tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74182428969080070082024-03-05T04:32:37.761-06:00For The Luv Of BoysCrafts, Projects and Fun Stuff - All with my BOYS in mind!Ambrosiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18097714211741355342noreply@blogger.comBlogger113125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7418242896908007008.post-51429693508527048962012-01-06T09:07:00.001-06:002012-01-06T09:07:41.448-06:00Making some changes<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I love blogging! I love sharing ideas, crafts, and activities with everyone. What I love even more, though is actually having time to do those activities with my boys! </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">As any busy mom knows, time is a hot commodity. As any blogging mom knows, there is guilt that comes along with using any extra time to blog instead of doing something with or for your kids. I have really neglected For The Luv Of Boys lately - because I just couldn't find the time to sit at my computer. My boys and household responsibilities keep me really busy, plus I try to find time to sew and crochet for the <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/FabulouslyDomestic" target="_blank"><b>Etsy Shop</b>.</a> </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Part of my time management problem was trying to keep up with two blogs - that were each important to me, and each had their own purpose. After much thought and prayer, I feel like it's time to consolidate the blogs. I mean, really - I don't have so much to say that one blog won't do the job. ha ha For the time being, For The Luv Of Boys will remain fully accessible here. I'll slowly be merging it with <a href="http://www.fabulouslydomesticbyambrosia.com/" target="_blank"><b>Fabulously Domestic</b></a> and the content will be moved over there. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">No, it won't just be about the crafts and fun stuff I do with my boys, but it will be more of me. I'm not just a mom to four boys - I'm a crafty, not-very-organized, way-too-stressed, fun-loving woman who wants to share more than I've been able to lately. Expect new tutorials, fun guest bloggers and even a couple of giveaways in the next couple of months. Just be patient - this new little guy is kind of kicking my butt and running the show right now!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDCo-4ZLCXv6jAyj1q5GpqZr5NzUVABGRpBwa1H-I2KDFL5a_v6APeGdw7gV3czQP-9TeeQqe6U9qaNVYI0cNY-7u7mj_nzUA1P2dNCYpfJTIIDZSe_JXMKTR1caIj42fHRL9ZcWHvEpM/s1600/380169_3014831452438_1312121268_33340542_1028312884_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDCo-4ZLCXv6jAyj1q5GpqZr5NzUVABGRpBwa1H-I2KDFL5a_v6APeGdw7gV3czQP-9TeeQqe6U9qaNVYI0cNY-7u7mj_nzUA1P2dNCYpfJTIIDZSe_JXMKTR1caIj42fHRL9ZcWHvEpM/s320/380169_3014831452438_1312121268_33340542_1028312884_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/129/59AF88D9DBE5D2D5ED4433B2ABFA48BD.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Ambrosiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18097714211741355342noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7418242896908007008.post-65276098095572469832011-09-24T23:11:00.000-05:002011-09-24T23:11:05.944-05:00A Little Perspective in the Bread IsleYesterday was a long day.<br />
I didn't have much sleep and I had one heck of a To-Do List!<br />
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At the end of the list - and the thing I dreaded the most was grocery shopping. <br />
Right before dinner. With three tired boys.<br />
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It went about as well as you can expect.<br />
Fighting, begging, whining, touching things, touching each other, more fighting.<br />
Towards the end of the shopping list, all three of my guys were sentenced to different corners of the cart -<br />
with one hand on the cart, and one hand in a pocket. <br />
I'm mean, right?<br />
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I was struggling to waddle through the isles, only buy off of my list, keep control of the boys and fight some strong braxton hicks contractions.<br />
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I saw a kind face in a stranger coming towards me.<br />
She asked if they were all mine.<br />
"Yep," I said. "And a 4th boy coming soon," patting my belly.<br />
She got a little tear in her eye and smiled big.<br />
She told me, "You are so incredibly blessed. You have some amazing, cute boys there. So blessed. What a big heart you must have. God bless you."<br />
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I thanked her and as she walked away I cried.<br />
Right there in the bread isle at the grocery store.<br />
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I'm trying my very best every day to be the mom I need to be.<br />
I feel like I fail. A lot.<br />
Especially yesterday.<br />
But then a sweet stranger put it all in perspective for me and turned my day around.<br />
Yes, I am blessed. I am blessed beyond measure.<br />
I love my boys and they are more of a gift to me than I could ever deserve.<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/129/59AF88D9DBE5D2D5ED4433B2ABFA48BD.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Ambrosiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18097714211741355342noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7418242896908007008.post-19162316482225540372011-09-20T20:28:00.002-05:002011-09-20T20:28:40.639-05:00Ahhh - I think this was written for my family!<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/NsJHqstPuNo" width="560"></iframe>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/129/59AF88D9DBE5D2D5ED4433B2ABFA48BD.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Ambrosiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18097714211741355342noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7418242896908007008.post-79490407795245205012011-09-14T09:57:00.002-05:002011-09-14T09:57:58.023-05:00Fall, Football, and... Fractures?? Oh My!<div style="text-align: center;">
My favorite things about fall:</div>
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Cooler temperatures (especially since we moved to Texas!)</div>
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Recipes with apples and pumpkins</div>
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Fun decor</div>
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Football!</div>
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We are a football family, for sure. We watch college (Boomer Sooner!) and NFL (Go Texans!). </div>
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But most of all, we love to watch our kids play! </div>
