0tgLB2SL/s2048/Photo%252520Jan%2525203%25252C%2525202014%25252C%25252010%25253A38%252520AM.jpg" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "georgia";"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="667" id="blogsy-1388802464433.571" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrO-YWghazPap24NcKmR3pz8tyX6mVH3E6pfn3-k359HkSIZiEJCt5zvz9cW439QKRybbyfKfLrzAeQHgkd5Qu4Y4UayJ9dEtT90xyI9rtuRHId_4fUj1y3L6ioj6RBMGBmv2T0tgLB2SL/s500/Photo%252520Jan%2525203%25252C%2525202014%25252C%25252010%25253A38%252520AM.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Needle in a haystack.</td></tr> </tbody></table> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <strong><span style="font-family: "georgia";"><br /> </span></strong></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "georgia";"><strong style="line-height: 1.3em;">Sort by type. We have two "types." By set, and by piece.</strong><br /> </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "georgia";"><strong style="line-height: 1.3em;"><br /></strong></span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIYMhdlWBQLWajN8jRsZgcpunDT2BBKuflvQEtlwOwy8zXizIZOD0aRw3x499FUkZ_YHxGFwkBgVCvVx3ICmb9CPmhmnyTmQosGTieChk4OhQ_omZEwNZBL8b5bGD4DtnpwnOY2l9Xh6_e/s2048/Photo%252520Jan%2525203%25252C%2525202014%25252C%25252010%25253A38%252520AM.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "georgia";"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="667" id="blogsy-1388802464443.539" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIYMhdlWBQLWajN8jRsZgcpunDT2BBKuflvQEtlwOwy8zXizIZOD0aRw3x499FUkZ_YHxGFwkBgVCvVx3ICmb9CPmhmnyTmQosGTieChk4OhQ_omZEwNZBL8b5bGD4DtnpwnOY2l9Xh6_e/s500/Photo%252520Jan%2525203%25252C%2525202014%25252C%25252010%25253A38%252520AM.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnFSN_7QlcntgWWnzqs1X-8eZKgzyefj_RmFtdhvqR8Jz1OXcB3B9QK9qLbuLfUSug6pSxr6kNkH-p_Ndic5nZAcOCqmRSoPaJ6TDiUp3av7IAgNRAeGAUDHH_q3jB9bhnHxzR1ZoSb25S/s2048/Photo%252520Jan%2525203%25252C%2525202014%25252C%25252010%25253A38%252520AM.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="667" id="blogsy-1388802464494.0593" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnFSN_7QlcntgWWnzqs1X-8eZKgzyefj_RmFtdhvqR8Jz1OXcB3B9QK9qLbuLfUSug6pSxr6kNkH-p_Ndic5nZAcOCqmRSoPaJ6TDiUp3av7IAgNRAeGAUDHH_q3jB9bhnHxzR1ZoSb25S/s500/Photo%252520Jan%2525203%25252C%2525202014%25252C%25252010%25253A38%252520AM.jpg" width="500" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "georgia";"><br /> </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "georgia";">We found nut and bolt compartments at the hardware store which served us well in sorting the tiny and specialty pieces.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "georgia";"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="line-height: 1.3em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia";">We also have some smaller sets sorted in these plastic drawers- which I hate, and they are hitting the road as soon as I can get re-organized in the new bins highlighted further down in this post.</span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="line-height: 1.3em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia";"><br /></span></span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQVnVOLazERjf0SOidbivddC_ucBZSQ4Ja13eC-Q4VIYD2D0WouTW5ICKhyphenhyphenVWz7Pp9hCU22uw_Y8lTYH4S23leRlMS9-UJOlA3w8rTK9MJQjUIWqTSM-_OeL3X-1qQah3dqlwkhX_hVZSZ/s2048/Photo%252520Jan%2525203%25252C%2525202014%25252C%25252011%25253A51%252520AM.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "georgia";"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="667" id="blogsy-1388802464481.0774" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQVnVOLazERjf0SOidbivddC_ucBZSQ4Ja13eC-Q4VIYD2D0WouTW5ICKhyphenhyphenVWz7Pp9hCU22uw_Y8lTYH4S23leRlMS9-UJOlA3w8rTK9MJQjUIWqTSM-_OeL3X-1qQah3dqlwkhX_hVZSZ/s500/Photo%252520Jan%2525203%25252C%2525202014%25252C%25252011%25253A51%252520AM.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia";"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD2ZqSrCwKGA5Qi0VcK-MExRBeeQpPxcsFtsG-U_BJtOlwiLpaYtTqEpq8nwFWUtaHNqg0eW7hUGzzqWByN52ElWR3bX06NdFJ8X5eS4bJvRDf2vYLojIkg7FvpvaXnWCW4zBszJPKOOJd/s2048/Photo%252520Jan%2525203%25252C%2525202014%25252C%25252011%25253A50%252520AM.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="669" id="blogsy-1388802464514.6213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD2ZqSrCwKGA5Qi0VcK-MExRBeeQpPxcsFtsG-U_BJtOlwiLpaYtTqEpq8nwFWUtaHNqg0eW7hUGzzqWByN52ElWR3bX06NdFJ8X5eS4bJvRDf2vYLojIkg7FvpvaXnWCW4zBszJPKOOJd/s500/Photo%252520Jan%2525203%25252C%2525202014%25252C%25252011%25253A50%252520AM.jpg" width="500" /></a></span></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mini-figure/Accessories drawer</td></tr> </tbody></table> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <strong><br /> </strong></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <strong>This has worked best for set-sorting</strong></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: "georgia"; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4qlEDcAIKHNkDoQwLDRt6AEKRZ6Nu__Fn9-gI_fO9Lbcpkqcgt5-iD2ls2oAA6uXost31s6aA0BFLb729pOhAY8lnNU7I1nhqwOY-T4WxTcbLGCbcKRZzuj6SqpsYH72q76DYI2Eu5h1_/s2048/Photo%252520Jan%2525203%25252C%2525202014%25252C%25252010%25253A36%252520AM.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="375" id="blogsy-1388802464500.6753" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4qlEDcAIKHNkDoQwLDRt6AEKRZ6Nu__Fn9-gI_fO9Lbcpkqcgt5-iD2ls2oAA6uXost31s6aA0BFLb729pOhAY8lnNU7I1nhqwOY-T4WxTcbLGCbcKRZzuj6SqpsYH72q76DYI2Eu5h1_/s500/Photo%252520Jan%2525203%25252C%2525202014%25252C%25252010%25253A36%252520AM.jpg" width="500" /></a></span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2GPPobG4Sdxdg8vO-JDWXFCR8qiHYdcVAycQ8hsspGDrqbjcTJHEc4E5n6zCV5lBZX-YVyPSTkTxNteV-LgA1pGPmPHpiUjbkYE4QAzdR4tVBTQZBi1Amn4TflZPGddIfdjlXECXn2Gd8/s2048/Photo%252520Jan%2525203%25252C%2525202014%25252C%25252010%25253A36%252520AM.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "georgia";"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="375" id="blogsy-1388802464516.7395" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2GPPobG4Sdxdg8vO-JDWXFCR8qiHYdcVAycQ8hsspGDrqbjcTJHEc4E5n6zCV5lBZX-YVyPSTkTxNteV-LgA1pGPmPHpiUjbkYE4QAzdR4tVBTQZBi1Amn4TflZPGddIfdjlXECXn2Gd8/s500/Photo%252520Jan%2525203%25252C%2525202014%25252C%25252010%25253A36%252520AM.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <strong><span style="font-family: "georgia";"><br /> </span></strong></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "georgia";">Gallon size ziploc bags work great for storing larger sets. We typically will put a set in one or two large bags and the tiny pieces in a snack or sandwich style ziploc bag. </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "georgia";">The bags then fit nicely into a box or basket, like <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/70138400/" target="_self" title="">this one</a>, from IKEA.</span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLbE6wa_3hdLuVf4dvRyfOGe27DVrKK3OubVtoOzd3JZXQcCdl4dw3_x_O5F1VzW2Idln8njgv00eS2_sh9nhjqdc2nG1yku_JLfY7I5wwiPsa3dTCFJXvK1xZzKSzGHm7WB5mDhNV2rY5/s225/Photo%252520Jan%2525203%25252C%2525202014%25252C%25252011%25253A39%252520AM.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "georgia";"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="225" id="blogsy-1388802464447.7666" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLbE6wa_3hdLuVf4dvRyfOGe27DVrKK3OubVtoOzd3JZXQcCdl4dw3_x_O5F1VzW2Idln8njgv00eS2_sh9nhjqdc2nG1yku_JLfY7I5wwiPsa3dTCFJXvK1xZzKSzGHm7WB5mDhNV2rY5/s225/Photo%252520Jan%2525203%25252C%2525202014%25252C%25252011%25253A39%252520AM.jpg" width="225" /></span></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="line-height: 1.3em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia";">and tucked away into a shelving system like the <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/40047675/" target="_self" title="">IKEA EXPEDIT</a>.</span></span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxHJ-CPaO70ck48ylhxvYQaj_ui-CAsBW6SbmfhQ9NjECXoHRwe4S6lHMPino9Oj8FcsuLFNx8e0-OyabLuIF-8cUajPbZRQNQVRfnoik04npDoqbXAlOCLrC7HfQPbegDYU5el-m0X00j/s500/Photo%252520Jan%2525203%25252C%2525202014%25252C%25252011%25253A42%252520AM.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "georgia";"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="500" id="blogsy-1388802464484.1191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxHJ-CPaO70ck48ylhxvYQaj_ui-CAsBW6SbmfhQ9NjECXoHRwe4S6lHMPino9Oj8FcsuLFNx8e0-OyabLuIF-8cUajPbZRQNQVRfnoik04npDoqbXAlOCLrC7HfQPbegDYU5el-m0X00j/s500/Photo%252520Jan%2525203%25252C%2525202014%25252C%25252011%25253A42%252520AM.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: "georgia"; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifrFxIlLzOGsvyPSNUL9uQ7h_1svnojh4xHNVk4824SXM4zqjctDCftLZJnuS9Rj1KUOsmIl4IXQ5Zwh60Qw9b5ngFO7ggjbVSmtoHBPy1llCi-uud3F1g1ze2WKc4ITOKrfabYgVmVqwB/s2048/Photo%252520Jan%2525203%25252C%2525202014%25252C%25252010%25253A38%252520AM.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="375" id="blogsy-1388802464493.3745" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifrFxIlLzOGsvyPSNUL9uQ7h_1svnojh4xHNVk4824SXM4zqjctDCftLZJnuS9Rj1KUOsmIl4IXQ5Zwh60Qw9b5ngFO7ggjbVSmtoHBPy1llCi-uud3F1g1ze2WKc4ITOKrfabYgVmVqwB/s500/Photo%252520Jan%2525203%25252C%2525202014%25252C%25252010%25253A38%252520AM.jpg" width="500" /></a></span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "georgia";"> Lastly, OF COURSE we do have general combo bins, but we feel strongly about the preservation of some of our more special sets. Monster Fighters live with monsters and Zombies, Luke and Darth are with Jabba, and so on. Segregation is okay in the Lego community.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "georgia";"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "georgia";">Good Luck. May you keep your Legos stored and your feet imprint free.</span></div> <br /> <div id="blogsy_footer" style="clear: both; font-size: small; text-align: right;"> <a href="http://blogsyapp.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Posted with Blogsy" height="20" src="https://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" style="margin-right: 5px; vertical-align: middle;" width="20" /></a></div> Free(man) to be you and mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15500075613374745300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2581903068699642356.post-38362413761636032652014-01-01T12:43:00.001-08:002017-04-08T09:38:58.862-07:00Our Holiday in Pictures<div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnPlbM1lq8D_lMTUXq78D69hbEj7tLI4L-vjfNaER-UQkQlP4h8XG8cZ5OFCCZXzEP2EMfhbdlaU7QnJdZd-Luyqy5yBf1vd_vFUS8AVslmUG7vnty6BMhVum2OiHf88DhyphenhyphensH0-RQUCyr9/s2048/Photo%252520Jan%2525201%25252C%2525202014%25252C%25252010%25253A19%252520AM.jpg" style="font-family: Georgia; line-height: 1.3em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="alignnone" height="358" id="blogsy-1388610779395.12" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnPlbM1lq8D_lMTUXq78D69hbEj7tLI4L-vjfNaER-UQkQlP4h8XG8cZ5OFCCZXzEP2EMfhbdlaU7QnJdZd-Luyqy5yBf1vd_vFUS8AVslmUG7vnty6BMhVum2OiHf88DhyphenhyphensH0-RQUCyr9/s500/Photo%252520Jan%2525201%25252C%2525202014%25252C%25252010%25253A19%252520AM.jpg" width="500" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: "georgia";"><span style="line-height: 1.3em;"><br /></span></span> <span style="font-family: "georgia";"><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">Good morning 2014. Here we are. Face to face.</span><span style="line-height: 1.3em;"> </span></span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: "georgia";"><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">I'm paralyzed in my bed not wanting to get up and ruin a resolution. I am however, posting to our blog, since I have seriously lapsed. Consider this one step in the right direction. Here are some fun and not so fun things that happened over the holidays! Happy New Year everyone! Make this one great!</span></span><br /> <span style="font-family: "georgia";"><span style="line-height: 1.3em;"><br /></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 22px; line-height: 1.3em;"><b>A year older</b></span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioaCa97EvVqbOeshcSo41VzTPFTof_h5lJoDrYZM1FiZF-c6hyphenhyphenJIl7LN9znjHS7vkYbhcFCKZxPaTvoAAtZjpTUpEl1BIZhkx20as2U7q1MShtEXvKPZ3bumsfMfBKBeHEGj-DzMThQ7pM/s1600/jfree2be-1478368348084.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioaCa97EvVqbOeshcSo41VzTPFTof_h5lJoDrYZM1FiZF-c6hyphenhyphenJIl7LN9znjHS7vkYbhcFCKZxPaTvoAAtZjpTUpEl1BIZhkx20as2U7q1MShtEXvKPZ3bumsfMfBKBeHEGj-DzMThQ7pM/s400/jfree2be-1478368348084.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: "georgia";">Ryder turned 8. That seems old to me. I have a second grader. It was just yesterday I was going to Taco Bell after diving practice, listening to Def Leppard in my VW. Yesterday. *Sigh*</span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <span style="line-height: 1.3em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia";">He also has a huge love of optical illusion pics. I'm sure there's more to come in this area. Stay tuned.</span></span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <span style="line-height: 1.3em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia";"><br /> </span></span></div> <h4 style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 20px; line-height: 1.3em;">Artsy Fartsy</span></h4> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUH0yiGm9U1lkah329VOkwbNaVaDzNbxfE3k0Bk3gYez72PH-VmdBeBwjYRkLePVyRO8uEusgnHMoRVmjaD_ubI2RbecZjShw3WbdLBei7Pv0OmLRrYGb2a9mz78lfjB9Gi4L6fopKJqNJ/s2048/20131216_203446.jpg" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "georgia";"><img alt="" class="alignnone" height="667" id="blogsy-1388610779416.4507" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUH0yiGm9U1lkah329VOkwbNaVaDzNbxfE3k0Bk3gYez72PH-VmdBeBwjYRkLePVyRO8uEusgnHMoRVmjaD_ubI2RbecZjShw3WbdLBei7Pv0OmLRrYGb2a9mz78lfjB9Gi4L6fopKJqNJ/s500/20131216_203446.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: "georgia";"> "Mom, do I look like a Picasso?" </span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="line-height: 1.3em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia";">Yes.</span></span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="line-height: 1.3em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia";"><br /> </span></span></div> <h4 style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 22px; line-height: 1.3em;">Rite of Passage</span></h4> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBCPbjvStCGFsFrdFl0Hd0doa6JdJYPe_VhggeDnkM6IjI31zmuovEjRxpak3sLT0g3emPfWIt-2LN3fY9vAG91-IoFT55owS3u0HRbtNcrT2HqsqIgQCUZ1-TUJbbVEBhQZY5woGhR9bN/s2048/20131221_171219.jpg" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "georgia";"><img alt="" class="alignnone" height="667" id="blogsy-1388610779365.7932" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBCPbjvStCGFsFrdFl0Hd0doa6JdJYPe_VhggeDnkM6IjI31zmuovEjRxpak3sLT0g3emPfWIt-2LN3fY9vAG91-IoFT55owS3u0HRbtNcrT2HqsqIgQCUZ1-TUJbbVEBhQZY5woGhR9bN/s500/20131221_171219.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioH3p9Ow0dgDAxoED693CFP4NTZmLoevyzpOM4grvnx2OPK5GqzocYWHTw7u3AXglWBta6EoR0zsEuFyR2ABLA90vYfvID6w6BPWfIlsL4F_WRrQrZG5cjvGEGTq8iJ5VXEcRbjxzGJ54r/s2048/20131221_173532.jpg" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "georgia";"><img alt="" class="alignnone" height="667" id="blogsy-1388610779377.1501" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioH3p9Ow0dgDAxoED693CFP4NTZmLoevyzpOM4grvnx2OPK5GqzocYWHTw7u3AXglWBta6EoR0zsEuFyR2ABLA90vYfvID6w6BPWfIlsL4F_WRrQrZG5cjvGEGTq8iJ5VXEcRbjxzGJ54r/s500/20131221_173532.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: "georgia";"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "georgia";">So, as we were packing for our trek to the Mountains, this happened. A wooden tree swing with a big brother on it, with pass interference by Hayden, equals 3 staples. A rite of passage. Ryder had three in the same spot when he was 5. Boys. Did I mention we were packing to leave?</span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: "georgia";"><br /> </span></div> <h4 style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 22px; line-height: 26px;">Family Christmastime</span></h4> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZkGituYun35GMUtrSQXAFrGAn2UYlK427Y4l-Vh8UHfn6Q4aed4cLMdcvn-AVHruqgiYEWw0_dD7mZvWjlYjmDb_rHLyxBHXYX4YMVJRU7-X6-eTFD31MU8ZsGnszFKW9pegYHKutjhOn/s1600/jfree2be-1478367200267.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZkGituYun35GMUtrSQXAFrGAn2UYlK427Y4l-Vh8UHfn6Q4aed4cLMdcvn-AVHruqgiYEWw0_dD7mZvWjlYjmDb_rHLyxBHXYX4YMVJRU7-X6-eTFD31MU8ZsGnszFKW9pegYHKutjhOn/s400/jfree2be-1478367200267.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: "georgia";"><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">We went to the mountains for our usual Christmas break family bonanza. This year, we had no snow, but we did have a great time with family.</span><br /> </span><br /> <span style="font-family: "georgia";"><span style="line-height: 1.3em;"><br /></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: "georgia";">My sister-in-law Katy Schneiderman took this next series of pics. Check out her site <a href="http://www.chasingyouphoto.com/" target="_blank" title="">here</a>. If you are in the L.A. Area, you MUST check out her services.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "georgia";"><br /></span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMnyD_NaP_7FXMp2z0x5-OqAzpWSRXVYXrM6LshP1VNpgO6-irCjpZ9-5IWZCXoIliewgYPHl7QaIaYyWBenGhtvViKrZEbfZ6Qilqa9QbCdHPdXaFylxv-PcTRiZB-nsBjRxZOSIOb0Zv/s2048/Photo%252520Dec%25252025%25252C%2525202013%25252C%2525209%25253A31%252520AM.jpg" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "georgia";"><img alt="" class="alignnone" height="333" id="blogsy-1388610779436.2754" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMnyD_NaP_7FXMp2z0x5-OqAzpWSRXVYXrM6LshP1VNpgO6-irCjpZ9-5IWZCXoIliewgYPHl7QaIaYyWBenGhtvViKrZEbfZ6Qilqa9QbCdHPdXaFylxv-PcTRiZB-nsBjRxZOSIOb0Zv/s500/Photo%252520Dec%25252025%25252C%2525202013%25252C%2525209%25253A31%252520AM.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6KsO4OoEsKaKe5suYMyjUSnjEPlOeBMU_EWbmHz8Qov8qeCyU4QwjuFANisxabYhFX_oTKNSVksUT2ZP8yMLFGjsBmvlyYV9K_cmONdE67ex4V8zrPxtB5XAv5aZMCLB7ASHxGDFbVveN/s832/Photo%252520Dec%25252028%25252C%2525202013%25252C%2525209%25253A26%252520PM.jpg" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "georgia";"><img alt="" class="alignnone" height="751" id="blogsy-1388610779374.4507" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6KsO4OoEsKaKe5suYMyjUSnjEPlOeBMU_EWbmHz8Qov8qeCyU4QwjuFANisxabYhFX_oTKNSVksUT2ZP8yMLFGjsBmvlyYV9K_cmONdE67ex4V8zrPxtB5XAv5aZMCLB7ASHxGDFbVveN/s500/Photo%252520Dec%25252028%25252C%2525202013%25252C%2525209%25253A26%252520PM.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBGDPX1fZyaUHRN0m_6RxtL2Nq59kwqxWZrNPlG9tyfVLsuI415i-Q9vNoGMBYEdr0fTP1PkG3r3aF3UVWL6bKAXNJ2n8SwAqYxSwrGxU_WE5o8LScaREzf21QOM0WUVVMAoT55LhDn6ku/s929/Photo%252520Dec%25252028%25252C%2525202013%25252C%2525209%25253A26%252520PM.jpg" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "georgia";"><img alt="" class="alignnone" height="333" id="blogsy-1388610779424.6917" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBGDPX1fZyaUHRN0m_6RxtL2Nq59kwqxWZrNPlG9tyfVLsuI415i-Q9vNoGMBYEdr0fTP1PkG3r3aF3UVWL6bKAXNJ2n8SwAqYxSwrGxU_WE5o8LScaREzf21QOM0WUVVMAoT55LhDn6ku/s500/Photo%252520Dec%25252028%25252C%2525202013%25252C%2525209%25253A26%252520PM.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_xqfV2ikxC-GWWTtJAZmu_QwRjoyT_N7PBGSCDiyN4pbhq6DteWqn_1RvYkqp2ajxgruEyx-XeruSTde76bH0cQCwYu8CCaqgMJh8rlIkvMoQP0dWEbAzHF8cVvtSEW3tz5ButcHiwMF4/s929/Photo%252520Dec%25252028%25252C%2525202013%25252C%2525209%25253A26%252520PM.jpg" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "georgia";"><img alt="" class="alignnone" height="752" id="blogsy-1388610779378.5815" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_xqfV2ikxC-GWWTtJAZmu_QwRjoyT_N7PBGSCDiyN4pbhq6DteWqn_1RvYkqp2ajxgruEyx-XeruSTde76bH0cQCwYu8CCaqgMJh8rlIkvMoQP0dWEbAzHF8cVvtSEW3tz5ButcHiwMF4/s500/Photo%252520Dec%25252028%25252C%2525202013%25252C%2525209%25253A26%252520PM.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYs8IihcIlR7jHG7WFGrTUAnHscIwQFfrcW4wxHyWM7HQxSy6U92CnMR1gtAqh83AUMqpnpAgpyVD2agvEQo4loIR49owTVUBS9gMbHZCNa_bSfzo6mrTGjWbiHcieVu5ryK9c9dzdFa4r/s929/Photo%252520Dec%25252028%25252C%2525202013%25252C%2525209%25253A26%252520PM.jpg" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "georgia";"><img alt="" class="alignnone" height="333" id="blogsy-1388610779361.6218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYs8IihcIlR7jHG7WFGrTUAnHscIwQFfrcW4wxHyWM7HQxSy6U92CnMR1gtAqh83AUMqpnpAgpyVD2agvEQo4loIR49owTVUBS9gMbHZCNa_bSfzo6mrTGjWbiHcieVu5ryK9c9dzdFa4r/s500/Photo%252520Dec%25252028%25252C%2525202013%25252C%2525209%25253A26%252520PM.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbpJjnu9SQvtbQgLdzCXPbNwOjmDip7l0Vzy4JaSY1tUdHCr4klJNi5NsfKjBeHICXXmXbpX86wgXnUgAe-uFXyhZDWxaf13bfVJEKRwIlJEkAe8pyaCQNBsbazq7pHueeBPl0nVCgS45A/s929/Photo%252520Dec%25252028%25252C%2525202013%25252C%2525209%25253A26%252520PM.jpg" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "georgia";"><img alt="" class="alignnone" height="333" id="blogsy-1388610779373.8127" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbpJjnu9SQvtbQgLdzCXPbNwOjmDip7l0Vzy4JaSY1tUdHCr4klJNi5NsfKjBeHICXXmXbpX86wgXnUgAe-uFXyhZDWxaf13bfVJEKRwIlJEkAe8pyaCQNBsbazq7pHueeBPl0nVCgS45A/s500/Photo%252520Dec%25252028%25252C%2525202013%25252C%2525209%25253A26%252520PM.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: "georgia";"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "georgia";"> We made bird feeders, and Hayden found out he liked peanut butter. YES! One more food for the short list!