tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33820436994629270862024-03-13T03:10:04.263-04:00Not Your Average Ferris WheelThis is a blog about our lives as working parents. This blog will document all the love and joy, the laughter and tears, and the blessings and pitfalls of parenthood.Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04215603566616745595noreply@blogger.comBlogger687125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3382043699462927086.post-88868064574539568342015-07-03T14:45:00.001-04:002015-07-03T14:45:39.168-04:00Cookie dates, climbing, weddings that turn into mini vacations and much
more.Cole has figured out how to watch a movie while on a cookie date with Mimi. <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi75ZwQ9xqqLZvd5s0wV0AjgAWwAwtgfPxgH8GjE2rAmE3nrREpB5HRu02wKVk4ldXf_I3CxD-iPsrvumqcNMXdh20Sle0cnhifPVs62SdeYp-Ovhl9vnm9sKxpKGZWOPElkd5GxS_jpUA/s640/blogger-image--758248358.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi75ZwQ9xqqLZvd5s0wV0AjgAWwAwtgfPxgH8GjE2rAmE3nrREpB5HRu02wKVk4ldXf_I3CxD-iPsrvumqcNMXdh20Sle0cnhifPVs62SdeYp-Ovhl9vnm9sKxpKGZWOPElkd5GxS_jpUA/s640/blogger-image--758248358.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Bevin is an expert climber. For reals. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1OWpYm6TAIXw5AYq5RZEV0gR8szO3PJbjhheHcGq9vFzeIo7zmotMlm2K7H0JkugbXoOebMgMGpygp6abm9CkecZitfpYJXpqtrOJ7Qt1lZSbLJnoZkK7E3ZaRSZs_AEWYzq1JQlATbU/s640/blogger-image-1562165197.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1OWpYm6TAIXw5AYq5RZEV0gR8szO3PJbjhheHcGq9vFzeIo7zmotMlm2K7H0JkugbXoOebMgMGpygp6abm9CkecZitfpYJXpqtrOJ7Qt1lZSbLJnoZkK7E3ZaRSZs_AEWYzq1JQlATbU/s640/blogger-image-1562165197.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> We went to Allie's wedding in May and survived. It turned out to be a mini vacation!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxWjx3quqhLvkhOAL2RIZQ2ybySjvir27QVZ2BPjQF3YM5_T2fFkD0FErxiqI9mERwWjeOaW1eNzaPztStuEUyyUNPwkV4sOD4We-FpucSuEj2D_lSzpJYWTzz3YD-VobAHaacsb5jmzc/s640/blogger-image--7255710.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxWjx3quqhLvkhOAL2RIZQ2ybySjvir27QVZ2BPjQF3YM5_T2fFkD0FErxiqI9mERwWjeOaW1eNzaPztStuEUyyUNPwkV4sOD4We-FpucSuEj2D_lSzpJYWTzz3YD-VobAHaacsb5jmzc/s640/blogger-image--7255710.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibo0TQGO3iy7dCKELlcxtbap7grnSYu7jNN2frKIfWpcXS6HIdOOl-UEKYCjgYEoVyk6-pazyYyQkI_oYlauJs5ZI70xUSezmi4efAw_JOifcgQi1CY4vOGrD5LPJ8uSRoU6PbY4H5I1E/s640/blogger-image--1687190116.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibo0TQGO3iy7dCKELlcxtbap7grnSYu7jNN2frKIfWpcXS6HIdOOl-UEKYCjgYEoVyk6-pazyYyQkI_oYlauJs5ZI70xUSezmi4efAw_JOifcgQi1CY4vOGrD5LPJ8uSRoU6PbY4H5I1E/s640/blogger-image--1687190116.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Spring Farm is a<span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"> summer paradise. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijMZrpZMdm2ufLddgLTo-5whxjsR0Fq31_nRAzGxbhByCNeFFZUu3v8qRYAidBaMwSubI3euCjMI7lnG4wne3K8FFM5PjP13tCrJbfm9I2X1hteVlfbvbQer_SnvuKRz5pj_W5zmfy6yk/s640/blogger-image--2130445721.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijMZrpZMdm2ufLddgLTo-5whxjsR0Fq31_nRAzGxbhByCNeFFZUu3v8qRYAidBaMwSubI3euCjMI7lnG4wne3K8FFM5PjP13tCrJbfm9I2X1hteVlfbvbQer_SnvuKRz5pj_W5zmfy6yk/s640/blogger-image--2130445721.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Berry picking is addictive...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm4I4CJmdsm9dP-0TJ6tDEDQByY-tjq2rK2sJBHNYKfyYsQVw1u7z9p6P5gXmyH5aXyPzjWXj8XYUvCqS7cIH7VpBo6Clknr92PSfp-vNhXdpIUdBMOPYzCqLoeib_nPgEQJXo3gyOgWs/s640/blogger-image--713691947.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm4I4CJmdsm9dP-0TJ6tDEDQByY-tjq2rK2sJBHNYKfyYsQVw1u7z9p6P5gXmyH5aXyPzjWXj8XYUvCqS7cIH7VpBo6Clknr92PSfp-vNhXdpIUdBMOPYzCqLoeib_nPgEQJXo3gyOgWs/s640/blogger-image--713691947.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiQ8wRdZ1lAAcpXWYclJjLTfBgt0jPELAurUC2NZZekXZ4qeKlrJFoGBz7xFZFUyo93k-b4FiP1qH8Hxp5eEVoNyKuxrzGS_g8Ntb877WrGnJA9pSLJGjyU6m-3jvAGfG3mw9oCgzlkH8/s640/blogger-image-1847716090.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiQ8wRdZ1lAAcpXWYclJjLTfBgt0jPELAurUC2NZZekXZ4qeKlrJFoGBz7xFZFUyo93k-b4FiP1qH8Hxp5eEVoNyKuxrzGS_g8Ntb877WrGnJA9pSLJGjyU6m-3jvAGfG3mw9oCgzlkH8/s640/blogger-image-1847716090.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Bevin is itching to figure out how to ride this thing...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSeZJc5vAuZ7XDAhRRCk0oRyAKnornA_jqHoGcGf1OWKvMCOL6WaltuZ5nIYfLO83PHOzIL182mnF59cgBCuSjtfxPezizSDOLJmgtHMj7qiLdTGBAq-iQMLkyj2fEvu4B-dMhkRSJXjA/s640/blogger-image-495561760.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSeZJc5vAuZ7XDAhRRCk0oRyAKnornA_jqHoGcGf1OWKvMCOL6WaltuZ5nIYfLO83PHOzIL182mnF59cgBCuSjtfxPezizSDOLJmgtHMj7qiLdTGBAq-iQMLkyj2fEvu4B-dMhkRSJXjA/s640/blogger-image-495561760.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></span></div><br></div>Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04215603566616745595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3382043699462927086.post-22132533646710151902015-05-27T21:04:00.001-04:002015-05-27T21:04:28.815-04:00FiveHappy 5th birthday to this cute little guy. <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLVvPrycCzxUIe8LJKlLMXgkWiEtFpH_csDaONbssJDnt9MNd04VlEIwyTI23LdPLrjgf4o8ajWdPMRJcvp45mxSXeQ-l3nbUTOFheHiEwbEIxoz1CEml46wVFUnX1TQ7Fy3yWhaOv7PA/s640/blogger-image--1579033272.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLVvPrycCzxUIe8LJKlLMXgkWiEtFpH_csDaONbssJDnt9MNd04VlEIwyTI23LdPLrjgf4o8ajWdPMRJcvp45mxSXeQ-l3nbUTOFheHiEwbEIxoz1CEml46wVFUnX1TQ7Fy3yWhaOv7PA/s640/blogger-image--1579033272.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2OZZ3vxUPefU_Vgo31__TF6Dz-cttf4tpCmH_9oKgZvxrL4azTsv6tEOW1fn93By64K_1Mk47EtwDjcPfsVr-07cWYnfTuESmi-VRCxfDn6QCn3rq9RAJNjv2MKT3ugNus3IUN4muhNU/s640/blogger-image-530217605.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2OZZ3vxUPefU_Vgo31__TF6Dz-cttf4tpCmH_9oKgZvxrL4azTsv6tEOW1fn93By64K_1Mk47EtwDjcPfsVr-07cWYnfTuESmi-VRCxfDn6QCn3rq9RAJNjv2MKT3ugNus3IUN4muhNU/s640/blogger-image-530217605.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04215603566616745595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3382043699462927086.post-66280469115584126352015-05-23T23:12:00.000-04:002015-05-23T23:12:15.207-04:00Mongaup: A little slice of paradise<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIjNqQm1oc_jSV7jCHaNSPCFFF49PAquX9K5sfHSTyfWWdwZeRi6vZQrzvRkW6b1SPHayUb-s-RrA3HUH9V-F2LpOu_Do3xNNfPvl6fDDxV4C4fjiEqCT_MaROdP6yL4NU8HfLIS0T5fw/s1600/10423704_10206273502494592_1512123564786366480_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIjNqQm1oc_jSV7jCHaNSPCFFF49PAquX9K5sfHSTyfWWdwZeRi6vZQrzvRkW6b1SPHayUb-s-RrA3HUH9V-F2LpOu_Do3xNNfPvl6fDDxV4C4fjiEqCT_MaROdP6yL4NU8HfLIS0T5fw/s320/10423704_10206273502494592_1512123564786366480_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Last weekend we went on a two-night camping excursion to Mongaup Pond, a hidden treasure in the Catskills. We get no service there because when at Mongaup, you are really in the sticks. I love Mongaup for its beauty and serenity, but also because I cannot connect with anyone else but my family when I am there. So this time, I left my phone in airplane mode hidden in the truck for all but our last hour of being there. The photo above was taken by Keith, who walked down from our site (C-91 --- best site EVER) into the woods to join us for a morning walk with his cup of coffee in hand.<br />
<br />
Bevin LOVED camping as usual (this is her third summer camping) and begged to go outside if ever she felt trapped in the trailer (which wasn't often). She had a ton of fun just chasing or being chased by Cole in and out of the woods surrounding our site. And, at one point, after a little bout of misbehaving on our second (and last) morning there, Cole actually listened to me and sat in a camp chair for 40 minutes looking peacefully through books. While we didn't do a ton, we managed to squeeze in some bike riding, a short hike, a trip to the fish hatchery, and of course chips around the campfire. It was just what we needed to recharge.Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04215603566616745595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3382043699462927086.post-26024515578464632642015-04-28T21:02:00.001-04:002015-04-28T21:02:34.836-04:00A weekend full of bike rides<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVS8Dd2X56KtXdXvZqhhaXHOL73rlM6xSPPeFkiCtY1Hry-7lYOiaxPB4XmhPjQz_irKB8qiG2Y9_CbzfUeUXUWbl7PnoAQ79AAmHEe3X4lNCV1GdFqkhQZ-OJkOam5NDgoZzgq2HL1kg/s640/blogger-image--1872494573.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVS8Dd2X56KtXdXvZqhhaXHOL73rlM6xSPPeFkiCtY1Hry-7lYOiaxPB4XmhPjQz_irKB8qiG2Y9_CbzfUeUXUWbl7PnoAQ79AAmHEe3X4lNCV1GdFqkhQZ-OJkOam5NDgoZzgq2HL1kg/s640/blogger-image--1872494573.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr0QBs_JJrAYYP73g_9hk-UnZdBAj8nspmQaR03_WqJjZqvdNwY2DWVsbDG3i3D9nvXA4jGfA_7hpoGaS6AeQ8PD0Uz_ktvyJfQbbl-XuS-05APABG0XyJc-IkHIkt7MjNVWX_wGhj16s/s640/blogger-image-1053996681.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr0QBs_JJrAYYP73g_9hk-UnZdBAj8nspmQaR03_WqJjZqvdNwY2DWVsbDG3i3D9nvXA4jGfA_7hpoGaS6AeQ8PD0Uz_ktvyJfQbbl-XuS-05APABG0XyJc-IkHIkt7MjNVWX_wGhj16s/s640/blogger-image-1053996681.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgzjJfbRp-ihFtpXnJ_6mNCjW4wbQa97rDdI4_HopKAC_Qgr1L0vETSvtiwq8nI1K4vLL3i4AfPJHQaMjdG6JGG7IzKbUNzwcXBSPFTc_uz6BonSNO_K4J-C2I2b_Vq4Ds3e9KbeX6NtU/s640/blogger-image-1743945416.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgzjJfbRp-ihFtpXnJ_6mNCjW4wbQa97rDdI4_HopKAC_Qgr1L0vETSvtiwq8nI1K4vLL3i4AfPJHQaMjdG6JGG7IzKbUNzwcXBSPFTc_uz6BonSNO_K4J-C2I2b_Vq4Ds3e9KbeX6NtU/s640/blogger-image-1743945416.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ3-RnC_dvktTaoFrwOkdGzW0FHjhWDHImI0fft5tVbOAF2owdYQUUjxkuQcuy_j4o0PNUhYOxQ0tuaZRS8lYfx2MQm-3V7rHMJfvk-_Zl67odfcUWMjZ7QQW94iv2qstBAY1-sxjyVTA/s640/blogger-image-851989271.