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This is The Chief's 3rd season to play and he's really pretty good! He's quarterback, kicker and defensive end. Basically, he's in every play - which is how he likes it. Cause, you know - he's The Chief - and he likes to be in control. he he</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4MfDHIYuO3eVBVoqUKXPWhyxcUhTqDzTeF3u4jzepHP5uEHDQazQ_qS4d_blkZkZXzk4uQrFpK6ea5mqXOtKbMB17Jd4SWvcRVBjV5tTkHGvYBXmPx_dy9w2bsvzKH0auJsdyogMoBvQ/s1600/DSC02043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="562" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4MfDHIYuO3eVBVoqUKXPWhyxcUhTqDzTeF3u4jzepHP5uEHDQazQ_qS4d_blkZkZXzk4uQrFpK6ea5mqXOtKbMB17Jd4SWvcRVBjV5tTkHGvYBXmPx_dy9w2bsvzKH0auJsdyogMoBvQ/s640/DSC02043.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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(I asked for a game face. He refused.)</div>
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Con-Man has been looking forward to playing football for a couple of years now. He *just* missed the birthday cutoff for tackle - thank God! He's too little to be tackled! So he's playing flagger and loves being their quarterback!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi75BKNDdV59b0oyTDPxiefDWJVVxeZJs86ZxI4hzm4MV4UrtSF8KYhzQP93tQtKNwUxIA9MlQykYkqBRWTZOQ5UKwGqbwIuCf1J5YyJcy_Fb6dMhAPYhpx1mXytYWfHexY23hQtOWFjH8/s1600/DSC02036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi75BKNDdV59b0oyTDPxiefDWJVVxeZJs86ZxI4hzm4MV4UrtSF8KYhzQP93tQtKNwUxIA9MlQykYkqBRWTZOQ5UKwGqbwIuCf1J5YyJcy_Fb6dMhAPYhpx1mXytYWfHexY23hQtOWFjH8/s640/DSC02036.jpg" width="468" /></a></div>
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Con-Man's cute little game face.</div>
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Actually, he thought it was dumb that Mom wanted a picture of him before his 1st game!</div>
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I know a big worry with parents of football players, especially is injuries!</div>
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We've had our share - especially this year, even though we are only three games in.</div>
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The Chief injured both heals. The ortho dr said that he came as close as you can come to fracturing both heel bones as possible without and actual crack. OUCH.</div>
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Then he pulled his hamstring. Another ouch!</div>
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But in three seasons, that's it for football injuries!</div>
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Know what's more dangerous than football?</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Brothers.</b></span></div>
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Seriously - I have <u>LOTS</u> of medical bills to prove it!</div>
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Con-Man and Monkey-Man were wrestling around on the trampoline a couple of days ago.</div>
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Con-Man told lil bro to run towards him, then he ducked down like a ball. Monkey-Man's knee went right into the back of his neck. He cried just a little, but said he was ok.</div>
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For the next few days, he'd complain of pain here and there, but we assumed it was just bruised.</div>
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Until the school nurse called yesterday to tell me that he was in the office crying.</div>
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I immediately picked him up and took him to urgent care.</div>
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The dr assured me that it was probably just bruised, that can be a tender area. She wanted one x-ray just to rule out something more serious.</div>
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The tech took one x-ray, then decided on 5 more. I knew then they found something.</div>
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This is the x-ray I saw. And freaked out over.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFnJ3sifLCuwWnV1OaV7zzvAcyvkak7a6FhxtdQET67q9UGafZarED0satczBnz4wdLCXz7Sj7lOpH1tzx_8LImAulVOWV8BU7ZrBlaN8xegIkk_kaA6ffNE8OIe2ZzYbInmCOpVdCltQ/s1600/edit+2+x-ray.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFnJ3sifLCuwWnV1OaV7zzvAcyvkak7a6FhxtdQET67q9UGafZarED0satczBnz4wdLCXz7Sj7lOpH1tzx_8LImAulVOWV8BU7ZrBlaN8xegIkk_kaA6ffNE8OIe2ZzYbInmCOpVdCltQ/s640/edit+2+x-ray.jpg" width="624" /></a></div>
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I hope you can see it - I added the arrow to point at the bone that's BROKEN.</div>
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In my 6 year old's neck!!!</div>
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Yes, I tried to hold it together in the office, and waited until I called my hubby to cry.</div>
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But seriously!</div>
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The doctor assured me that it's not a serious injury, that he'll heal just fine.</div>
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He's out of PE and football for 6 weeks. Which just happens to be the rest of his season. </div>
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He's very upset about that. </div>
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She did say that if he heals quicker, which is common in kids, then he could possibly play.</div>
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Maybe he'll only miss a few games. </div>
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But he has to be completely pain free - which we are praying for constantly!</div>
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I hate that my boy is in pain right now.</div>
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I hate that we can't just put them in bubbles to keep them safe.</div>
