tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25466654167841725152024-02-06T22:27:18.677-06:00The DarbysJeri Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10521003964808664244noreply@blogger.comBlogger192125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2546665416784172515.post-25886666696761299572014-12-17T07:54:00.001-06:002014-12-17T07:54:36.448-06:00Santa Claus and ho ho ho and all that stuffBecause one of my former students asked me to write about this --<br />
<br />
By the way, did you know I was once a teacher?<br />
<br />
I know what you're thinking. I promise. I was. I taught ninth and then tenth grade English, so some of those unlucky children had Miss Nixon for two years in a row. And then I happily took the job of cheerleader sponsor on top of that. Oh, dear. It was quite a crazy two years of my life. Clint lived in Birmingham then, and I don't suggest long distance to anyone but then again I think it was a necessary step for our relationship. <br />
<br />
But I digress. Yes, I was once a teacher. And one of my former students is curious about how I explain the concept of Santa to my children. <br />
<br />
Why this interests her is beyond me. I am not a great parent. No, no, no, just stop. I know the truth and I know how often I mess up, and I am okay with my role of just being a parent and not a <i>great</i> <i>parent</i>. There is no reason for anyone to follow me and take notes because I have done lots of things wrong. I think Clint and I were given two atypical children because we fit with them well, and I think we're doing a good job<i> with them</i>. But I have no idea how to raise "typical children." Give me a child who is willing to listen and do as he's told and I give. I have no idea what to do with that.<br />
<br />
Okay, so since she wants to know, I dug up some photos from last year. Here goes. First of all, we do this<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEJ3LVCTxi6Dp7Lp0AUEDTosUjQBtiILZ14n7hSQ5Fjh8PivXf9m9x2KL4HbRQATIEVQJwe1B9cy7IT-jRaTaEI5ifgujyDzXg8EdajWgDMYcRzjMrqgDUC5fEI3F-6KW-TfKN15bduu0/s1600/IMG_3052.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEJ3LVCTxi6Dp7Lp0AUEDTosUjQBtiILZ14n7hSQ5Fjh8PivXf9m9x2KL4HbRQATIEVQJwe1B9cy7IT-jRaTaEI5ifgujyDzXg8EdajWgDMYcRzjMrqgDUC5fEI3F-6KW-TfKN15bduu0/s1600/IMG_3052.PNG" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
This is something I am trying to NOT do. It seemed fun but now it is awful. Mimi began asking for him, so the little obligation finally showed up. He has been in the same spot for two days, and I just shrugged my shoulders when Meemers asked me what was up.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmWBL_-l6Np2pk6TbXp2kynCDIDeCJSZ1JjhZT-zsPvy2Z4m6rD6pPIkqPIA5-dQXAhHNyFzfRUe8LySATK4CYgcDai3c95hyphenhyphenWheWTIQdW0T-pRabPxk7EAlqi1rIh50fhSU_2ydTF4E4/s1600/IMG_9126.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmWBL_-l6Np2pk6TbXp2kynCDIDeCJSZ1JjhZT-zsPvy2Z4m6rD6pPIkqPIA5-dQXAhHNyFzfRUe8LySATK4CYgcDai3c95hyphenhyphenWheWTIQdW0T-pRabPxk7EAlqi1rIh50fhSU_2ydTF4E4/s1600/IMG_9126.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Mimi has a party at school before the winter break. It's not a Christmas party -- it's just a fun, wintery party, which I like. I'll get to that in a bit.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSqZEqbjhjsqZ-zgByHIUehnHur8YG1SkmxBJ4UrO_9mVXJPikpRySNtBvqBb3mClUwEGlQEarwY0pzl5t5VEux9t0hkW5GkpiQLyz08IgZ2D67OIPwqMvOgLs33R1w-PBtdCOzB7PGTo/s1600/IMG_9128.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSqZEqbjhjsqZ-zgByHIUehnHur8YG1SkmxBJ4UrO_9mVXJPikpRySNtBvqBb3mClUwEGlQEarwY0pzl5t5VEux9t0hkW5GkpiQLyz08IgZ2D67OIPwqMvOgLs33R1w-PBtdCOzB7PGTo/s1600/IMG_9128.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The children get gifts -- some from us and some from Santa. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUbhfSGzoRMZusAVVqSZrrbcavZIA0RxbQzHjNvTtjdNmsJF3H2hG3Cdil6DAUCfse8SPKtzazZJjWSiG22kT4krc9ZOwg3REVRE-Xf2H-coEAOmi83xiFaOW_dEjww8tLfcPE9xWeIgo/s1600/IMG_9155.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUbhfSGzoRMZusAVVqSZrrbcavZIA0RxbQzHjNvTtjdNmsJF3H2hG3Cdil6DAUCfse8SPKtzazZJjWSiG22kT4krc9ZOwg3REVRE-Xf2H-coEAOmi83xiFaOW_dEjww8tLfcPE9xWeIgo/s1600/IMG_9155.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
They make a big mess . . .</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOc7efZpp-iax2xepgUIm3CxHoosI9v92cyNiiNWZp5nOpQu0fcSVn5IHgDMR2G92_1NiGOgC8J0TNYDR-w0SlPazi5rkxyb9vgKu5abGSfMY7ni6eaiHxxpksSoEa1-NQaNW6XRpnXg0/s1600/IMG_9156.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOc7efZpp-iax2xepgUIm3CxHoosI9v92cyNiiNWZp5nOpQu0fcSVn5IHgDMR2G92_1NiGOgC8J0TNYDR-w0SlPazi5rkxyb9vgKu5abGSfMY7ni6eaiHxxpksSoEa1-NQaNW6XRpnXg0/s1600/IMG_9156.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
. . . and then when we feel like they have played enough with new gifts, we throw them in the car in their pjs and head to see family.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih-kUQkMeFdm8yVRW_MSy6Cy89TbvksQ3dv2NYL-0mP8tugDhyphenhyphen8gUfpocSwl-oWpMniyFIjAmjbSc1x8rJNiKNgVNhMzxPYo4faNOT4mbQzt07p3X_Vn6fptLJcyNQcG0git_W45ksm9M/s1600/IMG_9157.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih-kUQkMeFdm8yVRW_MSy6Cy89TbvksQ3dv2NYL-0mP8tugDhyphenhyphen8gUfpocSwl-oWpMniyFIjAmjbSc1x8rJNiKNgVNhMzxPYo4faNOT4mbQzt07p3X_Vn6fptLJcyNQcG0git_W45ksm9M/s1600/IMG_9157.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Where we knowingly let them poke sticks in a fire with cousins. Hey, my husband used to play in the woods with knives as a kid, so I see no difference.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja_OAU3SK4nb7QPmVhGRC0luaa6Qzlqr7dZESmYGpOR-ja_cYxIeMsoOx6wb2B-6_FsYNBWdsYas-CsTUtI3TNZl5wyvthfeBR74ifubO9eVEq9qZYs_i01WtYztBLTpRww_STB1b8zAg/s1600/IMG_9193.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja_OAU3SK4nb7QPmVhGRC0luaa6Qzlqr7dZESmYGpOR-ja_cYxIeMsoOx6wb2B-6_FsYNBWdsYas-CsTUtI3TNZl5wyvthfeBR74ifubO9eVEq9qZYs_i01WtYztBLTpRww_STB1b8zAg/s1600/IMG_9193.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
My son gets overwhelmed when everyone approaches him wanting kisses and hugs and asking him about school, which is what is normal. But, you know, he doesn't really love normal.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9K7MNRKZCCd6nAjx8_6iw0DGRRoiaFrjTv52lPj4gakR-brIth3DkeMf0o88dhnegOANvhJjbpGEhsZJroobqx0LS1gHuGWf9mQYEoPkhxjfoyS1KsmuFt5qw8gJgjlhsSlRL2uC1ysI/s1600/IMG_9201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9K7MNRKZCCd6nAjx8_6iw0DGRRoiaFrjTv52lPj4gakR-brIth3DkeMf0o88dhnegOANvhJjbpGEhsZJroobqx0LS1gHuGWf9mQYEoPkhxjfoyS1KsmuFt5qw8gJgjlhsSlRL2uC1ysI/s1600/IMG_9201.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We make the kids perform for us because we need some entertainment.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDks_1z_3ZeISQBeubGr5l2pNARniPAzGnRo3-sEJ3fjhNCJ8VoBG_q5yptrsUNmcmTYG6bOt4M4tmfK2pRJWPIoy4gN29Mvu9PFgPH06tNR5kNH-0OxU79hzwpRiXUYPCrM35dk5KUxU/s1600/IMG_9206.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDks_1z_3ZeISQBeubGr5l2pNARniPAzGnRo3-sEJ3fjhNCJ8VoBG_q5yptrsUNmcmTYG6bOt4M4tmfK2pRJWPIoy4gN29Mvu9PFgPH06tNR5kNH-0OxU79hzwpRiXUYPCrM35dk5KUxU/s1600/IMG_9206.jpg" height="300" 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;">
We get completely worn out and grab a toddler to snuggle because it's only appropriate to fall asleep sitting up at family events if a toddler or baby is in your arms.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0DAqcRjSLK9rYhUP0F5qyyXYhvoObH8DRiGQfufVbJKzx-A9Is5sCvIMYW8wFG88Z8KAw4nIV_xE3dL2YrXizmyNmSTGOGKPdrG03xqU_O9y_mzhY6OUx9UnDbfNhpExhd3aSa7Ekrh0/s1600/IMG_9319.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0DAqcRjSLK9rYhUP0F5qyyXYhvoObH8DRiGQfufVbJKzx-A9Is5sCvIMYW8wFG88Z8KAw4nIV_xE3dL2YrXizmyNmSTGOGKPdrG03xqU_O9y_mzhY6OUx9UnDbfNhpExhd3aSa7Ekrh0/s1600/IMG_9319.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We drink a little.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlxVrHoPZc6MGtDtWL9CgERRLjj1ub2MsJAHyjGcMjcZH6zU9Ke8mi0FFGcWJuC4PgeTnDoIyHgwRzSWRRE0-6QS6z6cY3eURt3JQ3_G7XX_-p9Y_kvMzFLVGA4M5tsozlS6dlpSnrSlI/s1600/IMG_9356.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlxVrHoPZc6MGtDtWL9CgERRLjj1ub2MsJAHyjGcMjcZH6zU9Ke8mi0FFGcWJuC4PgeTnDoIyHgwRzSWRRE0-6QS6z6cY3eURt3JQ3_G7XX_-p9Y_kvMzFLVGA4M5tsozlS6dlpSnrSlI/s1600/IMG_9356.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
So those are the normal Darby-Nixon Christmas holidays.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Seriously, her question was about how we approach the whole Santa thing, and I'm getting to it but just give me another minute. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I was raised in the Super Southern Baptist Bible Belt of the world in the northeastern part of Mississippi. It seems EVERYONE in my home state celebrates Christmas to the extreme -- the commercial side and religious side. This was my childhood and this is what I thought was "typical." Over the top decorations and outfits and nativity scenes in yards. I remember hearing the threats from public school teachers about Santa watching me talk to friends when I should be listening. I spent the entire month of December trying to be good so that Santa would bring me more stuff. My parents reminded me, my friends reminded me, and even the girl in the check out line at the Piggly Wiggly reminded me to keep it together or Santa wouldn't visit.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So now I live in a small suburb of a very large, diverse city that is no where near the Bible Belt. There are many people in my small town who celebrate Christmas and many who celebrate Hannukah, AND many who celebrate both (or neither). So explaining this to my child has been difficult and wonderful.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Clint and I are Christians, and we celebrate Christmas not because we think it makes us good Christians. Let's please get one thing straight. Putting a zillion lights on your home really has nothing to do with being a good Christian. God commanded no one celebrate the birth of Jesus by wrestling for a flat screen in Wal-Mart on Black Friday. Several Christian denominations do not celebrate the religious side of Christmas, and I get it. There is so much commercialization going on and Santa gift-giving nonsense that it feels like such a waste. There is no commandment to actually write out "Christmas" and not shorten it to "Xmas." There is no commandment that a store clerk has to tell you "Merry Christmas" instead of "Happy Holidays" as you exit their store. Sigh. If this sort of thing offends you, then chances are you should probably spend the entire month of December at home to avoid getting panties in a wad. And please stop with the whole "Look at all my stuff my husband/boyfriend/parents bought for me! I'm SO BLESSED!" posts. Just stop. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We discuss the birth of Jesus with our children because it seems like the appropriate season to do so (even though this is probably not the time of year he was actually born), just as we discuss it other times in the year. But this time of year it does feel special.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We also discuss Santa. We love Santa. We love twinkle lights and reindeer and watching Elf. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We also get to discuss Hannukah and why some friends only celebrate Hannukah and why some friends celebrate both. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And this, my friends, is the Darbys' new world. Other people exist beyond the Bible belt and they do things differently and raising my children here has not caused any of our heads to explode yet. Frankly, it's really, really wonderful. Clint and I have had to question what we believe more than we had in the South, and that has made our faith stronger. When we do make it to church with our children, it's because we want to go and not because we feel obligated. When two other children hop in my car after camp and a discussion begins on which holidays their families celebrate, I don't flinch. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Anyway, back to Santa -- here's the thing. You and I know the truth, right? And we believed in Santa as children. And we remember finding out that he *might* not exist as we originally believed -- he really looks a lot more like our parents and not so much like the guy in the Coke ads. Because the reality is that children all over the world and some even our own neighborhood will not get a visit from Santa this year, and it is NOT because they have been bad. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So this is what I tell Mimi and Mack -- Santa is real for <i>our family</i> as long as they believe he is real. We have discussed the St. Nicholas story (thanks for the help, Veggie Tales), and we have discussed that some kids don't believe and some children's parents tell them he doesn't exist. I do not hold the whole "make sure you are being good for Santa or that stupid Elf so you'll get presents" over their heads. In a moment of weakness, I have said, "Have you forgotten that the elf is watching?!!" but then explain to my children that they need to make smart decisions and be kind all the time. Period. Presents are not linked to that. Clint and I enjoy buying little gifts for them. They each get one big gift -- a small dollhouse or scooter and a few small gifts. We try our best to not go overboard and are happy that neither of our families do either, so we'll keep buying little Christmas gifts for them because it is fun and it's a family tradition. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
I've been told that the best way to teach our children who have everything to be grateful and humble is to volunteer with them. Mimi is now at an age that she can begin doing that, so I let her help me shop for gifts for a 13-year-old girl with me. I tried to get on her level and explain that this child's family celebrates Christmas but isn't able to provide gifts this year.<br />
<br />
<i>Why not?</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
Maybe a family member has been sick and has expensive medical bills. Or maybe they aren't making enough money from their jobs this year.<br />
<br />
<i>But what about Santa? Can't he just bring her the gifts?</i><br />
<br />
Hmm. That was a good question. I told her that Santa is a part of our family's tradition but may not be a part of theirs.<br />
<br />
<i>That is really nice of you to help, Mommy, but I'm really tired after school and want to play with my toys. You should go by yourself.</i><br />
<br />
So after many "what if this was you or one of your friends" scenarios, she decided that the right decision was going with me. Once we got in the store, she picked up everything that was sparkly and purple and straw hats and lunch boxes and absolutely everything she wanted but this girl didn't need. We had several arguments and come-to-Jesus talks before we got out of that store. <br />
<br />
When we got to the car, Mimi broke down crying and told me that was really hard to buy for someone she doesn't even know and to not get anything for herself. It wasn't just a bratty whiney pout -- this was a deep hear-felt AHA moment. She wanted someone else to be happy but she realized she's selfish. And then this all made me cry because it meant she'd just grown up a little in that moment. So here we are sitting in Old Navy parking lot having a big ole sob fest together. <br />
<br />
Now Hannukah has begun (Happy Hannukah, y'all!) and I'm sure another discussion will begin this afternoon -- and I love that we will have this opportunity to learn about another religion and culture. Whatever you and your family celebrate, just embrace the season and keep those panties out of a wad. Please be kind to others when rushing to your Christmas cantata and dinner at Aunt Betsy's not because Santa is watching but <i>because we're all human and are all facing our own battles . . . </i>And hold that freaking door open for the mom with toddlers!!!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2546665416784172515" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2546665416784172515" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a>Jeri Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10521003964808664244noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2546665416784172515.post-60573143271582450062014-12-08T11:22:00.001-06:002014-12-08T11:22:26.225-06:00My Middle Name is Procrastination <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I had expected to be up to my eyeballs in Reindeer Mobile Home Park fabric by now, but since my supplier has decided to be shady I can't sew. I should be getting to other duties.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
A trip to Lowe's, a run in Target and the grocery, checking gifts off of wish lists, and finally making all those doctor appointment check-ups that I've avoided for the last, um, few years. No, nothing is wrong with me. I just can't make time to schedule a regular well visit because I find a million other things that I think are more important. But quit worrying about me, Dad, because I'm at least going to the dentist tomorrow.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And what do I do when my check list gets a mile long? I update my blog. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>Lucky for you I'm a procrastinator . . .</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
All this procrastinating makes me think of a convo I just had with one of my best good friends Saturday night. She was my first friend when I moved to Chicago (nine months pregnant and didn't know a soul), and she has been my savior many, many times. In a few short weeks -- oh, wait, is it now days??? -- she'll be moving 1,400 miles away from me, and I can't even find a way to write about it yet. Sigh. But anyway, she's a lot like I am. We love food, wine, and procrastinating. Why do today what you can probably put off until the last minute?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
So we decided that we're okay with who we are. We have sisters who are planners and put together like All. The. Time. and the thought of being that way just stresses us out -- we're just not that and that's okay. We are both the youngest of four, and we were, um, born this way . . . right? </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The truth is I woke up this morning feeling lots of pressure to get a month's worth of things accomplished in one day, which is why I just need to sit in front of my computer and regroup. Coffee, my favorite Pandora station (Indie Children's -- I'm not kidding. Love. Edward Sharpe, Head and the Heart, Jack Johnson, Band of Horses, with a little Build Me up Buttercup thrown in. Love, love, love.). I skipped pilates because I have a cold (sort of), and I've narrowed my list -- my goal this morning is to get the Christmas cards ordered. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
That's right -- I haven't even ordered the freaking things. This is something a "planner" would do Thanksgiving weekend, but I'm having trouble finding a "card-worthy" pic this year. I have some great ones of my children but they aren't together or it's the back of their heads, or Clint is in the background sneezing. We have completely thrown the idea of professional pics out the window because have you met my kids? I can do one of those cards with several pics on the front, but then I worry about not having even numbers of great pics of the kids and should I include Clint and me? And then what about Ruby? It's all too much for me this Monday.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
So I'll just post pics here about the fall. Maybe some runners up will hit me . . .</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
My children love a good waller in wet leaves.</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/AVvXsEiauQ3HkdfV_WVFs2hyphenhyphenzg_dN0xtPv8wFsbz3MWKHe9Qhuu07PMBzmCBrVoI5PCnr_RQFbKc64j6Bh7U33kHt4QitSuG8tc5c53mjvBl4Z-uMR_dUiHLt1rMW8wrQuZHxxJAHjdB9tLMPNE/s1600/DSC06029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiauQ3HkdfV_WVFs2hyphenhyphenzg_dN0xtPv8wFsbz3MWKHe9Qhuu07PMBzmCBrVoI5PCnr_RQFbKc64j6Bh7U33kHt4QitSuG8tc5c53mjvBl4Z-uMR_dUiHLt1rMW8wrQuZHxxJAHjdB9tLMPNE/s1600/DSC06029.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiafQhic4yumfoJL63GxjmsMp06WAIVDnvA-KzWxlrSbIw6pqZPvGuM0u9WJbZnsegB3Gao3rHxBsMUBHxjy1Mk9mxVD8tPP4DOBa6J0Jgwx9tbcIVAdeXuM7OAfIX1seNR7H3iduOND4Y/s1600/DSC06032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiafQhic4yumfoJL63GxjmsMp06WAIVDnvA-KzWxlrSbIw6pqZPvGuM0u9WJbZnsegB3Gao3rHxBsMUBHxjy1Mk9mxVD8tPP4DOBa6J0Jgwx9tbcIVAdeXuM7OAfIX1seNR7H3iduOND4Y/s1600/DSC06032.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvvQzMPUnT-0uqPh1Eig2itq8OzRL20nXwdx476pDxfgJlMgDpiBF_J_EutFNT2Mre5Ug41318pn2QOohxIu2X9qHa2RPMz2_vFyZ9TyMKqLZyBqOL64taXZ4BABGgYewImOL7S_7vgFs/s1600/DSC06056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvvQzMPUnT-0uqPh1Eig2itq8OzRL20nXwdx476pDxfgJlMgDpiBF_J_EutFNT2Mre5Ug41318pn2QOohxIu2X9qHa2RPMz2_vFyZ9TyMKqLZyBqOL64taXZ4BABGgYewImOL7S_7vgFs/s1600/DSC06056.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
This might be a runner up. But only one face. And it's a fall pic not a snowy, wintery scene.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
See how I put so much unnecessary pressure on myself?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ24XQHlxdWL4eCtE3i5ehNaaCylbGbYRP9j9bqndx6Gsnanj4sBWmzdVN4Rj3yUWuNWcgOTt_xcc3YONFxmY3orMcgl5VwwI_knz45wjN5V5oXZynKHYcWPWI4tVN2SoGYHAfQoK-BjU/s1600/DSC06059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ24XQHlxdWL4eCtE3i5ehNaaCylbGbYRP9j9bqndx6Gsnanj4sBWmzdVN4Rj3yUWuNWcgOTt_xcc3YONFxmY3orMcgl5VwwI_knz45wjN5V5oXZynKHYcWPWI4tVN2SoGYHAfQoK-BjU/s1600/DSC06059.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Sweet, but Clint is wearing shades. And it's quite cloudy. That's right -- he completely messed up this moment with frivolous sunglasses.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYXJfQUapwIYjqmDAYMJUQQRrwg8dQlGlDhj1dNCPzeExMXGwNm5QqQe2yoFGjcrxxle4E2TKaZPAxmy_RT5g-WmJ5O6wPh4hZnbC7KrU74VXF4XmDZSYbJ94zvjI45SkMl2xQgEMyd4Q/s1600/DSC06071.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYXJfQUapwIYjqmDAYMJUQQRrwg8dQlGlDhj1dNCPzeExMXGwNm5QqQe2yoFGjcrxxle4E2TKaZPAxmy_RT5g-WmJ5O6wPh4hZnbC7KrU74VXF4XmDZSYbJ94zvjI45SkMl2xQgEMyd4Q/s1600/DSC06071.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Oh, that hair. Maybe I should just put this on the card and that will be enough.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnsgpHg06MHTo6zeQrwP961Uz6C21Xo0-CFecM9zuLY83DqL8zelaboq-X7YUZh4gkGmtXTFsz3tfKgSqLBB0QxUZJPvC0Ucw5hhVzQGmJz1VgbKhTW8DfN87erM-RlLtzvNYZMOTx2Vw/s1600/DSC06072.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnsgpHg06MHTo6zeQrwP961Uz6C21Xo0-CFecM9zuLY83DqL8zelaboq-X7YUZh4gkGmtXTFsz3tfKgSqLBB0QxUZJPvC0Ucw5hhVzQGmJz1VgbKhTW8DfN87erM-RlLtzvNYZMOTx2Vw/s1600/DSC06072.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
We had a bit of snow in November (where the heck is it now?), but the kids wouldn't cooperate and stand nicely together. And this is the neighbor's dog anyway.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR9lrFetyn2GdxSB_yBrLP8P2lybKPXSx5GfzqjY60O3uu2Cf5Ax3u0AZoBhFN6VxhbZhyphenhyphenVggriMe14MW8b7e-0VU6AHodwZM60bX15NE3OiieCF7kxkJ-y19NyvEeSWc0v2wyk3Kpq_4/s1600/DSC06124.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR9lrFetyn2GdxSB_yBrLP8P2lybKPXSx5GfzqjY60O3uu2Cf5Ax3u0AZoBhFN6VxhbZhyphenhyphenVggriMe14MW8b7e-0VU6AHodwZM60bX15NE3OiieCF7kxkJ-y19NyvEeSWc0v2wyk3Kpq_4/s1600/DSC06124.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And speaking of dogs, our Little Black Puppy is still the best. Right now she's curled up in a beanbag next to me sleeping. She sleeps about 20 hours a day and causes zero trouble. Sometimes she is most definitely my favorite child.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixondlPzk8HQ23u1DAS7LDKw1Fbz821cbjEPUuIjbCc3qgd_8c9NsYil7hVHLRxUBaX3Y45dFTQqYLj1V5XtHZm9JeBh2XJ_fwoCzNLGW3nJfIoqadFmnRVBmwvW5KSu35F72Gk2TE22o/s1600/IMG_2853.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixondlPzk8HQ23u1DAS7LDKw1Fbz821cbjEPUuIjbCc3qgd_8c9NsYil7hVHLRxUBaX3Y45dFTQqYLj1V5XtHZm9JeBh2XJ_fwoCzNLGW3nJfIoqadFmnRVBmwvW5KSu35F72Gk2TE22o/s1600/IMG_2853.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
This guy, on the other hand, has no use for a decent night's sleep, which, in my opinion, should be from about 6:00 PM to 8:00 AM for a kid with his energy. He is a freaking handful and a half right now. The last few weeks have been smooth sailing for him, so I knew it was coming.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPwjF2qKVRKKLOUxe0e1STkFU-t6lT2vYDOsGTF4QxZyBLVO_4GxACguaCOUrS3iK_Ngz0nHXzpp2f5oK7AcOZLjYaKf5U2_ALIOMh73qCZAH2o-tNTMz_whQvXnSKN9YpOVXHCl5ccG4/s1600/IMG_2858.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPwjF2qKVRKKLOUxe0e1STkFU-t6lT2vYDOsGTF4QxZyBLVO_4GxACguaCOUrS3iK_Ngz0nHXzpp2f5oK7AcOZLjYaKf5U2_ALIOMh73qCZAH2o-tNTMz_whQvXnSKN9YpOVXHCl5ccG4/s1600/IMG_2858.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
When we returned home from Thanksgiving, he suddenly began throwing tantrums and didn't want to go to school. He asks for milk and then throws his cup at me when I give it to him. He asks to watch Handy Manny and then screams and flings his body to the ground. The horrible toddler stage ends for most children by four, but because of Mack's delays we get to enjoy the "extended stay" version. He was actually becoming my easier child and then BAM! he returned to being unregulated. His OT tells me this happens when he has grown developmentally. He is figuring out more about the world, social cues, his body, and what he can and can't control, and he is very angry about what he can't control. I guess I also get pretty angry when I also realize what I can't control.</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/AVvXsEhlWGXXf2UXgFcoOVfGbkvnhDqu-WNBEprDxtYDlUkjEPIf-2r3Z_vHDMxHIj56Uo9fOSAl_uITQ2y-q-UIm_lJU1eHBzJPqi5ykoqNHRLWnO1rlAdSDXIqdKbIzhZznun3KYYfyG4XHpk/s1600/IMG_2920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlWGXXf2UXgFcoOVfGbkvnhDqu-WNBEprDxtYDlUkjEPIf-2r3Z_vHDMxHIj56Uo9fOSAl_uITQ2y-q-UIm_lJU1eHBzJPqi5ykoqNHRLWnO1rlAdSDXIqdKbIzhZznun3KYYfyG4XHpk/s1600/IMG_2920.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
But we're working through it and his amazing teacher at school immediately got to work on this fun little poster with pics of Spongebob and Buzz Lightyear with velcro letters. And this is how she gets my son out of the car without a meltdown in the morning. She's pretty much a genius.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Now Mimi has taken her role of the easier child, and it's about time. She has been a challenge since adjusting to the grueling demands of first grade, but now she's returning to her sweet self. So I took her downtown to Daddy's office for lunch when she had a day off school recently.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Not the clearest pic, but I love seeing my creations with Chicago skyline in the background.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJJcbnom4xu-owFCNmiPK18wM6x73w0icHXv_picwOfWVsm2IL3vy7yt1YF4fqIcRSQcjHbnrUqAubgBG1j4Xp9mHOcpMmvlvHW9zKt08ggN9GyZ15WK7rISCjhkTilRA51rYScKaY0ew/s1600/IMG_2880.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJJcbnom4xu-owFCNmiPK18wM6x73w0icHXv_picwOfWVsm2IL3vy7yt1YF4fqIcRSQcjHbnrUqAubgBG1j4Xp9mHOcpMmvlvHW9zKt08ggN9GyZ15WK7rISCjhkTilRA51rYScKaY0ew/s1600/IMG_2880.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And I took her to Annie. That's right. Same print in navy and pink (ooh, and it's velvet). If you didn't know it yet, I've turned into a sewing geek. I thought she was growing out of mommy making her clothes until her kindergarten teacher last year made a big deal out of it. And then her friends thought of her mom as a hip fashion designer. <i>Um, not really</i> but I'll take it. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ6tFabKhf8Rd9bnaaVE0UAm0WTqZioOjjXjUO6EH60k6PeCBIwT1TJzhETFCcwLR31R86nfTC239Jzyre71u5bjJRYtgvvZZu09ceVqfwdrf0SQ2H6DPpNMSuuiCT8PeeKRVApOH6EwU/s1600/IMG_2944.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ6tFabKhf8Rd9bnaaVE0UAm0WTqZioOjjXjUO6EH60k6PeCBIwT1TJzhETFCcwLR31R86nfTC239Jzyre71u5bjJRYtgvvZZu09ceVqfwdrf0SQ2H6DPpNMSuuiCT8PeeKRVApOH6EwU/s1600/IMG_2944.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Happiest kid on the planet.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCAALwH9ZzibPJCfk8jW6Ta7u7e0w-VtVoYU7IgF4f8_JUxdFktVpVVolAogEKKFXWeJYtegZiPPXmFXLUFY2NtAYXsNbdQTj5LnXCgDmTtpuaRQlB9HBIoGI7XRlt7TZGx-wj7lTExQY/s1600/IMG_2929.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCAALwH9ZzibPJCfk8jW6Ta7u7e0w-VtVoYU7IgF4f8_JUxdFktVpVVolAogEKKFXWeJYtegZiPPXmFXLUFY2NtAYXsNbdQTj5LnXCgDmTtpuaRQlB9HBIoGI7XRlt7TZGx-wj7lTExQY/s1600/IMG_2929.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
So we took the kids south ON AN AIRPLANE for Thanksgiving. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And we survived.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Whew.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And this is how we did it.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
#1 O'hare has an awesome play area near the F gates (and probably other gates but we didn't venture). They ran and ran and ran and pushed buttons and climbed in and out of things.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR2joZGhS7oY3gNo68o-Cc7ozwIa1NWKhxQD2p645pa3hmhtk7rAdGqMixBaOkXezaRmrpqO_zWDE9OuTynOKdX424K6useVNMXblHDB9VJIknn7urdLi54pm13Uc8eNvj3GaTrST9jMM/s1600/IMG_2963.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR2joZGhS7oY3gNo68o-Cc7ozwIa1NWKhxQD2p645pa3hmhtk7rAdGqMixBaOkXezaRmrpqO_zWDE9OuTynOKdX424K6useVNMXblHDB9VJIknn7urdLi54pm13Uc8eNvj3GaTrST9jMM/s1600/IMG_2963.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
#2 I bought thick milk shakes for them right before we boarded the plane. They were big, so they needed both of their hands to hold them, which meant they weren't touching anything. Mack paused when he saw the pilots in the cockpit with all those amazing buttons but then remembered he'd have to put down the milk shake to touch them. Also, their breathing slows down when using the straw, so that helped calm them after playing so hard. AND drinking helped their ears pop.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
#3 I wrapped inexpensive gifts for them to open when they had the wiggles. They each only opened one :).</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
#4 I used CARE straps for Mack. I thought about bringing his car seat, but both Clint and I really needed as few carry-ons as possible so we could chase, grab, or tackle our children during an emergency. The straps kept him in place and made him feel like he was in his carseat. Thank you Betsy, and I promise I will return them! Maybe after I order those Christmas cards . . . </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
#5 We splurged and bought an iPad mini for Mimi and let Mack use our iPad. Ugh, I know. It's like cheating to stick kids in front of screens but I can own being a cheater if it meant my kids weren't screaming and running up and down the plane aisle. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCBbtE9JYeEAcjqYzYNYja3Wvbt8URdaOMpeXNxaexCYnjCXbGVMokbU854uIw9rD-rkAwcsBnOANG93dQHLL0gVjVGlqzRbqM2fZPqRl4baX2kuhAJGj4dBPMzB3qziVdQoS9tBrC2Kg/s1600/IMG_2968.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCBbtE9JYeEAcjqYzYNYja3Wvbt8URdaOMpeXNxaexCYnjCXbGVMokbU854uIw9rD-rkAwcsBnOANG93dQHLL0gVjVGlqzRbqM2fZPqRl4baX2kuhAJGj4dBPMzB3qziVdQoS9tBrC2Kg/s1600/IMG_2968.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
# And last but not least, I prayed. As we were about to board the plane, I kept the kids back a little and let everyone else board who was in the area so I could check them out. I asked God to please let all of these people be kind and understanding. Hopefully they were all parents or grandparents or child care workers. Whatever they were, I prayed that they wouldn't say anything rude to my children or me because we all know a harsh comment makes every bad situation complete hell.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
As we found our seats, I heard a southern voice say, "Hey, Jeri Anne."</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Huh? I saw a familiar face but was so anxious I couldn't put a name to it. Because what would someone with a southern accent who knows me be doing on a plane in Chicago? </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
It was a friend from high school who had just taken her daughter and a friend to New York, and I was so happy that she was in front of us and the girls were behind us that I could have cried! You can call it coincidence, but I call it God.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Decorating cupcakes with cousins and Shug in Memphis.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqYBmwV53QbWibSnQGzbXuzXuhK3cn3RBMNM5TkX38Orpq_taMi-3CMxSR4CWqG_XuNGtN2o01PfjqsGfvzJ-bwdrOmBPmrHFMvALmknzhqIYWoCXZui8wjJcA1yLOOvbgjWFZdK46Y0s/s1600/IMG_2972.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqYBmwV53QbWibSnQGzbXuzXuhK3cn3RBMNM5TkX38Orpq_taMi-3CMxSR4CWqG_XuNGtN2o01PfjqsGfvzJ-bwdrOmBPmrHFMvALmknzhqIYWoCXZui8wjJcA1yLOOvbgjWFZdK46Y0s/s1600/IMG_2972.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRA2kzLrmWBsWt3FGEkfIQ0jh0AaZGMfK7kXhenoqbBhPyieV15m3sT9Hbo9WgrQPKKC9sdc40amfRMc7ZzuLRmwLoTDt3Zs5UGRZtmWTdVn3gYKUe2XdbnbVRPWajx8yF5xZUyub8bps/s1600/IMG_2979.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRA2kzLrmWBsWt3FGEkfIQ0jh0AaZGMfK7kXhenoqbBhPyieV15m3sT9Hbo9WgrQPKKC9sdc40amfRMc7ZzuLRmwLoTDt3Zs5UGRZtmWTdVn3gYKUe2XdbnbVRPWajx8yF5xZUyub8bps/s1600/IMG_2979.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
A wonderful dinner with the Darby siblings who I <i>adore.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrixZBpI4lrY9WLN2SfNUDM3kcECJToMQWHmTxm-6wXaI2vCYASkwt9mkyKQLCCzP7HzvPCZnwNGpXsMsmb8euwuBeElL6XVwY4tJj0A6XRr9G23ZIXR7ar47fad-aB9SyBJgCmAs04g4/s1600/IMG_2985.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrixZBpI4lrY9WLN2SfNUDM3kcECJToMQWHmTxm-6wXaI2vCYASkwt9mkyKQLCCzP7HzvPCZnwNGpXsMsmb8euwuBeElL6XVwY4tJj0A6XRr9G23ZIXR7ar47fad-aB9SyBJgCmAs04g4/s1600/IMG_2985.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Checking out the horses in Mississippi.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNxplfvInjMD2foZVxKKou93VDZxsvpEfwWwVNVAsduLrwWhGbuZvFxnRVHIygV-vlaUCBXSmCi-SPWC688Tkus1UQQXmXHJzGeT-wqURCaHottihJuiM9QizzD4U7HYRQWBZdtnrzGdM/s1600/IMG_3002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNxplfvInjMD2foZVxKKou93VDZxsvpEfwWwVNVAsduLrwWhGbuZvFxnRVHIygV-vlaUCBXSmCi-SPWC688Tkus1UQQXmXHJzGeT-wqURCaHottihJuiM9QizzD4U7HYRQWBZdtnrzGdM/s1600/IMG_3002.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Silly, silly girls.</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/AVvXsEiTRgW1EEq1fZfogBzQr_lTbXsTRLpi4Py1z8fDBNBZjcUtATqaKL-8VPPMGZxf1uaHVsYMRg7Q1DelkJrj9Tig0Zo5KKc-aMbst72cnWXE3c45EQ9mlaNwrTcwQnv8NKa1Uix3riiqUDo/s1600/IMG_3049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTRgW1EEq1fZfogBzQr_lTbXsTRLpi4Py1z8fDBNBZjcUtATqaKL-8VPPMGZxf1uaHVsYMRg7Q1DelkJrj9Tig0Zo5KKc-aMbst72cnWXE3c45EQ9mlaNwrTcwQnv8NKa1Uix3riiqUDo/s1600/IMG_3049.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Run, run, run before we get back on that next plane, Mack.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn90juJ8RXfpVa5IeDE4a5YxD7pPJazCohadHZQ5n74Qg4R1LICqya55i-9_J2n5cpurYztVa29qS6g-a9VaXLTk4KH83n7_BDEJE2NBQAy3ejh1M3qrltYrRYapda6r2_6PjQwfI5gMg/s1600/IMG_3016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn90juJ8RXfpVa5IeDE4a5YxD7pPJazCohadHZQ5n74Qg4R1LICqya55i-9_J2n5cpurYztVa29qS6g-a9VaXLTk4KH83n7_BDEJE2NBQAy3ejh1M3qrltYrRYapda6r2_6PjQwfI5gMg/s1600/IMG_3016.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Sitting still for three seconds at the kids' table.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxa_wmkSK5Pq-EIrY9tDWPsCLKzMFLDGhTG9Fxpn8KlV8vYo_SlWAPUZ86dT-2Xin12YrlQptCkeXjboz1YT6xE-gE5cahgIDTYkyIupGUYW50YWmQT37flhuIwKrABhh7rP7pvloc4zE/s1600/IMG_3031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxa_wmkSK5Pq-EIrY9tDWPsCLKzMFLDGhTG9Fxpn8KlV8vYo_SlWAPUZ86dT-2Xin12YrlQptCkeXjboz1YT6xE-gE5cahgIDTYkyIupGUYW50YWmQT37flhuIwKrABhh7rP7pvloc4zE/s1600/IMG_3031.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Happy birthday, Amy and Poppaw. Mimi always has to steal the spotlight. Always.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuMJqM99ArFca4f04XGWWRo_IqaDRyU2EOdSlGr1KRvzEAIrNuGY8ijZ0frFydsCmUgFlqQ9K7P-Mn0YktxCM0W6tIvDuh6TnRPObMGWOirvVj9Ol4brhFEF3OlxunnxyfNylb3YTatto/s1600/IMG_3036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuMJqM99ArFca4f04XGWWRo_IqaDRyU2EOdSlGr1KRvzEAIrNuGY8ijZ0frFydsCmUgFlqQ9K7P-Mn0YktxCM0W6tIvDuh6TnRPObMGWOirvVj9Ol4brhFEF3OlxunnxyfNylb3YTatto/s1600/IMG_3036.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Ruby was in good hands having a sleepover at her BFF Scout's house. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYx_zF0Oq6RxbOUEmkwfnKHkfutzAOM9PLfp5I-6hQKF-jgot7_foBGjEi_lhsMidqFnbY2ACzf0Wj5Lr1jeAXrvP3gfxGbLIzEhR3Sc_Fngr_P05EARHNVie6cn6tviG0kXOxWoNnxOc/s1600/IMG_3050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYx_zF0Oq6RxbOUEmkwfnKHkfutzAOM9PLfp5I-6hQKF-jgot7_foBGjEi_lhsMidqFnbY2ACzf0Wj5Lr1jeAXrvP3gfxGbLIzEhR3Sc_Fngr_P05EARHNVie6cn6tviG0kXOxWoNnxOc/s1600/IMG_3050.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Cool girls.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl-zs_aPIJNp-1AAHXUsFzP-Hz-sdsKgjH6mKuqV-hdGrPfRTCWW31d4F4_0c7Bde82XnIiMRc-LWVTjGYwKEHEX8zYHHfi6xT1dBUTOvYtM_HxUivhP80XSEAD-wDspWDSs4zYsoy3pw/s1600/IMG_3051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl-zs_aPIJNp-1AAHXUsFzP-Hz-sdsKgjH6mKuqV-hdGrPfRTCWW31d4F4_0c7Bde82XnIiMRc-LWVTjGYwKEHEX8zYHHfi6xT1dBUTOvYtM_HxUivhP80XSEAD-wDspWDSs4zYsoy3pw/s1600/IMG_3051.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
My parents live near Tishomingo State Park, and I think we should visit this spot every time we go back home.</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/AVvXsEiVQ7ck2BE_hVjkJ5r-p11PWbDaiaK1yLsQYtWSnLQfvsX1ZE13S_frHBjWHubiCGLNrUVWsZKGhHbeknlHTKR0j-i682q7eRk7nHgcIxnFMcldGiUkvM7UbmPyAq12YkLN-uyvNfGv-vM/s1600/IMG_3092.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVQ7ck2BE_hVjkJ5r-p11PWbDaiaK1yLsQYtWSnLQfvsX1ZE13S_frHBjWHubiCGLNrUVWsZKGhHbeknlHTKR0j-i682q7eRk7nHgcIxnFMcldGiUkvM7UbmPyAq12YkLN-uyvNfGv-vM/s1600/IMG_3092.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJG-VvEFVN8hCTTM3Ws5_vZK2gdtwTofcO3oYeZZ3Kc_kH7xCtLH_UXDlEDADvOem7iomNnq6W0kbULE2abgAHVGmL84Aqd7aqbIVj5kpgQsp1aJkHNuIftUuZFoCVNkIL2PWW_iZY3Hg/s1600/IMG_3114.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJG-VvEFVN8hCTTM3Ws5_vZK2gdtwTofcO3oYeZZ3Kc_kH7xCtLH_UXDlEDADvOem7iomNnq6W0kbULE2abgAHVGmL84Aqd7aqbIVj5kpgQsp1aJkHNuIftUuZFoCVNkIL2PWW_iZY3Hg/s1600/IMG_3114.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
They even have the dangerous old see saws that I love.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyk7Ax2KMpcAoJlaT5vMcvqYx-_hctcqqAtwAT-CBBr0-zTl8Qp5WeX_bNyPIZLa3AiUM_BMLMmTK54eqKrTyo4jC_mHAb1fjk0ByNOKNUZqDBsWJogSRdkDro-iHKob6kLYtGyE1a2rg/s1600/IMG_3120.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyk7Ax2KMpcAoJlaT5vMcvqYx-_hctcqqAtwAT-CBBr0-zTl8Qp5WeX_bNyPIZLa3AiUM_BMLMmTK54eqKrTyo4jC_mHAb1fjk0ByNOKNUZqDBsWJogSRdkDro-iHKob6kLYtGyE1a2rg/s1600/IMG_3120.JPG" height="400" 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 /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIi8lJd3E1wk7rKm35DVbz0OydyDkKFinUw0VSjDyIUY66dN6nMk4Qg6eScVOaFqbvAPmIUvuUeFRE4PD4wpKyyRfHnvjb_QAk1P3qRJCz51nbpxaDEdxiC18uUef_u_9vg8JxmyMb6cU/s1600/IMG_3121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIi8lJd3E1wk7rKm35DVbz0OydyDkKFinUw0VSjDyIUY66dN6nMk4Qg6eScVOaFqbvAPmIUvuUeFRE4PD4wpKyyRfHnvjb_QAk1P3qRJCz51nbpxaDEdxiC18uUef_u_9vg8JxmyMb6cU/s1600/IMG_3121.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This could be a runner up. But Mimi isn't smiling and does it give a false impression that we live in a log cabin? Our life really isn't that cool and adventurous.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH1-Mbp3PV8xXrgMIRXh-i724kMqw0kMX2GOxligNAj7It54ouFd4A3bdFK9T0mrYPingKowmptxNRnP3dy3ENnrtOnnZhlkUfJ4bVd0CibsxPiFiC9r1ZWwqtBEdx7XYvsM9M7iySXc4/s1600/IMG_3122.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH1-Mbp3PV8xXrgMIRXh-i724kMqw0kMX2GOxligNAj7It54ouFd4A3bdFK9T0mrYPingKowmptxNRnP3dy3ENnrtOnnZhlkUfJ4bVd0CibsxPiFiC9r1ZWwqtBEdx7XYvsM9M7iySXc4/s1600/IMG_3122.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Loved the swinging bridge.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKuiTtQtSxsxsSOZGiSewDLtugI6rQnWaZTjf3RQuwX3zrLTv5bGnRHMXOxlPnYERsGv1H6gJXwPZya3QnkiyLRSAtz9iWd21Cgrf7olCRzCV3BjFCxRrHOY9vfTH0w73_9p7FngEfo4s/s1600/IMG_3123.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKuiTtQtSxsxsSOZGiSewDLtugI6rQnWaZTjf3RQuwX3zrLTv5bGnRHMXOxlPnYERsGv1H6gJXwPZya3QnkiyLRSAtz9iWd21Cgrf7olCRzCV3BjFCxRrHOY9vfTH0w73_9p7FngEfo4s/s1600/IMG_3123.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This pic has nothing to do with anything but it makes me giggle.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I need a dozen cookie robots!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6FmdEDv1z22UdFFDTNc6HPX8XcQjGh5hEylhbyUleuN_LGXacr8GDRl_McNb6f0XrmfdaThyw5G66DOcJXQgmoUHLIbxKMafHPQxWkv0r_ozgscWa3L8QrXJZbiQQEaSZMXjn8iNa6es/s1600/IMG_3125.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6FmdEDv1z22UdFFDTNc6HPX8XcQjGh5hEylhbyUleuN_LGXacr8GDRl_McNb6f0XrmfdaThyw5G66DOcJXQgmoUHLIbxKMafHPQxWkv0r_ozgscWa3L8QrXJZbiQQEaSZMXjn8iNa6es/s1600/IMG_3125.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Okay, time to get to those Christmas cards. Ugh, this is so hard.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Until then, Merry Christmas. And Happy Hanukkah (Mimi is so jealous of all your nights of gifts). And Happy New Year. May your lights be twinkly and your bellies be full. May you not honk your horns at all the traffic jams and please remember to hold the doors for that mom with several packages and a whiney toddler who is throwing his body on the floor. Better yet, just babysit her toddler and give her a gift certificate for a massage. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcNh66WesWeT4tZVTW7acyzdFXPq2sR1PzInhS-lsv-uiFxeNXWJZr_uNW1B9paiVgJLP23kgKMKP9gKtanpjO7zd8rTdhMv-1AuyqHrzbi8pRTEVTHD1VQzeC0eTJRCbaXONP6wasO0s/s1600/IMG_3164.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcNh66WesWeT4tZVTW7acyzdFXPq2sR1PzInhS-lsv-uiFxeNXWJZr_uNW1B9paiVgJLP23kgKMKP9gKtanpjO7zd8rTdhMv-1AuyqHrzbi8pRTEVTHD1VQzeC0eTJRCbaXONP6wasO0s/s1600/IMG_3164.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7251X_tEFRyA5VSLLaCoQo5pQIYHpjdYdtdknr-Tiulf8qbMu2TfXh7pdkP2oK94dvhjEdxtL6SUB1dATnH4_ppuKuWTxUlbvBKU30ufXmbSDm18av4HMuCX2WsEOgFIFB0W_rOqRM6A/s1600/IMG_3052.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7251X_tEFRyA5VSLLaCoQo5pQIYHpjdYdtdknr-Tiulf8qbMu2TfXh7pdkP2oK94dvhjEdxtL6SUB1dATnH4_ppuKuWTxUlbvBKU30ufXmbSDm18av4HMuCX2WsEOgFIFB0W_rOqRM6A/s1600/IMG_3052.PNG" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />Jeri Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10521003964808664244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2546665416784172515.post-21756037786852992102014-11-24T13:32:00.002-06:002014-11-24T13:33:42.395-06:00Try to Get By<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
When I woke up this morning, it was about 45 degrees and rainy. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
But now it's 30 degrees and snowing . . . </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
. . . so let's just think about summer for a second and try to get by.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZMUuUfglMXKan7lgoB5oqoI1f-daphYihysitXuLmmydwc9vBA2dTRTb6vrfY_ogGiAitj3Dp9kRd3paLupv9QWgs2Ls_gJCtobpl_B7nM6VkPPWIRlEN_WXuAXleKYZ7a0vp1zviLD0/s1600/IMG_2352.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZMUuUfglMXKan7lgoB5oqoI1f-daphYihysitXuLmmydwc9vBA2dTRTb6vrfY_ogGiAitj3Dp9kRd3paLupv9QWgs2Ls_gJCtobpl_B7nM6VkPPWIRlEN_WXuAXleKYZ7a0vp1zviLD0/s1600/IMG_2352.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>Sunshine . . . ahhhhh . . . </i></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/AVvXsEhQJEca-Et5Bapz4dP9wRcLWeYAKgkm-ePRGKTTIR0bNOnx7YU0l0YQFhyphenhyphenv5Rhnu36fzsmQ85BzUoM8HWzi4T3c9WBmKCtrtNBFYkoOwXTV_fs13gO8XjO3waqGAe_8k5YM2mL9MoYsqyw/s1600/IMG_2353.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQJEca-Et5Bapz4dP9wRcLWeYAKgkm-ePRGKTTIR0bNOnx7YU0l0YQFhyphenhyphenv5Rhnu36fzsmQ85BzUoM8HWzi4T3c9WBmKCtrtNBFYkoOwXTV_fs13gO8XjO3waqGAe_8k5YM2mL9MoYsqyw/s1600/IMG_2353.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Mack and his bucket of stuff. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiBzi5p1u9Sy_mTh794T1ioxjVs_BeVi3PlS_Zi68NiLhasw8EILnOG55UkIdlnv44roi2wgbu-J0UaffuU4bd4IcgozxcVdLhP0HpLO6592SGMVdHk0Spo8UFQ7ySaKJGS37rj7dPYqk/s1600/IMG_2360.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiBzi5p1u9Sy_mTh794T1ioxjVs_BeVi3PlS_Zi68NiLhasw8EILnOG55UkIdlnv44roi2wgbu-J0UaffuU4bd4IcgozxcVdLhP0HpLO6592SGMVdHk0Spo8UFQ7ySaKJGS37rj7dPYqk/s1600/IMG_2360.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
On a milkshake date with Mommy.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2rAX_8YPXkXgJhO7d7yRCmv6lTEhkhRou-GYyPm6hTyfVL7PNBvLjqf75K_EQw7h8gOmrREZW_pA-3Q7feVsxT5gF_F7gYRyErmitAGEliMgDfgMfsWnxPI9BXfuzIGKfZtpBIkoXv_4/s1600/IMG_2313.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2rAX_8YPXkXgJhO7d7yRCmv6lTEhkhRou-GYyPm6hTyfVL7PNBvLjqf75K_EQw7h8gOmrREZW_pA-3Q7feVsxT5gF_F7gYRyErmitAGEliMgDfgMfsWnxPI9BXfuzIGKfZtpBIkoXv_4/s1600/IMG_2313.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I think often about why we don't live at the beach. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyACrzhdnD36rc37hoMHQClMZ5JZrafizZtq3IGnznLB9X__dG8miwa5ekR-Gl-tjjnyuySai_6Gah5lU1Jq-CB-FLfUWx4P4FvIBIlbof2_O5968Bi1PWATdXw4shOz6SPAWdwtKaNvo/s1600/IMG_2226.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyACrzhdnD36rc37hoMHQClMZ5JZrafizZtq3IGnznLB9X__dG8miwa5ekR-Gl-tjjnyuySai_6Gah5lU1Jq-CB-FLfUWx4P4FvIBIlbof2_O5968Bi1PWATdXw4shOz6SPAWdwtKaNvo/s1600/IMG_2226.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
But then I realize that there would be no magic if we lived there. The beach would become every day and ordinary, and then where would we vacation???</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;">
This kid turned 6 over the summer. S-I-X. Y'all that's big.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
She becoming more independent and more helpful. More beautiful and more thoughtful. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU_R2lYWLBcdpfvCnuMs3xeycANNu5Se2QSNPX6iEbY9VYOqCVMR70mygpcN3Dgf6UTV-ifVTlRW5uqIGpqSm-Mdn8-Zj2IyLHE1jYv78VasVtyAwR6YYQnuvv3JjmosR4uERaCHd9NRE/s1600/IMG_2095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU_R2lYWLBcdpfvCnuMs3xeycANNu5Se2QSNPX6iEbY9VYOqCVMR70mygpcN3Dgf6UTV-ifVTlRW5uqIGpqSm-Mdn8-Zj2IyLHE1jYv78VasVtyAwR6YYQnuvv3JjmosR4uERaCHd9NRE/s1600/IMG_2095.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
She's decided she needs to perform, and Clint and I can't disagree. She's so young, but I have been anxious to see what interests this kid. Soccer or softball? She spends more time cheering for her teammates and singing. Swimming? She just wants to splash her teacher. Ice Skating and dance seem sort of hopeful, but what she really loves to do is pretend, imagine, and create. I recently took her to see Annie, and she sat so close to the edge of her seat that she fell off a few times. And we were in the second row, so I'm not sure how much closer she thought she could get. <br />
<br />
The very next day a mom told me, "You know, Mimi has a really great voice. She should do something with it."<br />
<br />
<i>What?? Mimi? </i>I've never really paid attention. And then another mom said the same thing the next day. Okay, I get it. More to come on that when I figure this out . . .<br />
<br />
It's exciting to see her strengths emerging. She's outgoing and helpful. She concerned about her friends and doesn't discriminate against kids who are a little different. She has the biggest imagination and takes up the entire room with her personality. And she can talk friends and grown-ups into just about any crazy scheme of hers.<br />
<br />
And then there's school. Yeeesh. <br />
<br />
As soon as first grade began, I knew there would be a struggle. She can't sit still long enough to write and would prefer to read a book as she thinks it should go -- not how it is written. While she understands math concepts, numbers over 10 get confusing for her. She misses a lot of instructions because she's very busy telling a story to a friend, and she just can't stop telling that story for anything in the world.<br />
<br />
So after frustrating nights of homework and drilling and really low scores on spelling quizzes, I've finally given in to the fact that my children learn differently. I don't know what Clint and I did to create these little monkeys who are so amazing and wonderful and absolutely unique. There is no other Mimi. And just to prove it she is going to make damn sure that she gets special treatment at school, which by the way, is freaking awesome. The teachers and reading specialist and principal along with other fancy degree people have been on it. We moved to this district for Mack having no idea how beneficial it would be for Mimi. It makes that insane tax bill not seem so awful. <br />
<br />
And speaking of Mack -- this guy turned 4. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-akbSK6k5bobVnx4afF0UdN9zn7HS-VJWLDQEcSFWWqBPRfSAAW1Hfyh7S000hsFZyHJRnB4__eWgZtXSBv-YsVd_Qx3SQc9y5lP2Fw9wdLA5kz65OeN4VD65AXJzpbw_VfSIrh2nhFA/s1600/IMG_2267.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-akbSK6k5bobVnx4afF0UdN9zn7HS-VJWLDQEcSFWWqBPRfSAAW1Hfyh7S000hsFZyHJRnB4__eWgZtXSBv-YsVd_Qx3SQc9y5lP2Fw9wdLA5kz65OeN4VD65AXJzpbw_VfSIrh2nhFA/s1600/IMG_2267.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Four is a fun age, and we have seen amazing changes in him just since this birthday -- more talkative, more social, and my gosh, he's smart. He is spelling long movie titles from memory and beginning to sound out words. He doesn't just know that "Toy Story" begins with a "T," he can spell out "Disney Pixar Toy Story 3 on DVD." Yes, he's the opposite of Mimi. She has the social skills and he's the academic. It wouldn't be fair if they were both perfect, would it?<br />
<br />
As one friend recently told me, where a child is lacking in skills, he will make up for it tremendously in another way. No doubt both of mine are making up for it tremendously.<br />
<br />
Oh, low they love each other. I love to catch them sharing toys and playing a computer game together. Mack will occasionally walk up to Mimi and give her a squeeze and a kiss for absolutely no reason, and the world stops for a few seconds.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitn6PsKuA8_euW7txMwrozYlxoaPWZ6mvXTL_BmSbdzUetW0QZa96_3w9iOiZ9SOSMYyVLf5cjQNWHoFNl7I0xks6i3iej2ON8xx0nInQk3l81EeqD2q13TVnm-tY6Vi7MGp8L9WHHTXg/s1600/IMG_2136.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitn6PsKuA8_euW7txMwrozYlxoaPWZ6mvXTL_BmSbdzUetW0QZa96_3w9iOiZ9SOSMYyVLf5cjQNWHoFNl7I0xks6i3iej2ON8xx0nInQk3l81EeqD2q13TVnm-tY6Vi7MGp8L9WHHTXg/s1600/IMG_2136.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
And this guy loves me. I call him my little boyfriend because he loves to hold my hand and snuggle with me. He likes to make me laugh and smile and even holds doors open for me. He's a bit possessive but I'm learning to deal with it.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP2V617rqRukPLhaDJEcuy603i-HAC4JGQQdjgtYGXHhTjSamhUUlSiy1DvIGs4fOtzqZrVymj2Dx4njR_Nihz6DMgXZR-xtdVAmPzzFrxRoeGvW_y-yoco084lOksAoiAHStfX0EL660/s1600/IMG_2208.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP2V617rqRukPLhaDJEcuy603i-HAC4JGQQdjgtYGXHhTjSamhUUlSiy1DvIGs4fOtzqZrVymj2Dx4njR_Nihz6DMgXZR-xtdVAmPzzFrxRoeGvW_y-yoco084lOksAoiAHStfX0EL660/s1600/IMG_2208.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
If I had known back when Mimi was a perfect little nine-month-old how challenging this would all be, I think I may have thrown in the towel then. A couple of nights ago we went to a restaurant for dinner (restaurants are something we don't visit with children much anymore), and I looked over at a nearby table -- a happy mom, a playful dad, and a sweet little 9- or 10-month old baby sitting nicely in his high chair. He was picking at snacks as the parents took turns giving him attention. I remember that easy stage with Mimi. <br />
<br />
And then I looked back at my table. Mimi was talking our ears off and Mack was sticking his hands in Clint's water and then ran off towards the kitchen with a plan in his eyes. After he threw his body to the floor in rebellion, I took a big sip, er, chugged my margarita and yelled back at Clint to box up my dinner. I was done.<br />
<br />
After getting him in the car, Clint and I traded places so I could finish. As I sat staring at Mimi for a second, I couldn't help but notice that sweet couple still sitting nicely with their little one. I also noticed that they both kept glancing at us, and I remembered they had done that some while Mack was losing his shiz. I made eye contact and gave them a smile . . . all while thinking <i>suckers, you think you have it easy now but . . . just . . . you . . . wait . . . </i><br />
<br />
Because we know even "easy children" aren't always easy. Both of mine had simple, easy stages, but those never lasted long. Once I thought I had it all figured out, new challenges emerged. And I will never, ever judge a parent who I know is trying their best on their children's behavior. An old lady once asked me if I could control my kids. And my response was, "No. Why, can you?" It's not all nurture -- a lot of it is nature. <br />
<br />
I remember Clint and I sitting next to a family at dinner one night whose children were zoned out on their iPads, and we thought, "How horrible. We'll never let our children do that." And I had dinner with a friend once who pretended her daughter wasn't pouring Sweet and Low packets all over the floor. The friend shrugged her shoulders and said, "Ignore her. She's being really quiet."<br />
<br />
No one's judging over here. Nope. <i>We're all just trying to get by.</i><br />
<br />
Anywho, I'm supposed to be packing and gearing up for our first flight with the children since Mack lost his shiz 2 years ago on a flight that was so traumatizing that we canceled our flights home and drove the 16 hours back. Yep. <br />
<br />
So I'll leave some sweetness and quit procrastinating. I'll take all the tips and prayers and kind thoughts you have for our flight this week. A straight jacket in a child size 5 would also be appreciated . . . kidding . . .<i> sort of</i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheXBFCrBOJTcEg25KtVdARQxbOFDj9I8FoPsAyxpyk4bHG75w4rdsi6dKlnd2u41PQBv_bgSu2liqNC6DUwW5XYT7gs8K7OzrtmEuboAxmqyuamCktDGa0xiRzHuBej6hB-v7Oc-aQfQk/s1600/IMG_2075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheXBFCrBOJTcEg25KtVdARQxbOFDj9I8FoPsAyxpyk4bHG75w4rdsi6dKlnd2u41PQBv_bgSu2liqNC6DUwW5XYT7gs8K7OzrtmEuboAxmqyuamCktDGa0xiRzHuBej6hB-v7Oc-aQfQk/s1600/IMG_2075.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<i> At least no messes were being made at this moment . . . I will get by . . .</i><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />Jeri Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10521003964808664244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2546665416784172515.post-946479347768098662014-11-09T20:32:00.002-06:002014-11-09T20:32:55.408-06:00Because it's about time . . . <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I miss my blog. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
(Insert super sad and whiny face here)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I think about writing a new post at least every day or two but then life happens.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It would be a lie to say life is so difficult and busy because the truth is that there is not a time in my life that was more difficult than the first three years of having two children. If you have two or more children under the age of four, then I don't care how calm and sweet they are -- your life is difficult. You're in the trenches of parenthood. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Hang in there. Eventually they will all be over the age of four, and you can take a deep breath. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And that's where Clint and I are right now. Taking a nice, cleansing breath. Ahh, now that feels good.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Not that we don't still have our challenges because we most certainly do. Mimi is really sassy and isn't that interested in homework or cleaning up her insane messes or listening to her parents. Mack still gets overwhelmed in crowded places and tears up everything and prefers to not use a toilet. But they like to play alone (and often together), and they like to get their own snacks and find their own TV shows. Oh, and they are both in school all day, which means I have from 9:30-2:15 to do whatever I want.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Whatever means grocery store, laundry, dog walking, bed making, errand running, changing light bulbs, doing more laundry, putting away said laundry, shopping for school clothes, scrubbing floors, washing dishes, and doing all the basic things that every single parent has to do regardless of whether he or she has from 9:30-2:15 with or without kids or a job. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
So I decided to make things more challenging for myself and accomplish all of the above PLUS work a little. If you're interested in that, check <a href="http://mimiandmack.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">THIS</a> out. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
As far as the blog goes, I'm going to stop thinking I have to catch up on everything we've done since my last decent post and will just sit down and type whenever I have a second to sit down. Or I may sew instead . . . hmm . . .</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