</span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: "georgia";"><br /> </span></div> <h4 style="text-align: center;"> <strong style="font-size: 20px; line-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia";">Playtime</span></strong></h4> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZOJQfTob9wu6qQqC1R4ygv7P1RdN1Qzq4HR3p-tgxZM6HRouLqJMV-cbJOIFf0e3TyCi5NmLekpqEIMk305w3hG9P16MzWwG3QAm_RRxn3MKZfBTBw5LFLGK7sqoZvJsy6n_Kky7oR9lU/s1600/jfree2be-1478367231303.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZOJQfTob9wu6qQqC1R4ygv7P1RdN1Qzq4HR3p-tgxZM6HRouLqJMV-cbJOIFf0e3TyCi5NmLekpqEIMk305w3hG9P16MzWwG3QAm_RRxn3MKZfBTBw5LFLGK7sqoZvJsy6n_Kky7oR9lU/s400/jfree2be-1478367231303.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh33v4DW_2rlqKEuHWhm4dJVq-1mTzDiVrmcwcKW8jqMXXHrhhn_ZH82hV1qHFS7XBwAMvqyIOfg_4b0drlHTmpActEj_i_tiUpPIAIV7O36SmSYs7jdSxBSGa1aLU9J6a5CI89iFsmlECD/s1600/jfree2be-1478367247604.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh33v4DW_2rlqKEuHWhm4dJVq-1mTzDiVrmcwcKW8jqMXXHrhhn_ZH82hV1qHFS7XBwAMvqyIOfg_4b0drlHTmpActEj_i_tiUpPIAIV7O36SmSYs7jdSxBSGa1aLU9J6a5CI89iFsmlECD/s400/jfree2be-1478367247604.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: "georgia";"><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">Quality time my brother and his RIDICULOUSLY ADORABLE family... </span></span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: "georgia";"><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">Well I think so. Cousins are awesome.</span><br /> </span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: "georgia";"><span style="line-height: 1.3em;"><br /></span></span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdid7pzUkp0trqsexCv9WRTVKhIt8wduzdfe5JdNxAiD-UJjdAjuR222HcYxmilHq8jYIWF-GAYkhcGGiAYCT070GtzbX5n8PBC-ryMq_DTUq73wgaLV4j6dpRW2DSvb25XX_XQuuZSJ0p/s640/Photo%252520Jan%2525201%25252C%2525202014%25252C%25252011%25253A19%252520AM.jpg" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "georgia";"><img alt="" class="alignnone" height="500" id="blogsy-1388610779402.4827" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdid7pzUkp0trqsexCv9WRTVKhIt8wduzdfe5JdNxAiD-UJjdAjuR222HcYxmilHq8jYIWF-GAYkhcGGiAYCT070GtzbX5n8PBC-ryMq_DTUq73wgaLV4j6dpRW2DSvb25XX_XQuuZSJ0p/s500/Photo%252520Jan%2525201%25252C%2525202014%25252C%25252011%25253A19%252520AM.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: "georgia";"> Cousin lunch.</span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: "georgia";"><br /> </span></div> <h4 style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 22px; line-height: 26px;">Daddy Adventures</span></h4> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE3NwD3g9T0_pLATENFoKUz4Y3PwAdkkrV7p_RgW36iwUI3e6EUzQihbmovfwnrx5t7SJfmG13AfM_43YIMEMNXVlx9nYYyyCjr3g3KZ4j3MoK5bsOWurQBNdFqp25u8rolQsYj4_Y7uT4/s1600/crownmoto-1478367266440.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE3NwD3g9T0_pLATENFoKUz4Y3PwAdkkrV7p_RgW36iwUI3e6EUzQihbmovfwnrx5t7SJfmG13AfM_43YIMEMNXVlx9nYYyyCjr3g3KZ4j3MoK5bsOWurQBNdFqp25u8rolQsYj4_Y7uT4/s400/crownmoto-1478367266440.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8kI8VHBlsLlhrUbeI1zkS-aaCfT5HG0cmpn0EoVqAZbZLq7vI3yqAQs6HsPFwm07KgYpZAf-Fj1Kd2vZSZH9Oa6d7UXzF2MXVl5tubsY3bxnNLVKGZjtbGwAxXnGww_jVLLgxEO-3XVow/s640/Photo%252520Jan%2525201%25252C%2525202014%25252C%25252011%25253A19%252520AM.jpg" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "georgia";"><img alt="" class="alignnone" height="500" id="blogsy-1388610779392.3203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8kI8VHBlsLlhrUbeI1zkS-aaCfT5HG0cmpn0EoVqAZbZLq7vI3yqAQs6HsPFwm07KgYpZAf-Fj1Kd2vZSZH9Oa6d7UXzF2MXVl5tubsY3bxnNLVKGZjtbGwAxXnGww_jVLLgxEO-3XVow/s500/Photo%252520Jan%2525201%25252C%2525202014%25252C%25252011%25253A19%252520AM.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: "georgia";"> Winter Fishing at Pinecrest Lake with friends.</span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh95SbKHBhn4JMHad9lnBbaxr8aXAD3wVDX0vkhhgueOGHWzOQbYmNyyGVxXwCYoOWmu37ECIA63kFFuJRnAFHcoTpZubMMRuQ8EEl-pAgSROrK1jfZ-21sSzsB4UFcNgc95KEJTBB2Ft6Q/s1600/crownmoto-1478367285323.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh95SbKHBhn4JMHad9lnBbaxr8aXAD3wVDX0vkhhgueOGHWzOQbYmNyyGVxXwCYoOWmu37ECIA63kFFuJRnAFHcoTpZubMMRuQ8EEl-pAgSROrK1jfZ-21sSzsB4UFcNgc95KEJTBB2Ft6Q/s400/crownmoto-1478367285323.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: "georgia";"> A boy-only trek to find some good sled runs. Ryder took the longest run of his life, Andy says, "five football fields" long.</span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: "georgia";"><br /> </span></div> <h4 style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 22px; line-height: 26px;">New Obsessions</span></h4> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyy5mYNNa1CvK-vDBVIHkW1KbwTjuubhaPQCQ8IoC3SVCItrXmLcQK_eYZk6GFymrv5x6qODrnzjN2fRK4Sdc6aWCWC0RY17K9SzCxuvbrIoJX4nugfk3bb5yWxeJf2Ig3b9dxRGbqqdTj/s2048/20131229_174903.jpg" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "georgia";"><img alt="" class="alignnone" height="667" id="blogsy-1388610779428.613" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyy5mYNNa1CvK-vDBVIHkW1KbwTjuubhaPQCQ8IoC3SVCItrXmLcQK_eYZk6GFymrv5x6qODrnzjN2fRK4Sdc6aWCWC0RY17K9SzCxuvbrIoJX4nugfk3bb5yWxeJf2Ig3b9dxRGbqqdTj/s500/20131229_174903.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: "georgia";"><br /></span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: "georgia";">Ryder was glued to <a href="http://www.wimpykid.com/" target="_self" title=""><em>Diary of a Wimpy Kid</em></a>. We were so excited to watch him tote this book everywhere. Keep it up, Ryder. You just finished your first New York Times Best Seller. Note the clip-on reading light. Santa knows what's up. ;-)</span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: "georgia";"><br /> </span></div> <h4 style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 22px; line-height: 26px;">Lots of Crochet</span></h4> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.3em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia";">I crocheted a lot of gifts, finished a long overdue baby blanket and channeled my inner geek. See below. Patterns linked when applicable.</span></span><br /> <span style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.3em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia";"><br /></span></span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Ru1X7CEIkRjm8g6UBqebUJf3ZPHH5wp5ztxPREpQkNTnuzv81whUJt4D1Qfdwsqno0s3exlUEYEInrqoMLXLm00woxGbau7xKHtcDJ9R6USqrP271bLpVB3Fb65peU9_htNW3MbLMiCN/s1600/jfree2be-1478367302567.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Ru1X7CEIkRjm8g6UBqebUJf3ZPHH5wp5ztxPREpQkNTnuzv81whUJt4D1Qfdwsqno0s3exlUEYEInrqoMLXLm00woxGbau7xKHtcDJ9R6USqrP271bLpVB3Fb65peU9_htNW3MbLMiCN/s400/jfree2be-1478367302567.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.3em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia";">Yoda. Ear pattern by <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/monster-dino-and-alien-embellishments-pkg" target="_self" title="">Mamachee</a>.</span></span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhrfXpNH3-XyK57ISX9AKVJHjBehuvO9Kii3bi7peTStp7okCKzJO7UYIxOdOOtw3UuTRhOvrxZDyyQ8gn2Q9129jN95q3BBhHhBxIkWXZXQNW49VNcVle7fcSjJVlTiCxWtiZoWzvBLLS/s1600/jfree2be-1478367316966.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhrfXpNH3-XyK57ISX9AKVJHjBehuvO9Kii3bi7peTStp7okCKzJO7UYIxOdOOtw3UuTRhOvrxZDyyQ8gn2Q9129jN95q3BBhHhBxIkWXZXQNW49VNcVle7fcSjJVlTiCxWtiZoWzvBLLS/s400/jfree2be-1478367316966.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW2UxQ6VRedS2fpGRoBNuBev0nwihHe74qyeGZ6Vgxc6_FNdhqIvQEav1mhO0BMNFmV2kJF7ffzJVt0UZxcG9ebFGQOaN41dkhzqNiKMecv6g3CV0W6F2su8AybBKHRVCewdjmqPnKE1Hi/s2048/20131224_171651.jpg" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "georgia";"><img alt="" class="alignnone" height="667" id="blogsy-1388610779420.8044" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW2UxQ6VRedS2fpGRoBNuBev0nwihHe74qyeGZ6Vgxc6_FNdhqIvQEav1mhO0BMNFmV2kJF7ffzJVt0UZxcG9ebFGQOaN41dkhzqNiKMecv6g3CV0W6F2su8AybBKHRVCewdjmqPnKE1Hi/s500/20131224_171651.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: georgia;">Viking hat. Pattern by </span><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/lael-viking-helmet" style="font-family: georgia;" target="_self" title="">Mamchee</a><span style="font-family: georgia;"> (braids by me)</span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQXl62uUkxcPW7qWCW-GeB4PjKFHeJs6nJfPYrr36PrgBzLFYsh-Qwut-veOzwSeOmwjjL-HrwaDQsyEykNfi7UHTTqeU5yywO8F62uFGA5MepXtjc_mmAjbhM90MC8B6zomtE53UV6WyF/s2048/20131224_214306.jpg" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "georgia";"><img alt="" class="alignnone" height="667" id="blogsy-1388610779389.5125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQXl62uUkxcPW7qWCW-GeB4PjKFHeJs6nJfPYrr36PrgBzLFYsh-Qwut-veOzwSeOmwjjL-HrwaDQsyEykNfi7UHTTqeU5yywO8F62uFGA5MepXtjc_mmAjbhM90MC8B6zomtE53UV6WyF/s500/20131224_214306.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: georgia;">Long overdue baby blanket for little Charlie Girl. Missoni inspired.</span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: "georgia";"><br /></span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhug149tPxAE1wCE5pdHcz1YdE768fPifUOcggpGEYw4Ij1N978ePuI5J_qKYWNP8P7YqOhjzryngv6Btn-hGF3grkqKYVZDR9Dl4UFohrZ6SYeobEojK7hUfZIN62Ruc2N_zT79xd7HTk0/s1600/jfree2be-1478367334151.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhug149tPxAE1wCE5pdHcz1YdE768fPifUOcggpGEYw4Ij1N978ePuI5J_qKYWNP8P7YqOhjzryngv6Btn-hGF3grkqKYVZDR9Dl4UFohrZ6SYeobEojK7hUfZIN62Ruc2N_zT79xd7HTk0/s400/jfree2be-1478367334151.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: georgia;">Creeper hat for my Minecraft junkie.</span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: "georgia";"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5czFtjzfYxwIPr_wA7OnW2Qmka_P-rAWU7WMpHi80dGXdVyL_f3rgF7gYGNSg0calZ5YrpBR36j-80jzFiWESG1URQRCBj-Y_2efkAa5MEpWslbQzoSufI3fZFWQerIFROpoHBUg_UXJZ/s960/Photo%252520Jan%2525201%25252C%2525202014%25252C%25252012%25253A02%252520PM.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="alignnone" height="500" id="blogsy-1388610779436.067" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5czFtjzfYxwIPr_wA7OnW2Qmka_P-rAWU7WMpHi80dGXdVyL_f3rgF7gYGNSg0calZ5YrpBR36j-80jzFiWESG1URQRCBj-Y_2efkAa5MEpWslbQzoSufI3fZFWQerIFROpoHBUg_UXJZ/s500/Photo%252520Jan%2525201%25252C%2525202014%25252C%25252012%25253A02%252520PM.jpg" width="500" /></a></span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs2R_92bOzl3NrnbVcOa1fH6w0FQdaHVycBM2q4kBOsk0Ew0Pd9TjlaNUV8U0vfPni1a8e3ydSYiNwDHs6n36U9e9G_uUUqXzS63zwBf7nDaG6PushWXfmNLj7Lthgwuq7mUXsXu3ihkI-/s1600/jfree2be-1478367350952.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs2R_92bOzl3NrnbVcOa1fH6w0FQdaHVycBM2q4kBOsk0Ew0Pd9TjlaNUV8U0vfPni1a8e3ydSYiNwDHs6n36U9e9G_uUUqXzS63zwBf7nDaG6PushWXfmNLj7Lthgwuq7mUXsXu3ihkI-/s400/jfree2be-1478367350952.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: "georgia";"> Tessa hat from <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/tessa-hat-baby-to-adult" target="_self" title="">Mamachee</a>.</span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 22px; line-height: 26px;"><br /> </span></div> <h4 style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 22px; line-height: 26px;">Happy Dog Walks</span></h4> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: "georgia";"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg794po7miDd_76YIopm_klwdqFyN0omdLCCfKCbTh-IdTGDETrAr58tJhFVIvaAyYffVyICtkOluoLsgCSBKTBUirzbsFqk6xkr0mWEG-jcFyF8H5yznmET84fUGf7bUmelqoHCdpe4_ri/s640/Photo%252520Jan%2525201%25252C%2525202014%25252C%25252011%25253A19%252520AM.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="alignnone" height="500" id="blogsy-1388610779435.1675" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg794po7miDd_76YIopm_klwdqFyN0omdLCCfKCbTh-IdTGDETrAr58tJhFVIvaAyYffVyICtkOluoLsgCSBKTBUirzbsFqk6xkr0mWEG-jcFyF8H5yznmET84fUGf7bUmelqoHCdpe4_ri/s500/Photo%252520Jan%2525201%25252C%2525202014%25252C%25252011%25253A19%252520AM.jpg" width="500" /></a></span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 22px; line-height: 26px;"><br /> </span></div> <h4 style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 22px; line-height: 26px;">Photo Cards - Shout Out!</span></h4> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: "georgia";">Lastly, a massive shoutout to <a href="http://www.picaboo.com/" target="_self" title="">Picaboo</a>. We ordered our holiday cards through this company this year and I found their user interface to be awesomely customizable and slick. In full disclosure, the two founders are friends of mine from <a href="http://www.babson.edu/" target="_self" title="">college</a>, but if you know how picky Andy and I are about these types of things, please note that we would NEVER endorse something subpar in this area. They also do school yearbooks, photo books and more. Plus, I expedited the shipping and had them sent to the mountains and they STILL arrived on the due date as promised, which doesn't always happen at the cabin. <a href="http://www.picaboo.com/" target="_self" title="">Check them out!</a></span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="line-height: 1.3em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia";">I did them relatively last minute, as usual, and under-ordered. We have not sent cards since 2010, due to terminal lameness and inexcusable "I'm just too busy" justifications. We apologize profusely if you were expecting to hear from us, and did not. I guess I have another resolution to make.</span></span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: "georgia";">Happy New Year Y'all!<span style="line-height: 1.3em;"><br /> </span></span><br /> <span style="font-family: "georgia";"><br /></span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBwD9y3bxpDmA_JAcBgiS_8tdutZAQ10c3VggtWElG3-LhpPfHQAGPRPFScJbbkndOy5nplF3Fi2C3TtTZuEx-A8JM-Sgq9eIH4mm2GTmzf0_bXupEJnMAykumY-VmTp6PBzzsJP70LHa1/s2048/Photo%252520Jan%2525201%25252C%2525202014%25252C%25252010%25253A19%252520AM.jpg" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "georgia";"><img alt="" class="alignnone" height="360" id="blogsy-1388610779406.2058" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBwD9y3bxpDmA_JAcBgiS_8tdutZAQ10c3VggtWElG3-LhpPfHQAGPRPFScJbbkndOy5nplF3Fi2C3TtTZuEx-A8JM-Sgq9eIH4mm2GTmzf0_bXupEJnMAykumY-VmTp6PBzzsJP70LHa1/s500/Photo%252520Jan%2525201%25252C%2525202014%25252C%25252010%25253A19%252520AM.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnPlbM1lq8D_lMTUXq78D69hbEj7tLI4L-vjfNaER-UQkQlP4h8XG8cZ5OFCCZXzEP2EMfhbdlaU7QnJdZd-Luyqy5yBf1vd_vFUS8AVslmUG7vnty6BMhVum2OiHf88DhyphenhyphensH0-RQUCyr9/s2048/Photo%252520Jan%2525201%25252C%2525202014%25252C%25252010%25253A19%252520AM.jpg" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "georgia";"><img alt="" class="alignnone" height="358" id="blogsy-1388610779375.5774" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnPlbM1lq8D_lMTUXq78D69hbEj7tLI4L-vjfNaER-UQkQlP4h8XG8cZ5OFCCZXzEP2EMfhbdlaU7QnJdZd-Luyqy5yBf1vd_vFUS8AVslmUG7vnty6BMhVum2OiHf88DhyphenhyphensH0-RQUCyr9/s500/Photo%252520Jan%2525201%25252C%2525202014%25252C%25252010%25253A19%252520AM.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div> <span style="font-family: "georgia";"> </span><br /> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: "georgia";"> </span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div id="blogsy_footer" style="clear: both; font-size: small; text-align: right;"> </div> Free(man) to be you and mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15500075613374745300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2581903068699642356.post-73904975678657550682013-09-27T19:30:00.001-07:002013-09-27T19:31:22.437-07:00I'm Not Complaining, I'm Just Suppressing My Crazy <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcUSfdl7zUKH8MV7ih4hX5pYt5HItVlpHTXrNDWn3wiRLqgqfd6wru6p4yE4sSTh7EpN3hKciRO8_mxbycfZxGVpPkrNqube-wDclLDhUKw1lzXZyqiBbCdfF7oJ1HpWQQmwj_5xjW0AsP/s2048/Photo%252520Sep%25252027%25252C%2525202013%25252C%2525206%25253A05%252520PM.jpg" target="_blank" style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small; line-height: 1.3em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcUSfdl7zUKH8MV7ih4hX5pYt5HItVlpHTXrNDWn3wiRLqgqfd6wru6p4yE4sSTh7EpN3hKciRO8_mxbycfZxGVpPkrNqube-wDclLDhUKw1lzXZyqiBbCdfF7oJ1HpWQQmwj_5xjW0AsP/s500/Photo%252520Sep%25252027%25252C%2525202013%25252C%2525206%25253A05%252520PM.jpg" id="blogsy-1380335410572.9185" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="519"></a></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: normal;"><font face="Georgia" size="2">To those of you who sometimes feel badly about yourselves due to the romanticizing of people's perfect lives on Faceboook, I give you reasons today to celebrate your life. Today is (not was...still going) a parenting day that is challenging me like an addict faced with their poison. It's one of those days where you realize why some people are in prison, but you are not, based on the exceptional levels of self-restraint you are exhibiting. My children are whittling me down to a point where I feel like I am the most powerless person in my home. Because I am...and I am letting them... *sigh*</font></span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: normal;"><font face="Georgia" size="2">Today, like many, after heading to school to pick up the kids after work, I was convinced I was a Mute. I even checked with my voice recognition software on my Android to make sure I could actually be heard. When I shouted it was time to leave, they responded to me like a school of minnows would to a pebble being thrown into a lake. When they came back together they wrestled, punched, whined and cried, only to be separated and immediately drawn back together with that obnoxious, but special, sibling magnetic force. "Stop hitting your brother," "Keep your hands to yourself," the repetitious statements persisted. I am yelling from a deep hole. I get louder and louder yet no one can hear me. </font></span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small; line-height: normal;">Wash, Rinse, Repeat. </span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small; line-height: normal;">I made dinner - the same Mac and Cheese that I always make- but tonight it's elbows and not shells and suddenly it's disgusting and tastes bad...even though it's EXACTLY THE SAME brand and flavor. I am called into the bathroom to wipe the bottom of my little one, who has proceeded to unroll the entire roll of toilet paper onto the floor with a smile on his face. And the cherry on the cake of my day? After doing a load of laundry for my incontinent senior dog, I find that even after I shook out all of the blankets, I still succeeded in washing and drying a few large balls of dog poop. Yes I said drying....on high heat.</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: normal;"><font face="Georgia" size="2">I'm not really sure why I am writing about this, but I'm blogging instead of rocking back and forth on the floor psychoticly. I am ignoring my kids at the moment and now they are playing nicely. We clearly all needed a "time out." 8:30pm cannot come soon enough. I love my kids like nothing else. I ask for no sympathy</font></span><span style="line-height: normal;"><font face="Georgia" size="2">. I know I am lucky to have them. I am just offering you parents out there one thing... Solidarity.</font></span></p> <div class="separator" style="text-align: center; clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnOB0Jt7Vf9LFEP2dJ6jirVKD8g-6Zd-JuIMtMJWLK_rsl4VnKpYX6qwLFfOLH2pmGc3Vv0rV8wBBldYrHYdC97wIKp3MLWXVWZiGLd-mC0Qe1vDdh5Juum5dNfQl1BuMSTRxiosTAQd7S/s2048/Photo%252520Sep%25252027%25252C%2525202013%25252C%2525207%25253A06%252520PM.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnOB0Jt7Vf9LFEP2dJ6jirVKD8g-6Zd-JuIMtMJWLK_rsl4VnKpYX6qwLFfOLH2pmGc3Vv0rV8wBBldYrHYdC97wIKp3MLWXVWZiGLd-mC0Qe1vDdh5Juum5dNfQl1BuMSTRxiosTAQd7S/s500/Photo%252520Sep%25252027%25252C%2525202013%25252C%2525207%25253A06%252520PM.jpg" id="blogsy-1380335410612.9346" class="alignnone" width="500" height="669" alt=""></a></div> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: normal;"><font face="Georgia" size="2"><br> </font></span></p> <p> </p><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>Free(man) to be you and mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15500075613374745300noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2581903068699642356.post-1028521993183265242013-05-01T20:20:00.001-07:002024-03-12T21:02:10.250-07:00Why Whole Foods Makes Me A Better Parent<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFBMY-vnXYq21H1XmdcOswWQvS3s8K-shMTk1kVas0Oj2wA1tyP1qwURhahdjxTYeIWExdjJzLyK5GhHSInt00FGwQcz4Ovwc6TfZFCsKQCX045kwILfkHcfWIg3tNlc4x63ZoyKHMJh_M/s2048/20130318_170240.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="667" id="blogsy-1367467785421.7207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFBMY-vnXYq21H1XmdcOswWQvS3s8K-shMTk1kVas0Oj2wA1tyP1qwURhahdjxTYeIWExdjJzLyK5GhHSInt00FGwQcz4Ovwc6TfZFCsKQCX045kwILfkHcfWIg3tNlc4x63ZoyKHMJh_M/s500/20130318_170240.jpg" width="500" /></a></div> <br /> It's not for the reason you think.<br /> <br /> April has been insanely busy. Why? Well, I think most of my time was spent trying to bake Hayden's three birthday requests - including the not-so-perfect, <a href="http://freemantobe.blogspot.com/2013/04/foray-into-fondant.html" target="_self" title="">perfect cake.</a> Hayden's birthday post is going to be delayed due to my wanting perfect photos. Perfect photos that will be edited perfectly by my perfectionist, Artist husband. This is perfectly fine. Our lives are always perfect online. We post family awesomeness on Facebook and Instagram, and somehow even the funny moments look great in photos, but the actual real-time experience may be oh-so-imperfect.