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I do love, though, that my boys are active, healthy kids who love to play - even if it is a little too rough!</div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/129/59AF88D9DBE5D2D5ED4433B2ABFA48BD.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Ambrosiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18097714211741355342noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7418242896908007008.post-65765157648138822872011-09-09T05:38:00.000-05:002011-09-09T05:38:13.873-05:00Mama & Me Journal<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">In case you don't know, over at <a href="http://fabulouslydomesticbyambrosia.blogspot.com/">Fabulously Domestic</a>, I'm working on my Pinterest Project. I complete something - anything - that I've pinned on Pinterest every day for the month of September. It's been fun so far. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I wanted to share this little idea with you because it's been pretty great for me this week. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I made the "Mama & Me" Journal I originally pinned from <a href="http://mama-jenn.blogspot.com/2010/11/mama-me-journal.html">Mama Jenn</a>!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">You can find it in my <a href="http://pinterest.com/ambrosia/stuff-to-make/">Stuff To Make</a> board.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I love this journal because it will give me some special time to focus on communicating with my older boys in a fun way. I think The Chief, especially will be more open with me on paper than he is face-to-face. We will write little notes back and forth to each other - about anything at all! For Con-Man, who is only 6, I told him that he can write letters to me or even draw pictures sometimes. Little does he know this will help him focus on reading and writing skills.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I hope to fill these journals up and make many, many more. Imagine the memories we'll have to look back on!</span></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">How to do it:</span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqSBnx0RtuFEXfuaRZJXDGL2TJlzOMMjH1Zs5iUqPwA4lEgJUmMMY42lebn0N_9L7UZjBOk5asR0TCGrZIJfiw4uX_p_PMNhYqOlHP6n-1QUW6qNKscJCzTIBdbAO1IH3PPD1fmDoLR0nB/s1600/DSC02157.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqSBnx0RtuFEXfuaRZJXDGL2TJlzOMMjH1Zs5iUqPwA4lEgJUmMMY42lebn0N_9L7UZjBOk5asR0TCGrZIJfiw4uX_p_PMNhYqOlHP6n-1QUW6qNKscJCzTIBdbAO1IH3PPD1fmDoLR0nB/s640/DSC02157.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://mama-jenn.blogspot.com/2010/11/mama-me-journal.html">Jenn</a> has created great labels you can use for the front of your journals.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Head over there and print them off - you can even use sticker/label paper to make the process more simple!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I used tiny (4.5 x 3.25 in) Composition Notebook</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I printed off her labels in the size I wanted, glued to scrapbook paper and then glued it to the notebooks!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Easy, right?</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDtscLSsMLMbxYllvgrWk5iKZZumU_ym7JhwFa-RjWINARmmukMZsjeEZ9yoCUaRUTNmKAwvNKfTxDYz7JSf63tZzSaK6edgObOjiNknDhVc19TNClxvsjUFF-xGRqi9jpxV9DZIjS3mhj/s1600/DSC02160.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDtscLSsMLMbxYllvgrWk5iKZZumU_ym7JhwFa-RjWINARmmukMZsjeEZ9yoCUaRUTNmKAwvNKfTxDYz7JSf63tZzSaK6edgObOjiNknDhVc19TNClxvsjUFF-xGRqi9jpxV9DZIjS3mhj/s640/DSC02160.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Then on the first page of the notebook, I just wrote a little note to get us started.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Actually, I just used the same letter that <a href="http://mama-jenn.blogspot.com/2010/11/mama-me-journal.html">Jenn</a> posted!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>UPDATE:</b> This little journal has been REALLY great so far. The Chief and I have been going head to head lately. 8 year olds are really just starting to get those bad attitudes where they roll their eyes and think their parents are idiots. So it's been a struggle. He was very excited to see the finished journal and wrote back to me right away. When he's finished writing to me or drawing me a picture, he gets this super cute look on his face - grins ear to ear and runs to put it on my bed. I {<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">love</span>} this. </span></div>
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<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/129/59AF88D9DBE5D2D5ED4433B2ABFA48BD.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Ambrosiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18097714211741355342noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7418242896908007008.post-53467474634446990272011-09-06T08:37:00.001-05:002011-09-06T08:41:00.357-05:00The King of All MondaysI know it's Tuesday - at least on the calendar.<br />
But it sure feels like a Monday. <br />
Like the king of all Mondays!<br />
<br />
Here's a little run down so far - keep in mind it's only 8:30am.<br />
Wake up every hour at least once to pee or recover from a bad dream.<br />
Get up at 2:20 with such horrible heartburn and leg cramps that I can't go back to sleep.<br />
Catch up with DVRed shows, early news, and laundry.<br />
Kids up at 6:15 for showers - and fighting.<br />
Wrangle kids to get ready for school and do basic morning chores.<br />
Get kids out the door, pick up friend's kids for carpool.<br />
While fighting the horrible drop off line at school, I turn around to notice Con-Man was wearing flip flops.<br />
FLIP FLOPS. Are you freaking kidding me?! <br />
Honestly, I sorta flipped out on him.<br />
Drop 3 kids off and head home to get Con-Man's shoes.<br />
Lecture him the whole way home.<br />
Break down crying from guilt.<br />
Help him find his lost socks.<br />
Remind him that he's putting his shoes on the wrong feet.<br />
And he didn't tie his shoes.<br />
And he forgot his back pack.<br />
And lunch box.<br />
More angry-mom-voice lecturing.<br />
Back to the van to head up to the school.<br />
Seatbelt reminder. Again.<br />
Walk in to sign Con-Man in 20 minutes late for school.<br />
Cry the whole way home from guilt of starting his day off bad.<br />
Come here to confess to you guys that while most days are good, some days just kinda suck.<br />
Like today.<br />
The rest of the day is super busy, mostly with things I DON'T want to do - like 10 billion phone calls, paying bills, running errands I've been putting off forever. <br />
<br />
<br />
Anyone else with me today in wanting to just go back to bed and hide under the covers?<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/129/59AF88D9DBE5D2D5ED4433B2ABFA48BD.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Ambrosiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18097714211741355342noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7418242896908007008.post-65222345171414001702011-08-23T14:35:00.001-05:002011-09-06T03:26:27.248-05:00Getting Boys to Help - Chore Chart!<div style="text-align: center;">
Lately my hubby has been commenting that the boys are not doing their share around the house.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I am so thankful that he understands that keeping house isn't just MY job.</div>