So today was nice and lazy and not too chilly outside . . .</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/AVvXsEiKMPnBKjqk6x-WaaGg2GLZd8bfVzXCCsPbFsTs1t7LVKOQLWXm_TBORdEu4KuCVrBMUsg-0L-r4k1A53qILaQOHCFvsWv7DL1MfNjX7d9gN-TUbw8nrsN1MEuVkkEj487UhtjQDOSpPIA/s1600/DSC06029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKMPnBKjqk6x-WaaGg2GLZd8bfVzXCCsPbFsTs1t7LVKOQLWXm_TBORdEu4KuCVrBMUsg-0L-r4k1A53qILaQOHCFvsWv7DL1MfNjX7d9gN-TUbw8nrsN1MEuVkkEj487UhtjQDOSpPIA/s1600/DSC06029.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZqWBQcNiY0I_y4eCdcurC3ZHVFVChkyvHpG7GjRljLsWpV-Edk1W9_-mWKHflB_7GS6r3OutF3I2teSv8ZgCMGf4v6VyVKYwu67GNgf__IRjCNKWA4_3Xt-1Ec67f9jvVbYXn3eWvEEk/s1600/DSC06032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZqWBQcNiY0I_y4eCdcurC3ZHVFVChkyvHpG7GjRljLsWpV-Edk1W9_-mWKHflB_7GS6r3OutF3I2teSv8ZgCMGf4v6VyVKYwu67GNgf__IRjCNKWA4_3Xt-1Ec67f9jvVbYXn3eWvEEk/s1600/DSC06032.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW6jMpWtX8ORcnQt7b7cONtfp232n6dElsYV8BgqT6JvCG-KA7xxauQsSJPOBO4crMndwKxK1EVFOsDdMH-UyftITUE41Jfnx2HF-RvfJAEr0wlI425piw6tuJ6g41qlt4bmB4neSr9sg/s1600/DSC06035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW6jMpWtX8ORcnQt7b7cONtfp232n6dElsYV8BgqT6JvCG-KA7xxauQsSJPOBO4crMndwKxK1EVFOsDdMH-UyftITUE41Jfnx2HF-RvfJAEr0wlI425piw6tuJ6g41qlt4bmB4neSr9sg/s1600/DSC06035.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeCLaGCxslTPe6ktCUZfXcxMqEKHze8kEvI8JMp1UBVgtgeawoiSAOo1zakzU9pgHJWYF4nsaPZOSdPcqT-XNWBHAcmUBzdl2J3AUryyC4osyrsR3S2Qr4xgeTnvzfOuKe9VvGApdGT6M/s1600/DSC06040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeCLaGCxslTPe6ktCUZfXcxMqEKHze8kEvI8JMp1UBVgtgeawoiSAOo1zakzU9pgHJWYF4nsaPZOSdPcqT-XNWBHAcmUBzdl2J3AUryyC4osyrsR3S2Qr4xgeTnvzfOuKe9VvGApdGT6M/s1600/DSC06040.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYkyvvMvQGbnq6ctL7tAgPvaMKp27LCEHqn-9JDUM1jVhOLtg6CzJ-B5qGYRlS8WcihCmtiWhQaW3seCSs85FD5fpBF6VGmvw1y0YupNHSqvoSogQQfQkDNntgI5ZJuQTGYdIvmIU1bEk/s1600/DSC06043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYkyvvMvQGbnq6ctL7tAgPvaMKp27LCEHqn-9JDUM1jVhOLtg6CzJ-B5qGYRlS8WcihCmtiWhQaW3seCSs85FD5fpBF6VGmvw1y0YupNHSqvoSogQQfQkDNntgI5ZJuQTGYdIvmIU1bEk/s1600/DSC06043.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2yqFNql1fv8iD9eyvd-u2O9uCWTDEwRIpi6_0o9bYEAMdy5pciWFDCKcWUqgg-66-mvG3puAq13bYb_vMtjgNUup_kmTHjjv801oR_1Uln81Bapi4yphUb0er4iiPcatze4ym4usfJ9U/s1600/DSC06054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2yqFNql1fv8iD9eyvd-u2O9uCWTDEwRIpi6_0o9bYEAMdy5pciWFDCKcWUqgg-66-mvG3puAq13bYb_vMtjgNUup_kmTHjjv801oR_1Uln81Bapi4yphUb0er4iiPcatze4ym4usfJ9U/s1600/DSC06054.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9_ruEya0rT9EHjQxuR9Nf2ZQG1VoM_bgkucpWOEa9OSrDoo8P_5s07bQYT8D3OPCOnBLogNYz4D5-iXilRkhkCxyi8-yj-DwrJNScap10RUuCYZdJD3y9Yld8_qHAgIPZIu4BOdzChMo/s1600/DSC06056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9_ruEya0rT9EHjQxuR9Nf2ZQG1VoM_bgkucpWOEa9OSrDoo8P_5s07bQYT8D3OPCOnBLogNYz4D5-iXilRkhkCxyi8-yj-DwrJNScap10RUuCYZdJD3y9Yld8_qHAgIPZIu4BOdzChMo/s1600/DSC06056.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
I really like these two. And they really, really like each other. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG4ZKhNy-AdAg9mpmBlBG3V1JkVzmoo77FIbXEKgi5HtQ3SQOhveDoTgVhGgRYtTwNngtU2EVxJ-uJ_J7ZN1xvm-5GocAv_3tXyEuZVZjWHpoh_EO6Oe34y5naJh-RvnOLB39K9TSrS4w/s1600/DSC06058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG4ZKhNy-AdAg9mpmBlBG3V1JkVzmoo77FIbXEKgi5HtQ3SQOhveDoTgVhGgRYtTwNngtU2EVxJ-uJ_J7ZN1xvm-5GocAv_3tXyEuZVZjWHpoh_EO6Oe34y5naJh-RvnOLB39K9TSrS4w/s1600/DSC06058.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkskyDZEzTSt4UKAhGvcS_NaTRFcoVdczae_ASUF9YC9ckmh-zYV5sdikfkiNWGWDHuqwze1QITqcqLfTmNqDojv9El2hHoLMzIOcPzxu5qALVBFfEE1IY6dpD2J1zTvD8KGvlf6RUF1Q/s1600/DSC06059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkskyDZEzTSt4UKAhGvcS_NaTRFcoVdczae_ASUF9YC9ckmh-zYV5sdikfkiNWGWDHuqwze1QITqcqLfTmNqDojv9El2hHoLMzIOcPzxu5qALVBFfEE1IY6dpD2J1zTvD8KGvlf6RUF1Q/s1600/DSC06059.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
And I think that's all I ever really hoped for in life. I wanted to marry my best buddy, live in a house with a fireplace, and have two kids close in age who really, really like each other. I've pretty much accomplished everything on my bucket list. Show's over.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Daddy's girl. These two are sweet stuff. She's silly and unorganized and fly-by-seat-of-her-pants just like her mom. That's why he loves her. And that's why they push each other's buttons. I made a clone of myself with blonde hair. Oops.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYo6ZoxEwH2zRw2at5IdwevM3TnGzC_XqbC08-sJnCJlx5-UgmkcRQEc8WDuhFa4bPjKTJlN4rdrpuberwwHxKvBi4gTeKfN1zEmr4O8NfuydnJn4XS-8sYz4wdfalskCLYZJSxfg5OQA/s1600/DSC06071.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYo6ZoxEwH2zRw2at5IdwevM3TnGzC_XqbC08-sJnCJlx5-UgmkcRQEc8WDuhFa4bPjKTJlN4rdrpuberwwHxKvBi4gTeKfN1zEmr4O8NfuydnJn4XS-8sYz4wdfalskCLYZJSxfg5OQA/s1600/DSC06071.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Speaking of blonde hair . . . </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My little boyfriend. He likes everything in its place and can't sit still and likes to stick to Plan A. Exactly like his dad. Which I find adorable and is why I am smitten with him. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEholY2bjEZN6pTFIyEl7CA-Tjrma222HCHYrUgCzZJs4UXH7oW2_A6zOIPme8kzZvIv2kV3GeUdoxnZAYdo2MuJ3LEtJpAQgHYjiyNX2VmYeP-hNbkjDK8DWy3mCub0KVxxdBPrbRHP-pc/s1600/DSC06072.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEholY2bjEZN6pTFIyEl7CA-Tjrma222HCHYrUgCzZJs4UXH7oW2_A6zOIPme8kzZvIv2kV3GeUdoxnZAYdo2MuJ3LEtJpAQgHYjiyNX2VmYeP-hNbkjDK8DWy3mCub0KVxxdBPrbRHP-pc/s1600/DSC06072.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Clint and I just had the last fifteen minutes all to ourselves in the living room. We sat on the couch together. He was watching football. I was piddling on the computer. Other than occasional happy noises the children have been quietly playing and drawing in the kitchen. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So maybe we walked in on a big mess and some marker on my white counters . . . but I am in love with our beautiful little messes . . .</div>
Jeri Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10521003964808664244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2546665416784172515.post-15519255096164964942014-08-29T12:16:00.001-05:002014-08-29T12:39:25.636-05:00Kitchen reno is OVER!I should be writing about our summer, the kids' camps, hanging at the beach, or, wait for it . . . wait for it . . .<br />
<br />
BOTH OF MY CHILDREN BEING IN SCHOOL FULL TIME EVERY DAY AND I CAN FINALLY CLEAN AND SEW AND RUN ERRANDS AND <i>BREATHE</i> AGAIN!!!!!!!!! <br />
<br />
. . . but instead I'm going to type about a crazy big project that we are so very proud of . . .<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
our AMAZING new kitchen!</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiK2kHsaodgjDR0J3eDOEjatSApMOonuiW2KAHSlFcHulYU2x0w9LhzATjBTEKqCzqcY_ZawvD6-kAxlvodYdBWZagVBUd4X80-gCH2B9cWVDYLFrtWnOqIDkJkOkOm4r5SKuIR1az8Xw/s1600/DSC05271.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiK2kHsaodgjDR0J3eDOEjatSApMOonuiW2KAHSlFcHulYU2x0w9LhzATjBTEKqCzqcY_ZawvD6-kAxlvodYdBWZagVBUd4X80-gCH2B9cWVDYLFrtWnOqIDkJkOkOm4r5SKuIR1az8Xw/s1600/DSC05271.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Oh, wait. That's old funky kitchen. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Not the worst I've ever seen and so grateful for its size and cabinets and functioning appliances. Let me take that back . . . grateful for the parts that were functioning. The garbage disposal laughed at me when I tried to turn it on, and the bottoms of some of the cabinets said, "Are you kidding me?" as I gently placed heavy iron skillets on its crumbling old boards. The main floor of the house did not have central air, so the window on the far right was holding a disgusting old window AC unit that had seen better days. Shelves were falling in the fridge and lights were saying buh-bye on a daily basis. The electrical was so old school and weak that lights blinked at us every time the microwave was turned on. I know it was just flirting, but, y'all, our kitchen was tired.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Here's another angle the day before she was laid to rest. Don't mind the little dude in the corner working away on reports. Needs that umbrella in case the kitchen springs a leak.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZzK0YiF1CUf74Eu4tkxbR9JlsmodG8X-bRoIigxSDgsp2pnjaEdl6D5x6WD9egEgZI1VBhlX66-5kro_q2JM4MOVc2LvcpJeX9506AUX-CpQmB6YAT1INA-uRZsi6f2-Sbdq277Yovl8/s1600/DSC05272.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZzK0YiF1CUf74Eu4tkxbR9JlsmodG8X-bRoIigxSDgsp2pnjaEdl6D5x6WD9egEgZI1VBhlX66-5kro_q2JM4MOVc2LvcpJeX9506AUX-CpQmB6YAT1INA-uRZsi6f2-Sbdq277Yovl8/s1600/DSC05272.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
And another angle so you can see the dining room through the really cool old butler's swinging door. The previous owners were pros at entertaining and loved to keep the kitchen closed off from their gorgeous dining room. The Darbys must entertain to a much more casual crowd (usually kids with popsicles and magic markers), so we have only used the dining room once or twice. And that was for storing mail and such.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiao-1ohqSFtZiWSuq3YZZid3aCzD0z0xLx6uaaYb_6aeHOjZ33cyw-O3HVN-18KDF39QRtR-x_Zk5RDIJZnhr1jxU9pq0DynxjpLCYu9fKNviVEFyRX6ztVxFVcs0TYnbTIGiDnfORql8/s1600/DSC05273.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiao-1ohqSFtZiWSuq3YZZid3aCzD0z0xLx6uaaYb_6aeHOjZ33cyw-O3HVN-18KDF39QRtR-x_Zk5RDIJZnhr1jxU9pq0DynxjpLCYu9fKNviVEFyRX6ztVxFVcs0TYnbTIGiDnfORql8/s1600/DSC05273.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And this was the sad excuse for a mudroom and pantry. The door on the right was originally a very narrow broom closet, but it was the only space we could use as a pantry. It held about two boxes of cereal and a few packs of applesauce squeezers. If you live in a cold weather area, you understand how painful it is to dress your littles in snow bibs and big coats and boots and hats and scarfs and backpacks while they are all on top of you and then they fall and bang their heads on the corner of the pantry and then one opens the door to the garage and you're just so freaking claustrophobic and burning up from your own wool scarf that you want to scream!!! If you don't, then consider yourself lucky. This. Space. Sucked.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOZ6U7JvZRBij8s2ewnhN6C_6jTNagpm6psQYFAePQ2JOLyp0WYNLmpWHJDOGRiR9PPwnZcJa2EmOPY-Ytexi7ulppV_oWXXeabKfjeNir_A7kMOp7YaGiTmx8DGevyH1Zn9Rgbe7-hj0/s1600/DSC05269.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOZ6U7JvZRBij8s2ewnhN6C_6jTNagpm6psQYFAePQ2JOLyp0WYNLmpWHJDOGRiR9PPwnZcJa2EmOPY-Ytexi7ulppV_oWXXeabKfjeNir_A7kMOp7YaGiTmx8DGevyH1Zn9Rgbe7-hj0/s1600/DSC05269.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
Clint and I knew this kitchen had more to offer, so we searched through Houzz and Pinterest and zillions of copies of Southern Living (because this Mississippi girl wouldn't dare take decorating tips from, say, Midwest Living. Ew.) and finally came up with a plan. <br />
<br />
But have you ever seen the two of us attempt to put a nail in the wall? It's painful. After some interviews and research, we settled on a local contractor named <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ProehConstruction" target="_blank">Joh Proe</a>h who helped us make those pencil sketches on the back of a letter from Mimi's school a reality. <br />
<br />
Aaaaaaannd,<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
drumroll please . . .<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2yxNQy1N-2d1xNBzYPI3Oz2VNITtoqIW3-Xbz2xDLQbhhpEDsQqpFZzQlTxKPRH2CFGnbQPyLMdYuhE-aCpMprPm-3LhV3pJ5JEZeZeISXsYa4HCpwgpdNXPYQFWva26QiFTEIg5PcC4/s1600/DSC05587.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2yxNQy1N-2d1xNBzYPI3Oz2VNITtoqIW3-Xbz2xDLQbhhpEDsQqpFZzQlTxKPRH2CFGnbQPyLMdYuhE-aCpMprPm-3LhV3pJ5JEZeZeISXsYa4HCpwgpdNXPYQFWva26QiFTEIg5PcC4/s1600/DSC05587.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I promise it's the same space . . .</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/AVvXsEgbdoEWLjndnZj5QXfZKm2cypV4MaEXWVa2yX7C1Zx3oshfRYZhDFL081dpDLV7FkinaHI1zU7uNIPIReaVhebn30Q0PjxB6kLpY_Xvbids_RFQW5BEbvrcUvCQ8Jb0hqFlAxIxHTKVOXw/s1600/DSC05601.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbdoEWLjndnZj5QXfZKm2cypV4MaEXWVa2yX7C1Zx3oshfRYZhDFL081dpDLV7FkinaHI1zU7uNIPIReaVhebn30Q0PjxB6kLpY_Xvbids_RFQW5BEbvrcUvCQ8Jb0hqFlAxIxHTKVOXw/s1600/DSC05601.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Hard to believe, right?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Remember the big wall that was between the kitchen and dining, room? She's gone now, and I love feeling like we can stretch out. Ahhhhh . . . </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's wonderful to have family visit, and we can all sit in the dining room and kitchen and still have a conversation. But chances are we're all talking at the same time and not listening but at least we're all together :).</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiBSrZ7BuZNAkCqxomu-pA9bIL0DdLtLp1DBOmnVRDla5lAKN1wyPEF2KsZl1XMu24_3pdbDvOiWjgrD_8ysfGEZ2YYhieYLNyeKVfIltnecAfzYjMPsxzG3w6SHsZv_s2zonyzc1p3Xs/s1600/DSC05620.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiBSrZ7BuZNAkCqxomu-pA9bIL0DdLtLp1DBOmnVRDla5lAKN1wyPEF2KsZl1XMu24_3pdbDvOiWjgrD_8ysfGEZ2YYhieYLNyeKVfIltnecAfzYjMPsxzG3w6SHsZv_s2zonyzc1p3Xs/s1600/DSC05620.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
My favorite little spot of clutter. Baskets for junk and cookbooks along with some fun books. </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/AVvXsEjhS1aZTsw_gOM1XAmrCUMuMIJfCl7or3nN6DXUF5-bcUfBi4pzKXB67ZIdI9YStTz-fWEYDcDCY4SrwcE6Mn9dGd1WDbo7wJMXaNRwWNNsLBQwjVmHgGTdhSZZA_0Fy31fRkn82h-HO8A/s1600/DSC05610.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhS1aZTsw_gOM1XAmrCUMuMIJfCl7or3nN6DXUF5-bcUfBi4pzKXB67ZIdI9YStTz-fWEYDcDCY4SrwcE6Mn9dGd1WDbo7wJMXaNRwWNNsLBQwjVmHgGTdhSZZA_0Fy31fRkn82h-HO8A/s1600/DSC05610.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The view my children have when sitting at the island. Play-doh and markers and Legos and mess stays on that side and Mommy stays on the other. Amazing.</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/AVvXsEgcFWcNatBGxQqIvr6dJV67aLSJCOHRDnZC09kUh9JjkgWYVyD3nfHcgQoLDd_X43iXCZKZWvXp8SINpTT_2d8vnsM_74hTnXITcZiM310IIXPxef9_p9APbXlMo9RdpozkLi1ximPDL6k/s1600/DSC05615.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcFWcNatBGxQqIvr6dJV67aLSJCOHRDnZC09kUh9JjkgWYVyD3nfHcgQoLDd_X43iXCZKZWvXp8SINpTT_2d8vnsM_74hTnXITcZiM310IIXPxef9_p9APbXlMo9RdpozkLi1ximPDL6k/s1600/DSC05615.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Oh, how I love that pot filler. I've only used it a couple of times, but it is just so pretty.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Just a quick note -- we chose man-made counters that look similar to marble because marble in a kitchen is gorgeous but just stupid for my family (so I put the pretty marble tiles on the backsplash instead). I chose the giant apron sink with no divider because I loathe cleaning a huge serving dish while banging it against that unnecessary divider. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Mommy's space. Do not enter. Unless you are getting your own plate and snack and cleaning up your mess. Then you're totally welcome (<i>but make it quick, right?)</i>. See the dining room in the back. Looove how it is open to the kitchen.</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/AVvXsEgZBqis9inNDMX3gAaS5q5p5IjZjbII7Gy6u4AblFJFhSidGxtAKFt5HIdzv6VpHk-6QL0Zm5QEprQ6t1u3gj8qow_tWV3wXdow96QTlX34tUwo9P7f9eB0hn-NrWfEl_U8dWuL_iCJaD0/s1600/DSC05625.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZBqis9inNDMX3gAaS5q5p5IjZjbII7Gy6u4AblFJFhSidGxtAKFt5HIdzv6VpHk-6QL0Zm5QEprQ6t1u3gj8qow_tWV3wXdow96QTlX34tUwo9P7f9eB0hn-NrWfEl_U8dWuL_iCJaD0/s1600/DSC05625.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I'm in super deep love with my appliances and we didn't spend a fortune on them. GE refrigerator, stove, and microwave and they have all the features that I had on my insanely long list. I loved seeing the Abt salesman's face when I listed off everything I needed in an oven and stove. He turned to Clint and said, "Is she always this high maintenance?" But, y'all, gas stove with removable griddle and electric oven with warming drawer that is totally like having a second oven? I can't believe so much fits into such a tiny space.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
My perfect little triangle of preparation.</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/AVvXsEgqKdvd1wOeWqWVsjQpE4jvyY6cBc-whD-M19zgkQnByfnVUFmi1DuwqsuqpuZQ3OsL2uYXk_EAQVPQwI54pzQD47nnW8i_avqCrXfPoFULVSzvUh0yzeA2jTmHHusRsW4HJGCuwekB1do/s1600/DSC05624.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqKdvd1wOeWqWVsjQpE4jvyY6cBc-whD-M19zgkQnByfnVUFmi1DuwqsuqpuZQ3OsL2uYXk_EAQVPQwI54pzQD47nnW8i_avqCrXfPoFULVSzvUh0yzeA2jTmHHusRsW4HJGCuwekB1do/s1600/DSC05624.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Now you can see the dining area a bit better. Look at all that natural light.</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/AVvXsEhqSMxE8dBk092pMT_fsHoNyUrr1LXPUiTIhbyFYyd5UP5qgJoU6Q8whukRfls3TuTSt5ZmpNohHf1Bd3cQkdA8JP8SYGQuO8eD4ecjG8i9dvfnY-k6kIktmv9wRKdW0wzaYj7BNdBd34M/s1600/DSC05609.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqSMxE8dBk092pMT_fsHoNyUrr1LXPUiTIhbyFYyd5UP5qgJoU6Q8whukRfls3TuTSt5ZmpNohHf1Bd3cQkdA8JP8SYGQuO8eD4ecjG8i9dvfnY-k6kIktmv9wRKdW0wzaYj7BNdBd34M/s1600/DSC05609.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And remember that stupid excuse for a mudroom? We fixed her. And I think little black puppy loves the cool tile floor (that will hide all the funky mud and snow and sand that is tracked in my house).</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/AVvXsEjPpaInMClraenMtiGl9PPtqc9i91n_5ZIoz9MW15Mh5ZNDIc1pz1n3yJ4_L29MYPEwUYOUlfATPmaNpnvg27j6nOyF7nRAqfPxfW9D4jpSLA9InzxrZE335V0Boji5WvXAfLYMvr5BYv8/s1600/DSC05618.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPpaInMClraenMtiGl9PPtqc9i91n_5ZIoz9MW15Mh5ZNDIc1pz1n3yJ4_L29MYPEwUYOUlfATPmaNpnvg27j6nOyF7nRAqfPxfW9D4jpSLA9InzxrZE335V0Boji5WvXAfLYMvr5BYv8/s1600/DSC05618.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Looky at all that storage for all of our crap! And we have a lot of unnecessary crap. The cute little bench opens up to hide all of our yucky shoes. There's nothing I love better than a place to throw clutter when guests are coming. You think I'm clean? Just don't look in my cabinets . . . </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/AVvXsEhtPBA7OZ5hKFcsPha0gD_L7IVNPzz4GnwSXU2i4bMh1UysSOTb4QxBBdTc14uzU2WWRDLwj3laYr9yqO7nerT7CrRSh1ThjlTKNShLADlZngGhTtj5c9LIX9T1ef-gsYx8hssieY2sJyo/s1600/DSC05591.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtPBA7OZ5hKFcsPha0gD_L7IVNPzz4GnwSXU2i4bMh1UysSOTb4QxBBdTc14uzU2WWRDLwj3laYr9yqO7nerT7CrRSh1ThjlTKNShLADlZngGhTtj5c9LIX9T1ef-gsYx8hssieY2sJyo/s1600/DSC05591.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The new and improved pantry. She and I are BFFs. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And she is NOT EVEN FULL. Plenty of room to hide things! Woohoo!</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/AVvXsEjQpW9Vfz4yrv8cxlCU5s677pJIylKNsdUfgNhnx501RjHPM9ETJjpUxal3iA2F2vpMr2ZK0gXj8qXu_ztcTeyHMZaokqTAeKXmy-muAWXdVKL8SFE7Nu0PCwe86b4zcdFiRB7eURaJ1Dc/s1600/DSC05614.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQpW9Vfz4yrv8cxlCU5s677pJIylKNsdUfgNhnx501RjHPM9ETJjpUxal3iA2F2vpMr2ZK0gXj8qXu_ztcTeyHMZaokqTAeKXmy-muAWXdVKL8SFE7Nu0PCwe86b4zcdFiRB7eURaJ1Dc/s1600/DSC05614.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Oh, and we had this precious secret garden behind our house that was difficult to access. We couldn't be happier that we tore out this wall (remember it was three small windows) and added this huge sliding door and patio. If the kids and doggy are bugging me while I'm drinking my coffee and stalking social media (come on, you do it too), then out the door they go. Fantastic.</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/AVvXsEhYDRVkXdyD1OXP7OeQSkPZTqPjfFjFdxOnRdhRl1ovWVsNHfbfOyPvypw8ySlgRMvxy1ABYtjl0I2K4l_PrMZcVWXP_32pmJL6SBz1-pV17X4jxmftz2QyWufSwnBYx_zUkGiQYp1Zw4g/s1600/DSC05607.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYDRVkXdyD1OXP7OeQSkPZTqPjfFjFdxOnRdhRl1ovWVsNHfbfOyPvypw8ySlgRMvxy1ABYtjl0I2K4l_PrMZcVWXP_32pmJL6SBz1-pV17X4jxmftz2QyWufSwnBYx_zUkGiQYp1Zw4g/s1600/DSC05607.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
In the end we updated electrical, added central air conditioning to the main floor and basement, tore out a wall and added sliding doors, added a brick patio, tore out the kitchen to the studs, added new wood floors, and removed the wall between the kitchen and the dining room. WHEW. Thank God that's over.<br />
<br />
All of this took about seven weeks (pretty quick, right?), and we were smart enough to get the heck out of town for the first two weeks of demolition. I can't emphasize enough that this was not easy -- it was ROUGH on us with the children. We ate an insane amount of take-out, used a fortune in paper plates (I'm sorry, Earth), and had to wash dishes in a tiny bathroom sink. There was a lot of dust and a lot of clutter, but once we actually had appliances, running water, and a counter top, I decided that I wasn't going to kill anyone.<br />
<br />
<br />
If you're about to embark on a kitchen reno, pun-lease feel free to ask me anything -- why I chose the appliances I did, the counters, the lighting, whatever. Why do the crazy research when you can just ask me? If I had the time, I might write a small book on this whole process because I learned so much invaluable information. Oh, wait, the kiddos are in school full-time so maybe I do have the time . . . nah, on to project Sew Until I Go Crazy. More on that later . . . <br />
<br />
<br />Jeri Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10521003964808664244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2546665416784172515.post-63699818169896223172014-05-12T13:52:00.002-05:002014-05-12T13:52:23.500-05:00Loooong Winter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I'm ready to get over winter, so I'll get through this post in a hurry and will stop being so bitter. A lot of pics and a little talk . . .</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
First real ski trip to Park City . . . </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/AVvXsEhPzb2YnkHzxPeWYPOxWtl_UzzrHCpEuxnX5x-4Ya0FYgWZBJpP2GnpTiouRCvGK_zSYpDsQ8psBulQ6bj5KQTIA4vZqS_sxgcAZi7oaNJZjtcP-IRjpSXe9ojj0Bt9m2RrkmPnCiif-MY/s1600/IMG_9382.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPzb2YnkHzxPeWYPOxWtl_UzzrHCpEuxnX5x-4Ya0FYgWZBJpP2GnpTiouRCvGK_zSYpDsQ8psBulQ6bj5KQTIA4vZqS_sxgcAZi7oaNJZjtcP-IRjpSXe9ojj0Bt9m2RrkmPnCiif-MY/s1600/IMG_9382.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
The happy and brave couple . . . keeping it real on the greens.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD0QlnrWpz8NtwOxr-QWRZCsq-KpEzklehn0pFse-FFFyj3Pooq1eaY218BFAqmVSApCmXPGHdmbGe-FLOIKLm1ZVW0Xa-TYMhdu7QMncAoTAv6wRZNSzZzFKbqZ316AalDqF8DxU8UoY/s1600/IMG_9390.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD0QlnrWpz8NtwOxr-QWRZCsq-KpEzklehn0pFse-FFFyj3Pooq1eaY218BFAqmVSApCmXPGHdmbGe-FLOIKLm1ZVW0Xa-TYMhdu7QMncAoTAv6wRZNSzZzFKbqZ316AalDqF8DxU8UoY/s1600/IMG_9390.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>You're my blue sky, you're my sunny day . . . </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih4p3UnwOx7Q61YF0FojK1nzicA6X0ObvylAxu6zVw46bo_CkEHOXlMskQuTvP-NYWo6uNsnddhQyMNF0JNAeN0GKp7quN4KjhASnrkrCgEkqa7O_w6OgMH8Ff6X4JG4LTfnwWlfpH3uc/s1600/IMG_9397.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih4p3UnwOx7Q61YF0FojK1nzicA6X0ObvylAxu6zVw46bo_CkEHOXlMskQuTvP-NYWo6uNsnddhQyMNF0JNAeN0GKp7quN4KjhASnrkrCgEkqa7O_w6OgMH8Ff6X4JG4LTfnwWlfpH3uc/s1600/IMG_9397.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The snow. O. M. G. the stuuuuupid snow.</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/AVvXsEhmndFO4iwO68Yxdl8-LQSDuavY1WdT59zyAb5mZsQ0696Z0q4ywQ2cYUMRGGmHmkSh6RQDaqa6WwV0FudhI-WjMECgZ9huSKWpcJQ_Siiu9igJ0iF7j1F9EIIXY3GQ251P2bmAB_L-Jdo/s1600/IMG_9439.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmndFO4iwO68Yxdl8-LQSDuavY1WdT59zyAb5mZsQ0696Z0q4ywQ2cYUMRGGmHmkSh6RQDaqa6WwV0FudhI-WjMECgZ9huSKWpcJQ_Siiu9igJ0iF7j1F9EIIXY3GQ251P2bmAB_L-Jdo/s1600/IMG_9439.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Ice skating like it was her J. O. B.</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/AVvXsEgu0mtvJ2t0MbfaHpsSNptbzT2dp544puUtFuaYVbjRjauIAzC-l6BVq32UfpJcvMmZijfMO5v7e-OoYV3wqg4AjVrHC-Q1XCtohjob5EhTgyrD7c3WRsSuq-fRBXcPuTTVx51wJTc7tN0/s1600/IMG_9452.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu0mtvJ2t0MbfaHpsSNptbzT2dp544puUtFuaYVbjRjauIAzC-l6BVq32UfpJcvMmZijfMO5v7e-OoYV3wqg4AjVrHC-Q1XCtohjob5EhTgyrD7c3WRsSuq-fRBXcPuTTVx51wJTc7tN0/s1600/IMG_9452.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Learning to ski. Loooooved watching this one be so brave.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0DyI6gk7iXs8xLywn2YuxA2cPz8QZrpSA_FUAWJGjoStiE8M9ZAq6YgztLLTPpByq739fVfTRMHgIKohvi4cniJ4EtOwhZAmsjh6QvJ45J2Ih8Ttn0UrEHWqZzt7Xqg2mcmOp1Mx-3Xw/s1600/IMG_9571.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0DyI6gk7iXs8xLywn2YuxA2cPz8QZrpSA_FUAWJGjoStiE8M9ZAq6YgztLLTPpByq739fVfTRMHgIKohvi4cniJ4EtOwhZAmsjh6QvJ45J2Ih8Ttn0UrEHWqZzt7Xqg2mcmOp1Mx-3Xw/s1600/IMG_9571.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Ski buddies.</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/AVvXsEj44T6HZgnjWr9HwLXrVJHBEBb4kXmlW4Jzrlfe8kZsGPYDKq1eEAsnFO3xUdi9e82tM07YFYHaOoegHqZ0ZQjWC_TdOJcLFcNn1GfMG6wygIo4Rq-GLAEvouQcLu2gRCblbUcGOdHksBI/s1600/IMG_9574.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj44T6HZgnjWr9HwLXrVJHBEBb4kXmlW4Jzrlfe8kZsGPYDKq1eEAsnFO3xUdi9e82tM07YFYHaOoegHqZ0ZQjWC_TdOJcLFcNn1GfMG6wygIo4Rq-GLAEvouQcLu2gRCblbUcGOdHksBI/s1600/IMG_9574.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Thumbs up after a fall. No biggie.</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/AVvXsEgfuoBgMk-IjUCJVd8mwZc_ZGNaHthprFxJ2ACIeft8uaN92Kq1F5QKxIKuMqz_V6hy2R59Urzeiqm0oH__9tDWgdQq-elhr_MFW4dWdYdAGPrYT4gyuksPL7m5mnR9J_1sl33VRB3rl0E/s1600/IMG_9576.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfuoBgMk-IjUCJVd8mwZc_ZGNaHthprFxJ2ACIeft8uaN92Kq1F5QKxIKuMqz_V6hy2R59Urzeiqm0oH__9tDWgdQq-elhr_MFW4dWdYdAGPrYT4gyuksPL7m5mnR9J_1sl33VRB3rl0E/s1600/IMG_9576.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Serious crash at the bottom of a run. I yelled for her to make pizza with her skis, and she yelled back, "Noooo pizza! I like french fries because I can go faster!!!"</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/AVvXsEhuWvxHImbEFLELMG6Ceu_HbC2CtQVTnieYagyxWkmfxrIf_FINM41Y1Nam4SfF1M86lLwGu39tlU8_r7Wlenbhw3-k5A2_ZxDyfHZXMdKdxVxnmS_YYl5qN3hVqOxGuSlOs2roIZWmxJk/s1600/IMG_9587.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuWvxHImbEFLELMG6Ceu_HbC2CtQVTnieYagyxWkmfxrIf_FINM41Y1Nam4SfF1M86lLwGu39tlU8_r7Wlenbhw3-k5A2_ZxDyfHZXMdKdxVxnmS_YYl5qN3hVqOxGuSlOs2roIZWmxJk/s1600/IMG_9587.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And she didn't even care that she completely splattered into the snow bank. Never laughed so hard in her life.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I might frame this pretty face.</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/AVvXsEjJ-jyHZuroUhSwKYix2HBi_mKqZXyy7O6earAndjXxYKZKnvA7m2To-Sffw7eqIbcD02uWTOhD44JnUqKHHLitggPEte_qJC_36Ja-gdSGB5EOLPEc36j3QdHHjdGNuahWNeWGpfdeUvo/s1600/IMG_9589.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ-jyHZuroUhSwKYix2HBi_mKqZXyy7O6earAndjXxYKZKnvA7m2To-Sffw7eqIbcD02uWTOhD44JnUqKHHLitggPEte_qJC_36Ja-gdSGB5EOLPEc36j3QdHHjdGNuahWNeWGpfdeUvo/s1600/IMG_9589.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
What every toy in our house that hits the floor now looks like . . . </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/AVvXsEgLvp7s9TGq5ahER6L1hQ2X1UxlrDbB5y2irtUtlglQEhsLFMiJVk4zhKW0CdCKhs82h5dsiXd6cw5Oik4NHKXpUnTpu4K0pxPpfAVBRdCUOZUZGb-SuhdlEf-nvZccewdKv25MFdaLe3E/s1600/IMG_9440.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLvp7s9TGq5ahER6L1hQ2X1UxlrDbB5y2irtUtlglQEhsLFMiJVk4zhKW0CdCKhs82h5dsiXd6cw5Oik4NHKXpUnTpu4K0pxPpfAVBRdCUOZUZGb-SuhdlEf-nvZccewdKv25MFdaLe3E/s1600/IMG_9440.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Trying to teach her some manners. "No chewing on toys, Rubster, or you won't get a sticker on your chart."<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdc3HcsZdMNnDRdSL09RgbU1BiJqDiZhzLWNmjLBDZGaXvFStEIh0e7m2ZPcipWadPvenMsdy7Wb9EaVqD3UrJo8A01PYwVo6F6xVTnBnf_8zWZZd_69TOAmJa0HMNvFD7aXPB1qF9v48/s1600/IMG_9473.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdc3HcsZdMNnDRdSL09RgbU1BiJqDiZhzLWNmjLBDZGaXvFStEIh0e7m2ZPcipWadPvenMsdy7Wb9EaVqD3UrJo8A01PYwVo6F6xVTnBnf_8zWZZd_69TOAmJa0HMNvFD7aXPB1qF9v48/s1600/IMG_9473.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Little black puppy loves the snow as much as the kiddos.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1MNryFexFM27NlWTeK2yJSmdb13Fc1Y3UCj2eWVpsFs8albhae3uu5VoO3LRpCQ4feAa6J5e9cPR-eiXcllM-GNlqN1u9Zdoi_lsVLLfrEXNCl6vG2YQsYa29bFtlUEjLjO5ilQlE-Xc/s1600/IMG_9698.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1MNryFexFM27NlWTeK2yJSmdb13Fc1Y3UCj2eWVpsFs8albhae3uu5VoO3LRpCQ4feAa6J5e9cPR-eiXcllM-GNlqN1u9Zdoi_lsVLLfrEXNCl6vG2YQsYa29bFtlUEjLjO5ilQlE-Xc/s1600/IMG_9698.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
My badass play group, er, <i>moms who like to go out for drinks</i> group. I just had to take a pic of the beautiful kids who brought us all together. Love, love, love these people. And I know the pics in the back are so not centered. Don't ask . . . </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCWVGxPMTtvyaVt5cHoaQjA2HftU9IcGS82Efl8vxh5xGDTGYAcbcyZvpw9DePlPqi_e1eJnJgJXQFlYPB9_CuvWHLuT-Q7fNIvaCty3Oh1KdBHZ8M4RWZn_lFFiHjg5BnEUEgK7edPYo/s1600/IMG_9649.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCWVGxPMTtvyaVt5cHoaQjA2HftU9IcGS82Efl8vxh5xGDTGYAcbcyZvpw9DePlPqi_e1eJnJgJXQFlYPB9_CuvWHLuT-Q7fNIvaCty3Oh1KdBHZ8M4RWZn_lFFiHjg5BnEUEgK7edPYo/s1600/IMG_9649.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Sweet boy no longer uses his pacifier. And it makes me sad. </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/AVvXsEidaUjVgEKga_FsempTW-xUcHUZReL9YGmDSAewHDD1aSPxXZiYihXA0qMc68PXraiVzYa9Ilm3P49Mz0vDi1dgBYBmhdpaRYqLqQhI-ieRvSooIJgV3rP5Xkq1MYqyDfsJJlb9JeyK3gs/s1600/IMG_9463.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidaUjVgEKga_FsempTW-xUcHUZReL9YGmDSAewHDD1aSPxXZiYihXA0qMc68PXraiVzYa9Ilm3P49Mz0vDi1dgBYBmhdpaRYqLqQhI-ieRvSooIJgV3rP5Xkq1MYqyDfsJJlb9JeyK3gs/s1600/IMG_9463.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Lost her first tooth! Has since lost another . . . </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEtUJNkfCt2IzVO-HoLn_nN2_cFhPps0sZMZkpyGoInXTrxVbGJNpQjPnsC_bzAnIsOOWYnef7g9Ah7687asC7bdhfcKusY9rfdXVDVk53cQYAQq78xcPbfMGQNR6OnsMlJH4uBAHChsg/s1600/IMG_9684.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEtUJNkfCt2IzVO-HoLn_nN2_cFhPps0sZMZkpyGoInXTrxVbGJNpQjPnsC_bzAnIsOOWYnef7g9Ah7687asC7bdhfcKusY9rfdXVDVk53cQYAQq78xcPbfMGQNR6OnsMlJH4uBAHChsg/s1600/IMG_9684.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
"Mommy, I fly to the moon!" <i>Just come back before dinner</i> . . . </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/AVvXsEinfyLnNZeslRPEdIY0e52dN_nIexqaTU_I7_kdpzEQUih23ZUt6POJOY2LANFvTKvxPjZf7eXI8p-l-qI_YmQVgue2ZOTp-TvRZq1eCWXmiau7qq3gqvflfXuyaqnTQUr4hRP8bXaiVq4/s1600/IMG_9602.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinfyLnNZeslRPEdIY0e52dN_nIexqaTU_I7_kdpzEQUih23ZUt6POJOY2LANFvTKvxPjZf7eXI8p-l-qI_YmQVgue2ZOTp-TvRZq1eCWXmiau7qq3gqvflfXuyaqnTQUr4hRP8bXaiVq4/s1600/IMG_9602.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Mimi loves a selfie.</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/AVvXsEh_8RfQYew0jSAgcrFABOP4sbQY4zBXa1zwh3A1ImXu1iVYhZh6NNxO2YwKLzfPFMHiGHUOs8wryb99WSj6CZ4c6K4whsoIF-6cpAYq8_a8CE43gh_3qb3EpR-tP0MbLcvEMdHDRE6_DOo/s1600/IMG_9736.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_8RfQYew0jSAgcrFABOP4sbQY4zBXa1zwh3A1ImXu1iVYhZh6NNxO2YwKLzfPFMHiGHUOs8wryb99WSj6CZ4c6K4whsoIF-6cpAYq8_a8CE43gh_3qb3EpR-tP0MbLcvEMdHDRE6_DOo/s1600/IMG_9736.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Future snow boarder hunk.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD6wE84dNN_l7KySwjQh397-b1wfrzFWIwn9YvM43_MUr-agnngIqZUA7R0oYshXLQ1p7wsDS6m4lZ38O8EjvCJKxqq7RZbHo_w-MmQAhcdyO_sAQQVAyohOT1NUepa3JWfqvM8boQ3uc/s1600/IMG_9714.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD6wE84dNN_l7KySwjQh397-b1wfrzFWIwn9YvM43_MUr-agnngIqZUA7R0oYshXLQ1p7wsDS6m4lZ38O8EjvCJKxqq7RZbHo_w-MmQAhcdyO_sAQQVAyohOT1NUepa3JWfqvM8boQ3uc/s1600/IMG_9714.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
"See, Mommy, it's magic."</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCfFqtj2z4GatxWSvAW-vlrpDOSbp5W7wPyW_8CJNivsPkjdiNQXyZLSLefZuzPWqXisHaB7U1fqzwwmHxidZOQJbVaEhL9jHBHQ8KPHUA8JPRFckDMWU_T0oh_2Ypomtf10yU0YRn9xU/s1600/IMG_9750.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCfFqtj2z4GatxWSvAW-vlrpDOSbp5W7wPyW_8CJNivsPkjdiNQXyZLSLefZuzPWqXisHaB7U1fqzwwmHxidZOQJbVaEhL9jHBHQ8KPHUA8JPRFckDMWU_T0oh_2Ypomtf10yU0YRn9xU/s1600/IMG_9750.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
My three faves. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhptSqkjo-ZfAIG0dRCuEddST0wOofljkUgTH5GHw14GdweOHiotzXVny28sesjzH_cSVVC9KRADhKDiiN5G7ZWhq9OIBZS1MtY2o4SbFdo2eb-6LCPR9OzXdHQ0joRXm5Ii6G2BDKDyPg/s1600/IMG_9752.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhptSqkjo-ZfAIG0dRCuEddST0wOofljkUgTH5GHw14GdweOHiotzXVny28sesjzH_cSVVC9KRADhKDiiN5G7ZWhq9OIBZS1MtY2o4SbFdo2eb-6LCPR9OzXdHQ0joRXm5Ii6G2BDKDyPg/s1600/IMG_9752.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Wait, let's make that my four faves. This dog completes the family. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Such an old soul -- obedient and loving and super smart.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_wWw6PZ_StXFU0DTYKtO4OcNy2V5rCHcUy138ENLKg5LTG2QSsNrFp_1LGiqtxx95BTaYza-sBhiokwhhzAAsKdMWiT1pDFd6dG9Za9RZ5nw3pZy-txZssbjbeAqtTQuBBZzktzV-zL8/s1600/IMG_9754.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_wWw6PZ_StXFU0DTYKtO4OcNy2V5rCHcUy138ENLKg5LTG2QSsNrFp_1LGiqtxx95BTaYza-sBhiokwhhzAAsKdMWiT1pDFd6dG9Za9RZ5nw3pZy-txZssbjbeAqtTQuBBZzktzV-zL8/s1600/IMG_9754.jpg" height="288" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
This family is officially moving on to spring. Warmer weather, leaves on trees, pollen annoying our sinuses, and long bike rides. More of that soon (I hope).<br />
<br />Jeri Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10521003964808664244noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2546665416784172515.post-71142419885985681442014-04-23T12:17:00.001-05:002014-04-23T12:18:18.612-05:00To Appreciate the Summers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
People often ask me how we can stand the dreadful Chicago winters. <i>Why would you ever want to put yourself through that? What the heck are you trying to prove?</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Because of the summers, that's why. My word, if you haven't experienced a Chicago summer then you are missing something glorious. The city absolutely wakes up and comes alive. I know we are now in the burbs but the experience isn't much different. Outdoor dining, lush green trees, parks filled with baseball and children's squeals. Going to the zoo without sweating through clothes, playing on the lake shore without being miserable. We do have our hot days, but they are nothing compared to those I grew up with in Mississippi. And everyone seems so much nicer and happier. I know that the more ferocious the winter is then the more I will appreciate the summer.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
As I'm waiting for my car to be serviced right now, I finally have time to update the blog -- and I discovered that I had already begun a post that was too difficult for me to finish. No words but just a lot of photos of this . . . the darkest part of my winter. </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/AVvXsEjrBYnNQVMnydHahcVZefyuQ9Dz58sx9pyVqLB1u2LoU9qxzN7bkFUS01zujWcfre0wIHgX2Arn6kldDyh2FFmh0Vr3G-S4VYiT_ARZmaIhZC_mPOU6isg8RcFs4ay8dJ2qSjhAVL3K1m4/s1600/IMG_9758.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrBYnNQVMnydHahcVZefyuQ9Dz58sx9pyVqLB1u2LoU9qxzN7bkFUS01zujWcfre0wIHgX2Arn6kldDyh2FFmh0Vr3G-S4VYiT_ARZmaIhZC_mPOU6isg8RcFs4ay8dJ2qSjhAVL3K1m4/s1600/IMG_9758.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
One cold Saturday morning in January our little guy woke up grabbing his neck and crying. He wouldn't talk, he wouldn't move, he wouldn't eat, and he wouldn't drink. Maybe just a neck spasm so we watched him. Not long after waking up he took a nap. And when he woke up, we immediately knew something was very wrong.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
He kept drifting in and out of sleep, wouldn't sit up, and felt sweaty and clammy and cold. After a quick call to the pediatrician, I took him to the ER where he continued to lay limp in my arms. While trying to stand him up for and x-ray, he fell over on me sound asleep. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The nurses suddenly began covering their faces when coming into our room, and the resident confirmed my suspicions -- </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>I have to be honest with you. This looks a lot like meningitis.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Mack's temp was at 96, his white count was high, he was white as a ghost, he didn't want to be moved or touched, and he hadn't had a wet diaper in far too long. He barely even protested as the nurses inserted the IV or as he was strapped into a stretcher for the ride to the children's hospital downtown in an ambulance.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And somehow I remained just a calm as I am while typing this right now. I avoided updating anyone other than my husband because I didn't want to explain what this could mean, and I barely even updated him. I asked a few close friends for prayers because I knew both Mack and my husband and I needed them. I held Mack's hand and tried to keep my mind blank. He was up to date on immunizations and that's the most I could have done. Worrying couldn't change anything. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A few years ago I heard a story about a baby girl in Memphis who went to bed a little fussy with a low grade fever and then didn't wake up the next morning. Bacterial meningitis. I remember a guy at my high school being in class one morning and no longer being alive the next day. I wasn't stupid. I just wanted to not think about that.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
When we arrived at Lurie Children's Hospital, the residents had already been briefed on Mack and his sensory issues. They spoke with me in quiet voices and squatted down to his level to attempt interaction with him. They were patient and gentle and did exactly the right things. A young resident with tattoos and a Captain America t-shirt asked me to join Mack during the spinal tap to keep him calm. I did as I was instructed and luckily Mack fell asleep right before the procedure, which my pediatrician told me later was the most perfect lumbar puncture sample she's ever seen.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Throughout the night I snuggled up next to Mack and was awakened often by yellow gowns and masks that only exposed eyes. The tattooed resident came in sometime and let me know that it was all clear. There would be more tests to run but it was probably not bacterial meningitis. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And this is when I could finally feel again. Could finally cry. Could finally think about what this could have meant. How in the hell did I not lose it at the ER? In the ambulance? When I could barely keep his eyes open? While a long needle was stuck into my 3-year-old son's spine? <i>How did I not completely explode? </i> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHLsSEhyphenhyphenwO4-2Ml6MOFXUrgLGpBNUhc63NHUv5EToB5nf7BkvZUUV7Mkpyc6O2Yg-MvTJ12JnD_TR0JUf41mHaZWUOmmjQa30gio0PlSm90-Nwjm_xvXORK-50zO9K-MC6YA4A2gFxCj8/s1600/IMG_9760.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHLsSEhyphenhyphenwO4-2Ml6MOFXUrgLGpBNUhc63NHUv5EToB5nf7BkvZUUV7Mkpyc6O2Yg-MvTJ12JnD_TR0JUf41mHaZWUOmmjQa30gio0PlSm90-Nwjm_xvXORK-50zO9K-MC6YA4A2gFxCj8/s1600/IMG_9760.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The prayers, the kind thoughts, the love. I felt them all, y'all. Thank you. I knew about them and I felt God's presence. I certainly have my doubts occasionally as every thinking human does, but I do have faith. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Many more tests were run and he was given antibiotics just in case. The fluids also helped, and Mack woke up smiling the next morning. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyKc-N0KCADFI8ix603zRmvjvwCptfovpfq0R_89K6aA4Gk6j5fJJ2U-j_QFnQDSpAwN116arFVjfysuxOxniafnNpOKwsq9e4VYNBk7awCzdFpiJ-AHJ70THT5IDy9xIs1lJsS59uQQo/s1600/IMG_9780.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyKc-N0KCADFI8ix603zRmvjvwCptfovpfq0R_89K6aA4Gk6j5fJJ2U-j_QFnQDSpAwN116arFVjfysuxOxniafnNpOKwsq9e4VYNBk7awCzdFpiJ-AHJ70THT5IDy9xIs1lJsS59uQQo/s1600/IMG_9780.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGVK8fJbuTPkixwoMmWta1BwdKzEe_9RwS74rXR8I1XXF0o4_96zWGob99wyuTAqBaSLJVsHVjQ9Q4xOmu7Z6Yc3QACq_StBFfhe9_i7DTOIksdN4tWZvdz39tUQ0bR5yBYkn5hZySGJk/s1600/IMG_9794.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGVK8fJbuTPkixwoMmWta1BwdKzEe_9RwS74rXR8I1XXF0o4_96zWGob99wyuTAqBaSLJVsHVjQ9Q4xOmu7Z6Yc3QACq_StBFfhe9_i7DTOIksdN4tWZvdz39tUQ0bR5yBYkn5hZySGJk/s1600/IMG_9794.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
After a few hours he was putting together puzzles on the floor and singing his ABC's. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And showing Woody the city and the frozen lake.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb8nF7XA3cu5EeIaPO7gIla44bxcuAncITGiTGkh63_FlOIquYxfupGYl31KQDfwrHOcgMQ5CGJXu5iHJrbNBuOpIi8pNusNiewHQQOc1P_izy_S_R9CBGpS7ihsIbx0YcyqycDMnbLEY/s1600/IMG_9800.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb8nF7XA3cu5EeIaPO7gIla44bxcuAncITGiTGkh63_FlOIquYxfupGYl31KQDfwrHOcgMQ5CGJXu5iHJrbNBuOpIi8pNusNiewHQQOc1P_izy_S_R9CBGpS7ihsIbx0YcyqycDMnbLEY/s1600/IMG_9800.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
He kept pointing to the tall buildings and saying, "A big, big house." </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqDyjaxJo6i_60Q1osnghmVogH-XNcoElaMzfiqQv7q8TkevfDNQ3N-PnXx8-goJMdGXt6iOEv22WFkLgb3kgREvYQF7F_shSTIcaM_EWdAJRhkthJYRijtqQVvIpB28kKhhQPgOd6I7w/s1600/IMG_9801.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqDyjaxJo6i_60Q1osnghmVogH-XNcoElaMzfiqQv7q8TkevfDNQ3N-PnXx8-goJMdGXt6iOEv22WFkLgb3kgREvYQF7F_shSTIcaM_EWdAJRhkthJYRijtqQVvIpB28kKhhQPgOd6I7w/s1600/IMG_9801.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
He returned to crazy energy Mack way too soon. The doctors and nurses kept telling me he was the most energetic kid they've ever had. This is a big, busy hospital. And I had the most energetic kid ever . . . someone should have given me a prize. Oh, and they also said he had the best hair so there's that.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPm0k4ijErhxj8AP9X6Gxr1t5RCyuP7NjESrGol6_DeaKNo6wiEaZSUCvqAS3PElkf3FQrAJGSsBvX-wNajx80lxlLVS8fRyXy02S3sRnvBmOcoBaxVd1Y3k5cQM3CHd71aZho7Ry4QE8/s1600/IMG_9802.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPm0k4ijErhxj8AP9X6Gxr1t5RCyuP7NjESrGol6_DeaKNo6wiEaZSUCvqAS3PElkf3FQrAJGSsBvX-wNajx80lxlLVS8fRyXy02S3sRnvBmOcoBaxVd1Y3k5cQM3CHd71aZho7Ry4QE8/s1600/IMG_9802.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It was amazing to see how Mack tolerated this all so well. He carried his monitors around the room like it was no big deal. </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/AVvXsEiImxxHMmfHGAvCqdZOSgJB0MEKJ-PbGxfl7ZrT5srpZlbG_S1Jl8c3iZNwEmjLyZTizAyfiwrnP_sth-AVYCPdJWmR6qiakjkHSFt2u3e9RZMATOKHQ5KYHD_r-1zjjIs8ulWDQRBJAPQ/s1600/IMG_9807.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiImxxHMmfHGAvCqdZOSgJB0MEKJ-PbGxfl7ZrT5srpZlbG_S1Jl8c3iZNwEmjLyZTizAyfiwrnP_sth-AVYCPdJWmR6qiakjkHSFt2u3e9RZMATOKHQ5KYHD_r-1zjjIs8ulWDQRBJAPQ/s1600/IMG_9807.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Once the doctors felt there was nothing contagious going on, we were finally able to get out of the room (Thank. The. Lord.), and Mack took the play area by storm.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS_xVQ5HODTFAkaMcBwFYkj-KFnbq0FZd2h14KzoHyCF9zRvugUlCQKXREQP9P1XOo8j_5EAAeftTXOz_aKJthhtfOYN_HShz155WMVlIK2p15_oGDnswg3eZzEbvhA_AOcQRXJX7WexU/s1600/IMG_9808.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS_xVQ5HODTFAkaMcBwFYkj-KFnbq0FZd2h14KzoHyCF9zRvugUlCQKXREQP9P1XOo8j_5EAAeftTXOz_aKJthhtfOYN_HShz155WMVlIK2p15_oGDnswg3eZzEbvhA_AOcQRXJX7WexU/s1600/IMG_9808.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio2BRlAXHIKHZzkaqqn9IHW5cQx_ngl53XY1dAizLvkN51fUfHw_3yF4KOYuGrkZTKn91Y7mw7xHa-E5ApJqudbbcRd1MgKLNQ-I9d7B3-Em8dtanO4z6JuppP1lf3pdng9oxUAmKnzfU/s1600/IMG_9811.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio2BRlAXHIKHZzkaqqn9IHW5cQx_ngl53XY1dAizLvkN51fUfHw_3yF4KOYuGrkZTKn91Y7mw7xHa-E5ApJqudbbcRd1MgKLNQ-I9d7B3-Em8dtanO4z6JuppP1lf3pdng9oxUAmKnzfU/s1600/IMG_9811.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFPcwDhqy9SeFrwj0k2OlfFXLm4gPAicegJ0Pwgg2GEtP5xpaTdlsiDLYTvG5elsWF9hJSrzr-7PWExfwIDM0GjX-hXi2ARz0Vaj5iQ5OUqLpm2JcKiojJ5FjgAIr83R3CIseHC8tbnLQ/s1600/IMG_9822.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFPcwDhqy9SeFrwj0k2OlfFXLm4gPAicegJ0Pwgg2GEtP5xpaTdlsiDLYTvG5elsWF9hJSrzr-7PWExfwIDM0GjX-hXi2ARz0Vaj5iQ5OUqLpm2JcKiojJ5FjgAIr83R3CIseHC8tbnLQ/s1600/IMG_9822.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
This little guy had everyone scared to death and then made a full recovery in no time. We all agreed this was probably a bizarre virus and probably not something fatal or contagious. I don't know what I would have done without the amazing residents and all the prayers. Those residents were so thorough that it surprised the mess out of me. You know I Googled like an insane mom does, and they had it all covered before I could even ask the questions. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And this dark, scary moment in my life made me love and appreciate my little sunshine even more. He's so cute and funny and sweet, and he loves me sooooo, sooooo much. He relies on me and needs me. And I have this scary memory to think about every time the going gets tough with his sensory issues. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCY_pE09urxiY-mxtXVXM7N_72M57BZrpZVYYzZ0TK1tayNhS90iKzX5mMEePJRBtSqW9rsFtb7gkp9YANZfNRBzHsYa-l6LrDZe4zKbGlEUpQAXE5qNZO-7XKxOrWlCEjVa9DDgnf2Ig/s1600/IMG_9862.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCY_pE09urxiY-mxtXVXM7N_72M57BZrpZVYYzZ0TK1tayNhS90iKzX5mMEePJRBtSqW9rsFtb7gkp9YANZfNRBzHsYa-l6LrDZe4zKbGlEUpQAXE5qNZO-7XKxOrWlCEjVa9DDgnf2Ig/s1600/IMG_9862.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
So I've chosen to appreciate this awful experience, this terrible time in winter. I didn't have to clean the house or prepare meals or taxi my children around to school or therapies. I was able to snuggle in a tiny bed and stare at his pretty little face. It could have been much, much worse. And it makes the good times even sweeter -- my winter made me appreciate my summer.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivOPx5lweU9UgWpM7k7swc1n0XlMr7c1l1uqfto1kuXFxkCT_f6DCbRLxECnTBD_Q1ahIqcnEfjmeC20R-Imkl6Ks7R4cAeMcKCEVYBEtOE7vs17qHmmXuN5BlWh1e3QQR3ZmGBjzoleM/s1600/IMG_9866.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivOPx5lweU9UgWpM7k7swc1n0XlMr7c1l1uqfto1kuXFxkCT_f6DCbRLxECnTBD_Q1ahIqcnEfjmeC20R-Imkl6Ks7R4cAeMcKCEVYBEtOE7vs17qHmmXuN5BlWh1e3QQR3ZmGBjzoleM/s1600/IMG_9866.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Finally home after five days . . .</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIhxBcl4jfOlsWe06asAdfTaCDKDpzLC-qqRGo9a7vLVLtu-ef9sX4fB0JmMP1V-fOwxoDc6pn4VR62CLepH1ZvoHN9m-KIcovfvrM7_1b9PC2zLO8OqK1KdNBOZKiROZ30fwEvI0g9Bc/s1600/IMG_9868.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIhxBcl4jfOlsWe06asAdfTaCDKDpzLC-qqRGo9a7vLVLtu-ef9sX4fB0JmMP1V-fOwxoDc6pn4VR62CLepH1ZvoHN9m-KIcovfvrM7_1b9PC2zLO8OqK1KdNBOZKiROZ30fwEvI0g9Bc/s1600/IMG_9868.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
. . . and then that night he had a terrible stomach virus. Sheesh. At least he had a little black puppy to comfort him.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsGvGY_W_dhpBOxOglNKv_6kw1Ku97FPjcAeUo2htn9wIpEvDiBoR1KS8nxXoV-amLqUpDcPq9CzRoMr45WK0-8fgQYvOQNFrLr9ZDVmCjt5_TMBFcGzmA6lgPzdEWUhw7TvyOzxfyNBk/s1600/IMG_9871.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsGvGY_W_dhpBOxOglNKv_6kw1Ku97FPjcAeUo2htn9wIpEvDiBoR1KS8nxXoV-amLqUpDcPq9CzRoMr45WK0-8fgQYvOQNFrLr9ZDVmCjt5_TMBFcGzmA6lgPzdEWUhw7TvyOzxfyNBk/s1600/IMG_9871.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Helping me appreciate the summer, right?</div>
Jeri Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10521003964808664244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2546665416784172515.post-81411572538444533012014-02-04T12:21:00.001-06:002014-02-04T12:21:41.569-06:00Where have you been??<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Or rather, where have I been??? Not on this blog -- that's for sure. Never a dull moment around here, and I'm feeling guilty that it's taken me so long to document. I really want to keep up with this for me and for my children (and for the two or three of you who read it when bored). So now is my perfect opportunity.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Who wants to talk about how awesome it is to have a stomach virus when your husband is out of town???</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Me neither. So I'll just vomit photos on my blog instead :). That was really gross . . . </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I'm able to stomach some saltine crackers and sit up a bit so here goes:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Mimi has been doing well in school and her after school classes, and she's making some really sweet friends. It does break my heart when she asks about her besties in Chicago and why we had to move. Like I have to hide my face so she won't see my tears it makes me so sad. We do get to see a few buddies occasionally, but she loved her preschool class and our neighbors -- as did I. Loved the city but also loving the benefits of living in Mayberry. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Mack has been growing by leaps and bounds, and his feet are now a size bigger than Mimi's. His hair keeps getting bigger also, but, no, Clint. No, we are not cutting it. Absolutely not open for discussion. He has just started a new preschool at a public school that is crazy close to my house, and, oh my gosh, it is amaaaazing. It is a class for kids with delays with lots of therapists and wonderful teachers. They even have animal therapy with a doggie every Friday! He is talking more and instead of screaming, "NO!" he politely says, "No thanks." He's beginning to sit when he eats instead of dancing around the table. I think he's even playing a little with the boys in his class, which is my favorite part of it all. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And while I'm talking about Mack, I need to put something out there. If you think there's something a little different about your toddler -- he's not talking as much as others, she's super sensitive to things that don't bother other kids, he avoids other kids or places, etc, etc -- PLEASE talk to your pediatrician and have the child observed for therapy. It does not mean you have done something wrong. Do not assume it is just a phase. Do not blame it on their personality. And if they find nothing, then you had nothing to lose. But if they do see a delay or other issue, let them help! It has made all the difference in our lives and I cannot get over how far Mack has come in one year. You may have to fight for insurance to pay as one of my sweet friends just did or you may have to fight with your mother-in-law as another did, but your mommy and daddy intuition is usually right. Every state and public school offers programs if you're concerned about money. Therapists can even come to day care. Please don't be the parent who does nothing and sees what happens. Sorry, I had to do that because I wish someone had said this to me when Mack was even younger. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Since he and Mimi are in school more, I thought I would have all this fantastic time to organize the house, sew some clothes, and actually cook dinner for once. But every time I'm feeling a little cocky and like I have it all together, I totally flub up and miss something BIG. Like on Friday when Mimi had a family day at school. I know her teacher sent home notes and discussed it in the weekly newsletters, but somehow I TOTALLY missed it. Didn't put it in my phone calendar or day planner. Completely forgot about it after I saw the first note a few weeks ago. She was quite upset and told me she was the saddest kid there. Y'all . . . I was sick about this. What a jerk. Clint tried to make me feel better by telling me this probably won't be the first time -- WON'T BE THE FIRST TIME? It better be the only time because I'm not missing anything in her life ever again. Ever. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Well, he's probably right, and we probably will mess up again. So lesson learned. Stop being so cocky.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Right Meemers?</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/AVvXsEgGuNLiH997sLDdj1bu-ORgvt3C-fsDwdI3bE5z1aRuj7zTJE_fGV838WP5AholvZ_3qeJ2i6FtrXMkh6n13sRUMjzGd3XwceM6zbmkN2OhCJavqnPcguTjDDgQMg7wavtXL0GOWeI1yyU/s1600/IMG_8537.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGuNLiH997sLDdj1bu-ORgvt3C-fsDwdI3bE5z1aRuj7zTJE_fGV838WP5AholvZ_3qeJ2i6FtrXMkh6n13sRUMjzGd3XwceM6zbmkN2OhCJavqnPcguTjDDgQMg7wavtXL0GOWeI1yyU/s1600/IMG_8537.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Just when she thought she was winning . . .</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJH6b_egQ-KIHYMfp5c344B_Zy7UpPnZ9z-7FtZ_zwqaoBeW4iPIIpa-nA6WiMLr_ozqsVBwvOOJLTKDDSVQk-CdufkJPe0HA_R-eH8InXZ675e2bUiFQrs03Owr-ebrzze4HSVB0wDJw/s1600/IMG_8538.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJH6b_egQ-KIHYMfp5c344B_Zy7UpPnZ9z-7FtZ_zwqaoBeW4iPIIpa-nA6WiMLr_ozqsVBwvOOJLTKDDSVQk-CdufkJPe0HA_R-eH8InXZ675e2bUiFQrs03Owr-ebrzze4HSVB0wDJw/s1600/IMG_8538.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Mr. Sharp Teeth showed her his surprise defense.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrENaLXj6dV2zpNvr86E78m9qOE4_nrzy-aKqDHU0yrfQcV_7qNwurpKKnVEIw0bPHH7EQ2BU3TixGlPcpNpSLhjexFRDc0sZw81Vj4F8eHMeu1UKXNTXj_40F2XBFKvsZk_w3pqO-j0k/s1600/IMG_8539.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrENaLXj6dV2zpNvr86E78m9qOE4_nrzy-aKqDHU0yrfQcV_7qNwurpKKnVEIw0bPHH7EQ2BU3TixGlPcpNpSLhjexFRDc0sZw81Vj4F8eHMeu1UKXNTXj_40F2XBFKvsZk_w3pqO-j0k/s1600/IMG_8539.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
"OUCH!!! Mack bit me!!"</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfHHvFy6y91srwqyEjkUAvhoW8LmZgLi0_J1j2XMkKcu_OjGz49WbQ5N07Qpoap36dep2mwTtB38G-D0G4wO1iNYnSCCNmSqRrHgtYCNNNo7mgoitPEbej0f-yxtm1f4O2vJcAIKYDXU0/s1600/IMG_8540.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfHHvFy6y91srwqyEjkUAvhoW8LmZgLi0_J1j2XMkKcu_OjGz49WbQ5N07Qpoap36dep2mwTtB38G-D0G4wO1iNYnSCCNmSqRrHgtYCNNNo7mgoitPEbej0f-yxtm1f4O2vJcAIKYDXU0/s1600/IMG_8540.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
It can be painful to learn lessons.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHgreVvTqjWLOGi19WAmHUdkIU4NPxKjXQ6F3d62ZGn32VdIt_2XH9qSbnGFmTObsEjpbF7bFY4De4E1K9rTGNMjUtckOoznDQCgmbXCCXCM6eRjdsge0gRLHPsncETlW4JQjNC1bePvw/s1600/IMG_8541.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHgreVvTqjWLOGi19WAmHUdkIU4NPxKjXQ6F3d62ZGn32VdIt_2XH9qSbnGFmTObsEjpbF7bFY4De4E1K9rTGNMjUtckOoznDQCgmbXCCXCM6eRjdsge0gRLHPsncETlW4JQjNC1bePvw/s1600/IMG_8541.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Wow, it feels like ages since I've seen that green grass in my yard. Winter showed up early and showed up BIG this year. This has been the craziest Chicago winter I've ever had. School has been let out several times and we've had below zero temps much more than I care to discuss. Oh, and then our boiler decided to get lazy on the coldest day I've ever experienced in my entire life. How does 45 degrees in the kitchen sound? It sounds awful, let me tell you.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Tasting the first snow back in November.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGfU0F22yrRns-7OyaAYyiAj7bRr1IeWNI7WhTixcKgOKQJOTXSWx231dagf-D_U8N4epn6zMxwl_o1GRWJGUxayoBn1pTK_f4PQsQXPxpbuICBI4sAMzE4LhhJydD92IEomTtg3FJi9I/s1600/IMG_8580.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGfU0F22yrRns-7OyaAYyiAj7bRr1IeWNI7WhTixcKgOKQJOTXSWx231dagf-D_U8N4epn6zMxwl_o1GRWJGUxayoBn1pTK_f4PQsQXPxpbuICBI4sAMzE4LhhJydD92IEomTtg3FJi9I/s1600/IMG_8580.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Although I'm not sure this fire puts off much heat, it sure is pretty.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfm1tvsIU-c3jZV7FPo4b7VRyW7SZ1CMp2Avb6ZkjRZYUVncXJILH7BfuxOUBifiRKDRPSIcyR-NuDea8F8GYnZCZdGq3gddb37qQHQy5O7tbguNccqaEPoQOKP_34z94hFN88_vNansI/s1600/IMG_8590.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfm1tvsIU-c3jZV7FPo4b7VRyW7SZ1CMp2Avb6ZkjRZYUVncXJILH7BfuxOUBifiRKDRPSIcyR-NuDea8F8GYnZCZdGq3gddb37qQHQy5O7tbguNccqaEPoQOKP_34z94hFN88_vNansI/s1600/IMG_8590.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Some of my family popped into Mayberry for Thanksgiving break, and many shenanigans ensued.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNU6vzgyGeIrA45dwtGZcj0Vgooq3CMP57k5HokoVJZLw7bo46XWQ5et8AG3o16b-S83TAD-Ffr8ZHcfvbFA1wPMD3Z8-8Ku5ixy6q-8KZhHF3NxD88Bzz5lbxbf1X8gzJg_3ZD8i-19Y/s1600/IMG_8674.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNU6vzgyGeIrA45dwtGZcj0Vgooq3CMP57k5HokoVJZLw7bo46XWQ5et8AG3o16b-S83TAD-Ffr8ZHcfvbFA1wPMD3Z8-8Ku5ixy6q-8KZhHF3NxD88Bzz5lbxbf1X8gzJg_3ZD8i-19Y/s1600/IMG_8674.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbZ3In_DPYkDI2-AXm29OjGHI4wPbp2_KRZhQNZ5YfgZ4FM9TMShLoThtO8eof00PYesiwR8IfhKHn4mzhfpPBH7-6fre8sq2O28xlEJfMn4y3XMyoKP4GRImzBnPnzMablRkxuJDefTQ/s1600/IMG_8682.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbZ3In_DPYkDI2-AXm29OjGHI4wPbp2_KRZhQNZ5YfgZ4FM9TMShLoThtO8eof00PYesiwR8IfhKHn4mzhfpPBH7-6fre8sq2O28xlEJfMn4y3XMyoKP4GRImzBnPnzMablRkxuJDefTQ/s1600/IMG_8682.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYOIlH3IGpfiy0iwPr70WO-nCR-OaBSI2QXARiz88c0j3x7qkiBCUbLcCY2QIWQzXf1ldWAstBSTEvo7MQUmj3nx5q5zeJyLjY0SXziPEtS5E9p9EclPJfQlSf-UQMFGbVzK0rxHrBnFc/s1600/IMG_8697.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYOIlH3IGpfiy0iwPr70WO-nCR-OaBSI2QXARiz88c0j3x7qkiBCUbLcCY2QIWQzXf1ldWAstBSTEvo7MQUmj3nx5q5zeJyLjY0SXziPEtS5E9p9EclPJfQlSf-UQMFGbVzK0rxHrBnFc/s1600/IMG_8697.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