<br /> <br /> I read a blog post today about being an imperfect parent, and it told me (yes, she was speaking to me) that I am probably doing a better job than I think. You can read about <strike>me</strike> it <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lea-grover/dear-less-than-perfect-mom_b_3184445.html" target="_self" title="">here</a>. I was the epitome of this at <a href="http://wholefoods.com/whole-foods-market" target="_self" title="">Whole Foods</a> today - a place where I somehow feel the need to turn on the extra sensitive, gentle parenting persona. I think the broken window theory extends well beyond destruction and devastation in my case.<br /> <br /> The broken window theory in basic terms, suggests that a small amount of damage can result in a snowball effect of greater destruction over time. I have always used Whole Foods vs. Walmart as a basic analogy. While Whole Foods has staff constantly restocking shelves and building perfectly crafted pyramids of apples, our local Walmart, which I avoid like the plague, has items strewn about, things rolling on the floor, open boxes, you get the picture. A spill on the floor of Whole Foods is quietly whisked away, ala Disneyland, while Walmart's could fester for an undetermined amount of time. Am I exaggerating? Maybe. But this has been my experience in the locations I have visited. Bottom line is, I drop an apple at Whole Foods, I pick it up. I drop an apple at Walmart, it's 50/50 (the apple was made in China anyway).<br /> <br /> Today, I found myself at Whole Foods with 2 young kids that were having different issues. One was cranky and one was dissatisfied. The common thread was that they would both not stop "touching" each other, causing us to take up the width of two carts in the aisle, which we know at Whole Foods after 5pm becomes excessively aggravating to EVERYONE. I found myself trying extra hard to choose my words and control my tone. My surroundings were to blame for my "better" behavior. But it made me think. Why would this place, this clean, above averagely priced place, curb my instinctual poor parenting efforts? Remove the fact that there is someone I know around every turn, and I realized that this perfectly perfect grocery store was influencing me. This was the real problem.<br /> <br /> My surroundings and being in public influenced my parenting choices more than the want and need to do what is best for my children. To be clear, I don't come home and beat my kids to a pulp, but I do yell, I do firmly hold them and I don't always frame poignant teaching moments or use the best choice of words. I also know, that no one always does the right thing, and if they tell you they do, they are full of it... or they are lying that they even HAVE children.<br /> <br /> So my epiphany here is this, if I can think of better ways to handle these kids in public - and in varying degrees based on my surroundings, then why can't I be the same parent at home? Now, I can't control my personal variables. I can't always be happy, or stress-free, or have peace and quiet during a Giant's game, but what I realized, is that I am capable. It's not about being perfect. It's about being capable.<br /> <br /> From now on, I am going to pretend I am at Whole Foods.<br /> <br />Free(man) to be you and mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15500075613374745300noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2581903068699642356.post-22363706917105169122013-04-08T09:01:00.001-07:002017-04-08T08:48:55.525-07:00Foray into Fondant<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: "georgia";"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkQZ6nbKa8-VU1IuAx6t63GPeWX2Lf71zb6JkN2uF51uyyxNLxUH_LEEwheJvBlX4A9V8OkcdqtVjjuxnjmBhc5okeIjl6wejS7AiXWWDi-KrqDNyqGKvf5OTA4aTby_4mH4eL1CjZLbVe/s1600/Photo%252520Apr%2525207%25252C%2525202013%25252C%25252011%25253A44%252520AM.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="374" id="blogsy-1365436867198.7854" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkQZ6nbKa8-VU1IuAx6t63GPeWX2Lf71zb6JkN2uF51uyyxNLxUH_LEEwheJvBlX4A9V8OkcdqtVjjuxnjmBhc5okeIjl6wejS7AiXWWDi-KrqDNyqGKvf5OTA4aTby_4mH4eL1CjZLbVe/s500/Photo%252520Apr%2525207%25252C%2525202013%25252C%25252011%25253A44%252520AM.jpg" width="500" /></a> </span></div> <span style="font-family: "georgia";"><span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);"><br /> </span></span><br /> <span style="font-family: "georgia";"><span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">It's. Just. So. Perfect. On Pinterest. Barf.<br /> <span style="font-family: "georgia";"><span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);"><br /></span></span> <span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);"><span style="font-family: "georgia";">I have been wooed by the concept of creating a cake covered in beautiful fondant for a very long time now. As you may have deduced from my history of self-deprecating posts, my innate ability to cook is non-existent. I also lack the patience to really do things correctly at times in the kitchen. This blows me away, since I am also the same person who reads the 4 steps on the back of the Duncan Hines box three times to make sure I am doing things right. I'm a conundrum... Anyway...</span></span><br /> <span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);"><span style="font-family: "georgia";"><br /></span></span> <span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);"><span style="font-family: "georgia";">I used every shortcut possible. I was armed with several boxes of white cake, pre-made creamy vanilla frosting, <a href="http://www.wilton.com/store/site/product.cfm?id=3E31A74B-475A-BAC0-5CCFCE5C69A32CC4" target="_self" title="">Pre-rolled fondant</a>, everything pre-done to help me make this </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">process work. No matter what. We were celebrating Hay's birthday after Easter brunch, so I didn't have room for failure, as we were hosting as well. </span></span><span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I screwed up from the get-go. Here's how not to do it.</span><br /> <span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); font-family: "georgia";"><br /> </span><br /> <span style="font-family: "georgia"; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPIk4ulFmkLbeZjVJSk9RSdqw1RkBfDlrQiKjDNvrQjXnSyYsIxZUUCJAdfE43_3EuorZAyrr-YMx6PLYbDexptrdK-PMSseXDPVRCoBYlWztiL84EPQP5xHYIF4yvj5dkZvUXDu2TKMCE/s2048/20130330_153543.jpg" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="667" id="blogsy-1365436867169.6582" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPIk4ulFmkLbeZjVJSk9RSdqw1RkBfDlrQiKjDNvrQjXnSyYsIxZUUCJAdfE43_3EuorZAyrr-YMx6PLYbDexptrdK-PMSseXDPVRCoBYlWztiL84EPQP5xHYIF4yvj5dkZvUXDu2TKMCE/s500/20130330_153543.jpg" width="500" /></a></span><br /> </span></span><br /> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "georgia";"><span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);"><span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);"><span style="font-family: "georgia";"><br /></span></span></span></span></div> <span style="font-family: "georgia";"><span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);"> </span></span> <br /> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "georgia";"><span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);"><span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);"><span style="font-family: "georgia";">Hay wanted a Batman themed, <a href="http://siriouslydelicious.blogspot.com/2012/11/ombre-cake.html" target="_self" title="">Ombré Cake</a>, inspired by our friend at <a href="http://siriouslydelicious.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Siriously Delicious</a>. We were going to do a 3 layer Yellow cake, but when baked, the yellows weren't "ombré" enough for my liking, and then the lightest layer fell apart. This was my fault, I was too impatient and didn't let cake #3 cool enough before removing it from the pan...or that was my first theory. Now I needed a 3rd layer.</span></span></span></span></div> <span style="font-family: "georgia";"><span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);"> </span></span> <br /> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "georgia";"><span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);"><span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);"><span style="font-family: "georgia";"><br /></span></span></span></span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: "georgia"; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="667" id="blogsy-1365436867198.0671" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwjXOuuS9xv3VWBVS2L_qV3fu-Mvmbz4eTWm4sZ9YF8mDlHsDZh8_ktfirmmgkxk96v5yKrFk2F1rluAlo5xJUtqmMt86sV5xLJUh6Y-M17wf1xxsnpM9qRuca8NIU8A_2KCqmyLjSuFFX/s500/20130330_144512.jpg" width="500" /></span></div> <span style="font-family: "georgia";"><span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);"> <br /> </span></span><br /> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "georgia";"><span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);"><span style="font-family: "georgia";"><span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);"><br /></span></span></span></span></div> <span style="font-family: "georgia";"><span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);"> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "georgia";"><span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">We (Hay & I) decided to add a blue layer to Batman-it-up. Once baked, yet again, the blue layer turned out to be too fragile for me to level and started to crumble as I was slicing it. In a fit of desperation, I </span><span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">had idiotically tried to layer three unleveled cakes...resulting in a lot of cake splitting and other atrocities. Becoming slightly </span><span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">discouraged, I frantically tried to glue it together by doing a </span><a href="http://www.wilton.com/blog/index.php/start-with-a-crumb-coat-for-a-smooth-cake-finish/" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);" target="_self" title="">crumb coat</a><span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);"> and refrigerating it. My plan was to frost the bejesus out of it until I could make it flat. Right.</span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "georgia";"><span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);"><br /></span></span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhROHseQBzSCZRPqsDeHerQG4KcwBimxTz7mVzRXNW1T8BZOGw4Yg4Q_HXEcp1sPMO6_aUzA_oW1yoQdNS2Dg0UTUgw5sQ3Z841wDTBBXFITk6ckZZgBDkkIWjPnj3HJV4-OKabnAjKy_5V/s2048/20130330_190651.jpg" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "georgia";"><img alt="" class="alignnone" height="667" id="blogsy-1365436867219.7922" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhROHseQBzSCZRPqsDeHerQG4KcwBimxTz7mVzRXNW1T8BZOGw4Yg4Q_HXEcp1sPMO6_aUzA_oW1yoQdNS2Dg0UTUgw5sQ3Z841wDTBBXFITk6ckZZgBDkkIWjPnj3HJV4-OKabnAjKy_5V/s500/20130330_190651.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div> <span style="font-family: "georgia"; text-align: justify;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "georgia"; text-align: justify;">It was a mess, a mess that NO amount of frosting could have fixed. Hoping for a miracle, I left it to chill in the fridge on the bottom shelf. THEN... I heard this from the kitchen.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "georgia"; text-align: justify;"><br /></span> <br /> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);"><span style="font-family: "georgia";">"HAYDEN!!!!!! NO!!"</span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);"><span style="font-family: "georgia";"><br /></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);"><span style="font-family: "georgia";">Daddy caught Hayden red-handed, standing behind the refrigerator door with a giant chunk of cake in his left hand. If the cake was perfect, I clearly would have cared more. *Sigh* I lopped off the evidence and cut some slices for the kids. Four cakes down, and no Batman cake.</span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);"><span style="font-family: "georgia";"><br /></span></span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjURNW8zWGesvAkKemNl8_ZW0PP1XGLvlH8yAOMFqVbA8fUwEwaUzGTFoM994t1FicajeAyLETgWjJGQVtOQisPuslv_XsP4PXoPAppginW2cC79rNgn0N5qMoobpm0mExYxD3zRl5y_SXC/s2048/20130330_190638.jpg" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "georgia";"><img alt="" class="alignnone" height="667" id="blogsy-1365436867190.4346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjURNW8zWGesvAkKemNl8_ZW0PP1XGLvlH8yAOMFqVbA8fUwEwaUzGTFoM994t1FicajeAyLETgWjJGQVtOQisPuslv_XsP4PXoPAppginW2cC79rNgn0N5qMoobpm0mExYxD3zRl5y_SXC/s500/20130330_190638.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div> <span style="font-family: "georgia";"> </span><br /> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);"><span style="font-family: "georgia";"><br /></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);"><span style="font-family: "georgia";">Here was my Robert Frost moment. Which road should I take? Do I throw in the towel and head to the 24-hour Supermarket? My options were limited as it was now evening and Easter was creeping up. All reputable (and non-reputable) cakeries were closed. I reflected on how many difficult trips- with kids-in-tow- to <a href="http://www.michaels.com/" target="_blank" title="">Michaels</a> and <a href="http://www.target.com/" target="_blank" title="">Target</a> I had taken to collect all of the necessities. Then, add the mere fact that I have been dying to execute this task, and I think we know which road I traveled. All the while realizing that the word "execution" may more resemble a slaughter than an effort. Two more white cakes entered the oven. </span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);"><span style="font-family: "georgia";"><br /></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "georgia";"><span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">In the meantime, I sent a quick note to a </span><span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">Real Chef friend (thank you Gigi), who quickly alerted me, after I frantically messaged her via Facebook for the umpteenth time about this topic, that I shouldn't use boxed cake. <em>Whaaaaat? </em>And that I shouldn't make 3 layers of it. <em>Whaaaaaaat? </em></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "georgia";"><span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);"><em><br /></em></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "georgia";">It was too late for the box cake, but not for one less layer. I decided to stick with 2 layers and let the two pans cool for an extended period of time. I carefully removed the cakes, trimmed off the top and with barely any crumbling, layered them and added my crumb coat to the cake. This WAS going to work. It's quite possible that the one missing ingredient was...cue Guns and Roses...a little "patience." </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "georgia";"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "georgia";"><span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875);">I put the cake aside and bravely unwrapped the fondant. I had used this once before to decorate these, so I was vaguely familiar with its consistency.</span><br /> </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "georgia";"><span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875);"><br /></span></span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEjK0yk1YhZlNO_81yzFXPCWn0XxHmFdyw_D05HRZ9e1sOC6VDBRF11t1Ipy3kspGcaqYFKbRDzo22NhhpU5Yo8-EkGAqWM4FbpURmJAj6QXBAI1kHc-abO-vXURcn2qXbtIOoO1EQKSSO/s1600/jfree2be-1491665200714.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEjK0yk1YhZlNO_81yzFXPCWn0XxHmFdyw_D05HRZ9e1sOC6VDBRF11t1Ipy3kspGcaqYFKbRDzo22NhhpU5Yo8-EkGAqWM4FbpURmJAj6QXBAI1kHc-abO-vXURcn2qXbtIOoO1EQKSSO/s400/jfree2be-1491665200714.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Cutting out features is much different than covering a cake. Let me tell you...this was actually the easiest part. I know it took us a while to get here, but I just really needed to put you through some of my pain. Thanks for listening.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "georgia";"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "georgia";">I checked a quick tutorial. <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/964895/htb101-how-cover-cake-fondant-web-version-hi-resmov" target="_blank" title="">Martha Stewart has a good one</a>, of course. Note that when rolling it out, you will need to add some powdered sugar or shortening to the surface. I chose sugar. It serves the same purpose as flouring the dough does. Other internet instructions say that you don't need either if you are rolling out on a <a href="http://www.silpat.com/" target="_blank" title="">Silpat</a> mat. I didn't find this to be true, mine still stuck to my mat so <span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">the sugar helped a ton.</span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "georgia";"><span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);"><br /></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "georgia";"><span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">You want to make sure you roll it out enough to cover the cake and then some. Also, keep in mind it will stretch even more as you lift it. So measure the diameter as well as add the height of BOTH SIDES. So a 10" cake that's 2" high, should have over 14" diameter of coverage. </span><span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">Roll it out to the desired thickness. I'd love to give you a measurement, but I have no clue. Once I got it large enough, the hardest part of the task was getting the fondant up onto my giant rolling pin to flop it onto the cake. See the video on how to do this.</span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "georgia";"><span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);"><br /></span></span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOQUeORI2uqFEID1ZP5vP9G0gRK_jFg8YKCOsiSgQ7hnGRy7PpXkEUvNr3HeOiFyALP_0S45swdeyJTEO5Ok0JD4qJOGjv7b0gkwvT5rGdJMimu6yVWEgTsrYwYU1hRuz1f3_qqD3fzjM8/s2048/20130330_204941.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "georgia";"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="667" id="blogsy-1365436867219.7246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOQUeORI2uqFEID1ZP5vP9G0gRK_jFg8YKCOsiSgQ7hnGRy7PpXkEUvNr3HeOiFyALP_0S45swdeyJTEO5Ok0JD4qJOGjv7b0gkwvT5rGdJMimu6yVWEgTsrYwYU1hRuz1f3_qqD3fzjM8/s500/20130330_204941.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "georgia";"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "georgia";">As you can see...not that bad! Cut off the major overflow quickly to alleviate the extra weight on your cake. I Googled a lot of different instructions on how to do this, but it was pretty straightforward. The Fondant Smoother worked well, and you really need to work pretty quickly since this stuff dries out. I've now used the word "quickly" a few times. Get it? Move fast!</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "georgia";"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "georgia";"><span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">Now, this was not wedding beautiful. It was not perfect. I'm sure there were some dents, air bubbles and fingerprints, but I thought it looked pretty darn good, especially after all I had been through during the day.</span><span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);"> </span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "georgia";"><span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);"><br /></span></span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "georgia";">Okay. I'm pretty tired of this blog post so I will make this last part quick. I wasn't sure how to attach the fondant to the fondant...I used vanilla extract because I thought I had read that somewhere...but DUH, I just read that you paint it with...wait for it...WATER. Anyhow, I had to make the Batman emblem. There are many tips online about using stencils, tracing, etc. Google them, read more than one post, and THEN choose the one you think you can do best. Trust me...I search for the easiest way to do everything.</span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "georgia";"><br /></span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "georgia";">Two more tips for you...</span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "georgia";"><br /> </span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: "georgia";"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Kb9QIpUB_BtXQxmS8lM0QHsl_MzxQTkVF1pWxjsKht-ajLr96BCAk66cgn-poFDNdXKNZ7hHIyD3flNMsR2fdzF36JnwMe7I9n8HKUpicHS2En1Eyp4P6BhCyDKfVFyG153NnBLGZOId/s394/Photo%252520Apr%2525207%25252C%2525202013%25252C%25252010%25253A40%252520PM.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="394" id="blogsy-1365436867200.1616" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Kb9QIpUB_BtXQxmS8lM0QHsl_MzxQTkVF1pWxjsKht-ajLr96BCAk66cgn-poFDNdXKNZ7hHIyD3flNMsR2fdzF36JnwMe7I9n8HKUpicHS2En1Eyp4P6BhCyDKfVFyG153NnBLGZOId/s394/Photo%252520Apr%2525207%25252C%2525202013%25252C%25252010%25253A40%252520PM.jpg" width="375" /></a> </span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"> <span style="font-family: "georgia";"><strong><br /> </strong></span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"> <span style="font-family: "georgia";"><strong>Do:</strong> color the fondant with food color gels. I like <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Wilton-Set-8-Icing-Colors/dp/B0000CFMU7" target="_blank" title="">these</a>. Wear gloves or you'll stain your hands forever...like me.