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This morning we decided it was time for a chore chart.</div>
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Then I got overwhelmed.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Here's what I've tried in the past that <u>didn't work</u> for us:</span></div>
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Printed weekly charts to put stickers on</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Printed, laminated daily charts to use dry erase marker on</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A printed list of chores that each boy can choose from each day</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
No list or chart - just yelling when the house got nasty</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">So here's what I knew I needed:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A perpetual list/chart that can change daily</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Something reusable - not printing over and over</div>
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<a href="http://fortheluvofboys.blogspot.com/2010/11/organizing-our-chaos.html">Color Coded (of course)</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Customizable for my kids</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Easy to understand</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Visually attractive so it can be displayed</div>
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<br /></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The chore chart below is what I've come up with! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYITSEo8trKiPeDJVWifTkuC6S1Lmt-REIg_DgibYy7gLQgJeQh7bfgT8sfj7Yz8I6QpJSCP8rjfiMRbxbYeIbTYOuaFFslNcV14b2nhwqc0ZQvxvsFx1ysIy6LRczNWckjo6Qj-0WaJE/s1600/DSC02033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYITSEo8trKiPeDJVWifTkuC6S1Lmt-REIg_DgibYy7gLQgJeQh7bfgT8sfj7Yz8I6QpJSCP8rjfiMRbxbYeIbTYOuaFFslNcV14b2nhwqc0ZQvxvsFx1ysIy6LRczNWckjo6Qj-0WaJE/s640/DSC02033.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I'm not doing a tutorial, because it's really just too simple. </div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">But, here is what you'll need:</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCT1KWOc9HsWQP5v47-jm3hqNCEXUV7PzLt04RiGp07K27qkz-IexB3EKr7wfauYz5LMkjo2YB6phlYJXgHnNcrfpi7_-mKf9D595C0-90YB_84L8V74IOWEuIo0vo2uVrOOFNCzm8So4/s1600/DSC02027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="514" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCT1KWOc9HsWQP5v47-jm3hqNCEXUV7PzLt04RiGp07K27qkz-IexB3EKr7wfauYz5LMkjo2YB6phlYJXgHnNcrfpi7_-mKf9D595C0-90YB_84L8V74IOWEuIo0vo2uVrOOFNCzm8So4/s640/DSC02027.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Cork-board</div>
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Colored Pens</div>
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Push Pins</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Tags</div>
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Fabric</div>
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Mod Podge</div>
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<br /></div>
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I cut my fabric to fit over the cork-board and then applied Mod Podge. Smooth out and trim if needed.</div>
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Print out kids' names, etc</div>
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Write out chores - one per tag. Some chores needed a list, (ex bathrooms) so I wrote those on the back of the tag.</div>
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Insert push pins and hang tags for each kid, each day!</div>
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So easy, right?</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr4I2741Rge4yAlzHYSjS7_b_rgodDywGqK_y8jQgeWRlwtb12hN8nMNPrnw1qqVdzVf6Vbk3TzR1-Ab8lleWDuJoQwVC1Cbskbk_6shhdxqWoox8ek8LYYw01vglNY7OS6RlJ9kTvGDc/s1600/DSC02029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr4I2741Rge4yAlzHYSjS7_b_rgodDywGqK_y8jQgeWRlwtb12hN8nMNPrnw1qqVdzVf6Vbk3TzR1-Ab8lleWDuJoQwVC1Cbskbk_6shhdxqWoox8ek8LYYw01vglNY7OS6RlJ9kTvGDc/s640/DSC02029.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ7iuT58vSGQ1_9coGNE5RX_ePkR1GGH6D9PzLLfJXgz1DQd5CT5YMwicMLp9Gb3h1jbYBe91C2RCC-N200EWM5QUyTdzG9I8Gle_hZZ67e8r5WziKbcyL8bw0-IrM-c_mOr49aEk_s44/s1600/DSC02035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ7iuT58vSGQ1_9coGNE5RX_ePkR1GGH6D9PzLLfJXgz1DQd5CT5YMwicMLp9Gb3h1jbYBe91C2RCC-N200EWM5QUyTdzG9I8Gle_hZZ67e8r5WziKbcyL8bw0-IrM-c_mOr49aEk_s44/s640/DSC02035.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">So here's how the system works:</span></div>
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I decide each evening what the next day's chores will be and hang them on the push pins.</div>
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Each morning the boys will do the morning chores and can also choose to start evening chores if time allows.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
When a chore is completed, they will move that tag to the "Finished" area below their name.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I will double check to make sure they completed the task like I expect.</div>
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Each kid will have some standard tags that go up every day - brushing teeth, etc. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Others will vary by day - the bathroom won't be cleaned every day for example.</div>
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The chores written in black can be done by anybody and will be rotated.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I may also choose to add chores during the day as warranted by bad behavior.<br />
<br />
<b>Linking up here:</b><br />
<b><br /></b><br />
<b><a href="http://boermanramblings.blogspot.com/2011/09/tuesday-treasury-link-up.html">Boerman Ramblings</a></b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://sewwoodsy.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1205.photobucket.com/albums/bb431/ktbright7/whatsupwednesdays-1.jpg?t=1287494472" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<center><a href="http://vintagewannabee.blogspot.com/search/label/%7Btalent%20tuesday%7D"><img border="0" src="http://i833.photobucket.com/albums/zz259/nichellelora/talenttuesday-3.jpg" /></a></center><center><br /></center>
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<br />
<br />
<center><a href="http://soverycreative.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEhAj3HflorTjBiawS2grB1TD78mceuSKSh6Z7q07oy6EqAqRWiKlVj1lWBVHFbA9lFq190GhhzgIiyYA9vd_7ubIHHRWFDXB079SBh9kkkfZJ2_SdOvzP-dlzw4whbn1emw7yU9HvHrD5/s1600/scp.jpg" /></a></center>