First "fast train" ride and it was magical.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAf62bSkP9pTnYvzFmpfTVcBnJhs1XEaj9C6tltwgQK5hkwc2YfF0b1U2Is252dCm7XjWs8_z6KcxJcxMEah1ZQPuQ3qfa8p7QRJ0HpkjqXTnXT5WdnA8hQc3j0KrhihvnhbTJpxr8BUo/s1600/IMG_8708.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAf62bSkP9pTnYvzFmpfTVcBnJhs1XEaj9C6tltwgQK5hkwc2YfF0b1U2Is252dCm7XjWs8_z6KcxJcxMEah1ZQPuQ3qfa8p7QRJ0HpkjqXTnXT5WdnA8hQc3j0KrhihvnhbTJpxr8BUo/s1600/IMG_8708.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Holy Moses, I seriously thought the little girl on the right was me. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Wowzers, she looks exactly like I did at 5.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr4X54fmQUCMW7XuzdXUD3AzVgnemdxeSBMtlAPVugfv9lQubv5Ida6sDMFH-lzxZhbM9To18XQ9i33-cv4mG3cNYgdXi9_o6TXkP5Gv1dTZBZLEo78YWRhkCAgY-gE4dZtoTdDz58fAE/s1600/IMG_8717.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr4X54fmQUCMW7XuzdXUD3AzVgnemdxeSBMtlAPVugfv9lQubv5Ida6sDMFH-lzxZhbM9To18XQ9i33-cv4mG3cNYgdXi9_o6TXkP5Gv1dTZBZLEo78YWRhkCAgY-gE4dZtoTdDz58fAE/s1600/IMG_8717.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY2dl6leksQ4taDnN4j6qcQLIkFwTBqd6Szwq890ll-24wtJJJ3rnGz6LXR71xZCbT3ucpZAWjxULbsrbBfoS07cXzYt5dAzrjWFLvnFKe0YlEcC9g-JjiKgZ0E5ZlEWRCp9f0KcGrG1o/s1600/IMG_8723.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY2dl6leksQ4taDnN4j6qcQLIkFwTBqd6Szwq890ll-24wtJJJ3rnGz6LXR71xZCbT3ucpZAWjxULbsrbBfoS07cXzYt5dAzrjWFLvnFKe0YlEcC9g-JjiKgZ0E5ZlEWRCp9f0KcGrG1o/s1600/IMG_8723.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
The Museum of Science and Industry is my favorite. And Mimi's, too.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXouvWDWmN4NvPwjP9JMlNHOJSjXbO1VF7oNRMcYO1pG3lYDr5ub5eVic9WCycvTJEFwrc33I7fACydU_Zn5ZuF8TKGKijJBPaaGKy_PbTwJA4EhP4pdm5kvDHFwFl0_04wARTlvIbr80/s1600/IMG_8726.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXouvWDWmN4NvPwjP9JMlNHOJSjXbO1VF7oNRMcYO1pG3lYDr5ub5eVic9WCycvTJEFwrc33I7fACydU_Zn5ZuF8TKGKijJBPaaGKy_PbTwJA4EhP4pdm5kvDHFwFl0_04wARTlvIbr80/s1600/IMG_8726.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
We also checked out one of those crazy wall-to-wall trampoline places, and we're huge fans now. We even like the arcade. "Mack, go faster!"</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQbKRE0CCeTS9uB-BJ52GaxSHpOC4986X1FoVcKZYRF5y9dHhIf38SE3zFWSqrAEiWK9-LS1y9KZX-Ycy9qCVWjBS0CznOSisHL-GQOkpE2OpHlXWpCDVFUnVIu9fqSbFsQhHEWZFICpg/s1600/IMG_8766.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQbKRE0CCeTS9uB-BJ52GaxSHpOC4986X1FoVcKZYRF5y9dHhIf38SE3zFWSqrAEiWK9-LS1y9KZX-Ycy9qCVWjBS0CznOSisHL-GQOkpE2OpHlXWpCDVFUnVIu9fqSbFsQhHEWZFICpg/s1600/IMG_8766.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
We do the Christmas tree thing the easy way and go to a local nursery. My kids have serious fun running through the trees.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqvDR3aqvQotU7vl0bF-GiL6xNWGtkcso-5_L9rEaUqG7yo3nLaR_UvaUEQEwRKxyX7JPmaghLRRGJBVrrVLCzseDiIGZq3TUmwvx1MrC16ugfQlwLTs99RSIdgtW4ZDfO6nCAl4_oqyM/s1600/IMG_8775.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqvDR3aqvQotU7vl0bF-GiL6xNWGtkcso-5_L9rEaUqG7yo3nLaR_UvaUEQEwRKxyX7JPmaghLRRGJBVrrVLCzseDiIGZq3TUmwvx1MrC16ugfQlwLTs99RSIdgtW4ZDfO6nCAl4_oqyM/s1600/IMG_8775.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Wanna know how much the Olympic mom commercial makes me cry? It's a bit ridiculous. You know the one where the moms keep helping the babies up as they fall walking, as they're learning to ice skate, to snow board, to ski? Oh my gosh, I'm tearing up as I type this. If you have tissues handy, find it on You Tube right now. I would post a link, but then I'd have to watch it over and over and I'm already a little dehydrated. I heart that commercial so much. Even Mimi wants to watch it again and again, and she loves to point out how proud the mommies are when the kids get up after they fall, just like she does. Oh gosh, now I'm really crying. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Raising my children in the Midwest means raising them to love winter sports. Ice skating and skiing are something Southerners rarely do, but it's just like taking kids to a playground or the pool for us. They need to learn early when their center of gravity is low and they aren't afraid of falling. Mimi adores ice skating. And boys in hockey uniforms. Yikes. She actually said to her little buddy, "Oh, Jay! You look so handsome in your hockey costume!" </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixgi-yZfj_3wu5CjxLjadE2vUOjxeuEJgnNVFumkBYKDxiwhe3pSF0RptkfREXCqj4w182UVZ1GFZWxxcXRVAO3G4fQ80ZBccnL4BRXN0sqgFP_TCaYrT4DCAH84Z0F-wQ0eTHlHcjor4/s1600/IMG_8786.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixgi-yZfj_3wu5CjxLjadE2vUOjxeuEJgnNVFumkBYKDxiwhe3pSF0RptkfREXCqj4w182UVZ1GFZWxxcXRVAO3G4fQ80ZBccnL4BRXN0sqgFP_TCaYrT4DCAH84Z0F-wQ0eTHlHcjor4/s1600/IMG_8786.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
And this little girl is FAST. Just as fast as the middle schoolers. I feel bad for the little boys who agree to race her and then she completely schools them.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq3ZbgH_lzCM4bLp_IEJJ9bIb8LjoKcS66mhfA-O7aDAUlxZjZFrk1wOpN0YWuhx2U93SbeyQKap1ctt_KWfQktBLB6_1nUyhWcAccVjPIZLHBFaTW0OpSh45U2KF19o75P1dXafAz9o0/s1600/IMG_8789.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq3ZbgH_lzCM4bLp_IEJJ9bIb8LjoKcS66mhfA-O7aDAUlxZjZFrk1wOpN0YWuhx2U93SbeyQKap1ctt_KWfQktBLB6_1nUyhWcAccVjPIZLHBFaTW0OpSh45U2KF19o75P1dXafAz9o0/s1600/IMG_8789.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
When the weather isn't great enough for us to play outside, we have to find ways to entertain ourselves inside, which is hard. Mimi colors on her paper. Mack colors on his hand.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyXAYPlV5DyvuQMAB3fdQ3i5kqWljFjSQAyNsybhd1e2KfV7VlQFYUW2lns55zK70zwXM2VeS8cB7hu9bAmWgQmoJkuW485abS9JhYNzxm8s0MtkkhR5_ba0TxeuxzFTFK75ZiHqVkw04/s1600/IMG_8853.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyXAYPlV5DyvuQMAB3fdQ3i5kqWljFjSQAyNsybhd1e2KfV7VlQFYUW2lns55zK70zwXM2VeS8cB7hu9bAmWgQmoJkuW485abS9JhYNzxm8s0MtkkhR5_ba0TxeuxzFTFK75ZiHqVkw04/s1600/IMG_8853.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
So Daddy brought home a new baby for us.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Meet Ruby Sue Darby. Or as I like to call her -- Little Black Puppy.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJePb5mDn5zttKzd1Y1EotMqRIkcYRA2lJiMCXd7-xJsBkOcXv3-yPpKAtjoPMdz30XQz5kkKuljUfKOVqXg9RmRVPPg3d6f-7pWgMOdE6Jhuh37J5NUSyPA3Pb-9KiMK6nMaWtbnZaD8/s1600/IMG_8880.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJePb5mDn5zttKzd1Y1EotMqRIkcYRA2lJiMCXd7-xJsBkOcXv3-yPpKAtjoPMdz30XQz5kkKuljUfKOVqXg9RmRVPPg3d6f-7pWgMOdE6Jhuh37J5NUSyPA3Pb-9KiMK6nMaWtbnZaD8/s1600/IMG_8880.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Look at that face. Those sweet eyes. That fuzzy little beard. You're baby-talking your computer screen right now, aren't you? </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhJLX61zezvNGeIBQqG4Qt5sWd8pQy208dL-u0wywLwD82gQuv_9NId0AuUK1Gx8E2ZlRr-GdfXRsKhulwjWQm-Sy9nULIyNfeXLLIkiBT0ci3e_aooNqrn0t6zttzlShYByf_edcXkjg/s1600/IMG_8889.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhJLX61zezvNGeIBQqG4Qt5sWd8pQy208dL-u0wywLwD82gQuv_9NId0AuUK1Gx8E2ZlRr-GdfXRsKhulwjWQm-Sy9nULIyNfeXLLIkiBT0ci3e_aooNqrn0t6zttzlShYByf_edcXkjg/s1600/IMG_8889.jpg" height="261" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We discussed getting a dog this summer when it would be warm for taking a puppy out a zillion times a day to house train. But Clint ran across the Orphans of the Storm set up in the mall and couldn't leave this sweet thing there. Little kids were squealing and jumping and poking at her and doing all the things one is absolutely not supposed to do with a dog, and little Ruby just sat there with her head cocked sideways and tail wagging. And that's when he knew he had found our third child.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
She is part Lab and part Schnauzer and part who knows what, and is beautiful and sweet and smart. She adores children and is the greeter to everyone who enters our front door. We taught her to sit in the first day and she's officially house-broken (once we got our act together and did it the right way). My children have a new little friend who loves to play with them and snuggle with them on the couch. She was an amazing traveler when we went south for Christmas. My in-laws have a super shy little beagle rescue who is scared of his own shadow. Ruby totally sensed this and took her time creeping over to him, sitting and wagging her tail, inching a little closer, and then letting the beagle get comfortable with her. By the end of the day, they were besties. LOVE, love, love this dog. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6LfjoAAzwB6jBRGnV4jF9vfhxUZiE5lBuymNVvorqyINfEY-m0wUNNOtyMaX8pymoNmrvuOkrxktzxV-zgqeixPOjE1kJIkb6bX2niTfdBR3NRMbj4p25GoYLyfHTuX6K4erxDyXZJr0/s1600/IMG_9012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6LfjoAAzwB6jBRGnV4jF9vfhxUZiE5lBuymNVvorqyINfEY-m0wUNNOtyMaX8pymoNmrvuOkrxktzxV-zgqeixPOjE1kJIkb6bX2niTfdBR3NRMbj4p25GoYLyfHTuX6K4erxDyXZJr0/s1600/IMG_9012.jpg" height="400" 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>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQiT4eqwl65hOVEnjWfCA0u7M4w02Uj0Iqe4ScVIa8Y9XXkf8UbCXVq7nmZPMxQjduPCwyZoqiVOgdkpygfQzRaE8Op0PSAN8o8R_fgutAcJyw84kNdFb2Iw6biBpcqG85XITdw1kLpTo/s1600/IMG_9127.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQiT4eqwl65hOVEnjWfCA0u7M4w02Uj0Iqe4ScVIa8Y9XXkf8UbCXVq7nmZPMxQjduPCwyZoqiVOgdkpygfQzRaE8Op0PSAN8o8R_fgutAcJyw84kNdFb2Iw6biBpcqG85XITdw1kLpTo/s1600/IMG_9127.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Anyone want to come visit this weekend? The beach is beautiful covered in snow :)</div>
<div class="" 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/AVvXsEgjLTcrh9a7fZGBRTHHFi6e6ZFzC5OsggzwxuM67c3A1kDZAjgWTvPBDwVGRirGKRWA4ZtZbF6LDQzm8BrIKkyMtK8hY1gF3jfYpeUacfvRsUvMGnsbVIatA5_qD0KA2Vb41bB_PuobtWg/s1600/IMG_8923.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjLTcrh9a7fZGBRTHHFi6e6ZFzC5OsggzwxuM67c3A1kDZAjgWTvPBDwVGRirGKRWA4ZtZbF6LDQzm8BrIKkyMtK8hY1gF3jfYpeUacfvRsUvMGnsbVIatA5_qD0KA2Vb41bB_PuobtWg/s1600/IMG_8923.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
And the pretty lagoons. Must frame this one.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiON7hEvvJJUQ8OcgQsQVvZj0_Q9ci-_L39OxvXY1yp0K8zi1Gmz8-DfZW2N7lsVYb_bCgZDUqdM4mGwoglMWxae1JTAstbuWaRYXnp8gkFpoiSoAXNPDgSDEpJYSooL20JLMbjOBkcygk/s1600/IMG_9028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiON7hEvvJJUQ8OcgQsQVvZj0_Q9ci-_L39OxvXY1yp0K8zi1Gmz8-DfZW2N7lsVYb_bCgZDUqdM4mGwoglMWxae1JTAstbuWaRYXnp8gkFpoiSoAXNPDgSDEpJYSooL20JLMbjOBkcygk/s1600/IMG_9028.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's not the holidays without a homemade kitty sweater.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCBrK3o0CMQNa6RudiWU3fakCeEjcCeSm8aRC7TgMTz7XpLbeki4ENTGVK6pVPAXNU6NDjtZ1xn-ROJgnOKLJTcusSuQe6dHr80Il3woVUrDy5OlgE2vF7B3TbGDaDMwATCimtEY9qo_A/s1600/IMG_9035.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCBrK3o0CMQNa6RudiWU3fakCeEjcCeSm8aRC7TgMTz7XpLbeki4ENTGVK6pVPAXNU6NDjtZ1xn-ROJgnOKLJTcusSuQe6dHr80Il3woVUrDy5OlgE2vF7B3TbGDaDMwATCimtEY9qo_A/s1600/IMG_9035.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Snuggling on cold days. Perfect Saturday.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6k_KGn3GQMgLcZq0f2uBFD1jlTOUq1s85BYlpZjniMeuToxgwBkunUjtq8J79dwBZjlI5ELSqobfVg8Lwlb5FYO8_Xyza-XfrkCP17XQhALFoj4SwzaczE6J7MBjtsBekMls9o-J-Ovw/s1600/IMG_9040.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6k_KGn3GQMgLcZq0f2uBFD1jlTOUq1s85BYlpZjniMeuToxgwBkunUjtq8J79dwBZjlI5ELSqobfVg8Lwlb5FYO8_Xyza-XfrkCP17XQhALFoj4SwzaczE6J7MBjtsBekMls9o-J-Ovw/s1600/IMG_9040.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
I finally learned to ski. I've always wanted to, but the beach calls my name around spring break so I kept putting it off. Clint went skiing with some guys last spring and insisted I learn. It is not easy to learn as an adult and it hurts like a whole lot when I fall, but just like the babies falling on ice skates I got up again (uh, tears), and I've found my new favorite winter sport. I'm not very good although Clint insists I am (thanks, sweetie), but I love the challenge and the scariness of seeing a steep hill and knowing the only way I can safely get down is on skis. No turning back. We all need to scare the crap out of ourselves occasionally to feel alive, right?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKtfyX3two9o2FnX_zzQp__4HaSr3Vqff0Tre57TMf0iAFYcKhc5ClbsXlyDOOj75RAGoKtqN131LUYLwhBoe_JulqMBtm4h0dR-qjoPKVuqS2TyELTj0Y5MVG8ID6mj8LtwKvzUa2pkg/s1600/IMG_9098.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKtfyX3two9o2FnX_zzQp__4HaSr3Vqff0Tre57TMf0iAFYcKhc5ClbsXlyDOOj75RAGoKtqN131LUYLwhBoe_JulqMBtm4h0dR-qjoPKVuqS2TyELTj0Y5MVG8ID6mj8LtwKvzUa2pkg/s1600/IMG_9098.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
The place we go in Wisconsin has a fun little indoor water park, so the kiddos got to do this. I took Mimi for lessons a couple of weeks ago (ohmygoshtimeofherlife!!!), but I'll save that for the next post.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpeNZwE-Thsn7yFRSthBj6vwhSDQAFUfmI3__lhF7Cojic89u6e1R20ln021G4eJQbzR4UXSg9t1KC03MxBNPhZQToWfM86SI1l1JcRAWTYHTGgura-ajgEWyMEFRCJRwQtMQlL0P8kqU/s1600/IMG_9099.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpeNZwE-Thsn7yFRSthBj6vwhSDQAFUfmI3__lhF7Cojic89u6e1R20ln021G4eJQbzR4UXSg9t1KC03MxBNPhZQToWfM86SI1l1JcRAWTYHTGgura-ajgEWyMEFRCJRwQtMQlL0P8kqU/s1600/IMG_9099.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
I refuse to join the rat race of the holidays. As much as I love the commercial side of this Christian holiday, a few years ago I made myself stop feeling so dang obligated to do it just right. The only thing I make myself get done early is Christmas cards. I love getting them and I love sending them, so I force myself to put them together Thanksgiving weekend (but they don't get sent out until much later). I use whatever pics I have saved on my computer and do not make anyone dress up or pose. Because if you've ever seen someone try to make my family pose, it is a disaster. Impossible. Other than that, we get the tree when we feel like it, buy presents when we have time, and if something doesn't get done then oh, well. <br />
<br />
Mimi wanted to wrap her own gifts. Mack got a puzzle piece, I got an old video game, and Clint got a remote control we'd been searching for.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4dYAfMQmTL0F3vQP-SC8x_GDurVqjhtYAfFhkZN_8x-TawuN7q_i5rdcn2dJqGYoY4sRPK50p8LMIGWqhb7xYcbXon1WNjc-qhTnXb2Q2CmVE6oHwlhuM7TNLw0wS6ZU0ImzHtRDgQFo/s1600/IMG_9103.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4dYAfMQmTL0F3vQP-SC8x_GDurVqjhtYAfFhkZN_8x-TawuN7q_i5rdcn2dJqGYoY4sRPK50p8LMIGWqhb7xYcbXon1WNjc-qhTnXb2Q2CmVE6oHwlhuM7TNLw0wS6ZU0ImzHtRDgQFo/s1600/IMG_9103.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Daddy insisted he be the one to attend Mimi's school holiday party, and she loooooved that he was there. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjEQMkvQrhJHoHMXUJhHNJ_bKidTSaN5TcovHqGH-CHq-ImrXeXbnkmmRylnFlXBa_cxh-ErMzcWfeDHhyQc_O3g3bajlK6CvW8kwcN15b6JgXUJ7cstEs6Ins4Ago7cTcRx2ncAqNdrU/s1600/IMG_9128.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjEQMkvQrhJHoHMXUJhHNJ_bKidTSaN5TcovHqGH-CHq-ImrXeXbnkmmRylnFlXBa_cxh-ErMzcWfeDHhyQc_O3g3bajlK6CvW8kwcN15b6JgXUJ7cstEs6Ins4Ago7cTcRx2ncAqNdrU/s1600/IMG_9128.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Sweet snuggle time Christmas morning.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAicGfLf62xQiWdpI7ksu-dFC4ntIHF4n5ixyeIXlKLb2ev7Wa6asfzqMFCy_dxnKuwMBNeneh3VE4wXAindii4OkyG6_4j_tEoRnKhvCrcAiRM2g_nvPIga2JNrSAj15hFS4qflPx35s/s1600/IMG_9155.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAicGfLf62xQiWdpI7ksu-dFC4ntIHF4n5ixyeIXlKLb2ev7Wa6asfzqMFCy_dxnKuwMBNeneh3VE4wXAindii4OkyG6_4j_tEoRnKhvCrcAiRM2g_nvPIga2JNrSAj15hFS4qflPx35s/s1600/IMG_9155.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
A big, beautiful Christmas mess.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcq3RqR8YaTFiQ9EPObJs3GTO_1jt8ABi0QqurSU5K3P2vFhNuYoMJbSf5Oc5Xh-xIcBzuZ9RaSmKfboj1byNFd3fO2aMz0A_qqQZaPNvQSJa9OLF61l9U1YzcaHGJYJiQff9lx9FOJNo/s1600/IMG_9156.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcq3RqR8YaTFiQ9EPObJs3GTO_1jt8ABi0QqurSU5K3P2vFhNuYoMJbSf5Oc5Xh-xIcBzuZ9RaSmKfboj1byNFd3fO2aMz0A_qqQZaPNvQSJa9OLF61l9U1YzcaHGJYJiQff9lx9FOJNo/s1600/IMG_9156.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
And then we stuffed them in the car and headed south.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoz7Sbe52jYHAvcUaBljHiMnysU2lX4aORdWVqmXgRi3jc4fOR_r1vYKOv_wFdzP6Kj77dmyzmCt7dpj4SCo9VTNiS7KBRuwD9AmdFlPV16Tbkdvp4wNl5ayHHpgK1KG9Y-VWqY3iSYis/s1600/IMG_9157.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoz7Sbe52jYHAvcUaBljHiMnysU2lX4aORdWVqmXgRi3jc4fOR_r1vYKOv_wFdzP6Kj77dmyzmCt7dpj4SCo9VTNiS7KBRuwD9AmdFlPV16Tbkdvp4wNl5ayHHpgK1KG9Y-VWqY3iSYis/s1600/IMG_9157.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Poking at a fire while sort of dangerous is also a lot of fun.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcFm04xRUKP3ddyAGw6odwKvdc_3k3ycjfet_h1XaGkg80pFiLSbr8NCEl05b6aCunqpjblXSE47fKf3hnlSqmC7oolpPdPfBVMZLBgLZ2B2N0SIbFwPMX-4RaD3Y9jcQfkYrUKcGlzBM/s1600/IMG_9193.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcFm04xRUKP3ddyAGw6odwKvdc_3k3ycjfet_h1XaGkg80pFiLSbr8NCEl05b6aCunqpjblXSE47fKf3hnlSqmC7oolpPdPfBVMZLBgLZ2B2N0SIbFwPMX-4RaD3Y9jcQfkYrUKcGlzBM/s1600/IMG_9193.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
"Turn around, bright eyes . . . " he he he</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUlcJbqAjiczV1YJn9ZhmjJmn_rl4I8GXxXiTDvyOgmM_2kd7P5LRpbrORoymCKdXJF-iM2SxLuELU3fzONzSXDW940UD_tpK6nyNsA_KaVb9iKxG_HnUaeZS9AyWlOPJgjprnOHhtoCs/s1600/IMG_9206.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUlcJbqAjiczV1YJn9ZhmjJmn_rl4I8GXxXiTDvyOgmM_2kd7P5LRpbrORoymCKdXJF-iM2SxLuELU3fzONzSXDW940UD_tpK6nyNsA_KaVb9iKxG_HnUaeZS9AyWlOPJgjprnOHhtoCs/s1600/IMG_9206.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin1JR6x4r2gAiyznDJbZwRCXgiJtJSpUXUt1FwdRqKJ4mb27drerKBUc59Vz2DHkCkzOzfO63UAUbxTuADP1JCukwEe2SUPkTKjcTS_KmTVsqOq_lIQF_DVCn6KDVNmoqrSEYuP22KJm4/s1600/IMG_9236.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin1JR6x4r2gAiyznDJbZwRCXgiJtJSpUXUt1FwdRqKJ4mb27drerKBUc59Vz2DHkCkzOzfO63UAUbxTuADP1JCukwEe2SUPkTKjcTS_KmTVsqOq_lIQF_DVCn6KDVNmoqrSEYuP22KJm4/s1600/IMG_9236.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Everyone should have an Uncle Bubba, and if you don't, then you should get one. Mimi adores him.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRx_KAw_knBgXyGlTxkWf9tpvnHuxOIHYtM4c-IYoIv4uvR3HHx05qj4zrtthyhJTFthQCFJhcAqTlpmk35GuRgf4yRduQ6YgNV14sJxRgW1VZFf21ms4xrRvUOSoIvuR7OZ1OXXsTh8E/s1600/IMG_9353.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRx_KAw_knBgXyGlTxkWf9tpvnHuxOIHYtM4c-IYoIv4uvR3HHx05qj4zrtthyhJTFthQCFJhcAqTlpmk35GuRgf4yRduQ6YgNV14sJxRgW1VZFf21ms4xrRvUOSoIvuR7OZ1OXXsTh8E/s1600/IMG_9353.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Watch out for these two.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCF80krnxT7jA8Ro_nxnO0JHvJEasdpzgyquad2JGPs4kgWKyf-ad4fHj_RdazXuJcQytPQKTRzJaXRq40er1MVzlkMauqYhyphenhyphenhFMQ03suqQYCphy9RXOwQZnQBXyTAZ3Ctb0IMA3-uLTo/s1600/IMG_9356.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCF80krnxT7jA8Ro_nxnO0JHvJEasdpzgyquad2JGPs4kgWKyf-ad4fHj_RdazXuJcQytPQKTRzJaXRq40er1MVzlkMauqYhyphenhyphenhFMQ03suqQYCphy9RXOwQZnQBXyTAZ3Ctb0IMA3-uLTo/s1600/IMG_9356.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Mack's first trip to Huey's.</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/AVvXsEhTMC0O8_dnkz59ECl2i-bbmUaKTxAlZLznTaDJJdT3eNX1XcfSuA25X9It-9t_-8uRhIQyLHlhuTZ7NJFXJA9QTW1aXJtsidHG3rFMzZyTJuooGQWCxiAKGYzNdI2zgJkmSGGIjqO4HMA/s1600/IMG_9277.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTMC0O8_dnkz59ECl2i-bbmUaKTxAlZLznTaDJJdT3eNX1XcfSuA25X9It-9t_-8uRhIQyLHlhuTZ7NJFXJA9QTW1aXJtsidHG3rFMzZyTJuooGQWCxiAKGYzNdI2zgJkmSGGIjqO4HMA/s1600/IMG_9277.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
My sister just moved back to my hometown (can you believe it?) and bought this gazillion year old house that I adore, so we celebrated Christmas there. And for the first time ever, ever, ever my entire immediate family was in the same place for about 4 hours. It was a bit crazy but so fun and much needed. Oh, and my sweet friend Elisha showed up with her camera and her mad photography skills. I'll post a pic when I finally get down to ordering them. But my family is really, really cute.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Meemers with her cousin who is only a few weeks apart in age.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCiGLmZGTDKfZRBfeqEptAbeeztRj91ToDEtPUcm0G2H01MhbZrjXL-M6iDMGr8rh5TQgjRDml8TgJ9M-s3ELP4p5mqz0rsbA7B4w_Yk7f-lYzO26rjPUvVaX8AjCc9jdkT1j70XAkoGs/s1600/IMG_9286.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCiGLmZGTDKfZRBfeqEptAbeeztRj91ToDEtPUcm0G2H01MhbZrjXL-M6iDMGr8rh5TQgjRDml8TgJ9M-s3ELP4p5mqz0rsbA7B4w_Yk7f-lYzO26rjPUvVaX8AjCc9jdkT1j70XAkoGs/s1600/IMG_9286.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
We enjoyed the fellowship . . . and our cell phones. Seriously? Can we not just watch the football game or play Scrabble or something?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjmMnq-TN1izYqbJraH3KIEmgvycm9I2vp_4ClYE31E7fJnAG4-PXylvIwlU6Swm_x6Y-uovCL81r_UbhoHCJlgpFKPO9QNZAd5RDhb_3Xzv6QJuW_9_f8SaFhFYPTGtJvylikeFPnwzc/s1600/IMG_9300.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjmMnq-TN1izYqbJraH3KIEmgvycm9I2vp_4ClYE31E7fJnAG4-PXylvIwlU6Swm_x6Y-uovCL81r_UbhoHCJlgpFKPO9QNZAd5RDhb_3Xzv6QJuW_9_f8SaFhFYPTGtJvylikeFPnwzc/s1600/IMG_9300.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You're baby-talking your screen again, aren't you? </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidYrdd1pt3B6RpNqfPsJPXkI3OdG34LaJnqkbxXYbUVxzzrvwZGyCHqHF4SXE8O7pCvoynJwSbPWt08cKMxzpbwJJ6zC9pfT3mv4HME6ROCWoAPbjUTzbwjYZusocIV3EGskEgXfVYJZw/s1600/IMG_9322.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidYrdd1pt3B6RpNqfPsJPXkI3OdG34LaJnqkbxXYbUVxzzrvwZGyCHqHF4SXE8O7pCvoynJwSbPWt08cKMxzpbwJJ6zC9pfT3mv4HME6ROCWoAPbjUTzbwjYZusocIV3EGskEgXfVYJZw/s1600/IMG_9322.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
With his ladies.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnP20YnQ9ktiTcmGMdr-WVwp94LwIb14FoASb39NCEyJZXeVfuwoLG874mDZMG-DsA5MIXcKUbz1UTm911J_JtkWdTuVjp2UA7Nwc6GNcnE53mTxtsOisQWgKRGd-u1DDoklVlcXhMUWs/s1600/IMG_9341.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnP20YnQ9ktiTcmGMdr-WVwp94LwIb14FoASb39NCEyJZXeVfuwoLG874mDZMG-DsA5MIXcKUbz1UTm911J_JtkWdTuVjp2UA7Nwc6GNcnE53mTxtsOisQWgKRGd-u1DDoklVlcXhMUWs/s1600/IMG_9341.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Mimi is not living unless she's bossing someone around.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUVUGDyeX9KGc8tSn8QolT9lDuyXiKVVtjO2IomhOrQPRvdX3tNLKSSCDNsMYVEOQhqUye3waCxu_rotT9YP4EVWB87cdaNbPZG230efwsZPGngCxjsoNAPDQiolYygZAe5Pqk1L-GIP8/s1600/IMG_9280.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUVUGDyeX9KGc8tSn8QolT9lDuyXiKVVtjO2IomhOrQPRvdX3tNLKSSCDNsMYVEOQhqUye3waCxu_rotT9YP4EVWB87cdaNbPZG230efwsZPGngCxjsoNAPDQiolYygZAe5Pqk1L-GIP8/s1600/IMG_9280.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
A fun slumber party with the girls. Not sure how much sleep happened that night.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDWaaeRmP7sij4cd6ymorXP7TEZfaIY-0Hjxng1xr9u9-aOiMe2aUcVrVs47HgQ8S3CXp1M1N2sfq94KsDwsr-8K6DB5-MNL1GFNyJDncOsE7XPwXCgKCpFolvLpEdXkGjvZ5HYFaQJ2k/s1600/IMG_9320.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDWaaeRmP7sij4cd6ymorXP7TEZfaIY-0Hjxng1xr9u9-aOiMe2aUcVrVs47HgQ8S3CXp1M1N2sfq94KsDwsr-8K6DB5-MNL1GFNyJDncOsE7XPwXCgKCpFolvLpEdXkGjvZ5HYFaQJ2k/s1600/IMG_9320.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
2013 was full of crazy changes and lots of love and a whole, whole lot of laughter. Feeling quite thankful for my family, my friends, and even this dreadful stomach virus that is forcing me to sit on the couch and do nothing but go through old photos. Now I need to watch that beautiful Olympic commercial and cry myself to sleep before getting the monkeys from school. <br />
<br />
Happy New Year!Jeri Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10521003964808664244noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2546665416784172515.post-34398194277741832572013-11-14T23:18:00.001-06:002013-11-14T23:18:57.729-06:00Love and HappinessI've been busy chasing my tail for the past couple of months, and the poor blog has been neglected once again. <i>As it has been all year long . . . </i><br />
<br />
I had a bit of a slap back into reality today, and, my gosh, it feels good enough that I need to share. It stung a little and I cried a little, but I know I needed it. Maybe you'll feel a refreshing slap at the end of it all, too. <br />
<br />
We all set expectations for our lives -- for our spouses, our jobs, our morning commutes, the guy behind the counter at a coffee shop. Some expectations we can control but most we cannot. Usually the really important ones we cannot control. Like our children.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmDru-2TzevuIrxNWBmw6SiBISupwa6uqQeOOiE-3-VJ_1EGkKVN482gTYCrtNShndkTHND9LDQ33rd8xfQCRBRdbxCgnxbom8hMVddeDqMLC0BFbH8DMOiGwq5XwTmr3oMyaWx6U481I/s1600/IMG_8307.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmDru-2TzevuIrxNWBmw6SiBISupwa6uqQeOOiE-3-VJ_1EGkKVN482gTYCrtNShndkTHND9LDQ33rd8xfQCRBRdbxCgnxbom8hMVddeDqMLC0BFbH8DMOiGwq5XwTmr3oMyaWx6U481I/s400/IMG_8307.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I was talking with a friend recently who just had her first baby. She was sharing with me her difficulties in letting go of selfishness and control. I told her it does get easier. But I didn't tell her that it ever goes away.<br />
<br />
I really just have a few expectations for my children:<br />
<br />
1. To be happy.<br />
2. To love and be loved by others.<br />
3. To be kind and thoughtful.<br />
4. To make smart decisions.<br />
<br />
But I cannot control all of this. As a parent I am supposed to guide my children in the right direction, but I can't control every little move they make. I know this, but I've still been quite the A-hole to myself . . . <i>and worst of all to Mimi.</i><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj78TZKOo2isfokn_3DbrqbDUIbuPxtQbvm3-1N3INg-qys4oEQyRM5vBHSrsYNJ31Xir2DffUfhcnd1a3LkJD9F2mnqITMXr1TymoenybW-eFNzT7zhRLMyO4xVSwxGXBJdkDIkSgWUFc/s1600/IMG_8049.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj78TZKOo2isfokn_3DbrqbDUIbuPxtQbvm3-1N3INg-qys4oEQyRM5vBHSrsYNJ31Xir2DffUfhcnd1a3LkJD9F2mnqITMXr1TymoenybW-eFNzT7zhRLMyO4xVSwxGXBJdkDIkSgWUFc/s400/IMG_8049.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
Oh, little Mimi. There's more personality and spunk in her left pinky toe than in most people I've ever met. This kid is bound for greatness, but that doesn't mean she's easy to parent. She does things the way she thinks they should be done and cares very little what others think about that, thank you very much. Moving to a new place where she had no friends was a little bit more difficult for her than I expected, but she has transitioned even better than I have. Other than telling a little boy at camp that he cried like a baby, but that's another story. . . <br />
<br />
I've been pretty rough on her and it's not all her fault. She turned 5 a few weeks before kindergarten began, but I stopped seeing her as a girl who just finished being 4. She is a kindergartener. The expectations should change. She should do things the first time I ask. She should be able to get her boots on by herself. She should be able to remember her sight words. She should be able to subtract the apples from the bananas. She should not scream and cry when she has to wait her turn. <br />
<br />
And I should have done a better job at teaching her these things. Or at least that's what I've been thinking. I should be more patient. I should know exactly how to turn a frustrating task into a game. I should set a better example for being independent. But neither she nor I have been living up to these expectations, and I have been very, very ugly about it all.<br />
<br />
This morning I had the first parent-teacher conference of the year with Mimi's fabulous teacher, and I was a bit nervous going in. I was afraid to see how Mimi compares with her classmates. Afraid to hear about her lack of attention or ability to follow directions (yes, I've been worried about ADD). Afraid to hear that we may want to consider repeating kindergarten. Y'all, I'm very serious. Doing homework with this child makes me want to stick toothpicks in my eyes. We're both so mad at the end of it that I would drink vodka straight if someone handed me a glass. "Frustrating" doesn't even begin cover my emotions. And this school district we're in is serious business. Like 27 is the average ACT score at the high school. The high school that has about 1,300 freshmen. Seriously, shit just got real when I learned that.<br />
<br />
Anyway, I didn't hear any of these things. What I did hear was that Mimi is <b>happy.</b> Happy every day and all day. Happy to talk with everyone. Happy to help others. Happy to check on a classmate who is sad. Happy to tell a silly story to make everyone laugh. And that she has improved so much academically since the first week of school. The teacher and her aide know they need to remind Mimi to stay on task from time to time, but they definitely aren't concerned. She just turned 5. She just finished being 4. She's being just exactly what she's supposed to be.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZdHX1R490TuDtDC-g5iSzEpG9Sdy39tQOiDE1UGqOdixTKZ9qfUW3kaXrfSP3DK5kv8bucLBZjQ4C74xINvMjqGWqtAWr_g0ebBd1DwLewTIbpaypbinkjkcvJIIbI5-GtcFIbAQCqbw/s1600/IMG_8004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZdHX1R490TuDtDC-g5iSzEpG9Sdy39tQOiDE1UGqOdixTKZ9qfUW3kaXrfSP3DK5kv8bucLBZjQ4C74xINvMjqGWqtAWr_g0ebBd1DwLewTIbpaypbinkjkcvJIIbI5-GtcFIbAQCqbw/s400/IMG_8004.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
And she's loved. Her teachers love her, her after school instructors love her, and her friends love her. They love her personality and they love the way she treats others. They love that she's making smarter decisions about listening and waiting her turn. <br />
<br />
And that's really all I've ever wanted for her . . .<br />
<br />
She's not perfect, but she's learned some good stuff in her short life. She is listening to me and she is following some of my guidelines. She's trying really hard to stay in the boundaries, but sometimes it's just so much fun to cross the border a wee bit.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV57Es8s7VaLEiThl_boEhgBe58_u_w9QjKtJmgjuUiej_53UPGBWIK2QlmIiWwgi00c59uWDLfWpJbN3L0VvaQdOxNq474uuiIWak7H7uii_w8iCB2YsnVGUC99m5hvoScK4w8xKWKLw/s1600/IMG_8213.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV57Es8s7VaLEiThl_boEhgBe58_u_w9QjKtJmgjuUiej_53UPGBWIK2QlmIiWwgi00c59uWDLfWpJbN3L0VvaQdOxNq474uuiIWak7H7uii_w8iCB2YsnVGUC99m5hvoScK4w8xKWKLw/s400/IMG_8213.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
So I'm backing off of her and myself once again, and I feel like a huge weight has been lifted from my shoulders. <br />
<br />
I met a mom at a park recently, and we had a long discussion about the challenges with our sons. She also has a son who as a toddler struggled a little to catch up because of sensory issues similar to Mack, and although she was working so hard with her therapists she still felt like a bit of a failure. As she was pouring her heart out about this to her mother, her mom simply told her, "But no one is trying any harder. No one." And then she told me, "And no one is trying any harder than you are either."<br />
<br />
I repeat this to myself occasionally when things just aren't turning out as I expected. I am doing all that I know I can do for my children -- just as most moms are. No one is trying any harder to raise our children than we are. So let's quit beating ourselves up, mmkay?<br />
<br />
What about this guy?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi91KsH2n3HLBDxNL3PZldZuHedDXphRvBoO9WqwWHwOfDAv8fqNswyKbxAIpk8p_wVX5JaABOFkCCsT5XtTxeM71u0o6z5ypuBAX5mtWsyg_jbzw8uG2fd648NqvKItQZQc_iKa_aQI9Q/s1600/IMG_8111.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi91KsH2n3HLBDxNL3PZldZuHedDXphRvBoO9WqwWHwOfDAv8fqNswyKbxAIpk8p_wVX5JaABOFkCCsT5XtTxeM71u0o6z5ypuBAX5mtWsyg_jbzw8uG2fd648NqvKItQZQc_iKa_aQI9Q/s400/IMG_8111.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Whew, I don't even know where to begin with him. Not even the same child as he was 4 months ago. Every single day he does something that shocks me. Today it was singing along with "Gangnam Style." Maybe that's not something you would be proud of, but for a kid who was barely speaking a few months ago this is kind of a big deal. And no one even knows what that song is really saying, so I'm pretty impressed. This is just a little progress we've made:<br />
<br />
1. Barely giving eye contact to his parents to giving eye contact to complete strangers and telling them, "Hi!"<br />
2. Not tolerating my singing (who can blame him) to singing along with every cartoon theme song after hearing it only once or twice.<br />
3. Shying away from all overwhelming social situations to finding a calming toy to play with in the middle of the chaos. <br />
4. Staring at a toy car's wheels for long periods of time to actually playing with the car in a play garage, on the sidewalk, and all over the house.<br />
5. Not allowing anyone but immediate family to touch him to walking over to a new babysitter today to give her a hug as soon as he met her.<br />
6. Avoiding all children except his sister to telling a classmate, "Bye, Brendan" today.<br />
<br />
If any of the beginning statements scream "autism" to you, you better believe they did to me. His initial evaluation last December also screamed the A-word on paper, but his therapists quickly realized that wasn't it. Mack was too overwhelmed and didn't know how to cope. Hearing and seeing and touching was too much for him, and learning to communicate was the last thing on his agenda. He just wanted to find a way to escape. So he wasn't learning as he should for a about a year and a half. But now he is and my word it is beautiful.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsZB-qLaSb6WvMESJS6H8QHmICX1vbcNO0tupMB1ZZlTl5UKTVCkFQHgtEIIhojnJN0n_sD-BRQPlc02ufUY6uvwDSh7o8dgISHPZM03aSZ0Zsr0ZiICfgam2I6uYH0eM5XvH7dM1o4h8/s1600/IMG_8061.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsZB-qLaSb6WvMESJS6H8QHmICX1vbcNO0tupMB1ZZlTl5UKTVCkFQHgtEIIhojnJN0n_sD-BRQPlc02ufUY6uvwDSh7o8dgISHPZM03aSZ0Zsr0ZiICfgam2I6uYH0eM5XvH7dM1o4h8/s400/IMG_8061.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
Yes, he is matching words with their beginning letter and lining them up in order. "I do it myself, Mommy!"<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvHhgcHlSoy7i3ZQlZxLe6X7kry2nfTyGIHmkZu3qqFb3mpo0dPlYTJXZ_YKlI5F3H3zqEv-datLuZAh9pvogutwc-RRV8inUDSGAfzYSG6x-CMWbYo-VgZfs5uxIUYWd_5QdkODmzDoQ/s1600/IMG_8066.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvHhgcHlSoy7i3ZQlZxLe6X7kry2nfTyGIHmkZu3qqFb3mpo0dPlYTJXZ_YKlI5F3H3zqEv-datLuZAh9pvogutwc-RRV8inUDSGAfzYSG6x-CMWbYo-VgZfs5uxIUYWd_5QdkODmzDoQ/s400/IMG_8066.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Several friends have asked about adjustments we have made, and I'll share a few of those in case you also have a little guy like mine. Some of these tricks work on all children (and adults) who get overwhelmed:<br />
<br />
1. I've reduced the language. I don't say, "You need to put the banana peel in the trash before you can have your banana." Say, "Peel in trash first. Then banana." Lots of "first, then" statements. <br />
2. If he's overstimulated, I match his excitement (or a little under) and slowly bring it back down. I slow down movements and language and even lower my voice and calm my tone.<br />
3. I get on his level to speak to him. I am squatting all the time. I pick his toys that he's playing with off the floor and put them at eye level on the couch or coffee table. <br />
4. I gesture a lot because sometimes language is too much. I pat the floor when I want Mack to sit by me. I wave him toward me when I need him to come. <br />
5. I narrate his play, which annoys the crap out of me. "Oh, I see your horse is climbing up, up, up the hill, and whoa, now he is sliding down, down. Crash!" But it gives him some words to match his ideas and then he will begin to repeat this as he is playing.<br />
6. I ask questions that require him to use language. "Do you want red or blue shoes?" "Milk or juice?" If he doesn't say any words after the third time I ask, then I give it up to not frustrate him.<br />
7. I make sure he has a way to get the sensory input he needs before going into a crowded or new place. I let him push his large bean bag across the floor. I ask him to help me push a chair across the kitchen. I let him play at the park before we go into preschool. I let him chew gummy snacks or drink a smoothie through a skinny straw (yes, he will probably have 85 cavities in his baby teeth). Clint even makes Mack push him, which Mack thinks is soooo hilarious.<br />
8. I let him stand up when he eats. This was hard for me at first because I'm Southern and we are supposed to teach our children to have impeccable table manners, but he has the wiggles. And he actually eats his food, which is more than some people can say about their three-year-olds.<br />
9. If he begins to throw a fit out of frustration over something not happening the way he expects (block falls over, Buzz's wing keeps falling off), then I calmly say, "Aw, man" or "that makes me mad" or I simply sigh. Sometimes he still throws his fit but sometimes he says, "Aw, maaaaan," and it's the cutest thing in the world.<br />
10. This is the hardest -- I am patient. I take deep breaths and remind myself that this is going to take a while. He's already come so, so far since therapy began at the end of January. He cannot learn if he is unregulated. And he will not be regulated if he senses I am a nervous wreck.<br />
<br />
And he is the prettiest little boy I have ever laid eyes on. <br />
<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/AVvXsEhW4o-WukIRXJ3goLXn-lSUMyGRqEIA8jGZQrpHMbAIwjT8yRmAnS_o1tYwmYHENizMkF9U3GdbLI6F0IV6hQzBfNXDAijS3WmxSE5CojJnTQBZO_2osdvOg3lz6VCoiAJU9zPT1cIMgcM/s1600/IMG_8487.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW4o-WukIRXJ3goLXn-lSUMyGRqEIA8jGZQrpHMbAIwjT8yRmAnS_o1tYwmYHENizMkF9U3GdbLI6F0IV6hQzBfNXDAijS3WmxSE5CojJnTQBZO_2osdvOg3lz6VCoiAJU9zPT1cIMgcM/s400/IMG_8487.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
He's a fantastic snuggler. I should know because he climbs in our bed every night, but we don't mind. Mimi just stopped doing it, so I'm a bit sad knowing this may only last a couple more years.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijYEKuIAFvrRlZQtBtaY9pN_rcmy3cfSogVoucHU2bBTf_Y785Z-AtIWrK6IV4NjCVU88vTbqjET6_wzked4VQy9wLCO53-dHywsFVFpV7Cr5bSnpN2XF-zEj9CrJ4F7-cJs8oY5Y4me0/s1600/IMG_8330.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijYEKuIAFvrRlZQtBtaY9pN_rcmy3cfSogVoucHU2bBTf_Y785Z-AtIWrK6IV4NjCVU88vTbqjET6_wzked4VQy9wLCO53-dHywsFVFpV7Cr5bSnpN2XF-zEj9CrJ4F7-cJs8oY5Y4me0/s400/IMG_8330.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
He is crazy smart in some ways -- I'm pretty sure he can see how something is done once or twice and can then do it himself. I can hide nothing from him because he sees everything I do. He is fantastic at puzzles and letters and numbers. He is already sounding out words and counting everything in sight.<br />
<br />
He loooooves to dance. The beginnings of cartoons are his favorites because of the music. When the song is over, he always strikes a pose. The dancing is a little Elaine-ish, so we're going to have to work on that . . .<br />
<br />
Mack also loooooves his play therapy class and his preschool. Neither are close to my house, so I am on the road all day, which is kind of wearing on me but so worth it. And his teachers really love him, which makes me all warm and fuzzy inside.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtwQYBB5FrtbrMWU2nNJrSjwJRqpJl1lTFxW3tsIGTDdJYK0FE6rrbvg9EMXNAHeZ9zQKHRxkCZxyMHlZhc02E7iibc8B2UaZzEDUG72IrJGtgpJXWKkjFhdsWWJIleyiVz17tNfFQoSo/s1600/IMG_8401.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtwQYBB5FrtbrMWU2nNJrSjwJRqpJl1lTFxW3tsIGTDdJYK0FE6rrbvg9EMXNAHeZ9zQKHRxkCZxyMHlZhc02E7iibc8B2UaZzEDUG72IrJGtgpJXWKkjFhdsWWJIleyiVz17tNfFQoSo/s400/IMG_8401.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
Most importantly, my children adore each other. This morning Mimi told Clint and me that after kindergarten she will go to college and then she will marry Mack. We told her that a girl doesn't marry her brother. She asked who she should marry, and I told her she will marry her best friend like I did. She then said that Mack was her best friend so that is who she will marry.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYbBY_m3Fo0bDGqbrzUI8Htgaxu7OAVPeRwVZbe3H_zlCSIH5yQF0aX8oEJ-jHxHUdusoOGk4ssJdj5kd-6kMlgnY2P1vbHKkR1niT0XHXbVDS5KzuMBhP5jyG2BxR0eFObf2Cmp5Cuu8/s1600/IMG_8407.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYbBY_m3Fo0bDGqbrzUI8Htgaxu7OAVPeRwVZbe3H_zlCSIH5yQF0aX8oEJ-jHxHUdusoOGk4ssJdj5kd-6kMlgnY2P1vbHKkR1niT0XHXbVDS5KzuMBhP5jyG2BxR0eFObf2Cmp5Cuu8/s400/IMG_8407.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
About a year ago I wrote a post about how the pediatrician told me to pick up a copy of <i>Bringing Up Bebe</i> and sort of made me feel like Mimi was the reason that Mack wasn't talking. The pediatrician felt that Mimi commanded so much attention that Mack didn't see the need to ask for any. I'm mad at myself for even listening to her. Because this girl is so good for him. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Apavhjgq9I9wTfX2seDRvFLCMEcGoNKkkq9qBuL-cOwPOzzbxnyRhj07NnCyxBlz-TbnJ3yyKUxxBSjrlCRTxO2ZB3tiazGYrm_JCxTdyiIzPnYkHA_76StyvlG90UAM9F8E-wYwfgs/s1600/IMG_8449.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Apavhjgq9I9wTfX2seDRvFLCMEcGoNKkkq9qBuL-cOwPOzzbxnyRhj07NnCyxBlz-TbnJ3yyKUxxBSjrlCRTxO2ZB3tiazGYrm_JCxTdyiIzPnYkHA_76StyvlG90UAM9F8E-wYwfgs/s400/IMG_8449.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
And Mack is such a blessing for Mimi. Because of him she is thoughtful and caring. She constantly checks on him and in return he comes running to her when she's upset. "Mimi, you 'kay? Aw, Mimi." She chases him around the house and helps him get all his wiggles out. He follows her around with her friends at the park, and she tells everyone, "Oh, he's just my little brother Mack and it's fine that he's playing with us. C'mon, Macky." She has no problem standing up for him when another child points out that he isn't talking much. He's taught her that things aren't always fair, and she is learning to cope with that. Sometimes he does get a little more attention and extra help when she doesn't. We do have to sacrifice some things for him. She doesn't always get her way, and more times than not she is being very understanding. <br />
<br />
So I am going to let them be 3 and 5 and quirky and wild and exactly who they are being . . . until I mess up and have to write a post like this again in a year . . . <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Jeri Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10521003964808664244noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2546665416784172515.post-24264339341242437362013-09-09T16:43:00.000-05:002013-09-09T16:54:47.961-05:00Don't wake me if I'm dreaming . . . <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Have you ever had one of those days when you need to be pinched? </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Not in a bad way but in a <i>wake me up because there hasn't been a total disaster yet so I must still be dreaming </i>kind of days.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The past couple of weeks I've been a bit on the cray-cray side. I've been exhausted from lack of sleep thanks to a little guy who forgot how to snooze. Laundry and dirty dishes seemed to be coming out of no where (along with more spiders). The kids have had loads of parent orientations, kid only and no siblings allowed orientations, come fill out more paper work, stop by to register, just pop in for 15 minutes and get to know your teacher, and by the way it would be better if you come with no children or only one child. Oh, and they all conflicted and happened during times that no sitter or husband was able to help. But that's okay. I worked everything out and we survived another week. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
So basically I've been having lots of stay at home mom probs, and I've been quite whiney about it. But today has been a blessing because of <b>great sleep</b> and laundry catch-up over the weekend. Everyone was happy and smiley this morning, and I feel like I can stop yelling. Whew, I know two kids who like the sound of that. I even made muffins for breakfast, y'all. This day has to be a dream. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Loads of boring things have been happening in our "new world" as Mimi calls it. I keep thinking we're going to need to head back to reality in the city and then remember this isn't vacay. We actually live out of the chaos now! Yippee! Here's the rundown: <b>Mimi turned 5, Mack turned 3</b> (I can't spend much time discussing this or I will cry), my parents visited, my sister's family visited, we've had city friends up for a barbecue (that's right. I didn't say to "grill out." I used the Midwestern terminology "a barbecue" and I didn't explode), we've met lots of new people, we've been to birthday parties, Mimi started kindergarten, and Mack started a playgroup therapy. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And now on to all my sister will bother with. <i>The pics</i>.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Enjoying the great outdoors and loving the yard. By the way, I think more chipmunks live in our backyard than anywhere else in the world. They're so stinking cute, and we've named them all Chippy. Clint and I even made up a song for them that we sing whenever we see them. "Chippy chip chip, chip chip chip . . ." </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/AVvXsEijw_7kMGAWtKeclyWmNh1hyp2H8pOcZFKYG-e2CDK9GchPe83xUjfojYEN_iViKDPs7x5mb1bGD2_uZJR9yZ7T7hbgCL55RNEZnodjKVJvgPaFofmipVW554D8gZDVnxVPWYQQYmIJJTo/s1600/DSC04715.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijw_7kMGAWtKeclyWmNh1hyp2H8pOcZFKYG-e2CDK9GchPe83xUjfojYEN_iViKDPs7x5mb1bGD2_uZJR9yZ7T7hbgCL55RNEZnodjKVJvgPaFofmipVW554D8gZDVnxVPWYQQYmIJJTo/s400/DSC04715.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Bubble man. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ-E_KxjHC4mThFvfWRE0JemWmoE8Wdifj5PORne4QRxXxN9iJrODO9IFgM7xmAyaX4ouS1YbIUvsOFFsoyH47nV3fk54d0s1n8SCQ2jN5nFhJUaxYg54VFtycDcHbYsHhOkO0DiR5yws/s1600/DSC04723.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ-E_KxjHC4mThFvfWRE0JemWmoE8Wdifj5PORne4QRxXxN9iJrODO9IFgM7xmAyaX4ouS1YbIUvsOFFsoyH47nV3fk54d0s1n8SCQ2jN5nFhJUaxYg54VFtycDcHbYsHhOkO0DiR5yws/s400/DSC04723.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Kapow!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX5TONQuAYpwm0ll1PDq2M11WEDrD18CBQwJKu2s_OLp2eaXzI-3WHZlOBzJmAcMqTDQruH_YJA_5tY0dB0E30MwB7FpKkZ8LEfV0IXBeWr1TZwCFbFRzAy0WpHoekrC7f7b83MX6xCqc/s1600/IMG_7633.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX5TONQuAYpwm0ll1PDq2M11WEDrD18CBQwJKu2s_OLp2eaXzI-3WHZlOBzJmAcMqTDQruH_YJA_5tY0dB0E30MwB7FpKkZ8LEfV0IXBeWr1TZwCFbFRzAy0WpHoekrC7f7b83MX6xCqc/s400/IMG_7633.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;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Loads of popsicles. Orange is Mack's fave.</div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjICN78ySRLsHfjiGLigEyfzjBBZ_gRsCtblAuYuI1MUBKsHq_uBJ6n3LyomN9NZPpyZUwrHaCPAdOHYcPVT4PbSxthnp6cxd38Yp01PcI2axeqlIHPegKVFJ2hSRPpm8htcf-UgqfsguY/s1600/IMG_7640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjICN78ySRLsHfjiGLigEyfzjBBZ_gRsCtblAuYuI1MUBKsHq_uBJ6n3LyomN9NZPpyZUwrHaCPAdOHYcPVT4PbSxthnp6cxd38Yp01PcI2axeqlIHPegKVFJ2hSRPpm8htcf-UgqfsguY/s400/IMG_7640.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>Cheeeeeee!!!</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ-KLaFeCWJ1fnsZsz2Qfp9J2BSsRlKJCW9-9QVqG9CjISe13G3J54byvjv3OvIUeo_TfczsLeQqqlDDa53dpk_3zRBuNS9Z3UVrxO5mNJlvawF5_6FqmPJeBDuTQvo34HzBQWVxvNLW4/s1600/IMG_7641.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ-KLaFeCWJ1fnsZsz2Qfp9J2BSsRlKJCW9-9QVqG9CjISe13G3J54byvjv3OvIUeo_TfczsLeQqqlDDa53dpk_3zRBuNS9Z3UVrxO5mNJlvawF5_6FqmPJeBDuTQvo34HzBQWVxvNLW4/s400/IMG_7641.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This guy has really challenged my sanity a lot over the past few weeks, but my gosh that sweet, sweet smile and hilarious giggle keep me going. He's not the best with transitions, so he's been overwhelmed and out of sorts and clingy and fussy and just a pain in the buns since the move. But today is a good day, so I'm hanging on to that.</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/AVvXsEhXYsUao5UlmzOgY2Oryro4uW85yLHjlKspQ-6wKTQiWJqhSGxcP7e_HTnSjrMWx-yjGQ5a5Gu6Ls-vjxItkfGuOG5CBFcnv88LzebmzHVawo61Um-89Ngv0S5j5QUSMoAhw704g_kEXmk/s1600/IMG_7577.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXYsUao5UlmzOgY2Oryro4uW85yLHjlKspQ-6wKTQiWJqhSGxcP7e_HTnSjrMWx-yjGQ5a5Gu6Ls-vjxItkfGuOG5CBFcnv88LzebmzHVawo61Um-89Ngv0S5j5QUSMoAhw704g_kEXmk/s400/IMG_7577.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;">
We're super close to the Botanic Gardens, and the kids love the cool train exhibit. Mack doesn't understand why he can't climb over the fence . . . </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSD0HUnKCIE2toObItitfCc-5evLoMjEXyto6TQPxSik0WMrV-bK2nK6Jxey1xTy4-1fq3Xylcqbe5nroTh_KFVy89GpaONUm_32tLVUWnU3yeNsMFtDEEDuAh0A9Tz9AQ31Nczu9GTKg/s1600/IMG_7588.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSD0HUnKCIE2toObItitfCc-5evLoMjEXyto6TQPxSik0WMrV-bK2nK6Jxey1xTy4-1fq3Xylcqbe5nroTh_KFVy89GpaONUm_32tLVUWnU3yeNsMFtDEEDuAh0A9Tz9AQ31Nczu9GTKg/s400/IMG_7588.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
For the kids' birthdays, we bought bikes for ourselves. That's right. A bike for Clint and a bike for Jeri Anne. Mimi told me that's what they wanted, and we said, "Cool." The real reason she wanted the bikes was for the trailer. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Mack's been catching some good z's on afternoon rides.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSPR3CoY5qohimfKk9LxY7Eff2TsuHqaqyDwQIT29fVrhxg_JN3L_j6oCzR7ZdqQm_TUfquAglL7V5mw9OjcwagxEcRRRt6x421bUXjw0kZpmmIQSfxuD0QUxBqmc4Sdn5XOn91ftP57c/s1600/IMG_7597.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSPR3CoY5qohimfKk9LxY7Eff2TsuHqaqyDwQIT29fVrhxg_JN3L_j6oCzR7ZdqQm_TUfquAglL7V5mw9OjcwagxEcRRRt6x421bUXjw0kZpmmIQSfxuD0QUxBqmc4Sdn5XOn91ftP57c/s400/IMG_7597.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZGN0FFCxqu0GFSadk_Bu6MduHoU9GCjeZ0Hmt-F-AOHk_4bSHVSyYTtwXHsExebgYzuKuGsfV3PgF8tqd94U3thzQe6SWR74VgajJrbL6tNEL-ncRtvzOmDU5D-bCvP3hI1t0iSWSrwA/s1600/IMG_7621.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZGN0FFCxqu0GFSadk_Bu6MduHoU9GCjeZ0Hmt-F-AOHk_4bSHVSyYTtwXHsExebgYzuKuGsfV3PgF8tqd94U3thzQe6SWR74VgajJrbL6tNEL-ncRtvzOmDU5D-bCvP3hI1t0iSWSrwA/s400/IMG_7621.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I thought about getting rid of the double stroller, but the monkeys still love it. And they're totally not outgrowing at all. Absolutely not. Still fits them perfectly. They're tiny, tiny, little babies who will never get bigger . . . </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguVx1SIpi4GHCGQ-5vbGh2b89iJPFxfOX8bhyb_IdtqGwnFb3NDjmp8Zles55zj2oHmptVt0jSuXig-IG6M7Lc8Rv9PeTJ2mPGDAFieCZAIP4oKz_2KUzYPzhqR9-lERU3N7j4GKAez60/s1600/IMG_7646.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguVx1SIpi4GHCGQ-5vbGh2b89iJPFxfOX8bhyb_IdtqGwnFb3NDjmp8Zles55zj2oHmptVt0jSuXig-IG6M7Lc8Rv9PeTJ2mPGDAFieCZAIP4oKz_2KUzYPzhqR9-lERU3N7j4GKAez60/s400/IMG_7646.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
A few days before kindergarten began some neighborhood kindergartners got together to meet and walk to each other's homes. This little group was so stinking cute, and the moms are great! Yay, me! I'm pretty sure I would be the worst at making friends if it wasn't for Mimi. Let me tell you, having an outgoing child is the best for finding buddies. If you don't have a child, you should go and get yourself one. Insta-coffee and GNO buddies! Woo hoo!</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/AVvXsEhoPr9xnzIGD-LnxC5j_GGrHM0mcJSZJfP-NDGEcbDK6WA9pqo4uyVG9dLWNOzwsGoLbhaSnbEgMP7FAjp0_AWmn-aRR9E4M1ACGhUaA-w1EZ9Eu4GcHFezT1aPGg4f91oVD9Z8cUNWO44/s1600/IMG_7596.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoPr9xnzIGD-LnxC5j_GGrHM0mcJSZJfP-NDGEcbDK6WA9pqo4uyVG9dLWNOzwsGoLbhaSnbEgMP7FAjp0_AWmn-aRR9E4M1ACGhUaA-w1EZ9Eu4GcHFezT1aPGg4f91oVD9Z8cUNWO44/s400/IMG_7596.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;">
Here we are. First day of REAL school. Kindergarten. Stuff's about to get real, yo.</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/AVvXsEhEg2nHR13wMUc0GxTnbQeXGIqPRVtwtVU5OmDGEj-CAZkaIpd5fPIFd9yzmroKVUDulK_EmpPpZyExVa-qNIAna4O8AzD3w7LGwk5LrryLmKxPtJ5ARoihNXquMjQorKUCHPxDLbREo1c/s1600/IMG_7609.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEg2nHR13wMUc0GxTnbQeXGIqPRVtwtVU5OmDGEj-CAZkaIpd5fPIFd9yzmroKVUDulK_EmpPpZyExVa-qNIAna4O8AzD3w7LGwk5LrryLmKxPtJ5ARoihNXquMjQorKUCHPxDLbREo1c/s400/IMG_7609.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;">
Why, oh, why didn't I take any good photos when the cousins were visiting?? This always happens. We're having so much fun that the camera never comes out. But what would you rather have? Good memories or good photos?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Coco is so cute . . . and Mimi's stuffing her face . . . </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgvq0XfvThsEctCHKn7bNRP2_k6JGum-J4249P9TzdW6Cp2NUs82w72KAtQtymy0-Hi50TWH3D7tU8cI9pAa6u1ENGhtSma29Ab7a3ZqGijYhyr4OH7DzsGS1hkxbbhP-ZzrVVOigxODs/s1600/IMG_7613.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgvq0XfvThsEctCHKn7bNRP2_k6JGum-J4249P9TzdW6Cp2NUs82w72KAtQtymy0-Hi50TWH3D7tU8cI9pAa6u1ENGhtSma29Ab7a3ZqGijYhyr4OH7DzsGS1hkxbbhP-ZzrVVOigxODs/s400/IMG_7613.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The big sis! Yippee!!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGM3ocbS98BJMUnYcKTojbrWY_eylOCmHxsgOevisGPptjOGxOJKDjDekOAEDN9040LK2KgcB6tdDJLDo-GpitxEBYFo_86R3NGBXb9LQnP07ARsLbg4zxZ-3uLFasPmuONk8v-vXk1C0/s1600/IMG_7616.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGM3ocbS98BJMUnYcKTojbrWY_eylOCmHxsgOevisGPptjOGxOJKDjDekOAEDN9040LK2KgcB6tdDJLDo-GpitxEBYFo_86R3NGBXb9LQnP07ARsLbg4zxZ-3uLFasPmuONk8v-vXk1C0/s400/IMG_7616.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I can't get over how fantastic the beach is. Simply stunning. And even better with this little guy running on it.</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/AVvXsEigC1IuMRFebxhmhdlwcu1CnYNHjSofEEJTGErhJs0iUnrc-v9LEmsahixYiGXDSTRcruwVPkYEjw2E2vThXYUfFbFVYPtQKph7Z5kkGVmwEtMeIlTDFmAruFbzgTZXP_2xFaQLl__k6L0/s1600/IMG_7552.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigC1IuMRFebxhmhdlwcu1CnYNHjSofEEJTGErhJs0iUnrc-v9LEmsahixYiGXDSTRcruwVPkYEjw2E2vThXYUfFbFVYPtQKph7Z5kkGVmwEtMeIlTDFmAruFbzgTZXP_2xFaQLl__k6L0/s400/IMG_7552.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
This one could sit in the sticky sand all. day. long. Flops down belly first and digs and digs. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh09Vh8Lcuff-Zn-2j76MURXtWvXUc13UlUXeLoHjj2CpQ-v159mVSvdt7i5lvURivd-8D1xtg3KgqpssrYk-qHudFatMS9K5QXffhpfNdim80CMRja7oWlteRJzUWT8w4MGT95xkNFOks/s1600/IMG_7554.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh09Vh8Lcuff-Zn-2j76MURXtWvXUc13UlUXeLoHjj2CpQ-v159mVSvdt7i5lvURivd-8D1xtg3KgqpssrYk-qHudFatMS9K5QXffhpfNdim80CMRja7oWlteRJzUWT8w4MGT95xkNFOks/s400/IMG_7554.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy0GtZT-76zhqP9gcBx35c3F6l-ME6l42QQO8lIf27S2rWU__2i2sfml25KMuEXIZVWqYyMKHJL7_JL6HxDgNGcMZiujDaMZRVkNZ5cCYV4ZyJKx1SFwouaWQ8grtJcaNcLVLhZb4qsCs/s1600/IMG_7566.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy0GtZT-76zhqP9gcBx35c3F6l-ME6l42QQO8lIf27S2rWU__2i2sfml25KMuEXIZVWqYyMKHJL7_JL6HxDgNGcMZiujDaMZRVkNZ5cCYV4ZyJKx1SFwouaWQ8grtJcaNcLVLhZb4qsCs/s400/IMG_7566.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Classmate's beach birthday party. It was only 70 degrees (and a bit too windy, if you ask me), but the kids didn't seem to care. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-T8mKadhXio4CvBIpIenHDdwUaPXGT-98ktERn4fMMsGFWsuazmcJs8J4jQeD7bqHqRs-CuOLuUce5UZV1vapGJ5dWH475zoRmkYZxZNpMzHY4VRgyhNVSIWhlPUxcRL9w4aZbZUvneY/s1600/IMG_7674.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-T8mKadhXio4CvBIpIenHDdwUaPXGT-98ktERn4fMMsGFWsuazmcJs8J4jQeD7bqHqRs-CuOLuUce5UZV1vapGJ5dWH475zoRmkYZxZNpMzHY4VRgyhNVSIWhlPUxcRL9w4aZbZUvneY/s400/IMG_7674.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