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ3-RnC_dvktTaoFrwOkdGzW0FHjhWDHImI0fft5tVbOAF2owdYQUUjxkuQcuy_j4o0PNUhYOxQ0tuaZRS8lYfx2MQm-3V7rHMJfvk-_Zl67odfcUWMjZ7QQW94iv2qstBAY1-sxjyVTA/s640/blogger-image-851989271.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div>Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04215603566616745595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3382043699462927086.post-68901097868108356402015-04-25T14:35:00.001-04:002015-04-25T14:35:08.507-04:00Bike ridesI just went on a bike ride around our neighborhood with these two cutie pies! <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxgv3cefl9IThOqolIBWTsmrKlBXv1aTQhnEopUWAi3oausgm0N4gCqyU121z8OHyb8AhXUS1UxavWTLvmWEmk2O8Fzh-WmKUHQAI7jaehszW5sT5iKGj3qk26GjxCYYWswmGTTl0nnT8/s640/blogger-image--117165711.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxgv3cefl9IThOqolIBWTsmrKlBXv1aTQhnEopUWAi3oausgm0N4gCqyU121z8OHyb8AhXUS1UxavWTLvmWEmk2O8Fzh-WmKUHQAI7jaehszW5sT5iKGj3qk26GjxCYYWswmGTTl0nnT8/s640/blogger-image--117165711.jpg"></a></div>Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04215603566616745595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3382043699462927086.post-33206345694239993452015-04-25T06:50:00.001-04:002015-04-25T06:50:23.488-04:00Big boy<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjsAAb16h3awbxmIx5qqKe0sEc7xQhVcuhYTZ-YaIigRefU9oPvgMX5bHx0IHha3ZeBeCmzUOQdfwVusRsFGTfPglD__Yk79yH85x4H9gOQvkAfFBnZUXy11PsXXAUByqCNgfmb6RS1M0/s640/blogger-image-1171635468.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjsAAb16h3awbxmIx5qqKe0sEc7xQhVcuhYTZ-YaIigRefU9oPvgMX5bHx0IHha3ZeBeCmzUOQdfwVusRsFGTfPglD__Yk79yH85x4H9gOQvkAfFBnZUXy11PsXXAUByqCNgfmb6RS1M0/s640/blogger-image-1171635468.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">He's going to be 5 next month!</div><br></div>Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04215603566616745595noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3382043699462927086.post-83920316757222909062015-04-20T05:40:00.001-04:002015-04-25T06:47:09.765-04:00We (still) love to hike and camp (part 2)<div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Cabin camping with friends was a blast. We went on three different hikes, played in an awesome playground and watched the sun set two nights in a row. The weather was crystal clear (though sometimes windy) and the hill we stayed on afforded us a perfect view of the surrounding hills. Allison made me an birthday apple pie and everyone sung happy birthday to me Saturday night. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">And then I did something I rarely get to do- I stayed up to watch the sun set over the mountains in front of our cabin. So perfect. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXTlBJDnuBB5a-nWW255LEQ5ipGHc8ftkiRbhiiacgeynYnOzRfPxKnjQjqnsoXc3DhcZ8XZXeNwd-DAKLDHjy8ZYdQz0bVRa5OE4GdfDYnT8CPwGHLE5XUnaK9WjuJIogBXy6O_7_nYM/s640/blogger-image-2102941333.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXTlBJDnuBB5a-nWW255LEQ5ipGHc8ftkiRbhiiacgeynYnOzRfPxKnjQjqnsoXc3DhcZ8XZXeNwd-DAKLDHjy8ZYdQz0bVRa5OE4GdfDYnT8CPwGHLE5XUnaK9WjuJIogBXy6O_7_nYM/s640/blogger-image-2102941333.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtug2-BAl2Wal_azx5eJfgUGoMOXDD6bZ1dPLIfF895yEB8JIxpNwezFSblhBwayipNakFJXnUvZz6f1K_0xRTq7lJRd6BdCPxRTZ2Rch39bcOh52HxqSPBrCrovJgVgJ0NpgKia6ig8I/s640/blogger-image-1930012563.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtug2-BAl2Wal_azx5eJfgUGoMOXDD6bZ1dPLIfF895yEB8JIxpNwezFSblhBwayipNakFJXnUvZz6f1K_0xRTq7lJRd6BdCPxRTZ2Rch39bcOh52HxqSPBrCrovJgVgJ0NpgKia6ig8I/s640/blogger-image-1930012563.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq7SlRLgOVbkL1qo1RUILsh2nBzf0eofDG12p-H4zSw5fytQpf0X6P3zKSmtcTvNK2rlCw-Tzzei9E0ENZqtXiotNMIb2c9xm_cv4GCoLfdqPB6XZyQsj-khddRHyt63nvi1TLLcuomh8/s640/blogger-image-201028147.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq7SlRLgOVbkL1qo1RUILsh2nBzf0eofDG12p-H4zSw5fytQpf0X6P3zKSmtcTvNK2rlCw-Tzzei9E0ENZqtXiotNMIb2c9xm_cv4GCoLfdqPB6XZyQsj-khddRHyt63nvi1TLLcuomh8/s640/blogger-image-201028147.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjidxt0WtmF0QX7hfadDE30qjxN8j1TL1vdWjuVN0azZm4Plwq5F7xSDV-QVGDBKjcQiIqegxKHswozsJTa0f1ifw4y-SzoL2Dw8C5L0mq-Wd7SMliKR0h-_s5Wu6TSSnIY-vnvVdAyeCQ/s640/blogger-image-1261372858.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjidxt0WtmF0QX7hfadDE30qjxN8j1TL1vdWjuVN0azZm4Plwq5F7xSDV-QVGDBKjcQiIqegxKHswozsJTa0f1ifw4y-SzoL2Dw8C5L0mq-Wd7SMliKR0h-_s5Wu6TSSnIY-vnvVdAyeCQ/s640/blogger-image-1261372858.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjifONHoK37zNvRhxC3qg5wBB39TDYw35LVI76TRNqM7TK1xT-WmdTydNohx8aPQGeHb_VY_pGVnjN0qjzM7DiGxPpFO30lk0pmBLx-Vglq4ONYtAZJLxRTA0mZf_lgOUzJJ8DqMoSEKGs/s640/blogger-image-726334187.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjifONHoK37zNvRhxC3qg5wBB39TDYw35LVI76TRNqM7TK1xT-WmdTydNohx8aPQGeHb_VY_pGVnjN0qjzM7DiGxPpFO30lk0pmBLx-Vglq4ONYtAZJLxRTA0mZf_lgOUzJJ8DqMoSEKGs/s640/blogger-image-726334187.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1gxj_adIPeIWkMj2CqHmCxgGfzYvMHgAuJRkAxAz3ph43uEvPE1iHePkm8vFMclQT6qdfwOU6BcKJAErrB-g4eOvLVPVdBcpzOTpsN9oxH87JHidbZhWk9M-bc3kYYnF_Qxb6tQadx1Q/s640/blogger-image-1329457204.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1gxj_adIPeIWkMj2CqHmCxgGfzYvMHgAuJRkAxAz3ph43uEvPE1iHePkm8vFMclQT6qdfwOU6BcKJAErrB-g4eOvLVPVdBcpzOTpsN9oxH87JHidbZhWk9M-bc3kYYnF_Qxb6tQadx1Q/s640/blogger-image-1329457204.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBi4Jp814VDiFKmDRo3g4AbGyDsaaZ1S12nxkNViY9dRGJa3L6DG1NBavemhc1ETPlCeOIH8Zb2QgOfwWlyXU54dQwLERTjLiMOMfO9erKCl6GdEZKuyHYn1hTsaeUeOGPtzRDPoqWxY4/s640/blogger-image--1545665330.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBi4Jp814VDiFKmDRo3g4AbGyDsaaZ1S12nxkNViY9dRGJa3L6DG1NBavemhc1ETPlCeOIH8Zb2QgOfwWlyXU54dQwLERTjLiMOMfO9erKCl6GdEZKuyHYn1hTsaeUeOGPtzRDPoqWxY4/s640/blogger-image--1545665330.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5LbL4CgsP5gtfHrD3S0q5e7Kk_3dwCSHgAQ8kg8eg2QoBJXlpHTi6Hy8G-HbhlX89dFqSAXW2ZtN6ZGPno4YD7HI7BfnFT46btYmIOFFsRr6elNNYbGgmTR6WsQJZI8TPEVHVlWOLONo/s640/blogger-image--771569297.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5LbL4CgsP5gtfHrD3S0q5e7Kk_3dwCSHgAQ8kg8eg2QoBJXlpHTi6Hy8G-HbhlX89dFqSAXW2ZtN6ZGPno4YD7HI7BfnFT46btYmIOFFsRr6elNNYbGgmTR6WsQJZI8TPEVHVlWOLONo/s640/blogger-image--771569297.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Rxew1B3-jemikkbCVHQ2WkuvQte3Hg-rnI9uGyrLsZM-SxK9n_XbXq1xg0oOmsP7lK5lEoT-4cBcBtPnOd2d47poCioedfwpw01Xg3YEKQYVYC9orsxigR1BlM4PkC2J9tBpv4tHXaw/s640/blogger-image-222322675.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Rxew1B3-jemikkbCVHQ2WkuvQte3Hg-rnI9uGyrLsZM-SxK9n_XbXq1xg0oOmsP7lK5lEoT-4cBcBtPnOd2d47poCioedfwpw01Xg3YEKQYVYC9orsxigR1BlM4PkC2J9tBpv4tHXaw/s640/blogger-image-222322675.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipvHxQhNwvizCAMaejt05PuU0mXgsULeFfzX6XeWuMZlRcyctN83EhoDbaRTh8d5oexw5PjHBXqj6SyhXPF1dBuKbwLJ18_EHHGGPecRchi4CJKvNSm_UmwTMjL-eKLP0FVJR_nuT64Cc/s640/blogger-image-1888021802.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipvHxQhNwvizCAMaejt05PuU0mXgsULeFfzX6XeWuMZlRcyctN83EhoDbaRTh8d5oexw5PjHBXqj6SyhXPF1dBuKbwLJ18_EHHGGPecRchi4CJKvNSm_UmwTMjL-eKLP0FVJR_nuT64Cc/s640/blogger-image-1888021802.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlgDRnTsopm79XADKAVvmdgPuT-2ejqLDLrXYNRYOSnav2QydOslnhB-TyS7whPxJVX8NXmlurjUAUcYmZpIRWhlsPdd7FpAnYmVQ6IGL-cBtAtZH5kwqG65_UE0nRr-iPDPQ-fV_UXxo/s640/blogger-image--1518552026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlgDRnTsopm79XADKAVvmdgPuT-2ejqLDLrXYNRYOSnav2QydOslnhB-TyS7whPxJVX8NXmlurjUAUcYmZpIRWhlsPdd7FpAnYmVQ6IGL-cBtAtZH5kwqG65_UE0nRr-iPDPQ-fV_UXxo/s640/blogger-image--1518552026.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHhm57lgiC4PPV8QVXzziaabzhdvPGBMEWIQBEidxekKspRS9SnmqxmDrsG_HCMn9x01mEcsL6iMQknFfYfIlode7JWpybCUD7dTA9lwGwjYtR36yE9qcpCEKqrJjDRYfKCUhiZJxfnBw/s640/blogger-image-82239971.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHhm57lgiC4PPV8QVXzziaabzhdvPGBMEWIQBEidxekKspRS9SnmqxmDrsG_HCMn9x01mEcsL6iMQknFfYfIlode7JWpybCUD7dTA9lwGwjYtR36yE9qcpCEKqrJjDRYfKCUhiZJxfnBw/s640/blogger-image-82239971.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div><br></span></div>Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04215603566616745595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3382043699462927086.post-31682395807475680082015-04-20T05:15:00.001-04:002015-04-20T05:15:37.498-04:00We (still) love to hike and camp [part 1]My birthday just passed yesterday. And so we spent the weekend in the great outdoors to celebrate. Almost. We stayed in a cabin, which is kind of like luxury camping. Allishawn and Juni were there to help me celebrate. It was an amazing time at Wilbur and Betty Davis State Park outside of Cooperstown. <div><br></div><div>I'm just going to post some pics since I know I'll never have the chance to finish this blog post. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMs0pdIta20l_L8Avol7aVvmh3KaQCoYCToAVKb7ePnrzKWBPkL6UVcc2ZSIMsoGmt9zk-MxJoF38rTN4vlGX0ADG3roB29KC3WgVrTw_Oim6vPYq9DmvnESDh4Xfs58JSelEbe1IV7DE/s640/blogger-image-1234847611.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMs0pdIta20l_L8Avol7aVvmh3KaQCoYCToAVKb7ePnrzKWBPkL6UVcc2ZSIMsoGmt9zk-MxJoF38rTN4vlGX0ADG3roB29KC3WgVrTw_Oim6vPYq9DmvnESDh4Xfs58JSelEbe1IV7DE/s640/blogger-image-1234847611.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Sunset the first night. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH-H2bdl1htTaHDRobm4VqQ664AB4DPB7kIwFqNip3_5X-QlyzTqlbRsLryJibuTehqOKM6QIgjV6MNdyAHPgvd6KvGpDwnHYvO-44wxKuFlws7l6Swq_QIEpGEXWMdddD4hdnSQkqgpU/s640/blogger-image--306345760.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH-H2bdl1htTaHDRobm4VqQ664AB4DPB7kIwFqNip3_5X-QlyzTqlbRsLryJibuTehqOKM6QIgjV6MNdyAHPgvd6KvGpDwnHYvO-44wxKuFlws7l6Swq_QIEpGEXWMdddD4hdnSQkqgpU/s640/blogger-image--306345760.jpg"></a></div>The first early morning </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlI1fiZL7Os76dOKW2PwvERQgM2AqSXhNl3Bz7-g1O1RWD65HWA31Fei4SXyvzgK1Z_n98WpxwBq625Xz0sGHvUEPgv1xw-426s-nUVr7hxhd21zYrhAYv79hXdhMApZueXR_Iv0GHzvw/s640/blogger-image-485732933.