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/129/59AF88D9DBE5D2D5ED4433B2ABFA48BD.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Ambrosiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18097714211741355342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7418242896908007008.post-69747620184345010082011-07-13T10:39:00.000-05:002011-07-13T10:39:31.636-05:00How NOT to Pull a Tooth - a Bad Tutorial<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">This is another tutorial for men. (<a href="http://fortheluvofboys.blogspot.com/2010/10/teaching-what-my-mother-in-law-didnt.html">See Teaching what my Mother In Law didn't</a>)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I say this is for men, because I really doubt any women - especially mothers would try this on a little kid.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Step 1: Start with an impatient 6 yr old and a tooth that Mom says isn't ready:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKz_X58pM4n2e6gmcMyZbS7xDoVjU_aSsT6zgzZi9XUmNzufc4ubSGolIrczz-uWowop5q3WmG175sz3J5Kiv0tURrnBDs6LYB3cQ8oQyB7L1PxignXW30GHQ03q7tqiD6EGgweKzNpkE/s1600/DSC01752.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="496" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKz_X58pM4n2e6gmcMyZbS7xDoVjU_aSsT6zgzZi9XUmNzufc4ubSGolIrczz-uWowop5q3WmG175sz3J5Kiv0tURrnBDs6LYB3cQ8oQyB7L1PxignXW30GHQ03q7tqiD6EGgweKzNpkE/s640/DSC01752.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Step 2: Tie floss to said tooth:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcjvRkpUyaqFeR4t8vyINnnYEHRNu-kGVKYtTsEMw12GnKYJGO7DhxvNkeI-iJilCM5f_W7MlJMAn0xI90BFZ7ixXwaWe9700oc4jZYdTtq18izX3rM_Mw7cqoyEo_W6I9uNQN7flqSxo/s1600/DSC01755.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcjvRkpUyaqFeR4t8vyINnnYEHRNu-kGVKYtTsEMw12GnKYJGO7DhxvNkeI-iJilCM5f_W7MlJMAn0xI90BFZ7ixXwaWe9700oc4jZYdTtq18izX3rM_Mw7cqoyEo_W6I9uNQN7flqSxo/s640/DSC01755.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Lots of floss:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZk1qGtK3x2roVwGSCEHnMODbzBn7bqE99ZjhrXzfnqjlDoSds_LqEr82WLO5gw_T_ouZ9xHcVT4hY55t4KC4Ve7lY_48ipE85aACVlvHhQbe2kj8HzOFRaUQE6_tZB2Ke429SzJyACjg/s1600/DSC01761.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="518" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZk1qGtK3x2roVwGSCEHnMODbzBn7bqE99ZjhrXzfnqjlDoSds_LqEr82WLO5gw_T_ouZ9xHcVT4hY55t4KC4Ve7lY_48ipE85aACVlvHhQbe2kj8HzOFRaUQE6_tZB2Ke429SzJyACjg/s640/DSC01761.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Step 3: Tie other end of floss to very fast, powerful (& beat up) remote control truck:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga8g5UybkKAICZTSl0Xn-RfrhBL9OhQaK7aaSxGXmk5CdQjkuW_BAN5oCzKphZ5cmU9tuG6WaqeXHZlx8zeLt2BcQVa_2BanEzwktBCpzzhI776qxkWwuAZfZKURg46C2XOagqLxvJyAc/s1600/DSC01765.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga8g5UybkKAICZTSl0Xn-RfrhBL9OhQaK7aaSxGXmk5CdQjkuW_BAN5oCzKphZ5cmU9tuG6WaqeXHZlx8zeLt2BcQVa_2BanEzwktBCpzzhI776qxkWwuAZfZKURg46C2XOagqLxvJyAc/s640/DSC01765.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Step 4: Set 6 yr old and truck up with plenty of space to run. Pull trigger on remote:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwXhE96yJL5ZXiih_pqLIWoF3tD30BUdIi1S2OntkSzGFyZXX0O17jx2Fnxp56I3y7_euAZaSXW3_pMQS3T-b8vcYkHUm2yL18SP9utAHjJgJ0R6ice-vvngocsSJIzoKdXhRVKGPT8IA/s1600/DSC01769.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwXhE96yJL5ZXiih_pqLIWoF3tD30BUdIi1S2OntkSzGFyZXX0O17jx2Fnxp56I3y7_euAZaSXW3_pMQS3T-b8vcYkHUm2yL18SP9utAHjJgJ0R6ice-vvngocsSJIzoKdXhRVKGPT8IA/s640/DSC01769.jpg" width="428" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Step 5: Examine 6 yr old to find he looked down at moment of pull, causing floss to lodge up under gum line, above the not-loose-enough-tooth.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7jdrFfrtSkgrSzIX2AmPqHokbX6FdGxHKoAFJdH7gTIS4o6nBqjsk-2r0CzGEdn_E9DxadjO0bWfxG_LPDlRLD7LL95YHuMFk6mlN3mZQGSnqTRXyX7Qu1kGn170g4KqeA-bXGc_iHss/s1600/DSC01772.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7jdrFfrtSkgrSzIX2AmPqHokbX6FdGxHKoAFJdH7gTIS4o6nBqjsk-2r0CzGEdn_E9DxadjO0bWfxG_LPDlRLD7LL95YHuMFk6mlN3mZQGSnqTRXyX7Qu1kGn170g4KqeA-bXGc_iHss/s640/DSC01772.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Step 6: Listen to your wife say, "I told you so," repeatedly while your 6 yr old looks a little like Nanny McPhee for the next 5 + days:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAdoCmWezHeYQc6ok5nKZ1DjwnkEl6TTv2CK7bKVIn6BSYQM_AKi70pWWkEV_c4Nn1KuebU-r5Ef4tahqB3pOoppelYYx2glvz-FK-hP_kklnS9asR-oF_1YsVf96xB7MEk4IQx0UP-Hw/s1600/DSC01776.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="520" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAdoCmWezHeYQc6ok5nKZ1DjwnkEl6TTv2CK7bKVIn6BSYQM_AKi70pWWkEV_c4Nn1KuebU-r5Ef4tahqB3pOoppelYYx2glvz-FK-hP_kklnS9asR-oF_1YsVf96xB7MEk4IQx0UP-Hw/s640/DSC01776.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgSjCQMz7D-JQNo7zHdG6EPnx-vFb5nbR0tF8CK0d-LVFa1xPov1JM0-YE8hz5DtxqZXaad4eXojSULiydEUAvVHVWUKsoOWMhkfjYRXugO-fXzIPHP4CmXMrt6FPapEm7cij_9CGhoGg/s1600/mcphee-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgSjCQMz7D-JQNo7zHdG6EPnx-vFb5nbR0tF8CK0d-LVFa1xPov1JM0-YE8hz5DtxqZXaad4eXojSULiydEUAvVHVWUKsoOWMhkfjYRXugO-fXzIPHP4CmXMrt6FPapEm7cij_9CGhoGg/s640/mcphee-2.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">*Note - poor Con-Man's tooth is more than ready to come out now, but he's terrified to let anyone near it!</span></div><br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/129/59AF88D9DBE5D2D5ED4433B2ABFA48BD.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Ambrosiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18097714211741355342noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7418242896908007008.post-34768304401334810972011-06-28T13:25:00.001-05:002011-06-28T14:46:08.170-05:004th of July T-shirts!<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Anybody else getting excited about the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">4th</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"> of </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">July</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">?!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Normally, our family will bbq, eat TONS of watermelon and red, white and blue desserts, light off fireworks at home and go watch a big display, too!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">We weren't in Texas yet for The 4th last year, so we aren't completely sure where to go.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I'm sure the better part of the day will be spent just having fun around the house, though - </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">and now we'll be wearing our Red, White & Blue pride!