</span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"> <span style="font-family: "georgia";"><br /></span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"> <span style="font-family: "georgia";"><strong>Don't:</strong> use fondant paint, or do, I don't care, I just wasn't good at it. I painted my bat black and thought I couldn't let it dry because I was afraid of the fondant drying out. You can imagine trying to move a wet black bat onto a white cake. Lots of fingerprints and smudging, resulting in the addition of many giant colored star sprinkles to cover it up. Black fondant would have been way cleaner. Next time.</span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"> <span style="font-family: "georgia";"><br /></span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMCK7UeW63fELb2POxHZ4tWK3GeQXqLs64oYaXH1VIT6Eu2yEJQ5-Ak4XBksilXNJ-qdBd07ZFh00js2wdJtmRxFAJAoq7i-B39wLcY1NYZCZEUOyxHvm8sez7RNP77vdCZNXmStFw1v-g/s1600/jfree2be-1491665136247.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMCK7UeW63fELb2POxHZ4tWK3GeQXqLs64oYaXH1VIT6Eu2yEJQ5-Ak4XBksilXNJ-qdBd07ZFh00js2wdJtmRxFAJAoq7i-B39wLcY1NYZCZEUOyxHvm8sez7RNP77vdCZNXmStFw1v-g/s400/jfree2be-1491665136247.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "georgia";"><br /></span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "georgia";">I threw some more stars on the sides of the cake, grabbed some action figures, and called it a day. A very long day. Originally, I wanted to make something like <a href="http://domesticfits.com/2012/10/31/super-simple-batman-cake-with-free-printable-templates/" target="_blank" title="">this</a>. I had sifted through so many ridiculously amazing cakes online that the one I had set my sites on seemed easy enough (it said Easy in the title for crying out loud), but by the time I actually got to the decorating part, my enthusiasm and patience was toast. My end result became whatever I could just get done. And do you know what? My 4 year old loved it and so did our guests. I of course saw all of the flaws and said that it sucked and that I would never do it again.</span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "georgia";"><br /></span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "georgia";">But now that a week has passed, the memory is akin to that of the pain of childbirth...maybe it wasn't that bad...I'll probably go for it again.</span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: "georgia";"><br /></span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ECeoz-R4aX-k2WKz8xZuDlG3EiqomCfU_9ZU7nMFFHnxYexWybZBQhquPFW2tya8fWpwq_PxPX957E-pcENLp-0z-Iu29wxns-6YGSAQRNCFEDaf62MeYW4gvhq9Gr5MPId_n3y7CgC0/s2048/20130330_144115.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "georgia";"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="667" id="blogsy-1365436867190.496" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ECeoz-R4aX-k2WKz8xZuDlG3EiqomCfU_9ZU7nMFFHnxYexWybZBQhquPFW2tya8fWpwq_PxPX957E-pcENLp-0z-Iu29wxns-6YGSAQRNCFEDaf62MeYW4gvhq9Gr5MPId_n3y7CgC0/s500/20130330_144115.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <br /> <div id="blogsy_footer" style="clear: both; font-size: small; text-align: right;"> <a href="http://blogsyapp.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Posted with Blogsy" height="20" src="https://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" style="margin-right: 5px; vertical-align: middle;" width="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div> </span></span>Free(man) to be you and mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15500075613374745300noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2581903068699642356.post-35176190089719373182013-04-05T07:56:00.001-07:002013-04-05T07:58:30.278-07:00Birthday Part Deux - The Classroom<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoNLLJL33cMDCW9sJaS1wCy-0blCXFiLuTIe7sqB3yUq1qBtEsirFw2wyR5AlaImw5-lAmbKQPx2ZYcYs61VF4e0ZWrFqj04pnDS5S1MWZX6XhJQmmQ08bS71DvyAX7PrMDBbG8kR7AprB/s2048/Photo%252520Apr%2525201%25252C%2525202013%25252C%2525209%25253A25%252520AM.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="667" id="blogsy-1365173778288.4258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoNLLJL33cMDCW9sJaS1wCy-0blCXFiLuTIe7sqB3yUq1qBtEsirFw2wyR5AlaImw5-lAmbKQPx2ZYcYs61VF4e0ZWrFqj04pnDS5S1MWZX6XhJQmmQ08bS71DvyAX7PrMDBbG8kR7AprB/s500/Photo%252520Apr%2525201%25252C%2525202013%25252C%2525209%25253A25%252520AM.jpg" width="500" /></a></div> <span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span> <span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">School birthdays are the best. This is primarily true in our home because my poor, late-August-birthday husband still complains about how he never got to celebrate his birthday at school. This was of course, back in the day when schools began after Labor Day weekend. I comfort him by explaining that if he were a child today, he would not have had the pleasure of the "spanking machine," a dead tradition.</span><br /> <span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span> <span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><em>Side note: Do you remember the Spanking Machine? It was a line of kids with their legs straddled that you would crawl through and get whacked on the bottom... When did this fine tradition end? Call CPS.</em></span><br /> <span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><em><br /></em></span> <span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Hayden's school birthday began with this beautifully illuminated sign that he was very excited about. Next, he turned his focus to "when is it going to be snack-time" so he could get his much-requested Cake Pop.</span><br /> <span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span> <span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It's been 2 years since I made cake pops. I think after Ry's Ninja party, I was ready to retire the cake pop pan. <em>Yes, another shortcut. I use box cake and a <a href="http://www.walmart.com/ip/As-Seen-on-TV-Bake-Pops-Baking-Pan-and-Accessories/20575426" target="_blank" title="">made-for-tv cake pop pan</a>. It works great. You definitely need to add an extra egg, a box of instant pudding and use half of the liquid that the recipe requires in order to dense them up. </em>At any rate, Hayden requested them, and it WAS his turn.</span><br /> <span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span> <span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My <a href="http://p.rfihub.com/ca.html?ra=1414658670.3171911833342165&rb=757&ca=20507187&rc=&rd=&ua=&ub=&uc=&ud=&ue=&pa=ppre1414658674400&pb=&pc=&pd=&pg=&ct=1365141465867" target="_blank" title="">candy melts</a> were not cooperating, I think I needed to add shortening (see <a href="http://freemantobe.blogspot.com/2013/04/one-hundred-and-ten.html" target="_self" title="">yesterday's post</a> about me not taking the time to do things right). The plus side was that I ended up only coating the pops halfway which I am sure the preschool teachers appreciated. The kids only went half-crazy. </span><br /> <span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);"><br /> </span><br /> <div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinofPMsbwALx3jjMbVaXXXn5H-kToSL6Hp3yvctOYGMB7F8mBPYbhy1gHqZmfHhnFQAawzXbyUK6BBbEu9Moc7z5hQ6rV6p-KYlu0MsgsxU5Qrya34J7X6C82pQoMwA3pyAISd9Upm-W9w/s2048/Photo%252520Mar%25252031%25252C%2525202013%25252C%2525208%25253A37%252520PM.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="alignnone" height="667" id="blogsy-1365173778348.003" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinofPMsbwALx3jjMbVaXXXn5H-kToSL6Hp3yvctOYGMB7F8mBPYbhy1gHqZmfHhnFQAawzXbyUK6BBbEu9Moc7z5hQ6rV6p-KYlu0MsgsxU5Qrya34J7X6C82pQoMwA3pyAISd9Upm-W9w/s500/Photo%252520Mar%25252031%25252C%2525202013%25252C%2525208%25253A37%252520PM.jpg" width="500" /></a></div> <div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875);"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div> <div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875);"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The Cake Pop is a great idea for school. It's a few bites as opposed to a sugar bomb cupcake with a mountain of frosting. The only setback is, as they get older you will run out of space to put the candles. Hay Hay's skilled teacher successfully stuck the little pop with 4 candles, which then resembled some kind of illegal 4th-of-July looking firework. The flaming pop-torch was a hit. Hay loved it! So did the others, because as I was walking out, they swarmed me in the play yard like an army of "walkers" from the <a href="http://www.amctv.com/shows/the-walking-dead" target="_blank" title="">Walking Dead</a>. <em>I HAD to make sure I referenced this AMC masterpiece somehow. I. Love. That. Show!</em></span></div> <div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875);"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><em><br /></em></span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGjfdsgiy5dws_T_3rTUJBF5kOtLwrtrGfweWKzdACXpowsEbuXQJ3MtPdsQOchnZnR-L8hDFF_QaXKFs9weLAcH4cgtnAGAcLnyVKVRGJthzU9fjifBZECBe8xtWnpCAh7GbvPbldfXi8/s2048/Photo%252520Apr%2525201%25252C%2525202013%25252C%25252010%25253A42%252520AM.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="alignnone" height="667" id="blogsy-1365173778264.913" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGjfdsgiy5dws_T_3rTUJBF5kOtLwrtrGfweWKzdACXpowsEbuXQJ3MtPdsQOchnZnR-L8hDFF_QaXKFs9weLAcH4cgtnAGAcLnyVKVRGJthzU9fjifBZECBe8xtWnpCAh7GbvPbldfXi8/s500/Photo%252520Apr%2525201%25252C%2525202013%25252C%25252010%25253A42%252520AM.jpg" width="500" /></a></div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHCmxYHhMK76yJ1mh6BfxDC4F30M4b00dAfeKNOFC3LE_UvlWzxKyxzil0VtaSXscoNABL11D1kNt4eoGiV1scje3qb4tVCn-f5UOXGzFOBlJP8KvXMUZ6886x9jM4zaGaSNEBEQc6vJJ2/s2048/Photo%252520Apr%2525201%25252C%2525202013%25252C%25252010%25253A44%252520AM.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="alignnone" height="667" id="blogsy-1365173778318.034" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHCmxYHhMK76yJ1mh6BfxDC4F30M4b00dAfeKNOFC3LE_UvlWzxKyxzil0VtaSXscoNABL11D1kNt4eoGiV1scje3qb4tVCn-f5UOXGzFOBlJP8KvXMUZ6886x9jM4zaGaSNEBEQc6vJJ2/s500/Photo%252520Apr%2525201%25252C%2525202013%25252C%25252010%25253A44%252520AM.jpg" width="500" /></a></div> <br /> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Two down, one party to go, and I owe you my Fodantacide post.</span><br /> <br /> <div id="blogsy_footer" style="clear: both; font-size: small; text-align: right;"> <a href="http://blogsyapp.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Posted with Blogsy" height="20" src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" style="margin-right: 5px; vertical-align: middle;" width="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div> Free(man) to be you and mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15500075613374745300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2581903068699642356.post-44943528731136520522013-04-04T22:12:00.001-07:002013-04-05T08:11:03.253-07:00One hundred and ten! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir9r_pX_AFxPvb0XVpKp5ojSoXtAavRWDM8D6fE0UQLg_gdNPGWmmkvlfg3ErFUKbquVR1umB3WFLCFtG6RQ1dA7uxDxzTEiO15x_B6N8DRpolDK-xBNbBGHiNs-mIoRdjWGXAi4dxsxPn/s1936/Photo%252520Apr%2525201%25252C%2525202013%25252C%2525208%25253A19%252520AM.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="alignnone" height="500" id="blogsy-1365138740471.011" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir9r_pX_AFxPvb0XVpKp5ojSoXtAavRWDM8D6fE0UQLg_gdNPGWmmkvlfg3ErFUKbquVR1umB3WFLCFtG6RQ1dA7uxDxzTEiO15x_B6N8DRpolDK-xBNbBGHiNs-mIoRdjWGXAi4dxsxPn/s500/Photo%252520Apr%2525201%25252C%2525202013%25252C%2525208%25253A19%252520AM.jpg" width="500" /></a></span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia; text-align: justify;"><br /> </span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia; text-align: justify;">April 1st! It's no joke. My baby is four. Even more insane, my grandmother on my Mother's side is 106! Not to outshine my little man, but 106 is pretty impressive. We were amazed by 100, astonished by 102, and by 103 we were pretty used to idea of this tough matriarch being what would be considered "well-into-her-hundreds." Now at 106, I am thinking we'd better get some DNA samples and bottle this stuff. </span><span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); font-family: Georgia; text-align: justify;">Therefore, this post is titled, 110, to give credit to both the 4 and the 106.</span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); font-family: Georgia; text-align: justify;"><br /> </span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875);">Here she is!</span><br /> </span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875);"><br /></span></span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ1l-WYpfb0HTs5pSVl2JNKf8zo0VEVxcgdy12x17bqM9cJWIcHaO06RrV7_Wa4WXIYrTqY9Yg_g9AYiqqYR8p5M7QPF_GZHzLl0nPT06A5tQp-86T6PEAYLxWchmEX3v4UbPupYvnExvI/s2048/Photo%252520Mar%25252028%25252C%2525202013%25252C%2525205%25253A05%252520PM.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="281" id="blogsy-1365138740457.2522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ1l-WYpfb0HTs5pSVl2JNKf8zo0VEVxcgdy12x17bqM9cJWIcHaO06RrV7_Wa4WXIYrTqY9Yg_g9AYiqqYR8p5M7QPF_GZHzLl0nPT06A5tQp-86T6PEAYLxWchmEX3v4UbPupYvnExvI/s500/Photo%252520Mar%25252028%25252C%2525202013%25252C%2525205%25253A05%252520PM.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div> <span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);"><br /> </span></span><br /> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">Ok, I'm 3 days late in writing this, but we hosted Easterover on Sunday (doesn't have quite the ring of "Chrismukkah" does it) and Hayden's birthday in simulcast. Plus, I made an egg bake (I know, easy for you), 6 cakes- of which we ate 2 <em>yes, there's a story there</em>, and 35 cake pops. Why? A little person asked me to. I </span><span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">am also feeling really guilty that I haven't written a sappy synopsis about how amazing my four year old is, nor re-capped his entire year in a romantic, my-kid-is-perfect, look-at-my-awesome-life-on-Facebook kind of way. The truth is, my life is a bit of a shit-show right now, and the kids have a starring role...but I wouldn't trade it for anything.</span></span></div> <span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);"><br /> </span></span> <br /> <div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq4zbthrZfdAjmCxjX8l5PEgjG6j3StFu4sCtmQrEz_hQr15hLzd6KCkF5VJdFTM_v0Yi-XR6Cvh-BJMONbuW2cNxS1UWLsB2c0RDBwIUnJ3UvDUhQq-c1Osp6MKdLPW8X3qOdO5PHu3Ex/s800/Photo%252520Apr%2525203%25252C%2525202013%25252C%2525209%25253A37%252520PM.jpg" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="746" id="blogsy-1365138740434.261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq4zbthrZfdAjmCxjX8l5PEgjG6j3StFu4sCtmQrEz_hQr15hLzd6KCkF5VJdFTM_v0Yi-XR6Cvh-BJMONbuW2cNxS1UWLsB2c0RDBwIUnJ3UvDUhQq-c1Osp6MKdLPW8X3qOdO5PHu3Ex/s500/Photo%252520Apr%2525203%25252C%2525202013%25252C%2525209%25253A37%252520PM.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div> <span style="font-family: Georgia;"><br /> </span><br /> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia;">Meanwhile, I would love to write more, but I am prepping for Haydenpalooza! I have so much to post, including my foray into fondant, or what I am lovingly referring to as Fondanticide, as well as a recap of Hayden's Super Duper Hero Party...coming this Saturday. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia;">To tie you over, here is picture of baked good request #2, the Classroom Party Cake Pops. </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);"><br /></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">To be continued...</span><br /> </span></div> <span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);"><br /></span></span> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ_79CBc2CTJ72kweuwwaoI4phBh-dv48cjFq6GPGqRoiOLoRhpq7E_QGvHbMtmz5HqiTtby0f6kgeDkns2s_dFeGyISi3DBFxEIYsTEKzqIUZiHQm1FWNPMstE79PVd-E47iR18cGatTR/s1280/Photo%252520Apr%2525204%25252C%2525202013%25252C%25252010%25253A03%252520PM.jpg" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><img alt="" class="alignnone" height="375" id="blogsy-1365138740408.051" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ_79CBc2CTJ72kweuwwaoI4phBh-dv48cjFq6GPGqRoiOLoRhpq7E_QGvHbMtmz5HqiTtby0f6kgeDkns2s_dFeGyISi3DBFxEIYsTEKzqIUZiHQm1FWNPMstE79PVd-E47iR18cGatTR/s500/Photo%252520Apr%2525204%25252C%2525202013%25252C%25252010%25253A03%252520PM.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div> <br /> <div id="blogsy_footer" style="clear: both; font-size: small; text-align: right;"> <a href="http://blogsyapp.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Posted with Blogsy" height="20" src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" style="margin-right: 5px; vertical-align: middle;" width="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div> Free(man) to be you and mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15500075613374745300noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2581903068699642356.post-11647873966072929342013-03-29T17:33:00.001-07:002013-03-30T10:20:21.089-07:00This is Happening...<div dir="ltr"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"I'm a boxer,  I'm a sumo wrestler, I'm Charles Dickens."</span></div> <div dir="ltr"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div> <div dir="ltr"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Trampoline Soundbyte on this bizarre muggy, hot, March afternoon...</span></div> <div dir="ltr"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div> <div dir="ltr"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq0ULwgdHVQeyAog5IKj953_vS7FK6xhald9CypjHzrFoTigQM0B5OhG68j1rzzeBBqSPGLKcJIIeqgoR0j2-mL_9ezNCaeQ7Sv8md3q85b8Z6okR9JyjvZ-567QWzG7TE2jS6BWwk1E_r/s1600/IMG_20130329_160431.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq0ULwgdHVQeyAog5IKj953_vS7FK6xhald9CypjHzrFoTigQM0B5OhG68j1rzzeBBqSPGLKcJIIeqgoR0j2-mL_9ezNCaeQ7Sv8md3q85b8Z6okR9JyjvZ-567QWzG7TE2jS6BWwk1E_r/s640/IMG_20130329_160431.jpg" /> </a> </div> Jordana F.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10409409028015958974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2581903068699642356.post-41939528864165268992013-02-20T13:04:00.001-08:002013-02-21T19:48:10.709-08:00Some Things Should Be Left to the Professionals<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8r3V4w8vWZ7HLP7C05oHZbup1pljbjEatko1wNDwllkLY-M8nbbVnQf6LAKz1QzkMhyBCRnj5L1Isr0o05Z_IKRhEf8IxiScWQgIQE-ZAB0tyJ8KskidEo09Gl8KG-F5xhrmohpc0iGDk/s1600/20130216_130541.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8r3V4w8vWZ7HLP7C05oHZbup1pljbjEatko1wNDwllkLY-M8nbbVnQf6LAKz1QzkMhyBCRnj5L1Isr0o05Z_IKRhEf8IxiScWQgIQE-ZAB0tyJ8KskidEo09Gl8KG-F5xhrmohpc0iGDk/s400/20130216_130541.jpg" width="300" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We recently went to get Ry's hair trimmed. We had to coax him into going, because his latest quest for individuality has been to grow his hair "very" long and dye it white - yes white... Dumbledore white...not Marilyn Platinum. My passive response has been, "OKAY, you go ahead and grow it out and then we'll decided if white is the best color. <strike>BECAUSE IT WILL NEVER HAPPEN</strike>!" I am clearly banking on the fact that the duration of actually growing his hair "very" long will last longer than his yearning for it to be white as snow.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Daddy's response was more succinct, "NO."</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Anyhow, in an effort to not spend a fortune on kids' haircuts, I have "cut" corners by whacking off a chunk here and there to relieve some eyesight, free an ear, etc. I am a hack. Occasionally, I accidentally do alright by "good from far - far from good" standards, but to the skilled eye, it's garbage.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Anyhow, I explained to Ry that even when we are growing our hair out, we still get it trimmed to keep it healthy. He obliged. We went to our usual Kid-Cut place with both Hay & Ry in tow. We had our usual stylist - the ONLY one I will let touch my kids' hair (besides me of course). As Ry sat in the chair, she started picking through his length.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Did I do this?" she said.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"No."</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span> Jordana F.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10409409028015958974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2581903068699642356.post-45235046668946524322013-01-03T16:01:00.001-08:002013-01-03T16:12:58.251-08:00Gluten-Free Wannabes and a Yarny Thing<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Ry: I want to be Gluten-free like R and "Aunt Judy." </span></span><br /> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">Me: Really? Well, you'l</span>I have to give up some of your favorite foods.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Ry: Like what?"<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);"> </span></span><br /> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span> <span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Me: Like sourdough bread and <a href="http://www.alanascafe.com/" target="_self" title="">Alana's pancakes</a></span></span><br /> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span> <span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Ry: What? Forget it!</span></span><br /> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">So, although we are not a Gluten-Free family, we do try whenever (well sort-of) possible to replace</span> foods that have good-tasting GF alternatives. Like...</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">These <a href="https://annies.alice.com/products/1275987" target="_self" title="">Annie's Snicker Doodle Bunny Cookies</a> are AMAZING! We're devouring a box of them as we speak! Grabbed them at where else? <a href="http://www.target.com/" target="_self" title="">Target!