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlI1fiZL7Os76dOKW2PwvERQgM2AqSXhNl3Bz7-g1O1RWD65HWA31Fei4SXyvzgK1Z_n98WpxwBq625Xz0sGHvUEPgv1xw-426s-nUVr7hxhd21zYrhAYv79hXdhMApZueXR_Iv0GHzvw/s640/blogger-image-485732933.jpg"></a></div>Cuddling</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFZjWAiuFosfZpk8wmzQ-b0UpE4ZAyLIrcTbp81a0cjDGqoDISnLcJnBTCFz5VEIg7uDZ-7-XPvZAcNxwVMw_R8JTU_AAXYdhJIKZRfcdNA5ueQT4s5RfJoixO6VDcQdRRjY5GDFmAmmw/s640/blogger-image--260844559.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFZjWAiuFosfZpk8wmzQ-b0UpE4ZAyLIrcTbp81a0cjDGqoDISnLcJnBTCFz5VEIg7uDZ-7-XPvZAcNxwVMw_R8JTU_AAXYdhJIKZRfcdNA5ueQT4s5RfJoixO6VDcQdRRjY5GDFmAmmw/s640/blogger-image--260844559.jpg"></a></div></div>Bevin, double fisting the snacks </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUwPCQYcv1KWHLtDdrK9mfYwyRqC0xB7fzzSaL8WghDFbhlnHk9qTCR_aJmiquJ6cZWTjKYt3nDNhUY66htAG-BxjJUrPcBA2GYNuQC2HBMQW1ZoILVOsJYkIPfTbbElCXhbsJ6kzx6HA/s640/blogger-image--248306715.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUwPCQYcv1KWHLtDdrK9mfYwyRqC0xB7fzzSaL8WghDFbhlnHk9qTCR_aJmiquJ6cZWTjKYt3nDNhUY66htAG-BxjJUrPcBA2GYNuQC2HBMQW1ZoILVOsJYkIPfTbbElCXhbsJ6kzx6HA/s640/blogger-image--248306715.jpg"></a></div>The third cup of tea is a necessity </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkiMQtHEzEEysMBC9zSByf3lEWu4W_tZv78ZyAKObUB4K1bTVGKuitXlDoH5u5QwJqg3ecOIKWbliqsLhWWjEk_iwdW4uf-H95_nSlKvIQ5osXU-cq93dJVwMO4AjO3yXKPBW1oFATosY/s640/blogger-image--486050504.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkiMQtHEzEEysMBC9zSByf3lEWu4W_tZv78ZyAKObUB4K1bTVGKuitXlDoH5u5QwJqg3ecOIKWbliqsLhWWjEk_iwdW4uf-H95_nSlKvIQ5osXU-cq93dJVwMO4AjO3yXKPBW1oFATosY/s640/blogger-image--486050504.jpg"></a></div>The big kids can play too!</div><div><br></div><div>To be continued....</div>Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04215603566616745595noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3382043699462927086.post-43982617256003186292014-12-27T21:17:00.002-05:002014-12-27T21:17:41.981-05:00Poetry shareI am in the midst of an amazing poetry unit with my students. After returning from winter break on Jan. 5, we will spend the final week reading poetry (from other authors) they submitted on the last day of classes, and then they will write their own poems. All the while, because I've been so inpired to write, I've been sharing my poetry with them. My goal is to show them that poetry can be fun, inspirational, and need not be perfect. Here are some of the poems I've written. The last two I have not yet shared with them because I just wrote them in the past week.<br />
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>“The Forgotten Ones”</b></span></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-5a308b65-8ea6-7f78-e955-d7cb306d714f" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">the forgotten ones</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">have just gone a day or two on a diet of rug fibers, </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">old cheerios and hardened raisins that your demon spawn could not be bothered to pick up.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Yet, you</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">the forgetters,</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">feel we should pay rent</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">to cover the cost of the most disgusting expensive cat food </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">we’ve ever eaten.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It's about time you realize that </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We earn our keep.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Exhibit A:</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">you make hollow threats to your youngest demon to the effect of </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Leave the cat alone!”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">or</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Kiwi doesn’t want to be touched</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Or</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(the ever-effective:)</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Don’t pull her tail,”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">and then walk </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">out of the room</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">with the knowledge that your youngest demon is occupied for the moment,</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">you expect us to babysit free of charge.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Exhibit B:</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">you allow that same little animal obsessed toddler </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">to say “goodnight kitty” 62 times</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">while she is crushing one of our lungs and squeezing the other’s precious tail</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">with the knowledge that she could be hurting us:</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">we call this mean-cat-owner-syndrome. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You should look into treatment.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Exhibit C:</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">you search for your demon spawn </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">only to find them harassing one of us</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">you say</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Oh he’s just playing with the cat”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">and then walk away </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">to check your phone,</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">we call this severe cat neglect.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Exhibit D:</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When the squeezer-biter-demon </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">belly crawls under your bed </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">to pull our tails</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">and you say "oh they love the attention,"</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">we call that everything-that-is-wrong-with-this-world.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So what if our litter box smells because we don’t know how to cover things up?</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So what if we gallop down the hallway between midnight and 2 a.m.?</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So what if we crash land on your stomachs just as you are falling asleep?</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So what if we howl in the face of any closed door?</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So what if we drink from your water glasses the minute you turn your backs?</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So what if we play with the noisiest Christmas ornaments at 5:30 a.m. on a Saturday?</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Serves you right. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Consider this:</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We are the babysitters who don’t charge.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We endure torture on a daily basis.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Does anyone hug your face for extended periods of time?</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We didn’t think so.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Not only that.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">But,</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">we keep your bed warm</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">and we love you</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">despite the hard evidence </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">that you have forgotten us.</span></div>
<br /><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>“The Paper Clip”</b></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My son the teller of tall tales</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">tells me his sister has swallowed the paper clip</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">when I saw her out of the corner of my eye</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">throw one out.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He says, “she scooped it up, “</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He cups his hands.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> “And swallowed it.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I picture the plastic coated paper clip </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">traveling down her esophagus, falling into her stomach,</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">and I briefly wonder -</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">would she poop it out?</span></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-24e265e0-8eaa-d900-11a0-93d02201a0c6" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>“Cat scratch”</b></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Did she scratch you?” he asks gently.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He kisses her face, the scratch on her nose</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">a defensive cut from the “good girl, kitty.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Her eyelashes flutter. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She leans in to his kiss, into his big-brother-body.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Her protector.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She smiles so broadly, </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">her lips have reached the end of her face.