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Our version of 4th of July T-shirts:</span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">My boys like tie-dye shirts. I don't like the mess. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Or the time they take. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">So when we found the spray fabric dye, I knew it'd be perfect for us!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">These shirts are soooo easy and fast to make - we even did a birthday party once where everyone got to make their own shirt to take home.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">There is no wrong way to do this - just let the kids (and yourself!) have fun!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">You'll need:</span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">white shirts</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">spray fabric dye (available at Hobby Lobby)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">rubber bands</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS-lAoxVojsAj8moo3stFMVQPLKhqKOzKvvsM_bMDo7SJSQcKDPLECj2JQyHY5t1av_im1ITkc4pTZ4Q-EUWjxkxq-LjKVMC99HC-TmwCX8wcPQ4CzhRO3ioi_thQnRBBHQNNYushhS7A/s1600/DSC01431.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS-lAoxVojsAj8moo3stFMVQPLKhqKOzKvvsM_bMDo7SJSQcKDPLECj2JQyHY5t1av_im1ITkc4pTZ4Q-EUWjxkxq-LjKVMC99HC-TmwCX8wcPQ4CzhRO3ioi_thQnRBBHQNNYushhS7A/s640/DSC01431.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
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</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Decide on the technique you want to use. I used rubber bands to bunch up my tank - I wanted to focus on my growing baby bump.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_dnlnpyVSVTjP2LGhGXd6sRXP_iXtjKHZR8xLL0r5bt76Lf2eKoHLBomyQMrkZT_glsJ2W0WFHBiWjdcGnOO4Wev441_eodbQcMAtwgEMg0S_CVttKGNLxb2fTTd4e6gYINOBzEtr7DY/s1600/DSC01433.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_dnlnpyVSVTjP2LGhGXd6sRXP_iXtjKHZR8xLL0r5bt76Lf2eKoHLBomyQMrkZT_glsJ2W0WFHBiWjdcGnOO4Wev441_eodbQcMAtwgEMg0S_CVttKGNLxb2fTTd4e6gYINOBzEtr7DY/s640/DSC01433.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">You can also just gently twist the shirt, spray, untwist, retwist different direction and spray with another color. That's what The Chief did:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY6bA7-H8Y7JTvgyPsu_J1QibHPuCa-2D8Uan325XezOhDrb5gbzpEtFGNvUfO2lSI8iMJos64ZpAssslcQjcw0kvNt7cfFqDLf-CvSf70eJs4CwCFOeF8SBjVdpbAO_Zvs-hqLiMR7b4/s1600/DSC01441.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY6bA7-H8Y7JTvgyPsu_J1QibHPuCa-2D8Uan325XezOhDrb5gbzpEtFGNvUfO2lSI8iMJos64ZpAssslcQjcw0kvNt7cfFqDLf-CvSf70eJs4CwCFOeF8SBjVdpbAO_Zvs-hqLiMR7b4/s640/DSC01441.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Con-Man just sprayed in a random design until he was happy with the way it looked:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5cGbQ2fOebXxxcjnEqgEveo1asHNCuNigGWP4lMXXL1pj0fY4s6aRxtWKA3Q6QKzo5UgiGXvWACKPqaasMRmThccFJbznwfvNyYFD2CaTHE8cXP-3rUuaGPYnnfNLqfqwJ77-RMWdyq4/s1600/DSC01440.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5cGbQ2fOebXxxcjnEqgEveo1asHNCuNigGWP4lMXXL1pj0fY4s6aRxtWKA3Q6QKzo5UgiGXvWACKPqaasMRmThccFJbznwfvNyYFD2CaTHE8cXP-3rUuaGPYnnfNLqfqwJ77-RMWdyq4/s640/DSC01440.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Here are the finished shirts - nothing fancy, absolutely not perfect. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">But we sure had LOTS of fun making them and will wear them with pride on the 4th of July!</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiagpTNgkxTvVwA-uLvgfjBTQaQmKgVcVPD3-XJSE0q_lr9-UA5Exm6GdaLqbGIk6bgJJzAX2QD8GQP0PsAfSWl6O_46tkEE8u65z_1m32PQlg2F1GPkD5afPQYYj9oTplYY9gro_Vb8y0/s1600/DSC01445.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiagpTNgkxTvVwA-uLvgfjBTQaQmKgVcVPD3-XJSE0q_lr9-UA5Exm6GdaLqbGIk6bgJJzAX2QD8GQP0PsAfSWl6O_46tkEE8u65z_1m32PQlg2F1GPkD5afPQYYj9oTplYY9gro_Vb8y0/s640/DSC01445.jpg" width="380" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Mine</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheRMlykRDc45iFKEDtEVjT67cOA3RVXdH5cqnPYQyXol3kLFu4zQNiRP1J4FiGDDmoshWt5WUHWXSKJSJHFlfBi7i6YrdoMTbYo2q8OuNiNlFPgE51i_tusxGvowcTkOX2SrD71r1Y6AU/s1600/DSC01446.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheRMlykRDc45iFKEDtEVjT67cOA3RVXdH5cqnPYQyXol3kLFu4zQNiRP1J4FiGDDmoshWt5WUHWXSKJSJHFlfBi7i6YrdoMTbYo2q8OuNiNlFPgE51i_tusxGvowcTkOX2SrD71r1Y6AU/s640/DSC01446.jpg" width="576" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The Chief's</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTh721K_cL9AcMYCT5NIMBzko4HVHgN6JxINfR7xqhu-_ByMNfj1fI_1OPGdPQh8dC4941pMjbcDw5Ad8FosbUQBuxy8ZipmlqgzwPZjnARG3qLYHq-829j1_mmkFFp6XgzGnzusDYBnc/s1600/DSC01450.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTh721K_cL9AcMYCT5NIMBzko4HVHgN6JxINfR7xqhu-_ByMNfj1fI_1OPGdPQh8dC4941pMjbcDw5Ad8FosbUQBuxy8ZipmlqgzwPZjnARG3qLYHq-829j1_mmkFFp6XgzGnzusDYBnc/s640/DSC01450.JPG" width="620" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Con-Man's</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdyFl33qN9y5Z3sfjnVQuv-pw_vLDEXLM02OkFeoSTShG-7tQsAuYlbDn-tK3krIBIx1x-1hlIpWCT7S9hXiJk-2Cbo51H54hMoj6-J1uO4c5X2OtTMP2aypYPo4AeQ2qQG5u7sBunkNM/s1600/DSC01443.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="558" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdyFl33qN9y5Z3sfjnVQuv-pw_vLDEXLM02OkFeoSTShG-7tQsAuYlbDn-tK3krIBIx1x-1hlIpWCT7S9hXiJk-2Cbo51H54hMoj6-J1uO4c5X2OtTMP2aypYPo4AeQ2qQG5u7sBunkNM/s640/DSC01443.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Monkey Man's</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Helpful tips:</span></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Cover work surfaces - there will be over-spray.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Wear old clothes in case spray gets on them - it will not wash out.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Follow all directions on bottle - each brand is different.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Stencils are fun to use to make specific shapes.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Let go of your perfectionism - just have <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">FUN!</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/129/59AF88D9DBE5D2D5ED4433B2ABFA48BD.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Ambrosiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18097714211741355342noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7418242896908007008.post-36201007289620820712011-06-20T07:55:00.000-05:002011-06-20T07:55:22.048-05:00Will be MIAWe've got some sad family issues to deal with this week, so my boys and I are leaving town. That means no posting from me, and probably not much reading from my favorite bloggers, either. I'll get back into the swing of things as soon as we get back - I've got some great summer fun posts in the works.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/129/59AF88D9DBE5D2D5ED4433B2ABFA48BD.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Ambrosiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18097714211741355342noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7418242896908007008.post-48741859817952816852011-06-16T13:40:00.000-05:002011-06-16T13:40:13.267-05:00{New} Blog Buddies PageI just added a new page to the blog - go check it out!<br />