<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;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUQqTXLHEjceYL5aRNE8haSt7_sXNz4zRI0SrRBxx_Um8_insVqgvfTdusuOf7VYQFqx-k23Py0yAOdXZ1AJXOX8d-poLVBZjLj-MHKx75WLtU8edD2NSS18mOW3meoIAAZ9Z7EOtZc9o/s1600/IMG_7662.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUQqTXLHEjceYL5aRNE8haSt7_sXNz4zRI0SrRBxx_Um8_insVqgvfTdusuOf7VYQFqx-k23Py0yAOdXZ1AJXOX8d-poLVBZjLj-MHKx75WLtU8edD2NSS18mOW3meoIAAZ9Z7EOtZc9o/s400/IMG_7662.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Heaven.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBHDc7wGeReYmTPEkqk-W745qYzHoTGaQIbFnzALocGN3cJBuz2DkLejCd0_I-qKOLs18rrdbawtR4zi4WQtxBggMZ028y7VbKF9uTfUuujvkv2-RLKBlhSneSXaQ0PPZEGFYszTU0amE/s1600/IMG_7675.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBHDc7wGeReYmTPEkqk-W745qYzHoTGaQIbFnzALocGN3cJBuz2DkLejCd0_I-qKOLs18rrdbawtR4zi4WQtxBggMZ028y7VbKF9uTfUuujvkv2-RLKBlhSneSXaQ0PPZEGFYszTU0amE/s400/IMG_7675.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Now back to hoping this beautiful dream can last a bit longer . . . </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQej01hwDC2QwlQn2JCv8xB54uSxf0J3cRZ7wk9VgXGnU2-KFvR9UB0wx-omERuChOuNtt1RR4h_Al7AjmmgFCWFg8zUwmRhMg9Sr0cPXysEFfXbzbHySMIAWcYMp04y9x264ghvXgQkA/s1600/IMG_7684.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQej01hwDC2QwlQn2JCv8xB54uSxf0J3cRZ7wk9VgXGnU2-KFvR9UB0wx-omERuChOuNtt1RR4h_Al7AjmmgFCWFg8zUwmRhMg9Sr0cPXysEFfXbzbHySMIAWcYMp04y9x264ghvXgQkA/s400/IMG_7684.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Jeri Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10521003964808664244noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2546665416784172515.post-17594103596977148952013-08-12T16:32:00.003-05:002013-08-12T16:32:56.938-05:00The New Darby Residence, Est. July 15, 2013<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Goodbye city life . . . </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>and hello sleepy little beach town.</i> Do you hear that? <i> Listen . . .</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Nope, me neither. I hear nothing. No car horns honking at my children and me to hurry up or get out of the way. No sailor-mouthed bikers on Damen threatening impatient drivers. No construction and no machinery and no chatty Cathys at the bus stop yacking it up into the wee hours of the night.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I need to pinch myself occasionally to remember this isn't a vacation house. It's real. A house. A yard. No one living below us. No rushing to grab little hands the second we inch out of the front door. No insane traffic. No crazy crowds. Clint keeps asking if I'm okay when he sees that far-away look in my eyes, and I tell him I'm more than okay . . . I'm finally able to relax. Life is calmer. Mack's tantrums have lessened. We have room to stretch out and not be in anyone else's way. I'm living in a dream world right now.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It's amazing what we had gotten used to and learned to enjoy. Walking up almost three flights of stairs with 2 children, searching for parking nearby when the car was full of groceries, getting in line at the Y at 4AM to sign up for camp, long walks in the rain to preschool when I didn't have the car, and trying to keep an eye on both of my rowdy children at overcrowded parks. It all began to feel very normal for me, and I quickly forgot how much easier life in a small town could be. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
But the city was cool and had so much to offer. Our little neighborhood was awesome for children -- their schools, their classes, the restaurants. Of course we miss our friends. Mimi's best friends all lived within half a mile of us, and her very best friend lived only a few feet away (as did two of mine). </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I wouldn't take any of these experiences -- good and bad -- back for anything in the world. Living in Chicago was such a blessing for us, and we are happy we survived the last three years.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>But for the next 40 years . . .</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
That's how long I want to be able to live in this new house before I have to move again. Until my hips break and I can no longer see to walk through the doors -- all 28 of them.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Not that we have 28 rooms, but we have many, many, many beautiful 83-year-old wooden doors in this house. About half of them aren't necessary -- doors in and out of the kitchen and between the den and living room -- but I love the beauty and history in them.</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/AVvXsEgGSe_KSNXT2fc32CKNmsvfNK0gWidJTuEbmcgRNwHGRxHX6nmfeOkKjj9QURj622zTIztIvjEbEBn7g0SDhs6MGOEbi5SjuikBHDFYZ8Iy6S37pnJv4lBnoAhD_pBsNk2-MNz6hTKISwM/s1600/DSC04703.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGSe_KSNXT2fc32CKNmsvfNK0gWidJTuEbmcgRNwHGRxHX6nmfeOkKjj9QURj622zTIztIvjEbEBn7g0SDhs6MGOEbi5SjuikBHDFYZ8Iy6S37pnJv4lBnoAhD_pBsNk2-MNz6hTKISwM/s400/DSC04703.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Some privacy for the tiny bathroom under the stairs, please.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZBSilNm6dsZ55EKqseNhU7CeEEglg1lrfpw-9WmcjD1iKWW_2kNZnML9B_plc59x5ioHeUS9wVxrHxAFLczixahHlBzcbnZJYDpqWU_GbJ-ZxoHNF5PRlP4cN8Z81SpE9T1ewujBNgZ8/s1600/DSC04684.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZBSilNm6dsZ55EKqseNhU7CeEEglg1lrfpw-9WmcjD1iKWW_2kNZnML9B_plc59x5ioHeUS9wVxrHxAFLczixahHlBzcbnZJYDpqWU_GbJ-ZxoHNF5PRlP4cN8Z81SpE9T1ewujBNgZ8/s400/DSC04684.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And the doorknobs. Love, love, love.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDLVx46INBHM7zV3zg22RHg-Z8cfWqOE5hESXBk5905V5k1UtR8o3r_TuOjlIXUrsVw6SjkRF28bsDWoeKNdyaZ4Eoa3sG5qDyubZl-Onzle49G5jHaqTe-i5InAhZpirnhbxFMTS3EzY/s1600/DSC04690.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDLVx46INBHM7zV3zg22RHg-Z8cfWqOE5hESXBk5905V5k1UtR8o3r_TuOjlIXUrsVw6SjkRF28bsDWoeKNdyaZ4Eoa3sG5qDyubZl-Onzle49G5jHaqTe-i5InAhZpirnhbxFMTS3EzY/s400/DSC04690.jpg" width="266" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Even a few emerald green ones.</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/AVvXsEiVHtuDQzEv1dBCZB28Y8W6PsqrQprj0EcifdzMNZsnEg0XZKRdQFEJK6RR1VcIdRc_L7EWwYSIEWot8agd8UPJX0RVFO4JgadaWU8QZVlmWK_-NVvsDmZy7ftsjh6BykS29iDQasmT11U/s1600/DSC04713.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVHtuDQzEv1dBCZB28Y8W6PsqrQprj0EcifdzMNZsnEg0XZKRdQFEJK6RR1VcIdRc_L7EWwYSIEWot8agd8UPJX0RVFO4JgadaWU8QZVlmWK_-NVvsDmZy7ftsjh6BykS29iDQasmT11U/s400/DSC04713.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;">
The quaint table by the front door.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSkhzU5ef8PMZLfMqYxyblyUC7T015lVxS0ib6OirCG0SbdHz5sWbq_O9PN5l2zqForm7M9XgMQqx7Uv_Pc0zQNuHt9UjDVwIfN2lU3qXb7UlFEPvBLz5s3bUA81neMS8sJswvwYtCp7U/s1600/DSC04693.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSkhzU5ef8PMZLfMqYxyblyUC7T015lVxS0ib6OirCG0SbdHz5sWbq_O9PN5l2zqForm7M9XgMQqx7Uv_Pc0zQNuHt9UjDVwIfN2lU3qXb7UlFEPvBLz5s3bUA81neMS8sJswvwYtCp7U/s400/DSC04693.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
<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;">
The super tall windows.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLEmJQhX5-0BzeYC__-GPtLB13xJDdMOW9P-olkAk2sHIY9Ge0xMiDQpVPUAmVr39p9kjRHFXgHAGVOv4UkpYgUnmSVFpLQF006MLaCmc_7Q6C8oehZ3t1kncT1BbIcNlPa9uTfP2Op0Y/s1600/DSC04695.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLEmJQhX5-0BzeYC__-GPtLB13xJDdMOW9P-olkAk2sHIY9Ge0xMiDQpVPUAmVr39p9kjRHFXgHAGVOv4UkpYgUnmSVFpLQF006MLaCmc_7Q6C8oehZ3t1kncT1BbIcNlPa9uTfP2Op0Y/s400/DSC04695.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And, oh, that staircase.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiANKk-nEmsnXoT7MtdR0p-coEsK_38EWyatH_HLcumWkvLnbRnrIn2Rw27Q1z55blJJOICmYGtf-ApQIeoodOD5gDEi78aK7Ao3-7hjttKuGbeG7GbKjyPayKYNCdF1sJ20jyDMXMKx_M/s1600/DSC04696.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiANKk-nEmsnXoT7MtdR0p-coEsK_38EWyatH_HLcumWkvLnbRnrIn2Rw27Q1z55blJJOICmYGtf-ApQIeoodOD5gDEi78aK7Ao3-7hjttKuGbeG7GbKjyPayKYNCdF1sJ20jyDMXMKx_M/s400/DSC04696.jpg" width="266" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Beautiful arches.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJe1_Y_gBrLQ5ngD4t1o1rXbZQqAdrctb8LZU2TfG1FBrfnS3Iy18vK0o3utj7IK_u2_u8h4oUZ03u8er1VgFoBGZRhC9bVfrJxrTt5KZ3guvS8V9WB02JFhnrXzMzIXoyeH4VPJcW81A/s1600/DSC04702.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJe1_Y_gBrLQ5ngD4t1o1rXbZQqAdrctb8LZU2TfG1FBrfnS3Iy18vK0o3utj7IK_u2_u8h4oUZ03u8er1VgFoBGZRhC9bVfrJxrTt5KZ3guvS8V9WB02JFhnrXzMzIXoyeH4VPJcW81A/s400/DSC04702.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And this crazy old garage door motor that works surprisingly well.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtZX-SIpG2FUN1QjDDlRyZ3y57albafCNl2Pyen8MK4wd5vtZEeFx22ppf7ThhdUjNu7NkHywo8j2MNCNAYYXEQtaJYUyez-i6l2rqIOo7BsEn22-mZ3SggzmIJIZyPm52DHPZTjnyemY/s1600/DSC04705.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtZX-SIpG2FUN1QjDDlRyZ3y57albafCNl2Pyen8MK4wd5vtZEeFx22ppf7ThhdUjNu7NkHywo8j2MNCNAYYXEQtaJYUyez-i6l2rqIOo7BsEn22-mZ3SggzmIJIZyPm52DHPZTjnyemY/s400/DSC04705.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And these windows. Yes, the old curtains will be gone hopefully by this weekend, but the windows are something special.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ17Z1x8jDmtFkpRD-iInUXeaM0RnKHfaEz7qNhWv1OVA0TQzUZkZVCK-TWq0RhB2rATw4wEsnladkXQJtsf3zUc1lBBs0llytOLDh3mBxm3WTVoHrVLjk8Mp94XOnZYJfehl2SZICdAo/s1600/DSC04711.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ17Z1x8jDmtFkpRD-iInUXeaM0RnKHfaEz7qNhWv1OVA0TQzUZkZVCK-TWq0RhB2rATw4wEsnladkXQJtsf3zUc1lBBs0llytOLDh3mBxm3WTVoHrVLjk8Mp94XOnZYJfehl2SZICdAo/s400/DSC04711.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I didn't even like this house when the realtor told us to take a peek at it before it hit the market. I saw a pic and it wasn't even close to the Cape Cod gray wood with white trim I had in mind. But I did her a favor, and I'm so glad. The neighbors tell us the house has great karma, and we're starting to learn why. The couple raised 5 children in this house and lived her for the past 35 years. The wife loved to entertain and made this the "neighborhood house" with lots of cocktail parties, pizza parties for the neighborhood kids, dinner parties, and hosting showers and birthdays. She left gifts for our children each time we visited the house before the closing, and she has already mailed several sweet notes that included information about the house and the village. When I called the village about a fence permit, the lady on the other line said, "Oh, you're moving into the O'Meara house! They were so sweet!" Everyone loved them, so we have very big shoes to fill.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Until we get some of these cream walls painted and new window treatments hung, maybe we can use the outdoor space for the social events it seems we need to be throwing.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Oh, to have trees!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzo7mQVuD4WkHyIqEzHx4ijpTMbhupRu8Hda61b34_ngazlXijTVSndDo6LN-hLMjFsSdtYsnrCdGRZvljZz5Wo5oZEpycA2AC5yJIl8z75rdW6JQ9hsqZkKPpkKVqWUQZoTJq1UFG2VE/s1600/DSC04678.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzo7mQVuD4WkHyIqEzHx4ijpTMbhupRu8Hda61b34_ngazlXijTVSndDo6LN-hLMjFsSdtYsnrCdGRZvljZz5Wo5oZEpycA2AC5yJIl8z75rdW6JQ9hsqZkKPpkKVqWUQZoTJq1UFG2VE/s400/DSC04678.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
The only reason Clint cares about a yard.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS_SGKZVEjs00UIc5yVxGIO0Ylj9SFFrgxTp_ZJ3BVDmqBeuXXV5v4bfSfFrXHod8tZarDp-5Ejs_eelpbc8nRdHTCdzBt6OyKuRMHHepDemLDIeH8-VbDMx1BS0nP_TjTTD2aa_UtrYc/s1600/DSC04680.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS_SGKZVEjs00UIc5yVxGIO0Ylj9SFFrgxTp_ZJ3BVDmqBeuXXV5v4bfSfFrXHod8tZarDp-5Ejs_eelpbc8nRdHTCdzBt6OyKuRMHHepDemLDIeH8-VbDMx1BS0nP_TjTTD2aa_UtrYc/s400/DSC04680.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;">
There is a little secret part to the backyard that I love.</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/AVvXsEj9fc4tdkn3NHAyMRj94rVpCjk0YTAYKnnFSxy0zow9XNvhDfOuDR84HV-14kmgt7hu5nRx6uSqW4o8-3cMdYubG2bS3khK-f8N-ETNYhYRYG8oUG2MmHJkA0RAjtLay-2NYgKL_hgkDec/s1600/DSC04671.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9fc4tdkn3NHAyMRj94rVpCjk0YTAYKnnFSxy0zow9XNvhDfOuDR84HV-14kmgt7hu5nRx6uSqW4o8-3cMdYubG2bS3khK-f8N-ETNYhYRYG8oUG2MmHJkA0RAjtLay-2NYgKL_hgkDec/s400/DSC04671.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;">
Left for us . . . and it's staying.</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/AVvXsEhcEU82zEF84o9Jhrl7db2DHp0U9r5LDMpzEO0AQX6ZuccL4IQmTxcfY7Y5bKAWSirjNfxHwvtHwUGckH8Sn1udsXStEZ3ulqBw5A0IM6nRADzjpNwQn5EcNz7xCJHKS0uwdNgakIVIdD4/s1600/DSC04668.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcEU82zEF84o9Jhrl7db2DHp0U9r5LDMpzEO0AQX6ZuccL4IQmTxcfY7Y5bKAWSirjNfxHwvtHwUGckH8Sn1udsXStEZ3ulqBw5A0IM6nRADzjpNwQn5EcNz7xCJHKS0uwdNgakIVIdD4/s400/DSC04668.jpg" width="263" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
See Mimi running down the street. And Mack is already ahead of her. Who's freaking out about this? Not this momma.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSAtRjk6aqtcwBO4j2kPZwtZSVcE4L-dHlhGpJD0fY7j4zk_Sh7dJDWVlAkPwKWCFgPHnsYsDEUpOuWIKS3ynI8Qg_6SLTx7p5wD_vdF8k7FBBxgkLO2yteR46bh1KIRcffSr5v656dDs/s1600/DSC04682.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSAtRjk6aqtcwBO4j2kPZwtZSVcE4L-dHlhGpJD0fY7j4zk_Sh7dJDWVlAkPwKWCFgPHnsYsDEUpOuWIKS3ynI8Qg_6SLTx7p5wD_vdF8k7FBBxgkLO2yteR46bh1KIRcffSr5v656dDs/s400/DSC04682.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
But it seems we have some old tenants who need to evacuate pronto. Eeks! Spiders!! The combo of lots of trees and an old house with lots of tiny entries is not good for us. I've already begun spreading the lavender oil.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI3SWcBE6OJMbyPVynqrhwAmgOJjeFDCJGUjkzzsV7vLXTJgNayayEU3QbE62Cr4OO6fkrIcRsQMrPu-orgxPFS3fmBBj16mAgjL-8d84v2_HAel1bYFoO3mp_3tHaYWHVe2ct3tbtP_E/s1600/DSC04706.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI3SWcBE6OJMbyPVynqrhwAmgOJjeFDCJGUjkzzsV7vLXTJgNayayEU3QbE62Cr4OO6fkrIcRsQMrPu-orgxPFS3fmBBj16mAgjL-8d84v2_HAel1bYFoO3mp_3tHaYWHVe2ct3tbtP_E/s400/DSC04706.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;">
While we have most boxes unpacked, it will still be a while before this house feels like ours. Some paint, a few new light fixtures, and curtains will be enough for now. Then on to the kitchen and bathroom, right, honey? um, Clint? </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTdphd3f60v8SkiEdlE1-8CDxXMzSs3MSe-SIboegS-HOXahVkj8HtQ_DLQwCmBsddwOUolwZxysS_mFaWVvNddp-Grpbho7VTwEYoyZqeyOXm4u4dRqL_LfHDdepmFB0As-uCWUGVaCQ/s1600/DSC04710.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTdphd3f60v8SkiEdlE1-8CDxXMzSs3MSe-SIboegS-HOXahVkj8HtQ_DLQwCmBsddwOUolwZxysS_mFaWVvNddp-Grpbho7VTwEYoyZqeyOXm4u4dRqL_LfHDdepmFB0As-uCWUGVaCQ/s400/DSC04710.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And this fireplace . . . what the heck is under this faux marble finish?</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSG07spd1Ym_MKzVrvpgtHuAqZYQiuog1uRoWpCAAZxYXlgCsfmo4OUq0k09eT__uM3c8vk7Q-UY5DnCx7FYlGjwySWU7UuLt7TT6glA0I2gzTgPlsNhgUSpiUgNVT5Y0RkAcsufe_39M/s1600/DSC04712.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSG07spd1Ym_MKzVrvpgtHuAqZYQiuog1uRoWpCAAZxYXlgCsfmo4OUq0k09eT__uM3c8vk7Q-UY5DnCx7FYlGjwySWU7UuLt7TT6glA0I2gzTgPlsNhgUSpiUgNVT5Y0RkAcsufe_39M/s400/DSC04712.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
I must go enjoy a nice little rain shower in my favorite room of the house now . . . </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjenMnaPeVBxpoW7tKGUVX527HVGtJVFzR8CGZfk5bSQDL0MDjCXsh4DcrHLdf0CWLLTbmfq58m0yXQO2hfo6PoFBlfTazdpJokl3iG2stN0Z9hG3rF3W-gq9tzCTnogq71_OhvfmpOqzY/s1600/DSC04664.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjenMnaPeVBxpoW7tKGUVX527HVGtJVFzR8CGZfk5bSQDL0MDjCXsh4DcrHLdf0CWLLTbmfq58m0yXQO2hfo6PoFBlfTazdpJokl3iG2stN0Z9hG3rF3W-gq9tzCTnogq71_OhvfmpOqzY/s400/DSC04664.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="text-align: -webkit-auto;">and then you may not hear from me for another year or two while I'm painting and sewing curtains </span><i style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">and enjoying my new boring life in the burbs . . . </i></div>
<br />Jeri Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10521003964808664244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2546665416784172515.post-70069333050223339322013-07-12T09:00:00.001-05:002013-07-12T09:05:07.345-05:00Big Girl Britches, CheckThey're on. And they happen to be a <b>bright yellow skinny jean</b>, which can only make a girl happy, right?<br />
<br />
Chin up and that sort of thing is what's going on in my world now. I had my <i>youngest-child-that's-not-fair </i>moment, and now it's over. Nothing else in my house has really changed except my attitude, and sometimes that's all that needs to change. No more cussing, no more screaming, and no more feeling sorry for myself. <i>This too shall pass . . . </i>it still doesn't help to hear it, but I don't doubt it's truth.<br />
<br />
Mack is still boycotting sleep. I started drugging him with melatonin a couple of nights ago (the tiniest dose so no judging, please), and it has helped him sleep a bit longer. Last night it was about 10:30-5:00 AM, and I'm cool with that as long as he stops waking up at 2:00 AM and wandering around the house. And he woke me up all happy and cute this morning, and we had a good snuggle. He smells like lavender lotion in the morning and loves to nuzzle up under my neck and rub his fuzzy head in my face. He won't stay still long, but the few seconds I get are enough to make me not be concerned about skipping my early morning alone time coffee.<br />
<br />
We thought that maybe he hated his crib since he's a bit too big for it, so I finally set up the fancy Ikea toddler bed. He and Mimi snuggled in it and watched Peter Pan on the iPad for a while last night. Why I didn't take a picture of all the cuteness is beyond me, but I'm hoping there are more of those moments to come. I left the crib up in case he needed to crawl into last night, but I don't think that happened. <br />
<br />
Hooligans.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC35uCIBZzkPtfw9vOK5ji29_d-_9fyS8KQsjQZMR8KQuyIXCfLAB_7ur1b0RK9SCQUhYeksNnUmYRL0a2PzLs6zGh0yYPEJS-4d0DXjjRWxmpzD9jN51FSEOOwjAaxwaAFp6tq9U_pxQ/s1600/IMG_7019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC35uCIBZzkPtfw9vOK5ji29_d-_9fyS8KQsjQZMR8KQuyIXCfLAB_7ur1b0RK9SCQUhYeksNnUmYRL0a2PzLs6zGh0yYPEJS-4d0DXjjRWxmpzD9jN51FSEOOwjAaxwaAFp6tq9U_pxQ/s400/IMG_7019.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
On to other news. I'm waving the white flag and saying uncle to this city lifestyle. Living in the city the past three years has been sooooo cool. Like I'm pretty sure I'm cooler than I've ever been in my whole life being in this big, busy city. We walk to the dentist, my daughter rides her pink scooter to school, I know enough to give tourists directions, and I can plan a vacay for your family better than a travel agent. So proud of the way we adjusted to Chicago coming from small towns in Mississippi. The South is unlike any other place in America, and everyone looks shocked when I tell them how much we've loved the big city life. <br />
<br />
But the car horns and bikers who don't obey traffic laws and over-priced everything is wearing on this momma. It's nice to be able to walk places, but when the car is necessary in all this traffic I'm ready to call it quits. I feel so much tension in this city. Everyone is in a hurry. Everyone needs others to get out of their way. So much noise and lights and impatience. I have many friends who do it beautifully, but this family is throwing in the towel.<br />
<br />
In a couple of weeks we'll head north to a sleepy little village. I'm excited and nervous but ready once again for change. Clint will be able to easily hit a few golf balls after work nearby. Mimi will still be able to ride her scooter to school but without almost every car running every stop sign. Mack will be able to run free in a yard and not be overwhelmed at crowded parks and restaurants. And I will be able to sit on my screened in porch and at times hear absolutely nothing but the birds and the wind blowing off Lake Michigan . . . ahhhhhh . . .<br />
<br />
Not that we'll live on the lake. That's saved for retired movie stars and owners of sports teams, but I know the lake is still nearby and that's why I pushed for this area. It feels like a beach town with families on bikes and little girls in Lilly Pulitzer. I once turned my nose up at parents who wanted to raise their children in a bubble, but now I'm all for that bubble. It's about what we expose them to with traveling and reading and volunteering, so I don't mind sheltering them and letting them have a secure childhood for a bit. Because I'm able to control all of this . . . um, yeah, right . . . <br />
<br />
We're only a few miles away from the city, so coming back won't be too difficult. Especially for restaurants. I still only have about 1,000 restaurants I need to try! We've made some of the best friends of our lives, and moving to Chicago has been such a blessing. It was divine intervention that we happily moved my 34 weeks pregnant self from all that we've ever know into a big ole city I'd only visited once. It made sense to no one, not really even us, but my gut felt it was the right thing. <br />
<br />
So we'll be rocking out with our blocks out in the burbs, and I'll try to post pics and not whine for the next few posts. Mimi is already signed up for a safety camp and tennis -- you know, the suburban things to do. Safety camp sounds kind of nerdy, but she'll get to meet all the village cops and firemen and beach lifeguards along with learning the proper protocol in emergency situations. Not a bad idea for a sometimes too brave little girl.<br />
<br />
Mack is signed up for a fantastic little preschool that knows all about little monkeys like him. He's not big on change, but I know the slower, simpler life can only help him be happier.<br />
<br />
Now on to packing and renovating and drinking coffee on a porch . . . Jeri Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10521003964808664244noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2546665416784172515.post-52509665831224836452013-07-07T22:30:00.000-05:002013-07-07T22:30:11.646-05:00Just Be Regular<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Disclaimer: I have had a margarita and I will use profanity.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Do you see this guy? Cute as a button, right? Probably one of the most beautiful little boys I've ever seen. </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/AVvXsEiFEGeG8Hw1eO5pRl20NOVtUe1YFWUdcKwSD3WUwpCOv1U7wLFifW_7tDPC6wemNa-1vfdQ5z1xqKzrKQaWwbv90MFvpbxgx1HhD_DAZ5G-i0ThONQVbqxqKkm2OBRds2pJQH5BV9Insro/s1600/IMG_6781.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFEGeG8Hw1eO5pRl20NOVtUe1YFWUdcKwSD3WUwpCOv1U7wLFifW_7tDPC6wemNa-1vfdQ5z1xqKzrKQaWwbv90MFvpbxgx1HhD_DAZ5G-i0ThONQVbqxqKkm2OBRds2pJQH5BV9Insro/s640/IMG_6781.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
Well, today I looked him square in the eye and told him to stop being such an asshole. Stop screaming, stop hitting, stop freaking out. Just be regular for 60 seconds. Don't fight me to get your shoes on or get in the car or take your shirt off or sit down at a restaurant. Eat your food without being picky about the way it's presented and sit in your cute little blue car and be pushed to Starbuck's for as much chocolate milk as you want. Stop running away from me and stop screaming at me for not turning on the TV. And stop screaming at me for not turning the TV to the exact cartoon you want. Just stop screaming. And stop being such an asshole.<br />
<br />
This sensory processing crap is really wearing on me. In fact, I'm really pissed off about it all. Mack is almost three and he is barely talking, doesn't like to play with many other kids, and is so far from being potty-trained that I just need to invest in Pampers. He stays overwhelmed and overstimulated and unregulated, and I find myself walking on eggshells most of my day. I beg the therapists for answers on how to prevent tantrums and how to end tantrums. Some of it is normal 2-year-old assholeishness, and a lot of it is just Mack not being regulated. <br />
<br />
I've looked at myself and tried to figure out what I've done. I ate healthy during his pregnancy. I didn't get too many ultrasounds. I stayed very calm and rarely raised my voice while carrying him. The delivery was uneventful. I nursed him the first year. I fed him healthy food. He was a happy baby. He was a good sleeper. I thought I did everything right. And, I honestly still think I did. <br />
<br />
The truth is that this is Mack. I can read all those dumb-ass "The 17 things parents should really be concerned about" and "Why moms in other countries don't have these problems" and yadayadayada, but Mack is the way he is. I can no longer beat myself up. He is wired a certain way, and I need to come to terms with that and guide him the best way that I can. I've researched his diet and immunizations and family history, and the facts are there that he has been this way since the day he was born. <br />
<br />
But I have this almost five-year-old daughter who developed completely normally -- even early in many ways -- and I HATE to see a video of her at his age. She was playing with others and singing entire songs and reciting her alphabet and pee peeing in the potty like a champ. Any tiny little thing that upset me about her not being able to identify all her numbers or count past 20 just seems so freaking silly now. I would love for Mack to count past three and to actually include the number one when he does it. I would love if he even pretended he wanted to play with another child. And if he even hummed along to a familiar tune I swear I would take him to the place I LOATHE name Disney World.<br />
<br />
If you're wondering whether I'm jealous or not of your almost three-year-old who is smart, then you're damn straight that I am. I've tried to talk myself out of not comparing many, many times, but I can't help it. When I hear your child having a convo with you, I'm jealous. When you tell me about your simple difficulties with potty-training, I'm jealous. I am happy for you, but I want to be in that normal place too. I want to have regular toddler tantrums. I don't want to have sensory processing disorder tantrums.<br />
<br />
There is this one mom who I've chatted with some in one of Mack's classes. When Mimi was his age and was taking little classes, I was able to chat with lots of moms because she was too busy doing her own thing. Now I must stay on top of him all the time to make sure that he isn't freaking out, and I also want to avoid the other looks from some moms and nannies who don't quite get him. Like the one who stared deep into my eyes and sternly spit out, "He's gonna hurt someone." No shit, lady. That's why I spend every second on top of him. Thanks for pointing out how difficult it is for me to take him in public. <br />
<br />
But I digress. So anyway, there's this one mom I chatted with some in a class. Her daughter was cute and smart and talking a crazy amount, but she always seemed willing to let her daughter play around Mack in class. We talked about our older daughters and their independence, and I even let her know about Mack's diagnosis a few months ago. I have no idea what her name is, and I have no idea why I felt comfortable talking with her about this. But I did, and she always listened without judgement. I enjoyed her conversation and her cute little daughter, but secretly I was so jealous of how easy her life seemed to be with her daughters. <br />
<br />
I ran into her tonight while at dinner. We said hi and I asked Mack if he remembered the little girl, and he just closed his eyes and stuck his head in the sand like always. We did a quick catch-up and then sat down to eat. I noticed two six-year-old girls at the end of the mom's table being silly, and of course Mimi was immediately attracted to their singing and dancing. I told her it was okay for her to talk with them until her food arrived, and as soon as she walked over to them, she and I noticed something different at exactly the same time . . .<br />
<br />
"Hey, I'm Mimi. Can I play with you until my food comes? Oh, wait . . . you don't have any hair . . . "<br />
<br />
No hair. No eyebrows either. Holy shit. Who's the asshole now . . .<br />
<br />
The sweet little girl just looked at her friend, and they shrugged their shoulders and then moved on to a song. I know I've said it before . . . at least he doesn't have cancer . . . but I wanted to vomit at that very moment. And I think I have it rough . . .<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpnpsLDk5KJlCaPhZkjl8JoMIhtTsME9oEedua7wV1EdGDMWyyLP0ih6pTDADkvSPmGvSVQ5IntAfyHu4BLKAJHLzqFTOQ5za2WSNYOrXBwJ-x0TfkQ7daAzBA6Y8Zdxdt1EwwqIdVFu4/s1600/IMG_6851.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpnpsLDk5KJlCaPhZkjl8JoMIhtTsME9oEedua7wV1EdGDMWyyLP0ih6pTDADkvSPmGvSVQ5IntAfyHu4BLKAJHLzqFTOQ5za2WSNYOrXBwJ-x0TfkQ7daAzBA6Y8Zdxdt1EwwqIdVFu4/s400/IMG_6851.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
He beautiful and exactly the way he's supposed to be. The truth is I'm not really so mad at him. I'm mad at myself. I should be able to handle this. To guide him. To make mistakes and learn and grow and give him the resources to become amazing. But I'm in a rut right now and I'm being a brat. He fights me all the time, and my back is breaking and so is my heart. I want him to experience life to the fullest, and I'm afraid I can't give him that right now. <br />
<br />
"This too shall pass." Have I said before that I hate to hear that? It may pass but not anytime soon. Clint and I have a long road ahead with this little guy, so it doesn't help to hear that it will pass. We know that it eventually will, but there's a lot of work to be done in the meantime. <br />
<br />
Mack is this way for a reason -- I'm a believer in that sort of thing. God gave him to Clint and me because . . . I don't know . . . maybe because I'm patient? Because Clint loves to play rough-house? Because Mimi knows how to make everyone laugh? I'm not sure I'll ever know, but we have the responsibility of making life awesome for him. Time for me to put my big girl britches on, I suppose.<br />
<br />
I do know that Mack has done something to Mimi. She loves to push his buttons because she's a regular big sister, but I've noticed some new things come out of her in the past year because of Mack. Patience. Empathy. Understanding. She wants to make him laugh. She is upset when he's not happy. She wants him to want to play with her, and she knows exactly how to do it. She is more loving with him than I am at times. She will stop her fabulous world when he arrives . . .<br />
<br />
For example at her last karate class . . .<br />
<br />
Mack escaped from my grasp . . .<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcoiIunqwidOz70ym5UO-QcEJnLpgh8H8P1TeYeBCxBm1dqyyB3wbyfiSUIBawpziQ7z7tB56B-vCXmtPImoO0N4ULlf5ZmH60KetbvlsENHvfewiYqoFn32r91vBqveEVw9YmuVLvGLo/s1600/IMG_6912.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcoiIunqwidOz70ym5UO-QcEJnLpgh8H8P1TeYeBCxBm1dqyyB3wbyfiSUIBawpziQ7z7tB56B-vCXmtPImoO0N4ULlf5ZmH60KetbvlsENHvfewiYqoFn32r91vBqveEVw9YmuVLvGLo/s400/IMG_6912.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Mimi thought she could help . . .<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsIdont1tlecWhmmpJux9UcTqkGb7B2qCtEv2FsBdalrL83kpYm7Bnm12IsZxBXC_imeb53iPvn0P6XCSz6GIBX_NUWTOEDGhCSw9NjUfd8hUK14gsKc9IpDpIcpdR7o6CXaXCS2Y7N4Q/s1600/IMG_6913.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsIdont1tlecWhmmpJux9UcTqkGb7B2qCtEv2FsBdalrL83kpYm7Bnm12IsZxBXC_imeb53iPvn0P6XCSz6GIBX_NUWTOEDGhCSw9NjUfd8hUK14gsKc9IpDpIcpdR7o6CXaXCS2Y7N4Q/s400/IMG_6913.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
So she just tackled him. In front of everybody and their mommas and cameras. She wasn't embarrassed or angry. She just wanted him to feel like a part of it all.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbceJgkcs2NqX6eTsrCJJqgPRw6Y587QWJ1mJRcKZIMkB6ol4UWRdVNAg6bMzGeeWrlXN_Q_g8cGHo5PCd6X5G3UjulNQhwpiaFf2LwDDvq5y6lY1kLll6pB7xDK6R3GFsevDDZnzs_Iw/s1600/IMG_6914.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbceJgkcs2NqX6eTsrCJJqgPRw6Y587QWJ1mJRcKZIMkB6ol4UWRdVNAg6bMzGeeWrlXN_Q_g8cGHo5PCd6X5G3UjulNQhwpiaFf2LwDDvq5y6lY1kLll6pB7xDK6R3GFsevDDZnzs_Iw/s400/IMG_6914.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
This little girl is something else. I'm so proud of who she is becoming I can't stand it. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsdmfrT2oQSk_lNq7ygfVymVYWYIcivDyBmeRX-qpe98q3KFEy3Sz1zo1Lamr963EeHEjdMCyrjjPKwPnYQz3j5CKIqcNGPMzX4xCcwsH5d25DoGNhZ5en9NH1kOPTyxidrPPGS_yuf9k/s1600/IMG_6928.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsdmfrT2oQSk_lNq7ygfVymVYWYIcivDyBmeRX-qpe98q3KFEy3Sz1zo1Lamr963EeHEjdMCyrjjPKwPnYQz3j5CKIqcNGPMzX4xCcwsH5d25DoGNhZ5en9NH1kOPTyxidrPPGS_yuf9k/s400/IMG_6928.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
And this guy. He's happiest when he's near the water. </div>
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHlGoU99a5g1yN90SzUWHp08rEy_6dZ2Nse7bXREGZ1R-OSgEvkk9BBkp8eaXOJrkYnKPwb2soYR0GbHVLhMzGkmgQY3Vag5M6K0pRmCVygu0OmvJXUP1UPMEogrqApWomE2lqJYx9HwA/s1600/IMG_6948.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHlGoU99a5g1yN90SzUWHp08rEy_6dZ2Nse7bXREGZ1R-OSgEvkk9BBkp8eaXOJrkYnKPwb2soYR0GbHVLhMzGkmgQY3Vag5M6K0pRmCVygu0OmvJXUP1UPMEogrqApWomE2lqJYx9HwA/s640/IMG_6948.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Which is one reason why I'm excited we're moving to the North Shore. Oh, that's right. I haven't told you that we're moving yet. Just a few miles north of the city so not a HUGE move, but I guess it's still pretty significant. New schools, new neighborhood, and a completely different feel. I just went to a 4th of July parade with my ONE, count it, ONE friend in the area, and I felt like I was in a different world. In a strange way it felt like a Midwestern version but Oxford, Mississippi. So completely different from the big city, so it will take some getting used to. More to come about that later.<br />
<br />
These pics are from the lake in Michigan. Unbelievable how gorgeous the lake is. Forget Florida for now. I have no problem driving an hour and half to see this.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTRDftmfBng2b1f6hJT7gmVawmJcBozxM3I4EU8_bqc0nkBGysRd6MIjSQReY6i2XSXbBCPaYX-hJ8O6me2nWFhlFPIvOinwDJvJKb6q_TGAMACH9ufSKXzIGfpuAIqcAlV_D34IB3BmE/s1600/IMG_6961.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTRDftmfBng2b1f6hJT7gmVawmJcBozxM3I4EU8_bqc0nkBGysRd6MIjSQReY6i2XSXbBCPaYX-hJ8O6me2nWFhlFPIvOinwDJvJKb6q_TGAMACH9ufSKXzIGfpuAIqcAlV_D34IB3BmE/s640/IMG_6961.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Our little beach cottage was down a road that looked this. Amazing, right?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgpy2hTWtoZkK71c3ShyphenhyphenewC7KSJKYYI5bs5g71f_aOstENVAqAirgm3O5uPlZ0Ygp0JNwpooQx9NH3FntKxRaSlYpIrT4RmRZcdlOM9XCzMbeLZsc_FGFXVr2-UB8rIqdaQDJzNHiog9E/s1600/IMG_6965.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgpy2hTWtoZkK71c3ShyphenhyphenewC7KSJKYYI5bs5g71f_aOstENVAqAirgm3O5uPlZ0Ygp0JNwpooQx9NH3FntKxRaSlYpIrT4RmRZcdlOM9XCzMbeLZsc_FGFXVr2-UB8rIqdaQDJzNHiog9E/s400/IMG_6965.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
And on to playing catch-up. Mimi is no longer a preschooler. I can't even type that without crying. She will start kindergarten in the fall, and I am just so stinking happy with her preschool experience this year. I regret the silly post from last fall I had about not being sure about our neighborhood public school. It was absolutely the best year she could have had as a four-year-old. This is her with her sweet, sweet, sweet teacher, Miss Jami. Hands-down the most fabulous PreK teacher for Mimi. Patient and fun and just plain amazing. And her classmates were also soooo adorable.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGJnYvjLSq7IrHfTmSihRohkT4XLnS5o-ru-knP_37LSsvPtdcsRKlUuFOvkVupuK3vhcoNdDN0-BE54QcepN4EY8ywFgMnWZLBblmUXMoT5r2OEgVJAeprGo0UCx5swRJqeGrjjBIcHU/s1600/IMG_6974.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGJnYvjLSq7IrHfTmSihRohkT4XLnS5o-ru-knP_37LSsvPtdcsRKlUuFOvkVupuK3vhcoNdDN0-BE54QcepN4EY8ywFgMnWZLBblmUXMoT5r2OEgVJAeprGo0UCx5swRJqeGrjjBIcHU/s400/IMG_6974.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
Official last day of PreK photo in the rain. I'm so glad it was raining because that way I didn't have to say any real goodbyes. And no one could see all of my tears.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8vYH1rcvi87WMwl7aZQTOao2BBxgzNC-7r_AV1IZcXpKlQXq4AOJtQ36_3hljkpqLoiw-kW1FRRuIxIdORqdWj8UfxlEr3gPQghDKq_pou7dqjkltaFfyk1kGSZWIsYtrGIl7u68ee4o/s1600/IMG_7012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8vYH1rcvi87WMwl7aZQTOao2BBxgzNC-7r_AV1IZcXpKlQXq4AOJtQ36_3hljkpqLoiw-kW1FRRuIxIdORqdWj8UfxlEr3gPQghDKq_pou7dqjkltaFfyk1kGSZWIsYtrGIl7u68ee4o/s400/IMG_7012.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
On to the first day of summer camp!! At least we get one last summer in this awesome city before we're rocking the suburbs.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs-JdW2lbVvKpu-CtvrK64uU8bxRcX7c23obLl8oqbA4RHbvSbTpd-j8yL3qROLRXb_Sx3qz_L-puP-bBXlpmH1K_CIC3YgqJwUxVHWh5cd9AX_epy14GFTq2awrjxuzcIKnx_XQhG0mI/s1600/IMG_7041.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs-JdW2lbVvKpu-CtvrK64uU8bxRcX7c23obLl8oqbA4RHbvSbTpd-j8yL3qROLRXb_Sx3qz_L-puP-bBXlpmH1K_CIC3YgqJwUxVHWh5cd9AX_epy14GFTq2awrjxuzcIKnx_XQhG0mI/s400/IMG_7041.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Spending our days at the neighborhood park.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4b1GFro-AdtP7kc3YmoEJqlUH29EzS32NwEYNzpcQWm34YnTUoPv3G64ytlVkOIZmXLsTpUvqlPhsBDg1GQrIBu6QJADu4c21PMrYGLkqZwcq5HKu7r4d6h8japXAbcppldTHavystMM/s1600/IMG_7045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4b1GFro-AdtP7kc3YmoEJqlUH29EzS32NwEYNzpcQWm34YnTUoPv3G64ytlVkOIZmXLsTpUvqlPhsBDg1GQrIBu6QJADu4c21PMrYGLkqZwcq5HKu7r4d6h8japXAbcppldTHavystMM/s400/IMG_7045.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-TaEd22CGfm5Fknb9gDkOcj58_l1l4Vy2vrgGaB1g0DMiT09Ke_57WP45pmOAKi0yn8tZzPQGx7tx_OPvpOoCXtkSjqiv76S16uVwG1sQIdtE4LlvIjSn2LRLoaHCVIaQW9prE1r1ew0/s1600/IMG_7049.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-TaEd22CGfm5Fknb9gDkOcj58_l1l4Vy2vrgGaB1g0DMiT09Ke_57WP45pmOAKi0yn8tZzPQGx7tx_OPvpOoCXtkSjqiv76S16uVwG1sQIdtE4LlvIjSn2LRLoaHCVIaQW9prE1r1ew0/s400/IMG_7049.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
And at the other neighborhood park steps from our building. We really did choose an awesome building.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUZKsF2X9W43PHBmPsiJFIKxwbjuzOwRDx8KTppySdrSELNKIAqsoUpp8W8vSAfAvu6HWV-g1E1w5SVHhP3IJk7LNRxw2AYJlmfsiUHaxnGHA_IKGAQS2K3_tBWxL6B1G0UTQhth1CF5Y/s1600/IMG_7058.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUZKsF2X9W43PHBmPsiJFIKxwbjuzOwRDx8KTppySdrSELNKIAqsoUpp8W8vSAfAvu6HWV-g1E1w5SVHhP3IJk7LNRxw2AYJlmfsiUHaxnGHA_IKGAQS2K3_tBWxL6B1G0UTQhth1CF5Y/s400/IMG_7058.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Sorry to the little buddy for losing my patience today. As one of my therapists told me, "He is so good-looking for a reason. There's no way to stay mad at this face for too long."<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFjaaJd05DsRWwllxAPlTwB6vuU55-rvPH2D5pJbp2Ig4zntBIaWaB5FSozFCEaYp4mMYy4FtJVNk4Tcjv-LmDWe-iZSyOrM9UYqsXTdOkcJqbUYAVKydR6lEMFiwoAudv-PZxFlgy55s/s1600/IMG_7064.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFjaaJd05DsRWwllxAPlTwB6vuU55-rvPH2D5pJbp2Ig4zntBIaWaB5FSozFCEaYp4mMYy4FtJVNk4Tcjv-LmDWe-iZSyOrM9UYqsXTdOkcJqbUYAVKydR6lEMFiwoAudv-PZxFlgy55s/s400/IMG_7064.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
She doesn't know how right she is . . .<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvbF4puNDTw_5L88r8ejd9kvE0liK4TgNVELI_NJbJDcVgsNn5A9jrmHZBnUv409y8l276ERqndFfFX_s2gmdR_u07CTgbvdFe00ve-PiQb4d11n5M0criX4JEH01qPWjYb60qiZSPONY/s1600/IMG_7066.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvbF4puNDTw_5L88r8ejd9kvE0liK4TgNVELI_NJbJDcVgsNn5A9jrmHZBnUv409y8l276ERqndFfFX_s2gmdR_u07CTgbvdFe00ve-PiQb4d11n5M0criX4JEH01qPWjYb60qiZSPONY/s400/IMG_7066.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />Jeri Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10521003964808664244noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2546665416784172515.post-38000353875358958902013-05-11T18:03:00.000-05:002013-05-11T18:50:21.750-05:00Spring Sprang Sprung<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Whew, it's been a while, so I'll cut right to the chase. Update time. No photo editing and no spell check.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Spring 2013. Or as we call it in Chicago, the second half of Winter 2013. It's cold and windy and snowy in April. But the warm 2 weeks of spring will arrive some time at the end of May, and then Chicago will once again be my favorite city in the whole wide world. Until then drivers and bikers and everybody else who is in a hurry will continue to be grumpy and can just blame it on the weather. And then they can just be grumpy for no good reason.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
St. Patrick's Day consisted of 8 adults, 5 toddlers, and hundreds of drunk 20-somethings crowded into Riverview Tavern with BLARING Irish music. Just how we like it.</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/AVvXsEiKBvXfvw9rYdSvUiHmiJ2I2fOtAikWRNZGhp9ds7MQeomyp3FMbN9NVTDaVLrgJglqgQkXlI4ub8rg27dZ7uOCaNK2_vEgulzPq9w9jQB0ztfBKxqvXyNvLSyKCFVUIt49y_8_O67iBQg/s1600/IMG_5962.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKBvXfvw9rYdSvUiHmiJ2I2fOtAikWRNZGhp9ds7MQeomyp3FMbN9NVTDaVLrgJglqgQkXlI4ub8rg27dZ7uOCaNK2_vEgulzPq9w9jQB0ztfBKxqvXyNvLSyKCFVUIt49y_8_O67iBQg/s400/IMG_5962.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
Play dates -- how we survive in the city in the winter. It's the only way we don't get completely depressed and lonely. Ring around the rosies . . .<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFj79PE6E2hQtllZS9h80rA6IIi5yi28E81g6N6qOUVBBxOwmcZiR-_qhQ4IA6jhM5IcdNtf7zJuadDTnCdkBnYJV3EWzH-deoJma9S3ZuPRGeMjavXHdbD5PfW8Mf94SJ8skbi3GFJmo/s1600/IMG_5999.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFj79PE6E2hQtllZS9h80rA6IIi5yi28E81g6N6qOUVBBxOwmcZiR-_qhQ4IA6jhM5IcdNtf7zJuadDTnCdkBnYJV3EWzH-deoJma9S3ZuPRGeMjavXHdbD5PfW8Mf94SJ8skbi3GFJmo/s400/IMG_5999.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
Mimi's preschool teachers are absolutely amazing and take the kids on at least one or two field trips a month. Get those kids out and get moms to help. Brilliant. Macky even came along on one.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>I don't need no stinking smock . . . lemme just dive in the water!</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKG0ajDmJNZZhqmcEHTos6AkJjRHVrQpMZrRWcRxD8zB8bm_RSvYSnUdZrbV4pe0mqF-SVa6iCkToNelYX2KMtgSXscvGv8ui_NFlbiQI2Iq6gjgvh6KmE-rcBnTNwXAJi_65KgL0-bfs/s1600/IMG_6010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKG0ajDmJNZZhqmcEHTos6AkJjRHVrQpMZrRWcRxD8zB8bm_RSvYSnUdZrbV4pe0mqF-SVa6iCkToNelYX2KMtgSXscvGv8ui_NFlbiQI2Iq6gjgvh6KmE-rcBnTNwXAJi_65KgL0-bfs/s400/IMG_6010.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCjuXopKJDipXkF9hR5k3va39EZcVgSPr1NxsYD-0PxDi8TliCHZhZGRGSYNaUdMLuTnrYJL9gPCG7tyyudsM5qa64WAR8bkb0yJ9AAbM-Bsfa0i6NWeoJ_lrvFXbqffJJ4gv8ygNjPhI/s1600/IMG_6016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCjuXopKJDipXkF9hR5k3va39EZcVgSPr1NxsYD-0PxDi8TliCHZhZGRGSYNaUdMLuTnrYJL9gPCG7tyyudsM5qa64WAR8bkb0yJ9AAbM-Bsfa0i6NWeoJ_lrvFXbqffJJ4gv8ygNjPhI/s400/IMG_6016.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Silly rabbit. Mimi couldn't get enough snuggles. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtNn4T8TEEhYR6kJ4uaKbp_s0w_PPynHAuWshePqSVu-fUiTCR7OaIW0EU8k-QotuHezDN6sfv_cpq1kyC-5EuRD0cGIiJBzSkLXMEA7nza9YOAtRBls1G2nvVQt6-7Gm3MIDnIexHoTQ/s1600/IMG_6031.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtNn4T8TEEhYR6kJ4uaKbp_s0w_PPynHAuWshePqSVu-fUiTCR7OaIW0EU8k-QotuHezDN6sfv_cpq1kyC-5EuRD0cGIiJBzSkLXMEA7nza9YOAtRBls1G2nvVQt6-7Gm3MIDnIexHoTQ/s400/IMG_6031.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
Before we left the city for a long (excrutiating) drive south, we hit up the neighborhood park egg hunt. Mimi found one egg and then it began snowing. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWXYCZwmj-CJyg_rrEWAWcOlOKD-ZvKdCwKX61_sn2U6CoshwW6iZ2_ngfxo9znJ16e_Tpoj6o1Cpy74TxzB9Pz89FT-NcGSTjKl8U7KDhZYaqzpjnn-sKewhbdvhinnXg9oI-4igr4FY/s1600/IMG_6033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWXYCZwmj-CJyg_rrEWAWcOlOKD-ZvKdCwKX61_sn2U6CoshwW6iZ2_ngfxo9znJ16e_Tpoj6o1Cpy74TxzB9Pz89FT-NcGSTjKl8U7KDhZYaqzpjnn-sKewhbdvhinnXg9oI-4igr4FY/s400/IMG_6033.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
And snowing. And snowing. We were the idiots who didn't check the weather and were caught in a blizzard a couple of hours south of the city. Cars were sliding off the road and stuck in ditches every quarter of a mile, so the Darbys pulled into a hotel as soon as we saw one. Being stuck in a hotel with two toddlers (one who developed serious diarrhea) wasn't actually the worse thing in the world. We could have been stuck in a ditch . . . with a toddler with serious diarrhea. So we're not complaining.<br />
<br />
Once we arrived in the Tennessee, the weather was warmer and my children were happier. They had space to move and cousins to play with, so the long trip was worth it. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiGMOz21bijNfaDj5wzwxTKyHwlkvpKiUZsW5OhfJesIQuC92zT62szu-_7lw7QL_84w5F98iHO6NAu3rD9nWka6A_h-f2Wou2jAhOJyXs8Ib85ZQ4LDxtF8NIuvBU71ChzALJVLP_5-A/s1600/IMG_6055.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiGMOz21bijNfaDj5wzwxTKyHwlkvpKiUZsW5OhfJesIQuC92zT62szu-_7lw7QL_84w5F98iHO6NAu3rD9nWka6A_h-f2Wou2jAhOJyXs8Ib85ZQ4LDxtF8NIuvBU71ChzALJVLP_5-A/s400/IMG_6055.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMawFXfkh4j2iShUNUdjXJFmeLrPaDmKMTyxCKPiUYZOtnZyS975B9ynC8S6ALC6hlSumzVJCW89zE-z-H5Y3xtYd3PIs9WVfSTKg1I-1atGyeEMY4DH9dxF3zuWW_Vtk-kWNzvdgwkxY/s1600/IMG_6061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMawFXfkh4j2iShUNUdjXJFmeLrPaDmKMTyxCKPiUYZOtnZyS975B9ynC8S6ALC6hlSumzVJCW89zE-z-H5Y3xtYd3PIs9WVfSTKg1I-1atGyeEMY4DH9dxF3zuWW_Vtk-kWNzvdgwkxY/s400/IMG_6061.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Mississippi also treated us well as the days were even warmer.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqiThITeY7Mu_hZWYEabvQUirIPWFaKgXu_M1_lOzN7G4E1lQ04gkCsy-Rp059pE7OPbNQTuyVNC9lfZfPaO4k1kQAHEjWzBpRBjRWoe6w_5IAnEUtsNO6sPp_gz_bf3FB3Snv2Pv8rUQ/s1600/IMG_6066.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqiThITeY7Mu_hZWYEabvQUirIPWFaKgXu_M1_lOzN7G4E1lQ04gkCsy-Rp059pE7OPbNQTuyVNC9lfZfPaO4k1kQAHEjWzBpRBjRWoe6w_5IAnEUtsNO6sPp_gz_bf3FB3Snv2Pv8rUQ/s400/IMG_6066.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
And they had a Poppaw there to ride them around . . . and around and around and around.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs4k02he0z6wtfl0_IA-2PYodnjSF4sGt4F4HiRzMVYSuB0u7uRu4V6pXcCoyZ67z5hGkHqA6abIgFfHFGBA_-6GfRiwX4FBYpRc8GI1dXorYezVdNwM6dBgw0RwKI-c8-B_xnBPtjxns/s1600/IMG_6097.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs4k02he0z6wtfl0_IA-2PYodnjSF4sGt4F4HiRzMVYSuB0u7uRu4V6pXcCoyZ67z5hGkHqA6abIgFfHFGBA_-6GfRiwX4FBYpRc8GI1dXorYezVdNwM6dBgw0RwKI-c8-B_xnBPtjxns/s400/IMG_6097.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
A little golfing . . . </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxFnyBdKQl9mwQcaj2xkvMKR7TN0Ajt_NUj2b6k2dTKbCKTIcK_ywtH5Vo4UHh6wV8nTcjGo8uzKpj9omDO1gBJ0lMhkGmv-wRW79nkklMsif7f7KT0vqvOgngZMUbDQUt-of9lzkbOas/s1600/IMG_6082.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxFnyBdKQl9mwQcaj2xkvMKR7TN0Ajt_NUj2b6k2dTKbCKTIcK_ywtH5Vo4UHh6wV8nTcjGo8uzKpj9omDO1gBJ0lMhkGmv-wRW79nkklMsif7f7KT0vqvOgngZMUbDQUt-of9lzkbOas/s400/IMG_6082.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
. . . and a little Lake Nixon.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQPzSCt17CXU4b3FZB_qP-Ga_xzv6zrPrvyuN394kzw50JcVW8OKcayVEWKg336ihK9ZV3058le6wUYMGu-6HShGcI3SihcVq8Nf-nYSfsUTfbK6S0MsuTvIJ041eybK8bTOP9Xt1SC5s/s1600/IMG_6123.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQPzSCt17CXU4b3FZB_qP-Ga_xzv6zrPrvyuN394kzw50JcVW8OKcayVEWKg336ihK9ZV3058le6wUYMGu-6HShGcI3SihcVq8Nf-nYSfsUTfbK6S0MsuTvIJ041eybK8bTOP9Xt1SC5s/s400/IMG_6123.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
Just what we needed to unwind. I am crazy about my little hometown. Some smart (and really cool) folks have been working hard to make it an even better place to live. Over the past few years, great little boutiques and restaurants have been springing up around town. Liquor was finally voted in (yes, my hometown was semi-dry. Only beer could be sold), and now several other wonderful restaurants will hopefully be opening. Many houses are being renovated downtown, and it feels so warm and inviting to be back home. <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
I spent one afternoon browsing the shops and taking photos of a few of my favorite homes.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikWP5Dzvk2sTOt56fGONQx8DyLpmA7TOXKfstwEC8hYlxIhDdMYTO4pfbl4VCouMFAmbx3IYGdhQTV186Jb8P3OkNAbdKH3BV_0bk9Jp1idlrCHY6S0owje4YY1-PqwXkcSyb4hDrST8M/s1600/IMG_6130.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikWP5Dzvk2sTOt56fGONQx8DyLpmA7TOXKfstwEC8hYlxIhDdMYTO4pfbl4VCouMFAmbx3IYGdhQTV186Jb8P3OkNAbdKH3BV_0bk9Jp1idlrCHY6S0owje4YY1-PqwXkcSyb4hDrST8M/s400/IMG_6130.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgplReSKFYW2yuSR8nqPq5-tAAS3XrCqVoWfi6AIWwAv78LfnRtUvXeim4hBopLcK9xj3bFYcwBzbWaksvOfOPmwv-5Obo3IoQSK3OB788b7qiuJB7gzh6yGzBxo96NT-JF6gHvKFHyulw/s1600/IMG_6135.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgplReSKFYW2yuSR8nqPq5-tAAS3XrCqVoWfi6AIWwAv78LfnRtUvXeim4hBopLcK9xj3bFYcwBzbWaksvOfOPmwv-5Obo3IoQSK3OB788b7qiuJB7gzh6yGzBxo96NT-JF6gHvKFHyulw/s400/IMG_6135.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>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqiILHK4ox-9tx6BECQDjOrxm2XseKMyJ4768Ol6cCRJQ3j6V4Jipl7OfJTimFW7C7LXuRDkBUEKKP4uIMh3nbWyiXneLaOr2IMaNPaxuqlEMSqou2pou5gAKtYutALC8J3jlD5ZcVZ20/s1600/IMG_6133.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqiILHK4ox-9tx6BECQDjOrxm2XseKMyJ4768Ol6cCRJQ3j6V4Jipl7OfJTimFW7C7LXuRDkBUEKKP4uIMh3nbWyiXneLaOr2IMaNPaxuqlEMSqou2pou5gAKtYutALC8J3jlD5ZcVZ20/s400/IMG_6133.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXj4QJHOPr73jOZWF62JbPQ0RnLFRO_pu_ecyDT887ugY6A9DyiJiEBwK7hyunY1PoAjJiT3_R1uwgQFprwcoPC_5s6gXy6M3fpez8bumesO-Umy4lyx8tzXCFgZw_67uE5ABMtPpDwXw/s1600/IMG_6139.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXj4QJHOPr73jOZWF62JbPQ0RnLFRO_pu_ecyDT887ugY6A9DyiJiEBwK7hyunY1PoAjJiT3_R1uwgQFprwcoPC_5s6gXy6M3fpez8bumesO-Umy4lyx8tzXCFgZw_67uE5ABMtPpDwXw/s400/IMG_6139.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
My beautiful church.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvTxbu5Q9haurA_qPfwGtxGWdqEFtLk-CWhQqMibVkUclYdOWNm_rH_hkIeommXjDDgQtxqEiUaKY5In9TDXgy-fVRideU7ymuF_bqgq9kfIPWsnkT7voUKKXT9bnGmd60GXz4jcXJlEI/s1600/IMG_6137.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvTxbu5Q9haurA_qPfwGtxGWdqEFtLk-CWhQqMibVkUclYdOWNm_rH_hkIeommXjDDgQtxqEiUaKY5In9TDXgy-fVRideU7ymuF_bqgq9kfIPWsnkT7voUKKXT9bnGmd60GXz4jcXJlEI/s400/IMG_6137.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The youth building at my church where I basically lived in high school.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz03cze01Mk7SHhz1HIZyWvDZydFRKjFjLmLTqKnXVKfR6W4cuETYX30e4i260xWS4fiAKCDmq92Z2W9aBOwz9W5xAJDWh1xU4MuhEdKq4VRhg8F-VN7gWYXpwjKKBQoqpRZYYLIDsNNo/s1600/IMG_6131.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz03cze01Mk7SHhz1HIZyWvDZydFRKjFjLmLTqKnXVKfR6W4cuETYX30e4i260xWS4fiAKCDmq92Z2W9aBOwz9W5xAJDWh1xU4MuhEdKq4VRhg8F-VN7gWYXpwjKKBQoqpRZYYLIDsNNo/s400/IMG_6131.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
And my first bottle of wine to buy in my hometown.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK5ZlF4cTNeo9fPHb4zhgbYTL3wo90kaaFUsAESKkR0nZwTYt2dEdEkfp76JHOnZM-F5j3sDbp-zJvye93mgVA6vNzVg9B73dIH7xytxDb7PvAgZoG_uoXhuBweMUIpFIFqKytYKsj-HY/s1600/IMG_6140.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK5ZlF4cTNeo9fPHb4zhgbYTL3wo90kaaFUsAESKkR0nZwTYt2dEdEkfp76JHOnZM-F5j3sDbp-zJvye93mgVA6vNzVg9B73dIH7xytxDb7PvAgZoG_uoXhuBweMUIpFIFqKytYKsj-HY/s400/IMG_6140.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
We always try to have a meal at a sweet friend's Italian restaurant, which is soooo yummy.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3i9C-7c7XEAU7SE80pTy7cUYQIRg8nrzLSCfJ-ZAqRBA_F2IfhclaBRerSaFAqJJMkaWEsseQHSCmjkaj7QCFnWASmD_gowH-QbK5Dk1zjkoowHLc9aHFJ1FrsHStOQcF6UYxzyVxwbI/s1600/IMG_6142.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3i9C-7c7XEAU7SE80pTy7cUYQIRg8nrzLSCfJ-ZAqRBA_F2IfhclaBRerSaFAqJJMkaWEsseQHSCmjkaj7QCFnWASmD_gowH-QbK5Dk1zjkoowHLc9aHFJ1FrsHStOQcF6UYxzyVxwbI/s400/IMG_6142.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
Clint and I were able to sneak away for a night in our amazing college town, Oxford, Mississippi. Oxford is hands down the epicenter of Southern culture. I would visit this town over most others in the South -- incredible restaurants (so many featured on travel and food magazines and TV shows) and boutiques, great music and amazing literature comes out of this tiny town located in the middle of north Mississippi. It's my favorite small town in America. <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
And it's amazing to have a drink on one these balconies on a sunny afternoon. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJKpmh_5dW-uvwzMnzZjycT4KHEx_c_boxbOWhkTAOQW8Bn3tp2iM9f_Cd4PR4KMdWZHNX_D3nVwmrDoLjf5iuZqmG58kO4dJJq8cP85sRokfEAYJRhy3I9vRaiu0iPGGAHqTbYkBasFw/s1600/IMG_6149.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJKpmh_5dW-uvwzMnzZjycT4KHEx_c_boxbOWhkTAOQW8Bn3tp2iM9f_Cd4PR4KMdWZHNX_D3nVwmrDoLjf5iuZqmG58kO4dJJq8cP85sRokfEAYJRhy3I9vRaiu0iPGGAHqTbYkBasFw/s400/IMG_6149.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Old roomies (at different times)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigX-BggkfrQkR8UGTCBPFI213pOg12UZcKP5ukPyHmkjsyoAW7uIMELM0Vr7zBCiVBPgzPXZ5Hk0z_FEfclkFhb1KU2rTEVEMFwWpt-9I1tXlieQsnsY3i0n4lQsgPtnDIbEuRDili1_A/s1600/IMG_6151.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigX-BggkfrQkR8UGTCBPFI213pOg12UZcKP5ukPyHmkjsyoAW7uIMELM0Vr7zBCiVBPgzPXZ5Hk0z_FEfclkFhb1KU2rTEVEMFwWpt-9I1tXlieQsnsY3i0n4lQsgPtnDIbEuRDili1_A/s400/IMG_6151.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
How does just one more drink at the Library turn into several?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzp1sBnkpX01OzlAyQClZLb1B7WtlvDXpyL7RvXu8m9O2Kv9KXTmZ7lr73qGmxL8Yh1gCp27GNLaRjb4qSZnCVpHaLNZmGKn1aDTGExqk9hqauL8XyZDdGXybFt-ZMHXKMGGb3oNIjhG4/s1600/IMG_6160.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzp1sBnkpX01OzlAyQClZLb1B7WtlvDXpyL7RvXu8m9O2Kv9KXTmZ7lr73qGmxL8Yh1gCp27GNLaRjb4qSZnCVpHaLNZmGKn1aDTGExqk9hqauL8XyZDdGXybFt-ZMHXKMGGb3oNIjhG4/s400/IMG_6160.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
And back to my hometown for a Sunday morning Easter service at my beautiful Baptist church. Oh, how I love an old hymn.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwZiEIsQYTc2m2aIoR5QQ7xS9MexCs1hDfgcrrFnkNgv6RoR9FzLB2-BSSaDWaA5IuUkaJtyEuhtHxWEANJJ3rTIsETaNQdd3hwrQkWWcP-pPThk0IAgLRtaE28PKRrV70l5yH5njM_TU/s1600/IMG_6172.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwZiEIsQYTc2m2aIoR5QQ7xS9MexCs1hDfgcrrFnkNgv6RoR9FzLB2-BSSaDWaA5IuUkaJtyEuhtHxWEANJJ3rTIsETaNQdd3hwrQkWWcP-pPThk0IAgLRtaE28PKRrV70l5yH5njM_TU/s400/IMG_6172.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
My, don't we clean up real nice?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1b-iK9Fi0ymfza-xBLOAR_iZE-MKdkvNVEletaEIeMs8tYTI0zH-KB1xQwDZhLwQZkmOJZKJnHQFuZIlBQ9Xgx7P4mLTk34j6_D8OZ_C_5qyussTPJBSEN9zsb7Fs2vFlSKM073cpCXw/s1600/IMG_6181.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1b-iK9Fi0ymfza-xBLOAR_iZE-MKdkvNVEletaEIeMs8tYTI0zH-KB1xQwDZhLwQZkmOJZKJnHQFuZIlBQ9Xgx7P4mLTk34j6_D8OZ_C_5qyussTPJBSEN9zsb7Fs2vFlSKM073cpCXw/s400/IMG_6181.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
An after church puddle stomp was in order.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg95cl6D17FTLtNPILJbNyTBKEC1eIm8fLKIxW5DV2A2MnUMfWj2GTBmHjUljc54QCkkaC3EH7PRucVRtgX70OJisESPCykgQZnie_5z_i-7hLVrstG7HoKH_ZBfn2U99YQmryXgvOmoIw/s1600/IMG_6190.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg95cl6D17FTLtNPILJbNyTBKEC1eIm8fLKIxW5DV2A2MnUMfWj2GTBmHjUljc54QCkkaC3EH7PRucVRtgX70OJisESPCykgQZnie_5z_i-7hLVrstG7HoKH_ZBfn2U99YQmryXgvOmoIw/s400/IMG_6190.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
And another Spider Man 4-wheeler ride before going home.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf9mPPOR-km5WJtuVR6q_OQoP-zEDiiUWeJ0rdiKpHMgcfswwWyEUVPgv6-NcsQHBE1JC7FOuLThJMv_KQkhbtjEprO__9GoUjodX3SwdIitG6M5iWPu90DkTI5NqEDRK9QjTGQ8K5oDE/s1600/IMG_6197.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf9mPPOR-km5WJtuVR6q_OQoP-zEDiiUWeJ0rdiKpHMgcfswwWyEUVPgv6-NcsQHBE1JC7FOuLThJMv_KQkhbtjEprO__9GoUjodX3SwdIitG6M5iWPu90DkTI5NqEDRK9QjTGQ8K5oDE/s400/IMG_6197.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Loved our trip home and made me want my own house with big ole yard . . . more to come on that subject in another post.<br />
<br />
Clint's beautiful sister made a trip to the Windy City the next weekend. Sorry my photos turned out so dark.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIMbjH7B5cVrgZqY5hamilWUT72MbdkibMklGFf7Zu2w7_bN8jVUWqU07g9FB4YGSR_LyuKbDdJ6HpqELgylFsr11IpdNYuyNfverK0U_un28NBN4CkfzR_klUWhOYDol13dMTORhSxZ8/s1600/IMG_6242.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIMbjH7B5cVrgZqY5hamilWUT72MbdkibMklGFf7Zu2w7_bN8jVUWqU07g9FB4YGSR_LyuKbDdJ6HpqELgylFsr11IpdNYuyNfverK0U_un28NBN4CkfzR_klUWhOYDol13dMTORhSxZ8/s400/IMG_6242.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
I'm still trying to be a decent mom, and I'm loving the stage we're in right now. I'm completely worn out and a grumpy thing around 7:00 every night, but most of the time. We have lots of fun. Instead of waiting until I can get away during nap time by myself on the weekends to run errands, I love that Mimi is fun to take with me now. Just this morning she went to an optometry appointment AND the Apple store. I didn't have to chase her or worry that she was going to break everything in sight. <br />
<br />
I actually took her clothes shopping with me one day, and it wasn't a complete disaster at all. Four and a half is a pretty cool age.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgprVblvQFPsf6-tbryER3FMyGMy3bA6jfl64BGtsgXgfEmvfPTl4agI1-EUwyl8XiM_oOut9wNC6Y_jTEwOraqMVoc4ezcXSDppYPXh7_Xg-wwHGYyW63kcBPWpJigSExOVeTlsGH_Bbk/s1600/IMG_6285.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgprVblvQFPsf6-tbryER3FMyGMy3bA6jfl64BGtsgXgfEmvfPTl4agI1-EUwyl8XiM_oOut9wNC6Y_jTEwOraqMVoc4ezcXSDppYPXh7_Xg-wwHGYyW63kcBPWpJigSExOVeTlsGH_Bbk/s400/IMG_6285.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