</a></span><br /> <br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk9QuUEpHaBAs-eucD-TvqsSyhm1s71HrnOD2KND_BvdNeb2IqPZTtV4ZPvpoVSdy7CeAE0oGYQLXxUna6X2v6IiMZrU6CdtDjrFtHCoNDcYPOOpjY4ykuRci5UMfMKZB8mWUzh0XGO3jN/s2048/Photo%252520Jan%2525203%25252C%2525202013%25252C%2525203%25253A13%252520PM.jpg" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;"><img alt="" class="alignnone" height="669" id="blogsy-1357257710890.7737" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk9QuUEpHaBAs-eucD-TvqsSyhm1s71HrnOD2KND_BvdNeb2IqPZTtV4ZPvpoVSdy7CeAE0oGYQLXxUna6X2v6IiMZrU6CdtDjrFtHCoNDcYPOOpjY4ykuRci5UMfMKZB8mWUzh0XGO3jN/s500/Photo%252520Jan%2525203%25252C%2525202013%25252C%2525203%25253A13%252520PM.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /> </span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;">If you like the flavor of a corn tortillas, you will love this pasta. There are several pasta shape varieties, and they are deliciously inexpensive. Available at <a href="http://m.traderjoes.com/" target="_self" title="">Trader Joes</a>.</span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHVLHa4faaruCYizkuZ7b6AtQEgUCNhZTLnyGdUsfI9TX9iZ8DsAF-jz8Cpyl3lkzCaHmxqhm31GkoMluNK9OHv5vlc5OpTX0fE5eSHQJ3LlehEv7G4fhiKlom0TpPzTQhjLOkjcBUAtWZ/s2048/Photo%252520Jan%2525203%25252C%2525202013%25252C%2525203%25253A21%252520PM.jpg" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;"><img alt="" class="alignnone" height="669" id="blogsy-1357257710908.0068" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHVLHa4faaruCYizkuZ7b6AtQEgUCNhZTLnyGdUsfI9TX9iZ8DsAF-jz8Cpyl3lkzCaHmxqhm31GkoMluNK9OHv5vlc5OpTX0fE5eSHQJ3LlehEv7G4fhiKlom0TpPzTQhjLOkjcBUAtWZ/s500/Photo%252520Jan%2525203%25252C%2525202013%25252C%2525203%25253A21%252520PM.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /> </span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;">Lastly, my kids LOVE the "squeezy cheese" version of store-bought Mac and Cheese. Oh look, Annie's makes a <a href="https://annies.alice.com/products/1275936" target="_self" title="">Gluten Free rice pasta version</a> with the same velveeta-ey goodness! It's good, AND I can get it at <a href="http://www.target.com/" target="_self" title="">Target.</a>..with some detergent, a picture frame and a shirt.</span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwApmd6m3dBNV9r75qjBThFhVARjuOpSIEd05D5ENpEUvSCBIQ6z1Fi8o_EKb9Buh4mvvtBeq8IcCDKjpAQ1ZF9wgW-Dkj8V04NMyKGkQpQdgxOgUYCfaU_stjSS2lPQxlVYwpYZqogY-Y/s1829/Photo%252520Jan%2525203%25252C%2525202013%25252C%2525203%25253A21%252520PM.jpg" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;"><img alt="" class="alignnone" height="518" id="blogsy-1357257710897.8499" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwApmd6m3dBNV9r75qjBThFhVARjuOpSIEd05D5ENpEUvSCBIQ6z1Fi8o_EKb9Buh4mvvtBeq8IcCDKjpAQ1ZF9wgW-Dkj8V04NMyKGkQpQdgxOgUYCfaU_stjSS2lPQxlVYwpYZqogY-Y/s500/Photo%252520Jan%2525203%25252C%2525202013%25252C%2525203%25253A21%252520PM.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /> </span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;">And by the way... I made my first crocheted "Garment" over the holiday break. I made this little sweater for my ADORABLE <a href="http://www.iamchasingbaby.com/?m=1" target="_self" title="">niece</a>, who now won't let me hold her. <em>Clarification: not because of the sweater</em>... Pattern <a href="http://www.yarnydays.com/2009/02/everyday-is-new-sweater-day.html?m=1" target="_self" title="">here</a>.</span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpVsA7sgdyytDxjZ4GSVvkDShDVcs4qnhyphenhyphenDBqIhQ0jM5Dxxi08DGnZTZxCqGxsi_Cxr_pbMqO1R2SZqp9NcUhWy-D1qOkSmjbvLjzFJyXYXNPnZLDJ2Cmfso87ZgyLFyGCCJ-_M0gYq35o/s1280/Photo%252520Jan%2525203%25252C%2525202013%25252C%2525203%25253A24%252520PM.jpg" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;"><img alt="" class="alignnone" height="500" id="blogsy-1357257710918.5022" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpVsA7sgdyytDxjZ4GSVvkDShDVcs4qnhyphenhyphenDBqIhQ0jM5Dxxi08DGnZTZxCqGxsi_Cxr_pbMqO1R2SZqp9NcUhWy-D1qOkSmjbvLjzFJyXYXNPnZLDJ2Cmfso87ZgyLFyGCCJ-_M0gYq35o/s500/Photo%252520Jan%2525203%25252C%2525202013%25252C%2525203%25253A24%252520PM.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /> </span></div> <span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;"> Honestly, this post was really only created to tell you about the Snicker Doodle Bunnies. And while we are being honest, I will have you know that the new box is almost gone.</span><br /> <br /> <span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;">Happy New Year!</span><br /> <br /> <span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span><br /> <br /> <div id="blogsy_footer" style="clear: both; font-size: small; text-align: right;"> <a href="http://blogsyapp.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Posted with Blogsy" height="20" src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" style="margin-right: 5px; vertical-align: middle;" width="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div> Free(man) to be you and mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15500075613374745300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2581903068699642356.post-79383548337115268732012-12-15T10:17:00.001-08:002018-12-14T09:00:56.650-08:00December 14, 2012<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8JYZo2l6qKIaDA6sEFz-gsOFCF1I9qZ5GHpWLmhzTNWP03FWB3vroYzmM79cbZrOTRytcoQd7MgcOfNPcotD36d3jIsrOZW82qADEeKoOOD4xnluTqhCeKl1J2oQCN_1xJytqqspzVlto/s720/Photo%252520Dec%25252015%25252C%2525202012%25252C%25252010%25253A08%252520AM.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="alignnone" height="335" id="blogsy-1355595474568.398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8JYZo2l6qKIaDA6sEFz-gsOFCF1I9qZ5GHpWLmhzTNWP03FWB3vroYzmM79cbZrOTRytcoQd7MgcOfNPcotD36d3jIsrOZW82qADEeKoOOD4xnluTqhCeKl1J2oQCN_1xJytqqspzVlto/s500/Photo%252520Dec%25252015%25252C%2525202012%25252C%25252010%25253A08%252520AM.jpg" width="500" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"> <em>This is my knee-jerk response to <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2012/12/15/us/connecticut-school-shooting/index.html" target="_self" title="">yesterday's tragedy</a>. I just wanted to write some thoughts down...and decided to share them. I want to forget the Connecticut shooting ever happened, but I probably won't. I think that holds true for most. </em><em>At the very least I can remember how raw I felt that day.</em></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"> <em><br /> </em></div> I wasn't going to talk about this yesterday. I couldn't talk about it. Like most parents feel, my children are worth more to me than anything. The idea of sending my child to school only to have them murdered and never to be seen again, causes a feeling that can only be described as sickening, and as I lay here this morning listening to my two kids arguing over LEGO, I cannot be angry, I cannot be annoyed...all I can feel is lucky.<br /> <br /> I was sitting in a meeting yesterday. It wasn't the most interesting topic, so I turned to my iPad. When I saw this almost fictional sounding Connecticut tragedy unfolding, I stood up and walked out. I went straight to the women's bathroom, locked myself in a stall, and sobbed. I thought about the days that I would go to work and worry about my very young children left in the hands of my very loving and capable nanny. Although she was a Rock Star at her job, I still had day terrors over horrible things that I imagined could happen. Car accidents, kidnappings, etc. topped the list. It's not that I didn't trust her, it's that I didn't trust the world. The bottom line was that my kids were out of my sight, and if anything happened, it was out of my control.<br /> <br /> A few weeks ago, the community I work in, experienced a very tragic loss. A young, vibrant, smart, and beautiful 14-year-old girl was riding her bike on a very foggy morning and lost her life instantly to a freak accident while making her way to school. The poor man that was driving his truck to work, who I heard sat on the on the curb sobbing inconsolably, was a father of two who was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Now what is left, are two families lives forever changed for the worse, and forever linked by tragedy. My take away that day was simple and sounds silly. I don't want my kids riding their bikes to school. Ever. At least not for plenty of years after they are deemed old enough. A common ritual for most kids as I grew up, now risky business.<br /> <br /> From a biking accident to a school shooting of innocent Kindergarteners, to a movie theater shooting, to a mall shooting, leaving the front door to the places where we should not feel unsafe, now feels like a risk. I went to Target yesterday after leaving my meeting early, and I remember looking at people differently. I was sizing everyone up, thinking that even one young man I had seen, looked suspicious. Our world has changed. I'm pissed. These things didn't happen like this before, they just didn't. Selfishly, as a parent, I feel I have plenty to worry about. These things to most people would appear to be neurotic, overkill, and to many ridiculous. But honestly, in light of the past few weeks, my list of worries has grown, and this latest horrific incident is something I cannot process.<br /> <br /> All I could think about yesterday was wanting to get to my children, for no other reason than just to squeeze them. I thought of my first grader in a class of eighteen. I thought that what happened yesterday would be like my son's entire class being brutally taken away from us in a heartbeat. I thought of all of the parents in our class, the grandparents, the teachers, the people that just "know" these kids and love them. It is unimaginable to think of the effect this would have, or what it feels like to get that phone call, or to drop your child off at school and not even think twice that anything remotely close to this could happen...and yet, it happened. My heart hurts just as much today. It really hurts. But, it didn't happen to me. But in some way, a very minuscule way, as a parent, it did.<br /> <br /> I flipped on the radio yesterday, and I searched for some commentary on this topic. Mirroring some of the insanity of our past presidential election, there are people in this country who are already making asinine remarks about what they think should come as a result of this disgusting event. Yes, people are entitled to their own opinion, but having teachers equipped with guns at school is not a solution and nor is the "removal of God" in public school the catalyst for troubled teens. And yes, it was a Fox News affiliate. The only clear-headed caller was one who was actually in support of gun ownership, but not of semi-automatic weapons and accessibility to these products, which is the common thread throughout these shooting tragedies. The only reason to own a gun like this, its sole purpose, is to kill people. If you use it for sport, then keep it locked up at your gun club. They do this in Australia. It works. When the second amendment was written, it was the right to load your musket and pack it with gunpowder. These are not the guns of today. Haven't we seen enough? This has to stop.<br /> <br /> I also heard a lot about chastising folks for praying after something happens as opposed to having ongoing blind faith embedded into your daily existence, or in our schools. Days like December 14, 2012, push me more towards Atheism than to organized religion. How the hell can this happen? What God could let this happen and what lesson is worth the senseless killing of children? My religion is my family, my children. They are what drive me, what provoke me, and the reasons that I work hard and want to strive to be the best parent I can be. Prayer in school would not have prevented this troubled boy from doing this heinous crime. I am sure we will continue to hear more about what his motives were as the weeks unfold, but I will not jump to conclusions. Yes, I do find it extremely disturbing that the guns were registered to his mother, but I will not speculate that she didn't love her son, or that she ignored the signs of mental illness. I as a mother am not perfect and plenty of things happen at school with my children that are not always a direct effect of my parenting....at least I hope that's the case.<br /> <br /> This is not a political post nor a platform for gun control - although I do believe our country is being completely mismanaged in this area- just my thoughts as a Mom of two boys whom I want to grow up in a world shielded from unthinkable tragedies such as these. I want them to be able to play outside, ride their bikes, go shopping with mommy, see a movie, and exercise their right to go to school in a safe environment without a thought in their minds that something so awful could occur. That's all. So, today I will continue to hug them tightly, tell them I love them and maybe not get as angry at the little things. I know there are 20 families this morning who would give the world to yell at their kids again, to put someone on timeout, or to have a teaching moment. The idea of never seeing their smiling faces again or feeling the warmth of their hugs is an unbearable and painful thought, and I feel a little bit guilty today that I am so fortunate.<br /> <br /> I am so thankful for my family today, now more than ever. I am also extremely thankful that I do not have to educate my kids about this horrible event. My 7 and 3 1/2-year-old have absolutely NO REASON to know about this, and I hope and pray (yes pray) that other parents will follow suit. Let's keep the innocence. Please. School is not a place to be feared.<br /> <br /> There are no words for this, no "everything happens for a reason," no peace of mind. All we can do is hope that people can be supportive of one another and do whatever it takes to make the lives of these families in turmoil a little bit easier. I know there is pain and suffering all over the world, but this happened here, and it is one of the worst occurrences in history. This event just hit too close to home.<br /> <br /> <span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.294118);">Connecticut, I am so sorry for your tragic and abrupt loss, your pain and your unimaginable journey forward. Stay strong for your surviving families and for yourselves. </span><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.294118);">We will keep you in our thoughts.</span><br /> <div id="blogsy_footer" style="clear: both; font-size: small; text-align: right;"> <br /></div> Free(man) to be you and mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15500075613374745300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2581903068699642356.post-49199294470307552202012-12-05T17:32:00.001-08:002012-12-05T17:46:33.116-08:00Sorted...Maybe?<p style="text-align: justify;"><em><font face="Georgia"> Hey, we just bought these, this is crazy, trying to organize, sorted maybe.</font></em></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><font face="Georgia">We have a 7th birthday creeping up, and with that, means an influx of MORE LEGO! We love Legos in our house. We love them everyday. I personally love the idea of Lego, the creativity, the applied dexterity, and the hours and hours of time that it consumes of my children. But...I realized early on that I am too OCD for Legos. </font></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><font face="Georgia">Whether it's Harry Potter, Star Wars, <a href="http://ips-invite.iperceptions.com/invitations/invitationsJS/104/s104172/LegoIFrame.html?cmpID=10298&context=www&locale=en-us&returnUrl=http%3A//monsterfighters.lego.com/en-us/default.aspx" target="_self" title="">Monster Fighter</a>, Ninjago and so on, these sets are coveted...especially the big expensive ones...and once they are purchased and built, they go into the abyss. The abyss is comprised of several <strike>hundreds</strike> <strike>thousands</strike> millions of dollars worth of Lego. I cringe at the fact that these sets that came packaged neatly in numbered bags, with very specific instructions, are now scattered in a sea of Lego wreckage, to possibly never be built again.</font></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><font face="Georgia">I tried tirelessly to, at the very least, sort by theme. We had a good run, but now we are back to this. I have dreams of seeing <a href="http://www.amazon.com/LEGO-Harry-Potter-Hogwarts-4867/dp/B004P5O3UO/ref=sr_1_2?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1354755882&sr=1-2&keywords=Hogwarts+Lego" target="_self" title="">Hogwarts</a> again, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/LEGO-Ninjago-Garmadons-Dark-Fortress/dp/B004478GD8" target="_self" title="">Garmadon's Dark Fortress</a>, etc. Dreams...</font></p> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><font face="Georgia" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl0i87sFw3gu2aOaeNRFJ-nAdU_RzT1Ab_6xnOvUtq0aKPASKKCo4RFmqw_h_HTfKaSzT5t6c2i2l0MnMHhBVu690RNuvA-wKXO6ii9QbSuPWuCfiXChuKjA64AT248z4kzbWOau6GrQrx/s2048/Photo%252520Dec%2525205%25252C%2525202012%25252C%2525204%25253A56%252520PM.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl0i87sFw3gu2aOaeNRFJ-nAdU_RzT1Ab_6xnOvUtq0aKPASKKCo4RFmqw_h_HTfKaSzT5t6c2i2l0MnMHhBVu690RNuvA-wKXO6ii9QbSuPWuCfiXChuKjA64AT248z4kzbWOau6GrQrx/s500/Photo%252520Dec%2525205%25252C%2525202012%25252C%2525204%25253A56%252520PM.jpg" id="blogsy-1354757525521.3223" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="373"></a></font><span style="font-family: Georgia; "><br> </span></div> <div class="separator" style="text-align: justify;clear: both; "><span style="font-family: Georgia; ">But! I will not give up. Ryder also raised an eyebrow at the idea of being able to find the pieces to rebuild his sets...so, before his birthday, this coming Monday, we are going to try and sort this crap out...so we can add more to the pile.</span></div> <p style="text-align: justify;"><font face="Georgia">After trolling Pinterest for ideas, I came up short. Sorting by color was not enough. These pieces range from microscopic (if you're over 40) to huge. One photo seemed to peak my in-ter-est on Pin-ter-est, that of a bolt and screw organizer. So, it was off to the hardware store we went!</font></p> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><font face="Georgia" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV0n2n1ekfByAVFn00Hd87FB-LM6E2CsQpJ4ETXKJ5sA9cewgfc5yg9kJMz-Cc0FO438AZTktFrwpoCieflb_yoUMldOlUrqxOTPJu7SkbAs-w3oEOO9TVOBArN5aSSHRvbRu-xXf9Et-h/s1936/Photo%252520Dec%2525205%25252C%2525202012%25252C%2525205%25253A13%252520PM.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV0n2n1ekfByAVFn00Hd87FB-LM6E2CsQpJ4ETXKJ5sA9cewgfc5yg9kJMz-Cc0FO438AZTktFrwpoCieflb_yoUMldOlUrqxOTPJu7SkbAs-w3oEOO9TVOBArN5aSSHRvbRu-xXf9Et-h/s500/Photo%252520Dec%2525205%25252C%2525202012%25252C%2525205%25253A13%252520PM.jpg" id="blogsy-1354757525545.1829" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="500"></a></font><span style="font-family: Georgia; "><br> </span></div> <div class="separator" style="text-align: justify;clear: both; "><span style="font-family: Georgia; ">Both kids were extremely instrumental and a huge help at the store...clearly. I took a break from yelling and took some pictures. I thought I would try to embrace the moment. I felt better for a minute.</span></div> <p style="text-align: justify;"><font face="Georgia">We then came home ready to <strike>play</strike> sort. This task can only be done without pants. It's true, look it up.</font></p> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHn_Y98AK50cElR5ritE3C2kGqvPWIcbp6C3yja2dwcwbf1QgnxBnW7YbNHDlENY1_NU6MT6ltN20_g86cKbK2oO_1G55wtQzUDSK8JEIaUeePKu-pCKsxYnj13Q98KowE_QFEniwyd5YF/s2048/Photo%252520Dec%2525205%25252C%2525202012%25252C%2525204%25253A46%252520PM.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="Georgia"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHn_Y98AK50cElR5ritE3C2kGqvPWIcbp6C3yja2dwcwbf1QgnxBnW7YbNHDlENY1_NU6MT6ltN20_g86cKbK2oO_1G55wtQzUDSK8JEIaUeePKu-pCKsxYnj13Q98KowE_QFEniwyd5YF/s500/Photo%252520Dec%2525205%25252C%2525202012%25252C%2525204%25253A46%252520PM.jpg" id="blogsy-1354757525539.8652" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="669"></font></a></div> <p><span style="text-align: justify; font-family: Georgia; ">In theory, these boxes seem like a good idea, but I get the shakes just looking at the road ahead. I can't wait to post a "</span><strike style="text-align: justify; font-family: Georgia; ">I</strike><span style="text-align: justify; font-family: Georgia; "> We did it!" entry, but don't hold your breath. It seems that Ryder prefers playing with the current sorted variety as opposed to the abyss. One Lego in, 10 Legos out.</span><br> </p> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHCYXaa_uiIvBqDW4baygVY7_fSBJpkHaztIqgQ1d8bLWp_7ynsml8uMG0yd4BNNlfgZ2KmHh1eAm1A77Ja_JTe8RXonNV987_nqk0LVnKIDABxrvAbiyY2g8aK7-OHd_Hypo1La-2ipL4/s2048/Photo%252520Dec%2525205%25252C%2525202012%25252C%2525204%25253A46%252520PM.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="Georgia"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHCYXaa_uiIvBqDW4baygVY7_fSBJpkHaztIqgQ1d8bLWp_7ynsml8uMG0yd4BNNlfgZ2KmHh1eAm1A77Ja_JTe8RXonNV987_nqk0LVnKIDABxrvAbiyY2g8aK7-OHd_Hypo1La-2ipL4/s500/Photo%252520Dec%2525205%25252C%2525202012%25252C%2525204%25253A46%252520PM.jpg" id="blogsy-1354757525553.8286" class="aligncenter" width="500" height="373" alt=""></font></a></div> <p><span style="font-family: Georgia; text-align: justify; ">I have 4 more days... and a full time job...and heaps of laundry...and an incontinent dog...and wet, sandy rainboots daily...and dinner to make...and the reality is, I would rather be playing in my yarn abyss. Peace out.