<br />
It's the Blog Buddies page - this will be a running list of my blogging buddies.<br />
Anybody and everybody are encouraged to link up your blog, though please make sure that your blog/site is family friendly.<br />
I'm doing this with the hope of increasing traffic to some of my very favorite blogs!<br />
I'll make a habit of promoting random Blog Buddies each month.<br />
So link up, spread the word and have fun visiting each other!<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/129/59AF88D9DBE5D2D5ED4433B2ABFA48BD.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Ambrosiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18097714211741355342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7418242896908007008.post-79461049019916938932011-06-15T10:30:00.000-05:002011-06-15T10:30:53.267-05:00Fun at the Children's Museum<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">You guys remember our </span><a href="http://fortheluvofboys.blogspot.com/2011/05/summer-fun-ideas-tutorial.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Summer Bucket List</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">, right?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">We drew a trip to a museum last week - the kids were super excited!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Actually, so was I! </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Houston has one of the top rated children's museums in the country </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">and we'd never been.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">If you are in the area, I HIGHLY recommend a visit - </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">the cost is low, there are TONS of activities and it's FUN!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Here are just a few highlights from our trip:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMO5knusgdZOvinsZ1YJkOwpNhntQNESrW4HJTeuZj22kjJYHB6gxX-4eS5EYdDmElFk0j97irxANcTWBTYqn5x59usWxP28-1HeR87RD8DbX3GgxwgSoE00nD-R84Dhz16yOIxsoABXc/s1600/DSC01318.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMO5knusgdZOvinsZ1YJkOwpNhntQNESrW4HJTeuZj22kjJYHB6gxX-4eS5EYdDmElFk0j97irxANcTWBTYqn5x59usWxP28-1HeR87RD8DbX3GgxwgSoE00nD-R84Dhz16yOIxsoABXc/s640/DSC01318.JPG" width="626" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">There is a little city within the building. Kids are given a debit card with pretend money - they can buy things until money runs out, then they must get a job in the city to earn more money! Love this! Here are Con-Man and Monkey Man grocery shopping - dinner will be good tonight!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8L8ccH3JPfkoIJUr7wdswjvX9UZhJuVPLE4Dn-9IaTFBBJWF-5sG6sHdRs4h8Ip88cfUQVI7ADrZJ80hJgihRKatXjMce5sj6Tw85NB4ROG14Cj_voziPkzDwzEifr5Qzbqhw1QLVsKY/s1600/DSC01346.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="572" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8L8ccH3JPfkoIJUr7wdswjvX9UZhJuVPLE4Dn-9IaTFBBJWF-5sG6sHdRs4h8Ip88cfUQVI7ADrZJ80hJgihRKatXjMce5sj6Tw85NB4ROG14Cj_voziPkzDwzEifr5Qzbqhw1QLVsKY/s640/DSC01346.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Outside there is a water play area. Kids can build boats and race them, learn about dams and water flow and use sprayers to fill a big bucket that later dumps. They can also learn how waves are formed! This was perfect in the 100 degree heat the day we went - they didn't get soaked, but a little water cooled them off.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8L8ccH3JPfkoIJUr7wdswjvX9UZhJuVPLE4Dn-9IaTFBBJWF-5sG6sHdRs4h8Ip88cfUQVI7ADrZJ80hJgihRKatXjMce5sj6Tw85NB4ROG14Cj_voziPkzDwzEifr5Qzbqhw1QLVsKY/s1600/DSC01346.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqRwKFSUD300JwJ0a-ZZVfkrWCajMEW58A9C6qKft9eYXv2e_jFkCpONLs2xxnh-nqXbMLYlQnMh2dGquwuDqAyLjavU6Ys7jfo9ULpC0VYLoDNaKmjVtpNNzBIAqKhyphenhyphen5dVR7q4lPZKSM/s1600/DSC01358.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqRwKFSUD300JwJ0a-ZZVfkrWCajMEW58A9C6qKft9eYXv2e_jFkCpONLs2xxnh-nqXbMLYlQnMh2dGquwuDqAyLjavU6Ys7jfo9ULpC0VYLoDNaKmjVtpNNzBIAqKhyphenhyphen5dVR7q4lPZKSM/s640/DSC01358.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Inside, there are TONS of physical challenges for the kids to try. </div><div style="text-align: center;">They loved the rock climbing wall, the dance games, and could even check their heart rates between activities!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0TR1C2YeBR9eWfLC1MQATyyJTai7SMHgx0RvbLsGx34sgvoGUXXER1aFbdU-UiT5yMllJScgx25sDOQpL0X1iseClKESsimTYoSWI3LX_mGGbQdZeB7G0djJ2GlHiCTGWkDgj1wf1Drw/s1600/DSC01316.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0TR1C2YeBR9eWfLC1MQATyyJTai7SMHgx0RvbLsGx34sgvoGUXXER1aFbdU-UiT5yMllJScgx25sDOQpL0X1iseClKESsimTYoSWI3LX_mGGbQdZeB7G0djJ2GlHiCTGWkDgj1wf1Drw/s640/DSC01316.jpg" width="396" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This was another physical challenge - the boys had to pull their own body weight up using pulleys. I really just included this pic because Con Man looks so silly!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu6uUKdDiIXdgEFZ6rElsTrpU-6y7MU-RbRsnzjhaxbgER6tXjEfT1FOvWIKw961YCfwucdGR3v0_tkqqyEw3jRPBIgQZxNz3es6HbpC2j4P1TSuI6dsEaIRxxoCRI0bId0Ma4CsbB0K0/s1600/DSC01325.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu6uUKdDiIXdgEFZ6rElsTrpU-6y7MU-RbRsnzjhaxbgER6tXjEfT1FOvWIKw961YCfwucdGR3v0_tkqqyEw3jRPBIgQZxNz3es6HbpC2j4P1TSuI6dsEaIRxxoCRI0bId0Ma4CsbB0K0/s640/DSC01325.JPG" width="540" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">There was a little Mexican village where the kids learned a little about the culture. They loved this cool little car - and even posed for a picture for me!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUIKazWpJlkWLdg2RAmrbesFupeildDW1s-MtwY67tx6SrJ3bt8ldr6ZtyH-37MyAraAJPMkouDSp5vDamNMTEABNh8j5g-aMDU_nal5tFDPcGP8HSO5x8XxWhHpVJBpR7ZHlt9v7aiiY/s1600/DSC01328.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="574" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUIKazWpJlkWLdg2RAmrbesFupeildDW1s-MtwY67tx6SrJ3bt8ldr6ZtyH-37MyAraAJPMkouDSp5vDamNMTEABNh8j5g-aMDU_nal5tFDPcGP8HSO5x8XxWhHpVJBpR7ZHlt9v7aiiY/s640/DSC01328.