Macky-poo is still the cutest little guy I've ever met. The bazillion hours of therapies we're getting a week along with our complete changes in the way we treat him are working wonders. He is actually talking a bit more and isn't throwing uncontrollable tantrums. His new favorite word is "no." I kind of wish we could move onto another new favorite word . . .<br />
<br />
I'm not sure if I've ever mentioned how flexible he is. Check out how he sleeps.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5euu7rVfJGNsezSlEje0MJ_A9fFbfHUV_u_smU0qhPosbmOgKZjT5vL7w-WsFgm-bLLu8mJoHntXPf8XYjARe9f_CLd2hbvKMeSBZFQYEkxDagBSZwZaS6tnldDSmrCsbddo4oQdmF_s/s1600/IMG_6305.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5euu7rVfJGNsezSlEje0MJ_A9fFbfHUV_u_smU0qhPosbmOgKZjT5vL7w-WsFgm-bLLu8mJoHntXPf8XYjARe9f_CLd2hbvKMeSBZFQYEkxDagBSZwZaS6tnldDSmrCsbddo4oQdmF_s/s400/IMG_6305.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The little monkey had begun climbing out of his crib several weeks ago, and I basically thought my life was sort of over. I had been sewing early in the morning and during his nap time, which were suddenly non-existent once the climbing out began. <br />
<br />
This photo was taken veeerrrryyyy early one morning when he decided 3:30AM was an appropriate time to wake.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLYo8k1eE6F0bQQ9v13KBDVOWiaT4Bp89m64R8F-m2LXgSfAYLWngt7ObIHVy0-3ObD812aFk9RRjS4zo8UJHYC8S9-u4R94nKYAAydhDEhhh5keynfMwEqeBIlXzCXZghIvHEHG9E9FQ/s1600/IMG_6346.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLYo8k1eE6F0bQQ9v13KBDVOWiaT4Bp89m64R8F-m2LXgSfAYLWngt7ObIHVy0-3ObD812aFk9RRjS4zo8UJHYC8S9-u4R94nKYAAydhDEhhh5keynfMwEqeBIlXzCXZghIvHEHG9E9FQ/s400/IMG_6346.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
But about a week ago (after an exhausting trip to Ikea to get a toddler bed), he decided he loved his crib once again. All of my sewing orders have resumed (although I am waaaay behind and overwhelmed now), and the little guy is happy.<br />
<br />
My awesome friend Amber visited a couple of weeks ago. She and I worked together and I think I spent more time talking with her at that time than my own husband, and I have missed her so very much. Great to catch up and be a tourist with her.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieY44B0TUQh-la5iOsQ0v49QtigvIwN9NqhTwfqsUbqUWcOX1XATmniLE9YJXpsvGpckOyFbmjfGd095oz5FI1cdM4CQJcac8DC0E1bFx5PU034yAndJN656NhQqkG4mODPrjjcJW470M/s1600/IMG_6359.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieY44B0TUQh-la5iOsQ0v49QtigvIwN9NqhTwfqsUbqUWcOX1XATmniLE9YJXpsvGpckOyFbmjfGd095oz5FI1cdM4CQJcac8DC0E1bFx5PU034yAndJN656NhQqkG4mODPrjjcJW470M/s400/IMG_6359.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZx1xMF_iGsK2qOSAw2VUbNKlBSNAnR2sE2uo6azJp2ZWn2BSlDsrZOXYjo0EalClLvKUHQ8XYuq8wVYZV8eObniKYiF44rvKSuQXk7muilAlnB9rnn-eNwW8mwZKKK29UZ5IC95gZkpM/s1600/IMG_6369.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZx1xMF_iGsK2qOSAw2VUbNKlBSNAnR2sE2uo6azJp2ZWn2BSlDsrZOXYjo0EalClLvKUHQ8XYuq8wVYZV8eObniKYiF44rvKSuQXk7muilAlnB9rnn-eNwW8mwZKKK29UZ5IC95gZkpM/s400/IMG_6369.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
Take Your Daughter to Work Day 2013 was a highlight of Mimi's Spring. She packed her backpack with a notepad, an Ariel phone, some snacks, and a stuffed animal and told Daddy she was ready to work hard all day long with him (well, only a couple of hours). <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgryfuUehrNyvicPGmXXQfq5EfmRhl-m24313_0g-z7rNli6E_Fb0ggHNW0HN7gOngU0PEZnXeyWmNooCfdUoq1NZB0dy0eP_MXfQwMNJsd-lim6cQ6kZ_MHJS6AV9LQdwvIi8gw_zCLQ8/s1600/IMG_6392.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgryfuUehrNyvicPGmXXQfq5EfmRhl-m24313_0g-z7rNli6E_Fb0ggHNW0HN7gOngU0PEZnXeyWmNooCfdUoq1NZB0dy0eP_MXfQwMNJsd-lim6cQ6kZ_MHJS6AV9LQdwvIi8gw_zCLQ8/s400/IMG_6392.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
Not every 4-year-old girl can say she worked in the tallest building in the city for two hours of her life.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtTVzqPksOHhYwGu3m4jGeFA3ULA7JNYK1FXnSKw0HEPUsjMXj-m7YxhuymcRUvIFPqLG-wGtD1AImZFJvhAHM7si1lsGU_biZCeZi0_c4EhFHKGpI17K9X4KOuVdfnxQgH-KGlUg-swE/s1600/IMG_6400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtTVzqPksOHhYwGu3m4jGeFA3ULA7JNYK1FXnSKw0HEPUsjMXj-m7YxhuymcRUvIFPqLG-wGtD1AImZFJvhAHM7si1lsGU_biZCeZi0_c4EhFHKGpI17K9X4KOuVdfnxQgH-KGlUg-swE/s400/IMG_6400.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;">
As the weather has finally warmed above freezing, fun park days have arrived!</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/AVvXsEjECpa9iI2Y-20_HAQBDXIlIhjfcB-Lt_mlrDX2mpbwePd7lDNaOjh8RAINmDjtKaLgBWjiTSDiCcsarzfivQh_gGUDedi8PSYu022cufhBEBJ7WO0Xxbx0x1HX5LOQJzfXU9VNkD42mBc/s1600/IMG_6253.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjECpa9iI2Y-20_HAQBDXIlIhjfcB-Lt_mlrDX2mpbwePd7lDNaOjh8RAINmDjtKaLgBWjiTSDiCcsarzfivQh_gGUDedi8PSYu022cufhBEBJ7WO0Xxbx0x1HX5LOQJzfXU9VNkD42mBc/s400/IMG_6253.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Just holding hands with one of my dudes.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVYf3IaNKhI1x3ErqRH7mOgAerF1dT2qKU0Hty2DaA2c8Gk07zc9qUeqqzX7AelcvbuBMuuXn7OxTTYAjo4X6MwqKVcp6Q3nndWtN1pS0eeI8xDofTEVzd2JOO3RutdN6Ugl1BLtWrnME/s1600/IMG_6404.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVYf3IaNKhI1x3ErqRH7mOgAerF1dT2qKU0Hty2DaA2c8Gk07zc9qUeqqzX7AelcvbuBMuuXn7OxTTYAjo4X6MwqKVcp6Q3nndWtN1pS0eeI8xDofTEVzd2JOO3RutdN6Ugl1BLtWrnME/s400/IMG_6404.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
A rainy walk with Iz.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifa3YATvviIcI9SGeHOa-bqX447L5Utdc0oSJG1mE-CQOTk3Mt2RpNQPQwWVM9NlY9fy-lwrFtkL9Luru5d6HHmS6LUwLof5IDc1fggqQPqA312zUxk-JLo1OzlMaAjFrh1XGq39f_NDM/s1600/IMG_6350.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifa3YATvviIcI9SGeHOa-bqX447L5Utdc0oSJG1mE-CQOTk3Mt2RpNQPQwWVM9NlY9fy-lwrFtkL9Luru5d6HHmS6LUwLof5IDc1fggqQPqA312zUxk-JLo1OzlMaAjFrh1XGq39f_NDM/s400/IMG_6350.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Green grass . . .<i> ahhhhhhh</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0g0WF7xDpGEU0U_JcZDbr5Lc0Uiw3KB_dg0Or_ukZJoaLeU0uBKF3cSDIJHsYXigOdsQYdoKvH-jqS-xVGzFjRsFL05K4qxGKa5bDhFOv9jwZSc3T6CbAt9mbNewBLuOlMKhfW5jGLUw/s1600/IMG_6417.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0g0WF7xDpGEU0U_JcZDbr5Lc0Uiw3KB_dg0Or_ukZJoaLeU0uBKF3cSDIJHsYXigOdsQYdoKvH-jqS-xVGzFjRsFL05K4qxGKa5bDhFOv9jwZSc3T6CbAt9mbNewBLuOlMKhfW5jGLUw/s400/IMG_6417.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi4qgwBaRdmcfnsshxTPJCop9aK8EMcVaygyZQ7_H6DGgDOPhEyc2WE1Y5-ydxIfdFrrmvPk22wwyMKNA0Qb7kWQaMypN5P7gIebXIxS_stch0AhNsy3hqpphg4q2A6a2Zd4a8o33mUzo/s1600/IMG_6425.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi4qgwBaRdmcfnsshxTPJCop9aK8EMcVaygyZQ7_H6DGgDOPhEyc2WE1Y5-ydxIfdFrrmvPk22wwyMKNA0Qb7kWQaMypN5P7gIebXIxS_stch0AhNsy3hqpphg4q2A6a2Zd4a8o33mUzo/s400/IMG_6425.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnRAg1xzIWgn9ZF9xFi7cCyEDtJznkyhwQcH99aSe-il93Yuxu-l2kjtpzGVzuHvPKGBZPZqMTvZ-87LK98KtLo2rmWLCakhYAwzE814XG7_bsR9yKKOe9Y9kK5x5kkzBfmCy7NPM-Spc/s1600/IMG_6470.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnRAg1xzIWgn9ZF9xFi7cCyEDtJznkyhwQcH99aSe-il93Yuxu-l2kjtpzGVzuHvPKGBZPZqMTvZ-87LK98KtLo2rmWLCakhYAwzE814XG7_bsR9yKKOe9Y9kK5x5kkzBfmCy7NPM-Spc/s400/IMG_6470.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzzib-oqjLIUQPxWw-FFSqwQ3cYyGPiIZLvuWlnqz6WwFsxUigVl46ycU-3TM0cGUTP3L6lUQGBFGVPQaPK8QbYSOyUsiEFaO91EnhgygjCwN9A_91XqKLGFrie3UwpfGVSWOExLnVQ4U/s1600/IMG_6473.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzzib-oqjLIUQPxWw-FFSqwQ3cYyGPiIZLvuWlnqz6WwFsxUigVl46ycU-3TM0cGUTP3L6lUQGBFGVPQaPK8QbYSOyUsiEFaO91EnhgygjCwN9A_91XqKLGFrie3UwpfGVSWOExLnVQ4U/s400/IMG_6473.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
The seventies are returning to the forecast just in time for my birthday week (and a quick last-minute girl's trip to the beach)! Fun times are a comin' . . .Jeri Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10521003964808664244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2546665416784172515.post-18428312066558025702013-03-05T07:38:00.003-06:002013-03-05T07:38:54.767-06:00This Girl<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1wJPd9P-W-5Xg40mxqo43IAEK05bwYtntPmEFmAA6goMJceaKSnvBO8kRJheWhsqK42a92ZE8uDNykB7G_2GqkTsJ9W2i446mEPTgCVhSopg7iiqqP5uuFzfNcpUyfw68-4vFQd5rRqM/s1600/DSC03829.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1wJPd9P-W-5Xg40mxqo43IAEK05bwYtntPmEFmAA6goMJceaKSnvBO8kRJheWhsqK42a92ZE8uDNykB7G_2GqkTsJ9W2i446mEPTgCVhSopg7iiqqP5uuFzfNcpUyfw68-4vFQd5rRqM/s640/DSC03829.jpg" width="425" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This one didn't come with an instructional manual either. But it would have been nice.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Mimi's awesome PreK class is celebrating Seuss week, and yesterday was mismatched day. Mimi took her task quite seriously.</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/AVvXsEhcdfWkNX98_fRk_LAomVD4OHo4Pk3-KF2TIxO5P5tPGCPvYdmAuynGmmtBPZc_hRupFqPHNlqkA7DW-SHKGsn25pG4kQWGxlpeDGkOL5fnlh_ayicBEhOlohBUHiKIRgExRkDtkRy_MgU/s1600/DSC03827.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcdfWkNX98_fRk_LAomVD4OHo4Pk3-KF2TIxO5P5tPGCPvYdmAuynGmmtBPZc_hRupFqPHNlqkA7DW-SHKGsn25pG4kQWGxlpeDGkOL5fnlh_ayicBEhOlohBUHiKIRgExRkDtkRy_MgU/s400/DSC03827.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
She picked out the headband and "Patrick's Day magic bow tie" (as she named it) while shopping with me yesterday morning. She wore them as she ran around JoAnn's (ugh, I hate JoAnn's) like a chicken with her head whacked off, and occasionally I could hear, <i>Hey, why is everybody laughing at me???</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
Really, Mimi?<br />
<br />
<i>Mommy, why are they all laughing at me? I'm just wearing my Suess day clothes. That's not very nice.</i><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTT1XidwoFkQSYcXWiApl6d7gvjAmuhBjIVp47A387gsP7QMs2xcjivGTvfxuWiytu-kEKlzchf3Nyt9bdI_4YHLodje8ksLmi1IJAR66KpfBy0SNTo7XjZyPPxQMvgXuxL2Fcqx7cdII/s1600/DSC03830.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTT1XidwoFkQSYcXWiApl6d7gvjAmuhBjIVp47A387gsP7QMs2xcjivGTvfxuWiytu-kEKlzchf3Nyt9bdI_4YHLodje8ksLmi1IJAR66KpfBy0SNTo7XjZyPPxQMvgXuxL2Fcqx7cdII/s400/DSC03830.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
Another PreK mom told me how Mimi was showing everyone her dance moves during circle time, so I told Mimi that I had heard about this. She suddenly made a mad face and said, <i>But I'm not ever, ever dancing at school again. Everybody was laughing at me!</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
I explained they were laughing because she was funny. <i>Mimi, don't you know that you're a funny kid?</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Mommy! I'm not funny!</i><br />
Then what are you?<br />
<br />
<i>I'M CUTE!!!!</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeHANA7f8-gtg2K6qXp5YsCtMmvExPik3vcmLKpfIm6QTEp6KhRyxA0A9213yO-BmC9lMIkiTRCSdWv22GY0li36BWV8scD4ayPtWfQdhDP5s4B9K48o-qkwI-kgIUtfl0ehBHy59d4VY/s1600/DSC03832.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeHANA7f8-gtg2K6qXp5YsCtMmvExPik3vcmLKpfIm6QTEp6KhRyxA0A9213yO-BmC9lMIkiTRCSdWv22GY0li36BWV8scD4ayPtWfQdhDP5s4B9K48o-qkwI-kgIUtfl0ehBHy59d4VY/s400/DSC03832.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Sheesh. And she is pretty cute. Let's just hope the elderly lady we saw who was seriously stooped over thought she was cute, too. Or let's just hope she was very hard of hearing because Mimi had some very loud and silly opinions about why she was walking like that. Seriously, instruction manual, please.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Now that Mack is in preschool for 2 whole hours a week (we're bumping up to another morning in a couple of weeks! 4 whole hours -- goooo, Mack!), Mimi and I get some quality time together. Yes, it's awesome to have her when she doesn't feel the need to compete with her brother. She told me at least a thousand stories about Olivia the Pig over coffee and chocolate milk at Starbuck's. Who doesn't love stories about pig?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Thank goodness Mimi isn't the only silly girl I know. This one comes a close second :) </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXwyULVcr8MBz-rtCZFU7XodsWqOkGqGHwu3ecc3tk42ZTlAQiTctfGTF6Ih5Y9mAR_ySYmMuSpmUFW7ex-W5HcUfUR2-RqFibRMWxp9O-XpX9wt7mrH2XVXOZbnIz6xI5tgyoyIC8eUA/s1600/DSC03848.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXwyULVcr8MBz-rtCZFU7XodsWqOkGqGHwu3ecc3tk42ZTlAQiTctfGTF6Ih5Y9mAR_ySYmMuSpmUFW7ex-W5HcUfUR2-RqFibRMWxp9O-XpX9wt7mrH2XVXOZbnIz6xI5tgyoyIC8eUA/s640/DSC03848.jpg" width="425" /></a></div>
<br />
And by the way, I am NOT pregnant with a baby. Just in case you were wondering. I actually already had it, and if you're confused it's because you weren't paying attention . . . he he he. <br />
<br />
Until there are more shenanigans . . .Jeri Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10521003964808664244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2546665416784172515.post-65510524965410455972013-03-03T00:28:00.000-06:002013-03-05T07:39:11.569-06:00Growing UpI noticed this week that my children are no longer babies.<br />
<br />
You see this kid? Super Stinker? He's finally not sitting in a high chair with a sippy cup.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAelj7IL5qGbLcTNQqRtBwWsp0lyI0mVAx15fH1XRTTZ4iJzTJkirB9C2FKslQRIQI5f-_TaW9-hsK2pe-vquHCbeBockeBZGBXzPWkoHe2LVkDgUDURaVgfWVSzHkkk7e42OHUrvHSlI/s1600/DSC03684.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAelj7IL5qGbLcTNQqRtBwWsp0lyI0mVAx15fH1XRTTZ4iJzTJkirB9C2FKslQRIQI5f-_TaW9-hsK2pe-vquHCbeBockeBZGBXzPWkoHe2LVkDgUDURaVgfWVSzHkkk7e42OHUrvHSlI/s400/DSC03684.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
At one time in my life, I would consider other things success, but this week in my life THIS is a huge success.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOMVTlbW3wYhPluB2o11HTDSYxa3FMpAFugjLBYoox_IJ1mB0o-WVVXTZPm0NANJRdJ-4fDKtcfbXNkNeYadAvCgTnJWwAxYPi5wgsESHavNl8z8qqsP07gw3ZiVCgnNsrXPe7C8bkJ0Y/s1600/DSC03686.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOMVTlbW3wYhPluB2o11HTDSYxa3FMpAFugjLBYoox_IJ1mB0o-WVVXTZPm0NANJRdJ-4fDKtcfbXNkNeYadAvCgTnJWwAxYPi5wgsESHavNl8z8qqsP07gw3ZiVCgnNsrXPe7C8bkJ0Y/s400/DSC03686.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
And he's so proud of himself.<br />
<br />
He was making a crazy mess in his high chair and throwing everything on the floor. But put him at the counter with a real cup of milk and he's so careful. He even smiles and claps for himself after almost every sip. <br />
<br />
Up until a couple of months ago, I pretty much thought most everything I was doing with my children was wrong. They weren't doing enough for themselves. Mimi wasn't interested in learning to write letters and numbers. Mack wasn't talking much. <br />
<br />
But after a revolving door of therapists (Mack is getting speech therapy, occupational therapy, AND developmental therapy), I have learned two things:<br />
<br />
ALL CHILDREN ARE DIFFERENT.<br />
<br />
ACCEPT CHILDREN FOR WHO THEY ARE.<br />
<br />
Whoa. Heavy stuff. Of course I should know this. Duh. Every person is different. I should be accepting. But not with my children. They will be exactly who I mold them to be.<br />
<br />
Yeah, right. So what I'm learning through all of Mack's therapy is that children are not all nurture. Of course I should do my part in trying to teach them to be wonderful little people, but there is a whole lot going on in their little bodies that I cannot control. It's just the way they're wired.<br />
<br />
So now I can let myself off the hook. It's not my fault! I'm not such a bad mom after all!! Yay, me!!<br />
<br />
Anyway, the reason all this therapy started is because Mack has something called Sensory Processing Disorder. It's not cancer. He's not going blind. We will be okay. But our little family has some things to work on because Mack is wired a little differently.<br />
<br />
This is going to sound crazy, but I was sooooo relieved to hear that D word -- disorder. I wanted to shout from the rooftops "This is not all my fault! The tantrums and the not talking and the social issues. Not all my fault. Hooray!" Many moms put too much pressure on themselves and I have been one of those. I have tried not to, but there were just so many things with Mack I couldn't "fix." Have you met my family? My husband, my daughter, and I know how to talk. Why can't we teach Mack? I was an English teacher. Why can't I teach him to talk? Why does he shy away from social situations? The rest of us like people. Why does he destroy every freaking toy in sight? His father and I don't do that. I tell him no. What gives? Why can't I raise him exactly the same way I raise my daughter and get the same result?<br />
<br />
Because I can't. Because all children are different. And I need to accept my monkeys just the way they are.<br />
<br />
If you know anything about this SPD business, please hunt me down because we need to talk. I know no one who has a child with this (other than the over-sensitive kind, which he is not), and totally thought it was made up bologna until I took a little test on-line and holy moly I checked every single box for his type.<br />
<br />
Does he crash and destroy? Yes.<br />
Does he grind his teeth and stomp? Yes.<br />
Does he shy away from eye contact? Yes.<br />
Does he stuff his mouth when he eats? Yes.<br />
Does he barely react to hurting himself? Yes.<br />
Does he have trouble regulating himself? Hell Yes.<br />
<br />
And the list goes on and on and on. Basically, Mack doesn't process sight, touch, and sound the same way most of us do. He may hear what I say, but it totally doesn't register if a lot is going on. He sees so much that he can't focus on one thing. He doesn't feel comfortable sitting still and must constantly move to feel everything around him. And if he isn't regulated, then he can't learn to talk or be social. Therapy is already helping me see exactly what this is and how to help him cope with these symptoms. I've learned that we need to keep his environment as calm and comfortable as possible, and then he will begin communicating. Remember sitting in Biology when you were hungry, tired, and upset from a recent break-up? How could you focus to learn when your needs weren't met? So now I just need to make sure his needs are met.<br />
<br />
One thing the therapists told me to chill out about is the pacifier. Mack's strength is knowing that he is about to freak out, and he tells us this by asking for his paci, trying to leave the room to get away from too many people, or other ways. In the past I tried to make him deal with whatever was bugging him, but now I've learned to let him have his minute and he can rejoin the group after he has a break. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTM1Yl1Y_sjcBJx6xDzuxMr2fqxaoxRqebO80HkBPq52Xs6twy7CLUk-B_-AB5Z7fDKXl3nmVvM3FaHb6RGDU1MN8hjzzID3yvureg_MlEjllQP9a1PXP1uE-IMBo_H2ByBFKb2zaYJCI/s1600/DSC03583.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTM1Yl1Y_sjcBJx6xDzuxMr2fqxaoxRqebO80HkBPq52Xs6twy7CLUk-B_-AB5Z7fDKXl3nmVvM3FaHb6RGDU1MN8hjzzID3yvureg_MlEjllQP9a1PXP1uE-IMBo_H2ByBFKb2zaYJCI/s400/DSC03583.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDAGYMU54Z-Aok_10YrK1GKzID6vvvdgWYnuNSDUmT_-7ksK5tiT_Xl7R3rwO5jOZHL8v5a7irxntzVaN8DeWQ9v2A00aDuLVY2s9ebJljJ0YR7PeJ4qdsQ1mUmEfzZTu-YQ1Kz9EGhSY/s1600/DSC03589.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDAGYMU54Z-Aok_10YrK1GKzID6vvvdgWYnuNSDUmT_-7ksK5tiT_Xl7R3rwO5jOZHL8v5a7irxntzVaN8DeWQ9v2A00aDuLVY2s9ebJljJ0YR7PeJ4qdsQ1mUmEfzZTu-YQ1Kz9EGhSY/s400/DSC03589.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;">
So the Darby home has been a bit calmer and the little guy has begun talking more. His favorite phrase is "Dere you go" in a sweet little sing-songy voice. He finally says "milk" instead of pointing and crying at the refrigerator. Also, he's paying a bit more attention to others. He occasionally walks up to random kids (usually really cute girls) and gives them a hug and pats their heads. He also pushes, but he has a sweet smile on his face as he's doing it. Somebody needs to explain to the crying victim on the floor (and the parent) that he's just saying hello . . . </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
He's still as sweet and snuggly as always, and Clint and I were relieved to hear that it's okay to "baby" this one for a little bit longer. Being hard on him isn't the best solution like it may be with his sister. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji6KDr7i5uZ1YtmmybQ7JHhPkQwcWoIuI6ofNttm1jFjVieC0ww6up8_OnqvMgGzZKD44bFRgbhdtsbSOZqWBIipWjBRb8YxF1ejaNGLToo1mkFuNw9xIKCDDUkS-zkQo74gL_1e2D-L8/s1600/DSC03594.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji6KDr7i5uZ1YtmmybQ7JHhPkQwcWoIuI6ofNttm1jFjVieC0ww6up8_OnqvMgGzZKD44bFRgbhdtsbSOZqWBIipWjBRb8YxF1ejaNGLToo1mkFuNw9xIKCDDUkS-zkQo74gL_1e2D-L8/s400/DSC03594.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6v63ivIA5Tlw1XnKMNVWIQqIAF3cg1XLCnkIisTX_ad4mNkv5gLt4DcaGLsrNi5T_0OOVw9P8-MgwNO4E0SYpBcqRd3NgJ5yiw1YjYBFZ5kAHgpcTE26ogU1kgIFJ6oRzIsIFIv76ElA/s1600/DSC03627.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6v63ivIA5Tlw1XnKMNVWIQqIAF3cg1XLCnkIisTX_ad4mNkv5gLt4DcaGLsrNi5T_0OOVw9P8-MgwNO4E0SYpBcqRd3NgJ5yiw1YjYBFZ5kAHgpcTE26ogU1kgIFJ6oRzIsIFIv76ElA/s400/DSC03627.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Yes, he is standing on the counter. And, yes, he would totally jump if I wasn't standing right there. I can't take my eyes off this one for a second. Which is why I am exhausted All. The. Time.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJuHyoCZwQfIk39lnwgAtoxXB9YdGXN3aBASX1JBzjmK7u013mJW4PQV7EqBtVXyaV6IfDsSN3FMQuiiJztc1pMafo3kz2xRLb3E5JefIewx-taxzshiMiB8AAR5wbt_SnwmD-v6Tt9uQ/s1600/DSC03634.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJuHyoCZwQfIk39lnwgAtoxXB9YdGXN3aBASX1JBzjmK7u013mJW4PQV7EqBtVXyaV6IfDsSN3FMQuiiJztc1pMafo3kz2xRLb3E5JefIewx-taxzshiMiB8AAR5wbt_SnwmD-v6Tt9uQ/s400/DSC03634.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
While this does affect the way he communicates, he is still taking in a lot. Mack is a smart little boy. He is very visual and can figure out puzzles and memory games quickly. He likes to clean up and organizes his Goldfish Rainbow crackers by color. He has many of the Gangnam Style moves memorized. And so does his daddy.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Njid6ezj8wmSpYLJ2iieHsU1Bdt6v8iz0YTjqL_8vmGmdFlY2jRiiYjFrCaMm9xLSJVXQthQQz2OhWphYtDLzweV3OcwpLO7zlJsE3VlUXcFIOQPiXCPJLZLovHdZ4uKZpk_UrP5mrU/s1600/DSC03637.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Njid6ezj8wmSpYLJ2iieHsU1Bdt6v8iz0YTjqL_8vmGmdFlY2jRiiYjFrCaMm9xLSJVXQthQQz2OhWphYtDLzweV3OcwpLO7zlJsE3VlUXcFIOQPiXCPJLZLovHdZ4uKZpk_UrP5mrU/s400/DSC03637.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
He's obsessed with electronics and knows how to find anything (and change settings) on our phones and computers.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdTQnuvg5YEpz5cWBTNYz0E9q5tOnCmjZsjZvxuvxt3-8yg28UB8TE6WQcE5yBlzQunRcMXCs_LDdnPMuTIvYrxPWs6aK5XxzeqC0RC75UB56eDcKvcgs9Fipw4_TizPHrK6tKJb4myfA/s1600/DSC03649.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdTQnuvg5YEpz5cWBTNYz0E9q5tOnCmjZsjZvxuvxt3-8yg28UB8TE6WQcE5yBlzQunRcMXCs_LDdnPMuTIvYrxPWs6aK5XxzeqC0RC75UB56eDcKvcgs9Fipw4_TizPHrK6tKJb4myfA/s400/DSC03649.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
But most importantly, he is so, so very sweet. He lets me hold him and sing to him, and he rubs his sisters eyes and hugs her when she cries (even if he caused it). He likes to laugh and dance and he smells really, really good.<br />
<br />
And moving on to this little girl. She never ceases to surprise me.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqqH8WQcSudnKKEAFfp4tDV1FvRftUHM_S8TZjqS07E2U2At_jz-_RXceY8_gDCndS4SigfddJUr_0Fg8466gw_65ImktsvqOCvXbeIex0Zxtum-9lB72t4Z1DVqqbY4MhExPohBIJcBc/s1600/DSC03675.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqqH8WQcSudnKKEAFfp4tDV1FvRftUHM_S8TZjqS07E2U2At_jz-_RXceY8_gDCndS4SigfddJUr_0Fg8466gw_65ImktsvqOCvXbeIex0Zxtum-9lB72t4Z1DVqqbY4MhExPohBIJcBc/s400/DSC03675.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
Just a few months ago I was so very frightened that she would fail preschool (if that's possible). She didn't care about learning and just wanted to play. Kindergarten is serious business these days, and I was very worried my daughter who barely meets the cut-off date would make it with the older kids. The list of items she needs to know before starting kindergarten was a lot longer than her attention span. She wouldn't sit for ten seconds to finish coloring a picture. She didn't want to attempt to do anything for herself. And she didn't care.<br />
<br />
During Christmas she wrote her name. Then she randomly started asking me if <i>mouse and house</i> rhyme or <i>dog and log</i>. If she hears a long word like <i>situation</i>, she wants me to clap out the syllables with her. She asks me who the author of her bedtime story is. She wants to know if frozen pizza is healthy (and I say of course). She wants to know why we don't hibernate and how long it takes for a Halloween pumpkin to decompose. Tonight she sat at Fernando's and colored the entire Mickey Mouse eating a salad page INSIDE the lines and didn't touch her food until she finished. And there it is. Her curiosity has gotten the best of her and she's ready to learn. <br />
<br />
I have always known Mimi is smart -- but I had begun believing that maybe academically not so much. I had dinner with a friend recently who told me that she just wasn't ready and that learning would happen suddenly. And suddenly it has. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHjucKMuvzV76pZW9QbeXqSsElp9nmX70Y6xWdFNbQdW0YzxET8zYmF2S3wJ941ezWpgG-qnulP0wpqLyhRkQ6EIz87NxlwZV-QCsi6rRoJx8LZemzEYo4zSNH4NMczUfZV-Gwli0-dXQ/s1600/DSC03662.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHjucKMuvzV76pZW9QbeXqSsElp9nmX70Y6xWdFNbQdW0YzxET8zYmF2S3wJ941ezWpgG-qnulP0wpqLyhRkQ6EIz87NxlwZV-QCsi6rRoJx8LZemzEYo4zSNH4NMczUfZV-Gwli0-dXQ/s400/DSC03662.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
When I was in first grade, I sat at my big square desk with my gigantic pack of Crayolas (with the built-in sharpener) and worked on my coloring pages like it was my J-O-B. I pretended to be interviewed for a segment on Sesame Street or the Disney Channel about my amazing coloring abilities. <i>Wow. We've never seen a six-year-old able to choose such the perfect shade of Cyan</i>. But somehow that was pretty much all I did for the first half of the morning in Mrs. Shumaker's class. I had forgotten about this until recently. I didn't want to learn to read early. I still wanted my mom to tie my shoes. I had no interest in phonics or telling time or adding buttons in a jar. <br />
<br />
All children are different. Accept them for who they are. And suddenly it has happened for me, too.<br />
<br />
<br />Jeri Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10521003964808664244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2546665416784172515.post-18943567947890014362013-01-28T14:00:00.000-06:002013-03-05T07:39:24.356-06:00I've changed 4 light bulbs . . . and had lots of Starbucks coffee.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We're almost one month into January, and I've been busy, busy, busy changing those light bulbs and flossing my teeth . . . and doing some other things that I'll get to later . . .</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Mimi has been doing a lot of this . . . </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4lRvjXyk6y6HPIQSf5BSEnQf8LZh8GO59wZKQhciNhVlJuVWJUs4ypGWsqcJmq1k7tSl9JocEKwYb2g6faqYtDObvKHqK_rRuMTYKkBx0UvxBWFcgjPT4wUv6_eU1a4pzdZYXdM3pG8Y/s1600/January+2013+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4lRvjXyk6y6HPIQSf5BSEnQf8LZh8GO59wZKQhciNhVlJuVWJUs4ypGWsqcJmq1k7tSl9JocEKwYb2g6faqYtDObvKHqK_rRuMTYKkBx0UvxBWFcgjPT4wUv6_eU1a4pzdZYXdM3pG8Y/s400/January+2013+004.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
and this . . .</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWADa1w1mOwW__KLqdZ0kOeskLI6dlVODNaWlfJ9gNen2B7gizcyfxBe1yGV7aWDY-n0-zGB96KG3HT-_-swuyhaBEtuk4FwC2Cxvp8X2q6MRMb_qh1EpMeZHLKaKagSTNsgnOZKkF7rA/s1600/January+2013+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWADa1w1mOwW__KLqdZ0kOeskLI6dlVODNaWlfJ9gNen2B7gizcyfxBe1yGV7aWDY-n0-zGB96KG3HT-_-swuyhaBEtuk4FwC2Cxvp8X2q6MRMb_qh1EpMeZHLKaKagSTNsgnOZKkF7rA/s400/January+2013+007.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;">
and of course this . . .</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxkJdYJVIfnB8Cd3iN-XhXsdmfy5dRVZ-aL_UpRNvLa_PV6M_apTfJOcSdxC5Jh8S1ozxQqaVVjblDVskSNv7WDDkmhwDumLZgB6r_Im9IJl4AhCl8btbvDtQfJQPXOzvJgqh4P3v4PaU/s1600/January+2013+017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxkJdYJVIfnB8Cd3iN-XhXsdmfy5dRVZ-aL_UpRNvLa_PV6M_apTfJOcSdxC5Jh8S1ozxQqaVVjblDVskSNv7WDDkmhwDumLZgB6r_Im9IJl4AhCl8btbvDtQfJQPXOzvJgqh4P3v4PaU/s320/January+2013+017.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
and FINALLY, finally, finally, finally sat still long enough to write her name. Geez, this girl could care less about things such as that.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYZtVovZbwtvq3QDQlNMUbrR_EVpuetcBrkhxll42rCPI1kaen3QtsG7lpTTDeN38b7eK9e4_qLWmXUdOE_rUI0rR2NpHEjvVQxCoIayv2SEwCVytyEckkY_UtSTEjwpzvm6TGuxFsU3E/s1600/January+2013+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYZtVovZbwtvq3QDQlNMUbrR_EVpuetcBrkhxll42rCPI1kaen3QtsG7lpTTDeN38b7eK9e4_qLWmXUdOE_rUI0rR2NpHEjvVQxCoIayv2SEwCVytyEckkY_UtSTEjwpzvm6TGuxFsU3E/s320/January+2013+001.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Yesterday I was struggling to get her to sit down and finish her what should be a 10 minute assignment from preschool and something hit me . . . I was a lot like her at this age. I jumped from toy to toy to coloring page to cartoon to puzzle and could give a crap about learning to write letters or numbers or even think about reading. <i>Why should I learn to read when I like the way my mommy does it so much?</i> Yep, she and I aren't too different.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
But her "family project" for the month was to dress up a paper doll for cold weather. Oh, my!! I was so excited about doing this! Um, I mean I was so excited about doing this <strike>for</strike> with Mimi!! And guess what -- she was so excited about it too!! </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/AVvXsEgXawUR-C1rDyE4a7SgXZXihNz7yMbOQPSqnEH6uUlFx_bX3F6VpCEEymmlsn5tbHruLfutSHNT6_GMJfB7RHOKFY0nKk7YMgplMouxtZ2rHEZjKwME-_9IySLTouubyByiCZ5t2IGbT8k/s1600/January+2013+072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXawUR-C1rDyE4a7SgXZXihNz7yMbOQPSqnEH6uUlFx_bX3F6VpCEEymmlsn5tbHruLfutSHNT6_GMJfB7RHOKFY0nKk7YMgplMouxtZ2rHEZjKwME-_9IySLTouubyByiCZ5t2IGbT8k/s320/January+2013+072.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We may not have loved our letters, but we love making clothes. Whatever, she'll eventually learn to love David Sedaris and 1,000 page Ken Follett books like her mommy. And get an English degree . . . and do absolutely nothing with it.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Anyway, it's close to Valentine's Day, so I made this dress for her that she wears like every other day. She's starting to be more opinionated about her attire, and I've gotten a lot of, "Mommy, those pants with the floppy things (ruffles) on the bottom are soooo not cute. Nobody will like those. Can I just wear my pajamas?" So I had to learn to sew a knit dress. And she loooooves it! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuQg0Hz16EBWSUw7QMo14vYmzo1PD6_rMpOVCmrydw-99OrDeBmNkcRKUHFD-L05jpOGESzURMw4-B1ukk7IBn0tBDta3ncYLisx9wVAC5UEfm_rGOzF7sbNQckIYhnxPVyacNn42QcoY/s1600/January+2013+012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuQg0Hz16EBWSUw7QMo14vYmzo1PD6_rMpOVCmrydw-99OrDeBmNkcRKUHFD-L05jpOGESzURMw4-B1ukk7IBn0tBDta3ncYLisx9wVAC5UEfm_rGOzF7sbNQckIYhnxPVyacNn42QcoY/s400/January+2013+012.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Knit dress at Starbucks. Mimi also loves overpriced pastries like her mommy.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZOcwnm37P6k0H1_r2JOgm5R6mc3DHJQgKbMAvJNf1Rj8losR0fvVTB9V3ksgT4p_xa1to9weeQ4HWdlgLSCFGpDFgto-NfceBdopk1QMoZZzdXReNdgeK2Jraumd2UUddj2p4vBBBNGU/s1600/January+2013+015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZOcwnm37P6k0H1_r2JOgm5R6mc3DHJQgKbMAvJNf1Rj8losR0fvVTB9V3ksgT4p_xa1to9weeQ4HWdlgLSCFGpDFgto-NfceBdopk1QMoZZzdXReNdgeK2Jraumd2UUddj2p4vBBBNGU/s400/January+2013+015.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Comfy pleather chairs are awesome!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRNRMOeUhtq4XZh-Qleu4vRGrTgk7y8CcORrXc3IDdHHdHIDXpJ2VNuqDSg6qPPwaFoUkuMg4C58IEZV-Bg51ZU1OrLNkttY2M18g3DiBSsH23Sb41CEkQb-32sy84zciXOqu8R0z5J1Y/s1600/January+2013+019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRNRMOeUhtq4XZh-Qleu4vRGrTgk7y8CcORrXc3IDdHHdHIDXpJ2VNuqDSg6qPPwaFoUkuMg4C58IEZV-Bg51ZU1OrLNkttY2M18g3DiBSsH23Sb41CEkQb-32sy84zciXOqu8R0z5J1Y/s400/January+2013+019.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This guy likes Starbucks, too.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiscnUrz-8Vj5Qvm21n7_rOd9WSzUNLxBUppziG0MZwhEW3ADPw2B83SjZAZC3U38cd5dFDmeazCv8m6kYFCXHOmCbWKUe-mol9V9qm1HQLxOniTFH4TQopRSohkKuAz8QD77a9JvWYjFw/s1600/January+2013+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiscnUrz-8Vj5Qvm21n7_rOd9WSzUNLxBUppziG0MZwhEW3ADPw2B83SjZAZC3U38cd5dFDmeazCv8m6kYFCXHOmCbWKUe-mol9V9qm1HQLxOniTFH4TQopRSohkKuAz8QD77a9JvWYjFw/s400/January+2013+003.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
After playing in the snow Saturday, Mimi told me we deserved a treat, so she rolled into Starbucks on a sled. Fun stuff.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6JeWYuz8dlPcSVrQWIinE7uDR6SCQd4gcpD4vrxcwUWUkQOB9RrtGUXGC9qo6thxJXXGdqBrhVTFGqNLGgharSHou5rwxp76vsxstJLuopnlJZBMPQ2nT2Sh3SZ91r_-9aSotIv0Uyro/s1600/January+2013+059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6JeWYuz8dlPcSVrQWIinE7uDR6SCQd4gcpD4vrxcwUWUkQOB9RrtGUXGC9qo6thxJXXGdqBrhVTFGqNLGgharSHou5rwxp76vsxstJLuopnlJZBMPQ2nT2Sh3SZ91r_-9aSotIv0Uyro/s320/January+2013+059.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
Seriously, I have a bit of a problem with this coffee joint, but they are EVERYWHERE and it feels like I'm giving myself a break when we go. I need to find a cheaper obsession. Like bubblegum or collecting rocks.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Do you see this pic? I'm not even kidding. What do I do about this????</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjobOVvwzNfuUz58yQdLDkZXhtVRYVKJrEIGLOiALvhaS5GMfrW_V3WmEw1yw07iWbNqMGyY2Eeuf4uLJNma89sRWdKu8gi7HSFtTwpZBcjIgX_gLqpkwQ7rvRV9CGwJTnISZA4CpoQxlk/s1600/January+2013+020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjobOVvwzNfuUz58yQdLDkZXhtVRYVKJrEIGLOiALvhaS5GMfrW_V3WmEw1yw07iWbNqMGyY2Eeuf4uLJNma89sRWdKu8gi7HSFtTwpZBcjIgX_gLqpkwQ7rvRV9CGwJTnISZA4CpoQxlk/s400/January+2013+020.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;">
She has no idea that she's supposed to think boys are yucky. She LOVES them. Like kisses at least one of them every time I drop her off for school. It's not in a lovey dovey kind of way but in a, "Oh, you're a boy like my cousin Nick and will let me play with your Lego's and electronics and race car tracks and I associate that with giving you a kiss." I have tried to explain that she should <i>ask</i> before kissing them, and she looks at me like I have four eyes. I apologize to the moms and nannies, but they tell me that their boys love her and don't mind. Whatevs.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I took a photo of this a few days ago, and oh my goodness she looks so old. By the way, here's the link to the pattern for <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/62600822/pintuck-sweater-tunic-pattern-and?" target="_blank">this top</a> -- oooooh, how I LOVE it! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLvIS_YtZ6lZr_WRAiVF1DgNfPgR5i68azyB4tHa9yF4YQ5Dm3n9HhfIPeuNZXLLcy1cyJV1nOUCMONqY2g6D_7n4yMWHeHNS1QS7LDtNpLIHlbzEcsHhmExL8-9oeD2_WFBvWFEfprXA/s1600/January+2013+022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLvIS_YtZ6lZr_WRAiVF1DgNfPgR5i68azyB4tHa9yF4YQ5Dm3n9HhfIPeuNZXLLcy1cyJV1nOUCMONqY2g6D_7n4yMWHeHNS1QS7LDtNpLIHlbzEcsHhmExL8-9oeD2_WFBvWFEfprXA/s400/January+2013+022.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
When there's no snow on the ground we have to find something to do, and the Nature Museum is one of my faves. There's a fun butterfly/sauna-type area that makes the whole trip worth it. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUVfsJykD8gJaHDLcCnKK_WgJFDXUNQOofWgy90NNceeMIu0aylK9Z6SsD9DZvpK3BvTQ8XnloC2TAhb_eVOk2QpvPlNrwF6-HJW3CslfGkZs6Vfpeo1xcsevtaA7Y7-q2p5Wj8JTj2JY/s1600/January+2013+026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUVfsJykD8gJaHDLcCnKK_WgJFDXUNQOofWgy90NNceeMIu0aylK9Z6SsD9DZvpK3BvTQ8XnloC2TAhb_eVOk2QpvPlNrwF6-HJW3CslfGkZs6Vfpeo1xcsevtaA7Y7-q2p5Wj8JTj2JY/s400/January+2013+026.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
See this cute little thing on the left? Guess what she says . . . <i>y'all</i> and <i>ma'am</i> and adds extra syllables to words! That's right!! Mimi has a southern friend in the city whose momma is from Mississippi!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWnWYzTmXUsjeQLWKNv3sjB-p0935QsrXc47-T00jV7IoPjbdCqlMH5RM1k0jUJEoFdFTBmk30T6HrgPKf7_ZQI95_nnknjdqUCdNgce8YG_9YQvuJIK1PdgyHPN2ONuhLKYnsC3WTafY/s1600/January+2013+038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWnWYzTmXUsjeQLWKNv3sjB-p0935QsrXc47-T00jV7IoPjbdCqlMH5RM1k0jUJEoFdFTBmk30T6HrgPKf7_ZQI95_nnknjdqUCdNgce8YG_9YQvuJIK1PdgyHPN2ONuhLKYnsC3WTafY/s400/January+2013+038.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
She may polite, but she's a whole lot of fun, isn't she, Mimi?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8qvrS6qgXHN8EJYhUSwiU9-LyBEkr9HFiHwq6HDSMzAsfNtWE6QoYcPmf360kOyaTxC4mrY8YqAx8ngrCugtHgGNYh01IAueoJ_FyOkrapKcw1MRExYjsF_vKXr2FrTXCkRjGRqW_K9Y/s1600/January+2013+039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8qvrS6qgXHN8EJYhUSwiU9-LyBEkr9HFiHwq6HDSMzAsfNtWE6QoYcPmf360kOyaTxC4mrY8YqAx8ngrCugtHgGNYh01IAueoJ_FyOkrapKcw1MRExYjsF_vKXr2FrTXCkRjGRqW_K9Y/s400/January+2013+039.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This guy loves to color now. Like sit for at least ten minutes and color. I'm in shock.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1rTONx8uARkV8Vgl2cOwQToYlnrmKwHEwsDickpERseEP2f9DfDKbitUVtwo4BrTomd5GOBtiDYeYgBbPoHRRN_rK2-eqDPFXOAIEhP__0V5El8I4wDATT3pp588xHOoBzr0nQy51nlU/s1600/January+2013+046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1rTONx8uARkV8Vgl2cOwQToYlnrmKwHEwsDickpERseEP2f9DfDKbitUVtwo4BrTomd5GOBtiDYeYgBbPoHRRN_rK2-eqDPFXOAIEhP__0V5El8I4wDATT3pp588xHOoBzr0nQy51nlU/s400/January+2013+046.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
Actually he's done a lot of things that have shocked me lately such as walking in his preschool class <i>by himself</i> with a sneaky, sneaky smile on his face. Of course we still have to work on his not standing on tables or stealing others' snacks or throwing toys absolutely everywhere, BUT we're making baby steps. And I'm okay with that.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg4nLCRGw-jgIWEMk1HWatZOTA0ex3b5vT05Qat9oXPi4YFyhfKsssPQcDCMtPtsU8knUjzbmBIS1ZH2XMT8OKAG3u6-qthxNYFm4pwcz1PBgc4Zh84HmIAR-gklmg1s_RfAhbNPVZshY/s1600/January+2013+048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg4nLCRGw-jgIWEMk1HWatZOTA0ex3b5vT05Qat9oXPi4YFyhfKsssPQcDCMtPtsU8knUjzbmBIS1ZH2XMT8OKAG3u6-qthxNYFm4pwcz1PBgc4Zh84HmIAR-gklmg1s_RfAhbNPVZshY/s400/January+2013+048.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I could stare at these blue eyes allllllllllll day . . .</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
His sister taught him to eat snow.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjKV1oGZB-7xbyGiF_S6F8WKl3BmRiNnmgafjgjDKQrcO9rKjMvEjve4TmgiLR05dwQR1UOk3X6NuBRgq8SAY1jFSXUTBcIzgVlNjkZ0d0L20gpe-UOjGM6iLG9VeLBY9WZEYie1zN0YM/s1600/January+2013+028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjKV1oGZB-7xbyGiF_S6F8WKl3BmRiNnmgafjgjDKQrcO9rKjMvEjve4TmgiLR05dwQR1UOk3X6NuBRgq8SAY1jFSXUTBcIzgVlNjkZ0d0L20gpe-UOjGM6iLG9VeLBY9WZEYie1zN0YM/s320/January+2013+028.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
She's even trying to eat it off of him . . . at least it's not the sidewalk, right?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkNTfBCoJ4vK4saGVrL6Dj1tgrjzsMyXAkN076Bwtmkj8LBUCN0qmrDM6cVMLmc62a5P1361h-zTaoTyzxoKLtc8z9PnSfd2e4h_9zPB1ukAn_zONLagL_EHRE20Y7D2jGXTd3u7ZqehA/s1600/January+2013+029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkNTfBCoJ4vK4saGVrL6Dj1tgrjzsMyXAkN076Bwtmkj8LBUCN0qmrDM6cVMLmc62a5P1361h-zTaoTyzxoKLtc8z9PnSfd2e4h_9zPB1ukAn_zONLagL_EHRE20Y7D2jGXTd3u7ZqehA/s320/January+2013+029.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Mack also loves to dance. Get low . . . </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSW7LoH4tufGsw2hb_B8bAfAhE53v4MUWbfdcLtzPHSpQDITcAmUch5LL7n0VQxcVIl2qrDLneV4fYR51Elb77AcVJgkxMOrDKtXnGUWLTUkUZJs-0af4ctTQBRqtV7hoqQvFTRHguXc4/s1600/January+2013+037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSW7LoH4tufGsw2hb_B8bAfAhE53v4MUWbfdcLtzPHSpQDITcAmUch5LL7n0VQxcVIl2qrDLneV4fYR51Elb77AcVJgkxMOrDKtXnGUWLTUkUZJs-0af4ctTQBRqtV7hoqQvFTRHguXc4/s320/January+2013+037.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and lower . . . and lower . . .</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKM-VswUhjeyd0KbbjCLbkDX-uSPhGiRR_g0COSUoVaSNh2cTz0O4N4pXRdOCuRrZIbksaMAJ-8E3UM9vN_zdGPPF8IAijTqzYHwVukq9VJpbAxoXGCvO3UfYGP68v0gGY_ivL9RIEeCk/s1600/January+2013+038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKM-VswUhjeyd0KbbjCLbkDX-uSPhGiRR_g0COSUoVaSNh2cTz0O4N4pXRdOCuRrZIbksaMAJ-8E3UM9vN_zdGPPF8IAijTqzYHwVukq9VJpbAxoXGCvO3UfYGP68v0gGY_ivL9RIEeCk/s320/January+2013+038.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And he's smitten with his daddy.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirc1f1sIdPpnjuNV8tMo9echiwFVKRJQDi3gGY2Dlbi_P6b2VJgyEKA8Pf-z5dyEcuAoBDFlI81vhdC3-11r9Hf9g0R48DmZsiirNf5Z3Ij-Z7TVKz5pPRn6PF8fQ7mgyuxCYaOu_IwA8/s1600/January+2013+042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirc1f1sIdPpnjuNV8tMo9echiwFVKRJQDi3gGY2Dlbi_P6b2VJgyEKA8Pf-z5dyEcuAoBDFlI81vhdC3-11r9Hf9g0R48DmZsiirNf5Z3Ij-Z7TVKz5pPRn6PF8fQ7mgyuxCYaOu_IwA8/s320/January+2013+042.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
He's so bad, bad, bad, but I am still head over heels for him. And I think he kinda likes me, too.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuQ6Vof3w75n31T4K5pEeswCNV5mgT-s0qTt7hwdL38Ph5PCSzPueNDoCUzmx7eMvlgshOboVXwjIS9FUXmEuTdlOH2CqJ9OTlq6ba1IuK437frPSthKB-EThSQzVn8wBgtw5jXRdrcaA/s1600/January+2013+057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuQ6Vof3w75n31T4K5pEeswCNV5mgT-s0qTt7hwdL38Ph5PCSzPueNDoCUzmx7eMvlgshOboVXwjIS9FUXmEuTdlOH2CqJ9OTlq6ba1IuK437frPSthKB-EThSQzVn8wBgtw5jXRdrcaA/s320/January+2013+057.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
In other news, I had my first spray tan and IT. WAS. AWESOME.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I highly recommend one for all your important events. A wedding, a formal party, Sunday brunch, a play date . . . I mean, why not? If you're fat, who cares? Tanned fat looks better. If your teeth need to be whitened, the tan makes them look even whiter. Need to work out? I think the good places can even draw in some definition. I'm not even kidding. Forget the tanning beds and lather on the SPF 40. You no longer need the sun. Just see the girls at <a href="http://buffbeautychicago.com/" target="_blank">Buff Beauty.</a> And you're welcome.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
So after being tanned, plucked, blow dried, manicured, pedicured, and Spanxed, Clint and I hopped a plane to Hotlanta and partied the night away with his amazing co-workers. I LOVE his company. If he ever quits, they have to hire me. I can, hmm, I can maybe spell check all their memos or something . . . oh, wait, Microsoft Word does that? Well, maybe I can pick up Starbucks for everyone.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIepRAbXR6HWNQKCvnFx5FobxKYN5Zrvgi8tB0ROB3JLqTM9txKt9Dh2jU1WQLtF4Pc8k-D3Yny6ePgcwF0KI-q35v-aWH7bcnMQFNWiuK5aPwhAC42f6QgezF3rt4ymfw3qsqK_MR1io/s1600/January+2013+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIepRAbXR6HWNQKCvnFx5FobxKYN5Zrvgi8tB0ROB3JLqTM9txKt9Dh2jU1WQLtF4Pc8k-D3Yny6ePgcwF0KI-q35v-aWH7bcnMQFNWiuK5aPwhAC42f6QgezF3rt4ymfw3qsqK_MR1io/s320/January+2013+007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Heh, heh, heh . . . look at that white guy . . .</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHGrBl11IAfZterE3G8h_fNgZkikYV0fB24RC7WFe1cVrq2fSnEazRBxOsCv-s7iWr3s_8qfR5O8lLJVyhAiDYvhHHoW8fnHWDquIp2eUCNlERmjEXdFAS_9lJWWr2JeSqv_B1mhgx-Zk/s1600/January+2013+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHGrBl11IAfZterE3G8h_fNgZkikYV0fB24RC7WFe1cVrq2fSnEazRBxOsCv-s7iWr3s_8qfR5O8lLJVyhAiDYvhHHoW8fnHWDquIp2eUCNlERmjEXdFAS_9lJWWr2JeSqv_B1mhgx-Zk/s320/January+2013+008.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
I also attended my first ever NHL game, and WE WON!!! By <i>we</i> I mean Blackhawks, and they beat the Redwings. And I pretend to be a fan now. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiYTHbAE6TCQqbKq6-pgRbpunC9hxpZNWbASEGLTNW2KWKZuJjvWBrlu4KoEL9o7X8R0w5RUl31aMOnwmJ7Zy3TBf3lPoxcGSOmB4_ZjRi9d2jkFwlD6Lmnm1zVGiVVBL-bD5-CoZjxuU/s1600/January+2013+073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiYTHbAE6TCQqbKq6-pgRbpunC9hxpZNWbASEGLTNW2KWKZuJjvWBrlu4KoEL9o7X8R0w5RUl31aMOnwmJ7Zy3TBf3lPoxcGSOmB4_ZjRi9d2jkFwlD6Lmnm1zVGiVVBL-bD5-CoZjxuU/s320/January+2013+073.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEOwUQLb_9SVsNW1TPf2TXjdnUFrEfm-ZeNrti3Mhaet7XWXL9s1V_2A_z6RNz3tiPUEynS-xc5TbVZxlHqlZhJVgYRZu0vGhiG-LcnPWQD1btz1pizHYxl1HgugCbaG2wmka-o-vQ9w4/s1600/January+2013+079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEOwUQLb_9SVsNW1TPf2TXjdnUFrEfm-ZeNrti3Mhaet7XWXL9s1V_2A_z6RNz3tiPUEynS-xc5TbVZxlHqlZhJVgYRZu0vGhiG-LcnPWQD1btz1pizHYxl1HgugCbaG2wmka-o-vQ9w4/s320/January+2013+079.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
In other news, I am having a baby. Well, I sort of already had it, but it's very small and still keeping me up late at night and waking me up early in the morning. I haven't quite been ready to share her yet . . . but, okay, you twisted my arm . . . but just a peek because she's still growing . . .<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mimiandmack.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">mimi & mack</a><br />
<br />
<br />Jeri Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10521003964808664244noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2546665416784172515.post-21340876373449075692013-01-09T22:41:00.000-06:002013-01-09T23:22:40.707-06:00Happy as a Clam on a Red Trike!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Busy, busy, busy.</span> Holidays and preschool and cooking and cleaning and shopping and traveling and sewing (and basically just having a lot of <i>stay at home mom kind of problems). </i>I'm very happy the world didn't end (I guess those Mayans just ran out of paper, huh?) and I was able to enjoy a little more of it. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And I've really been missing the blog.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Occasionally I witness something ridiculous and share-worthy like a lady crocheting while driving and my daughter asking a total stranger if she can give his dog a noogie (and then hearing him respond, <i>Well . . . sure! I think that would be okay . . . </i>) or the mom at Little Gym who was basically <i>encouraging</i> her child to be a brat about having a new teacher (and you KNOW how I love to do some eye-rolling over stoooopid parents being stupid), and I think about how I might have something interesting to write about on my blog. But then I remember I have so much catching-up and picture uploading to do that my head spins, and I just make a loaded bagel with cream cheese instead. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Or I do something like this. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWtRRwoveCLFMuGev5gCB64yh09vgFfYfGlGs5PS2qCQbuuJxmpau0OE6rCBSbWvnqro4EbTL6Nf9_N3yWjU5RdRSh5_cz-VodMYH7Edpidbk6ryM9mQBiWw0qMxZ_d32F8zttpsnZ-Es/s1600/November+2012+034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWtRRwoveCLFMuGev5gCB64yh09vgFfYfGlGs5PS2qCQbuuJxmpau0OE6rCBSbWvnqro4EbTL6Nf9_N3yWjU5RdRSh5_cz-VodMYH7Edpidbk6ryM9mQBiWw0qMxZ_d32F8zttpsnZ-Es/s400/November+2012+034.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
Thanksgiving was yummy and Christmas was beautiful and New Year's Day made me grateful for another year. Another chance at trying to be awesome. <br />
<br />
I want to be an awesome wife, an awesome mom, and even an awesome friend, stranger, and human in general. I am going to fail miserably, but I'm putting it out there right now that I am attempting. For a long time I've had a very insane view of what this means for me -- I've tried to be a lot of things I am not and cannot be (which I will totally blame on Pinterest and those moms who try to make everyone else look bad).<br />
<br />
If you're confused, I'll explain. You know that mom who has her kids on a fabulous schedule and learning to write their names at three and turning cartwheels at two and walking calmly next to her in crazy places like an airport or a mall? And then she married a guy who gets home at 5:00 and splits the work with her while she puts a fancy meal on the table and plans her next PTA meeting and cocktail party? Yeah, I'm not her friend either. And if she claims all this is true she is on Adderall and her kids are doped up on Benadryl. And if she really does exist then I hate her and what she's doing to the rest of us.<br />
<br />
Now that you're up to speed on my expectations for myself I should probably make some resolutions for this new year:<br />
1. I will try to start flossing again. I gave up last year around June.<br />
2. I will change the 8 light bulbs that have gone out in the past month and are way too complicated for me to change. <br />
3. I will use PeaPod grocery delivery and GrubHub for ordering take-out as much as I feel like. <br />
4. I will act like a complete brat unless I occasionally have time to do the three selfish things I really, really like to do: reading, sewing, and writing posts for this neglected blog.<br />
<br />
If I can achieve at least one of these goals (I'm thinking #3 is a no-brainer), then I will feel like this guy: <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsxkIDAfJMeB6cP8offWBrIQBzcMiG3oaCbrTD36J2c1zHJ7395ZPNc6rft_L6y28Y564vBFn_FKLEIQ-RcB5TFgVd_1hUrfudMJv5Ywi4fBnrsKu-bnFtN6rzEdslxf463b4wn4rlpVw/s1600/November+2012+064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsxkIDAfJMeB6cP8offWBrIQBzcMiG3oaCbrTD36J2c1zHJ7395ZPNc6rft_L6y28Y564vBFn_FKLEIQ-RcB5TFgVd_1hUrfudMJv5Ywi4fBnrsKu-bnFtN6rzEdslxf463b4wn4rlpVw/s400/November+2012+064.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Happy as a clam on a red trike!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Do you know why he's so happy? Because he's bad. That's why. He's destructive and strong and silly, and maybe that's all it takes for him to grin. He does exactly what he wants to do and doesn't run it by anyone first. But watch out, Mack. Speech therapy starts next week, and you WILL tell me what's going on under that big blonde hair of yours.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
On the other hand, I know WAY too much about what's going on in this blonde head. And it scares me. I had this stoooopid meltdown a couple of weeks before Christmas about how I have one child who pretends no one else exists and another who needs everyone to know she exists, and I have no clue how I'm supposed to parent them. They're stubborn and smart and, whew, have endless amounts of energy. But I'm going to be awesome from now on, remember? So I've got this.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOyjJrLActfeC0GrnbX5OsKPAkkmm66fwDhuEc6JQT0A2DI_09HFOyYR6BOixZsEwNXql7x47aEMDTICaIUdV5SklsBsK_uy8S1sxPsvTqLjxOMnFNNKcRXQuGkW8VHFyWYq-G8ujglQk/s1600/November+2012+067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOyjJrLActfeC0GrnbX5OsKPAkkmm66fwDhuEc6JQT0A2DI_09HFOyYR6BOixZsEwNXql7x47aEMDTICaIUdV5SklsBsK_uy8S1sxPsvTqLjxOMnFNNKcRXQuGkW8VHFyWYq-G8ujglQk/s400/November+2012+067.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Alrighty, time to get to family togetherness and holiday photo extravaganza. Here goes.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHsgqKl3fmj0R3orJ-bQXRaRHBY1DGhEE-m7qND_JsIO9riaD1sknMbLVblVj_GKfToYtzVUiOgVKSFTyPQ0mP3Eazv6-SSj1zWEqQ6aGiSth0yEpVAeous1RxJXFkQIZ9UXNbCMP1Bwg/s1600/November+2012+072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHsgqKl3fmj0R3orJ-bQXRaRHBY1DGhEE-m7qND_JsIO9riaD1sknMbLVblVj_GKfToYtzVUiOgVKSFTyPQ0mP3Eazv6-SSj1zWEqQ6aGiSth0yEpVAeous1RxJXFkQIZ9UXNbCMP1Bwg/s320/November+2012+072.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"Helping" Uncle Tyler fry a turkey. Yes, it was awesome.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
With Minnie.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisWulbT1D8dO7paTmilJg28oECU-M0aD4zP_7AGJ-BOmiLUln7sFkHOFL2g_pt_I7x1LRutv5aeUizDD-ksHsKUDDlpPD-yuV6FB9yiivFXeZOmsL8GJozahC4aDk51pG45TWv1tAvmHk/s1600/November+2012+076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisWulbT1D8dO7paTmilJg28oECU-M0aD4zP_7AGJ-BOmiLUln7sFkHOFL2g_pt_I7x1LRutv5aeUizDD-ksHsKUDDlpPD-yuV6FB9yiivFXeZOmsL8GJozahC4aDk51pG45TWv1tAvmHk/s400/November+2012+076.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Darby men in the country. Of course Clint is wearing his fancy loafers. Of course. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguxowJm4gHCaZSMAv-p4mJbehxyVzIIZ2a2Ydu5ir5PH41ZGw1CZYBK1SSq23vm2xJEBfUpcfr2YSGXjwbn4qBobXtTz_Jp9Jif6gOABSTAP2wPlAYE0qrd52eLmUXXpCJc9OyG3_SUmM/s1600/November+2012+088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguxowJm4gHCaZSMAv-p4mJbehxyVzIIZ2a2Ydu5ir5PH41ZGw1CZYBK1SSq23vm2xJEBfUpcfr2YSGXjwbn4qBobXtTz_Jp9Jif6gOABSTAP2wPlAYE0qrd52eLmUXXpCJc9OyG3_SUmM/s400/November+2012+088.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I love to hear a screen door slamming.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaN9fc4oqQpC96gsAHCANl_wKUYAOQZWIn86kpzBFiuRdcdBbKe7oM3e3hYfVssR0ITSd4AcmPf1_8Y6hN8-GAQIjAHN4jfRsD6Q-Fl9BNGkrmKu7yughDnmpoMKCRRDmnMcA6KDJIKRM/s1600/November+2012+090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaN9fc4oqQpC96gsAHCANl_wKUYAOQZWIn86kpzBFiuRdcdBbKe7oM3e3hYfVssR0ITSd4AcmPf1_8Y6hN8-GAQIjAHN4jfRsD6Q-Fl9BNGkrmKu7yughDnmpoMKCRRDmnMcA6KDJIKRM/s400/November+2012+090.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCzM9jHSmAy95sq9Xm2uKKBTzp9tHKjOxHgb3X685ofIXkC3077Dx0N_pBz7iY9p-H_IVnbna3NIuydUIVzPuOlOAuVuwiRaCZFWt9my0oiAteBVZdCqhv3dFIvqfGAv3VozqP9paz-fo/s1600/November+2012+098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCzM9jHSmAy95sq9Xm2uKKBTzp9tHKjOxHgb3X685ofIXkC3077Dx0N_pBz7iY9p-H_IVnbna3NIuydUIVzPuOlOAuVuwiRaCZFWt9my0oiAteBVZdCqhv3dFIvqfGAv3VozqP9paz-fo/s400/November+2012+098.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Little family.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2ZXA6PjG1VAXxQrr-vbKSOeq5aMbEKdLC7RO8tKmh8qlO-EszBfhRhUZKrrW5jRs2av64gy0DTIgsodqMJeklUYNaaIiGpatxD4pbR0JmH0R0lZNIWsXmhaiBZJI8Ttm42OFv1E5037Q/s1600/November+2012+096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2ZXA6PjG1VAXxQrr-vbKSOeq5aMbEKdLC7RO8tKmh8qlO-EszBfhRhUZKrrW5jRs2av64gy0DTIgsodqMJeklUYNaaIiGpatxD4pbR0JmH0R0lZNIWsXmhaiBZJI8Ttm42OFv1E5037Q/s400/November+2012+096.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Fancy loafers on a four-wheeler.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO75fDDFvAnLIDeBzE_Om_bceZG_lLcn5rQ9RUvYgSVH61xTihB-bmrexyleo5CQM6sskbX_T9W6g9TQvb5dN8836YW75QG9DS20tNaBCKjMAD8-Tfl_UAZ7r2UuuZg8P0CDIq1-Y4mf4/s1600/November+2012+102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO75fDDFvAnLIDeBzE_Om_bceZG_lLcn5rQ9RUvYgSVH61xTihB-bmrexyleo5CQM6sskbX_T9W6g9TQvb5dN8836YW75QG9DS20tNaBCKjMAD8-Tfl_UAZ7r2UuuZg8P0CDIq1-Y4mf4/s400/November+2012+102.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Keepin' those evil spirits away.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitNMM9e1NEg3fciLVT_mED2lFM3aQBOlSKR8qedcM02ykirVBwQE3AlS1VEBC0Hr0yyH1nIf9-c7MaFncEfC9TN0_IeWkowOj8OPGpqB9PlQ9jG5he8Ji4yFqEDEAyXiQELEF5XQAAiZ0/s1600/November+2012+109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitNMM9e1NEg3fciLVT_mED2lFM3aQBOlSKR8qedcM02ykirVBwQE3AlS1VEBC0Hr0yyH1nIf9-c7MaFncEfC9TN0_IeWkowOj8OPGpqB9PlQ9jG5he8Ji4yFqEDEAyXiQELEF5XQAAiZ0/s400/November+2012+109.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Best Nixon Thanksgiving ever. My mom knows how to cook some casseroles and turkey. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGkt82zcvrlr1Jpt2mNu-_rBUgWrj5t9K6ofhVj-pp1VP88rJw-apgCjrB5s37_j9N3090aaJ9Co31hgqWd-BS_xIHc0hZTJNpsHcRyHeIP39vyOpM7hQ_IU0kuW5r_tgtX-z1TuHDpBw/s1600/November+2012+119.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGkt82zcvrlr1Jpt2mNu-_rBUgWrj5t9K6ofhVj-pp1VP88rJw-apgCjrB5s37_j9N3090aaJ9Co31hgqWd-BS_xIHc0hZTJNpsHcRyHeIP39vyOpM7hQ_IU0kuW5r_tgtX-z1TuHDpBw/s400/November+2012+119.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I can't remember a football game that was this fun. Hotty Toddy!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8tpv6kIRe3ixRc2mOjQsU7VeVq1_aGgeDckT_PF6lioWMhcah5X8NKy7lsl-oa2j5jaXebIp6S7vnvHblpVMqzYH4zx6W-FsIK0WrWpbXLkC9C4Ue1EkGSYOu81K2h0Ji7AV2BIUNdnE/s1600/November+2012+144.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8tpv6kIRe3ixRc2mOjQsU7VeVq1_aGgeDckT_PF6lioWMhcah5X8NKy7lsl-oa2j5jaXebIp6S7vnvHblpVMqzYH4zx6W-FsIK0WrWpbXLkC9C4Ue1EkGSYOu81K2h0Ji7AV2BIUNdnE/s400/November+2012+144.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