</span><br> </p> <font face="Georgia"> </font><br/><br/> <br/><br/><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>Free(man) to be you and mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15500075613374745300noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2581903068699642356.post-48225667230375982252012-11-16T18:12:00.001-08:002012-11-16T18:54:50.090-08:00Dear Hostess, I Took You For Granted<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTxiHcidn2gahC-ZoLK516L2rt1XOPSie_mu5GqBTxtTt_nJ-ATTtsZjsV5gXAwvag0haHy_bL6JbPHAd7Zj3uUkFIE6MKnfFjf6AJBwFcvwXVjUoyloh9AN_mV5xGrHIwZEiwMOShzMI_/s259/Photo%252520Nov%25252016%25252C%2525202012%25252C%2525205%25253A08%252520PM.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="225" id="blogsy-1353118323922.6387" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTxiHcidn2gahC-ZoLK516L2rt1XOPSie_mu5GqBTxtTt_nJ-ATTtsZjsV5gXAwvag0haHy_bL6JbPHAd7Zj3uUkFIE6MKnfFjf6AJBwFcvwXVjUoyloh9AN_mV5xGrHIwZEiwMOShzMI_/s259/Photo%252520Nov%25252016%25252C%2525202012%25252C%2525205%25253A08%252520PM.jpg" width="301" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I'm sad. Sooooo sad. Today Hostess Cakes Announced they were <a href="http://hostessbrands.com/Closing.aspx" target="_self" title="">closing their doors.</a> This is a travesty. Hostess is an Institution. Millions of children in middle America will now be without their Oscar Meyer Bologna sandwiches on Wonder Bread, slathered in Miracle Whip. Seriously though, we need a Twinkie Bail-Out! </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Okay. I am very well aware that Hostess products are not the healthiest snack. And I know...I know...where have I been as a customer? Hostess, I apologize, I took you for granted. I thought you would be here forever. *sniff*</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">But I'm not giving up hope. The future has yet to be determined. If the company liquidates, they would also sell their intellectual property, which includes the recipes for such American delicacies as the beloved, Twinkie. Therefore, it could happen that this sugary "institution" could continue... as long as, God forbid, the buyer wouldn't try to healthy it up, I mean, that wouldn't be right.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Until then, my first thought was, "<em>I can go buy-out the shelves of our local Targets and Safeways and keep them for decades! It would be like Hostess never left...at least for MY lifetime." </em>Of course my lifetime would be cut short due to the increased ingestion of Hostess Cakes, but heck...who's counting. My dreams were shattered when I unfortunately discovered that the 30 year-old Twinkie shelf-life rumor had been debunked by Party Poopers such as <a href="http://www.urbanmyths.com/index.php?/Food/the-shelf-life-of-a-twinkie-longer-than-a-fruit-fly-shorter-than-the-universe.html" target="_self" title="">these</a>. Better you know this now. You're welcome.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Anyhow, here is my homage to Hostess. These are my favorite memories of the soon-to-be Trivia Pursuit question. And for the record, the BEST Hostess product, is the corner of the Fruit Pie. The Best.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Sorry Snoopy - the Zinger Zapper is here...</span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/h5u7moppmAs?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"></span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I guess there's always Lil Suzie Cakes... IT'S NOT THE SAME</span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyyhZTLYMCCfTL4Ke_D_TmqTVQAY8cRGhJbxMf8HGJ8So5Aso5HgDRcvHAqHZHEAWY-5k9iVENpZ9Q5knNL6AF2ufoW6CvNLUaDlHAI5IpZIvBz_wy0WGvLxicg-vmNBOsvOhj974v0U06/s500/Photo%252520Jun%25252026%25252C%2525202008%25252C%2525201%25253A17%252520PM.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="alignnone" height="500" id="blogsy-1353118323951.2725" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyyhZTLYMCCfTL4Ke_D_TmqTVQAY8cRGhJbxMf8HGJ8So5Aso5HgDRcvHAqHZHEAWY-5k9iVENpZ9Q5knNL6AF2ufoW6CvNLUaDlHAI5IpZIvBz_wy0WGvLxicg-vmNBOsvOhj974v0U06/s500/Photo%252520Jun%25252026%25252C%2525202008%25252C%2525201%25253A17%252520PM.jpg" width="500" /></a></span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And... I will oh-so-miss these...(yes, I know you hate them).</span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDZ71d6IhoKt7bTSD8Vu2Fyq3X9Re9-0mtpi88NaCLYZOe5pyI8R7sSvkfFbsxaXr2TlsP5BeL75UyjPG5cSymQ8dfcSZEhGoMF30jJT-lbZhJrwblkP82QbtiIPrPuDsUfWJircflapK1/s1600/Photo%252520Nov%25252016%25252C%2525202012%25252C%2525204%25253A53%252520PM.jpg" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img alt="" class="alignnone" height="376" id="blogsy-1353118323963.1108" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDZ71d6IhoKt7bTSD8Vu2Fyq3X9Re9-0mtpi88NaCLYZOe5pyI8R7sSvkfFbsxaXr2TlsP5BeL75UyjPG5cSymQ8dfcSZEhGoMF30jJT-lbZhJrwblkP82QbtiIPrPuDsUfWJircflapK1/s500/Photo%252520Nov%25252016%25252C%2525202012%25252C%2525204%25253A53%252520PM.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUEVZCsEd_ot0eIldtD4rmB817beVexycHL_oTEDx6xsnWfM0n9KZPVBtUTOmyDNYGgWdIn5MQLwRgcK4hIF8jiW2Xu5OGwLTlxt0D1v-dw_HRQKhfQEK1vwWc9WiQqYZz6ZlsNsohO4xO/s610/Photo%252520May%25252021%25252C%2525202012%25252C%2525202%25253A15%252520PM.jpg" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img alt="" class="alignnone" height="291" id="blogsy-1353118324000.0073" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUEVZCsEd_ot0eIldtD4rmB817beVexycHL_oTEDx6xsnWfM0n9KZPVBtUTOmyDNYGgWdIn5MQLwRgcK4hIF8jiW2Xu5OGwLTlxt0D1v-dw_HRQKhfQEK1vwWc9WiQqYZz6ZlsNsohO4xO/s500/Photo%252520May%25252021%25252C%2525202012%25252C%2525202%25253A15%252520PM.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And of course, the corners of these...</span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVPyS3FLBvwCURc5PU9MczjcUSazvW7IL2G_xT-1DDHLdmgJcc2CogvpFRtrmbbGmzJ9pTtgE73xhs9TP7yTa9WP0cKy7qD6i6ax60lrQfE8kAZdPrcWbMz2GJ-V0tQHMcUAjdN3fin_8u/s640/Photo%252520Nov%25252016%25252C%2525202012%25252C%2525204%25253A52%252520PM.jpg" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img alt="" class="alignnone" height="261" id="blogsy-1353118323950.78" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVPyS3FLBvwCURc5PU9MczjcUSazvW7IL2G_xT-1DDHLdmgJcc2CogvpFRtrmbbGmzJ9pTtgE73xhs9TP7yTa9WP0cKy7qD6i6ax60lrQfE8kAZdPrcWbMz2GJ-V0tQHMcUAjdN3fin_8u/s500/Photo%252520Nov%25252016%25252C%2525202012%25252C%2525204%25253A52%252520PM.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbcqf2u98ZAV5qif4Yo_-3L0DJR3pPX01nBbXflznIpL0a9MWNJXzyKEmpJ5V_HbF1eEBLsKfiYm-bc35XmKBMCzXOK8WR5PFtD4O5P7PHBW00dgKxCu4f3cSmYM_JjBByfdJ_rjBxM5k3/s275/Photo%252520Nov%25252016%25252C%2525202012%25252C%2525204%25253A52%252520PM.jpg" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img alt="" class="alignnone" height="268" id="blogsy-1353118323948.148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbcqf2u98ZAV5qif4Yo_-3L0DJR3pPX01nBbXflznIpL0a9MWNJXzyKEmpJ5V_HbF1eEBLsKfiYm-bc35XmKBMCzXOK8WR5PFtD4O5P7PHBW00dgKxCu4f3cSmYM_JjBByfdJ_rjBxM5k3/s275/Photo%252520Nov%25252016%25252C%2525202012%25252C%2525204%25253A52%252520PM.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875);"><br /></span></span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875);">And this crew</span>.</span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="youtube-player" frameborder="0" height="305" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/ovh4pdkpF0Y" title="YouTube video player" type="text/html" width="500"></iframe></span></div> <div class="separator" style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div> <div class="separator" style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div> <div class="separator" style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div> <div class="separator" style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And of course, Breakfast.</span></div> <div class="separator" style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiceLveY-84A1r-wIRzswQfM2aN6CaoPvm_SB7d5UAouLmPHHOn19M2UMnaSC0awANcA4GIvm2i3ody4af7kP_jIUxk6fg7ZKm7sPE3l9z7zRdEWEmKRVURwJaUAYh2SFAgEItS4Etm2CZS/s1600/donettes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiceLveY-84A1r-wIRzswQfM2aN6CaoPvm_SB7d5UAouLmPHHOn19M2UMnaSC0awANcA4GIvm2i3ody4af7kP_jIUxk6fg7ZKm7sPE3l9z7zRdEWEmKRVURwJaUAYh2SFAgEItS4Etm2CZS/s400/donettes.jpg" width="385" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div> <div class="separator" style="text-align: center;"> </div> <div class="separator" style="text-align: center;"> <b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">#SAVEHOSTESS</b></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div> <div id="blogsy_footer" style="clear: both; font-size: small; text-align: right;"> <div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://blogsyapp.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Posted with Blogsy" height="20" src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" style="margin-right: 5px; vertical-align: middle;" width="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div> </div> Free(man) to be you and mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15500075613374745300noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2581903068699642356.post-7743960141604116462012-10-20T09:50:00.001-07:002012-10-20T10:02:20.255-07:00New Babies, New projects!<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"> So many babies this year! I find that my newish obsession with yarn has become my therapy. Check out some of my recent babe-a-licious crochet projects from the last couple of months. Want one? Get pregnant!</div> <div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://instagr.am/p/QDzyUqgogI/" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="alignnone" height="500" id="blogsy-1350751909489.262" src="http://distilleryimage0.s3.amazonaws.com/9a3b8732083e11e2af7822000a1de2cd_7.jpg" width="500" /></a></div> <div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"> Hello Kitty Hat - <a href="http://www.inspirednest.ca/2012/01/30/make-it-yourself-hello-kitty-crochet-hat-pattern/" target="_blank" title="">Pattern Here</a></div> <div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"> </div> <div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://instagr.am/p/Q3VeF-goog/" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="alignnone" height="500" id="blogsy-1350751909453.6484" src="http://distilleryimage0.s3.amazonaws.com/18720e3c17f811e2b5561231381909c7_7.jpg" width="500" /></a><a href="http://instagr.am/p/Q3VeF-goog/" target="_blank"><br /> </a></div> <div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"> Join as you go Granny Squares <a href="http://attic24.typepad.com/weblog/joining-asyougo-sqaures.html" target="_blank" title="">How To</a></div> <div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://instagr.am/p/PIrqeKgojB/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="500" id="blogsy-1350751909503.4097" src="http://distilleryimage1.s3.amazonaws.com/4fe5da7ef63311e1904b22000a1cdc2a_7.jpg" width="500" /></a></div> <div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"> Sock Monkey Hat. <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/68709561/pdf-crochet-pattern-sock-monkey-hat-with" target="_blank" title="">Pattern</a></div> <div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://instagr.am/p/OPlDYOAogq/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="500" id="blogsy-1350751909538.307" src="http://distilleryimage2.s3.amazonaws.com/1e03936ce4c611e1b44322000a1e8c9f_7.jpg" width="500" /></a></div> <div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"> Baby Ripple Blanket. Inspiration and <a href="http://attic24.typepad.com/weblog/neat-ripple-pattern.html" target="_blank" title="">pattern here</a>.</div> <div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJpZWt6AtBUgpvXIRe2TSBa5udgSGlHP5rVyi3sdgmMqmqifPGw9UnrmmWTDy4gD3IqeCVYiIyacgEf7QoTIYyeEGgBW1QH-c794_jhsDAkQOrv16RcajS3XOxAj5XRMgJq7hu6b3SyUmG/s1701/Photo%252520Oct%25252017%25252C%2525202012%25252C%25252010%25253A56%252520PM.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="500" id="blogsy-1350751909485.963" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJpZWt6AtBUgpvXIRe2TSBa5udgSGlHP5rVyi3sdgmMqmqifPGw9UnrmmWTDy4gD3IqeCVYiIyacgEf7QoTIYyeEGgBW1QH-c794_jhsDAkQOrv16RcajS3XOxAj5XRMgJq7hu6b3SyUmG/s500/Photo%252520Oct%25252017%25252C%2525202012%25252C%25252010%25253A56%252520PM.jpg" width="500" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Sp3pjLfsYb-TU8fyjO-ZQ6NcfhhKdI84yOVfz48JOqXfU2tbsdpI7RpNCHx2SiFtIt3d5dX2TLnmLYcDIa3BJbAmgdAlfnEty5vJNf_gWoRXm5iETANVebHD60apLIdJqDLz8n8p0aSb/s1754/Photo%252520Oct%25252020%25252C%2525202012%25252C%2525209%25253A37%252520AM.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="500" id="blogsy-1350751909524.7566" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Sp3pjLfsYb-TU8fyjO-ZQ6NcfhhKdI84yOVfz48JOqXfU2tbsdpI7RpNCHx2SiFtIt3d5dX2TLnmLYcDIa3BJbAmgdAlfnEty5vJNf_gWoRXm5iETANVebHD60apLIdJqDLz8n8p0aSb/s500/Photo%252520Oct%25252020%25252C%2525202012%25252C%2525209%25253A37%252520AM.jpg" width="500" /></a></div> <div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"> Spring Fling Beanies</div> <div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://instagr.am/p/Q6RdaiAou7/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="500" id="blogsy-1350751909518.9373" src="http://distilleryimage7.s3.amazonaws.com/93242e1818dd11e29a8c22000a1c9e37_7.jpg" width="500" /></a></div> <div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"> </div> <div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"> Pumpkin inspired beanie for a newbie</div> <div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"> <br /> </div> <div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div id="blogsy_footer" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://blogsyapp.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Posted with Blogsy" height="20" src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" style="margin-right: 5px; vertical-align: middle;" width="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div> Free(man) to be you and mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15500075613374745300noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2581903068699642356.post-69150347627136508952012-09-26T00:10:00.001-07:002012-09-26T10:10:13.757-07:00Food For Thought<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Here is what our family dinners, sans Daddy, were looking like during <a href="http://freemantobe.blogspot.com/2012/09/breaking-three-and-half.html" target="_self" title="">Toothgate</a>. Yes, 3 different meals for 3 people. Of course, I had an excuse to enable...one was on soft food, but really, it's a pretty accurate representation of what dinner can look like around here. Also, I *pick* while I am cooking for the kids, so really, I typically eat two meals worth of food at dinner. That's got to stop. But how do you keep from eating Mac and Cheese?</span><br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh90zNb4_aJuGnJeSlfc8lO29LGLpxwlkXeCkvKewh9R-PzV5SmEISqOmBASUkA4lCuXtctrSWbYaPAJJWTK2i7cUo56qsnaf2LN1YVkwCM2n36_FXUTchiwhL-jtCdOEIsy3ov8Ir1OINA/s1984/Photo%252520Sep%25252011%25252C%2525202012%25252C%2525207%25253A14%252520PM.jpg" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;"><img alt="" class="alignnone" height="500" id="blogsy-1348643182898.677" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh90zNb4_aJuGnJeSlfc8lO29LGLpxwlkXeCkvKewh9R-PzV5SmEISqOmBASUkA4lCuXtctrSWbYaPAJJWTK2i7cUo56qsnaf2LN1YVkwCM2n36_FXUTchiwhL-jtCdOEIsy3ov8Ir1OINA/s500/Photo%252520Sep%25252011%25252C%2525202012%25252C%2525207%25253A14%252520PM.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /> <br /> Also, I thought you should know that this ice cream from <a href="http://www.traderjoes.com/" target="_self" title="">Trader Joe's</a> is DAMN GOOD. I had to buy it for Hayden because he was on a soft food diet prior to getting his tooth pulled. Had to. It was cold and soft. Two very important reasons.<br /> <br /> </span><br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyLl45F2v2Tn15hrAXql2FH90HZ6yi9wXLYSqLKJJ2HW_0lN5NE93NA3Xn4ftP4bO83IHV01ZGUNGLaXwI8_ASf-ROX7udkuztKdrAfnVZEgIR3XcTp8CeGYwU4bfxYYFP7b9jTQ8TLEnt/s1936/Photo%252520Sep%25252011%25252C%2525202012%25252C%2525207%25253A44%252520PM.jpg" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;"><img alt="" class="alignnone" height="500" id="blogsy-1348643182972.9543" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyLl45F2v2Tn15hrAXql2FH90HZ6yi9wXLYSqLKJJ2HW_0lN5NE93NA3Xn4ftP4bO83IHV01ZGUNGLaXwI8_ASf-ROX7udkuztKdrAfnVZEgIR3XcTp8CeGYwU4bfxYYFP7b9jTQ8TLEnt/s500/Photo%252520Sep%25252011%25252C%2525202012%25252C%2525207%25253A44%252520PM.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span><br /> <br /> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Oh, and check these out. Thy taste like apple pie. Addictive. Yummy. Sorry, you will eat the whole bag.</span><br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0mAJ41AUJk8KiG85z-K9akKIaZCFIugLz1CIdESv5vclrdWQ0FKFyK3FA5D995yIHgP1IGGDnRmh3NtJKFpp9hOxetTsiVIa_tPu7gKMCJC7xi8lyrLzG8f3EerI7955WyzxY4OhvCPhy/s1530/Photo%252520Sep%25252013%25252C%2525202012%25252C%25252011%25253A44%252520PM.jpg" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;"><img alt="" class="alignnone" height="669" id="blogsy-1348643182991.576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0mAJ41AUJk8KiG85z-K9akKIaZCFIugLz1CIdESv5vclrdWQ0FKFyK3FA5D995yIHgP1IGGDnRmh3NtJKFpp9hOxetTsiVIa_tPu7gKMCJC7xi8lyrLzG8f3EerI7955WyzxY4OhvCPhy/s500/Photo%252520Sep%25252013%25252C%2525202012%25252C%25252011%25253A44%252520PM.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /> </span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Oh, and did you know how to do this?</span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxnbZ6YTHiVtQuZzEhjQdz68SgFrH3FZqKReXmWtJYMEDWJwmt2claXh-i8WUT27tP3GgSImSmtIV0vKD0sDyPyGdgKPXCIAZkLtkg6SjO2-3muuSEbqgHelxT-KM60I8ctV8j6sBMGXWb/s520/Photo%252520Sep%25252021%25252C%2525202012%25252C%2525209%25253A40%252520PM.jpg" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;"><img alt="" class="alignnone" height="928" id="blogsy-1348643182945.2542" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxnbZ6YTHiVtQuZzEhjQdz68SgFrH3FZqKReXmWtJYMEDWJwmt2claXh-i8WUT27tP3GgSImSmtIV0vKD0sDyPyGdgKPXCIAZkLtkg6SjO2-3muuSEbqgHelxT-KM60I8ctV8j6sBMGXWb/s500/Photo%252520Sep%25252021%25252C%2525202012%25252C%2525209%25253A40%252520PM.jpg" width="600" /></span></a></div> <div id="blogsy_footer" style="clear: both; font-size: small; text-align: right;"> <a href="http://blogsyapp.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Posted with Blogsy" height="20" src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" style="margin-right: 5px; vertical-align: middle;" width="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div> Free(man) to be you and mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15500075613374745300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2581903068699642356.post-71706702358839298482012-09-12T23:56:00.001-07:002012-09-13T09:54:57.360-07:00Breaking Three (and a half)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia;"><em>Longest post ever</em>...<em>Hang in there...there are more pictures toward the bottom...for those that need that sort of thing.</em></span><br /> <br /> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia;"> As I mentioned yesterday, the first day of school was awesome. It was perfect in many ways. What you didn't know about was our little "accident" while on vacation last week in <a href="http://freemantobe.blogspot.com/2012/09/lagram.html" target="_blank" title="">Los Angeles</a>. Now, you may remember <a href="http://freemantobe.blogspot.com/2011/05/unfortunate-day-of-firsts.html" target="_self" title="">this little incident</a>. Same kid, different day. Hayden is what we commonly refer to as a "flight risk." Blink, and he's off and running. To him...it's hilarious. To us, it is growing increasingly more dangerous and it's breaking us...and well...him.</span><br /> <br /> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgABkl9KFCWhHBa0tWqP17SpOw-4rhyO357Cdfgi-DZqPSiV0if2MdvAMaWfZAfqtbD_Mb0JiNa39ut6abnupPcD3HiL-YW15VfZuWW2bK9QyYL7PmJOCt0CzY_yy2yaLX8rmKFm-_hbdqQ/s2048/Photo%252520Sep%25252012%25252C%2525202012%2525209%25253A10%252520PM.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="421" id="blogsy-1347519401931.118" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgABkl9KFCWhHBa0tWqP17SpOw-4rhyO357Cdfgi-DZqPSiV0if2MdvAMaWfZAfqtbD_Mb0JiNa39ut6abnupPcD3HiL-YW15VfZuWW2bK9QyYL7PmJOCt0CzY_yy2yaLX8rmKFm-_hbdqQ/s500/Photo%252520Sep%25252012%25252C%2525202012%2525209%25253A10%252520PM.jpg" width="550" /></a></span></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Where should I bolt to next?"</td></tr> </tbody></table> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia;"> Rewind to last week. We were frolicking on the beach adjacent to the Santa Monica Pier. We settled in amidst a sea of smoking foreigners. I dug myself into the sand as I was on crutches last week, nursing a calf muscle injury and could barely limp. It was crowded, and Hayden thankfully had decided that the ocean was even a little too daunting for him. Usually, I encourage my guys to face their fears - but in the case of my magic Haydini, I was happy to have him sit still with me. But that quickly changed... and he fled.</span><br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUABi2Nehyphenhypheny-8Ue9_7N8BQ-8mOq9rQooLSCODhFzyRUADpV86dcyXaejzFA5YvG5_6jAPqZo9YYWPIYmhoWDQs15QHIgKbfud-iGHgXqa4zNWOGVm5cMXQ20mA6Pkrtdx9pFcILr6OtRs5/s1842/Photo%252520Sep%25252012%25252C%2525202012%2525209%25253A10%252520PM.