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>“Mommy, can you?”</b></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Each day:</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Mommy... </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Can you not go to work tomorrow?</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Can you button this?</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Can you unbutton this?</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Can you bring me home a treat?</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Can you read this?</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Can you come in to see us in the morning?</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Can you kiss me while I’m sleeping? Like this?</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Can you tuck me in?</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Can you follow me out to the living room?</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Can you watch me while I pee?</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Can you go to the garage with me?</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Can you get me that remote control car? The one up there?</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Can you kiss my boo boo? It’s on my foot.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Can you stay home tomorrow?”</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Each day:</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mommy prays for Friday.</span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>“There is poetry”</b></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">You’re teaching?</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Yes. That’s what I do.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">On the last day of school before break?</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Yes.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The last period?</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Yes.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Oh Wow.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Poetry</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> is wow.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It’s beautiful and moving and touching and soothing.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And we are sharing it.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You are welcome to join us.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Students walking, reading, talking</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">through a gallery of poetry. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">These past two weeks </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">have been an eye opening examination of </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">everything that I’m about: ideas, words, feelings, beliefs.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Poetry.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I live it. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I think in it.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I teach it.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I learned that there is poetry</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">in the way you take apart the words,</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">dissect them,</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">define them,</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">give them your own meaning.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And there is poetry</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">in the way you write</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">in response to something</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">you thought you’d have nothing to connect to.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">But there is so much there that you didn't see. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">At first.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And still there is poetry</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">in what you eventually saw,</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">what you heard and discovered </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">underneath the veil of the stanzas,</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">beneath the speaker's words. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">They began to speak to you. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Those lines of verse.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“looked down one as far as I could”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“all the dark blue speed drained out of it”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“engrave them on your hearts”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“how your heart pounds inside me”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I never liked you - not one bit”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“so he opens his throat to sing”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“did you know that a day is longer than a year”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“me: I’m weeping”</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There is poetry in the way</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">some of us have been inspired.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Me: writing poetry at my kitchen counter.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Me: falling asleep reading Billy Collins; waking up thinking about Emily Dickinson.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You: writing poetry as we are reading poetry</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You: writing poetry when you don’t even realize you are.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You: appreciating poetry (even secretly liking it)</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>"I woke up and poured out a poem"</b></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You can take the girl out of the city</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">and - contrary to popular belief -</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">you </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">can</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> take the city out of the girl.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I don’t care what they say.</span></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-592399a0-8eac-52c4-affd-9c6023443633" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The F train doesn’t live in my heart;</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I never long for the Q38 on windy days.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I don’t wake up yearning for gum spotted sidewalks</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">or well landscaped parks. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">instead,</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I yearn for the wild</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">the untouched woods</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">a fern covered hillside</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">flowing, gurgling waterfalls on either side of the windy, hilly road</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">a sunset over the Shawangunk ridge.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I don’t miss gated windows</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">and triple locked doors.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I never have an inkling for honking horns on endless repeat.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I don’t miss lamp-lined streets lighting up the way home in an orange gold haze.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I only want unadulterated darkness </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">in which you can tip your head back</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">and stare at the clear sky, </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">and the stars</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">on endless repeat.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">in awe</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">on endless repeat.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I only want earth shattering silence</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">so I can sleep in peace and quiet</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">in my house in the mountains.</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04215603566616745595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3382043699462927086.post-33940961948686842842014-12-12T05:44:00.001-05:002014-12-12T05:44:30.284-05:00Statue<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLx6B46Q090eUNMr_eEASnuIQurVQVTBJgsi8zsKEZqp0b1OjtkmoKYuZPikkbpNlQ9x_f3yvIHiXHBI9P8JxIQOhisdgS2pCAHsoODbCx23GN2zioEE5hEbHj4SzxbKZENsZV5h3P08g/s640/blogger-image--1806276752.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLx6B46Q090eUNMr_eEASnuIQurVQVTBJgsi8zsKEZqp0b1OjtkmoKYuZPikkbpNlQ9x_f3yvIHiXHBI9P8JxIQOhisdgS2pCAHsoODbCx23GN2zioEE5hEbHj4SzxbKZENsZV5h3P08g/s640/blogger-image--1806276752.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW6cBYBJ2abLftLy1RY8Zt9kWpU__vfW5BVcXNWiYL4sth9wa_Ne9nVjDtMVEGLT-0C6hGIFChBTlNRRZPuEO1zfhqDcCfOdUwUpviqP8oIjCAbLs1IVDDvFK-pKumuyq-U5VxqcHsOJA/s640/blogger-image-1326781871.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW6cBYBJ2abLftLy1RY8Zt9kWpU__vfW5BVcXNWiYL4sth9wa_Ne9nVjDtMVEGLT-0C6hGIFChBTlNRRZPuEO1zfhqDcCfOdUwUpviqP8oIjCAbLs1IVDDvFK-pKumuyq-U5VxqcHsOJA/s640/blogger-image-1326781871.