My two oldest nieces. And they adore me. Heh heh heh. Seriously, I adore them. They are at an age that scares me to death, but they both seem to laugh about the silly teen girl drama. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBgNw6MsLNCQaZm6V-H18dFdokcdMv-CEjoSvd5ovzh6eN79te8t63hXkxytMG-tbxFiE6pudj0t37xm8T8WAlwLTGJj9187W4jywjJupgNNkDkuVVsZMdG-JGg3NLH93S3Zm-ryHxRqQ/s1600/November+2012+129.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBgNw6MsLNCQaZm6V-H18dFdokcdMv-CEjoSvd5ovzh6eN79te8t63hXkxytMG-tbxFiE6pudj0t37xm8T8WAlwLTGJj9187W4jywjJupgNNkDkuVVsZMdG-JGg3NLH93S3Zm-ryHxRqQ/s400/November+2012+129.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My brother is a giant.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR868TtR8XAoNKCH8uH68pvoLJioApfVLQ93mAqim7AXahMNOFC7lCZJ2LtWCbuqZIKtdHemRA98IfkIIthGmXvqemvqvVCUXGlNr0nt28ZMgyr52z3y4pLuCp7laML7sUi8gVcEIqc6M/s1600/November+2012+122.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR868TtR8XAoNKCH8uH68pvoLJioApfVLQ93mAqim7AXahMNOFC7lCZJ2LtWCbuqZIKtdHemRA98IfkIIthGmXvqemvqvVCUXGlNr0nt28ZMgyr52z3y4pLuCp7laML7sUi8gVcEIqc6M/s400/November+2012+122.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Soooo . . . why is Betty Ann's cooking <b>so good</b>?</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjBxg9BiWjT1ssYsj-hfm0LRjt12thRqcrFCpTOoAGPI3w9Vx7fvqwKZnHVSqHBE03jEq9I0bdKJUxIbhgP300Gkn6UPhWvWtmtfnPq48I6F2y1p2lLBMN002JPXtUnO4gkptLszvrKWA/s1600/November+2012+145.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjBxg9BiWjT1ssYsj-hfm0LRjt12thRqcrFCpTOoAGPI3w9Vx7fvqwKZnHVSqHBE03jEq9I0bdKJUxIbhgP300Gkn6UPhWvWtmtfnPq48I6F2y1p2lLBMN002JPXtUnO4gkptLszvrKWA/s400/November+2012+145.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Sweet, sweet stuff. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDtuJ5ksXZcq2iBms1ZqFgg7jODAQcanHaDNe3W8L0V7J8Z1sxanSzYzw4hc1P35Gg_mrciyaS6ROSRSuI2y3Kl8tVI6SaSjm0GLqeZsmVIRdEb_mu8QKgBGFyc_arUNtFTQgMSZRfb7w/s1600/December+2012+018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDtuJ5ksXZcq2iBms1ZqFgg7jODAQcanHaDNe3W8L0V7J8Z1sxanSzYzw4hc1P35Gg_mrciyaS6ROSRSuI2y3Kl8tVI6SaSjm0GLqeZsmVIRdEb_mu8QKgBGFyc_arUNtFTQgMSZRfb7w/s400/December+2012+018.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="text-align: center;">By the way, my parents visited not long after Thanksgiving, and Mom and I ended up at the ER. No, it had nothing to do with the Crisco. We had a fierce and angry stomach virus that I wish on absolutely no one. After some Zofran and FOUR bags of fluids (what??), I was finally not about to die. My mom of course tried to take care of me the whole time while she felt like poo because that's what she does. Geez, they don't make them like her anymore.</span><br />
<span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-align: center;">One of my favorite parts of being a mom of a girl is hanging out with her and her buddies. This is one of Mimi's faves (and mine, too). They are so stinking silly together.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0CKwW8JWm9GqMd3cpjQuL1L2S5hI1gfl4BSQ1ZzrZMc6dW4Fc6p2DOQUWDnhnrsBv6seiVoQkqP3dydH6gijeopE6BsvT-gWyGC7CuGRarGDhiiXfEDhG07A7pQw3VDk8Dfr0Hki_coI/s1600/December+2012+022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0CKwW8JWm9GqMd3cpjQuL1L2S5hI1gfl4BSQ1ZzrZMc6dW4Fc6p2DOQUWDnhnrsBv6seiVoQkqP3dydH6gijeopE6BsvT-gWyGC7CuGRarGDhiiXfEDhG07A7pQw3VDk8Dfr0Hki_coI/s400/December+2012+022.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="text-align: center;">Connect Four and cupcakes at Molly's. And then some crazy dancing (flirting) with the teenagers. These girls are t-r-o-u-b-l-e. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqdDJEi10NI-VVX882VDmLhMamVSNQyGIgD49LSy_scVeM1foszP5CtOtdX0w5LEvWKq_8SOmsZB3PL-gxSvvMT4lvfM0WbSbtL4Y2pa4ZbR4mq68l7XTJRKd92L8nTu2EW_okOIAJkvc/s1600/December+2012+032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqdDJEi10NI-VVX882VDmLhMamVSNQyGIgD49LSy_scVeM1foszP5CtOtdX0w5LEvWKq_8SOmsZB3PL-gxSvvMT4lvfM0WbSbtL4Y2pa4ZbR4mq68l7XTJRKd92L8nTu2EW_okOIAJkvc/s400/December+2012+032.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Fancy brunch with Santa. What is that behind us? Oh, that's just the entire city of Chicago.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOV5QR_e8vG2iIggVPWHd_8qVFLD1KlkA8BsHDXcueEHg1zsHc7-gcwRkTOsmerY2RfCRAqkaqTd6vzx3rzXZW-kqlQFr2Ke9NVPnzI65P-eIruUgEQ7pEU9U7v0Qz3ONxYeOUWohL_uM/s1600/December+2012+053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOV5QR_e8vG2iIggVPWHd_8qVFLD1KlkA8BsHDXcueEHg1zsHc7-gcwRkTOsmerY2RfCRAqkaqTd6vzx3rzXZW-kqlQFr2Ke9NVPnzI65P-eIruUgEQ7pEU9U7v0Qz3ONxYeOUWohL_uM/s400/December+2012+053.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<i>So, Santa, for Christmas you need to bring a purple teddy bear that I left on a plane over a year ago, a huge bouncy princess castle I can jump in, and a long black tail like a cat. These are easy, right?</i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbVEK0wDcDyp7-_CV_bu8eVEYMqZU91LMoyAap35N5t3PEmAGTjG2ro2HxSqaff-3wuuUdMnXwrdpuTjC_Ttxs2ChzPXYucQksrRai6yIaVIEZyAmWa0Nuk35g3EbwRfrq3PVOdDDJrsE/s1600/December+2012+055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbVEK0wDcDyp7-_CV_bu8eVEYMqZU91LMoyAap35N5t3PEmAGTjG2ro2HxSqaff-3wuuUdMnXwrdpuTjC_Ttxs2ChzPXYucQksrRai6yIaVIEZyAmWa0Nuk35g3EbwRfrq3PVOdDDJrsE/s400/December+2012+055.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Show me some skin, Santa.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhAngxyvSZC2IU730MJv5sGmUNTfCe8Bn1nkWHp_Eaa8Kb6fwJhSZd-qEg_QQGRiIFtE1aM7eou_6kbSCqweVG7-kAxOIBbsc3wKp_OoKNAmhmYsam6rxEIXPxNp6SArSOzZc5JSgjp9o/s1600/December+2012+057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhAngxyvSZC2IU730MJv5sGmUNTfCe8Bn1nkWHp_Eaa8Kb6fwJhSZd-qEg_QQGRiIFtE1aM7eou_6kbSCqweVG7-kAxOIBbsc3wKp_OoKNAmhmYsam6rxEIXPxNp6SArSOzZc5JSgjp9o/s400/December+2012+057.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Oh, just the tree for our den. It'll fit, won't it, Clark?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQvIi9nHOlx4kkaOGjpClI1-lxefoQp6OC-WjqARwOaCdRm-bpa9jGg1iWvPEnVMd1PQfWJxqjRD1BRBHLHKgtiDm4h3QGDpFwWVvX6GoKhBPmzVe2Tm3nRMX9XBA8mk-vK8f0377D-Eg/s1600/December+2012+062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQvIi9nHOlx4kkaOGjpClI1-lxefoQp6OC-WjqARwOaCdRm-bpa9jGg1iWvPEnVMd1PQfWJxqjRD1BRBHLHKgtiDm4h3QGDpFwWVvX6GoKhBPmzVe2Tm3nRMX9XBA8mk-vK8f0377D-Eg/s400/December+2012+062.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
Rice crispy treats houses for kiddos to decorate. So stinking cute and fun with the neighbors. (Although they did a heck of a lot more eating than decorating. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM1kWVhPTNYFlQERRbfrjiF2GIlONkuyrQR7DSZ_cMQ7lkZDfROSyP5-c9C_HOWUPO-UA5suTUybh8tQvrYmPp_bT-szHi2d7rM60VGWgPtRVGWW1s53G4ASr7nUcl1oZwjb3LYpT7bQY/s1600/December+2012+070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM1kWVhPTNYFlQERRbfrjiF2GIlONkuyrQR7DSZ_cMQ7lkZDfROSyP5-c9C_HOWUPO-UA5suTUybh8tQvrYmPp_bT-szHi2d7rM60VGWgPtRVGWW1s53G4ASr7nUcl1oZwjb3LYpT7bQY/s400/December+2012+070.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
I've decided that between my two mom neighbors and myself that we could make the perfect mom. One is crafty and a former elementary teacher, the other is super organic and up to speed on the latest studies and trends in all things baby, and I'm, hmmm, I let them watch all the TV they want. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRhvs8hvOzaMNBwYhzLGD9i4dtdgiCaz24TQZqh9bujb4Hfsf2Mxzv_pGFFnovr49axQuvI1eFPykfwxSJStzwIucOB6PQYtpiHonYnme7Y5UoXbsRiZyDH7r502ZNxq5fMzOwsQ4TbCQ/s1600/December+2012+072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRhvs8hvOzaMNBwYhzLGD9i4dtdgiCaz24TQZqh9bujb4Hfsf2Mxzv_pGFFnovr49axQuvI1eFPykfwxSJStzwIucOB6PQYtpiHonYnme7Y5UoXbsRiZyDH7r502ZNxq5fMzOwsQ4TbCQ/s400/December+2012+072.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>SANTA CAME!!!!</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTm7W9RYGHlM4HTN-vqxqd4VvTRjRB4TV8EW7JkxuEC6NJJCuQ-kb83WzlSlTPfDNH8MiQx8AB_Ih7pnIzgyRq-dxZlq8blx50bfrf3v3SDdkoZCXzxwbf94yCqcez0sp3Ff9UwAUW9Y0/s1600/December+2012+271.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTm7W9RYGHlM4HTN-vqxqd4VvTRjRB4TV8EW7JkxuEC6NJJCuQ-kb83WzlSlTPfDNH8MiQx8AB_Ih7pnIzgyRq-dxZlq8blx50bfrf3v3SDdkoZCXzxwbf94yCqcez0sp3Ff9UwAUW9Y0/s400/December+2012+271.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
And this was the only present Mack thought he got. Buzz freakin' Lightyear. Hells yeah. He has played with little else since Buzz came into his life. I actually <strike>lost</strike> hid Woody, and when we found him Mack quickly introduced him to Buzz (I'm not kidding). Now they're all best friends and have toy conversations.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4MBC-XTLMz6iTOwsRivtojZJMTE0EOK7mukijPEzz1koIZoFlftYYrf4cI_OEFEAkjPdlCnRcb2I3Y9p0ze-tUNGjMErlN4i5bdep1BvZyF_q6WExRtQYi24CVt_dypG8AMHEnysfD2E/s1600/December+2012+276.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4MBC-XTLMz6iTOwsRivtojZJMTE0EOK7mukijPEzz1koIZoFlftYYrf4cI_OEFEAkjPdlCnRcb2I3Y9p0ze-tUNGjMErlN4i5bdep1BvZyF_q6WExRtQYi24CVt_dypG8AMHEnysfD2E/s400/December+2012+276.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I love a smiling face and fuzzy hair on Christmas morning. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhff-obrMbYd1ce7XuaG4V4Q4Ga1c0EIln_tyxg_bhDSVMQR83djAvlEe9LB0d27Wy8BcJ5xTJK5fa4u1b_7lIw-vZNFlyVPLVjiO4ptxkNOSzlsyhy8bV4YfXz1IndDpAmXLZULhUQ_q0/s1600/December+2012+281.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhff-obrMbYd1ce7XuaG4V4Q4Ga1c0EIln_tyxg_bhDSVMQR83djAvlEe9LB0d27Wy8BcJ5xTJK5fa4u1b_7lIw-vZNFlyVPLVjiO4ptxkNOSzlsyhy8bV4YfXz1IndDpAmXLZULhUQ_q0/s400/December+2012+281.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
To infinity . . . and BEYOND!!! Whatever that means.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr6aEztY8_8Jr2ZN8GNY4qh4Gmee68PeLFBJK6Q0TPH3L-RGUVhJ111AOU1cwpO1ieHlmGVol2iRnlfBYqZmp3fi6MFSN5wsaDnYixUhmFiqcb6-z67p6feEV37jJJ9Z6RO3xX3SLefIQ/s1600/December+2012+288.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr6aEztY8_8Jr2ZN8GNY4qh4Gmee68PeLFBJK6Q0TPH3L-RGUVhJ111AOU1cwpO1ieHlmGVol2iRnlfBYqZmp3fi6MFSN5wsaDnYixUhmFiqcb6-z67p6feEV37jJJ9Z6RO3xX3SLefIQ/s400/December+2012+288.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Not too much damage. Clint and I are trying to not go overboard. And I have a really, really hard time relating all of this present-giving to baby Jesus. God sent himself in human form to show us how to love each other and to save the human race. And that means my children get dress-up princess clothes and a scooter. Hmmm . . . Americans seem to have this all wrong, but it sure is a lot of fun to see the surprised faces when coming down the stairs! Goooo Christmas!! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4aQ6OOaC0Fa1DB3rfC4O6DMSCOsHRFTDsy5_0yANmNZegzHENl0HmoKd1IKSJ9kvg5YbJSji5_6LyjbEy75C8M1p-xNE7hXQ1xGDFZDR5e2mB_00tUakH4cH3GTVxekoTvQp77d0s4gs/s1600/December+2012+285.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4aQ6OOaC0Fa1DB3rfC4O6DMSCOsHRFTDsy5_0yANmNZegzHENl0HmoKd1IKSJ9kvg5YbJSji5_6LyjbEy75C8M1p-xNE7hXQ1xGDFZDR5e2mB_00tUakH4cH3GTVxekoTvQp77d0s4gs/s400/December+2012+285.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Happy as a clam on a bench with Buzz!!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHqh8sLs-efeh0dimoUycnuABPYE3ikk258wFlUm4nwWVOJ5tqXCJAOOO6ESJNyNphvAhhL2ZAp5cyWRz3o4C7FmVT5e1NMtD0grJnmJdPDadeXTcmDzk2y_q075fwbUj9sNbkAm3sWHo/s1600/December+2012+428.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHqh8sLs-efeh0dimoUycnuABPYE3ikk258wFlUm4nwWVOJ5tqXCJAOOO6ESJNyNphvAhhL2ZAp5cyWRz3o4C7FmVT5e1NMtD0grJnmJdPDadeXTcmDzk2y_q075fwbUj9sNbkAm3sWHo/s400/December+2012+428.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
So Santa could NOT find the teddy bear at the Nashville airport, BUT he found this sweet little lavendar one! Mimi was instantly in love and even decorated her all fancy-like.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilpIq_trNH5O-tcrA26DlckOresMR6UiTd2p7Bb5HzpewgL1edgJoBg2D6aQ2I81_s0nCD2wZkrU2HL3O_HbL8iqicLZJCpJLjkWhm7je-V9bkNAFp_lMCAZd1T1o-pDxBvHbr0hdF1sI/s1600/December+2012+429.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilpIq_trNH5O-tcrA26DlckOresMR6UiTd2p7Bb5HzpewgL1edgJoBg2D6aQ2I81_s0nCD2wZkrU2HL3O_HbL8iqicLZJCpJLjkWhm7je-V9bkNAFp_lMCAZd1T1o-pDxBvHbr0hdF1sI/s400/December+2012+429.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
Awwww, everybody loves a new Darby family dog. Especially when all he does is snuggle on the couch AND his name is Chubby. Precious.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUqMrog1Pc1f6rBocbsghXG_Wqz6XbAuz6E3ZL1Gh2If2wcHIzobagLN2MXkAg1jRljnHQ3RJy3p7vWj2mbcPWtVJ0GD-ouTcX3krIRr-qaphXVYwlFIlXu608qJiIrivUG8IHsq011io/s1600/December+2012+432.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUqMrog1Pc1f6rBocbsghXG_Wqz6XbAuz6E3ZL1Gh2If2wcHIzobagLN2MXkAg1jRljnHQ3RJy3p7vWj2mbcPWtVJ0GD-ouTcX3krIRr-qaphXVYwlFIlXu608qJiIrivUG8IHsq011io/s400/December+2012+432.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
There are no words.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpu_Il92teE8N6kfSSzWh7lkgXHvfqMdVCcgOuHD37DbCWvU5jl9ijGBS1Z_nqYbZyt2WWKaP3Axm1pyOCLSVIhIzDJVo7oEv33TgdAiWBp57FJqE7B7hN-iMZEWuRLhdB1Zy0gGtVpZ8/s1600/December+2012+436.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpu_Il92teE8N6kfSSzWh7lkgXHvfqMdVCcgOuHD37DbCWvU5jl9ijGBS1Z_nqYbZyt2WWKaP3Axm1pyOCLSVIhIzDJVo7oEv33TgdAiWBp57FJqE7B7hN-iMZEWuRLhdB1Zy0gGtVpZ8/s400/December+2012+436.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Nonstop cousin madness. So fun but where's the Benadryl?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgic2Npbai7WW9zvthrW2WnnlUZa3tmVGZrjEcq1rHYDTKHSZUlm2sCICcqF2kGaY2etvlr4u4VjnsYRPA6hIA4QoTJjtOlJuMBVeqnX1uGNbG3KwDdTpsP_EaLwcXDe8JmDh0F39zIYD0/s1600/December+2012+438.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgic2Npbai7WW9zvthrW2WnnlUZa3tmVGZrjEcq1rHYDTKHSZUlm2sCICcqF2kGaY2etvlr4u4VjnsYRPA6hIA4QoTJjtOlJuMBVeqnX1uGNbG3KwDdTpsP_EaLwcXDe8JmDh0F39zIYD0/s400/December+2012+438.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Yay, Lalaloopsy!!!!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK5OR-T2pgIz_3NyIELDgr9AggK8mrFnI_fb5hbiKxXcvp8PInXk3FZuMFIwp6p2HxqO1fiOs4SSJ-cAdml1RsUusSE-4qApQRGCGlnOTbCWQ3Tm88WXsh_yqB4Ao0bS1vr-yKjTXZ_SA/s1600/December+2012+441.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK5OR-T2pgIz_3NyIELDgr9AggK8mrFnI_fb5hbiKxXcvp8PInXk3FZuMFIwp6p2HxqO1fiOs4SSJ-cAdml1RsUusSE-4qApQRGCGlnOTbCWQ3Tm88WXsh_yqB4Ao0bS1vr-yKjTXZ_SA/s400/December+2012+441.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Yay, Beavis and Butthead boxers!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRDiRbRv3cg8QibsdG8UF5NeJQuV8WKahhCECOCWOEj3HpApZdqmieKzLNsskSOihwSgHwS96cZCntn1NHPctcfHZkzQyt0KTuOGyiZFjDNwbtendTmlJ1nI8coF_O5pTo7THmxO4m2Ns/s1600/December+2012+447.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRDiRbRv3cg8QibsdG8UF5NeJQuV8WKahhCECOCWOEj3HpApZdqmieKzLNsskSOihwSgHwS96cZCntn1NHPctcfHZkzQyt0KTuOGyiZFjDNwbtendTmlJ1nI8coF_O5pTo7THmxO4m2Ns/s400/December+2012+447.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It wouldn't be Christmas without a major award.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOzixFZXoaUzNw3Dwn3Gc94l4hRfPhi0WEab6XIDquQ0VCgqyw303pbkPurg1D-gVPSrgdlrtmqB1eRHGrtI7zU9tBr9_ipBsKhDIYdJONKT7io7ahImIrSTWx8_rLvCZcEXit5tXQu9I/s1600/December+2012+448.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOzixFZXoaUzNw3Dwn3Gc94l4hRfPhi0WEab6XIDquQ0VCgqyw303pbkPurg1D-gVPSrgdlrtmqB1eRHGrtI7zU9tBr9_ipBsKhDIYdJONKT7io7ahImIrSTWx8_rLvCZcEXit5tXQu9I/s400/December+2012+448.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Another surprised face!! And he hasn't even opened it yet!!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ3ilHAiGzPsvV9_NucG5N05cZwYp9sGGJpTGsl-4gw2DtAP_iVZRlJG30Plh0-e5FDKD1VbR3ZlmsbNH_nj8-uAnUAqc7Je3lS_HB9Lin0JlmIGd_NB5K3REcM4CtbM0zD_DR-G8aryQ/s1600/December+2012+442.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ3ilHAiGzPsvV9_NucG5N05cZwYp9sGGJpTGsl-4gw2DtAP_iVZRlJG30Plh0-e5FDKD1VbR3ZlmsbNH_nj8-uAnUAqc7Je3lS_HB9Lin0JlmIGd_NB5K3REcM4CtbM0zD_DR-G8aryQ/s400/December+2012+442.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Mimi, what are you doing to that poor dog?</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Mommy, he needs to have more friends. He's very shy. And they want to snuggle.</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg92w0Ys85gJmJPKN1PLSJX00bTHRn0H9KkaxhBHnmCu1KIOJsC74bQE2ZVcC5Y6cCjHl-CEtpiAh1NpgTupk8wC2iF0nH3EBsIeSTzG7qNYtcq6qnU1FqdlX8KYY4pIbi3fsJ6lWFAJ3o/s1600/December+2012+458.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg92w0Ys85gJmJPKN1PLSJX00bTHRn0H9KkaxhBHnmCu1KIOJsC74bQE2ZVcC5Y6cCjHl-CEtpiAh1NpgTupk8wC2iF0nH3EBsIeSTzG7qNYtcq6qnU1FqdlX8KYY4pIbi3fsJ6lWFAJ3o/s400/December+2012+458.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Tea party with Taylor Swift and Prince, I think.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAMCuTwEJpW8E03g3LatTw4kVVASSBwIdUTdMXvJP4dVZVaH_lpeXCqFgMdtZuN-z-C17lAbgerDCjAjFCzzFrbKxrNBAPia51JFO0gaEwHzdNIQmwnB7Q9qsUw4o77PrKm_mhW0ITP10/s1600/December+2012+460.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAMCuTwEJpW8E03g3LatTw4kVVASSBwIdUTdMXvJP4dVZVaH_lpeXCqFgMdtZuN-z-C17lAbgerDCjAjFCzzFrbKxrNBAPia51JFO0gaEwHzdNIQmwnB7Q9qsUw4o77PrKm_mhW0ITP10/s400/December+2012+460.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Holy moly, get the heck out of their way. This is nothing but a bad idea. But, my word, they love it.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNxDUox7jyq913ETF4uWAyHin2omY5F6JUhCaxsG0Wg_P3ARNA66QKCekPgLFx-GO-_2SeBKopV7SeNzo1e-0slbn38brAL-eThRHHOoFGKr8TN6xIx9P1wr9nlr3rrg35bXdMmZS_d-Q/s1600/December+2012+477.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNxDUox7jyq913ETF4uWAyHin2omY5F6JUhCaxsG0Wg_P3ARNA66QKCekPgLFx-GO-_2SeBKopV7SeNzo1e-0slbn38brAL-eThRHHOoFGKr8TN6xIx9P1wr9nlr3rrg35bXdMmZS_d-Q/s400/December+2012+477.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
My sister bought tickets for the entire Nixon clan to get hypothermia and pinky toes amputated at this thing called ICE in Nashville. I would probably be giving it rave reviews right now with all its fancy Shrek ice sculptures and really cool ice slides, BUT the slide-keeper Nazi on one side would not let me go down (after standing in line for what seemed like hours) because my shoes didn't have rubber soles. She called them cowboy boots, and I do NOT wear cowboy boots (not judging those who do because I'm begging Mimi to wear some, but they look silly on me) and then told me I could stand in line again on the other side where the more lenient girls were guarding the slides but she was NOT letting me go down hers. Grrrrr . . . whatever. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeg2NpaITikBnxQuHLoab0PHet-wenD5NI_-vALloBK6IkUiFZ9u10BCPa9zD0HMkQcKJIG_YbMokFzGBfw-zC9I9-mN-C8B1PV2eXIFNdMvUJn0tBSOPfA531SxIJpA16-f5v9YW8IsI/s1600/December+2012+485.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeg2NpaITikBnxQuHLoab0PHet-wenD5NI_-vALloBK6IkUiFZ9u10BCPa9zD0HMkQcKJIG_YbMokFzGBfw-zC9I9-mN-C8B1PV2eXIFNdMvUJn0tBSOPfA531SxIJpA16-f5v9YW8IsI/s400/December+2012+485.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirTy7Dr5z78rMRqXSgJIBN54bjKMAWafb95D9_vOJlC1kDe1WNXFD_-WAOSzc8sOl6KCcD_8D5JCn8hzD7aVq5ADmX3CNIWPixQ1joO1UkSiNGHzXcDdnYjaWrImV1q-EhmhUuWlOJGmU/s1600/December+2012+481.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirTy7Dr5z78rMRqXSgJIBN54bjKMAWafb95D9_vOJlC1kDe1WNXFD_-WAOSzc8sOl6KCcD_8D5JCn8hzD7aVq5ADmX3CNIWPixQ1joO1UkSiNGHzXcDdnYjaWrImV1q-EhmhUuWlOJGmU/s400/December+2012+481.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Holy crap. First of probably too many Build-a Bears. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRdw2ymL1kkkCekBH-5BE_XhOvxaEMsBWi_6h15BXgZAEoAgT30ahBmlF_Mh0eqsJM3FP4ABVLvHDtCd1ARJBsQd7bH8macbSqU2VsQLgMD-6U0KsLB4lrtjK7VRfV90gbpToUVq9CePw/s1600/December+2012+494.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRdw2ymL1kkkCekBH-5BE_XhOvxaEMsBWi_6h15BXgZAEoAgT30ahBmlF_Mh0eqsJM3FP4ABVLvHDtCd1ARJBsQd7bH8macbSqU2VsQLgMD-6U0KsLB4lrtjK7VRfV90gbpToUVq9CePw/s400/December+2012+494.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
We traveled all of the world this holiday season and even ended up in a very tiny and gorgeous town somewhere that I will not name (to protect the innocent), to see this sweet cousin and her parents. Oriana and Mimi are only a few weeks apart in age, and they had soooo much fun together.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZRSyex6fq7S-BT8KjQgq8XzrB21lrf0u61F2h9mPvhGMwuOSRemrUISG6-BGA83D6CZqUaxIP4Gco0zXmJdmcDpl_Fnh_cHLQD4khm9M18HhFocybUQTFkHfjymIsxWMIeu5tfMBG1G0/s1600/December+2012+503.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZRSyex6fq7S-BT8KjQgq8XzrB21lrf0u61F2h9mPvhGMwuOSRemrUISG6-BGA83D6CZqUaxIP4Gco0zXmJdmcDpl_Fnh_cHLQD4khm9M18HhFocybUQTFkHfjymIsxWMIeu5tfMBG1G0/s400/December+2012+503.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
The way we do New Year's Eve now. And I don't have any regrets. Chances are I felt a heck of a lot better the next day than <i>some of you I know</i> . . . (said in my very snippy stay at home mom voice).<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuDPsSG0xwgSWpzCEu7adFafdhfY-OkIDQvVUIn4a29DxtjO5SB8_nIiNQbdYy0cD7DIZ-6A7KMGry4oimsfzvnE3j0YiDt327rvOkt0fEg7cM4wpqZuozQSALV3KBBLawV5Vt5qOzqqA/s1600/December+2012+510.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuDPsSG0xwgSWpzCEu7adFafdhfY-OkIDQvVUIn4a29DxtjO5SB8_nIiNQbdYy0cD7DIZ-6A7KMGry4oimsfzvnE3j0YiDt327rvOkt0fEg7cM4wpqZuozQSALV3KBBLawV5Vt5qOzqqA/s400/December+2012+510.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVq8JdoM0EpT0GmMEwl2vauDF9fjwFcen344ZdbFnkKFDzvoZYe_L-uHL8O9ijyFsVU12q_Ve7fNVTnxc5nrkWBOrZD3Kj-Vx4z1pprCAvRXrlpUIMmpQvIEtEs1nlkp4e9DTQxPQUEQM/s1600/December+2012+508.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVq8JdoM0EpT0GmMEwl2vauDF9fjwFcen344ZdbFnkKFDzvoZYe_L-uHL8O9ijyFsVU12q_Ve7fNVTnxc5nrkWBOrZD3Kj-Vx4z1pprCAvRXrlpUIMmpQvIEtEs1nlkp4e9DTQxPQUEQM/s400/December+2012+508.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
And now back to life in 2013. The year of awesome and happiness. Wife, mother, friend. Reading, writing, and sewing. Flossing and changing light bulbs. Let's do this thing. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCXyOdnVdTyvZfiEzpby0LUx-dZjPAynyVGPgvrKhRs2r28bwS18RSr00e6l8Z3F-phl8asTfN_vaRRc0ldVcsDqQrEAT4V8aVgUyKQHLSDvcdj1vOhY4Iuc1RLMkZAb0XFppRVC2g9MQ/s1600/December+2012+514.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCXyOdnVdTyvZfiEzpby0LUx-dZjPAynyVGPgvrKhRs2r28bwS18RSr00e6l8Z3F-phl8asTfN_vaRRc0ldVcsDqQrEAT4V8aVgUyKQHLSDvcdj1vOhY4Iuc1RLMkZAb0XFppRVC2g9MQ/s400/December+2012+514.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Jeri Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10521003964808664244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2546665416784172515.post-72155935334220896182012-11-14T20:44:00.000-06:002012-11-15T14:18:10.301-06:00I Pretend to Be Well-Traveled<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
(Somehow I skipped posting this one a couple of weeks ago -- I'm sure someone was crying or pulling on me or I maybe I just got up to pour more coffee and forgot to post.)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This once a month posting thing I'm doing is just garbage, I know. When I started this blog, I intended to post weekly, but life has gotten in the way of my blogging about life. I'm going to stop beating myself up about this and hope my children will forgive my lack of documentation about their little lives. I'm the youngest of four, so you can imagine how much my parents worried over writing down every little thing I did. Seriously, they only have like 7 photos of my childhood and a few things scribbled in a pink baby book, but I have somehow managed to live a normal life without hating my parents. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
So, anywho, the Darby family is still recovering from a looong trip -- but a trip that has been one of my favorites. We packed way more than necessary into 10 days but somehow never felt too rushed. We drove to Memphis then to my hometown of Corinth, Mississippi . . . then to my college town of Oxford, Mississippi . . . and back to Corinth and then to Memphis . . . and then back to Corinth . . . </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
. . . okay, you can take a break here if you need to and scroll down to look at pics or use the bathroom . . . </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
. . . and then Clint and I caught a plane to California ALL BY OURSELVES (woo hoo!!!!!!!!!!!) and drove to Pebble Beach and after a few days to Calistoga in Napa Valley . . .AND THEN flew back to Memphis and FINALLY drove back home to Chicago. I just got out of breath typing all of that. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Running around barefoot in the Darby's backyard. Being barefoot outdoors is so foreign to my children. In the city they would surely contract some sort of disease that would cause their toes to turn green.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjFiYDfF_U716J4i1JsoXAz53lKjYQIt6GGVovJcp-8wMoUd82cr0bZpIgixfE9C208EABT8l7Je3cKHzpEnZOuqPAJxW6C15LDiTQZNe8_pwCySOqOlfd_uYAkTFSvwFznesTWWzN4JM/s1600/October+2012+014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjFiYDfF_U716J4i1JsoXAz53lKjYQIt6GGVovJcp-8wMoUd82cr0bZpIgixfE9C208EABT8l7Je3cKHzpEnZOuqPAJxW6C15LDiTQZNe8_pwCySOqOlfd_uYAkTFSvwFznesTWWzN4JM/s400/October+2012+014.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Super Mimi!! Her new fave pose.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPu_nkCbWJGIZWBhxS2ZljjCv8DxPX65UEtlDCExMNWpmrZyBksOjfoqfZsHonK92Od2_S39kRatgO9TNAWvJFfqM1z6a2Xpkj8TADcs4tMVsRhKrOXpFC_WJP2hEsUQcD5VGPrnIHTVs/s1600/October+2012+022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPu_nkCbWJGIZWBhxS2ZljjCv8DxPX65UEtlDCExMNWpmrZyBksOjfoqfZsHonK92Od2_S39kRatgO9TNAWvJFfqM1z6a2Xpkj8TADcs4tMVsRhKrOXpFC_WJP2hEsUQcD5VGPrnIHTVs/s400/October+2012+022.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
Fun at the Memphis Zoo (I still looooove this zoo) with a snake. I almost wet my pants when I saw this thing out of a cage but it didn't even phase Mimi. What's wrong with her?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl5avhMIT_wbW25jnyER_Ac1JSWZhGMWle0PjIy2kOwMM_s4u9Ync0_Vu_gXEIDU8c9zHHHaREQT_3uymBqd8ZFfAePsSvKg8nG0Hsq1CrQCecV9fdNnMllYiHuhsC7vP-1s0ExeX_uGU/s1600/October+2012+025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl5avhMIT_wbW25jnyER_Ac1JSWZhGMWle0PjIy2kOwMM_s4u9Ync0_Vu_gXEIDU8c9zHHHaREQT_3uymBqd8ZFfAePsSvKg8nG0Hsq1CrQCecV9fdNnMllYiHuhsC7vP-1s0ExeX_uGU/s400/October+2012+025.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
Our sweet friend Emerson and her mom and new baby brother (who I almost stole because he was so sweet) joined us at the zoo. Em's dad has been BFF's with Clint for about thirty years and she and Mimi were at the same daycare as little ones. Mimi is still the crazy one and Emerson is still the reasonable one. It will be fun to see where they are in twenty years . . .<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3uXv0_5anJBkPrLPiRQmYAplDpWwe_ajEWmn-AHrP7c5YBroiSmRzqPiw6oBqNvbTtagrodVciQdYOGpuXv5nuRVIZog64Z0x882gdGo__QarneRDyieVJ3aNc0m5PTOhmYXE2bXaVS8/s1600/October+2012+026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3uXv0_5anJBkPrLPiRQmYAplDpWwe_ajEWmn-AHrP7c5YBroiSmRzqPiw6oBqNvbTtagrodVciQdYOGpuXv5nuRVIZog64Z0x882gdGo__QarneRDyieVJ3aNc0m5PTOhmYXE2bXaVS8/s400/October+2012+026.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDU3p5UG-Tsqf39QgqT287abbzE9QkDSrNYNGn3f9I1ffJwIwkmsF0aam8sBVDjqswjNj66yrSYwPXUXbX5KYYSIdsy6JtbS48uz6Tup_aEcfs7TZdVaHZKSiZLQ5YXKTlw9vj9H2O6MQ/s1600/October+2012+029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDU3p5UG-Tsqf39QgqT287abbzE9QkDSrNYNGn3f9I1ffJwIwkmsF0aam8sBVDjqswjNj66yrSYwPXUXbX5KYYSIdsy6JtbS48uz6Tup_aEcfs7TZdVaHZKSiZLQ5YXKTlw9vj9H2O6MQ/s400/October+2012+029.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Fun at Bebe's house.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcfGuEFzVVuI3gc2GUNF-OqONU_Q12n8bx3wpdfS5_lQ9VNvFUBVGPBT9AsYe0v_J8DRFfk8fk-S4lhmiuTKttsLUfE7lAfKA4Qg3yfihhXIlHK6BFwxsF5NHXub5YnhzKN2-7-FphuRw/s1600/October+2012+030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcfGuEFzVVuI3gc2GUNF-OqONU_Q12n8bx3wpdfS5_lQ9VNvFUBVGPBT9AsYe0v_J8DRFfk8fk-S4lhmiuTKttsLUfE7lAfKA4Qg3yfihhXIlHK6BFwxsF5NHXub5YnhzKN2-7-FphuRw/s400/October+2012+030.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
Hotty Toddy, gosh a'mighty, who the hell are we? Flim flam, bim bam. Ole Miss, yes ma'am!! And then we lost. But whatever, still fun to see old friends and schmooze in the Grove.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5LjBv6rQKUM-z6F-Z4J9e_VzhtKd2oMBsgTuOw7KVf0CbREYYQAxIeX7IqOTRrmaWaLaFY5dywzHo3OQanIp4m_XIm0M2rn2II8t_BE3-qVYjb-80O5URoDtzpJA0G4q6Yr8_pmaQR-8/s1600/October+2012+036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5LjBv6rQKUM-z6F-Z4J9e_VzhtKd2oMBsgTuOw7KVf0CbREYYQAxIeX7IqOTRrmaWaLaFY5dywzHo3OQanIp4m_XIm0M2rn2II8t_BE3-qVYjb-80O5URoDtzpJA0G4q6Yr8_pmaQR-8/s400/October+2012+036.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Mimi and her sweet cousin Anderson. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW8GbDApgzfJ_og4BwmfEUFNiv0rmu8qo1DFFWxy274CJYJqBfvItAdG7GJaD0KQmIaDN6vVAeUQoSvTo3Ge1GtXZKNdOHqQqQGUqhrjDNw5KrW4xCVTda_YRnWnEnrv1dimco3Z0cvac/s1600/October+2012+038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW8GbDApgzfJ_og4BwmfEUFNiv0rmu8qo1DFFWxy274CJYJqBfvItAdG7GJaD0KQmIaDN6vVAeUQoSvTo3Ge1GtXZKNdOHqQqQGUqhrjDNw5KrW4xCVTda_YRnWnEnrv1dimco3Z0cvac/s400/October+2012+038.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Mack had so much to tell Top. "Abba do? Dubba dubba dubba. Ha ha ha ha ha!!!"</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlIvrhbT-qJautFjVZBxDmtDhs6xFqm3DUREraaXY4p_JjHAKhzsx0Y_qNrP9Q0dV0bQBmZ-IQK7u0hqww5BN0YHaeWQBPcV6Q4MxJPZEwPKtFQMP1_ae97FaOpwElzfYvJADZqaUfpWc/s1600/October+2012+051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlIvrhbT-qJautFjVZBxDmtDhs6xFqm3DUREraaXY4p_JjHAKhzsx0Y_qNrP9Q0dV0bQBmZ-IQK7u0hqww5BN0YHaeWQBPcV6Q4MxJPZEwPKtFQMP1_ae97FaOpwElzfYvJADZqaUfpWc/s400/October+2012+051.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
What do you get when you have 2 cousins in a red wagon? I don't know, but it has something to do with trouble.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyup22tJbN4DxGPFiYiKtad_hNg1Hrz5g71_FUSgTp1vAzGmI6dlv6-yTX1GiWxbYvbhmIHQJqTVQvs_2bBPMl60ImGHMLi0yJIY0uh1WwYWvNNotJdXX2OkxDm6y-a160BFKjiJXJkOY/s1600/October+2012+052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyup22tJbN4DxGPFiYiKtad_hNg1Hrz5g71_FUSgTp1vAzGmI6dlv6-yTX1GiWxbYvbhmIHQJqTVQvs_2bBPMl60ImGHMLi0yJIY0uh1WwYWvNNotJdXX2OkxDm6y-a160BFKjiJXJkOY/s400/October+2012+052.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Rowdiness.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinckF7Ojv0VFCrCJdUFB_4BGauinCibCxHXpNspKhLLm8apiqCY4V3V9nfcnbRFjipgWqcJB3SApTHVBBlBSnClMVzK2wcr_392prl9BRWk8F4PBzSOrhqh5qgmyu8d9RD_aDNvwYw8MA/s1600/October+2012+055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinckF7Ojv0VFCrCJdUFB_4BGauinCibCxHXpNspKhLLm8apiqCY4V3V9nfcnbRFjipgWqcJB3SApTHVBBlBSnClMVzK2wcr_392prl9BRWk8F4PBzSOrhqh5qgmyu8d9RD_aDNvwYw8MA/s400/October+2012+055.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Mack's favorite toy.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGp0nvGnKJj6N4BU6P1nmaH6hIFRb_VVudyM7nFoDpaM7J502rUpCkLcpDR1btm65wEuB5P8t9LWs0wD6ya8N49G5Hyq6Gz-xvkawF1ZxPJ_7FTNxwlSwwsb6NJAjVgBhqWDYoQKybgFM/s1600/October+2012+059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGp0nvGnKJj6N4BU6P1nmaH6hIFRb_VVudyM7nFoDpaM7J502rUpCkLcpDR1btm65wEuB5P8t9LWs0wD6ya8N49G5Hyq6Gz-xvkawF1ZxPJ_7FTNxwlSwwsb6NJAjVgBhqWDYoQKybgFM/s400/October+2012+059.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
And then Clint and I flew to California. Aaaaaaahhhhh. So much fun. Yes, we did rent a red Mustang convertible. As one of Clint's co-workers told him, <i>You can take the boy out of Mississippi . . . </i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5V_kexPFWvY6dddEGox_bezBl39CKVJiqiqhULNEw4avIKo-Pwba5a-6SfDsSyz5ONYs1VfQaVs-p70sIH9mzV6k_c9VW7pIAfSu1OG7jz0LNUzMTbKq3iICqE3xYu5xjFsJvWH_2rBU/s1600/October+2012+064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5V_kexPFWvY6dddEGox_bezBl39CKVJiqiqhULNEw4avIKo-Pwba5a-6SfDsSyz5ONYs1VfQaVs-p70sIH9mzV6k_c9VW7pIAfSu1OG7jz0LNUzMTbKq3iICqE3xYu5xjFsJvWH_2rBU/s400/October+2012+064.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Gorgeous, gorgeous drive into Pebble Beach. We stopped at this little barbecue spot in a town called Aptos. IF you are ever in the area, definitely eat here and order the rib sandwich on garlic bread. My, oh my. But don't breathe in anyone's face for a few days . . .<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTSieRH9DDiASu1h2tS1nirSwTLVbSPKnA2ZE7j_1jR8OfNDKPVKHzJl5lkOSrfGhRSUVUexcE6ibV8rNeZECBD0jpHjSI6R0FGyh56jMVVywVRwJZoGRDS2JBaT8IV1IDhR9J7067oOA/s1600/October+2012+065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTSieRH9DDiASu1h2tS1nirSwTLVbSPKnA2ZE7j_1jR8OfNDKPVKHzJl5lkOSrfGhRSUVUexcE6ibV8rNeZECBD0jpHjSI6R0FGyh56jMVVywVRwJZoGRDS2JBaT8IV1IDhR9J7067oOA/s400/October+2012+065.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Like a little boy in a candy store.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP3uqvO_cOS3cuFu-KGCrjX0oKnWP7i9cLzgoeC1TT3wvJPzF8sqG_-epbzw1ZspEp9FDoO8bZa-ebiED2neejCFqPcKARpVEnqzTdtIXSxuQ9KSiJZfKPUBsX_WVI-SscXLdbodYLU0g/s1600/October+2012+066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP3uqvO_cOS3cuFu-KGCrjX0oKnWP7i9cLzgoeC1TT3wvJPzF8sqG_-epbzw1ZspEp9FDoO8bZa-ebiED2neejCFqPcKARpVEnqzTdtIXSxuQ9KSiJZfKPUBsX_WVI-SscXLdbodYLU0g/s400/October+2012+066.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
No golf for this girl. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHd64NyHGa0ay1e5z1eetnt2hXjMHMDt_Cs6PgLWt7sx8J9j1JLp6E5i0d0_DnQOYSJoS3pFwRkR8el-pTCsMvGMO6LG_BoN1MWqhJ9hoz8z-tvlSHUUL99JB7mRpWP_YI9bz_KmyZfE0/s1600/October+2012+084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHd64NyHGa0ay1e5z1eetnt2hXjMHMDt_Cs6PgLWt7sx8J9j1JLp6E5i0d0_DnQOYSJoS3pFwRkR8el-pTCsMvGMO6LG_BoN1MWqhJ9hoz8z-tvlSHUUL99JB7mRpWP_YI9bz_KmyZfE0/s400/October+2012+084.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;">
</div>
But that's okay because I had a spa and Carmel to occupy me. Awwww yeah. <br />
<br />
I had no idea how cute this town would be. There was a film festival going on while we were there, and I stared and squinted and craned my neck but saw no one who look remotely famous and fabulous. Well, lots of fabulous but not famous. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHd64NyHGa0ay1e5z1eetnt2hXjMHMDt_Cs6PgLWt7sx8J9j1JLp6E5i0d0_DnQOYSJoS3pFwRkR8el-pTCsMvGMO6LG_BoN1MWqhJ9hoz8z-tvlSHUUL99JB7mRpWP_YI9bz_KmyZfE0/s1600/October+2012+084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNkQJmHaLHssxjF-Jf8-El50m9ZLam_E4irlUr_jIycIEOWPnbihOhkvHecHGQhTy-RSi2YgiKCa2-J30RVsGx9HrDPGeCFDA0-JUvDADd3pWCY92F8gktjHrqETYEvGd2QIR3Prcm_go/s1600/October+2012+071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNkQJmHaLHssxjF-Jf8-El50m9ZLam_E4irlUr_jIycIEOWPnbihOhkvHecHGQhTy-RSi2YgiKCa2-J30RVsGx9HrDPGeCFDA0-JUvDADd3pWCY92F8gktjHrqETYEvGd2QIR3Prcm_go/s400/October+2012+071.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/AVvXsEgbktlDkEgUTUW69M7sQCxWZgTTQs4BDaOWCe9yop6AAw9fWQbCdfIyQGI_c8A2xmYXZ-Si81FkakmignHrH70vOE7O68rrAkkDM75YmnIsj0Dtop9KBkyzTffNbjCLHrNV630GPFIWuEQ/s1600/October+2012+086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbktlDkEgUTUW69M7sQCxWZgTTQs4BDaOWCe9yop6AAw9fWQbCdfIyQGI_c8A2xmYXZ-Si81FkakmignHrH70vOE7O68rrAkkDM75YmnIsj0Dtop9KBkyzTffNbjCLHrNV630GPFIWuEQ/s400/October+2012+086.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
On our way out of Pebble, I made Clint stop in Carmel so we could eat brunch at a place that looked like this:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3CmHRmJhD739mdrrHWdHsCokvy9b7J3ZT9qEov19y6Smnryv8eH4C5sg0nqfRr0eAzTbMQlnYxK0971tOObD5Pyazn2jIUxJpzo8CBCtXit0nJRm-PE4_wm2wjEjwbFpKjCJ48bQt6S4/s1600/October+2012+078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3CmHRmJhD739mdrrHWdHsCokvy9b7J3ZT9qEov19y6Smnryv8eH4C5sg0nqfRr0eAzTbMQlnYxK0971tOObD5Pyazn2jIUxJpzo8CBCtXit0nJRm-PE4_wm2wjEjwbFpKjCJ48bQt6S4/s400/October+2012+078.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
That served coffee on a tray like this:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMU0LpEeHE7vN4FlDUkpasz1HDDRDTIVs2G393PhaU0OixtewSfSxsG5x9n_O62rWChJatJqCMQkehyphenhyphengkO9JQnrxwWp6GOuAM0dvLl08NnGLiTCXm7XonQuwha87Swa0-L-r_Y3Elz6ko/s1600/October+2012+080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMU0LpEeHE7vN4FlDUkpasz1HDDRDTIVs2G393PhaU0OixtewSfSxsG5x9n_O62rWChJatJqCMQkehyphenhyphengkO9JQnrxwWp6GOuAM0dvLl08NnGLiTCXm7XonQuwha87Swa0-L-r_Y3Elz6ko/s400/October+2012+080.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;">
And had French toast that was <i>oh so divine</i> . . . </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Wv2X4TgyJNVS-eMRSmnkqszqALmh19GXvV0P0Akyia-7DmODpoKLx9Tj_YM4Dlp_4UoRFUq6T7YEJIVnSCovMBD9CdnUwRt93tGkWecMBVKFCwz_7vwGuJeBmxjCrj4W0zrQ9uSnO9U/s1600/October+2012+085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Wv2X4TgyJNVS-eMRSmnkqszqALmh19GXvV0P0Akyia-7DmODpoKLx9Tj_YM4Dlp_4UoRFUq6T7YEJIVnSCovMBD9CdnUwRt93tGkWecMBVKFCwz_7vwGuJeBmxjCrj4W0zrQ9uSnO9U/s400/October+2012+085.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
It was in the 60's and a little drizzly (is that a word?) in Pebble Beach, but I was blown away by how wonderful the wood burning fireplace in our room made me not seem to care so much about that.<br />
<br />
And then came my favorite part of the trip. This.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOPvkXWnOWNaTnHUgP6KBeCPI_NDv72VEs6KF-hXVhsEu7c2TpCvPh11TiucU_D9vNzMw-MsWN9_f4RzUnN9ydlCpkJW-WsXx9jOmXl710Bse0Ts7rNAXtvsImL1gIre3uqfTFmg0etck/s1600/October+2012+096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOPvkXWnOWNaTnHUgP6KBeCPI_NDv72VEs6KF-hXVhsEu7c2TpCvPh11TiucU_D9vNzMw-MsWN9_f4RzUnN9ydlCpkJW-WsXx9jOmXl710Bse0Ts7rNAXtvsImL1gIre3uqfTFmg0etck/s400/October+2012+096.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
The drive south toward Big Sur was a drive on my Bucket List that I didn't know I had. <br />
<br />
Drop. Dead. Gorgeous.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfIf7DNMv-o8ezwiGuX12_ek1QI73YE12utENueDBNN8xL9ufAc0TQqz9YN1dYbMLsGoLtERHUaSmPtAhkuh_GSNUk0MXuy7bzXar1VoA9KXME-jgoTP6bpsweUHYYz2wwyTPaoqGf8kc/s1600/October+2012+097.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfIf7DNMv-o8ezwiGuX12_ek1QI73YE12utENueDBNN8xL9ufAc0TQqz9YN1dYbMLsGoLtERHUaSmPtAhkuh_GSNUk0MXuy7bzXar1VoA9KXME-jgoTP6bpsweUHYYz2wwyTPaoqGf8kc/s400/October+2012+097.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Just to prove I was here and I didn't steal the photos from Wikipedia.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-h5JADfvFjOu7mF-9fJcIfmJSR54BufspqnRnoDBlG7OApysE56iqdE6FnvhJF2nTmdh7IGC0LIfTPkgYIRVk7y4WrbNojFP8nRUL-XqQIUMEV8N9m8havr9JMsSDxyQlXlbZeiEnhjk/s1600/October+2012+103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-h5JADfvFjOu7mF-9fJcIfmJSR54BufspqnRnoDBlG7OApysE56iqdE6FnvhJF2nTmdh7IGC0LIfTPkgYIRVk7y4WrbNojFP8nRUL-XqQIUMEV8N9m8havr9JMsSDxyQlXlbZeiEnhjk/s400/October+2012+103.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
This one makes me roll my eyes. Looking to the south while brushing my hair out of my eyes and wearing boots on a beach. Whatever, Jeri Anne.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoYZaEfvJDEveIrQbC6Xy8uUOz9YucMOmELx52-SyT12JEcAaiTbzI3sVkKeqAO5vBP3xZDXKYYmuWzKYE_H0ghMvpK1uxC8_LAnYqc_uGH60BqgFkNTAx_Ed2lBnnooo8-kU8z0Ux_2o/s1600/October+2012+113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoYZaEfvJDEveIrQbC6Xy8uUOz9YucMOmELx52-SyT12JEcAaiTbzI3sVkKeqAO5vBP3xZDXKYYmuWzKYE_H0ghMvpK1uxC8_LAnYqc_uGH60BqgFkNTAx_Ed2lBnnooo8-kU8z0Ux_2o/s400/October+2012+113.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
My handsome husband . . .<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoJUUYNPQxvxdJS04KJbK53-AsLnQ1Oj6LRrfcbqBFyh9wQCqF_P9iyEw_gkUcvNut2Qk4U8Wuj-p0B6vQKLK2Yk2IQ6fIJ4e7lJSyISIxbbgT83b7D4qvuj7vMWPFv0vrmlWa1o5Yhfg/s1600/October+2012+117.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoJUUYNPQxvxdJS04KJbK53-AsLnQ1Oj6LRrfcbqBFyh9wQCqF_P9iyEw_gkUcvNut2Qk4U8Wuj-p0B6vQKLK2Yk2IQ6fIJ4e7lJSyISIxbbgT83b7D4qvuj7vMWPFv0vrmlWa1o5Yhfg/s400/October+2012+117.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
. . . who gets surprised by a wave . . .<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSndF64iKX9sCvBVoRyGk_cm1gqPo4jHwIJF_GPf68LHz_VneGvzH5LotJ4ws1IKaEa42NaaUN9Rd04vE0SB8t4SGu1eCazHTNA6iDW6jjsJNQXF5v6jLYHVLh28bT-PpM0pxe2FN0PCc/s1600/October+2012+120.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSndF64iKX9sCvBVoRyGk_cm1gqPo4jHwIJF_GPf68LHz_VneGvzH5LotJ4ws1IKaEa42NaaUN9Rd04vE0SB8t4SGu1eCazHTNA6iDW6jjsJNQXF5v6jLYHVLh28bT-PpM0pxe2FN0PCc/s400/October+2012+120.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
. . . uh oh . . .<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSj0L1xtGRsKdT4mVR44DPZ2Eao_aBBcZ3PX8BmqcG4pbgwIaXauv37lBfgIeDHGL2O2sx13viS1PzB9T3uRVl-uyeF8xmNApR2ylfkRxFHGV3n2mjKMxX1oOMXSzmkSh69AE-JuoNQrw/s1600/October+2012+121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSj0L1xtGRsKdT4mVR44DPZ2Eao_aBBcZ3PX8BmqcG4pbgwIaXauv37lBfgIeDHGL2O2sx13viS1PzB9T3uRVl-uyeF8xmNApR2ylfkRxFHGV3n2mjKMxX1oOMXSzmkSh69AE-JuoNQrw/s400/October+2012+121.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
. . . mumbling cuss words . . .<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid5yA6sxSAnoztvJhkS8ePHzgpwt0gL0ZEtTlw_K9wIEBqb5UkQQ0hSa0WhBHj4pm3JU6ZJQ1rGzCCbXoJGQnvgZsAWQ-zIDpZ7bSK6q_enVRhDk0kdUtoZ3Iux8f7SwAlbss6K1ixAyU/s1600/October+2012+123.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid5yA6sxSAnoztvJhkS8ePHzgpwt0gL0ZEtTlw_K9wIEBqb5UkQQ0hSa0WhBHj4pm3JU6ZJQ1rGzCCbXoJGQnvgZsAWQ-zIDpZ7bSK6q_enVRhDk0kdUtoZ3Iux8f7SwAlbss6K1ixAyU/s400/October+2012+123.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
. . . and CRASH . . .<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggk8_3qzBUlannKRBB_txnTd2bWX_bLiMbW-xZnKmCo819CYf3db2MwuAvahwas9T89JYN-BxTI4jW_BJcJ2dLLCwLCSIiDzmeCTNig2WeooIdA8soR9HHlcTn5jkGWQhvuW2W4JjYBOw/s1600/October+2012+125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggk8_3qzBUlannKRBB_txnTd2bWX_bLiMbW-xZnKmCo819CYf3db2MwuAvahwas9T89JYN-BxTI4jW_BJcJ2dLLCwLCSIiDzmeCTNig2WeooIdA8soR9HHlcTn5jkGWQhvuW2W4JjYBOw/s400/October+2012+125.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
. . . heh heh heh.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6EGwACYJ-4kcYTJQ5FW7Oz42ERfbsWCjnS5DMkXt4PId4OVOt88jfgCXGOYMbRY8am-6qI5Z12zB2Xi0cVRDa3wQgSMQqSxOsTqPYMx89OYMKUev6mJJu90BEv2KpONGYzMl3aWC4Zh4/s1600/October+2012+126.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6EGwACYJ-4kcYTJQ5FW7Oz42ERfbsWCjnS5DMkXt4PId4OVOt88jfgCXGOYMbRY8am-6qI5Z12zB2Xi0cVRDa3wQgSMQqSxOsTqPYMx89OYMKUev6mJJu90BEv2KpONGYzMl3aWC4Zh4/s400/October+2012+126.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
And THIS is why you rent a red convertible when you plan to drive along the California coast.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq7acpDsxSTnH7SBhVM9V-yw_PM38tJIL6FQUnlqiY42XMbGhz6a7wUUUmcqv9JcEd1gFH2lpxrkq_yD068t43ZiXQVpKlFt8a3P54VqVvj67EFwc7N4vEY56BxPY7fersg1lWKzTP6xQ/s1600/October+2012+129.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq7acpDsxSTnH7SBhVM9V-yw_PM38tJIL6FQUnlqiY42XMbGhz6a7wUUUmcqv9JcEd1gFH2lpxrkq_yD068t43ZiXQVpKlFt8a3P54VqVvj67EFwc7N4vEY56BxPY7fersg1lWKzTP6xQ/s400/October+2012+129.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
And through a redwood forest.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpPYs8iJ2vufLdjtcHueLDc_XRgrac8z8yKsDmEps2gMppWQoKbvAEz44Flu2YdjysJnBD9qBe_wle6RjpO_pIu2QUL_hggJ2TEkLv1dqYOXmR-3D2e0-ss3GulAwkOevUVK_lirxuMbI/s1600/October+2012+140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpPYs8iJ2vufLdjtcHueLDc_XRgrac8z8yKsDmEps2gMppWQoKbvAEz44Flu2YdjysJnBD9qBe_wle6RjpO_pIu2QUL_hggJ2TEkLv1dqYOXmR-3D2e0-ss3GulAwkOevUVK_lirxuMbI/s400/October+2012+140.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
I swear a velociraptor is about to pop out behind one of those trees.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilGbZkTaxhKPkvQu61tN0ZUTmk9rn4QXQAeBB_l3OVNNHfL8ScE1DYD7qrMI1QtpP43oEQYq7l2wVTkWjt8awlImJ8XXEq7j9sOjCWUVJN-57fwsvCxXtd1Prr8AHApTJmEoq2zXwQvfE/s1600/October+2012+144.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilGbZkTaxhKPkvQu61tN0ZUTmk9rn4QXQAeBB_l3OVNNHfL8ScE1DYD7qrMI1QtpP43oEQYq7l2wVTkWjt8awlImJ8XXEq7j9sOjCWUVJN-57fwsvCxXtd1Prr8AHApTJmEoq2zXwQvfE/s400/October+2012+144.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
After getting many fabulous recommendations, we were able to plan a very successful day in Napa Valley. The last time we visited I was about 30 weeks pregnant and would have been happy eating and watching TV in the hotel. Oh wait, that's what I did. Because of that, I wanted to make this trip awesome, which we did. I like reds like Cabernet Sauvignon the best (Napa is the perfect place) but can definitely appreciate most other reds along with Sauvignon Blanc. I know that soil and humidity and temperature are factors, but I really don't get it and don't really care. I just want something yummy to eat with frozen pizza, so if you're as dumb as I am about being a wine snob and about this area then feel free to steal some of my suggestions.<br />
<br />
A Dummy's Guide to Napa Valley (by another dummy):<br />
<br />
1. Stay in a really cool bed and breakfast or old hotel in a neat area. We stayed at Mount View in Calistoga -- the area that is at the top of the valley with the best views. The hotel was quaint and comfortable, which was all we wanted. Next time I would like to stay in St. Helena, which was also my favorite place on our last visit, because it has the cutest shops and restaurants. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-vMAKeXwH8K9hRm4F7_IZQvQkUYgbW-9wSxG-3VwluEzkJHVi2KENpzC5KaCcplk_zSK9NAdEhMPTYuiw6PkkwEh2uAIfGIzGL9YcAAsK4LXy4zwzL29TSYUz38wzHOz7p6GqKWP9BOI/s1600/October+2012+149.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-vMAKeXwH8K9hRm4F7_IZQvQkUYgbW-9wSxG-3VwluEzkJHVi2KENpzC5KaCcplk_zSK9NAdEhMPTYuiw6PkkwEh2uAIfGIzGL9YcAAsK4LXy4zwzL29TSYUz38wzHOz7p6GqKWP9BOI/s400/October+2012+149.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
2. Use a driver or shuttle service and share the cost with friends. The drivers can give good recommendations on wineries and on the order of visiting them that makes the most sense. Do not gripe about the costs -- no one needs to drive after tasting wine. If the weather is nice, bikes may be fun but even though cops don't give DUI's to bikers, it might not be the safest idea. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
If you don't have a driver, then who else will take a goofy touristy photo such as this?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR-6h6ak7iPFB-gMr9JttCFrukfpn0-im1llYh8_-jxliXng-yWKWAlZ7XoivFfQ0Fey0gXB5pm_up7mvdWTRZ3-oDZjosAm1cdmwPCAuAmjNMFJDQYPh2m0HG8_m4SSIlaNFtUMBrN2c/s1600/October+2012+171.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR-6h6ak7iPFB-gMr9JttCFrukfpn0-im1llYh8_-jxliXng-yWKWAlZ7XoivFfQ0Fey0gXB5pm_up7mvdWTRZ3-oDZjosAm1cdmwPCAuAmjNMFJDQYPh2m0HG8_m4SSIlaNFtUMBrN2c/s400/October+2012+171.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
3. Try to get suggestions for a winery that is educational, one that has pretty views, one with laid-back and friendly people, and of course some that have really tasty wine.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIpUJCh2ACKZ3p52EkhN7ksoaZqwAeUYYdi_WZNbwCfcpOBO6nme6yo6q-zbvTeSJIr-zgbUqmNmMF-8Mpc6fCgbKr7i-R42VIqTGAf1n__8vW481wHxhgNjryBCbq7TbqirlEiDblB9U/s1600/October+2012+192.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIpUJCh2ACKZ3p52EkhN7ksoaZqwAeUYYdi_WZNbwCfcpOBO6nme6yo6q-zbvTeSJIr-zgbUqmNmMF-8Mpc6fCgbKr7i-R42VIqTGAf1n__8vW481wHxhgNjryBCbq7TbqirlEiDblB9U/s400/October+2012+192.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
These are the ones we visited:<br />
Sterling -- I do recommend visiting this one FIRST. Visitors take a really cool tram up the mountain to the winery, and the line can get really long early. <br />
<br />
Our buddies on the tram with us.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOL_qFgnkA3l-_UfFzP6-QFZF9Gt7X3DXLheiPKqqz3KIH_ORLPiJQR8iFf_rXrQ9XL5bQuUEHOg3g_IO-nRSvCsS1gMKocCFmYvOwaqOfhLC_wjpy2N6MQ3gQI4ra6-OuohH5Yvqc1ps/s1600/October+2012+151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOL_qFgnkA3l-_UfFzP6-QFZF9Gt7X3DXLheiPKqqz3KIH_ORLPiJQR8iFf_rXrQ9XL5bQuUEHOg3g_IO-nRSvCsS1gMKocCFmYvOwaqOfhLC_wjpy2N6MQ3gQI4ra6-OuohH5Yvqc1ps/s400/October+2012+151.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Mr. and Mrs. Darby.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiokw-aLa_2kQx4BxgjZGnLS_DdMgkPsxtFLQciRnpK82Vr_tCS76bvhO8z2J_poJ6qUqbFFZyjp7oYANa59EmMCCBvZvc0ytPzHXWjx9CL3F3if0I7jx7XJY5WwXqd05jBJQr91Z7UAkI/s1600/October+2012+154.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiokw-aLa_2kQx4BxgjZGnLS_DdMgkPsxtFLQciRnpK82Vr_tCS76bvhO8z2J_poJ6qUqbFFZyjp7oYANa59EmMCCBvZvc0ytPzHXWjx9CL3F3if0I7jx7XJY5WwXqd05jBJQr91Z7UAkI/s400/October+2012+154.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Some of the best views of the day.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhas0PzCY9p52iXF6af6dpzsFjYeJMfyU4tkkEjuOWNDRDyl1W7C37I012c9l9y0xVXIQKxqGBB1XNztyn8LrgHtezt8gP5tqhlits5LJ7E_US7sgHWe5q2pNutoLqHsZl8lf0a9uSBY10/s1600/October+2012+166.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhas0PzCY9p52iXF6af6dpzsFjYeJMfyU4tkkEjuOWNDRDyl1W7C37I012c9l9y0xVXIQKxqGBB1XNztyn8LrgHtezt8gP5tqhlits5LJ7E_US7sgHWe5q2pNutoLqHsZl8lf0a9uSBY10/s400/October+2012+166.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
You go to Sterling for the tram, the views, and the self-guided informational tour. The wine is not too great, but everything else makes up for that.<br />
<br />
We also visited Frank Family -- Clint's VERY favorite wine (and one of mine, too). Definitely recommend this place.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqiXY9RyH0R7yW5CH6jT0s9vfTxVJ7YquRL9Y6wOti0-a9tViqzf5p13fraIV2dNAM8FYPuLn8P9nxLryGhcLLKj3wt9MQNeBAwIbPNu8l9F8IBOh-CepWmnLS1XIhr5QrwWBiMyQSyQI/s1600/October+2012+174.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqiXY9RyH0R7yW5CH6jT0s9vfTxVJ7YquRL9Y6wOti0-a9tViqzf5p13fraIV2dNAM8FYPuLn8P9nxLryGhcLLKj3wt9MQNeBAwIbPNu8l9F8IBOh-CepWmnLS1XIhr5QrwWBiMyQSyQI/s400/October+2012+174.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Another favorite was Heitz -- another one of Clint's favorite wines. Order the red Zin. Yummmm.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLBgaVLCsEFCmMHvob3lvJRsP4aYyNxYiA4pTbKH05sYpkxmWJdBpCx9uA_q1QQkPmduzqu29qMn2hh50KRPaO15tANbB0ISmWr64CyNPyq4vLMo6AUgzDSbnz5BurUazm9pASI058KfQ/s1600/October+2012+186.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLBgaVLCsEFCmMHvob3lvJRsP4aYyNxYiA4pTbKH05sYpkxmWJdBpCx9uA_q1QQkPmduzqu29qMn2hh50KRPaO15tANbB0ISmWr64CyNPyq4vLMo6AUgzDSbnz5BurUazm9pASI058KfQ/s400/October+2012+186.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I also recommend Conn Creek, where you can actually make your own wine. There is a room in the back that I totally snuck into that looks like this: <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTV0J4DiCg3QZf_-3kJTqvlZmOjRxjc_5DVcxjCEJ8VF-f7yoCwucvDqLhvCWdLo6hxgMBtaZ_kJZVRvOt17GuLY7KIePWFM4Vp4YL-Mg7RdhCyDmjea_svhLAhJ4r3SKKx4kWCvSBFQ0/s1600/October+2012+189.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTV0J4DiCg3QZf_-3kJTqvlZmOjRxjc_5DVcxjCEJ8VF-f7yoCwucvDqLhvCWdLo6hxgMBtaZ_kJZVRvOt17GuLY7KIePWFM4Vp4YL-Mg7RdhCyDmjea_svhLAhJ4r3SKKx4kWCvSBFQ0/s400/October+2012+189.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
You can taste all the wines and then make your own tasty blend. They had one of their own that was called Anthropology (I think) that consisted of about 9 different types of grapes that is oh so yummy.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO7M55W6kK0bmImbFBMg6QJ6-KvMLhk00lHbsTC8RrZd6NIaPYKQZlFoeg0MdyWXtBp_IOKGbM-wnNpfFdRuWX0bNFi0fjUoEvqLsVQVHiP0Xt54N4EZvY3ZC0AKF-R8TkFkVaVSpa_vA/s1600/October+2012+196.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO7M55W6kK0bmImbFBMg6QJ6-KvMLhk00lHbsTC8RrZd6NIaPYKQZlFoeg0MdyWXtBp_IOKGbM-wnNpfFdRuWX0bNFi0fjUoEvqLsVQVHiP0Xt54N4EZvY3ZC0AKF-R8TkFkVaVSpa_vA/s320/October+2012+196.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
We also loved Twomey. Very quaint with the nicest people ever. We even got a hand-written thank-you note a few weeks later. Really? Who does that?<br />
Twomey was started by the same folks who have Silver Oak, which was also good but a little pretentious at the moment we were there. Maybe it was the group of overdressed women with way too much make-up and big hair and crazy tall skinny heels that turned me off. So the wine was good but those women were obnoxious. <br />
<br />
Our last visit was at Peju, and I'm so glad we visited this one at the end. We were exhausted and everything started tasting the same, but we had a few minutes left before it closed -- so why not? The guy telling us about the wines was also, get this, a rapper. Hilarious. So glad he busted out some cheesy rhymes about his wines. Loved, loved, loved him. Peju has a wine that is a mix of red and wine that would be so, so yummy with Thanksgiving turkey.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi991kwhqjLn0YQ4u4gADxeiqPqBdIxdzHlvBh5eyVyR4RKFOlgxfBkjzU73RMTzvqCCQoktM7yzCfp5IBzhRRB65XEwqIjvJsLVB94ngGJ774EP6rijdkgL7TlmZb45ii94ctGcFzXNVU/s1600/October+2012+203.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi991kwhqjLn0YQ4u4gADxeiqPqBdIxdzHlvBh5eyVyR4RKFOlgxfBkjzU73RMTzvqCCQoktM7yzCfp5IBzhRRB65XEwqIjvJsLVB94ngGJ774EP6rijdkgL7TlmZb45ii94ctGcFzXNVU/s320/October+2012+203.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The only one we skipped that I really wanted to visit was Cakebread. But there's always next time, right?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
4. Last but not least -- eat some good food. Definitely hit up one or ALL THREE of Cindy Pawlcyn's restaurants: Mustards, Cindy Pawlcyn's Backstreet Grill, or Cindy Pawlcyn's Wood Grill and Wine Bar. I made res too late to get into Mustards, but I recommend the burger at Backstreet for lunch and ALL the appetizers at Wood Grill for dinner.<br />
Check out Taylor's Refresher for another fantastic burger during lunch if you can handle the lines. We hit this place in both Napa AND San Fran the last time we visited, so, yes, it's awesome.<br />
Several people recommended Auberge de Soleil and the Culinary Institute. <br />
<br />Jeri Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10521003964808664244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2546665416784172515.post-51306703453314439742012-11-08T21:55:00.000-06:002012-11-14T20:47:27.252-06:00On raising bebes French style. Oh, and my son was kicked out of preschool yesterday.Since both of my children turned four and two years old in August, I felt it was finally time for their check-ups, um, at the end of October. My four-year-old daughter measured around the 12th percentile for height and weight while my two-year-old son is in about the 90th. This equates to Mimi being only about an inch and a half taller than Mack and one pound heavier. No wonder strangers ask if they are twins. I really should start saying <i>yes, but the girl is quite precocious.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
During this exam Clint and I learned that Mimi is completely healthy. We also learned that she is quite dominant.<br />
<br />
No . . . you've gotta be kidding me . . .<br />
<br />
Clint and I smiled with a little pride and a little embarrassment, and the exam continued with Mack. While he is also quite healthy, we knew a certain question was coming. <br />
<br />
"Is he putting together two or more words-- "<br />
<br />
"No." And I completely cut her off. I then went on to justify my worth as a mother by explaining how Mimi was saying many words by her first birthday and could recite her ABC's by 16 months. At Mack's age, we were easily having conversations with her. I couldn't just stop there so I kept telling her how I've worked with small children and was once an English teacher. I talk with him and read to him and narrate his every move. Oh, and he has significant hearing loss in one ear. <br />
<br />
The doctor didn't seem a bit concerned about my insecurities and told me that he has two things working against him -- since he does have normal hearing in one ear, this shouldn't hinder him much but it could. We discussed following up with an ENT, but this wasn't her main concern. She said that the main cause is his dominant older sister.<br />
<br />
Oh. Cue inadequate mommy guilt. This girl who we've molded to be so entertaining and outgoing could possibly be keeping her brother from talking.<br />
<br />
She asked if we'd heard about the book titled <b><a href="http://www.pameladruckerman.com/" target="_blank">Bringing up Bebe</a>, </b>which we had not, and she gave a small explanation. Basically an American who was trying to raise a child in Paris noticed that French children were calmer than American children in public yet were still bright and happy. She pointed out how we were constantly giving Mimi attention during the check-ups -- both positive for being funny or negative when she was interrupting -- but when we finally ignored her, she stopped begging for our attention and found a toy to entertain herself. <br />
<br />
I always do a little eye-rolling when someone recommends a parenting book to me. How to potty train, how to sleep train, how to let them cry, how to breast feed, how to introduce solids, how to teach toddlers to read, how to teach toddlers calculus. I mean, really, who has time to read all these books that each contain overwhelming yet vague strategies? All of their information contradicts another expert and most of these authors had pretty crappy childhoods themselves from what I've read. And now this pediatrician wants me to read about Parisian babies? Really?<br />
<br />
But there was something about her that seemed very warm and motherly, so after a week of procrastinating I ordered the stupid book on Amazon. And it's not half bad.<br />
<br />
Let me start by saying that I am only half-way finished, but I think I get the gist. I'll summarize what I've gathered:<br />
-Americans are too in our children's faces. We overstimulate. We feed too often. We worry too much. We're too attentive. We stop our lives as women to transform into mothers. We do not feel like worthy mothers unless we're exhausted, overweight, and have completely given up the idea of having a normal conversation with another adult until our children move out of the house.<br />
-Parisian children are not picky eaters and eat only at family mealtimes. They rarely interrupt their parents. The moms are skinny AND babies are sleeping through the night by 3 months old. They pause before attending to their children. Moms do not make a big deal out of breast feeding, forcing the child to read early, or having to go back to work. It's okay for the mothers to still be fabulous women while still being loving, nurturing mothers.<br />