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="471" id="blogsy-1347519401901.746" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUABi2Nehyphenhypheny-8Ue9_7N8BQ-8mOq9rQooLSCODhFzyRUADpV86dcyXaejzFA5YvG5_6jAPqZo9YYWPIYmhoWDQs15QHIgKbfud-iGHgXqa4zNWOGVm5cMXQ20mA6Pkrtdx9pFcILr6OtRs5/s500/Photo%252520Sep%25252012%25252C%2525202012%2525209%25253A10%252520PM.jpg" width="550" /></a></span></div> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia;"> He ran towards the lifeguard stand and proceeded to climb up the rail. These were your run-of-the-mill Baywatchesque towers, and quite honestly, a fall from the stand to the sand would have been more startling than overly dangerous. I felt paralyzed (which has since morphed into guilt) because I physically could not run to grab him. Andy was in the ocean with Ry and I was surrounded by Borat meets Studio 54...these beach goers would render themselves useless.</span><br /> <br /> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia;">In any case, I began to yell my usual chant...</span><br /> <br /> <em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia;">"Hayden GET DOWN... Hayden, NO...ANDY!...Hayden STOP!"</span></em><br /> <br /> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia;">Finally, my cries were answered and Andy ran to the scene to grab HasselHay from the stand. As he was coming down, BONK. For the second time this year, those two Tic-Tac front baby teeth made contact with an inanimate object. The first time the teeth took a beating was from a failed dresser-to-bed dive. We have small teeth marks in the bed frame to this day to prove it. That time, we were able to save the teeth, even though they had been knocked slightly loose. This time? The lip gushed with blood like before, but those teeth were way more mobile.</span><br /> <br /> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia;">Well, since we were well versed in what-to-do-when-you-have-a-baby-tooth-trauma, I made the quick decision that we would bypass the lip and work to save the teeth! It was clear that we needed to find a pediatric dentist, STAT. Important to note...it was almost 5pm in Los Angeles.</span><br /> <br /> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia;">If you know anyone who has yet to jump on the smartphone bandwagon, this scenario could not make me advocate for this convenience more. We had NO referrals for a dentist in the area, and so the search began. I called my dental office back home for my insurance information and hopefully a referral. They had none. Meanwhile, the crying was thankfully silenced by Hayden falling asleep after his traumatic experience. Oh, did I mention it was now 5pm? </span><br /> <br /> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia;">Where to turn now? <a href="http://yelp.com/" target="_blank">YELP</a>! Armed with my insurance info and my smart phone of course, I searched "Pediatric Dentists West Hollywood." I barely read any reviews, but chose the closest mapped dentist with the most stars. We found a place called <a href="http://www.toothbuds.com/" target="_blank">Toothbuds</a> in West LA. After some back and forth calling, finding out that my youngest was uninsured *WHAT HUH WHAT* and a quick call to Delta Dental and my employer's HR department to straighten this sh!t out, I had what I needed. Thankfully Dr. Tali and her team could fit us in...at 5:45pm. <a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/toothbuds-pediatric-dentistry-los-angeles" target="_self" title="">Read more about them here</a>. So we drove 4 miles in 30 minutes. I love LA.</span><br /> <br /> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia;">Here was the waiting room scene...One. Hot. Mess.</span><br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbuu8M9GPkTuHtUB4hEGd553NZHjHeFONP-QAeWiRrSetq_Jkp3Cp4tWmkKCFyxsA9rtdfnU4Hh4V7dTGWxXLTB2LgX33iepiKFgDaLMXg7w9phpzt09O-JJagORIln2tuoM6IN6tC4HcL/s1936/Photo%252520Sep%25252012%25252C%2525202012%2525209%25253A47%252520PM.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia;"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="550" id="blogsy-1347519401948.7969" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbuu8M9GPkTuHtUB4hEGd553NZHjHeFONP-QAeWiRrSetq_Jkp3Cp4tWmkKCFyxsA9rtdfnU4Hh4V7dTGWxXLTB2LgX33iepiKFgDaLMXg7w9phpzt09O-JJagORIln2tuoM6IN6tC4HcL/s500/Photo%252520Sep%25252012%25252C%2525202012%2525209%25253A47%252520PM.jpg" width="550" /></span></a></div> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia;">Diagnosis? The bottom line was, he'd been through enough that day, so better to just let his lip heal and the swelling go down. Anything she would do that day could be done days later with no repercussions. Dr. Tali = Awesome. I even received a follow up call on Monday, her knowing fully well, we might never set foot in her office again. I Yelped her awesomeness immediately... my second entry ever. I'm not a chronic Yelper, but I may start.</span><br /> <br /> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia;">So here we are...finally. Six days later, back home, and geared up for our post-first-day-of-school dental appointment, with awesome <a href="http://www.pedoquo.com/" target="_blank">Dr. Quo</a> in Palo Alto, the local go-to Peds guy. Hayden was feeling good about the idea of getting some help with this painful and loose tooth that had kept him on a soft food diet and without his beloved pacifier. <em>Note - Dr. Tali recommended taking advantage of this paci-less window to ween him. So far so good. No Paci for almost a week and he had done well with the excuse "Doctors Orders!"</em></span><br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC4E24KcCawujGVeyR5K9EEaWoSP7UsuwG3JD7QdUsKIapleXhlSzio2FdbpzVoWxMiSQnpzuV9ogJmB17_sa3z085N8oK63u2RnZq-neOgF8U_YQ_yZnCRM5aeCVekI0hDEz-6VM_hlUn/s1570/Photo%252520Sep%25252011%25252C%2525202012%25252010%25253A17%252520PM.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia;"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="652" id="blogsy-1347519401923.4905" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC4E24KcCawujGVeyR5K9EEaWoSP7UsuwG3JD7QdUsKIapleXhlSzio2FdbpzVoWxMiSQnpzuV9ogJmB17_sa3z085N8oK63u2RnZq-neOgF8U_YQ_yZnCRM5aeCVekI0hDEz-6VM_hlUn/s500/Photo%252520Sep%25252011%25252C%2525202012%25252010%25253A17%252520PM.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia;">Hayden saddled up to the dental chair or table-bed... whatever that thing is called. He was in good spirits because where else can you lay on a table and watch TV on the ceiling? Tom and Jerry. He was psyched.</span><br /> <br /> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia;">He needed some X-rays. I had never seen this kind of medical cooperation from him. I was relieved when he followed the instructions to open his mouth, hold still and bite down. Ah-mah-zing!</span><br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj00hHgLigGYJ8wf40eU15_DuGrSngN2t-HybBrNaG8OmLx-adfk3VKho3XOXQ34Q8c_CjocJvE8ALE0D1BwWlHaCgKCqg5iAyJDVJlhtl47Zs0lBEsYCzb08rzijB1wilCPOVQcnMt6Beg/s2048/Photo%252520Sep%25252012%25252C%2525202012%25252010%25253A15%252520PM.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia;"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="421" id="blogsy-1347519401936.196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj00hHgLigGYJ8wf40eU15_DuGrSngN2t-HybBrNaG8OmLx-adfk3VKho3XOXQ34Q8c_CjocJvE8ALE0D1BwWlHaCgKCqg5iAyJDVJlhtl47Zs0lBEsYCzb08rzijB1wilCPOVQcnMt6Beg/s500/Photo%252520Sep%25252012%25252C%2525202012%25252010%25253A15%252520PM.jpg" width="550" /></span></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKgwjUdlYwunsnYA10-uIeUCbg-usbYqw1nGAXU_e9a92w96sJ5SEFhroA869FbSo6Y9D2XC1FTNSsMS_3AcdY4urs4OLe3suPQU3lUssKfXIbSMcUo4_6ZWaDsLHVb2YYnaEoTxGR9Pt6/s1570/Photo%252520Sep%25252012%25252C%2525202012%25252010%25253A15%252520PM.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia;"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="717" id="blogsy-1347519401943.465" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKgwjUdlYwunsnYA10-uIeUCbg-usbYqw1nGAXU_e9a92w96sJ5SEFhroA869FbSo6Y9D2XC1FTNSsMS_3AcdY4urs4OLe3suPQU3lUssKfXIbSMcUo4_6ZWaDsLHVb2YYnaEoTxGR9Pt6/s500/Photo%252520Sep%25252012%25252C%2525202012%25252010%25253A15%252520PM.jpg" width="550" /></span></a></div> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia;">All was hunkydory until....</span><br /> <br /> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia;">Here is where we took a turn for the worse. Hayden's tooth was indeed fractured. We could have left it in to run its course, however, the discomfort and inability to eat normal foods lead us to the decision to pull the tooth. Now, Hay has never really had a dental visit before, except for my wonderful Dr. explaining the perils of sugar bugs and counting his teeth. So basically, after this fiasco, we are totally screwed for all future visits. Dr. Quo agreed that there really was no fabulous other way to do this. Here we go.</span><br /> <br /> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia;">First came the laughing gas. This was supposed to comfort him enough to be able to get a couple of shots of Novocain in his gum line. He wasn't having it. We tried tirelessly to liken it to an elephant trunk, a batman mask, crap...just drugs to make his face feel better. He was fighting. Soon, the cool shades came out and it helped to somehow blind him from the gas mask enough to go for it. Step one. Completed.</span><br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3jdr_P9tKZDAui-YnX-Y4nohrEydLsmWYRQuvl-bJuFXW8F6eZvSohsOqmuDYjnCOwoohVsoCivk9X807esuqPuW8ry-2jVed1DMQ-5ptkXKHyw6F_aTrvTgsmC1GIhbwwlbdCI5vVnEd/s1570/Photo%252520Sep%25252012%25252C%2525202012%25252010%25253A15%252520PM.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia;"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="717" id="blogsy-1347519401931.0896" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3jdr_P9tKZDAui-YnX-Y4nohrEydLsmWYRQuvl-bJuFXW8F6eZvSohsOqmuDYjnCOwoohVsoCivk9X807esuqPuW8ry-2jVed1DMQ-5ptkXKHyw6F_aTrvTgsmC1GIhbwwlbdCI5vVnEd/s500/Photo%252520Sep%25252012%25252C%2525202012%25252010%25253A15%252520PM.jpg" width="550" /></span></a></div> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia;"> Here is where things got super sucky. The needle. I don't think the gas disguised that needle one bit for Hay. At the first poke, the wailing started. Seeing your child in pain is the worst, and knowing that I made the call to yank the tooth just added to the devastation. We were also in a situation where the dentist, the assistant and I had to pin him down so that we could get the injections finished while he screamed and was shaking with fear. The actual extraction process takes only seconds, but the lead-up was excruciating.</span><br /> <br /> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia;">When all was said and done, the crying persisted out the door and into the lobby where the parents in the waiting room just looked at me with empathetic expressions. The wailing was soon replaced by crying over the "prizes" in the prize machine. Hayden wanted a red ninja out of the ninja gumball-like dispenser. Six try's later, we were good-to-go...and we then hit up the <a href="http://paloaltocreamery.com/" target="_blank">Creamery</a> for some ice cream.</span><br /> <br /> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia;">And so... we close the book on another unwanted and unwelcomed first. I now have a 3 1/2 year old with one less tooth, a bounty from the Tooth Fairy, serious bragging rights at Nursery School, and no recollection that this entire situation could have been avoided by not running off, coupled with listening to his parents.</span><br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha74uRhd3vE5ZrF8hPIxGsCweQZit6TR5YfCmXhSia9b6q87m85FaK9Ip1fkZH6NCoqIi73U-S2aevtnUkLrWraaT3JslTLGTIzqJ0QvLwvDzXYJ1kM7LrSGDyOf5UYMe0IiMlUCr87yex/s1497/Photo%252520Sep%25252012%25252C%2525202012%25252010%25253A53%252520PM.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia;"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="550" id="blogsy-1347519401912.0598" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha74uRhd3vE5ZrF8hPIxGsCweQZit6TR5YfCmXhSia9b6q87m85FaK9Ip1fkZH6NCoqIi73U-S2aevtnUkLrWraaT3JslTLGTIzqJ0QvLwvDzXYJ1kM7LrSGDyOf5UYMe0IiMlUCr87yex/s500/Photo%252520Sep%25252012%25252C%2525202012%25252010%25253A53%252520PM.jpg" width="550" /></span></a></div> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia;">Congratulations. You made it to the end. Thanks for listening.</span><br /> <br /> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia;"> </span><br /> <br /> <div id="blogsy_footer" style="clear: both; font-size: small; text-align: right;"> <a href="http://blogsyapp.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Posted with Blogsy" height="20" src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" style="margin-right: 5px; vertical-align: middle;" width="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div> Free(man) to be you and mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15500075613374745300noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2581903068699642356.post-90677502535386122682012-09-12T16:22:00.001-07:002012-09-26T10:07:29.316-07:00First Day of School and Then Some...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <em><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Remember, when you read this...today is yesterday.</span></em></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <em><br /> </em></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiopc-fliXHt3orQHtczdnDZEl-HugrYQ21juqHDG5fn3neOKUq-cHuhE88jelbET0r9kQecokknjOinOTyhvqQ5GxDd8ZOG4jK-OqD67HN4IibT1vKWFKt9XF1sQr9K2WK_AWwBOH73mBF/s592/Photo%252520Sep%25252012%25252C%2525202012%25252012%25253A43%252520AM.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="723" id="blogsy-1347518421866.606" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiopc-fliXHt3orQHtczdnDZEl-HugrYQ21juqHDG5fn3neOKUq-cHuhE88jelbET0r9kQecokknjOinOTyhvqQ5GxDd8ZOG4jK-OqD67HN4IibT1vKWFKt9XF1sQr9K2WK_AWwBOH73mBF/s500/Photo%252520Sep%25252012%25252C%2525202012%25252012%25253A43%252520AM.jpg" width="500" /></a></div> <br /> <br /> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Today marked a monumental day of firsts. It was the first day of school for BOTH of our kids - translation- Hayden is no longer a baby. This made today sting a little bit more. To add insult to injury, today was Ry's first day of 1st grade. There is something about a grade level with a number in front of it that brings a reality to light that your child is "growing up."</span><br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGIq9FWqmv29ld8wSeP2MTNs8xcabS9r_NOo1JCbHDiYIJJUOn_idDTgKE5XFDGRmz1AiaR8MLicin0ap47PvK4_Iym5-MtDMMW6uJg6Btmpn0cOLPzCyKBntUJHR9t_EROZUstdMwXn7O/s1936/Photo%252520Sep%25252012%25252C%2525202012%25252012%25253A33%252520AM.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="alignnone" height="600" id="blogsy-1347518421878.3616" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGIq9FWqmv29ld8wSeP2MTNs8xcabS9r_NOo1JCbHDiYIJJUOn_idDTgKE5XFDGRmz1AiaR8MLicin0ap47PvK4_Iym5-MtDMMW6uJg6Btmpn0cOLPzCyKBntUJHR9t_EROZUstdMwXn7O/s500/Photo%252520Sep%25252012%25252C%2525202012%25252012%25253A33%252520AM.jpg" width="600" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Kindergarten" is a cute word in itself. I mean, what is more adorable than a German garden full of kids? Today, I needed a Biergarten (this doesn't need translation...and if it does... Sound. It. Out.). I know many parents who are weepy at the first Preschool and Kinder drop offs. I get it. The baby stage is over. It's overwhelming. This little human is now a person. I know this to be true because my little guy now has a cubby, snack sign-up responsibilities, and a pick up time punctuated by a lot of forms that regulate who can remove my child from the premises. This is the real deal.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We had not been great parents this summer when it came to bed time. We planned accordingly for today though, by getting the kids to bed earlier the night before school started...that's enough time to regulate them, right? Thankfully, the first day excitement trumped (I use that word a lot...I know...it's good) any amount of tiredness that could have ensued. I awoke the mini-humans with my best rendition of the acclaimed Imagination Movers diddy, <em>First Day of School.</em> Our kids think it's the "jam."</span><br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="text-align: center;"> <iframe allowfullscreen="" class="youtube-player" frameborder="0" height="336" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/t-UmcW6e6ng" title="YouTube video player" type="text/html" width="551"></iframe></div> <br /> <br /> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The excitement in our house came in two forms. One, Hayden was finally going to get to join his brother at the same school. He had a new Spiderman lunchbox, Spidey thermos, shiny blue <a href="http://www.kleankanteen.com/" target="_blank" title="">Kleen Kanteen</a> and a new Spiderman shirt. He was supercharged and his enormous grin said it all. Today rocked. Today, "I'm BIG." Ry's excitement came from a place of feeling like he was "BIG" too. A lot of bragging commenced about things he gets to do that Nursery Students don't get to. All in all, the love for their school was apparent and seeing how it is September 11th and many kids in the area have been back now for a month, they were ready to get out of the house.</span><br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFmiv0yAa4qSccyPNfT8-QTBur3gM6ryQqZGVtPBJn-J_XESbCun9AAZvv9M2y0SPU47nzd7ib0envQF6i3ztCI_0d4fnaImLKkTx5L8u0hXish6h2R9LmGjdNWByN8OXhJ7faL21RSPh0/s1936/Photo%252520Sep%25252012%25252C%2525202012%25252012%25253A42%252520AM.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="600" id="blogsy-1347518421879.9634" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFmiv0yAa4qSccyPNfT8-QTBur3gM6ryQqZGVtPBJn-J_XESbCun9AAZvv9M2y0SPU47nzd7ib0envQF6i3ztCI_0d4fnaImLKkTx5L8u0hXish6h2R9LmGjdNWByN8OXhJ7faL21RSPh0/s500/Photo%252520Sep%25252012%25252C%2525202012%25252012%25253A42%252520AM.jpg" width="600" /></a></div> <br /> <br /> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Our summer break is incredibly long compared to others, it almost feels purposeful on our school's part, to make sure that kids are extremely ready and willing to jump back into the classroom. The negative is that there is not a whole lot for kids to do at the end of August and early September, but the plus is, that it gives families a nice week to travel to any popular kid-friendly attraction, as there is no one around. Like when we went <a href="http://freemantobe.blogspot.com/2010/10/addisneyland.html" target="_self" title="">here</a>.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Anyhow, today was a great day...until 3pm. But I'll write about that one tomorrow... Right now, I just want to relish in the fact that my kids sprung out of bed excited about the next chapter of their lives. Ry even got to spend his first after-school day slurping down rootbeer floats with a good friend.</span><br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPXdVSAmDqiSYkbcKTywKxi9d4lWKV6ghFwE8yP-ihgXBBdAezybCQ1fstQML439cGp-MAmVoaVkog61qM9AdGZI9pSYDXuwZEmk_laNXz7st9td7Qv4VhELLh-QxDEulJ6DDwPI4VS46M/s1569/Photo%252520Sep%25252011%25252C%2525202012%25252010%25253A18%252520PM.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="alignnone" height="652" id="blogsy-1347518421870.8303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPXdVSAmDqiSYkbcKTywKxi9d4lWKV6ghFwE8yP-ihgXBBdAezybCQ1fstQML439cGp-MAmVoaVkog61qM9AdGZI9pSYDXuwZEmk_laNXz7st9td7Qv4VhELLh-QxDEulJ6DDwPI4VS46M/s500/Photo%252520Sep%25252011%25252C%2525202012%25252010%25253A18%252520PM.jpg" width="500" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLJdi0CQQI7QsOeQlJoTxeisEbfsH3ZNlR6U2IEVV1o6Aq_BroCHLSJ80WPbl29_uX2N3779hhRXQeGqGYqvDRJnxm_ntGbcXUe-XZCEptXrlwEcEfZHeqt-xPhxTn7g66GxTg_uAAEoTA/s840/Photo%252520Sep%25252011%25252C%2525202012%25252010%25253A20%252520PM.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="alignnone" height="652" id="blogsy-1347518421880.3115" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLJdi0CQQI7QsOeQlJoTxeisEbfsH3ZNlR6U2IEVV1o6Aq_BroCHLSJ80WPbl29_uX2N3779hhRXQeGqGYqvDRJnxm_ntGbcXUe-XZCEptXrlwEcEfZHeqt-xPhxTn7g66GxTg_uAAEoTA/s500/Photo%252520Sep%25252011%25252C%2525202012%25252010%25253A20%252520PM.jpg" width="500" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"> <br /></div> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Meanwhile... Hayden lay waiting...</span><br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7i9XNN-UiswYH5obUO3fkEU2aiZlJkPeKD2r2QKMioA3JttHua8DzmYbM-3mCjs8DLpyBHDT5T8KT74Ax39Y3EWIrUc3TVFU7sUSvcCFTQvMTEXgYX9HB65hg2MU0BzpPPHVbl75UwD9T/s1570/Photo%252520Sep%25252011%25252C%2525202012%25252010%25253A17%252520PM.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="alignnone" height="652" id="blogsy-1347518421858.1917" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7i9XNN-UiswYH5obUO3fkEU2aiZlJkPeKD2r2QKMioA3JttHua8DzmYbM-3mCjs8DLpyBHDT5T8KT74Ax39Y3EWIrUc3TVFU7sUSvcCFTQvMTEXgYX9HB65hg2MU0BzpPPHVbl75UwD9T/s500/Photo%252520Sep%25252011%25252C%2525202012%25252010%25253A17%252520PM.jpg" width="500" /></a></div> <br /> <br /> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">To be continued...</span><br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <div id="blogsy_footer" style="clear: both; font-size: small; text-align: right;"> <a href="http://blogsyapp.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Posted with Blogsy" height="20" src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" style="margin-right: 5px; vertical-align: middle;" width="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div> Free(man) to be you and mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15500075613374745300noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2581903068699642356.post-71592694493754475792012-09-10T19:58:00.001-07:002012-09-26T10:08:07.750-07:00 Mermaid<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2uSZWQrxMxeZL5Mh24gtPGtgau2N3U0tMQ9YIgb_-PVTs7ur1xBgrJD2gOAX6cLvxew_3YrmB4yPQh-PO51Q4pPnepUFKzljiE9PS-nYWPStlyDtMwA207c5fhqgfCGLqqN4EOaEJ7dlr/s1936/Photo%252520Sep%25252010%25252C%2525202012%2525207%25253A48%252520PM.