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxv0qXILnO79wlhoWv3n0L9iHr7kCAhmtANxcCEc9jJIjEn89u3xnrEDk10ljDi37-JmZlyO1YeHMZw0hP-RemdTN22ScJNkZcmIRK8qr0VV2-bfGoYHUrtDQdaIHQDYGyB8nBjAUGG5k/s640/blogger-image--1592941067.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxv0qXILnO79wlhoWv3n0L9iHr7kCAhmtANxcCEc9jJIjEn89u3xnrEDk10ljDi37-JmZlyO1YeHMZw0hP-RemdTN22ScJNkZcmIRK8qr0VV2-bfGoYHUrtDQdaIHQDYGyB8nBjAUGG5k/s640/blogger-image--1592941067.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxHCJjyoLFsIGN_-IuKFE37NoV-pUqP-XP_KHhzQaD58Ue_XgqeDHkvVV-miqwHTPtj2FanIr4NB9mopkmTBQC5dR91vhdCuoOuV1z2JyigFHb_Dr5ut1Ps4ISbKmIevV3DZNMcy7zlPM/s640/blogger-image--1832002470.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxHCJjyoLFsIGN_-IuKFE37NoV-pUqP-XP_KHhzQaD58Ue_XgqeDHkvVV-miqwHTPtj2FanIr4NB9mopkmTBQC5dR91vhdCuoOuV1z2JyigFHb_Dr5ut1Ps4ISbKmIevV3DZNMcy7zlPM/s640/blogger-image--1832002470.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh7-36p_-YfxY3D1kF_soGKH7tIprAD5B4nF6gBHm33N0CKR0x8b-oK9nwtcEMc2IeOjpQObPUweDaeRXjP2qaTj1ibRcoKMs79Lry_Y0jbzTjzMdAXudTcfll1rVmhdUETzzv9IFphWE/s640/blogger-image-767809259.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh7-36p_-YfxY3D1kF_soGKH7tIprAD5B4nF6gBHm33N0CKR0x8b-oK9nwtcEMc2IeOjpQObPUweDaeRXjP2qaTj1ibRcoKMs79Lry_Y0jbzTjzMdAXudTcfll1rVmhdUETzzv9IFphWE/s640/blogger-image-767809259.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhewSjzHK1mwB6Fq2_MOEbXRna2-9qdFBW3KYRFDXhme-CheYb6bKCgQwe8K2cJtBETcO2erHFaC5plc3CGsF7E945gjpUxR3Gnc3muOQg8szn0BknhfYME1tbPrhBZo9jtinSZ6jZqZew/s640/blogger-image--105754854.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhewSjzHK1mwB6Fq2_MOEbXRna2-9qdFBW3KYRFDXhme-CheYb6bKCgQwe8K2cJtBETcO2erHFaC5plc3CGsF7E945gjpUxR3Gnc3muOQg8szn0BknhfYME1tbPrhBZo9jtinSZ6jZqZew/s640/blogger-image--105754854.jpg"></a></div></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">"I'm a statue. Just keep talking over and over, Mommy. I won't say anything."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">My serious yet not so serious boy. </div><br></div>Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04215603566616745595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3382043699462927086.post-54705923600649194062014-12-10T21:32:00.001-05:002014-12-12T05:42:36.305-05:00"Tee!!"<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj99WPZvNpqs2s2gKf8TAGXSqAZB46025ulo5I6H0fgj05ivMJWfMi5nJAjggFOIOyj1NfMA-uIpHBBFR8Vlw4pcFIhDrZTQF4oWKjsgTxNhMdoAR-dxNd8VlkluChTvwdU6_8-Wf_4Hrk/s640/blogger-image--904123470.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj99WPZvNpqs2s2gKf8TAGXSqAZB46025ulo5I6H0fgj05ivMJWfMi5nJAjggFOIOyj1NfMA-uIpHBBFR8Vlw4pcFIhDrZTQF4oWKjsgTxNhMdoAR-dxNd8VlkluChTvwdU6_8-Wf_4Hrk/s640/blogger-image--904123470.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">"Tee!" Cutest word ever. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqqZSb4meTUY1iE7Pd2n-0A-WFI3JmAMubS0jJ3MipcRFOAUzXPMr4Je8__8kgeKTyJ0L1bzbnO4AWG1wKhLNw5TPy3OZWRACE8z4CMFID26I00gHsCEYhZmNf-8VyRzM1Z1_hLPkYPjI/s640/blogger-image-1684819616.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqqZSb4meTUY1iE7Pd2n-0A-WFI3JmAMubS0jJ3MipcRFOAUzXPMr4Je8__8kgeKTyJ0L1bzbnO4AWG1wKhLNw5TPy3OZWRACE8z4CMFID26I00gHsCEYhZmNf-8VyRzM1Z1_hLPkYPjI/s640/blogger-image-1684819616.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This is the best shot we got! </div><br></div>Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04215603566616745595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3382043699462927086.post-89959087606468322402014-12-07T18:18:00.001-05:002014-12-07T18:18:39.585-05:00A Christmas traditionToday we got our tree from a local tree farm. It was a fun, windy and chilly experience, but it was a tradition we started when Cole was a baby, so there was no stopping us. Bevin started off in the Ergo, but once she saw the fun Cole was having on the "sled" she wanted in! The carrier was a no-go after that. <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjipV6B6xp8Mk7h5wYiYlwyPoxiKlqQWrGj-lS8asTaaO2K3V4sCjWPO-MGSieSUu6iCRDLtjwX3jMIOUt_l1ay5b4kTAChvzyppYMFXRakwbKZsPZAiPbVBD820T6ow9WQeb4baVI4dYg/s640/blogger-image-1804672950.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjipV6B6xp8Mk7h5wYiYlwyPoxiKlqQWrGj-lS8asTaaO2K3V4sCjWPO-MGSieSUu6iCRDLtjwX3jMIOUt_l1ay5b4kTAChvzyppYMFXRakwbKZsPZAiPbVBD820T6ow9WQeb4baVI4dYg/s640/blogger-image-1804672950.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5-lg0eNAwEuxo06c-GvMhV2Q881Numu-I6Xl_taCdYPv_uGeVvVOufxN6OGnglfhadxcuEEtlTqguUtP4Z2Z8wCHuwTrh866QRTzRywav_nqX8ZOQs7jDCg4bdzQ1pDl2fMvMXto1ALQ/s640/blogger-image-1485443622.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5-lg0eNAwEuxo06c-GvMhV2Q881Numu-I6Xl_taCdYPv_uGeVvVOufxN6OGnglfhadxcuEEtlTqguUtP4Z2Z8wCHuwTrh866QRTzRywav_nqX8ZOQs7jDCg4bdzQ1pDl2fMvMXto1ALQ/s640/blogger-image-1485443622.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Cole ran through the trees being a big helper. His job was to help us find our perfect tree. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3HA9gIkFALF2uMkfUJkuFSm1jiRJ6bKyu7LGTV2EOUk1VXYU-ea983qZEd9u0ocMVPmyavN0QLMCqhUjwOGcrws6NbZYo9Mf1WOCyjEz_V2_A8nrW01wdgk4bY94MuGMEbNF41NlZ_cc/s640/blogger-image-1842599653.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3HA9gIkFALF2uMkfUJkuFSm1jiRJ6bKyu7LGTV2EOUk1VXYU-ea983qZEd9u0ocMVPmyavN0QLMCqhUjwOGcrws6NbZYo9Mf1WOCyjEz_V2_A8nrW01wdgk4bY94MuGMEbNF41NlZ_cc/s640/blogger-image-1842599653.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Bevin apparently thought this was a snowboard of some sort. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfrZGb2QNE00tKH3SXSp1-AwmWhmfFEgNE43SYguMKIu4WDdX9818KlmA-WGbYqg7aI4lI-y3J3B8HJecbj6y3ZdXGifW-7K8lWOnLB2j8I84B19yRbep-J5J3uV9USXzZ8kMbPPOcjtM/s640/blogger-image-1148250241.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfrZGb2QNE00tKH3SXSp1-AwmWhmfFEgNE43SYguMKIu4WDdX9818KlmA-WGbYqg7aI4lI-y3J3B8HJecbj6y3ZdXGifW-7K8lWOnLB2j8I84B19yRbep-J5J3uV9USXzZ8kMbPPOcjtM/s640/blogger-image-1148250241.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Cole's other job: photographing the tree sawing. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZqtb2j2i7qZI-adi65lstL5hCfRgdZ8Ggt7fqQPjmoXa8pAIgnNj_ciaFiaHiC3AsxsxnzQpSnCejVNCAPEZnSxAbugEuR80ZLXlHm9mfRUOd-gdQjr3IhaLBoZP8PFzvPRQuS5wnjjQ/s640/blogger-image--931689504.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZqtb2j2i7qZI-adi65lstL5hCfRgdZ8Ggt7fqQPjmoXa8pAIgnNj_ciaFiaHiC3AsxsxnzQpSnCejVNCAPEZnSxAbugEuR80ZLXlHm9mfRUOd-gdQjr3IhaLBoZP8PFzvPRQuS5wnjjQ/s640/blogger-image--931689504.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We went on our merry way with our tree. Soon after this moment we found ourselves drinking some hot cocoa and spilling the rest of it. Fun times!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUlNoFCEyoDKYVDdXW8NSkuHis7hEktlVkK7yS3hrb60ss6peGj1-YaX9PP3vJaiEXP6Y84CoZTBrsxDiT5mppmP_IClvM6zI1SrBYtE9RmDq2M0EW-Jb1KNEX-udUHw-QUjaKwR-Sp-w/s640/blogger-image-1281290457.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUlNoFCEyoDKYVDdXW8NSkuHis7hEktlVkK7yS3hrb60ss6peGj1-YaX9PP3vJaiEXP6Y84CoZTBrsxDiT5mppmP_IClvM6zI1SrBYtE9RmDq2M0EW-Jb1KNEX-udUHw-QUjaKwR-Sp-w/s640/blogger-image-1281290457.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Once the tree is all set up, I'll post more fun family pics. </div><br></div><br></div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div>Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04215603566616745595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3382043699462927086.post-30771119299811686102014-11-30T11:44:00.001-05:002014-12-01T05:05:34.362-05:00Organization and Warmth: Breathing In a Sigh of Relief<div>
When winter comes, I crave hibernation. I know I <b>should </b>get outside and be in nature - or at least my backyard - but really when it comes down to it, I just want to be warm. My favorite seasons are the warmer months- spring and summer, so it just doesn't feel natural for me to be outside until I actually get outside and know that it is alright out there too. I really enjoy winter hiking with just my husband. I don't have to worry about someone being too cold or tripping and face planting into the snow. I don't have to worry about having to hold another human being who has been zapped of all of his energy in the cold woods. It's nice to just focus on me and my husband. Keith and I went on some amazing hikes (<a href="http://notyouraverageferriswheel.blogspot.ca/2014/02/we-needed-this.html" target="_blank">with snowshoe</a>s and without) last winter. It was so memorable because we worked as a team and thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated our surroundings.</div>
<div>
<br></div>
<div>
But back to the warmth. I cherish being warm and cozy and inside. The past five days have been enjoyable because we accomplished a lot in our home organization. Mother nature dumped around 8 inches of snow on our area the day before Thanksgiving. We visited my father on Thanksgiving and when we returned the next day, we decided to use this opportunity to clean. We focused on the inside of our home and our garage all to better utilize the small space that we have. We realize that if people in the city can live in small apartments with multiple children, we can do it in our 1,000 square foot house. The way to get better use of our space is to part with items we don't use. We've been on a kick to minimize toys in the house: a few months ago I placed a whole bunch of toys that weren't getting played with into three Rubbermaid bins. Keith stored those in the garage attic.</div>
<div>
<br></div>
<div>
In the house. we have a great organization system of colored bins and fabric boxes, but we weren't actually keeping our toys separated or organized, so it felt messy and chaotic, not clean and organized. Any and all toys were thrown in whichever box was empty and the kids played with barely anything they had because nothing was in the same place. If you have small kids, then you know how multiple pieces comes with one measly toy set. So Friday I tackled the chaos and organized EVERYTHING. The way to keep the organization, of course, is to ensure that our youngest doesn't dump everything in her path, which she is prone to do lately. And if she does, to put it back that day. Otherwise, we get lazy and it winds up in whichever bin is available, and then the vicious cycle towards chaos begins. Keith also created four bins for each of us to store the winter accessories like hats and gloves and scarves that we use on a regular basis.</div>