<br />
So far, so good, right? As I read, I noticed that I once lived somewhat within this realm. Both of my children slept through the night relatively early -- Mimi around 16 weeks and Mack around 8. I owe much of this to forcing myself to listen to their cries, going to the bathroom, and then getting some water before actually picking them up. I tried to calm them and check their diaper before feeding them and eventually they realized food wasn't necessary when the rest of the world was sleeping. Two points for me. Clint and I continued going out to dinner when Mimi was small (I didn't cook, so this was sometimes necessary), and attempted to go and do as we always had. I had a job, which gave me other purpose than being a mom, and it forced me to have more balance. Mimi was happy with us and happy at day care, and I felt that her life was balanced and wonderful. <br />
<br />
Then I got pregnant and hormonal with Mack. My job wasn't a happy place for me anymore, and I began feeling that maybe I would get more out of my only job being to raise Mimi. Then I also realized that while she was bright some other children were involved in activities and learning things that she didn't know yet. This combo turned me into the stereotypical American mom. Overstimulating, overanxious, worried, obsessive, and insecure. <br />
<br />
Sigh. So I'm re-evaluating exactly what kind of parent I want to be for the umpteenth time. I want my children to be happy and have fun but also have some healthy boundaries. I want them to be able to play by themselves or with each other and not always need attention from me. I want to make them feel important but not that they are<i> the</i> <i>most important</i>. Because I am important, too. As is every other human. In order to do all of this, I must, of course, make a list. I love a list.<br />
<br />
1. I will be clear about rules without yelling or freaking out. I will speak to them as if they are actual humans. <i>Mimi, you WILL stop at the alleys and corners to wait on me before crossing. Mack, you will NOT throw your food in the floor.</i><br />
2. I will not interfere when they are playing quietly by themselves. Do you do this, too, or am I the only attention-hungry mom? Mack will be quiet and happy pushing a toy car back and forth on the floor, but I feel like a terrible mom if I'm not in his face asking him to repeat<i> </i>words. "Wheels. Those are wheels. Mack, can you say wheels? And they're round. Like circles. Can you say circle?" <i>Seriously, Mom, get out of my face and let me play with my car</i> . . .<br />
3. I will encourage them to play with each other instead of me. Mimi constantly wants me to watch her do her freakish ballet moves or to tell me a joke that always ends with the punchline, "Banana Pants!" I just realized I never say to her, "Why don't you show your brother? Why don't you teach him how to do it? Wouldn't that be a fun game if Mack joined in?"<br />
4. I will sit on the couch with a good girlfriend and coffee without interruption from my children. This one will take a while and may never happen, but I'm making it a goal. We had a play date at the home of a wonderful friend this morning, and it was a bit crazy at times. But most play dates that include my children are a bit crazy. All of our children love each other and had so much fun, but looking back I realize one of the times that the friend and I were able to have a conversation was when we were cleaning up toys in her son's room and our children were running around like banshees in the den. I kept calling for them to come help, but then I thought <i>Why interfere? They are finally having so much fun together and letting us be adults. They can help clean in a few minutes. </i>Also included in this goal is having an uninterrupted meal and phone conversation. I realize these might also never happen while my children are awake.<br />
5. I will hold my children more accountable. Mack can totally climb up the stairs and walk down the street by himself. Mimi can get her own snack and milk out of the refrigerator. Mack can clean up the crackers he spilled on the floor. <br />
6. I will pause before responding to their every whim. Mack has learned to throw a fantastic fit, and he continues to throw them because Clint and I always respond quickly to get him to shut up. <i>Yes, Mack, you can have ANYTHING you want, but for the love please stop freaking out!!!</i><br />
7. I will stand my ground and not let snobby North Side moms dictate how I raise my children. My other Chicago friends know exactly what I'm talking about. That mom who gasps when my children are too rowdy at the park or find out I haven't enrolled them in gymnastics, Spanish, Mandarin, theater, and the Latin School. Those moms who love to point out that my child may have offended hers (yet failed to notice how her own child instigated it all because she was too busy talking with her designer on the phone). That grandmother that yelled at Mimi, that mom who attacked my sweet friend at Little Beans while she was nursing her baby, that mom who accused my former nanny of ignoring a child because she wasn't in his face nonstop. Those stupid women can shove it.<br />
<br />
And on another note, Mack was kicked out of preschool yesterday. <br />
<br />
I can say that I'm exaggerating, but I suppose it's true. He has been attending a once a week, 2 1/2 hour class at the private school that is at our church. This is the same school I discussed a few posts back, and I even toured it for Mimi. I didn't feel it was the right fit for Mimi, and now I must face the reality that it's also not the right fit for Mack. Honestly, it's not the right fit for me either.<br />
<br />
I told my mom about this on the phone this morning, and she immediately said, "Wha??" to which I responded, "I know, right?" When I tried to talk with Clint about it last night, he got all reasonable and devil's advocate on me, and then I shut down and said forget it. So this is why a girl should just call her mom first. We need reassurance that we're fabulous and perfect moms and how dare they?!<br />
<br />
So anyway, the story goes like this. The class is called "Time for Twos." Not "Time for Almost Three-Year-Olds." Yet almost every child in the room is at least 7 months older and acts more like a three-year-old while Mack acts exactly like a boy-with-a-dominant-older-sister-and-a-slightly-neurotic-mom who just turned two. I was SO excited about this class because Mack dearly needed time away from me. Let me get something straight -- I do NOT do attachment parenting. You can co-sleep and nurse until your toddler is four and never have a babysitter and home school and what-not, but I do not. Studies show and African tribes and yada yada yada, but I do what I know. My mother was knocked out when she delivered me. She barely nursed. I was in Mother's Day Out (this is a 2 day a week, 9-2:30 type of preschool at many Southern churches) from as early as I can remember. She dropped me off at the door without tears, and I couldn't wait to play with my friends. I love my mother dearly and I never had attachment issues. Stay at home moms in Chicago have no such option as Mother's Day Out (how much have I complained about this?) until the child can attend preschool at three, which I think is just waaay too late. Other than babysitters, these kids are up their mom's butts until three and then they have to figure out how to deal with it. So I wasn't shocked when Mack threw a fit each time I had to leave him in this class.<br />
<br />
Anyway, the teacher immediately pointed out how Mack was not able to communicate or join the group like the others, and she was constantly trying to make sure he was safe while keeping the others engaged in group activities. I'm sure I did some eye-rolling the first time we had this convo because, seriously, she expected me to believe she could keep a two-year-old engaged in a group activity? Moms are required to volunteer once a session, and I did notice that he was more immature than the others in the class because, well, he is several months younger and not talking much. All of the children played well and explored, and they appeared to act like normal two-year-olds. The girls played quietly and wanted to be read to while the boys jumped from activity to toy to activity. I expected Mack to be awful because I was there, but the only trouble he seemed to cause was trying to take pretzels from others and punching buttons on the radio. I didn't quite see this safety issue that the teacher kept telling me about but whatever. He didn't seem to be at the others' maturity level, but as a former teacher I know that younger children will eventually learn from the older ones.<br />
<br />
She and I had this convo several times, and I continued putting my foot down. He met the requirements of being a two-year-old, I was not going to show him that his crying will get him out of my leaving him, and he will eventually learn from the older ones. Yesterday, he was especially clingy and fussy when I dropped him off, and I was having trouble getting Mimi out of the room, which made my stress level ridiculous. When I returned, he was so focused on him painting that he didn't even notice I had arrived. Mack was happy to see me and to show me his blobby painting. He didn't cling to me and he didn't try to pull me out of the door. He was happy and painting just like the others, so I thought this was encouraging. I asked the mom who helped that day how things went, and she said he did cry for a few minutes after I left but then played well. I was feeling we had finally reached a new milestone when his teacher came over to me with a kind smile but then said, "Mack is just not a good fit for this class right now. Why don't we try in a few months in the spring session?"<br />
<br />
On a different day I may have continued my fight, but yesterday was not the day. "You know what -- you're right. This is not a good fit." She tried to justify and comfort and sugar-coat, but I stopped her because I didn't need an explanation. She was completely right. This was not a good fit for any of us. She is a kind person and wonderful teacher who has devoted so much to this school, and while I may not agree with this two-year-old mold, I need to respect her opinion and vision for this class.<br />
<br />
I will continue with Little Gym and the occasional YMCA swim class because we totally fit in these places, and I'm okay with that. <br />
<br />
In the meantime, I'll just ignore my children, smoke cigarettes, and eat pain du chocolat. Hey, it works for the French. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Jeri Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10521003964808664244noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2546665416784172515.post-55084252058793061192012-10-11T11:14:00.002-05:002012-11-14T20:48:01.135-06:00Fall!!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Oh, golden trees, how I love thee . . .</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjakgKME4AWg5LmYSDNsa98AL5u76ZX_3FH82G1a9ThNPDh_2I3mGvEA2xcpcmLkcC9HBxDibu1hP5GJhgKelJyv9nhp-AgN2jdpPycuQPZp4H0xVGXSgL8QkH7yokEAnfveY8G2vqInFU/s1600/September+2012+017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjakgKME4AWg5LmYSDNsa98AL5u76ZX_3FH82G1a9ThNPDh_2I3mGvEA2xcpcmLkcC9HBxDibu1hP5GJhgKelJyv9nhp-AgN2jdpPycuQPZp4H0xVGXSgL8QkH7yokEAnfveY8G2vqInFU/s400/September+2012+017.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Last year when Mimi was in Kiddie College she began playing "school" at home. She pretended to be Miss Kelly, and I can remember her asking, "Mommy, what is the season?" to which I would respond, "Fall." Then she would say with much enthusiasm, "What did you say?! Say it louder!!" And I would have to yell, "Faaaaallllllll!!" And I was quite happy to yell about my favorite season.;) And I'm even happier that my blog is finally catching up. Fall!!!!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Mimi started her soccer classes at Lil Kickers again, and we had plans for Mack to love it as much as she does. He had other plans. Those plans were not joining the class and running away at every chance. After 15 minutes of this, Clint threw the little monkey over his shoulder and informed me that we can try again in the spring. Mack didn't seem to mind.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNu1yezNvDSS5Hb9lah3d6ME970YME2otDNyh2xc7Zyv19sNZVXnfG6xoYICGdaj54tvd3PEgm0onIE6dGZyHtcuG3T8HtdPmhVZJUr2URjp5QkR7iqTOwBzxcRyf1j0HLLRCEq5rb0O4/s1600/September+2012+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNu1yezNvDSS5Hb9lah3d6ME970YME2otDNyh2xc7Zyv19sNZVXnfG6xoYICGdaj54tvd3PEgm0onIE6dGZyHtcuG3T8HtdPmhVZJUr2URjp5QkR7iqTOwBzxcRyf1j0HLLRCEq5rb0O4/s400/September+2012+009.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7_jNfbgYzq-dvtZ65Vve-GmPkyVi5I1pqXF9ZFwGjDyNSuzJCSoKgXtR1I6ODwjuAtbB2AMDYMfKuxpEoWc0AJdx_rBVbL2W_pj9uXla6ZYp9wwL1L0KwYhDIhMG-1sWiE3Z_Pnb6bIM/s1600/September+2012+012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7_jNfbgYzq-dvtZ65Vve-GmPkyVi5I1pqXF9ZFwGjDyNSuzJCSoKgXtR1I6ODwjuAtbB2AMDYMfKuxpEoWc0AJdx_rBVbL2W_pj9uXla6ZYp9wwL1L0KwYhDIhMG-1sWiE3Z_Pnb6bIM/s400/September+2012+012.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Being silly before she ran her little legs off in soccer.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnGN81vK51O9pXDvLsNf5wlxsxyR0hgLvi4gccV6OmNeuKkGZVuX4i1NTUL1jYFm9nIxPuT64SixsD5jmxXRAHuxH7SxbNPewcgljGssK4ufdgtB3Hc9WKyDaBQ5W0Do3ozRQ7RStitEo/s1600/September+2012+013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnGN81vK51O9pXDvLsNf5wlxsxyR0hgLvi4gccV6OmNeuKkGZVuX4i1NTUL1jYFm9nIxPuT64SixsD5jmxXRAHuxH7SxbNPewcgljGssK4ufdgtB3Hc9WKyDaBQ5W0Do3ozRQ7RStitEo/s400/September+2012+013.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Dogpile on Coach Gomez!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGBodjityYBKtbQP6XY7uAL1yvTZtClfPYlzXSpw91OAazHipM1qivlm0wY9BM7QSa6lxwX-k_LsssLQz3iv6CI9QYRoU8ICCo8m8tqkJOHAiaiFmAJqO3m2f0zdKClhXpYyrf9dBnYe0/s1600/Sept+2012+023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGBodjityYBKtbQP6XY7uAL1yvTZtClfPYlzXSpw91OAazHipM1qivlm0wY9BM7QSa6lxwX-k_LsssLQz3iv6CI9QYRoU8ICCo8m8tqkJOHAiaiFmAJqO3m2f0zdKClhXpYyrf9dBnYe0/s400/Sept+2012+023.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7lhxH8NVwVoJ_tW1pZigXYJ19cYG6Y8dk6Aud7-H5dbru6SLSf4iRNzVUdUwxFdh4Bb4CP9WiIoh2UefcpBNUDxzBq2X99qA7dQW47l-auJVpy2ZVjuEjtqcV9tePmtt8ZOclkk-v85w/s1600/Sept+2012+077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7lhxH8NVwVoJ_tW1pZigXYJ19cYG6Y8dk6Aud7-H5dbru6SLSf4iRNzVUdUwxFdh4Bb4CP9WiIoh2UefcpBNUDxzBq2X99qA7dQW47l-auJVpy2ZVjuEjtqcV9tePmtt8ZOclkk-v85w/s400/Sept+2012+077.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Mimi is also taking karate. Hi-ya!!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsw_KXc7eBZE4eK-_53fmhHCGXoQiLv921ffeUItAKTqhTgqLaLfhgdjjPA-YetiU4GcALldzxAJWTVSFXT-9oCo3KmyrfFcp4-XL4mAnC-A3g2Z6S7Mf0e4WUaBoplAvN_dW-uytQq2Y/s1600/Sept+2012+014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsw_KXc7eBZE4eK-_53fmhHCGXoQiLv921ffeUItAKTqhTgqLaLfhgdjjPA-YetiU4GcALldzxAJWTVSFXT-9oCo3KmyrfFcp4-XL4mAnC-A3g2Z6S7Mf0e4WUaBoplAvN_dW-uytQq2Y/s400/Sept+2012+014.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Her class is at the Little Gym and is about half karate and half gymnastics, which is really fun for Mimi.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKNNLGRTvuGAzYCTzUSesqT0OXRMtC8XZ1z8nxWPHaWrpE9sayLRsBN0jL3TuYbQOf_t_AaHvJfxrV6BH_braEtTDZJrh5MlvZLTCjy15QdC7WT8yn5kIYebNXRwo4sj4hePRnC1g85_I/s1600/Sept+2012+162.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKNNLGRTvuGAzYCTzUSesqT0OXRMtC8XZ1z8nxWPHaWrpE9sayLRsBN0jL3TuYbQOf_t_AaHvJfxrV6BH_braEtTDZJrh5MlvZLTCjy15QdC7WT8yn5kIYebNXRwo4sj4hePRnC1g85_I/s400/Sept+2012+162.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Mack also started taking a class at the Little Gym, and this is what he has to say about it . . .</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG_6glfzVZOFtA_Rpjt6Vtz4rTzinudMySBJZCDp1i0o1LyomLR1FbyJnhE8uSlg9kXTricMDBoG-FMIheCIUHc7-34hCYSYXqLpljhMZ2atLN6xGb7UoRvYrnhy4FldZDfTvdFStvx-I/s1600/Sept+2012+160.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG_6glfzVZOFtA_Rpjt6Vtz4rTzinudMySBJZCDp1i0o1LyomLR1FbyJnhE8uSlg9kXTricMDBoG-FMIheCIUHc7-34hCYSYXqLpljhMZ2atLN6xGb7UoRvYrnhy4FldZDfTvdFStvx-I/s400/Sept+2012+160.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
Just kidding:) He loves to run around and jump on bouncy things and hang on rings and fling his body against mats. The Little Gym was made for my monkeys.<br />
<br />
And now for the update on the public/private school dilemma I had (that you can read about <a href="http://clintandjeriannedarby.blogspot.com/2012/09/educating-my-monkeys-public-or-private.html" target="_blank">here</a>). By the way, thank you so much for your suggestions and words of encouragement because there are WAY too many educational options in this city. A few days after my post I toured the perfect little school and the potential four-year-old class for Mimi where Mack attends. The girl who gave me the tour is named "Mimi," (I'm not kidding) and she did a wonderful job of showing me the perfect little classroom, teacher, and students who sat perfectly still in a perfect circle. They were absolutely precious and I was comforted to see how well they listened to their teacher and worked together. She gave me some background of the school and told me about their goals and mission, and she explained the way they teach and why. It reminded me sooo much of where I attended preschool and kindergarten. She was amazing, and I loved her and the school. Here's the problem -- I wasn't sure Mimi would love it. I don't think this is the right place for my free-spirited little monkey. She craves chaos and imperfect circles. Suddenly the decision that had been eating away at me for days became quite clear -- I knew as soon as I left the building exactly where she belonged.<br />
<br />
<br />
As soon as the teachers and Rahm got it together, Mimi returned to her school. I noticed on the first day back that the students appeared to not have skipped a beat. As soon as Miss Jami appeared, they ran to find a place in line in their new school shoes and backpacks that are bigger than they are. The parents appeared happy and friendly, and Mimi talked nonstop on our walk home. She loves to step out our door and meet a little girl who lives down our street to walk to school together. Mimi eagerly grabs her hand and talks her head off without even remembering her name sometimes. She is excited to see her friends each day, and she met me at the gate Friday dragging a little boy behind her who she said was "adorable." He is twice her size and so, so sweet, and I'll have to admit that he is quite adorable. Miss Jami and Mrs. Vickie seem to enjoy Mimi's silly personality (which was a relief -- not all appreciate her), and Miss Jami told me that she loves how Mimi is nice to everyone and has no problem saying how she feels. Uh oh. I asked exactly what she likes about Mimi saying how she feels -- because my Little Bit doesn't hold back. She said she doesn't flip out, but she definitely lets others know when they've crossed the line. Ms. Jami told me this is great because many of the others don't use their words yet, and they are learning how to do so by watching Mimi. Wow. She's exactly where she's supposed to be.<br />
<br />
And I'm excited that she's in a school that still needs a little help from the parents. So I made some pillows for the toddler room. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSKpykjFa_dSzvf1yYkOsWTHWjQQt7I0996dy5IUAEgOCO7Ql4gXV9GrKfePQC5Xl5TSJJwDgE2T13v0GdpcJEuTfLyDmVQWUC8y4Ie1z_UytJF1Jbar8QMlOwj6QvtydUiRYxjnyusLs/s1600/September+2012+014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSKpykjFa_dSzvf1yYkOsWTHWjQQt7I0996dy5IUAEgOCO7Ql4gXV9GrKfePQC5Xl5TSJJwDgE2T13v0GdpcJEuTfLyDmVQWUC8y4Ie1z_UytJF1Jbar8QMlOwj6QvtydUiRYxjnyusLs/s400/September+2012+014.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Yay Jahn!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1P5uxjMfpGs6-Q53lOBjphGXHGlOZqV0auIIuXakmwUkWFvs41-zQmqM25LtqyEUxid1b5Bt63NJc6Rv4R0T9vO2scNQKjVeJRPi3i-83iukomCW0hv8o3Y2QlIlAbqfPScbm1RBIMeE/s1600/September+2012+015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1P5uxjMfpGs6-Q53lOBjphGXHGlOZqV0auIIuXakmwUkWFvs41-zQmqM25LtqyEUxid1b5Bt63NJc6Rv4R0T9vO2scNQKjVeJRPi3i-83iukomCW0hv8o3Y2QlIlAbqfPScbm1RBIMeE/s400/September+2012+015.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I'm also in the process of cutting out about 45 orange pumpkins and loving it. Hooray for being a preschool mom and using construction paper!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It's fun to get Mimi from school and share a snack with her on the couch while she watches Spiderman cartoons.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnf6tX5vjFQWYu4RGNCYZ6jYSjwdIBjANAjr7oVjNVZQmAkF69cRd1p-Lki8VO54WVLp310v5RkzMbysAoP8zXxmulU2RTUthclSLwMS5Hrc0c7aFx4DjHmGeu96AgbzRy4dwCbTIreVw/s1600/Sept+2012+070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnf6tX5vjFQWYu4RGNCYZ6jYSjwdIBjANAjr7oVjNVZQmAkF69cRd1p-Lki8VO54WVLp310v5RkzMbysAoP8zXxmulU2RTUthclSLwMS5Hrc0c7aFx4DjHmGeu96AgbzRy4dwCbTIreVw/s400/Sept+2012+070.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
But some days this is what we do instead. Preschool is even too much for my energetic monkey sometimes.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhosPzqBWjKQmU4ZUjbfdaR_HwOGqf9cC0UM-P-AzoNf2dSGpjCVOim0avsvgbePEadUlF3hHKCYb9ltWeqeer-_XrIGErgGWBfS6okF2GjIVB1h5WJCsDcUQUklCoRcxIMfJUtOjny6TE/s1600/September+2012+020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhosPzqBWjKQmU4ZUjbfdaR_HwOGqf9cC0UM-P-AzoNf2dSGpjCVOim0avsvgbePEadUlF3hHKCYb9ltWeqeer-_XrIGErgGWBfS6okF2GjIVB1h5WJCsDcUQUklCoRcxIMfJUtOjny6TE/s400/September+2012+020.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
In other news, my building has continued to be awesome with a new family with two little girls. Mimi is in heaven and asks me every morning before her eyes are open if she can go downstairs and play at Izzie's house. For the first time, we're actually having play dates without one mom being present. I mean, we're in the same building so why not? </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Here's Mimi and her new BFF Izzie at the zoo munching on snow cones. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ5C1zlzvcJSjkk8OFWoTA2fLmfujQoCXk7XTR1NOmKJ5B__2QI3WAirK2G0muYnFNKsx6sqwofGS3HHF6iY9izuOA3U04dItTpcLnuLaZhIWV3scvvWVgMVZBW5dZqN7nRamsscb8uqc/s1600/Sept+2012+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ5C1zlzvcJSjkk8OFWoTA2fLmfujQoCXk7XTR1NOmKJ5B__2QI3WAirK2G0muYnFNKsx6sqwofGS3HHF6iY9izuOA3U04dItTpcLnuLaZhIWV3scvvWVgMVZBW5dZqN7nRamsscb8uqc/s400/Sept+2012+007.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And being princesses . . . </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcOginN0K5T6Zq1POCnOm2u1pcxZE7aBgGhUprBnfIhDqEh7n_ipN3Po3PywLK7RFvN0CGhz3H73Fm5cObX046T4pk21HEUApxcbXiMc29kxcYYCbbg6DUoCVwiRRWNWCTFT-pt-2ErYI/s1600/Sept+2012+038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcOginN0K5T6Zq1POCnOm2u1pcxZE7aBgGhUprBnfIhDqEh7n_ipN3Po3PywLK7RFvN0CGhz3H73Fm5cObX046T4pk21HEUApxcbXiMc29kxcYYCbbg6DUoCVwiRRWNWCTFT-pt-2ErYI/s400/Sept+2012+038.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
Chicago is awesome, by the way. One really cool thing that happens at the beginning of fall is Circus in the Parks. This year the park 30 feet away from our front door was able to host a circus, and it was amazing!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
The Big Top!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWrV3-TXxTXeeThafp5UIRk0IG7WznFuTzDl33PwT8wc4LKp40YjqNkuQWIQNXZbQA4r-alkgl2RSCL2jC9dz3NTDxS6pa0SaiIruEQX6-1MHtlK2qlTrfsl_pILIEpSGKAP2loFMdNDA/s1600/Sept+2012+024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWrV3-TXxTXeeThafp5UIRk0IG7WznFuTzDl33PwT8wc4LKp40YjqNkuQWIQNXZbQA4r-alkgl2RSCL2jC9dz3NTDxS6pa0SaiIruEQX6-1MHtlK2qlTrfsl_pILIEpSGKAP2loFMdNDA/s400/Sept+2012+024.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4xCyFtjLpjyVcr_xb7V5XAgML-qsfvH8h6x92fAMfMXZ1GrkHD9cqnRyTjStllonRxbqKFrARSU5Tob3eQF9qsuxuCDUaXlqKSqoN4G0YmU7IrT6Y6hqOkUw9cOdDL8hL5KH9sE7B_x0/s1600/Sept+2012+026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4xCyFtjLpjyVcr_xb7V5XAgML-qsfvH8h6x92fAMfMXZ1GrkHD9cqnRyTjStllonRxbqKFrARSU5Tob3eQF9qsuxuCDUaXlqKSqoN4G0YmU7IrT6Y6hqOkUw9cOdDL8hL5KH9sE7B_x0/s400/Sept+2012+026.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Can I honk your nose?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEighBEA_Y2mOp-v2l5Z5TmQ-dvbrEOjv7enIMpDscRyJ4BGf3qhoOBTBG0brcY_ymA81YLUlnz8A3EJhipXEg0edB1eu50c1Dj6J6BFcUUSprk0aLL7isocKH25GHh5J-8l1EWzn-OVgCo/s1600/Sept+2012+033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEighBEA_Y2mOp-v2l5Z5TmQ-dvbrEOjv7enIMpDscRyJ4BGf3qhoOBTBG0brcY_ymA81YLUlnz8A3EJhipXEg0edB1eu50c1Dj6J6BFcUUSprk0aLL7isocKH25GHh5J-8l1EWzn-OVgCo/s400/Sept+2012+033.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Mimi and one of her boy BFF's, Spiderman. His love of all things super hero has prompted Mimi's new infatuation, which is awesome because I was getting a little tired of all things princess. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo-aVtIfkKUMF9shmvXV0q6EIYIAevMl9puXUneJVF3LZBitzW6lIaE-45SgDyWJCd75dus1qBRYYowJjnQJ9hGPpBV9-7GYi5tY1DCV4jimYyZjPoU5DpUkOf4Ewsj3qqyxlFnqzRhUU/s1600/Sept+2012+034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo-aVtIfkKUMF9shmvXV0q6EIYIAevMl9puXUneJVF3LZBitzW6lIaE-45SgDyWJCd75dus1qBRYYowJjnQJ9hGPpBV9-7GYi5tY1DCV4jimYyZjPoU5DpUkOf4Ewsj3qqyxlFnqzRhUU/s400/Sept+2012+034.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
I feel like my hubs always gets the shaft in my posts, so here he is, the infamous Mr. Darby. He's the head of our family, pro-golfer wanna-be, and lover of dogs:) A few weeks ago we ventured to the northern burbs to visit a sorority sister from college, and that is where he met this sweet baby. By the way, do you see that screened in porch and green yard with trees? Makes me start to consider the burbs . . . I just said consider -- don't get your panties in a wad. We're city folks for now.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEczF8HLeSFGx2xByzNl1Septi-6ZOkqeYzLkKGrKWzWnWJ1nZX7D77zfrezJ2VJyTjQ4AuObEIzqjmrj4lBHf3fMRRF9cHanesU1K5scMbj37heQdBitFXwcxIeom-BNhGNluTwdDSi4/s1600/Sept+2012+015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEczF8HLeSFGx2xByzNl1Septi-6ZOkqeYzLkKGrKWzWnWJ1nZX7D77zfrezJ2VJyTjQ4AuObEIzqjmrj4lBHf3fMRRF9cHanesU1K5scMbj37heQdBitFXwcxIeom-BNhGNluTwdDSi4/s400/Sept+2012+015.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
We're trying to soak up this wonderful fall weather as much as possible with daily trike and wagon rides because we know a Chicago winter is right around the corner.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyMwPsmGmzclYXhzALNTjseetUHTea6hQzVImIS6w51_N92yCc-RZAFK17dXPeIM5sWKJZrA2kQNLURcdqF-otVaF3mUAelRq8jdgGwkbzmoxf0qA_GRyPgFGJXYpOHZFoSoTbCpd-3Ng/s1600/Sept+2012+036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyMwPsmGmzclYXhzALNTjseetUHTea6hQzVImIS6w51_N92yCc-RZAFK17dXPeIM5sWKJZrA2kQNLURcdqF-otVaF3mUAelRq8jdgGwkbzmoxf0qA_GRyPgFGJXYpOHZFoSoTbCpd-3Ng/s400/Sept+2012+036.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
Back to the monkey on the left for just a few minutes. I'm still madly in love with him, but he's such a stinker. He's doing great in his little 2-year-old class at his school, but the teacher has definitely pointed out several times how he's much younger than the other 2-yr-olds in the class and how it's sometimes difficult for her to pull him down from climbing on everything. And I began feeling all self-conscious and defensive. I mean, it's a two-year-old class, and Mack acts exactly like a two-year-old. My sister told me to just stop asking how he's doing, and I think she has the right idea.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB2ihNLPuBTSrIQwspRYHBHJhYiNbPd7bIjUJZcGOsiEt4-nP_gGJ9AxC4VJXKEQh85q9E0OvQiy44WvGgwun6dwXU-GYn9yOkxX4wqtIGqlMqkhE3TeRnP3y7NcN_TxueK9pSkQ5yxCE/s1600/Sept+2012+040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB2ihNLPuBTSrIQwspRYHBHJhYiNbPd7bIjUJZcGOsiEt4-nP_gGJ9AxC4VJXKEQh85q9E0OvQiy44WvGgwun6dwXU-GYn9yOkxX4wqtIGqlMqkhE3TeRnP3y7NcN_TxueK9pSkQ5yxCE/s400/Sept+2012+040.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
During Mack's class, I get some fun Mimi time. His school is near downtown, so I love taking her to see some sights.<br />
<br />
I think the Trump Tower is gorgeous.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKqADTiTBvWL895pBUbF_lGo6y6qOTGd2HFdKsRBi-dq5nZL_7L4vTJBXnsXayWN5By4krfMBrsW-UgLNejqys1L1igU9op9NUSDBPj7D5Ej8rs57JpLxFhhQddTG_wzriL9dPhwBwJ9k/s1600/Sept+2012+046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKqADTiTBvWL895pBUbF_lGo6y6qOTGd2HFdKsRBi-dq5nZL_7L4vTJBXnsXayWN5By4krfMBrsW-UgLNejqys1L1igU9op9NUSDBPj7D5Ej8rs57JpLxFhhQddTG_wzriL9dPhwBwJ9k/s400/Sept+2012+046.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjed6VNV8hzuVQF_Oogj3-IyLMAMGt82fkjnLY29K1Ku-jhYJ6fHl5Ke91_dpxHlynRvEqKEufgDzCWO0aq2CyECRCnSDuhAyVmXVga5LNQV-BGwPjMpXA4ytDrOE7mEsObH-H2b1deV2E/s1600/Sept+2012+047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjed6VNV8hzuVQF_Oogj3-IyLMAMGt82fkjnLY29K1Ku-jhYJ6fHl5Ke91_dpxHlynRvEqKEufgDzCWO0aq2CyECRCnSDuhAyVmXVga5LNQV-BGwPjMpXA4ytDrOE7mEsObH-H2b1deV2E/s400/Sept+2012+047.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
Mack and his buddy, William, who is another sweet neighbor (This post is all over the place! Sorry for being unorganized). They are practicing crawling through the trenches, I suppose.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA_tZIyZZpmov0FBy76xzOCK8bPB0HspQYPuiVG96o0GF2Z-eeBtZwNrPVuAfgs3USByTRgIAkdIcRyWg-Qyc_4OQGCv432NqksGfbgIBi2hWMzHBUT3P9gcVdoVBJzqDNMFKBX8oV5OA/s1600/Sept+2012+057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA_tZIyZZpmov0FBy76xzOCK8bPB0HspQYPuiVG96o0GF2Z-eeBtZwNrPVuAfgs3USByTRgIAkdIcRyWg-Qyc_4OQGCv432NqksGfbgIBi2hWMzHBUT3P9gcVdoVBJzqDNMFKBX8oV5OA/s400/Sept+2012+057.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Mimi and some buddies at the park.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS6QQE7wVS7wZbi86iiU2F9y9fVH_8TX1lul0Fm_yFiJaHCMW8U7Q8Mixf51M1oYcCw_HREvaPqoMIzKj9RYHLqTXJotXu3prsDHreWQVI4NCjZuq4gsepPxY4QivE1RMieePIysFpANo/s1600/Sept+2012+072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS6QQE7wVS7wZbi86iiU2F9y9fVH_8TX1lul0Fm_yFiJaHCMW8U7Q8Mixf51M1oYcCw_HREvaPqoMIzKj9RYHLqTXJotXu3prsDHreWQVI4NCjZuq4gsepPxY4QivE1RMieePIysFpANo/s400/Sept+2012+072.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Buzz is making sure the animals get to the farm. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6fbwARmisMvSooWMbw8_DwxzKzewh7W2NUDYq9CHmkT7zWlyeCST7uW3hUFn1UHgTqWhrOPkH1sf6hVuD0akEidYtT3Nww2hfNdet9TtI20dVfexXavha4cr_nSq3-9JyYvxsRfrKwFA/s1600/Sept+2012+076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6fbwARmisMvSooWMbw8_DwxzKzewh7W2NUDYq9CHmkT7zWlyeCST7uW3hUFn1UHgTqWhrOPkH1sf6hVuD0akEidYtT3Nww2hfNdet9TtI20dVfexXavha4cr_nSq3-9JyYvxsRfrKwFA/s400/Sept+2012+076.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Mack loves push toys, so this Strider might be perfect for Christmas.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr_QXBQc79mtu9J5E2U_exRaX6INwUvN8LWG9fpkW7mh-yEgRzyFeoSltWFwUJrKtY-mpz_NafJoTkOLmAsB9TYjrAxncNpaUNyKfS2TXeIM47gr3AZqTyAa5c7PVD7pmBR0bqwzM2YhU/s1600/Sept+2012+166.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr_QXBQc79mtu9J5E2U_exRaX6INwUvN8LWG9fpkW7mh-yEgRzyFeoSltWFwUJrKtY-mpz_NafJoTkOLmAsB9TYjrAxncNpaUNyKfS2TXeIM47gr3AZqTyAa5c7PVD7pmBR0bqwzM2YhU/s400/Sept+2012+166.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We took a building field trip to a pumpkin patch. It was fah-reezing but such a fun day. Love my little pumpkins.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhosPzqBWjKQmU4ZUjbfdaR_HwOGqf9cC0UM-P-AzoNf2dSGpjCVOim0avsvgbePEadUlF3hHKCYb9ltWeqeer-_XrIGErgGWBfS6okF2GjIVB1h5WJCsDcUQUklCoRcxIMfJUtOjny6TE/s1600/September+2012+020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN9jZ-YJ__YjMZnnFuFFBu5mMPambEhg4lwjloH2pqrOPOFA4fePYD8yTMrQjs7S38P3cLCOoY2C5NR6R7Ena4m1BhaEwIB810mR-2cxf65Y4pvjKLR4E6F-C5a0tXagkRa5WgALGtrc8/s1600/Sept+2012+082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN9jZ-YJ__YjMZnnFuFFBu5mMPambEhg4lwjloH2pqrOPOFA4fePYD8yTMrQjs7S38P3cLCOoY2C5NR6R7Ena4m1BhaEwIB810mR-2cxf65Y4pvjKLR4E6F-C5a0tXagkRa5WgALGtrc8/s400/Sept+2012+082.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx023k_o9pfUZP8ElKT-MnxffxhIAYr3abilira2bCw7eF8A2EBUcwXlkmYfAX_w8-53cqLBxQSMkc1xCUjjYPjG05ZkCkEmnotorTfcFRt_63tE6GF7gQy0RVkzaZfbbWlJGWjYWztVo/s1600/Sept+2012+087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx023k_o9pfUZP8ElKT-MnxffxhIAYr3abilira2bCw7eF8A2EBUcwXlkmYfAX_w8-53cqLBxQSMkc1xCUjjYPjG05ZkCkEmnotorTfcFRt_63tE6GF7gQy0RVkzaZfbbWlJGWjYWztVo/s400/Sept+2012+087.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN5S9Pe8I4beuGUGzZDW8UzNEya9WZCGkZ8UhgHrMESIb8Kc4Sz3OWn2S_2Tos5-8nNzJPamu-BfCFPAAn7oTNpKNLEoqAzwRaOI6JtThBFCYn8s981a4jcaYMHKAwxQW7sJdMplejQ0c/s1600/Sept+2012+089.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN5S9Pe8I4beuGUGzZDW8UzNEya9WZCGkZ8UhgHrMESIb8Kc4Sz3OWn2S_2Tos5-8nNzJPamu-BfCFPAAn7oTNpKNLEoqAzwRaOI6JtThBFCYn8s981a4jcaYMHKAwxQW7sJdMplejQ0c/s400/Sept+2012+089.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAWDBKreWCKFQJdrJuVszsPbijXvgfuoZKZEBVGAce0qe2ah7AM5niEHuAzBV3aH9eZ3eOcfulpNl4nzl4UBP4QaiXk0bq5NmAZaga4usyl4lJtjsdyNo0YLIU_LcC_qmMhYXXt8zGvtU/s1600/Sept+2012+092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAWDBKreWCKFQJdrJuVszsPbijXvgfuoZKZEBVGAce0qe2ah7AM5niEHuAzBV3aH9eZ3eOcfulpNl4nzl4UBP4QaiXk0bq5NmAZaga4usyl4lJtjsdyNo0YLIU_LcC_qmMhYXXt8zGvtU/s400/Sept+2012+092.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
Because of a late spring frost, the apples are tiny. That didn't stop Mack from occasionally stopping to taste a rotten one.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJDlAbcF-Y28xMDnTwEpOuwcOdzaynMyFySo5HNmWGZvQvn1XA8BOog9wiuuO7mkOQiIGMLf1AKsZNcmvnB-d_2A4S3YJ61_4a-rFOcAu3jDFYrfnXFciJVMRK3hGfkMXc2_7M6fAFMyE/s1600/Sept+2012+094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJDlAbcF-Y28xMDnTwEpOuwcOdzaynMyFySo5HNmWGZvQvn1XA8BOog9wiuuO7mkOQiIGMLf1AKsZNcmvnB-d_2A4S3YJ61_4a-rFOcAu3jDFYrfnXFciJVMRK3hGfkMXc2_7M6fAFMyE/s400/Sept+2012+094.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0j-SQo_y-J2JPVG7dmPXcWFL-qKn9iBhTwBpLbTVT1tG3q5oaNzJv2Bh9ttSAmx-NUZ0MHpvkx5_Tj_J-XXh9KaQZS-XcO771uKdmh0XRIFeomaYmZJPUHpQbp6onkoBQk-Kg23PjjTk/s1600/Sept+2012+101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0j-SQo_y-J2JPVG7dmPXcWFL-qKn9iBhTwBpLbTVT1tG3q5oaNzJv2Bh9ttSAmx-NUZ0MHpvkx5_Tj_J-XXh9KaQZS-XcO771uKdmh0XRIFeomaYmZJPUHpQbp6onkoBQk-Kg23PjjTk/s400/Sept+2012+101.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Dk8IhbQmU4U1OwwcdDsJ1temfpNyVRCAAfFfG9oMAU0ATUyGynP0IVFVefJTp6EntpSP5JcxUqzC8aMgwVUSMC8-nuhPAAwHkBhXOM68MhyphenhyphenjYxrlE1cYenLesPhkVwrUAHLOKgx9D50/s1600/Sept+2012+108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Dk8IhbQmU4U1OwwcdDsJ1temfpNyVRCAAfFfG9oMAU0ATUyGynP0IVFVefJTp6EntpSP5JcxUqzC8aMgwVUSMC8-nuhPAAwHkBhXOM68MhyphenhyphenjYxrlE1cYenLesPhkVwrUAHLOKgx9D50/s400/Sept+2012+108.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Bethany throwing my monkey around.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMOw8zj3btLiOOcgMopIwTS4kc2pKXs5MXKSFN_piOZvDdwNhGhMUWrx4301blZeQfg7bGZTIHa6zsI4W-iH640gDn4wuG_pzCu2Rl3C9MV9qkTG49HBo_5Z9tTb9dARIB_y2x7_l0M64/s1600/Sept+2012+110.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMOw8zj3btLiOOcgMopIwTS4kc2pKXs5MXKSFN_piOZvDdwNhGhMUWrx4301blZeQfg7bGZTIHa6zsI4W-iH640gDn4wuG_pzCu2Rl3C9MV9qkTG49HBo_5Z9tTb9dARIB_y2x7_l0M64/s400/Sept+2012+110.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4VPNDjzpq8HVavNAyRy3FqMocvSIq_305yI6JRPCb8eskwfEMF59FMN8EiBYSRPwtm6UA9Pp9OHK2EJkU2zz7vum6LzsYINCllJiE2zP0_pUVovUxzR2lupCz3WLrrBeh4H7rHA0G7iQ/s1600/Sept+2012+114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4VPNDjzpq8HVavNAyRy3FqMocvSIq_305yI6JRPCb8eskwfEMF59FMN8EiBYSRPwtm6UA9Pp9OHK2EJkU2zz7vum6LzsYINCllJiE2zP0_pUVovUxzR2lupCz3WLrrBeh4H7rHA0G7iQ/s400/Sept+2012+114.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
My husband, the Unibomber.</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/AVvXsEiE9osJWjrVNdexRvfsg5-wWZtGwtmAJa6gf83V5fDWPfZr8XRtUBCu6VJu_HgFPIQazIYa0Ej19iwdMdqwwWG2kVc9PR-c5xjR8eP76suhqCJ25jhv2MLaaxvFENb5e6hMAsJSyCl4XBo/s1600/Sept+2012+116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE9osJWjrVNdexRvfsg5-wWZtGwtmAJa6gf83V5fDWPfZr8XRtUBCu6VJu_HgFPIQazIYa0Ej19iwdMdqwwWG2kVc9PR-c5xjR8eP76suhqCJ25jhv2MLaaxvFENb5e6hMAsJSyCl4XBo/s400/Sept+2012+116.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Awww, the Darby fam.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil3TJ7gthuzpBT06e7_pC1pLNdpi8jUKcOUiYbLNwGF0bbF49wWNHo6VVbPHZBHhKLJmTjhSpAgSe00osQOWyM7CFtra9NRF9Sr0YkQGD7a4bIqw7YUQYT2Je-PzBTdJvvg8GGFC4pyNk/s1600/Sept+2012+125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil3TJ7gthuzpBT06e7_pC1pLNdpi8jUKcOUiYbLNwGF0bbF49wWNHo6VVbPHZBHhKLJmTjhSpAgSe00osQOWyM7CFtra9NRF9Sr0YkQGD7a4bIqw7YUQYT2Je-PzBTdJvvg8GGFC4pyNk/s400/Sept+2012+125.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL-oLe0Bc6byypCzmkf5aS03cjpgUocdvhTCW_Lr5_Bu9ixAXEJNLdylkgRx7PltuK-DW9AZZrrhWsDlTRhIQBQDm77LuNjyA0N4cALcs4aoq8GK5Zw8yd1aEu1TPR2n2n3QSpPc4VgRw/s1600/Sept+2012+126.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL-oLe0Bc6byypCzmkf5aS03cjpgUocdvhTCW_Lr5_Bu9ixAXEJNLdylkgRx7PltuK-DW9AZZrrhWsDlTRhIQBQDm77LuNjyA0N4cALcs4aoq8GK5Zw8yd1aEu1TPR2n2n3QSpPc4VgRw/s400/Sept+2012+126.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Just pulling on a couple of tailfeathers.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj208JMl7ct0YYI8xOct3IrYqh7GYwFZ_x_I1h6wbGSdXgnZWtXVU9NX4ngLe7ximH4KfrNIM4AhBL2q2PbEUPz_so5JqGFPTai117K1OamGEw7PNzLgYkTcWiORyPOmCkV_CNnVdZVjZg/s1600/Sept+2012+134.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj208JMl7ct0YYI8xOct3IrYqh7GYwFZ_x_I1h6wbGSdXgnZWtXVU9NX4ngLe7ximH4KfrNIM4AhBL2q2PbEUPz_so5JqGFPTai117K1OamGEw7PNzLgYkTcWiORyPOmCkV_CNnVdZVjZg/s400/Sept+2012+134.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
The two little ones in my building, Lucy and William. I could eat them up. So stinkin cute.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVB1etG3XaUwLfeA_ntaQYIGjTs-6pCEh-gsPWaU8wqaqLahc0T3a4ZVutJbmR1WSTxagnQUcUdIhdHVDMLynNZ6mr7cKU2OH9O3KSxCoq3PAi_Y1zfxMEfZrvDi4iAqqtDDN_kbjwgyg/s1600/Sept+2012+146.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVB1etG3XaUwLfeA_ntaQYIGjTs-6pCEh-gsPWaU8wqaqLahc0T3a4ZVutJbmR1WSTxagnQUcUdIhdHVDMLynNZ6mr7cKU2OH9O3KSxCoq3PAi_Y1zfxMEfZrvDi4iAqqtDDN_kbjwgyg/s400/Sept+2012+146.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Sweet girls.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFEalbgELs13y7hfRYlA9HZ4Z1K12cjigPRGtQLDu41DQC6jwiMjNzEu07kSJx1_na-Y3Vs07-3XNdI4gHwj4Dz01akvhU7YLAswporyuvZTnp214nL5hqGeGu6pwN7NxnO65vV1q0VG0/s1600/Sept+2012+164.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFEalbgELs13y7hfRYlA9HZ4Z1K12cjigPRGtQLDu41DQC6jwiMjNzEu07kSJx1_na-Y3Vs07-3XNdI4gHwj4Dz01akvhU7YLAswporyuvZTnp214nL5hqGeGu6pwN7NxnO65vV1q0VG0/s400/Sept+2012+164.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Remember Mimi's new love for super heroes? Check out the Halloween costume. Love, love, love it. I think she's even talked a few of her BFF's into also being Supergirls. :)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRR6Z_CLg8LwAa2c-K_I-qoX4QiChWTq0D0I-cSYrrd2_oDOJzQN4KwgHmhpEsagVrl7rg78AdK57wXnl3kARod2qXA270ni8VAlKM2X3Qn7fKaBBjhwiPMdSDfBPux3rfSPmfr5x2P70/s1600/Sept+2012+167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRR6Z_CLg8LwAa2c-K_I-qoX4QiChWTq0D0I-cSYrrd2_oDOJzQN4KwgHmhpEsagVrl7rg78AdK57wXnl3kARod2qXA270ni8VAlKM2X3Qn7fKaBBjhwiPMdSDfBPux3rfSPmfr5x2P70/s400/Sept+2012+167.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
Poor Mack doesn't have a say in the matter. Every Supergirl needs a Superstinker.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimzrkQHUposomZv-SxV3hRFmEnCcU8t4y1LpXeS2ttOPkddoqgKEIygm_xYdhSLKcGPO1hfg4OYKNeVJ8F3LGgH3irN2NucnwHp0P5ytigG9syWpfgiUy02_HBM38IK6ufad8ecIIvHhI/s1600/Sept+2012+173.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimzrkQHUposomZv-SxV3hRFmEnCcU8t4y1LpXeS2ttOPkddoqgKEIygm_xYdhSLKcGPO1hfg4OYKNeVJ8F3LGgH3irN2NucnwHp0P5ytigG9syWpfgiUy02_HBM38IK6ufad8ecIIvHhI/s400/Sept+2012+173.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And one more shot of that gold tree just for fun.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5L9RbmuAAtLwC2BAojlWntNyRc52ADojtqzSuhVg6ncEAzklhkXs1GdGl1QplE6rPKOs7rHxe4Ll2xL0axutf9qg_OqBQT33nA1dn_IFzJZaRGh-kCQEgE3f8k16SCjRWSM1FhdN4YvU/s1600/Sept+2012+180.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5L9RbmuAAtLwC2BAojlWntNyRc52ADojtqzSuhVg6ncEAzklhkXs1GdGl1QplE6rPKOs7rHxe4Ll2xL0axutf9qg_OqBQT33nA1dn_IFzJZaRGh-kCQEgE3f8k16SCjRWSM1FhdN4YvU/s400/Sept+2012+180.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Jeri Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10521003964808664244noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2546665416784172515.post-6229920505457700232012-09-30T17:27:00.001-05:002012-09-30T17:28:16.625-05:00My Heaven<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitbTSOunjh4FLoxEwAXpYo4u3s7ugyMjp0PvS4sTvDsBFNu00Hwh4OihpIhP_DlLeZtOwVG0WVD5cs4Dlzf21X_baQ_O7GAnjrdU1vdS5Ui8bV0-DQ5Q9t0roav1UZ-VU_j5v12Tb9YYU/s1600/August+2012+150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitbTSOunjh4FLoxEwAXpYo4u3s7ugyMjp0PvS4sTvDsBFNu00Hwh4OihpIhP_DlLeZtOwVG0WVD5cs4Dlzf21X_baQ_O7GAnjrdU1vdS5Ui8bV0-DQ5Q9t0roav1UZ-VU_j5v12Tb9YYU/s400/August+2012+150.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Wow, I am lucky today -- the kids are taking the longest naps ever. They may be up until midnight, but at least I get to catch up on the neglected blog.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And this is one of my favorite yearly posts -- the beach vacation. Ahhhhhhh . . . . even as I was uploading the photos I could smell the salt in the air and hear the waves. Clint and I have found our perfect beach. Have you ever seen the <i>Truman Show</i>? Remember the perfect little beach town where Truman lived and how it was created in that "bubble" in Hollywood? Well, it really does exist in small beach town called Seaside in the panhandle of Florida on a strip of highway called 30A -- but, shhhh, please don't tell anyone because I can't handle the crowds. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Seaside is gorgeous with its pastel-colored homes, but we chose to stay in the little community next to it called Seagrove so we could have a yard like this. I mean, it has a picket fence. Really. And the homes aren't right on top of each other. Just grab a bike and Seaside is a couple of minutes away.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjcrwEmHPoxwJjPmaUhpEnE-AxgDdZbSGY2p8q4WAEtIp-fTZtVNAxmczKjqxwUiqo0BjNxR_K7QAYEMx2txWUjnqk-BKc584cO3qIrif2LyouhTJG7tBaWUVxAQ1r84-ItCvMra5bQNc/s1600/August+2012+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjcrwEmHPoxwJjPmaUhpEnE-AxgDdZbSGY2p8q4WAEtIp-fTZtVNAxmczKjqxwUiqo0BjNxR_K7QAYEMx2txWUjnqk-BKc584cO3qIrif2LyouhTJG7tBaWUVxAQ1r84-ItCvMra5bQNc/s400/August+2012+009.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I had an idea of how I wanted this post to be laid out, but I don't know how long these naps will last and I promised someone a trip to Scooters for frozen custard when she wakes. So I am not arranging the photos.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Anyway, there is a restaurant called Bud and Alley's that has great views of the beach and the little town of Seaside, which you can see behind us. Luckily, we had the grandparents in tow so we could sneak away with friends in the afternoon. It was raining the first few days of the trip, but we didn't care. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU9VuYXDPgiEB4kzahEURet0YF5cGwmG64YOnQZ_Fdkh2EsR4uya9QwRpmjpz-u0ct2aFrOmSkaG3B8IuhgkL4M_qekmZrRQbSj8oRK_4qYpXxGzfmxuXobQGtQTT0ImSP7F49RHx868k/s1600/Summer+2012+196.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU9VuYXDPgiEB4kzahEURet0YF5cGwmG64YOnQZ_Fdkh2EsR4uya9QwRpmjpz-u0ct2aFrOmSkaG3B8IuhgkL4M_qekmZrRQbSj8oRK_4qYpXxGzfmxuXobQGtQTT0ImSP7F49RHx868k/s400/Summer+2012+196.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Well, we did care a little. The trip started with a 6:00AM flight out of Midway, which meant I had to get my monkeys out of bed WAY too early. Poor Mack lost his shiz somewhere over Nashville and didn't recover until he'd completely frazzled every passenger on our plane. The combination of his yucky cold and two molars busting through his gums made him a sad little guy for the first few days of our vacation. I also had his cold and Clint was working like a madman trying to close a couple of important deals, so we had no other choice. We just had to stay a few extra days. :) Oh, joy!<br />
<br />
Do you see the little striped thing in Mack's right hand? That guy is zebra, his best beach friend whom he found in the toy basket at the beach house. Get ready to see him in a lot of the pics. Oh, and he somehow is now living in the toy basket in our Chicago home . . . hmmm, wonder how that happened . . .<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhloE79Qz9xm_nO8iZYuCciuLaKtCy1kSV62w8VoUPz2hwDVuUXTkOFM9u3Aa5yKQLw6ZgdsddmcwT1bSvlWaLdnMsnPfqFRmkrYrZw4tatjNnHuDKjlJzCqVYasetvezNgO-plw_RTSOU/s1600/Summer+2012+202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhloE79Qz9xm_nO8iZYuCciuLaKtCy1kSV62w8VoUPz2hwDVuUXTkOFM9u3Aa5yKQLw6ZgdsddmcwT1bSvlWaLdnMsnPfqFRmkrYrZw4tatjNnHuDKjlJzCqVYasetvezNgO-plw_RTSOU/s400/Summer+2012+202.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
This one doesn't love the beach. Not at all.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnfGnZIrLbcm1_VIQvX3ngBTmqE8QRB_RgCiJ00ktQWB2DQbR2wTGDgu_1Tt0pYp-ndRssEJ3FlWRUhW7szSzlNYbbjPDJeq5WtlY9L7_Pms6swlZM28tSwYtdir9JwpzCCyuiZJY_o-g/s1600/Summer+2012+204.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnfGnZIrLbcm1_VIQvX3ngBTmqE8QRB_RgCiJ00ktQWB2DQbR2wTGDgu_1Tt0pYp-ndRssEJ3FlWRUhW7szSzlNYbbjPDJeq5WtlY9L7_Pms6swlZM28tSwYtdir9JwpzCCyuiZJY_o-g/s400/Summer+2012+204.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Mack and his Top. Two peas :)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlc2-plsrhrsVi6kPaLpPj7nBMghmHKKQJJu-bgQvYIBoUttn89M9bIxSMXUAyC0Gh1Z2pRR0e1Q6zzZ1nvTlLIHlMGgb5FxklFEf3UQAH2-3ZMqHGQbcueKqxndDmvHHSPsJ6iaE2vSA/s1600/Summer+2012+206.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlc2-plsrhrsVi6kPaLpPj7nBMghmHKKQJJu-bgQvYIBoUttn89M9bIxSMXUAyC0Gh1Z2pRR0e1Q6zzZ1nvTlLIHlMGgb5FxklFEf3UQAH2-3ZMqHGQbcueKqxndDmvHHSPsJ6iaE2vSA/s400/Summer+2012+206.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Two more sweet peas :)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgND8QoR07S218iSKphmDPEFMeRsGI2eQzKtXZCVjCresWOPOxWj4A32_sJ9iXjnyjvTCdMJKIjG44XkJWyLkJx6lAH9yWYql8lbGWCvk_1gqfRkRtye7R72x98IPROC9Lx3L3HSpT7T_o/s1600/Summer+2012+210.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgND8QoR07S218iSKphmDPEFMeRsGI2eQzKtXZCVjCresWOPOxWj4A32_sJ9iXjnyjvTCdMJKIjG44XkJWyLkJx6lAH9yWYql8lbGWCvk_1gqfRkRtye7R72x98IPROC9Lx3L3HSpT7T_o/s400/Summer+2012+210.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Checking out "all the boo-tiful things" at Perscipacity.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw6tE5dEpUCVS_I9fT6Zhp6_G7N7dFCw3THK6yE4nNyihFwwXtxNM72BlWTdTjePe5YgLaxaAAVE4cVUhIfI3TWNs1pMzjeyYkXBVCAmINR9XCybezdYP1MiE2H_f46okZ-Nm_2ID8mxw/s1600/Summer+2012+212.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw6tE5dEpUCVS_I9fT6Zhp6_G7N7dFCw3THK6yE4nNyihFwwXtxNM72BlWTdTjePe5YgLaxaAAVE4cVUhIfI3TWNs1pMzjeyYkXBVCAmINR9XCybezdYP1MiE2H_f46okZ-Nm_2ID8mxw/s400/Summer+2012+212.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
Okay, I need to talk about this guy just a minute. We call him Top, you know, like he's the "Top Dog." And he's married to this woman, Shug, who I swear to goggles has a sign on her back door that reads, "Do you want to talk to the man in charge or the woman who knows what's going on?" You already love her, don't you? Anyway, if you don't know Top well, then you have no idea how hilarious he is. Normally, he's fairly quiet and reserved, but sometimes he decides to ruffle up his hair a little. :)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi35-yDOJdsRPVF0wA2pgLwTG8-gkjfcPzMntlatL1vEL_K-xxpzmIaAK9pQc927N3OjKhlWQl65CXkX9Q9iggPvjpNi-qpH77nASeVDwQExvE2jYWqk9iMb49sMt7qTh1PtCgzXFWqF9o/s1600/Summer+2012+213.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi35-yDOJdsRPVF0wA2pgLwTG8-gkjfcPzMntlatL1vEL_K-xxpzmIaAK9pQc927N3OjKhlWQl65CXkX9Q9iggPvjpNi-qpH77nASeVDwQExvE2jYWqk9iMb49sMt7qTh1PtCgzXFWqF9o/s400/Summer+2012+213.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
Top with some sweet friends who were visiting from Birmingham. The guy in the middle is actually at the Ryder Cup with Clint this very second. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu7UUWqb-gSjx-kVq4Lo_8tbSIYJwmCbfUWC1ZfH_XZEyXHd0aJZjhio5d8hXWmX702kDMQtUjm1FtIImcNVbxn8OD1O0OorQPha2m24Jp1kYgBAd_9_BMz2KGLiqGVAJfsqR_QvSA1f8/s1600/Summer+2012+214.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu7UUWqb-gSjx-kVq4Lo_8tbSIYJwmCbfUWC1ZfH_XZEyXHd0aJZjhio5d8hXWmX702kDMQtUjm1FtIImcNVbxn8OD1O0OorQPha2m24Jp1kYgBAd_9_BMz2KGLiqGVAJfsqR_QvSA1f8/s320/Summer+2012+214.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
I don't even know what to say about this. Awesome, right?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJO_S-alJZ0z2YFNSCIXAwibYm1LRMR95UDgJMdfeymgotkgLXT_40NO12BMscjBaJCzJPlftSlLBAhYyIX4R2PCQrRvLLl5IG0CN6VQFDBGEubBSY4swr5mh6ATtaGgSO2toJzbTCXPg/s1600/Summer+2012+215.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJO_S-alJZ0z2YFNSCIXAwibYm1LRMR95UDgJMdfeymgotkgLXT_40NO12BMscjBaJCzJPlftSlLBAhYyIX4R2PCQrRvLLl5IG0CN6VQFDBGEubBSY4swr5mh6ATtaGgSO2toJzbTCXPg/s320/Summer+2012+215.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Hahahahahahaha!!!! He thinks big, muscular guys are hilarious and had a blast picking on this guy, who is about 2 feet taller than he looks in the photo. This is one of the best shots of the vacation by far.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Poppaw and Bebe enjoying brunch at the Red Bar.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Ge6aB_FNSnMgUCQK-oxUpV10jq5c5OjdqsAbIJhc2J_C1H19gu1z0C71nPICcFWp8-ZCkEgssMZO44d1AWbkth0MxDLwtQ4Kr6DalEwOWD8Zmnmuam-sxhDIiFfjN5K8HwCL8J02MB8/s1600/Summer+2012+219.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Ge6aB_FNSnMgUCQK-oxUpV10jq5c5OjdqsAbIJhc2J_C1H19gu1z0C71nPICcFWp8-ZCkEgssMZO44d1AWbkth0MxDLwtQ4Kr6DalEwOWD8Zmnmuam-sxhDIiFfjN5K8HwCL8J02MB8/s400/Summer+2012+219.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Remember I told you he'd pop up again. Hello, Zebra.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-EEVjNOvIdUk8WfI6bsFo1Yi_JfYSZRXcyR2F2hN4ltOmiXTXpo5doh_XzaiJiAysGZph-u4Xw3OSYvNYorlJ0OaQJ66kHLoQ3ViW_Q9s_ODfdA7OhR75WptE3-XbCCvPSCBkyajB158/s1600/Summer+2012+223.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-EEVjNOvIdUk8WfI6bsFo1Yi_JfYSZRXcyR2F2hN4ltOmiXTXpo5doh_XzaiJiAysGZph-u4Xw3OSYvNYorlJ0OaQJ66kHLoQ3ViW_Q9s_ODfdA7OhR75WptE3-XbCCvPSCBkyajB158/s400/Summer+2012+223.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
I couldn't have planned this picture more perfectly. Tiny Mimi standing on her giant brother's shoulders while he buries a zebra in the sand. Awesome.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjT3551Y4V5O-XPONw3JyeEDrFG7nme3vx83qPI2FXkHNacsNIeDtGeGplwr6dG_CqgS1IGzaQ5fmu4cRVbJdapV6UswNATle3ZpzXHPKZ7MkmCMszN8mA6Xp1sj_sXVt3Fv6qGkb-IdM/s1600/Summer+2012+224.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjT3551Y4V5O-XPONw3JyeEDrFG7nme3vx83qPI2FXkHNacsNIeDtGeGplwr6dG_CqgS1IGzaQ5fmu4cRVbJdapV6UswNATle3ZpzXHPKZ7MkmCMszN8mA6Xp1sj_sXVt3Fv6qGkb-IdM/s400/Summer+2012+224.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Dancing on the beach.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLGYX4XwzeDXo5BJ-aFRHSsOB_BNcLkwY4alOGNtDKYjUiXJ-tcmXQR6JviGhZTvuSSqrHsKkMPvbbT5w8wIgfkI9EUg5_S4lkI5GMMvvqiHcl3y86knt0ZdTNlJPH05nsljMxnwzyo2A/s1600/Summer+2012+225.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLGYX4XwzeDXo5BJ-aFRHSsOB_BNcLkwY4alOGNtDKYjUiXJ-tcmXQR6JviGhZTvuSSqrHsKkMPvbbT5w8wIgfkI9EUg5_S4lkI5GMMvvqiHcl3y86knt0ZdTNlJPH05nsljMxnwzyo2A/s400/Summer+2012+225.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ_LoyGfsKmNT6qKJNfxi7B3QmCppotGESlQ5ZB4TGfMb0evNy3lUhoBtn1MnCrbO3b-gH8RsT3klL-x-sItc6mPD5TqMamcH8Kb_mH-9Z9Hlf9XH0NLZuWZIPmk53YYPlYQKCXpRZjjI/s1600/Summer+2012+226.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ_LoyGfsKmNT6qKJNfxi7B3QmCppotGESlQ5ZB4TGfMb0evNy3lUhoBtn1MnCrbO3b-gH8RsT3klL-x-sItc6mPD5TqMamcH8Kb_mH-9Z9Hlf9XH0NLZuWZIPmk53YYPlYQKCXpRZjjI/s400/Summer+2012+226.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZpxfkAs0mpkBAiQ5iYIlTOfKC_W1x7Q-4fDhW5Lnz-nTixkH1v8o_EslNJ9WxPAE71amR2h_boWiip-7UZNXoLqUW29mecUDB45Tk-BXIcr-VfgLPAtV3hQ0zcLEng4EfbWwnr2MdzcQ/s1600/Summer+2012+229.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZpxfkAs0mpkBAiQ5iYIlTOfKC_W1x7Q-4fDhW5Lnz-nTixkH1v8o_EslNJ9WxPAE71amR2h_boWiip-7UZNXoLqUW29mecUDB45Tk-BXIcr-VfgLPAtV3hQ0zcLEng4EfbWwnr2MdzcQ/s400/Summer+2012+229.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
Terrible shot taken after a night at Bud and Alley's by our sweet friend Kyle, who was a pleasant surprise at the beach. Actually she and 5 other friends and their kiddos just happened to be staying a short bike ride away! Kyle and her hubs were two of our very best friends in Memphis, and I could have cried when I found out that they would be there!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO7KlHezCVsdsIJU-4tEuNlGi-Gar6GsmYOr_-ty9qhqTz8607mS4abuHP3LBtvIeOw8GfJgdz6drc9kNKwPq8i4Mr72fOx8FMp5C6SNiNBoJJEFVM7_ia7HcIoBDQK1oVIkfgG-exNOI/s1600/Summer+2012+232.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO7KlHezCVsdsIJU-4tEuNlGi-Gar6GsmYOr_-ty9qhqTz8607mS4abuHP3LBtvIeOw8GfJgdz6drc9kNKwPq8i4Mr72fOx8FMp5C6SNiNBoJJEFVM7_ia7HcIoBDQK1oVIkfgG-exNOI/s320/Summer+2012+232.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Charlie's Donuts is the cutest donut truck ever in Alys Beach, which is by far the most gorgeous beach town I've ever seen. Maybe if we ever want to take a romantic trip without the kids we will go there. Wait, do people actually do that?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkv27WECUrKY-fZ-hrY3kIyl4um5uu1vJ8PuP9tD2ieKV-z5brqYYi-CVpJJ8xlsFBGGmZD6VVkLRdhNOOAAVO18CuKoFkXPYA4y4UP4J9DqeT-abGid4CM-V-YlqrJI2h6j7DzjISmm4/s1600/Summer+2012+233.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkv27WECUrKY-fZ-hrY3kIyl4um5uu1vJ8PuP9tD2ieKV-z5brqYYi-CVpJJ8xlsFBGGmZD6VVkLRdhNOOAAVO18CuKoFkXPYA4y4UP4J9DqeT-abGid4CM-V-YlqrJI2h6j7DzjISmm4/s400/Summer+2012+233.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
Mimi with Mississippi friends Banks and Charlie. She had so much fun bossing them around and stealing their toys. That's what little boy friends are for, right? <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWnvtA3zvHYg1tq2WQf3c3hycZZQevCYsygzgqef6JNo1-SVpjdwV2Hrm2VeksH-9szV9f0TS6QMkbLY85mJDEFAQGmR8djM0qf_o_BxucpFQjFqtsdah5mclC7-4YwAzvgnlfQNInaV4/s1600/Summer+2012+236.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWnvtA3zvHYg1tq2WQf3c3hycZZQevCYsygzgqef6JNo1-SVpjdwV2Hrm2VeksH-9szV9f0TS6QMkbLY85mJDEFAQGmR8djM0qf_o_BxucpFQjFqtsdah5mclC7-4YwAzvgnlfQNInaV4/s400/Summer+2012+236.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
She begged and begged and begged and begged for this beautiful over-priced lollipop. I obliged because it meant I could get a glass of wine and sit still for a minute. She took about 3 licks and told me that she was going to throw it in the garbage.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF7rHLYhL10UaIM2b-ISHzd_ArxWRRmsT9PwGIBiDfGQf-jl-Sfa01bkUi_dz4TLHB_WQ71C6U72e8-w-4Te_v66i3kR3_TkMR3_OhiLV-ZWHOJfqgf6Ui_nYYYXkUUNsHa0nxgpaqXrQ/s1600/Summer+2012+240.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF7rHLYhL10UaIM2b-ISHzd_ArxWRRmsT9PwGIBiDfGQf-jl-Sfa01bkUi_dz4TLHB_WQ71C6U72e8-w-4Te_v66i3kR3_TkMR3_OhiLV-ZWHOJfqgf6Ui_nYYYXkUUNsHa0nxgpaqXrQ/s400/Summer+2012+240.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
One really cool thing about this beach community is that it is sooo bike-friendly. I loved pulling the monkeys behind me to go to the beach or to grab an ice cream cone.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOjn5hYw65GBV9nLeIYyj9J36JMv-tZEYJhTNWr5yHOGVW5rGaC__t_X02U5ldiXrjFc2KUKbZKrBwQJGaTmXN9Ig6-TW60NXLcbz-uE7UWQOMd-6lg86dhy_efjXAuJtZJBShY1RBMLk/s1600/Summer+2012+241.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOjn5hYw65GBV9nLeIYyj9J36JMv-tZEYJhTNWr5yHOGVW5rGaC__t_X02U5ldiXrjFc2KUKbZKrBwQJGaTmXN9Ig6-TW60NXLcbz-uE7UWQOMd-6lg86dhy_efjXAuJtZJBShY1RBMLk/s400/Summer+2012+241.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvVvw8-tx9QP75IdGZzE7-PJm4c2-cK1Xz5_X-BtHdX3bz-I5PRwRZsWsLw6tOQAI5T2vRNgZG46u7OZjmNtYCju_H7FfXeCfEZ3HXTT8rjf_oi0qU9clqgSQewBjfdceG5s_nixFLBsk/s1600/Summer+2012+242.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvVvw8-tx9QP75IdGZzE7-PJm4c2-cK1Xz5_X-BtHdX3bz-I5PRwRZsWsLw6tOQAI5T2vRNgZG46u7OZjmNtYCju_H7FfXeCfEZ3HXTT8rjf_oi0qU9clqgSQewBjfdceG5s_nixFLBsk/s400/Summer+2012+242.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
Oh, and how well did a bloody Mary go with this front porch? They were made for each other.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFJGjnJuy0TKJlZF7AfsxX1RWS0m2GzCCTX-bz77Ec1da8W5qMt2N3-bKlflDe6L3oYXVnu0uyLACTrz6O4WbsdmX3tHxLNCioUb1z9vfsKoXvLwpqzL4DM-drutVOqC3La0vAbyeaPFs/s1600/August+2012+010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFJGjnJuy0TKJlZF7AfsxX1RWS0m2GzCCTX-bz77Ec1da8W5qMt2N3-bKlflDe6L3oYXVnu0uyLACTrz6O4WbsdmX3tHxLNCioUb1z9vfsKoXvLwpqzL4DM-drutVOqC3La0vAbyeaPFs/s400/August+2012+010.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
By the way, I fell absolutely head over heels in love with this beach house. After waking up at 3:30AM, struggling with our sleepy-head, fussy babies, and dealing with lugging one zillion pounds of luggage into a rental car, we turned off of Hwy 30-A onto a narrow gravel road covered with huge magnolia limbs. We pulled into the driveway of a white house with a big porch on the bottom, and screened porch on the top, and a white picket fence. We opened the door and walked in, and I couldn't hold back the tears. "This is even more perfect than I could have imagined!" I squealed to Clint. "Can we buy it??!!" And he just laughed and told me to get a nap.<br />
<br />