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="alignnone" height="500" id="blogsy-1347332284916.3262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2uSZWQrxMxeZL5Mh24gtPGtgau2N3U0tMQ9YIgb_-PVTs7ur1xBgrJD2gOAX6cLvxew_3YrmB4yPQh-PO51Q4pPnepUFKzljiE9PS-nYWPStlyDtMwA207c5fhqgfCGLqqN4EOaEJ7dlr/s500/Photo%252520Sep%25252010%25252C%2525202012%2525207%25253A48%252520PM.jpg" width="500" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Mom, I designed this just to please you."</span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I'm pleased. </span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"By the way, it can also be a Christmas Tree."</span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZYOYkLTpMlewy9omoGMl_0T6-yLUsuG7pGfn1ZF2BcZGoUiwKKF4lXG_6IbpA8DP0KNICKb6P8hpJcYCV1xBiU-l4y92pOO29sfOlrf3DovHgav4E0xEapxfUyr8iu83GlTGxFGTugmQA/s1936/Photo%252520Sep%25252010%25252C%2525202012%2525207%25253A54%252520PM.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="alignnone" height="500" id="blogsy-1347332284903.076" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZYOYkLTpMlewy9omoGMl_0T6-yLUsuG7pGfn1ZF2BcZGoUiwKKF4lXG_6IbpA8DP0KNICKb6P8hpJcYCV1xBiU-l4y92pOO29sfOlrf3DovHgav4E0xEapxfUyr8iu83GlTGxFGTugmQA/s500/Photo%252520Sep%25252010%25252C%2525202012%2525207%25253A54%252520PM.jpg" width="500" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Still pleased.</span></div> <br /> <br /> <div id="blogsy_footer" style="clear: both; font-size: small; text-align: right;"> <a href="http://blogsyapp.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Posted with Blogsy" height="20" src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" style="margin-right: 5px; vertical-align: middle;" width="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div> Free(man) to be you and mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15500075613374745300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2581903068699642356.post-10054956878746603682012-09-09T00:13:00.000-07:002012-09-26T00:25:13.230-07:00LAGram Ugh. I lost my original post. Stupid iPad Blog App.... And human error of course. Here were some of the pics from our LA trip.<br/><br/><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="http://instagr.am/p/PPV8iDgoow/" target="_blank" style=""><img src="http://distilleryimage8.s3.amazonaws.com/ad1544c8f83b11e1bf7c22000a1e9ddc_7.jpg" id="blogsy-1348644239245.3496" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="500"></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"> </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="http://instagr.am/p/PM_ye1Aoph/" target="_blank" style=""><img src="http://distilleryimage1.s3.amazonaws.com/6102679ef78411e1912322000a1cdad6_7.jpg" id="blogsy-1348644239277.3062" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="500"></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"> </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://instagr.am/p/PNxYlZAoqq/" target="_blank" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://distilleryimage2.s3.amazonaws.com/eb8eab3ef7c011e1aee522000a1e8a5f_7.jpg" id="blogsy-1348644239285.051" class="alignleft" alt="" width="500" height="500"></a></div>  <br/><br/><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"> </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="http://instagr.am/p/PPwqlYgoom/" target="_blank" style=""><img src="http://distilleryimage10.s3.amazonaws.com/4af24cdef85c11e1b5561231380e8944_7.jpg" id="blogsy-1348644239277.7566" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="500"></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"> </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="http://instagr.am/p/Pc30G6AogE/" target="_blank" style=""><img src="http://distilleryimage8.s3.amazonaws.com/a4f34978fc5c11e1ada322000a1e9607_7.jpg" id="blogsy-1348644239239.611" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="500"></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"> </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="http://instagr.am/p/PbS41vAorU/" target="_blank" style=""><img src="http://distilleryimage4.s3.amazonaws.com/718e414efbe111e1a4431231381407ca_7.jpg" id="blogsy-1348644239231.3782" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="500"></a></div>  <br/><br/><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="http://instagr.am/p/PSRLi7Aomj/" target="_blank" style=""><img src="http://distilleryimage3.s3.amazonaws.com/3be4e278f92011e1af6f22000a1c867a_7.jpg" id="blogsy-1348644239233.2185" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="500"></a></div>  <br/><br/><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>Free(man) to be you and mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15500075613374745300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2581903068699642356.post-80799922986226147482012-09-01T11:52:00.001-07:002012-09-26T10:07:47.992-07:00Coastergram<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://instagr.am/p/O-NymiAoia/" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="alignnone" height="500" id="blogsy-1346525691788.6335" src="http://distilleryimage2.s3.amazonaws.com/98994e98f30111e192a722000a1e8b14_7.jpg" width="500" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Our family LOVES to snap pics and we obviously took to Instagram like moths to a flame, or me to a s'more...anyway...</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The other day, a nifty little package came in the mail with these cool Sandstone coasters inside. Andy ordered them and gave them to our amazing nanny as a way to see the kiddos every day after our time with her ends *sniff*. </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I think these are tres awesome and make fabulous gifts! The only caveat is, that the pics must come directly from Instagram, so you would have to jump on that train first, if you haven't done so already. </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Visit <a href="http://coastermatic.com/" target="_self" title="">Coastermatic here</a>... and start putting drinks on your face.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Follow me @jfree2be and Andy @crownmoto.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <br /> <br /> <div id="blogsy_footer" style="clear: both; font-size: small; text-align: right;"> <a href="http://blogsyapp.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Posted with Blogsy" height="20" src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" style="margin-right: 5px; vertical-align: middle;" width="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div> Free(man) to be you and mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15500075613374745300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2581903068699642356.post-61712343481229315902012-08-29T22:38:00.001-07:002012-09-26T10:08:32.630-07:00Making August Last...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This week has been a limbo week. No school, no camps, and that is fine by us and our beloved nanny, Ana. Both kids are home, and spending their last days with Ana before she ventures on to the next chapter of her life. A new baby and a new City are coming soon for her, and OUR littlest muchacho will be starting school in September. This parting is something we have been dreading since the beginning of last year. We knew after Hay started school this inevitable and heartbreaking moment would be imminent. After almost 6 years, we will say Adios to the most special person imaginable. Okay, I can't type anymore because my iPad is about to flood with tears. Until D Day - some fun pics.</span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="http://instagr.am/p/O8JYXpAou6/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img alt="" class="alignleft" height="500" id="blogsy-1346305170904.1404" src="http://distilleryimage6.s3.amazonaws.com/f681e742f25f11e1968922000a1c882c_7.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Number five is coming soon!</span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"> <a href="http://instagr.am/p/OrGNYigotk/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img alt="" class="alignnone" height="500" id="blogsy-1346305170874.371" src="http://distilleryimage8.s3.amazonaws.com/f75cfeb0ed2b11e1876222000a1de29f_7.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We are much safer with these guys in our ranks...or more fit...not sure.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"> <a href="http://instagr.am/p/O5WOovgorA/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img alt="" class="alignnone" height="500" id="blogsy-1346305170857.015" src="http://distilleryimage0.s3.amazonaws.com/457bf6c0f18511e1bb6a1231381f737d_7.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Plants have invaded and are eating our family (good thing for those super jazzy heros above!)</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"> <a href="http://instagr.am/p/OzfqjygogV/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img alt="" class="alignnone" height="500" id="blogsy-1346305170866.577" src="http://distilleryimage9.s3.amazonaws.com/0a53ab58efbc11e1837022000a1e8692_7.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This Super Dad had a <a href="http://www.profootballhof.com/mobile/hof/member.aspx?PLAYER_ID=134" target="_self" title="">Ronnie Lott</a> birthday. </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"> <a href="http://instagr.am/p/O2nrqTAoow/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img alt="" class="alignnone" height="500" id="blogsy-1346305170905.6616" src="http://distilleryimage0.s3.amazonaws.com/33b43ce8f0b011e18fa722000a1e8ac2_7.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We are rockin' old sleep sacks...</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"> <a href="http://instagr.am/p/OwyZV1gord/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img alt="" class="alignnone" height="500" id="blogsy-1346305170934.2568" src="http://distilleryimage1.s3.amazonaws.com/87c0a1eceee811e1aee522000a1e8a5f_7.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We got our ride back and I'm not the only one who's happy.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Hasta Septiembre....Sad post coming soon *sniff*</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <br /> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span> <div id="blogsy_footer" style="clear: both; font-size: small; text-align: right;"> <a href="http://blogsyapp.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img alt="Posted with Blogsy" height="20" src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" style="margin-right: 5px; vertical-align: middle;" width="20" />Pos</span>ted with Blogsy</a></div> Free(man) to be you and mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15500075613374745300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2581903068699642356.post-39977720026351338312012-08-26T19:49:00.001-07:002012-09-26T10:10:39.164-07:00The End of Skate Week, is Only the Beginning.<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Skate week, shark week, everything should have a "week." I will also be coining this as "Success Week!" Ry likes skateboarding! We have confirmed with him that YES, this is in fact a sport, so it counts (as far as choosing a sport). We really have not found something thus far that has peaked his interest, so we'll try to keep the momentum with skating. He also asked if he could take golf lessons- fitting, for one named Ryder.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Here are some final videos from the week and some pics.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Solo ramp run and some "Call Me Maybe"...</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span> <div class="separator" style="text-align: left;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="youtube-player" frameborder="0" height="305" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/CveTnK2QRtA" title="YouTube video player" type="text/html" width="500"></iframe></span></div> <br /> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Conquering the Stairs</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span> <div class="separator" style="text-align: left;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="youtube-player" frameborder="0" height="305" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/f9J8cg4FHtw" title="YouTube video player" type="text/html" width="500"></iframe></span></div> <br /> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Pics by Andy Freeman </span><br /> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn4BxcOVrSSnPJOvjvFA1KnjzZfDwvrAtLKIDmz_HTfSiRRYr3sA0sll5xKsX9aq6UU8NEpJRW0idiFvSFwFCQZB2ZwoAM9znyft9Nr51J3-XaU6Rqrxg_QURYvOB52CKvoBMOPEhc9eqy/s536/Photo%252520Aug%25252021%25252C%2525202012%2525209%25253A39%252520AM.jpg" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img alt="" class="alignnone" height="746" id="blogsy-1346035843633.6118" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn4BxcOVrSSnPJOvjvFA1KnjzZfDwvrAtLKIDmz_HTfSiRRYr3sA0sll5xKsX9aq6UU8NEpJRW0idiFvSFwFCQZB2ZwoAM9znyft9Nr51J3-XaU6Rqrxg_QURYvOB52CKvoBMOPEhc9eqy/s500/Photo%252520Aug%25252021%25252C%2525202012%2525209%25253A39%252520AM.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Upc16-JpMcS80DF9E_2X-RAIatqbA0xzGbNBzJ52twaGU2LTkejZWozZXUPhRfn0TP0nyc12LZgQkZlEq-eoai4KlBV7JSmbKwkzyYJRP_EBC27ZsHOHJ82coe6QnJ1UbtKedz0O6k0q/s536/Photo%252520Aug%25252021%25252C%2525202012%2525209%25253A43%252520AM.jpg" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img alt="" class="alignnone" height="746" id="blogsy-1346035843700.4468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Upc16-JpMcS80DF9E_2X-RAIatqbA0xzGbNBzJ52twaGU2LTkejZWozZXUPhRfn0TP0nyc12LZgQkZlEq-eoai4KlBV7JSmbKwkzyYJRP_EBC27ZsHOHJ82coe6QnJ1UbtKedz0O6k0q/s500/Photo%252520Aug%25252021%25252C%2525202012%2525209%25253A43%252520AM.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhORDKhBT3baMCc6yfjM-aLyiZ-VbDdQL4ys597PP_DLIc-egFIpB9NoXCnL61YnJrxWiso17X2u3KvJOemqpnksM6YTO5E2Fk4DZ42EMX080THXb0oilnGAzgsn9VJTUbLAMINOhIgAXxA/s800/Photo%252520Aug%25252021%25252C%2525202012%2525209%25253A46%252520AM.jpg" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img alt="" class="alignnone" height="335" id="blogsy-1346035843669.7202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhORDKhBT3baMCc6yfjM-aLyiZ-VbDdQL4ys597PP_DLIc-egFIpB9NoXCnL61YnJrxWiso17X2u3KvJOemqpnksM6YTO5E2Fk4DZ42EMX080THXb0oilnGAzgsn9VJTUbLAMINOhIgAXxA/s500/Photo%252520Aug%25252021%25252C%2525202012%2525209%25253A46%252520AM.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUi2GlvDcqLiAQClX8RAg5AFj7UVvBoVeDGTZluyOcd1pyZslFSa3fNu_GlLjPzwHdZOdihYYnbRFmPSZy6rmu9pFj_JNRFuS_zOknxWX1kr7iipwNcNi_bYVpBkhASq6zt3oQOELM2J7w/s536/Photo%252520Aug%25252021%25252C%2525202012%2525209%25253A45%252520AM.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="alignnone" height="746" id="blogsy-1346035843662.761" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUi2GlvDcqLiAQClX8RAg5AFj7UVvBoVeDGTZluyOcd1pyZslFSa3fNu_GlLjPzwHdZOdihYYnbRFmPSZy6rmu9pFj_JNRFuS_zOknxWX1kr7iipwNcNi_bYVpBkhASq6zt3oQOELM2J7w/s500/Photo%252520Aug%25252021%25252C%2525202012%2525209%25253A45%252520AM.jpg" width="500" /></a> </span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Chapter two....</span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuQajgkB_G1_9LCmB5pgp3Sj82XAtzvayNUP9hgD6ocpQ6syNfjiiSSzehmmqurImRAiXwCP9ZfLO7bKYkrISMffg4uPy_KzFzqbo1BjLQZWeuWxnkcEAiTxHXomr8uwqOAA0-KiE3cDa3/s482/Photo%252520Aug%25252022%25252C%2525202012%2525207%25253A25%252520AM.jpg" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img alt="" class="alignnone" height="720" id="blogsy-1346035843689.603" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuQajgkB_G1_9LCmB5pgp3Sj82XAtzvayNUP9hgD6ocpQ6syNfjiiSSzehmmqurImRAiXwCP9ZfLO7bKYkrISMffg4uPy_KzFzqbo1BjLQZWeuWxnkcEAiTxHXomr8uwqOAA0-KiE3cDa3/s482/Photo%252520Aug%25252022%25252C%2525202012%2525207%25253A25%252520AM.jpg" width="482" /></span></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDz_yXseTEkw13shCW_cQF-8asUc3gV2CaANr7uMym5p7kyZD9pJirriyedDBuUloUn2X3jr-4FBbY8R2_fXDDZdk8csiUCc6ylrkiq30teeBiocOzFGHbWcsurWu_GQggfJ1EioKiXPui/s482/Photo%252520Aug%25252022%25252C%2525202012%2525207%25253A25%252520AM.jpg" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img alt="" class="alignnone" height="720" id="blogsy-1346035843648.1338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDz_yXseTEkw13shCW_cQF-8asUc3gV2CaANr7uMym5p7kyZD9pJirriyedDBuUloUn2X3jr-4FBbY8R2_fXDDZdk8csiUCc6ylrkiq30teeBiocOzFGHbWcsurWu_GQggfJ1EioKiXPui/s482/Photo%252520Aug%25252022%25252C%2525202012%2525207%25253A25%252520AM.jpg" width="482" /></span></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKDdxc8rR3HQ2e7KQwGcVj3BWRctsnbxiGqZqh9M46hVE7iWTcbP3VNSYMY7aQSkWfnXjU41_VlStLEpNOUVEhCbbXDRpGDZ1kazg5-BrUQeqJGOaPsNJ33xHRGX_LZGpfrgsYfa8KumlW/s482/Photo%252520Aug%25252022%25252C%2525202012%2525207%25253A25%252520AM.jpg" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img alt="" class="alignnone" height="720" id="blogsy-1346035843680.9246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKDdxc8rR3HQ2e7KQwGcVj3BWRctsnbxiGqZqh9M46hVE7iWTcbP3VNSYMY7aQSkWfnXjU41_VlStLEpNOUVEhCbbXDRpGDZ1kazg5-BrUQeqJGOaPsNJ33xHRGX_LZGpfrgsYfa8KumlW/s482/Photo%252520Aug%25252022%25252C%2525202012%2525207%25253A25%252520AM.jpg" width="482" /></span></a></div> <br /> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span> <div id="blogsy_footer" style="clear: both; font-size: small; text-align: right;"> <a href="http://blogsyapp.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Posted with Blogsy" height="20" src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" style="margin-right: 5px; vertical-align: middle;" width="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div> Free(man) to be you and mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15500075613374745300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2581903068699642356.post-21100924869523696722012-08-22T18:03:00.001-07:002012-09-26T10:10:55.252-07:00Skate Camp Day 3 - Go Big or Go Home.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju3klWTEJRM_p1cYN_KYcfeF1vHWO7-1RZVovLDvFV1J3n2YLkmXy28p64MKW3zWKeReBXb-K8fPQTPaLKrnSAA9CsnXfpwLhx2vu31wHRSmU38eYx_XocTFG8cdMEtPcEwhN5alRd5dyq/s482/Photo%252520Aug%25252022%25252C%2525202012%2525207%25253A28%252520AM.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="alignnone" height="720" id="blogsy-1345683879854.603" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju3klWTEJRM_p1cYN_KYcfeF1vHWO7-1RZVovLDvFV1J3n2YLkmXy28p64MKW3zWKeReBXb-K8fPQTPaLKrnSAA9CsnXfpwLhx2vu31wHRSmU38eYx_XocTFG8cdMEtPcEwhN5alRd5dyq/s482/Photo%252520Aug%25252022%25252C%2525202012%2525207%25253A28%252520AM.jpg" width="482" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"> <br /></div> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So today Ry's skate Instructors informed me that he feels that learning the fundamentals are boring, and he wants to do the "big stuff." Those who have known me and my husband from childhood will probably find this funny...and somewhat reeking of karma. I guess the apple really doesn't fall far from the tree. </span><br /> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Mind you, this kid won't really skate down a small incline by himself yet, but in his mind, he's ready for the big time.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span> <div class="separator" style="text-align: left;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="youtube-player" frameborder="0" height="305" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/YyxtiLe6rjE" title="YouTube video player" type="text/html" width="500"></iframe></span></div> <br /> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Here's another skill he can actually do himself...</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span> <div class="separator" style="text-align: left;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="youtube-player" frameborder="0" height="305" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/XaFboi89C2s" title="YouTube video player" type="text/html" width="500"></iframe></span></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We will be investing in Super-sized amounts of ice packs, children's tylenol and gauze.</span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhrJt48OdJQxCfBlhJdZclqzQxPA1HcDSw8w5IwjgzDINIyFJtdSzCmrxrJBML3f_Mg7u-_fLBix6c3ZBFTc9mS2izJYu9OzQXLjUU8wdVZFJP480x4mMOLD5ffaF7rlHVZjQYecjron4Z/s482/Photo%252520Aug%25252022%25252C%2525202012%2525207%25253A25%252520AM.jpg" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img alt="" class="alignnone" height="720" id="blogsy-1345683879838.984" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhrJt48OdJQxCfBlhJdZclqzQxPA1HcDSw8w5IwjgzDINIyFJtdSzCmrxrJBML3f_Mg7u-_fLBix6c3ZBFTc9mS2izJYu9OzQXLjUU8wdVZFJP480x4mMOLD5ffaF7rlHVZjQYecjron4Z/s482/Photo%252520Aug%25252022%25252C%2525202012%2525207%25253A25%252520AM.jpg" width="482" /></span></a></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <br /></div> <br /> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span> <div id="blogsy_footer" style="clear: both; font-size: small; text-align: right;"> <a href="http://blogsyapp.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Posted with Blogsy" height="20" src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" style="margin-right: 5px; vertical-align: middle;" width="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div> Free(man) to be you and mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15500075613374745300noreply@blogger.com0