<div>
<br></div>
<div>
Yesterday, we reduced clutter in the entrance way of the house by removing coats and jackets and bags that weren't being used and by placing our shoe bench in our vestibule, which is an unheated room in between our garage and our house. Then, we cleaned out our garage of bulky, broken, or unused toys or other household items and placed them in the front of the house, where they are sure to be taken if the garbagemen don't take them first.</div>
<div>
<br></div>
<div>
Today, we're just relaxing in the warmth our cozy, organized house has to offer.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgw4MDpyBOkEVhvzWN-IHGCJ_Yhtx2eM2DrSCluSD5-nQSP8-brhabn1hqwgF4YCnLzu4L-ws3JipTg6yIShhsdaVTNNmgC9-APTlGpnLzqfm4XA63E3WAzyNRQSeKfXVdfM7LZh4-d3k/s640/blogger-image-919544014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgw4MDpyBOkEVhvzWN-IHGCJ_Yhtx2eM2DrSCluSD5-nQSP8-brhabn1hqwgF4YCnLzu4L-ws3JipTg6yIShhsdaVTNNmgC9-APTlGpnLzqfm4XA63E3WAzyNRQSeKfXVdfM7LZh4-d3k/s640/blogger-image-919544014.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSxVOGkoVhze-fA2cyEImmbY6D55Qrya0WnW9PQTliF0UxU-56l2zFy6qmTNCNV8quUblcu79TG4RtYGkdPApzryc4_h_lzsjkQPwiNW9JVoiStMAX_Czs0L64OJRrusB7NfcOaqE5dKs/s640/blogger-image--1367536429.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSxVOGkoVhze-fA2cyEImmbY6D55Qrya0WnW9PQTliF0UxU-56l2zFy6qmTNCNV8quUblcu79TG4RtYGkdPApzryc4_h_lzsjkQPwiNW9JVoiStMAX_Czs0L64OJRrusB7NfcOaqE5dKs/s640/blogger-image--1367536429.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggLrWDsmaIAeS8nHRXmFaWbk84qQeqM5P_aL8ufw41H68JiX75yJl5hdB3UdeVfGYRjImoZqhVDS_HS_IjwW1ejAd3TwZP_IdsHVA8yffSgOtVk25uCozn7ahyphenhypheneAaivW75p3xuvYKj2qY/s640/blogger-image-334968155.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggLrWDsmaIAeS8nHRXmFaWbk84qQeqM5P_aL8ufw41H68JiX75yJl5hdB3UdeVfGYRjImoZqhVDS_HS_IjwW1ejAd3TwZP_IdsHVA8yffSgOtVk25uCozn7ahyphenhypheneAaivW75p3xuvYKj2qY/s640/blogger-image-334968155.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div><br></div>
<div>
<br></div>
Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04215603566616745595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3382043699462927086.post-36259809699124770292014-11-25T04:43:00.001-05:002014-11-25T04:45:29.258-05:00Her cats<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_NHB1RrmXo05Etvg8n7qoIBp1LF5b245kDledCipBeSx1x3A0OEmsq_VNbg4qnSICzG3ZCIlQxcTmcc9a6SYVJBdxWTOboOIDNp56VBVe6JcEyJ4Ka5__aF347-QsE7ELft75r3-0j2w/s640/blogger-image--1555194245.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_NHB1RrmXo05Etvg8n7qoIBp1LF5b245kDledCipBeSx1x3A0OEmsq_VNbg4qnSICzG3ZCIlQxcTmcc9a6SYVJBdxWTOboOIDNp56VBVe6JcEyJ4Ka5__aF347-QsE7ELft75r3-0j2w/s640/blogger-image--1555194245.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Bevin is in love with kiwi and Clem. If they won't stay on the bed to endure her love she crawls under the bed to find them. Thankfully kiwi is such a good sport and usually takes one for the team. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04215603566616745595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3382043699462927086.post-76827337003689672992014-11-23T19:17:00.001-05:002014-11-23T19:17:06.715-05:00Today || Volume 10<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfg65YHdHozZ_K7ovWwFR8NVfBwi_0RTttf_0fALfxlv6YmB9lahSCs5UA76ZEhvTcWIAXjCV_ZffDOmOuoAZ5FWjj3sMuMBDW3u2KKpEcPpLuc_ZYE71mUug4gDmNmio39w-f-ig4hkI/s640/blogger-image--1780402778.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfg65YHdHozZ_K7ovWwFR8NVfBwi_0RTttf_0fALfxlv6YmB9lahSCs5UA76ZEhvTcWIAXjCV_ZffDOmOuoAZ5FWjj3sMuMBDW3u2KKpEcPpLuc_ZYE71mUug4gDmNmio39w-f-ig4hkI/s640/blogger-image--1780402778.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">"I'll let Bevin be the leader."</div>Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04215603566616745595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3382043699462927086.post-20517913465357599442014-11-11T20:24:00.001-05:002014-11-11T21:16:08.510-05:00Today || Volume 9Today was a rough day. Bevin was up half the night, and that meant we were <b>all</b> up half the night. I had grand plans to go hiking and keith wanted to organize the house. But the morning started off slow because we were all tired, and it never quite gained momentum. We did our chores, the kids ate the entire morning and Keith and I were sitting on the couch drinking our caffeinated beverages wondering to ourselves the age old questions on our days "off" "what are we doing today?"<div> Before we knew it it was time for bevin to nap. Lately she refuses to be put down for naps (meaning she will wake up the second you set her in the crib). Also? Her nap sucks the life out of our day because it is smack in the middle of the day- usually around 12 pm and sometimes ending around 2. Keith decided he needed a break and Cole really wanted some time alone with me, so we decided to divide and conquer. I took Cole on a hike and keith gave bevin her nap while catching a little extra sleep himself. <div><br></div><div>Cole and I had a fun time hiking. He climbed some rocks, we played a little hide and seek and, because there was no cranky toddler dictating our every move, I let him set the pace for the most part. </div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj31Z7jqr-hIHzR7c9EssylANPBPA7bfn7hAVg_YnqIfpvSR9YGKCL04kkhMfBnl4jrDmsTdTNXh3OXYVvpVFWszgGyZseYy5ffeUKMeX5Vrg_Krg-ytXBXTzyloC9_HBOHgecgF54jdcs/s640/blogger-image--577115891.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj31Z7jqr-hIHzR7c9EssylANPBPA7bfn7hAVg_YnqIfpvSR9YGKCL04kkhMfBnl4jrDmsTdTNXh3OXYVvpVFWszgGyZseYy5ffeUKMeX5Vrg_Krg-ytXBXTzyloC9_HBOHgecgF54jdcs/s640/blogger-image--577115891.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Stopping in the middle of the trail to check things out is how Cole likes to hike. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDO23B29Kd6agG49USSxyiEuKEj95Ep7cQjfvGyfD1mvalyiEOlRXoF0jCzW2bAmOnus9IAb771LgJq_4GNfTNwzsHj11XE6EwN89rRwVuSwyqV0BYF7ON59llKPPRMcZXEJVD9MkyK-A/s640/blogger-image--969218251.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDO23B29Kd6agG49USSxyiEuKEj95Ep7cQjfvGyfD1mvalyiEOlRXoF0jCzW2bAmOnus9IAb771LgJq_4GNfTNwzsHj11XE6EwN89rRwVuSwyqV0BYF7ON59llKPPRMcZXEJVD9MkyK-A/s640/blogger-image--969218251.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">About to go "climbing"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhueqWHN-YpASYW4L9EPzaWLnWLZnjy3KEwxLVlsWTNmxSv5I7jQHMiT5D4ikikSqhRtk512VyT3KLcI50fNTZgsFLiuqcsI7wKVVRS5H6n51QocghboA848YDAUipqeDsZA1oD_Twmw-Y/s640/blogger-image-1739060913.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhueqWHN-YpASYW4L9EPzaWLnWLZnjy3KEwxLVlsWTNmxSv5I7jQHMiT5D4ikikSqhRtk512VyT3KLcI50fNTZgsFLiuqcsI7wKVVRS5H6n51QocghboA848YDAUipqeDsZA1oD_Twmw-Y/s640/blogger-image-1739060913.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It was an unusually warm Veteran's Day. In the sun it felt like it was in the low 60s. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzlzm9GWePmTHthK_GVC_XHDEJhBl00j0jqZMgzox9n68abHKtGxxd-AAtkGavRdpkj-seIj9oeSteO30FNlbKpFTdRdMZVnDBcCpqlNkcayiwkZ5E3aNQFy1nOibcNooi-r1uovwmXQk/s640/blogger-image-885715348.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzlzm9GWePmTHthK_GVC_XHDEJhBl00j0jqZMgzox9n68abHKtGxxd-AAtkGavRdpkj-seIj9oeSteO30FNlbKpFTdRdMZVnDBcCpqlNkcayiwkZ5E3aNQFy1nOibcNooi-r1uovwmXQk/s640/blogger-image-885715348.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I took around 15 silly pictures first before he'd pose for this "normal" shot...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwL12FuEq0GXSgSB-C35Gv6f9g9JtkcAhakosPFlt8F5AiYMG3F1SiV9XCpVKsZJ3nG3a3UFtbm-mOccxIQCR6fuueFtD8Qm9H00IkKIuVH2JfUT0YGPrJxEcGK0GBvTf2xpfLgjGWDcg/s640/blogger-image--1565326840.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwL12FuEq0GXSgSB-C35Gv6f9g9JtkcAhakosPFlt8F5AiYMG3F1SiV9XCpVKsZJ3nG3a3UFtbm-mOccxIQCR6fuueFtD8Qm9H00IkKIuVH2JfUT0YGPrJxEcGK0GBvTf2xpfLgjGWDcg/s640/blogger-image--1565326840.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">He really is such an awesome hiker. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8aYu7lYACLBTMdBZVSEaSnKjFmFdTfui5_NIkF7VTKcIscgVi3krDAq5_NNHICeKQYSK1kWu3lNOcPbTMrgxRIfC-ZuCyDmD5m8fGCWRPcukvxPZpQxaASUztczmGW4-CmF8J2mllM7A/s640/blogger-image-386857606.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8aYu7lYACLBTMdBZVSEaSnKjFmFdTfui5_NIkF7VTKcIscgVi3krDAq5_NNHICeKQYSK1kWu3lNOcPbTMrgxRIfC-ZuCyDmD5m8fGCWRPcukvxPZpQxaASUztczmGW4-CmF8J2mllM7A/s640/blogger-image-386857606.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">He was so excited to be the leader on the plank trail. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPN_4b2hGup0WiffB-8qLT_xYXhoRD0CWBNQrzEUyVHBiNBE_qADP_sy7cv4wUz6zAZDr3zNZIvoBIqogALYJKoBjehzxS6-AndMtfKoLQkgWlJkZ9ZPKqjx5awXxO4TE9YFgo5-8A6AA/s640/blogger-image-1731219711.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPN_4b2hGup0WiffB-8qLT_xYXhoRD0CWBNQrzEUyVHBiNBE_qADP_sy7cv4wUz6zAZDr3zNZIvoBIqogALYJKoBjehzxS6-AndMtfKoLQkgWlJkZ9ZPKqjx5awXxO4TE9YFgo5-8A6AA/s640/blogger-image-1731219711.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The woods just have a way of bringing me peace of mind. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6e_lmEb5GJ9lg23O2zqIaAsvxax5somUtFDPDHQKqwTtZypWIapgxwHtqr66XaUWK6v5mHB-DKirFSij_M01Z1eStuCLdacBlFc6f33IwTegdvHp1PpJYADgmKwoAd-3KJQInQHkSEIc/s640/blogger-image-864794794.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6e_lmEb5GJ9lg23O2zqIaAsvxax5somUtFDPDHQKqwTtZypWIapgxwHtqr66XaUWK6v5mHB-DKirFSij_M01Z1eStuCLdacBlFc6f33IwTegdvHp1PpJYADgmKwoAd-3KJQInQHkSEIc/s640/blogger-image-864794794.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">A few hours after we got back home I managed to get a sunset light selfie. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1VHIwg1Br6Tx8QBKl2UIgD-vXaBLoUwDN1mu8-aKt1WM4sa5m4dQK2h7PFDgzUDRDY86RPNaSvbA3Dz8IDD5FO-kceppd1H9DqTUeibQozG-WIBr3Td1UcY3SYUwIvpHcAI0XmMH09go/s640/blogger-image-998032441.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1VHIwg1Br6Tx8QBKl2UIgD-vXaBLoUwDN1mu8-aKt1WM4sa5m4dQK2h7PFDgzUDRDY86RPNaSvbA3Dz8IDD5FO-kceppd1H9DqTUeibQozG-WIBr3Td1UcY3SYUwIvpHcAI0XmMH09go/s640/blogger-image-998032441.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div>Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04215603566616745595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3382043699462927086.post-56804318803114517572014-11-10T22:55:00.001-05:002014-11-10T22:55:17.044-05:00BalanceI am forever trying to find a balance between work and home. Between my husband and time to myself. <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> Between my kids and my students. We all know how difficult it is to juggle different roles during the course of a day. Even within my workday I wear different hats for different people.</span><br />