This was the dining room where we ate all of our meals. Do you see that green stuff and a fence out the window. That is called a backyard. I had forgotten how awesome one of those could be. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWMK6BIuKFjdCaAIxW1ZKolm_1nEW1K1PVaK7JfRE_fazkOjBzQtPGm9DkROw2KF_Wh2jKqADo2WuEuseQyzFNUaPGXivTC_yPOT93oLdcihACq_5DjdpmeX8CBlcMYTQ2VcOL_4oXo00/s1600/August+2012+027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWMK6BIuKFjdCaAIxW1ZKolm_1nEW1K1PVaK7JfRE_fazkOjBzQtPGm9DkROw2KF_Wh2jKqADo2WuEuseQyzFNUaPGXivTC_yPOT93oLdcihACq_5DjdpmeX8CBlcMYTQ2VcOL_4oXo00/s400/August+2012+027.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The stairs that went down to the beach. Love this photo.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm6Mw1poJwgFODNKwGmFv2HloBFJm0XdkAe0LgT-FDbAuDNVn4HdeylP7xzz7b-N5qN9k8KfNjgF_Z8neXweoueH_Kw8eqr-XGjoz7L2b_PK-YlbMwWsy74v3JufXqS7chN0Ju_DaKvKs/s1600/August+2012+032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm6Mw1poJwgFODNKwGmFv2HloBFJm0XdkAe0LgT-FDbAuDNVn4HdeylP7xzz7b-N5qN9k8KfNjgF_Z8neXweoueH_Kw8eqr-XGjoz7L2b_PK-YlbMwWsy74v3JufXqS7chN0Ju_DaKvKs/s400/August+2012+032.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Do you see all those sunbathers and the beach littered with umbrellas and blankets? Nope, me neither. Just a lot of sand and water. Exactly the way I like it.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY9PKatiQ4I_JSPhxQG8-5EDKAcjiNlNLFswoLN1_FBs4e4UD4EgvHGuxNcKHcucmXV06RklKErLCsr4zHWnzOnGu3UVF483nt1tvxxnisSJTE2eHo5NJpRRwfHuZF-xwfI0lbDNlAgII/s1600/August+2012+042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY9PKatiQ4I_JSPhxQG8-5EDKAcjiNlNLFswoLN1_FBs4e4UD4EgvHGuxNcKHcucmXV06RklKErLCsr4zHWnzOnGu3UVF483nt1tvxxnisSJTE2eHo5NJpRRwfHuZF-xwfI0lbDNlAgII/s400/August+2012+042.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Here they are. A boy and his zebra.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7iK3T6Ct41S8foABznHD7VMgbAItXdWoF8p0bjMD-_3Vxvif8r28IMUUjKI7vvzwudedl3iDhCmt9AbCu1lGcYlsncssAgon0_SHxt5q3M13SXdQeW0R_zF-e_7u0pE9V5hg_RiKIpMY/s1600/August+2012+047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7iK3T6Ct41S8foABznHD7VMgbAItXdWoF8p0bjMD-_3Vxvif8r28IMUUjKI7vvzwudedl3iDhCmt9AbCu1lGcYlsncssAgon0_SHxt5q3M13SXdQeW0R_zF-e_7u0pE9V5hg_RiKIpMY/s400/August+2012+047.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4HBdKmJRWzgknmo78XqobwEFzTRsSyYEQVkccwud6JMMI1ACM9PnvSTEnt93HFeqcabJBkh1nQLgpDoZ_CKeyzNYdE_52t9yFftnE7BiwsCSg8SEvIbsyvxPhbPVowcUSMtqX0eJu4l8/s1600/August+2012+052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4HBdKmJRWzgknmo78XqobwEFzTRsSyYEQVkccwud6JMMI1ACM9PnvSTEnt93HFeqcabJBkh1nQLgpDoZ_CKeyzNYdE_52t9yFftnE7BiwsCSg8SEvIbsyvxPhbPVowcUSMtqX0eJu4l8/s400/August+2012+052.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
Sweet little Mack didn't love the bright sun in his blue eyes and sticky sand as much as his sister and I did. This meant that he spent a lot of time in my lap letting the waves hit us. Who said I'm complaining? I seriously doubt he'll ever let me do that again.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg217V5Qttzhi17siW4Ua_QPlf9rDb-_837ksk1KT83cMNmsw_67Dr9BLsjB3htUgtu5YKnHDm_-a0O9gkj1T2aPyHHS-Qq3lYLmCMrWpEImgNUvp9NXXzLYlZg6eVRBwXjivfYts85tmQ/s1600/August+2012+067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg217V5Qttzhi17siW4Ua_QPlf9rDb-_837ksk1KT83cMNmsw_67Dr9BLsjB3htUgtu5YKnHDm_-a0O9gkj1T2aPyHHS-Qq3lYLmCMrWpEImgNUvp9NXXzLYlZg6eVRBwXjivfYts85tmQ/s400/August+2012+067.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBNMqUDH5mfVNcI0JAV1J3f7QBg8SBmyTJ1fVSNFQ4acgc0G_xSOhgNxYZgj46cHfUH6p17kSBqs0e7qFSFhYETfN7NFO_BP9ZmGlIie59SzUqj3bsECELT-l0e_TwkMqFKTtzgoNss6Q/s1600/August+2012+068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBNMqUDH5mfVNcI0JAV1J3f7QBg8SBmyTJ1fVSNFQ4acgc0G_xSOhgNxYZgj46cHfUH6p17kSBqs0e7qFSFhYETfN7NFO_BP9ZmGlIie59SzUqj3bsECELT-l0e_TwkMqFKTtzgoNss6Q/s400/August+2012+068.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The sweet peas take on the beach. These girls are too much fun.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnbydRkeM8Mn_j1UxR5fU4mW-mTMGMqjufhNzxRYB-3LI4bVGzJO5D0xoxzq3zUoPsDeEeG1XFOMUmqVrvjVzbF5NtRGbSuzyxLH6OIdYPk-SoQDQvw1KRcSqCXtyzxRpN1EZbJ9ZVSTw/s1600/August+2012+133.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnbydRkeM8Mn_j1UxR5fU4mW-mTMGMqjufhNzxRYB-3LI4bVGzJO5D0xoxzq3zUoPsDeEeG1XFOMUmqVrvjVzbF5NtRGbSuzyxLH6OIdYPk-SoQDQvw1KRcSqCXtyzxRpN1EZbJ9ZVSTw/s400/August+2012+133.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
ROOOOOAAAAARRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGTGzXa6mAi7aUyFP2MWwzzSzjRoBDlaQ1Ix4bwz1Rn_xdSZGtCoUR5Pgm_pXxD6HgjNaI-ChGCYrcWItRLD1-Q0XoewIzR7ZBE5PgIzzjZi3qWojoyXaxW50b5BrRuGk_Qjj4wlD7O1c/s1600/August+2012+154.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGTGzXa6mAi7aUyFP2MWwzzSzjRoBDlaQ1Ix4bwz1Rn_xdSZGtCoUR5Pgm_pXxD6HgjNaI-ChGCYrcWItRLD1-Q0XoewIzR7ZBE5PgIzzjZi3qWojoyXaxW50b5BrRuGk_Qjj4wlD7O1c/s400/August+2012+154.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
"Mimi, where'd you get that hat??"<br />
"I got it from that boy."<br />
"Did you ask or did you just take it?" (I ask this because I see a boy running at her full-speed yelling, "Give me back my hat!")<br />
"Oh, I just taked it because it matches my outfit and looks cute on me. Don't you think I'm so cute?"<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioiAS7qVAv35pH2McRXDQkCY4GTM3CzcH45ogcWqgkf19VunSokiXoBFpZr8FWC9aShl6RBGhpcqWbj-PQ0i9Wxa4nAW07296Y556UrWIOj2BV_u1GfcVVdgnxppBhvvUd7hlDQP9chso/s1600/August+2012+175.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioiAS7qVAv35pH2McRXDQkCY4GTM3CzcH45ogcWqgkf19VunSokiXoBFpZr8FWC9aShl6RBGhpcqWbj-PQ0i9Wxa4nAW07296Y556UrWIOj2BV_u1GfcVVdgnxppBhvvUd7hlDQP9chso/s400/August+2012+175.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Mimi and Banks were serious daredevils who jumped off that tall concrete stage about two zillion times.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIt0KCSzpRs-GXJgD0R-AqhHytoN_P6xWrOvJ5c8qnRkWW3tC2ndlTDbsEFM4tyPUSzUlb2frk2zchxfNTCTbKLQmqogD5eXxAb7JWqh9mN5TB6Me1rwfGCf36LAaVQfQxa7-kTjTapXQ/s1600/August+2012+181.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIt0KCSzpRs-GXJgD0R-AqhHytoN_P6xWrOvJ5c8qnRkWW3tC2ndlTDbsEFM4tyPUSzUlb2frk2zchxfNTCTbKLQmqogD5eXxAb7JWqh9mN5TB6Me1rwfGCf36LAaVQfQxa7-kTjTapXQ/s400/August+2012+181.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I wonder how much longer those beach blonde curls will last??</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZrn_qv-p7ZJTOZUjlgcNca8YxJ7N5Ew5t6wTxZ6yVvb3W-CJqsJuNO0qtOyKVwtuGbdA-u9_RLdlyPW20xLenClYmY0vt3WekbAdYTOfr3cYCfQ6C0LZ-ClqceHzSs4sq8CdZg__GfLA/s1600/August+2012+189.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZrn_qv-p7ZJTOZUjlgcNca8YxJ7N5Ew5t6wTxZ6yVvb3W-CJqsJuNO0qtOyKVwtuGbdA-u9_RLdlyPW20xLenClYmY0vt3WekbAdYTOfr3cYCfQ6C0LZ-ClqceHzSs4sq8CdZg__GfLA/s400/August+2012+189.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
This guy isn't happy unless he's running away from me.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrszv0L60xHzFGlN9J2Fz8-1WQCTPw3A5NWRzaNAi14SdCYXVNp01PwhZ9NEZaToILABVgm8erKKR5-29NPTdbAwD2mEf-LbNRJE5RgxqN63b7kqfEUksJNSYRvrXZHCYBwSKX22-a6Xo/s1600/August+2012+182.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrszv0L60xHzFGlN9J2Fz8-1WQCTPw3A5NWRzaNAi14SdCYXVNp01PwhZ9NEZaToILABVgm8erKKR5-29NPTdbAwD2mEf-LbNRJE5RgxqN63b7kqfEUksJNSYRvrXZHCYBwSKX22-a6Xo/s400/August+2012+182.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Aww, sweet baby Andrew. He came after we moved to Chicago, and I'm sad that I can't squeeze his fat cheeks more often. But I'll be in Oxford in about a week -- so get those cheeks ready, Andrew.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHsP18E78z41rW7abiO-niK5EhXJ8roY0olG02EQuycB_ud5XGUhR-EkW7gASGBJLFDJkmhnWvIYsls8SqOz-0454F40Pi7NvZQVkuqiR0x2wawwanbjxEfLR9V_Xg_5bWIvc6gteQIoY/s1600/August+2012+185.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHsP18E78z41rW7abiO-niK5EhXJ8roY0olG02EQuycB_ud5XGUhR-EkW7gASGBJLFDJkmhnWvIYsls8SqOz-0454F40Pi7NvZQVkuqiR0x2wawwanbjxEfLR9V_Xg_5bWIvc6gteQIoY/s400/August+2012+185.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
Mack celebrated his 2nd birthday while at the beach. We had a mini birthday bash with dinner from the silver trailers and Publix cupcakes. Perfect for this little guy. Oh, and I have to mention Will, who is sitting on the right. His mom, Lauren, is the girl who I loved a few posts back that takes gorgeous pics of my kiddos. And Will, well, I think he and Mimi had a bit of a crush on each other. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghAKwOOQhUTvcsLYOMqaNM5b7b11wbwO0kANivp6NG_T2If0LOFK8Y6zksjL4h5NT2iOHU1bc5Q58exmqGM-fPYY-nWzA6CI88L5FS7SDhn739c2cgGFOxAwwmpEN4CHtQ1FnKNTfs9-4/s1600/August+2012+187.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghAKwOOQhUTvcsLYOMqaNM5b7b11wbwO0kANivp6NG_T2If0LOFK8Y6zksjL4h5NT2iOHU1bc5Q58exmqGM-fPYY-nWzA6CI88L5FS7SDhn739c2cgGFOxAwwmpEN4CHtQ1FnKNTfs9-4/s400/August+2012+187.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Getting ready to launch into his cupcake . . . </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFL6CoXOqSb1-0okeDFfevqE5Ik1y0nOh-8AKx1IIj07G_qJ8azvUMbJafWkN6oj6ukJz74faOKP1n5DeprXHPoO_ddWvHeAPYTZRxAS1KxEH327_BQ6qPLBEK5sAQ9SxO6wRzmdmRI9s/s1600/August+2012+192.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFL6CoXOqSb1-0okeDFfevqE5Ik1y0nOh-8AKx1IIj07G_qJ8azvUMbJafWkN6oj6ukJz74faOKP1n5DeprXHPoO_ddWvHeAPYTZRxAS1KxEH327_BQ6qPLBEK5sAQ9SxO6wRzmdmRI9s/s400/August+2012+192.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Ready for the attack!! Head first is the only way to do it!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifyN5_jd0tpRzDP0ZlpL5PVXFEUgkKY9MpQ3uSDBP2ZRpsUBiwC7rfgsYH_nqKHn0zuJClzn097DA-bKVOkgY5nypeYZVijACCeUp5BxK80M4Q_oOOk5fI7G3KDwPKIKTa5DOZa-n9pz0/s1600/August+2012+193.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifyN5_jd0tpRzDP0ZlpL5PVXFEUgkKY9MpQ3uSDBP2ZRpsUBiwC7rfgsYH_nqKHn0zuJClzn097DA-bKVOkgY5nypeYZVijACCeUp5BxK80M4Q_oOOk5fI7G3KDwPKIKTa5DOZa-n9pz0/s400/August+2012+193.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
So back to my dream of buying the beach house. I bugged Clint about it so much that he actually asked the owner about it. The house will be on the market this winter, AND will probably cost less than what we could buy in Chicago. So I'm thinking that we keep renting in Chicago, buy the fabulous beach house (which we can rent for at least half the year to all of you), and we could fly down to the coast a few times a year. And then pigs will start flying. I know, I know, but a girl can dream, right?<br />
<br />
(And about the flying . . . our flight into Panama City was so treacherous that we actually canceled the return flight and drove 16 hours home. I know. Honestly, it wasn't too bad at all. We spent the night halfway with my favorite sister in Nashville, and the monkeys were so wonderful in the car.) Jeri Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10521003964808664244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2546665416784172515.post-23727679896189961942012-09-30T15:57:00.001-05:002012-10-01T15:51:16.664-05:00I'm Goin' Down South<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Still running behind and still playing catch up from the summer . . . story of my procrastinating life. We are leaving the big, busy city for a trip to the South in a few days, and I think we owe a few people a visit. It's so very difficult to leave this gorgeous town in the fall -- especially the breathtaking yellow tree that is staring at me from outside my window -- but it's a trip the Darbys are very excited to take. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Just last night we were watching Bama whoop up on our beloved Ole Miss Rebels in the local "Ole Miss bar" along with other alumni when the guy next to us asked if we loved growing up in a small town. And all of us immediately answered, "I wouldn't trade it for the world," literally in unison. Both my husband and I grew up in the country with very large families, but we've chosen to raise our own children in a much different environment. We love the city and all it has to offer our family, but every now and then I crave wide open spaces, getting a wave from every car that passes, and cornbread and fried vegetables. I miss hearing little girls add about 3 extra syllables to every word and seeing grown men with potbellies in overalls and real trucker caps -- not the kind one can buy at American Apparel. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
So we're leaving this fancy city in a few days to spend time with Poppaw and Bebe and Top and Shug and silly cousins. I plan to talk a little slower and hopefully get rid of any nasal-y sounds my four-year-old might be getting in her vocabulary. I will fall asleep at night in a room that has no light shining in it except that from the moon and no sounds except for the crickets and frogs outside the window. I may eat deep-fried vegetables but know they probably came from one of our parents' gardens. I will run into people at the grocery store who can remember a time that I wore bows in my hair and who may call me by my sister's name. I will try to not be impatient when the guy at the gas station takes way too long on the customer in front of me because he needs to hear about the winning touchdown at Friday night's football game. I will try to not roll my eyes when I see cars sloppily parallel parked on the wrong side of the street. I will bite my tongue when someone makes a statement about how they don't understand how I could live in such a big city "up north." Most of all, I will LOVE that my children get to walk in my footsteps for just a few days and run on the same soil where I once ran.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Whew, I must need to dust because my eyes are a bit misty. Anyway, it will be a fantastic trip of seeing old friends and sweet family and even catching the Rebels play some football. AND Clint and I will also sneak away to northern California BY OURSELVES for some golf and wine -- yes, ma'am, I am SO excited!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Like I said, we owe some folks a trip since they were kind enough to visit us over the summer. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Just some shots of the fam in Chi-town . . . </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD9zmLygiPSqj9t56SQmuJMNVWGd39wvy-VzKMZg9PkjUh7Ae-wWk8pXgdqwS4I-X0U4z8tAHp5Zk2Gs75o5jestjyQMb6I5QYPQcFZXXC5ysh1iwLmDsxr2bWJ-YrmoY0e03l-Fj_-2E/s1600/July+and+Aug+2012+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD9zmLygiPSqj9t56SQmuJMNVWGd39wvy-VzKMZg9PkjUh7Ae-wWk8pXgdqwS4I-X0U4z8tAHp5Zk2Gs75o5jestjyQMb6I5QYPQcFZXXC5ysh1iwLmDsxr2bWJ-YrmoY0e03l-Fj_-2E/s320/July+and+Aug+2012+004.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We never, ever have any fun. Not at all.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5k6Mwf9S_Cja1SjePVk3PDolkML05HvWPlfrbYktn5HsY4UWM-xp5VWy_FbhIouWsXJiP3QQHv6ZuODiTX9BU5nl7UceYv60X1CkaLPoWqgxp7OwwWg4hPh_yAg3G-SNqCX7oTJMo5Ys/s1600/July+and+Aug+2012+010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5k6Mwf9S_Cja1SjePVk3PDolkML05HvWPlfrbYktn5HsY4UWM-xp5VWy_FbhIouWsXJiP3QQHv6ZuODiTX9BU5nl7UceYv60X1CkaLPoWqgxp7OwwWg4hPh_yAg3G-SNqCX7oTJMo5Ys/s320/July+and+Aug+2012+010.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
No back yards at our place in Chi-town, but the roof is pretty cool.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU9kMKgEkpb_TVARo72IuqX4v4crr-nYlt7xHyVu_8N072nyFaiYpa2bdiu0gs4Z6CNUPZFPXqi0IIZ2Xu3OMngbU0_XCEyeQ5EboNIwCplr8vtFL4t5aNLh6LnACLyXJ09gUUCAa2EyQ/s1600/July+and+Aug+2012+020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU9kMKgEkpb_TVARo72IuqX4v4crr-nYlt7xHyVu_8N072nyFaiYpa2bdiu0gs4Z6CNUPZFPXqi0IIZ2Xu3OMngbU0_XCEyeQ5EboNIwCplr8vtFL4t5aNLh6LnACLyXJ09gUUCAa2EyQ/s320/July+and+Aug+2012+020.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijJajGKyk1_jE3WWDPr5ihRKYWYGFxmI01uih8hR6U8uV1IA9Oilpp8Ko4rDfkfduNDpZRBET87Ksbvz2356WGeOMAb4ZQbuQvsLFbV2CjGOCN1qD2jEbbFiDglzXPNlBn4ReZMSevbEg/s1600/July+and+Aug+2012+033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijJajGKyk1_jE3WWDPr5ihRKYWYGFxmI01uih8hR6U8uV1IA9Oilpp8Ko4rDfkfduNDpZRBET87Ksbvz2356WGeOMAb4ZQbuQvsLFbV2CjGOCN1qD2jEbbFiDglzXPNlBn4ReZMSevbEg/s320/July+and+Aug+2012+033.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I don't know what they were doing, but I kind of want to frame all of these.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0_Zv0uUdX8a8rlj3fUGKAQbIOAC6NA-S6ACVZhnGptKUEEHaARX3RvVCBgpCYlB_Sw-RXoucMRAugo1hGPbc8Pf64dGd6ATB7gT8cMrjtMjdeBONYqyqnczfB69TIihP8_18dWYcnq5o/s1600/July+and+Aug+2012+047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0_Zv0uUdX8a8rlj3fUGKAQbIOAC6NA-S6ACVZhnGptKUEEHaARX3RvVCBgpCYlB_Sw-RXoucMRAugo1hGPbc8Pf64dGd6ATB7gT8cMrjtMjdeBONYqyqnczfB69TIihP8_18dWYcnq5o/s320/July+and+Aug+2012+047.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiobjoTGaYfSq78dRs2L2UpOiJ9FEDJGQnWGbR5_b7z_CMfGNJZkvlYbrQD2gZlLt-F36qk_MSxUoK6u4EG9QG-R5B7b6P1mgEFFVz72g202l74ZLaxpYqwhQWkKWRpzB1V6tVj7wI9Tao/s1600/July+and+Aug+2012+048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiobjoTGaYfSq78dRs2L2UpOiJ9FEDJGQnWGbR5_b7z_CMfGNJZkvlYbrQD2gZlLt-F36qk_MSxUoK6u4EG9QG-R5B7b6P1mgEFFVz72g202l74ZLaxpYqwhQWkKWRpzB1V6tVj7wI9Tao/s320/July+and+Aug+2012+048.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeUuzvl1rC84dNK92SOrXVULuacaFJeUl8UIzg6kcNOZmy8Lk2Bg4qFEnHP-2EkbkMxSfZYj9rHKHL56ZUhs5CaAzgssS60AObTiUVo2l4w9L5MrjCkRe3uRHnZ-BazGlI-0mOkRF8hUk/s1600/July+and+Aug+2012+051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeUuzvl1rC84dNK92SOrXVULuacaFJeUl8UIzg6kcNOZmy8Lk2Bg4qFEnHP-2EkbkMxSfZYj9rHKHL56ZUhs5CaAzgssS60AObTiUVo2l4w9L5MrjCkRe3uRHnZ-BazGlI-0mOkRF8hUk/s320/July+and+Aug+2012+051.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Sneaky, sneaky boys.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglO-0YUD6wO34rEqQmn8KukdF8RL_b46YbkCPUWjmyvnxOS7ksOzE99Uvg1sVzto9mloM_mX-G_Zx0EtKNNRIrFKsGAsVJSA3IyvZUb7nFSDfXqUoetOxUI2mz_ozOGhTH_4e-xrfA2l0/s1600/July+and+Aug+2012+093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglO-0YUD6wO34rEqQmn8KukdF8RL_b46YbkCPUWjmyvnxOS7ksOzE99Uvg1sVzto9mloM_mX-G_Zx0EtKNNRIrFKsGAsVJSA3IyvZUb7nFSDfXqUoetOxUI2mz_ozOGhTH_4e-xrfA2l0/s320/July+and+Aug+2012+093.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Yes, all the girls in my family have the "Nixon squint." Oh, and that pretty one on the left just went to the state finals in golf as a FRESHMAN! Wowzers!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs-Ou_GWOVUgKfYVmRoZUOvBeUPM11VeXyZfjS13rFW2i652Mb_Pr2TD-en7wldOw6K8v3_sl1LXq9h7vZZYYRylOB-qTbWh3DViC7HMKgCuz8NNzVGJjcTMkrWnNeUiQ7GZbjd8Axdec/s1600/July+and+Aug+2012+099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs-Ou_GWOVUgKfYVmRoZUOvBeUPM11VeXyZfjS13rFW2i652Mb_Pr2TD-en7wldOw6K8v3_sl1LXq9h7vZZYYRylOB-qTbWh3DViC7HMKgCuz8NNzVGJjcTMkrWnNeUiQ7GZbjd8Axdec/s320/July+and+Aug+2012+099.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This one makes me tear up a <strike>little</strike> lot. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGLjPIuVjHMQT6ot-h3fz5J0HKIKmR_VM8RgkoXG7NAbmIcXLbdTya9AuxZ0yeKxtOvHmca4HkcqkaQ-YfGMr_LuQ5WqzqssYo8s-4jauybp3Dkh9_koGkQle3xoF9sIHrK131KBCMAwo/s1600/July+and+Aug+2012+112.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGLjPIuVjHMQT6ot-h3fz5J0HKIKmR_VM8RgkoXG7NAbmIcXLbdTya9AuxZ0yeKxtOvHmca4HkcqkaQ-YfGMr_LuQ5WqzqssYo8s-4jauybp3Dkh9_koGkQle3xoF9sIHrK131KBCMAwo/s320/July+and+Aug+2012+112.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
Another mom and I were watching our sons attempt to sneak away from us to jump in a mud puddle at the park recently, and she winked and said, "He isn't happy unless he's being bad." I kind of love that about a boy.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMG8cM18xvpRfbDoxoYs7mD04WCUGMmcpca3EmWjQ2FZvmwuv6-o9PMH0JDWWq153f9aqO01r3Lkll0qpHD5r8gQ8tMmh1cx2wtUgU8kjogSn_oM-eeqoBXft6C01-PoJLBQDPeKoTUI4/s1600/Summer+2012+026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMG8cM18xvpRfbDoxoYs7mD04WCUGMmcpca3EmWjQ2FZvmwuv6-o9PMH0JDWWq153f9aqO01r3Lkll0qpHD5r8gQ8tMmh1cx2wtUgU8kjogSn_oM-eeqoBXft6C01-PoJLBQDPeKoTUI4/s320/Summer+2012+026.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Who says you can't go to the beach in the Midwest?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWt0ZKyrs2Qv4sNuRyddr-711DazA0DpI-zF8Gf7uYOUeTjy7CHfhbToCWHrfaP0tjcpn1tWYyN09lv9juB7UWY4FBHybwJH8lgpbvpkXg13cR1LH9efALYuoFcMXbBMzn3OVS4SR84z8/s1600/Summer+2012+050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWt0ZKyrs2Qv4sNuRyddr-711DazA0DpI-zF8Gf7uYOUeTjy7CHfhbToCWHrfaP0tjcpn1tWYyN09lv9juB7UWY4FBHybwJH8lgpbvpkXg13cR1LH9efALYuoFcMXbBMzn3OVS4SR84z8/s320/Summer+2012+050.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
At one of my favorite Chicago restaurants Smith and Wollensky for my mom's 39th birthday! Or something like that . . . </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaLyj1BWXQp_a_tIZNN2d0ULEBOhmuhONRGle9Zoo2s-YmPiME6coEDxrPay_U3mNVLEJfYhGxYgeIw-1IcdlzyIEvQdUVuRfBtllHhyphenhyphen_YmEd__h43WhzhruXNNFuB6JVvNV_UqS52Fyw/s1600/Summer+2012+082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaLyj1BWXQp_a_tIZNN2d0ULEBOhmuhONRGle9Zoo2s-YmPiME6coEDxrPay_U3mNVLEJfYhGxYgeIw-1IcdlzyIEvQdUVuRfBtllHhyphenhyphen_YmEd__h43WhzhruXNNFuB6JVvNV_UqS52Fyw/s320/Summer+2012+082.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Millenium Park is so, so awesome.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe_DblgojA3H2NTQmu8Na5YuL6UITfDK-sNOQQPjRoD2XFlhbzH3uxJnARxA-9iiS2SrU8EGY0ACSE9WsPWdfa3o-OSGbtzmUTgUKpwlwHyBgfgGGNXhiIGhi7u5qKKyZpAQWvUj6eTaE/s1600/Summer+2012+104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe_DblgojA3H2NTQmu8Na5YuL6UITfDK-sNOQQPjRoD2XFlhbzH3uxJnARxA-9iiS2SrU8EGY0ACSE9WsPWdfa3o-OSGbtzmUTgUKpwlwHyBgfgGGNXhiIGhi7u5qKKyZpAQWvUj6eTaE/s320/Summer+2012+104.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My kids are impressed by absolutely everything their cousin Nick does.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhotJg8qpe13Ni4YDXWb_fj-xHFrubjQbADgvofW6UufJl8lummsZnFFBKymPWgbSdoIV9TzJYf4zesSHqohNJyXrctHm2LVsPilOGRu0N22Uwjt_GjU5QR7o5TxoPjXJa3s6IagNzpylE/s1600/Summer+2012+110.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhotJg8qpe13Ni4YDXWb_fj-xHFrubjQbADgvofW6UufJl8lummsZnFFBKymPWgbSdoIV9TzJYf4zesSHqohNJyXrctHm2LVsPilOGRu0N22Uwjt_GjU5QR7o5TxoPjXJa3s6IagNzpylE/s320/Summer+2012+110.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Movies in the park with Coco!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimh5V5wNnH7FMVBpsXVWjDNduJn9jm5246_8ji8gIbSqaq83u-v9YICaAIrNcL4VcpoxCL3k8H8RVDx-8ytermyyR7pa9xnA2b5lR_uTq_j7LBZXEIVwi0kLn8ZDI-ekki6SvdEZiHkPY/s1600/Summer+2012+116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimh5V5wNnH7FMVBpsXVWjDNduJn9jm5246_8ji8gIbSqaq83u-v9YICaAIrNcL4VcpoxCL3k8H8RVDx-8ytermyyR7pa9xnA2b5lR_uTq_j7LBZXEIVwi0kLn8ZDI-ekki6SvdEZiHkPY/s320/Summer+2012+116.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"Wah -hoooooo!!!!!"</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaAwv7V_IJmjyVUs4xpPFCn6289iXbfDwK0VMAnIpPoD5Cpz-AVyLoTvcY6eh9dvy15PSL0_Jb6ehhlFTrgGm7CC7oS9-f3tAytpD0EyYDu5TBEw3hUHJmvKHf63VSV_H2s5UTdQGz-Y8/s1600/Summer+2012+133.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaAwv7V_IJmjyVUs4xpPFCn6289iXbfDwK0VMAnIpPoD5Cpz-AVyLoTvcY6eh9dvy15PSL0_Jb6ehhlFTrgGm7CC7oS9-f3tAytpD0EyYDu5TBEw3hUHJmvKHf63VSV_H2s5UTdQGz-Y8/s320/Summer+2012+133.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<i>Million Dollar Quartet</i> is an absolute must for anyone who lived in the days of Sun Studios and Sam Phillips. I think I enjoyed it even more than my dad :)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5eJgvUVfqp26ob-5ZP9vJMEmF1SAcPslvZnz_-2PsIxZXYywi4qXIBrsIspAMT0TsLf0mFuHarvYEmN-9dauER0PLKXIMxIRSEXlUkT_VRjQJOL1ihRIZCoPMREaX11p0FB19Oe7G9yc/s1600/Summer+2012+170.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5eJgvUVfqp26ob-5ZP9vJMEmF1SAcPslvZnz_-2PsIxZXYywi4qXIBrsIspAMT0TsLf0mFuHarvYEmN-9dauER0PLKXIMxIRSEXlUkT_VRjQJOL1ihRIZCoPMREaX11p0FB19Oe7G9yc/s320/Summer+2012+170.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
Until the next time my children take Sunday naps and my husband is at a golf tournament . . .Jeri Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10521003964808664244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2546665416784172515.post-77550444013245176982012-09-12T14:54:00.002-05:002012-09-12T14:55:19.289-05:00Educating my monkeys . . . public or private?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
A new chapter began in little Mimi's life last week -- she started preschool. Real preschool. Like she goes for a few hours every afternoon at our neighborhood public school kind of preschool. Wow, where did the last four years go <i>because I kind of want them back </i>. . .</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We attended orientation and were almost nauseous with excitement when we realized her growing school now has a new principal, assistant principal, counselor, AND preschool teacher named Ms. Jami. Oh, my. And Ms. Jami is about the cutest thing I've ever seen. She keeps her long hair in a ponytail, always has on a fun matching cardigan, and wears preppy little boat shoes. She's so together and fresh and enthusiastic that I could just eat her up. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
She and the new administration gave me goose bumps, and there are several reasons for this. When we moved into this neighborhood, I took one glance at the school, the students, the teachers, and the parents, and I said, "No way." I didn't just think it. I said it to about everyone who asked my opinion. The school's appearance was a little shabby (and not in a chic kind of way), the administration looked a little stiff, the kids didn't even look like they lived in the neighborhood, and some of the parents looked fresh out of prison. If schools in Chicago aren't full, then children can register for up to 30 schools in a lottery system, and it appeared that every student had won the lottery. I always wanted Mimi to go to public school with neighbors so we could all walk and play together easily, so this made me nervous.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Over the past two years, some amazing changes have happened at this school. Neighbors and parents have taken an interest, and the place is shaping up quite nicely. Parents got together and agreed to begin signing their little ones up for the free half-day preschool, and now the school is filled with neighborhood children up to about second or third grade. And you better believe that I was pumped to register Mimi last spring and thrilled to know she had a spot.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
So here are the Darbys walking the block and a half to our new preschool . . . </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/AVvXsEgYodQzd8x_-zgJWSEskaiLYuJOI1JshI-JrCVaRCXONhmt9beCcjZMQ9O5wA92OlOM-_-LgMt8rD-rD7v1q6znXyjIPA8nn1KlbzIsZHOcqAUg2r2gkLO3W8BzkLYNtCsdDy0s4h3tXlI/s1600/September+2011+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYodQzd8x_-zgJWSEskaiLYuJOI1JshI-JrCVaRCXONhmt9beCcjZMQ9O5wA92OlOM-_-LgMt8rD-rD7v1q6znXyjIPA8nn1KlbzIsZHOcqAUg2r2gkLO3W8BzkLYNtCsdDy0s4h3tXlI/s400/September+2011+005.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTXA7smNGRXbexSWfvlJSwswj-ZCi-iURZh8ybUYV0_f9hGR6QnTvrzUXUE_0iHTISA-t92dO3DpNEgtq_CEUofHdG3_veNxCFjQlSCY04WSjKWA0MTJcE71FTvEhtjQ3pfz_8zhGO7dE/s1600/September+2011+010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTXA7smNGRXbexSWfvlJSwswj-ZCi-iURZh8ybUYV0_f9hGR6QnTvrzUXUE_0iHTISA-t92dO3DpNEgtq_CEUofHdG3_veNxCFjQlSCY04WSjKWA0MTJcE71FTvEhtjQ3pfz_8zhGO7dE/s400/September+2011+010.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Where the magic will hopefully happen:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ2M38Zn1GYy_E9W0LbbyUDFv_eXwWiItr-NQcO8iXTSFKYEdsExqXMtw3tqjwPTrdcvbM9oMS6aT0QLQMdVPaGtthCvurhiCVArFKr62xdcptTXNAG10Gfw-OmPaWftiP1iGDlmTJpWA/s1600/September+2011+019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ2M38Zn1GYy_E9W0LbbyUDFv_eXwWiItr-NQcO8iXTSFKYEdsExqXMtw3tqjwPTrdcvbM9oMS6aT0QLQMdVPaGtthCvurhiCVArFKr62xdcptTXNAG10Gfw-OmPaWftiP1iGDlmTJpWA/s400/September+2011+019.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCa7_ofu_cubkIMq1W067rnGxaQlD7rOY5SzvJ9aAnO8xD_tDbzpvbZM_QbfRdo9nT2yZq9N2g71NmbGx3sfhTqjMyysIKCHt82maZ54-qUcp7WLMmZdduE1Q_iecuJQ8g-v_lLMIcwo8/s1600/September+2011+021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCa7_ofu_cubkIMq1W067rnGxaQlD7rOY5SzvJ9aAnO8xD_tDbzpvbZM_QbfRdo9nT2yZq9N2g71NmbGx3sfhTqjMyysIKCHt82maZ54-qUcp7WLMmZdduE1Q_iecuJQ8g-v_lLMIcwo8/s400/September+2011+021.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Some of the other children and parents had familiar faces, and Mimi was happy to line up and be the first in the door. <i>Ahem, I mean squirm to the front of the line and beg to be the leader,</i> but I digress. The drop-off was successful, and I was excited to get home with Mack to spend a few moments before nap time. In a selfish way, I'm happy she got into the afternoon class because for the first time in two years it allows me two whole hours to get things done. Amazing.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I couldn't wait to meet her in the afternoon, and I could have cried when I saw her face light up as she spotted me. "Mommy!! I'm so glad you're here!!" she yelled but then was quickly told she needed to stay against the fence until I signed her out. This seemed really confusing for her and her classmates who were begging for hugs after their first day. I turned toward the teacher and others who had also arrived early to line up to sign her out, and then several moms who had just showed up motioned for their little ones to come to them and then basically broke to the front to sign out first. Ugh, how I despise a line-cutter. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
On our walk home she clung to me and begged me to carry her. She told me she had fun and really liked her teacher, but didn't say much more . . . and Mimi Darby is never short on words. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The next day we still had a great drop-off, but pick-up was about the same -- kids lined up like detainees and late moms busted to the front. On our walk home Mimi was much chattier about their crafts and songs and books, which definitely calmed my nerves. Then she told me about some conflicts with other girls who are "sometimes mad at her" and told her she couldn't go to Scooter's for ice cream with them . . . </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
. . . and then the sick feeling began in my stomach. We just left a wonderful program at the Y, and that very morning I watched the little ones at the Y walking together and longed for Mimi to be with them. I loved her teacher, her friends, and their mothers (loved, loved, loved the mothers), but they were all very tiny and young and the teachers were new -- she can't go back there. At dinner that night I couldn't hold back tears as I told Clint about my feelings on being a mother of a little girl who was growing up and dealing with new issues. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Of course, the very next day Mimi announced to me that the girls were friends again and that she could indeed go to Scooter's with them one day (by the way, the girls are precious and Mimi wasn't at all innocent). Her teacher giggled about some of Mimi's dramatics, and I was feeling a little better.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But now Mimi cannot go to school. The Chicago Teacher's Union and Rahm are going at it on issues such as health insurance, class size, teacher evaluations, rehiring laid-off teachers, salary increases, and on and on and on and, whew, and on. As a former teacher and now parent, I have been reading as much as I can get my hands on to try to find a fair and sensible article. I am highly annoyed by how they can't come to an agreement on certain issues, and I think back to my experiences. I made pennies, spent tons of my own money, was at school from about 6:45-5:00, graded essays until my eyes crossed at midnight, was forced to teach the test, spent countless hours at cheerleading practice, always had some form of extra duty, and had an air conditioner that laughed at me sometimes when I turned it on in the Mississippi heat. THIS is what most teachers experience. Lack of funds, lack of parent support, lack of administrative support. If happens at some point to most teachers I know. The weak (such as myself) move on, but the strong have all my respect. TEACHING IS THE HARDEST JOB I EVER HAD. But the teacher's union here has put their foot down. And I do not envy the city government who has to deal with them. How in the heck they plan to make a HUGE diverse group of teachers and students happy is beyond me . . .<br />
<br />
So Mimi is out of school until further notice, and I'm thanking my lucky stars she's only in preschool and I stay at home.<br />
<br />
On another note, Mack started his own little preschool today . . .<br />
<br />
. . . and this is the best shot I got of him. Little guy with a red nose who had just face-planted on the concrete.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaWmkg69agsaoeiaYG6JMZskghojIq8A-gUUHq3NYQwAqs8Va38nCwY4dwtab_egVgO46irbywevoezwjX2TR3xTLZPSzdGNpjoLkVXOiSTz1HAHzMyHChsBnwEFSh813yNzO5Qh7Oz-g/s1600/September.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaWmkg69agsaoeiaYG6JMZskghojIq8A-gUUHq3NYQwAqs8Va38nCwY4dwtab_egVgO46irbywevoezwjX2TR3xTLZPSzdGNpjoLkVXOiSTz1HAHzMyHChsBnwEFSh813yNzO5Qh7Oz-g/s400/September.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;">
I have been nervously anxious about this once-a-week morning class because little Mack is so clingy and, well, kind of immature. From talking with other moms who have daughters first and sons second, this is kind of the norm. I think he's going to be okay, and I think this little class is perfect for him. The school is at our church (that we have been really, really bad about skipping lately), so Mack is familiar with his classroom. His teacher has over 20 years of experience under her belt and more energy than anyone over the age of four should be allowed to have. She had great suggestions on how to help with the transition and made me feel all warm and fuzzy to be there. I left Mack knowing that he is going to be just fine.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
On my ride home from Mack's school, the sick feeling came back to me. Why in the hell is it not okay for me to also have the same comfortable feelings with Mimi's school? Deep down I wished Mimi was at the same school as Mack, but I was afraid to admit it. I really want her in a safe, happy place where the teachers and the students have chosen to be there. Is it wrong for me to feel this way???</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I am a public school advocate. I want everyone to be given the opportunity to be educated in a safe environment with a diverse group of classmates. I want her to learn to read and write and add, but I want her to deal with students and issues that are REAL. I don't want to raise her in a bubble. But she's in preschool and so little . . . can I keep her in the bubble for just another year or two?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Seriously, I need some feedback from those of you who've dealt with private AND public for the younger years. Am I being too protective? Should I rip the band-aid off and just keep her in public? I have fond memories of going to my private Presbyterian preschool and kindergarten, and I so want Mimi to have these same memories . . . Sigh . . . </div>
</div>
Jeri Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10521003964808664244noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2546665416784172515.post-85043464718327747882012-08-29T15:19:00.002-05:002012-08-29T15:19:39.978-05:00The summer wrap-up so this blog will stop stressing me out post<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We just returned from a long and <i>wonderful</i> (and horrible at moments) vacation, and I was able to read two books in a row. And they weren't even written by Dr. Seuss. Can you believe that? Still difficult for me to believe, BUT anytime I read I am inspired to write. Even if I do happen to read books by Chelsea Handler and Tina Fey, but that's beside the point. I mean, if they were able to find time to write, then why can't I???</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
But I have these nagging feelings that I absolutely must get finished with my "summer of slacking on the blog posts" prior to writing about what is going on in my world and mind right now. Finding the time has never been easy, BUT I might have a solution: make Mimi take a nap. It sounds crazy, I know, but she has actually been napping since she got the "cold from hell" a few weeks ago. Remember I wrote that it wasn't a big deal -- <i>just a runny nose and cough regular cold</i> -- but it turned into so, so much more. It took Mimi about a week to get over it, BUT Mack and I caught it and someone should have just shot us. <b>We were the worst.</b> Fussy, whiny, miserable -- and Mack was almost as bad as I was. We thought we would get better once we got to the beach, but we were oh so wrong. Anyway, I'll stop complaining because the beach is not even a part of this post -- I want to save it for later.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
So this is my feeble attempt to catch myself up on one of the best summers I've ever had. Birthdays and fun visitors and beautiful weather and flip flops. That's about all it takes to make this girl happy. So here I go . . . </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Mimi had her first ballet recital EVER! The theme was Disney princesses (of course, it was), and she danced to some song that went, "Every girl can be a princess, if she truly believes . . . " It was enough to make me barf, but Mimi took it so seriously. She completely goofed off during classes but got it together for rehearsal and the recital. At the end, she bowed and actually blew kisses to the crowd while saying, "Thank you, thank you . . ." </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/AVvXsEg4iiuBYG-qOzSAMOeoW_xsb39KRfiTPQJqhG13j-osd4JwhMzBIkucdeiyhlBL55VYQAtWgPrnLSDb_kwbY6DgaoiunJpxzk1la75XCAIVs34IbhhXXfHqVJ1O2IsIA_V1Ufghe0XV0iI/s1600/Summer+2012+026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4iiuBYG-qOzSAMOeoW_xsb39KRfiTPQJqhG13j-osd4JwhMzBIkucdeiyhlBL55VYQAtWgPrnLSDb_kwbY6DgaoiunJpxzk1la75XCAIVs34IbhhXXfHqVJ1O2IsIA_V1Ufghe0XV0iI/s400/Summer+2012+026.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;">
And I must brag on her awesome dance studio <a href="http://www.skyhighcleaning.com/baby_take_a_bow/">Baby Take a Bow </a>for being so organized. Most recitals last at least 22 hours and relatives are forced to sit through a bajillion solos and stupid duets with best friends (one always chubby and one always skinny. Always) in pink lycra and curly ponytails. But this was so short and perfect. Can't wait for her to start again in the spring.</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/AVvXsEg5k0d7gksN1Ne1SIrUFjQSB6w9A0zRAKQZDhAkkpY4Y3iFaARhMTUMB76-hlYwkCrzrTCpA9ah5FikpPM4yAYW9C3fowLr2n4gno4XYgz8mWGx9-scQw-b3lnUkhfAnQLqHrsbSg52nK8/s1600/Summer+2012+185.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5k0d7gksN1Ne1SIrUFjQSB6w9A0zRAKQZDhAkkpY4Y3iFaARhMTUMB76-hlYwkCrzrTCpA9ah5FikpPM4yAYW9C3fowLr2n4gno4XYgz8mWGx9-scQw-b3lnUkhfAnQLqHrsbSg52nK8/s400/Summer+2012+185.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
Mimi graduated from Kiddie Kollege at the Lakeview YMCA. Let me start by saying that I am NOT a fan of any type of school that insists on starting words with "K's" that should begin with "C's," BUT we really had an amazing experience at this place. The teachers were kind and patient, Mimi learned a few letters and made plenty of glitter and popsicle stick crafts, and I made some WONDERFUL mommy friends. Oh, and Mimi made some cute friends, too. Even Mack got a few buddies out of the deal. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAg7K2URXnzxocBN9pmOVQFCZCruKmdN5X_tz5Hzb4beOjPzt78prU7BMLxuoopJK2fNvhyA0qie1gGAIvJY2oa9ohBqp1ZARWAje3vF7KaN5dbByw36Jl3E1nCNIVvMDhEY5KMB6Gyq4/s1600/Summer+2012+107.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAg7K2URXnzxocBN9pmOVQFCZCruKmdN5X_tz5Hzb4beOjPzt78prU7BMLxuoopJK2fNvhyA0qie1gGAIvJY2oa9ohBqp1ZARWAje3vF7KaN5dbByw36Jl3E1nCNIVvMDhEY5KMB6Gyq4/s400/Summer+2012+107.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;">
The adorable lady in the middle is Miss Kelley. We <b>love</b> her. When we said good-bye to her on the last day of school, she said, "Wow, and I remember Mimi during her first week. She's really come a <i>long way</i>." Yes, she has. Wow. . . yes, she certainly has.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaZRqQGGjMSqwEt9jv4nQvPOeHrZB0Nl_9nHciFygLKgQsbBhu8n58Jke58WthU2CnMg5GhUHRDEX0v-LqAGf_nhTj4c-u0lnn2dMgYdBGWXI2W0mjIKRBiOeIRvxETnDjxWdWFXrIRsQ/s1600/Summer+2012+181.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaZRqQGGjMSqwEt9jv4nQvPOeHrZB0Nl_9nHciFygLKgQsbBhu8n58Jke58WthU2CnMg5GhUHRDEX0v-LqAGf_nhTj4c-u0lnn2dMgYdBGWXI2W0mjIKRBiOeIRvxETnDjxWdWFXrIRsQ/s400/Summer+2012+181.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
I need to add that during the graduation ceremony the classes were singing some of their favorite songs. Mimi was bored when they got to the ABC song, so she just sat down and I cut off the camera. Eh, we had enough video of her during "Down by the Bay." Then she did something that is so Mimi. She made her way through her classmates to the teacher holding the microphone . . . and she took it from her, went back to her spot, and continued with the song like it was her solo. Never batted an eye. And neither did her classmates because I'm sure they totally expected it. <br />
<br />
We spent a lot of time on our roof this summer with popsicles, baby pools, and grilling. It's pretty bright and can get hot as Hades, but it's the only outdoor area that's really mine. And the kids love it. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyQUULhLw7ZvoNB6kLld_U8SpO5S-cTBJlBaYc89MmARVC_9wmE9kL7KA1TPgsjuMGxs5Q07zWEPDwG6-xAu9BL7YkZS6wXWCKnUQUVgpeNDrkk-liYZjyH2US_lCTUcG9qEJNePxex0Q/s1600/Summer+2012+121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyQUULhLw7ZvoNB6kLld_U8SpO5S-cTBJlBaYc89MmARVC_9wmE9kL7KA1TPgsjuMGxs5Q07zWEPDwG6-xAu9BL7YkZS6wXWCKnUQUVgpeNDrkk-liYZjyH2US_lCTUcG9qEJNePxex0Q/s400/Summer+2012+121.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
This summer was a little warmer than usual but didn't keep the Darbys from going on ridiculous walks to tire out the monkeys. Obviously I didn't need to try too hard with this guy.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrter_nx6G4ZZccLDT9rsrmEh5H-QEW3Fyhh-qVIRXosInnEy5lHIpVty_y_pI7zJ7BHkEq3rXUnAGEr_Ve4mrYcqGfsSlFt1edI41Q6_-j_xsNWfOEHhoxc0V4JEeI7nKOPbyefxKysM/s1600/Summer+2012+127.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrter_nx6G4ZZccLDT9rsrmEh5H-QEW3Fyhh-qVIRXosInnEy5lHIpVty_y_pI7zJ7BHkEq3rXUnAGEr_Ve4mrYcqGfsSlFt1edI41Q6_-j_xsNWfOEHhoxc0V4JEeI7nKOPbyefxKysM/s400/Summer+2012+127.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;">
At a favorite park with "Dah!" Mack rarely calls Clint Dada or Daddy, so "Dah!" (he always screams it) it is.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1mME7FZ6IdbyskpZncuRpxL7oyJbLkLGf1-ci-MCir3hF_wmyeCP7QjHiQgUw5bNx12rb1CRi12DxRN2sIWP0iNctIYmE5Uo8PpBOJ54zMDIQROjcXYcKl8zfVFr19V_VB-yaH2kZofc/s1600/Summer+2012+142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1mME7FZ6IdbyskpZncuRpxL7oyJbLkLGf1-ci-MCir3hF_wmyeCP7QjHiQgUw5bNx12rb1CRi12DxRN2sIWP0iNctIYmE5Uo8PpBOJ54zMDIQROjcXYcKl8zfVFr19V_VB-yaH2kZofc/s400/Summer+2012+142.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
We had several sweet friends visit over the summer -- but for some reason none of the other photos would upload -- so Arrah gets the visitor of the summer award! Way to go! She was perfectly happy to tag along on park excursions and let me drag her all over the neighborhood. She even let us drag her out to a crazy dance club way past my bedtime (how awful). And then we went to my sweet neighbor's bday bash and salsa dancing . . . with fire coming out of my head.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTHOBNQ8z2dZWgIZaXa4_k3RNeKxU4YRyHv998E2pTMBAWrVKGkHRNi-RFRKeKAFFbDj89WbNShUm_D8Q9xHFkvdfMTNfO21tCyV7vVtpKDa4doGxhV5J12FY2jM82fwb4CoPLnXHdJEI/s1600/Summer+2012+135.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTHOBNQ8z2dZWgIZaXa4_k3RNeKxU4YRyHv998E2pTMBAWrVKGkHRNi-RFRKeKAFFbDj89WbNShUm_D8Q9xHFkvdfMTNfO21tCyV7vVtpKDa4doGxhV5J12FY2jM82fwb4CoPLnXHdJEI/s400/Summer+2012+135.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
. . . and even Lacy had fire coming out of her head. We sure know how to set the dance floor on fire!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj62ue9kGWVQkF5XsGYwooC6zT1it7h1rUL5yXjVyKO5cok0eG3QDAuS9n_mpQlClh1dM14puzPuwF-2HrNWdzMyXTgSwN1CUrMD8LVKz4n8W9Rf3l5ln7_RnthkrsYPla32duM3O7ESLM/s1600/Summer+2012+143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj62ue9kGWVQkF5XsGYwooC6zT1it7h1rUL5yXjVyKO5cok0eG3QDAuS9n_mpQlClh1dM14puzPuwF-2HrNWdzMyXTgSwN1CUrMD8LVKz4n8W9Rf3l5ln7_RnthkrsYPla32duM3O7ESLM/s400/Summer+2012+143.JPG" width="297" /></a></div>
<br />
I finally got over my fear of taking the kids on public transportation, so we had lots of long excursions that kept my calf muscles in shape. Just shove snacks in their faces and they're good to go. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1paV1IdiCI253LkTO0ru6BM-osjnw7VfDh9URzrfKPYIiCrbih5q1ewmiUiwm0sOtUiIv9-0B4IH53lGklcyu6mUGwF9lngpSS6KnvjdXFteDQTZu_Xz41nEl8Hg14ZYlwDGjID7ua3A/s1600/Summer+2012+055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1paV1IdiCI253LkTO0ru6BM-osjnw7VfDh9URzrfKPYIiCrbih5q1ewmiUiwm0sOtUiIv9-0B4IH53lGklcyu6mUGwF9lngpSS6KnvjdXFteDQTZu_Xz41nEl8Hg14ZYlwDGjID7ua3A/s400/Summer+2012+055.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The zoo was one of our favorite spots (I actually went this morning with our new awesome neighbors). This is the infamous Mr. Singer and Whats-her-face with pink hair entertaining the kiddos at the zoo farm*. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy1tJ6W75xuInTRmGBPcaAlchy88w90u4QfbcrA_FnHfyLg6OyNWFoFLbH2m1kFlt5Un8CWdPM8RZrIJ-1ijJgwlqBPYBgb7_qbOg13dd5u4YqxAR5bDR8HYKmMhcu9Pr1xs4MTDbdQds/s1600/Summer+2012+155.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy1tJ6W75xuInTRmGBPcaAlchy88w90u4QfbcrA_FnHfyLg6OyNWFoFLbH2m1kFlt5Un8CWdPM8RZrIJ-1ijJgwlqBPYBgb7_qbOg13dd5u4YqxAR5bDR8HYKmMhcu9Pr1xs4MTDbdQds/s400/Summer+2012+155.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
*Note: this was taken the morning that the insane and overprotective grandmother attacked Mimi which you can read about <a href="http://clintandjeriannedarby.blogspot.com/2012/06/why-in-world-have-i-not-been-updating.html">here.</a> I'm still holding on to the belief that I did the right thing and her grandson needs to grow a pair.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
A cool thing that happens in Lincoln Park near the zoo is the fancy schmancy Green City Farmer's Market. And this awesome old guy was there. He kept singing the same thing over and over and over again, but it made everyone so very happy. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>Momma's got a beat, baby's got a beat, everybody's got a beat. Shake it , shake it, shake it . . . If you don't use it, you're gonna lose it . . .</i> </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/AVvXsEg9rhBC1FaoikJMRxqDJueO2LuY0dGvVY060bVwmP8Pxx5SpaV9cmAGZCVry0g7jUyylIFstxDZw_azd3Q095Y1Pyfg9x2vvXcXdrDsL5HAqCpfVA77FOViKOYQ8J6Z0fpqktsu_RqXDeA/s1600/Summer+2012+168.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9rhBC1FaoikJMRxqDJueO2LuY0dGvVY060bVwmP8Pxx5SpaV9cmAGZCVry0g7jUyylIFstxDZw_azd3Q095Y1Pyfg9x2vvXcXdrDsL5HAqCpfVA77FOViKOYQ8J6Z0fpqktsu_RqXDeA/s400/Summer+2012+168.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;">
I kept planning to make this really great list of free things for kiddos in Chicago in case any of you wanted to visit and just not tell me (you know who you are). The summer is full of freebies in this city. But I think I am going to keep this list to myself so you'll HAVE to tell me when you'll be here. Or you could just Google it. Whatever.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Not the best photo, but Clint bought cotton candy for Mimi for the first time. And this is why it will be difficult for her to find the right guy. Her daddy has set the bar way too high.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRUMZqqGCdxw51maOYo-a1MmNjYMyHqccrZk1drsyy5guujKpRwC0oaanktKXpIWBk7VgusVusPsoYNoz4HzYvf9jeD7rzR4olxq0ywoCuRCfm6RhfW-NY2Z5UP_gq9DnaoinfGxz2S_o/s1600/Summer+2012+172.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRUMZqqGCdxw51maOYo-a1MmNjYMyHqccrZk1drsyy5guujKpRwC0oaanktKXpIWBk7VgusVusPsoYNoz4HzYvf9jeD7rzR4olxq0ywoCuRCfm6RhfW-NY2Z5UP_gq9DnaoinfGxz2S_o/s400/Summer+2012+172.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;">
Our monkeys learned to play together this summer. Sweet stuff.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYhN6MEcHFJUCIzVMwgYvvx-tsXeaOPwQolYUQ62giPe8cDunvwfZTK_fPUjWZbEwjtAe2cG6DAa_KejlsFfuePc_kGfklFV8tttXUJ4ruyLHqvo6tRiDnvYlsp5aq4YZbkEQFBDDqNxE/s1600/Summer+2012+179.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYhN6MEcHFJUCIzVMwgYvvx-tsXeaOPwQolYUQ62giPe8cDunvwfZTK_fPUjWZbEwjtAe2cG6DAa_KejlsFfuePc_kGfklFV8tttXUJ4ruyLHqvo6tRiDnvYlsp5aq4YZbkEQFBDDqNxE/s400/Summer+2012+179.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq9qqZDFgicR8ewvMWv2y-mNN-LhiJhVz_kBDupo5TE0Mfe0LYAWxAUCoHmf2PflxitPlcwWfpRzVz8PqY8g5HDI-odekAisFe4WhwWy0GsJpDRIDe-zYFAvYYKORV9MvI1n9wAnv3fpI/s1600/Summer+2012+180.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq9qqZDFgicR8ewvMWv2y-mNN-LhiJhVz_kBDupo5TE0Mfe0LYAWxAUCoHmf2PflxitPlcwWfpRzVz8PqY8g5HDI-odekAisFe4WhwWy0GsJpDRIDe-zYFAvYYKORV9MvI1n9wAnv3fpI/s400/Summer+2012+180.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;">
I ran my first <strike>marathon </strike>5K near the lake. It. Was. AMAZING!!</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/AVvXsEhnPkSOYkBsKawmkZhe4delER5VS20UnYeSDbCeT6LkjIbtVIZ_pzPhtTGpGs0uH7uAzQJv6JDlzl_9OSKVvHv9veBDYkEG8P8RDwNqfm8wLU-wNskCFEsF8Bsj1WPJhedz4nk_66PyhiQ/s1600/Summer+2012+197.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnPkSOYkBsKawmkZhe4delER5VS20UnYeSDbCeT6LkjIbtVIZ_pzPhtTGpGs0uH7uAzQJv6JDlzl_9OSKVvHv9veBDYkEG8P8RDwNqfm8wLU-wNskCFEsF8Bsj1WPJhedz4nk_66PyhiQ/s400/Summer+2012+197.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;">
And it's all because this girl told me to and I said, "Ok." We ran like snails the first two miles, and then some fabulous song like "Applebottom Jeans" came on my iPod . . . and then I smoked everyone. Sorta.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf24GgiCrRQGXjApRu0lJZ7xOarkTNJZvhssZSdZBfPtgoROzHd7Q8MqKlKKZA_QwT2bjtt6BJ52S1WdQ2w2hp0WvWxCFEZW6vg31kDe85Ze5tYqzm8oUN97WvtJpLRBx5lBmdy5V4TVY/s1600/Summer+2012+198.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf24GgiCrRQGXjApRu0lJZ7xOarkTNJZvhssZSdZBfPtgoROzHd7Q8MqKlKKZA_QwT2bjtt6BJ52S1WdQ2w2hp0WvWxCFEZW6vg31kDe85Ze5tYqzm8oUN97WvtJpLRBx5lBmdy5V4TVY/s400/Summer+2012+198.JPG" width="297" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I'm a sucker for neighborhood ice cream and pastry shops, so when Black Dog opened within steps of my home, I had to be their biggest fan. But I think Mimi is winning.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzRKmjf1PAQSqtYH4Bq9MWcQ30IMNClnArBOprwNwUNw2bGp7bjmc-jwSVMvKmIpXxiNqTh8t2Sqq7y60DeYFeGuZN0ZTPKtpChTBQj4NWMqoY000uAM-ozTW7mymK6dkkBInan8RMNtk/s1600/Summer+2012+203.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzRKmjf1PAQSqtYH4Bq9MWcQ30IMNClnArBOprwNwUNw2bGp7bjmc-jwSVMvKmIpXxiNqTh8t2Sqq7y60DeYFeGuZN0ZTPKtpChTBQj4NWMqoY000uAM-ozTW7mymK6dkkBInan8RMNtk/s400/Summer+2012+203.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
Mack even loves it, too. I have to shovel mine in my mouth as fast as lightening or he yells at me to give it to him. Which I do. Spoiled little monkey.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7t8k5luyO2v5ioewcPvgNkAERcCpenKK5PdRCicveAeFYo1bZejWYCU3COErcfBZrR4HeAVRpxRBES31DKLEpexUI6Z3FnqSRS_oCNwQUtRB4su18JjHQhPoWuhZsPc_07nKCUn9kIKw/s1600/Summer+2012+149.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7t8k5luyO2v5ioewcPvgNkAERcCpenKK5PdRCicveAeFYo1bZejWYCU3COErcfBZrR4HeAVRpxRBES31DKLEpexUI6Z3FnqSRS_oCNwQUtRB4su18JjHQhPoWuhZsPc_07nKCUn9kIKw/s400/Summer+2012+149.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
And more walking down the sidewalk . . . I think she was channeling one of those old men who sits on a small town square playing checkers.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibqB9VGaILjGFw-KbzjJEZMKNjt3B1mXAd5-V9YdlLSi-RF77Hi7mQkZ48Tr6suo0mseuRKFbA1WgIF_jvsOH4JH2oWreyE2A77itU_DxoXPnFMNSc0tNvjEr8_Htqc44u-1SPJZx_dMU/s1600/Summer+2012+216.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibqB9VGaILjGFw-KbzjJEZMKNjt3B1mXAd5-V9YdlLSi-RF77Hi7mQkZ48Tr6suo0mseuRKFbA1WgIF_jvsOH4JH2oWreyE2A77itU_DxoXPnFMNSc0tNvjEr8_Htqc44u-1SPJZx_dMU/s400/Summer+2012+216.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
If this guy wasn't so cute, I would have given him to the gypsies a few weeks ago. Such a stinker. But, he is indeed cute enough to keep. Mack is, too.:)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiHumIP3WDOWzBSt7436_rLp7TA5kfYpAD4zLWxcJw-p-nc4swvsoqALvebqm4qrxeFA42UTuwWcKLJLb8uPaedi6y5jcktSA-Ggf_R0qzI9FZcmnKbjvii7wqCSyCAISuitCPO_tOaHM/s1600/Summer+2012+220.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiHumIP3WDOWzBSt7436_rLp7TA5kfYpAD4zLWxcJw-p-nc4swvsoqALvebqm4qrxeFA42UTuwWcKLJLb8uPaedi6y5jcktSA-Ggf_R0qzI9FZcmnKbjvii7wqCSyCAISuitCPO_tOaHM/s400/Summer+2012+220.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
And we saw David Gray at House of Blues . . . sail away with me, honey . . .</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivX5tWIssJe3dVAkqrw3LyfaK1ub1a1rk3gWjhoEbFt0KnQ-GbvLcDemrQ7Ss4rAkpVVBp_iMKYMwl-PT0kLRZ5uiK0m_UD5fZciRusUORxhbjKDyMMkjz0wp8NS3RjpPx8Uyjt5oC5Uk/s1600/Summer+2012+226.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivX5tWIssJe3dVAkqrw3LyfaK1ub1a1rk3gWjhoEbFt0KnQ-GbvLcDemrQ7Ss4rAkpVVBp_iMKYMwl-PT0kLRZ5uiK0m_UD5fZciRusUORxhbjKDyMMkjz0wp8NS3RjpPx8Uyjt5oC5Uk/s400/Summer+2012+226.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
We did the Midwestern summer thing and went to a friend's lake cottage in Michigan. Absolutely loved it. I didn't realize that Clint and I hadn't really experienced the whole going to Pickwick Lake together much in college until he told me halfway through the trip that he was shocked by how much I loved riding on a tube. I'm hoping maybe he'll buy one for me for my birthday . . .<br />
<br />
Mimi with her friend, Natalka (but she calls her Matalka). They met in Kiddie Kollege with a K and are now taking karate together . . . also with a K. I'm not even kidding. I can't wait for the stories and pictures I'll have from that.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNAFxEnzd8qIJYi_xSXBJ4RtZjBuC-UjVOiQiZ6BFefOvBZ3HuJhLZk32Ny2-R0BXeLw75D99dN3f-S-rJ3RTxd5VEoYGtDJMAMnB7DOgn5igXrGXnoywl0TMD9FP64-KPTzJpXxawBOs/s1600/Summer+2012+246.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNAFxEnzd8qIJYi_xSXBJ4RtZjBuC-UjVOiQiZ6BFefOvBZ3HuJhLZk32Ny2-R0BXeLw75D99dN3f-S-rJ3RTxd5VEoYGtDJMAMnB7DOgn5igXrGXnoywl0TMD9FP64-KPTzJpXxawBOs/s400/Summer+2012+246.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
And this guy was fussy and awful when we arrived because of a cold, but, like I said, cute enough to keep around.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3xzYWfznvZ9LJkAOCSi8qceb-ghimU7X70ptjxvfHAnJBfx5QyiO8Rf3_6ERNIG-b0qyNdQ1oSgVGrYbuWiMkaPe389tFrNMNAHNZpS7WpOlGq0j8RMqLzTfpPwucs-VogMyKeUgU6b8/s1600/Summer+2012+258.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3xzYWfznvZ9LJkAOCSi8qceb-ghimU7X70ptjxvfHAnJBfx5QyiO8Rf3_6ERNIG-b0qyNdQ1oSgVGrYbuWiMkaPe389tFrNMNAHNZpS7WpOlGq0j8RMqLzTfpPwucs-VogMyKeUgU6b8/s400/Summer+2012+258.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
Little guy throwing a tantrum on the tube. Whatever. Put on your big boy Underoos and have fun, Mack.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj51iOXJ0saYKJHK6sRW574p6pn_0E_cZ0SwTGR5nIbACk6aEO5b4MmCGRUybzAREJV_l1b8lWAg6oyquv5cUJxLuagZnjVV1MR6aC2M-6XSqz2qNgplf1mC84r__NdWV69lnhDeI7bhEs/s1600/Summer+2012+260.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj51iOXJ0saYKJHK6sRW574p6pn_0E_cZ0SwTGR5nIbACk6aEO5b4MmCGRUybzAREJV_l1b8lWAg6oyquv5cUJxLuagZnjVV1MR6aC2M-6XSqz2qNgplf1mC84r__NdWV69lnhDeI7bhEs/s400/Summer+2012+260.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
See, Mommy and Mimi loved it.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKkNFKkRNhnPDJevIGuDYqxMc2PJdjW4kyfl9MsdAzqQgDW-za3r84pClO8R1FGf3511_xzAMO_2gYdXSLYfZY815T2CDRIqUrkEPDs7wrt8rm9gctUhYWplZhGjViJ8KGlZvWWdxVEo0/s1600/Summer+2012+267.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKkNFKkRNhnPDJevIGuDYqxMc2PJdjW4kyfl9MsdAzqQgDW-za3r84pClO8R1FGf3511_xzAMO_2gYdXSLYfZY815T2CDRIqUrkEPDs7wrt8rm9gctUhYWplZhGjViJ8KGlZvWWdxVEo0/s400/Summer+2012+267.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
Big girl. Did I mention she just turned four? And she acts like she's four. She likes to help bake (like I do that all the time) and clean (also, like I do that all the time) and says really, really funny stuff she's learned from Despicable Me. Gosh, she's a really cool little kid. She's sassy for sure, but at least it's entertaining. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSDdub6wuTtirEcVml1HyfOyAZwNd7-o7f4o4ZF4gXuJzxlAPyx0YmYLVu9q0RguJHSpwOCWrkCYNYso03DWisCRNUdwbHyXWLzb9vyc7GROmtOB_60VN4s5CWRKBQynN3byXXJcQ9UTw/s1600/Summer+2012+276.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSDdub6wuTtirEcVml1HyfOyAZwNd7-o7f4o4ZF4gXuJzxlAPyx0YmYLVu9q0RguJHSpwOCWrkCYNYso03DWisCRNUdwbHyXWLzb9vyc7GROmtOB_60VN4s5CWRKBQynN3byXXJcQ9UTw/s400/Summer+2012+276.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Okay, I have to stop because I'm craving something chocolate and think I can sneak the last mini Snickers before Mimi wakes up and smells it and steals it from me. Please don't yell at me for that ridiculous run-on, Mrs. Foust. I'm a busy mom and have no time for editing. Gosh, if I could only go back to just worrying about which crayons to use on my coloring page . . .Jeri Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10521003964808664244noreply@blogger.com0