<div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> The trouble for me has always been my commute. I work so far from where my family lives. I've spent years resenting this fact. How dare they expect me to stay after work for a meeting- I live an hour away! How dare she wake up at 1:30 a.m! I have to wake up at 4!! Sometimes on bad days I still feel like I've wasted two hours sitting in the car when that could've been spent playing in the backyard with my kids or taking them on a spontaneous afternoon trip to Spring Farm, the kind I am famous for.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">But most days now I get work done in the car. How is that? I plan a lot in my head. I strategize lessons, think about how I will couch a writing activity or how I will help them develop their thesis statements. It's strange because for the past seven years I spent my car rides listening to audio books because I always felt like I didn't have enough time to read for pleasure. Too much of my "free" time was spent grading and planning. But now with children, on the weekends there really is no time to plan or grade. When I did, I'd give up chunks of my Saturday or Sunday to prepare for the upcoming week only to switch gears midweek and spend more time at work on planning and less on grading like I had originally intended. It felt like a royal waste of time.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">But I realized this school year, pretty much by accident, that instead of listening to books I can listen to my favorite music (READ: Mumford & Sons, Lumineers and Passenger) I can get a lot of focused creative thinking done while driving. I also think about my lessons when I'm sitting in our recliner in the dark waiting for sleep to take over both of the kids. It's a way I can keep myself from interacting with the kids (and thereby inadvertently waking them up) and it's the ONLY way I can keep from getting annoyed that I'm sitting in the dark <i>yet again</i> waiting for them to fall asleep. </span></div>
<div>
<br />
I have, by no means, found the perfect balance or the perfect solution to the working-mom-who-has-to-bring-her-work-home problem. I still have to grade sometimes on the weekends and if not then on weeknights when I'm completely and utterly exhausted from being up since 4 a.m.! But this is a step in the right direction and for that I am grateful.</div>
Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04215603566616745595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3382043699462927086.post-87575196603916795222014-11-10T22:48:00.002-05:002014-11-10T22:48:24.973-05:00Today || Volume 8Last night I was given two huge reasons why I am so thankful to have two loving children who genuinely care for one another.<br />
<div>
#1 Cole was having a difficult time accepting that he could not watch another tv show and did not feel compelled in the least to join Bevin in the nighttime routine we know here as "TIME FOR A BATH!!!!" So I said to Bevin: "come on let's take a bath and Cole can join us if he wants. If not, his loss." Even so, instead of going straight to the bathroom, she took a detour and headed to the living room where Cole was having his tantrum sprawled out on the floor. She walked up to him, bent down and put her cheek next to his. Because he was so wrapped up in his agony of not being able to watch another episode of Word Girl, he pushed her away. This did not deter his baby sister. In another sign of comfort, she put her cheek to his and leaned in. Although I had to prompt him to accept his sister's gesture, he soon realized this would be a perfect opportunity to play and before I knew it he was back to his normal self, wrestling with her on the floor. And she was happy that he was happy again. Also? She LOVES wrestling with him.<br />
<br />
#2 Fast forward to a little while later and they are both in the bath together playing and laughing and having a grand ole time, when all of a sudden he hugs her and tells her he loves her and gives her kisses and she hugs him back and I was sitting there trying not to cry from happiness at this heartfelt dedication of love on both their parts. Dear reader even though I could not (regretfully) capture that moment digitally (phone usually stays in other room during bath time), I will never forget their wet arms wrapped around each other and the sweet look of love in their eyes.</div>
Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04215603566616745595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3382043699462927086.post-10820255907907067902014-11-06T21:39:00.001-05:002014-11-06T21:39:26.727-05:00Today || Volume 7Word explosion! The past few weeks have been a veritable word explosion for our little girl. And this week she has started speaking in sentences. <div>Last night she said "you be puppy" as she tried to get me to read a book about puppies and tonight she said "Cole poop" outside the closed bathroom door while Cole did his business in private. She tortures the cats on a daily basis and will not hesitate to tattle on Kiwi if she is even the slightest bit hurt after practically sitting on the poor cat. <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIXI8KdXKGugXGuXpp8sKCSlwmDFAzivwObl9SWSdkRjJKKrjOZezUWnenisuMdFWHqpJdhYEwX67SD_HYWXLs3woSAiohB_68rlktgNJFyNHvXoONDeBIHtRCHqN9Ms5e44Oi2ewiFVI/s640/blogger-image--421966979.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIXI8KdXKGugXGuXpp8sKCSlwmDFAzivwObl9SWSdkRjJKKrjOZezUWnenisuMdFWHqpJdhYEwX67SD_HYWXLs3woSAiohB_68rlktgNJFyNHvXoONDeBIHtRCHqN9Ms5e44Oi2ewiFVI/s640/blogger-image--421966979.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">She also likes to try to eat from Cole's plate after she's done...<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZfZm7waoTOydqb9uBJGnFyjiEU7bCtBreC20tRuStAKPP1KgpMhi7b8nS7BuOyEdigR6KHyfyWKzCOL6b1JUhs5zsMEBJTVHjjfMDcJ1P_lIoX0LXxit3rggVkIoNuOLfXccCZeDKh5M/s640/blogger-image-1739611620.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZfZm7waoTOydqb9uBJGnFyjiEU7bCtBreC20tRuStAKPP1KgpMhi7b8nS7BuOyEdigR6KHyfyWKzCOL6b1JUhs5zsMEBJTVHjjfMDcJ1P_lIoX0LXxit3rggVkIoNuOLfXccCZeDKh5M/s640/blogger-image-1739611620.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And she loves trying out kitchen utensils. Here she thinks the fork will help her with the banana. Anything is better than the squeezing and squishing she usually does!<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbj4ldrLQ5g6adCXZpW33hfneQgVD57MPu_gZ2fPIatqfZlOz-ocMl_Vr4_oTjlDknpBPF87e_jRu0zxXVnmatTZ5_DuQEv6n56ONT7F-pcbwKfvsiIB04L90Q0EKxaQe6Jb-4FNIBD58/s640/blogger-image--196523202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbj4ldrLQ5g6adCXZpW33hfneQgVD57MPu_gZ2fPIatqfZlOz-ocMl_Vr4_oTjlDknpBPF87e_jRu0zxXVnmatTZ5_DuQEv6n56ONT7F-pcbwKfvsiIB04L90Q0EKxaQe6Jb-4FNIBD58/s640/blogger-image--196523202.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">She's a really good listener. This is what she does when I tell her to lay her head down. <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDy91uX7dkoUay4m-kyyuwGap0WMxG629jTT3nfVLf8jdXXMWXOaGOALxERR2U7COdo9fc1KnUYet4cLNJFuWDnkfOYlYjPXyowvWPwE_pU2I-i0yeEpGsqiNL1gEBR2HKjL9tPWpmpmM/s640/blogger-image-1514891207.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDy91uX7dkoUay4m-kyyuwGap0WMxG629jTT3nfVLf8jdXXMWXOaGOALxERR2U7COdo9fc1KnUYet4cLNJFuWDnkfOYlYjPXyowvWPwE_pU2I-i0yeEpGsqiNL1gEBR2HKjL9tPWpmpmM/s640/blogger-image-1514891207.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And this is my fave of the two of them posing for me in the backyard at sunset a week ago...<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOXOHvmJ67bEM2iasWzaLXf8V16VK4y612FShLtaGFgOufd4YIfxNXGYb9RqEKkfxp3eVnx6OD9HZVoVMp1k7Tc4H8KlFjyYYx-SqUog1HuQ5x40F9vhTiOfqdeRzz7iA_PAWAyWxRmpo/s640/blogger-image--1206952657.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOXOHvmJ67bEM2iasWzaLXf8V16VK4y612FShLtaGFgOufd4YIfxNXGYb9RqEKkfxp3eVnx6OD9HZVoVMp1k7Tc4H8KlFjyYYx-SqUog1HuQ5x40F9vhTiOfqdeRzz7iA_PAWAyWxRmpo/s640/blogger-image--1206952657.jpg"></a></div></div> </div></div></div>Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04215603566616745595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3382043699462927086.post-11378183061962693372014-11-01T13:29:00.001-04:002014-11-01T13:29:54.690-04:00Happy Halloween!<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0aqIW1rWawZ2tZPrELgO6ebvWZy435SDedAjUdcqgsOcttMeuUgu03Yuo2QiYrdqVcQ59qqk2h0BhDaOug0hHHRIWR2dKqWUht29eyQHVzxV-UUI85NefXKS7geYR5Dd3jjPJ3BCUx-A/s640/blogger-image--61216258.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0aqIW1rWawZ2tZPrELgO6ebvWZy435SDedAjUdcqgsOcttMeuUgu03Yuo2QiYrdqVcQ59qqk2h0BhDaOug0hHHRIWR2dKqWUht29eyQHVzxV-UUI85NefXKS7geYR5Dd3jjPJ3BCUx-A/s640/blogger-image--61216258.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4zpGWPuiraIZ8BibDp-3mx95KZ3rIv9T3zUolOMZTA-JfxaC-Q8pcc_gaQOsJAtyw_LuvzZknlZVVHtQk8_e8tbY2QYCs8So3giHJ08ROiw7eChCHXVma5VokFLmAIoQRlSsnQptlxXY/s640/blogger-image-1648552624.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4zpGWPuiraIZ8BibDp-3mx95KZ3rIv9T3zUolOMZTA-JfxaC-Q8pcc_gaQOsJAtyw_LuvzZknlZVVHtQk8_e8tbY2QYCs8So3giHJ08ROiw7eChCHXVma5VokFLmAIoQRlSsnQptlxXY/s640/blogger-image-1648552624.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY3rpUSt-X2tnZi-fVREKidxd0Pb3EbZL7Y5hs16AVg1gfxfY6lFb55CdeE609KQWCsheCH3xy0jkWtrYc740Op3pCKdu7xYmgLfDzjugLNSmtF9OpRIdUXiOUxgikxjekaI4jvej4t3U/s640/blogger-image-1968085150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY3rpUSt-X2tnZi-fVREKidxd0Pb3EbZL7Y5hs16AVg1gfxfY6lFb55CdeE609KQWCsheCH3xy0jkWtrYc740Op3pCKdu7xYmgLfDzjugLNSmtF9OpRIdUXiOUxgikxjekaI4jvej4t3U/s640/blogger-image-1968085150.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div>Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04215603566616745595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3382043699462927086.post-61764152565491443732014-10-29T21:58:00.001-04:002014-10-29T21:58:03.811-04:00Sweet girl<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioERgmfKURZpbPj9IqaSeGbrkuMweioJUAjTxbKoUrwbucI2okD4NmfAxxJgXkowJIaedZvy5znll5slOuqA928aSLdk7kSkOpnv5awAWnyMVNj28L6OpDl8vTmvfZywalj3jO83W35aM/s640/blogger-image--1204336444.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioERgmfKURZpbPj9IqaSeGbrkuMweioJUAjTxbKoUrwbucI2okD4NmfAxxJgXkowJIaedZvy5znll5slOuqA928aSLdk7kSkOpnv5awAWnyMVNj28L6OpDl8vTmvfZywalj3jO83W35aM/s640/blogger-image--1204336444.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">"I love you like nobody else sweet girl."</div>Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04215603566616745595noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3382043699462927086.post-35242218148280672622014-10-29T18:33:00.001-04:002014-10-29T18:33:58.873-04:00Best hike in a long time<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0qrt-MRAwjKNDymMyZ8f-ouMjl9c8jjgAESwNSC4A42AP955ykXDa1Ki9XtpkfjsCpP925ybzrIFzh3jgdo1yK4OTVMUJhgHw0SLwNiQSEPQS9Cpn5x1tQM0xNmqfyegkSCbzir4pbqE/s640/blogger-image-1311140379.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0qrt-MRAwjKNDymMyZ8f-ouMjl9c8jjgAESwNSC4A42AP955ykXDa1Ki9XtpkfjsCpP925ybzrIFzh3jgdo1yK4OTVMUJhgHw0SLwNiQSEPQS9Cpn5x1tQM0xNmqfyegkSCbzir4pbqE/s640/blogger-image-1311140379.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBBJ89F4iCFB4ub73wMwCTKya-xeApHLARI594I8MOyVVsmV4shUL7KCvVpntkabF4tqG-jGO-f57b_nSTnKiIRf6vyjzAjj2yQqbubPH4nTQy2w3kIQzY2GId6QgkrI3cQI0eu9Jy7tA/s640/blogger-image-244621185.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBBJ89F4iCFB4ub73wMwCTKya-xeApHLARI594I8MOyVVsmV4shUL7KCvVpntkabF4tqG-jGO-f57b_nSTnKiIRf6vyjzAjj2yQqbubPH4nTQy2w3kIQzY2GId6QgkrI3cQI0eu9Jy7tA/s640/blogger-image-244621185.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIPxr7hK6zEXi_kuz9RqVvT4hvjOA_31dNgB7jylyOmJIOGRCGQoIT4rfpSGO1anD8xuyZ63xQeQdKvx3WkMP4dhBAxPrq3RPAyo4sk3_gWbLHaw-qhBydY7sNF3wD93IiZ1sJGCvjip4/s640/blogger-image-1587460325.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIPxr7hK6zEXi_kuz9RqVvT4hvjOA_31dNgB7jylyOmJIOGRCGQoIT4rfpSGO1anD8xuyZ63xQeQdKvx3WkMP4dhBAxPrq3RPAyo4sk3_gWbLHaw-qhBydY7sNF3wD93IiZ1sJGCvjip4/s640/blogger-image-1587460325.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8o0uj2mjsvms03e6GA7ZOBxZc8PK-OTD2AoN-g_aUf1nP8588wiJOKr5x_Brjs4cf3-L54lE-j4EL4of6O_BgvlaMnononz2GE_7kzDhgUWN_B00idsuYKMENCgTKh292BxQ3DbR6hyI/s640/blogger-image--1866386374.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8o0uj2mjsvms03e6GA7ZOBxZc8PK-OTD2AoN-g_aUf1nP8588wiJOKr5x_Brjs4cf3-L54lE-j4EL4of6O_BgvlaMnononz2GE_7kzDhgUWN_B00idsuYKMENCgTKh292BxQ3DbR6hyI/s640/blogger-image--1866386374.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv905Dn94d-PiUoM8WF6Mq2Ku8J1-EPVQiEdTc6AM5Qk8H38EfZF8uJLcCV5-Z2bqIAiRZ5MgWNNok-lPZdBRLaObh306RK90bz36ypoTcYktOcFvHFBr6EoSSThNRQI0cPSShOy7ruNg/s640/blogger-image--2084825594.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv905Dn94d-PiUoM8WF6Mq2Ku8J1-EPVQiEdTc6AM5Qk8H38EfZF8uJLcCV5-Z2bqIAiRZ5MgWNNok-lPZdBRLaObh306RK90bz36ypoTcYktOcFvHFBr6EoSSThNRQI0cPSShOy7ruNg/s640/blogger-image--2084825594.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2-5JM0jRkvTxSpU_izUqFxcyzcrMbLu340nFeeGGImtYcTXCy7m0OTnWoMIdG3mo6co3eSSxUJ07Z-hejzNtRQNbkpRkwX6hdzbHwr2EYN1PninHVeqvqtYXaHHcZkYszH81NTQhMBo0/s640/blogger-image-614516088.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2-5JM0jRkvTxSpU_izUqFxcyzcrMbLu340nFeeGGImtYcTXCy7m0OTnWoMIdG3mo6co3eSSxUJ07Z-hejzNtRQNbkpRkwX6hdzbHwr2EYN1PninHVeqvqtYXaHHcZkYszH81NTQhMBo0/s640/blogger-image-614516088.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr0HO6EE1kEMvqmn-scFHwpiniDZlrMJgCEVw1IPI5eEk9OXWuhymE0yJh5SkEjX3kS4F2DWXoPGpjRMQ5P8D40Ajd0YZ2G9CRcJB2UkIJ-IcQYoWGU88JahiJ_ZqpNzT4Uvjt8wkqCio/s640/blogger-image--1859030408.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr0HO6EE1kEMvqmn-scFHwpiniDZlrMJgCEVw1IPI5eEk9OXWuhymE0yJh5SkEjX3kS4F2DWXoPGpjRMQ5P8D40Ajd0YZ2G9CRcJB2UkIJ-IcQYoWGU88JahiJ_ZqpNzT4Uvjt8wkqCio/s640/blogger-image--1859030408.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinTIeWcIXu-LoNJMdWHQ8CHHN_6_YOnVnUX2wqfdo-aF_gZPDzIGPOS4Ks50SNwXS8sVZTI4xWtGS7BgXdsY_DLvDSF6744E03QRV-YGYr3YKCkjKbl8RhNdyNuRk6fsmLfg_cjC5J3mY/s640/blogger-image--828833694.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinTIeWcIXu-LoNJMdWHQ8CHHN_6_YOnVnUX2wqfdo-aF_gZPDzIGPOS4Ks50SNwXS8sVZTI4xWtGS7BgXdsY_DLvDSF6744E03QRV-YGYr3YKCkjKbl8RhNdyNuRk6fsmLfg_cjC5J3mY/s640/blogger-image--828833694.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE8pYqVFA38WG9Mg6IBaj6paWWE1OkV7_e6rGQkosI9PjWnD5l2ZW_w8znBSzp5DC8qYdotSvY1ed40PY50XmoDBlbobqh7N_XfspnOpw5REHPvnpTPa6S-_x9kNMCNlj_j6jWDDYkZNw/s640/blogger-image--1870551037.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE8pYqVFA38WG9Mg6IBaj6paWWE1OkV7_e6rGQkosI9PjWnD5l2ZW_w8znBSzp5DC8qYdotSvY1ed40PY50XmoDBlbobqh7N_XfspnOpw5REHPvnpTPa6S-_x9kNMCNlj_j6jWDDYkZNw/s640/blogger-image--1870551037.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ENyxBdf3xioPA1gZmF5him4fNx-6TjilaUdT8-7NNVMqhtEupZY5q-tgKpi2q0mNh-bNKXMU4XX2T8E3V08Dedqber2bn3OeX3NEUX9UhibEuLHD4DMNhDsfvt77VRITHlLGDtBgY38/s640/blogger-image-1496827706.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ENyxBdf3xioPA1gZmF5him4fNx-6TjilaUdT8-7NNVMqhtEupZY5q-tgKpi2q0mNh-bNKXMU4XX2T8E3V08Dedqber2bn3OeX3NEUX9UhibEuLHD4DMNhDsfvt77VRITHlLGDtBgY38/s640/blogger-image-1496827706.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div>Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04215603566616745595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3382043699462927086.post-69261514091924364442014-10-29T10:09:00.001-04:002014-10-29T10:09:41.744-04:00Simply beautiful<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilQTwcXOGgEJWc_vDOjEccTFVubEWV36UelhSEAxdw3jRqv4qHCVAQR5pU-nNrm1g03bGc4KxRK4ToO93xZigdDhg570xJvQocreVU49_q99wS97C01Ii3AZvJG1WAMobTjB254HBW77c/s640/blogger-image--1366434534.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilQTwcXOGgEJWc_vDOjEccTFVubEWV36UelhSEAxdw3jRqv4qHCVAQR5pU-nNrm1g03bGc4KxRK4ToO93xZigdDhg570xJvQocreVU49_q99wS97C01Ii3AZvJG1WAMobTjB254HBW77c/s640/blogger-image--1366434534.jpg"></a></div>Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04215603566616745595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3382043699462927086.post-28311534961581740682014-10-07T05:17:00.001-04:002014-10-07T05:17:43.562-04:00The two of them<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyEyCjPeZMyULg1dbASlnNEhyphenhypheniLHJ7tCpwcfmgV2ZEp87gtSVyrT_qOuM3rh8Rd59QdJZmWh_j2O1ni1sj7SJPEVG9_4ZBPLzq_fpn6LKw0klsedFkVwCOsdvNTHfBT1iTSSXzvWuVwwg/s640/blogger-image--1087523693.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyEyCjPeZMyULg1dbASlnNEhyphenhypheniLHJ7tCpwcfmgV2ZEp87gtSVyrT_qOuM3rh8Rd59QdJZmWh_j2O1ni1sj7SJPEVG9_4ZBPLzq_fpn6LKw0klsedFkVwCOsdvNTHfBT1iTSSXzvWuVwwg/s640/blogger-image--1087523693.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">These two were eager posers at Locust Grove yesterday. Daddy was shooting another family and we were running around chasing each other and a couple of Monarchs. Then I found this bench and a sweet photo (or two) was made. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuTWweA5t2scd6Gvyju7oa9gQ0enEFG6gncbWXpjaTNbkO6QU2Ec7nhOMKhnSsTlcwAndUYoMoeONomEZvWaWiFNfIty4_v7QxaCr0-n6GdCWAp9BBS76mCJEhIf-LXX3ktOzw7DZdDyU/s640/blogger-image-841067266.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuTWweA5t2scd6Gvyju7oa9gQ0enEFG6gncbWXpjaTNbkO6QU2Ec7nhOMKhnSsTlcwAndUYoMoeONomEZvWaWiFNfIty4_v7QxaCr0-n6GdCWAp9BBS76mCJEhIf-LXX3ktOzw7DZdDyU/s640/blogger-image-841067266.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Moments like these make me proud to be the mother of such a loving young boy. </div><br></div>Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04215603566616745595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3382043699462927086.post-2958442532377170142014-10-02T20:52:00.001-04:002014-10-02T20:52:03.233-04:00Don't I fit in my Daddy's shoes?<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Like her mommy, Bevin really enjoys shoes. And like her brother did at this age, she loves trying to fit in Daddy's shoes. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD0-u5ZV8UDKR6QXrxzZjrQWzKJTKdQqxDojtFBE94A2bOtSJlkkRXJvEELAV-vCAl4em35KEDYMoGvrYxb2e8kpGPF1DGOqFiPTzymMQxC63EBBd6R8l8dMg9123-BvSvRokx72gN5a8/s640/blogger-image--796285666.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD0-u5ZV8UDKR6QXrxzZjrQWzKJTKdQqxDojtFBE94A2bOtSJlkkRXJvEELAV-vCAl4em35KEDYMoGvrYxb2e8kpGPF1DGOqFiPTzymMQxC63EBBd6R8l8dMg9123-BvSvRokx72gN5a8/s640/blogger-image--796285666.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhePdCkhbEg_ZMHFJATuscYFHXOAnYPe4vc8Qy1BgOW7WxBnVMsGZX3kkGK2iWgzvTuA2C7H9Sb3GkwXMgko9qH_Bw6g7jXTT4r7-dB2v8J6tR-8sk4zTwTIYEihdzYH9KNfOac5fB9lDY/s640/blogger-image-411277035.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhePdCkhbEg_ZMHFJATuscYFHXOAnYPe4vc8Qy1BgOW7WxBnVMsGZX3kkGK2iWgzvTuA2C7H9Sb3GkwXMgko9qH_Bw6g7jXTT4r7-dB2v8J6tR-8sk4zTwTIYEihdzYH9KNfOac5fB9lDY/s640/blogger-image-411277035.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04215603566616745595noreply@blogger.com0