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Next we went to the face painting station. Clearly, Monkey Man is NOT impressed with my artistic abilities. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbjwwMGuSvdsP1TDWiN6ADRYeqOg7EOBHseP2uZm_G9JDXZXyaz_uZQwIJ2IWWkpDr39ibdFgzkmWHeR_YrSa4LKOUf33JxCRJ0gQS-qj7x65sfTfkY6Tp0PGL8xJbCpn8NKkJrKQpJ8U/s1600/DSC01331.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbjwwMGuSvdsP1TDWiN6ADRYeqOg7EOBHseP2uZm_G9JDXZXyaz_uZQwIJ2IWWkpDr39ibdFgzkmWHeR_YrSa4LKOUf33JxCRJ0gQS-qj7x65sfTfkY6Tp0PGL8xJbCpn8NKkJrKQpJ8U/s640/DSC01331.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> So I let him do his own thing, along with Con-Man and The Chief.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGx7IOSPG8UfiMWKTyniROmNmV4DpGRnnVvNfoNU-MbUOUMKAA4hBteQjX76MUq5zDbuclyRLmvpudgkvsOgPCb03uUdzpJGjZQdF15-QHl34yogpTqpOsk3tkxQP68KreSI-4O6UEZ3Q/s1600/DSC01335.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGx7IOSPG8UfiMWKTyniROmNmV4DpGRnnVvNfoNU-MbUOUMKAA4hBteQjX76MUq5zDbuclyRLmvpudgkvsOgPCb03uUdzpJGjZQdF15-QHl34yogpTqpOsk3tkxQP68KreSI-4O6UEZ3Q/s640/DSC01335.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is what Con-Man came up with. ??</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyzYtPvR2LyujxoYw5A-5wVsp5SugEWXVdkdd0URHqZI9XX7MJ9q_p0TUKNuammtMABVUlTEpvXUOpJguwxcfMdHTeG-EoY8F8RW1jfFfA9WMLy1sag_jRhQuY6EWYuuK92Yy4F6wgrhI/s1600/DSC01332.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="560" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyzYtPvR2LyujxoYw5A-5wVsp5SugEWXVdkdd0URHqZI9XX7MJ9q_p0TUKNuammtMABVUlTEpvXUOpJguwxcfMdHTeG-EoY8F8RW1jfFfA9WMLy1sag_jRhQuY6EWYuuK92Yy4F6wgrhI/s640/DSC01332.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Monkey Man - he looks soooo much better, right? </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh00I-lwc16p_N9RgO-n5_XaCjXPAbQdWS9CPtZr_n3Ei91f5TcqjFjK6KQLLrmF_9M7Ay9Lksz0oXT0BYdyVU9weYaygRnII1WoaWwHcCoJK36hWuezJZ38wdVVrlLxjqvUp6THPVnz5c/s1600/DSC01330.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="578" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh00I-lwc16p_N9RgO-n5_XaCjXPAbQdWS9CPtZr_n3Ei91f5TcqjFjK6KQLLrmF_9M7Ay9Lksz0oXT0BYdyVU9weYaygRnII1WoaWwHcCoJK36hWuezJZ38wdVVrlLxjqvUp6THPVnz5c/s640/DSC01330.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> The Chief. Wow. He was soooo embarrassed after he did this that he went STRAIGHT to the restroom to wash it off. No way was he going to walk around with his face looking like that. </div><div style="text-align: center;">The other two, oh yes - they LOVED the way they look and I let them keep it till we got home.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPaQiHDW63o2QB-lBcVSrxn7_xzpu3jPoQWqfxbv8p5OWOPaqGNsOm4xKCEJJ6xkVbAzf7usgX9507RrisJK7nyJpj8ZNHsOD4Ubz5GHEa3UludxbnPQOyhXAYzLXjG2qa-kH0tk0Fs0k/s1600/DSC01336.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPaQiHDW63o2QB-lBcVSrxn7_xzpu3jPoQWqfxbv8p5OWOPaqGNsOm4xKCEJJ6xkVbAzf7usgX9507RrisJK7nyJpj8ZNHsOD4Ubz5GHEa3UludxbnPQOyhXAYzLXjG2qa-kH0tk0Fs0k/s640/DSC01336.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Probably our favorite part of the museum was in a little building outside. We got to see two baby chicks that had just hatched try to hobble around and dry off. Two more eggs started to hatch while we watched. Simply amazing. The boys were just glued to this little table. Another table had about 10 chicks that were already all fluffy and cute. They'd come to your finger if you tapped on the glass. CUTE!!!</div><br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/129/59AF88D9DBE5D2D5ED4433B2ABFA48BD.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Ambrosiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18097714211741355342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7418242896908007008.post-24634247712562485212011-06-10T22:00:00.002-05:002011-06-16T14:21:54.477-05:00Walgreens Brand Health & Wellness<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of <a href="http://app.socialspark.com/disclosure_clicks?oid=3370332" rel="nofollow">Walgreens</a> for <a href="http://izea.in/ret2" rel="nofollow">SocialSpark</a>. All opinions are 100% mine.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">Summer break is finally here, which means more time outside. And it especially means more time at the pool, the beach and at water parks for this family! Our first outing to the waterpark left most of us a bit burned - mama didn't reapply sunscreen enough! YIKES! </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">My first stop on the way home was to Walgreens to pick up some Walgreens Brand Aloe Vera Body Mist Gel. I love that you just spray it on and it helps to cool the burn. My boys HATE for me to rub anything onto their already sensitive burned skin, so this product was great. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">What I love about <a href="http://app.socialspark.com/clicks?lid=9892&oid=3370332" rel="nofollow">Walgreens Brand Health & Wellness Products</a> is that most contain the same active ingredients as the national brands, so they work just as well (or better!), yet they cost much less! I know we are all watching our pennies!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span class="placeholder"><img alt="Pharmacist" src="https://img.skitch.com/20110222-q97fxathyuq1ac5car8h1mstyw.jpg" /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">Something I didn't know, though was that for every purchase of <a href="http://app.socialspark.com/clicks?lid=9892&oid=3370332" rel="nofollow">Walgreens Brand Health & Wellness Products</a>, Walgreens will contribute to the <a href="http://app.socialspark.com/clicks?lid=9902&oid=3370332" rel="nofollow">Walgreens Way to Well Fund™</a>. Up to $3 million annually goes into this program to help provide free preventive health tests as well as other health and wellness services and education to local communities. For details, visit walgreens.com/waytowell</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">There are several fellow bloggers right now that are giving away Walgreens gift cards! Get more info on these here: <a href="http://app.socialspark.com/clicks?lid=10192&oid=3370332" rel="nofollow">giveaways</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span class="placeholder"><img alt="120x30_WalgrensTransparentLogo" src="https://img.skitch.com/20110222-rp81dm7p8qypywxt5eyaybxjnc.jpg" /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span class="placeholder"><a href="http://ad.doubleclick.net/jump/N5589.izea.comOX5264/B5173762.4;sz=1x1;pc=[TPAS_ID];ord=[timestamp]?"> <img alt="Advertisement" border="0" height="1" src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/ad/N5589.izea.comOX5264/B5173762.4;sz=1x1;pc=[TPAS_ID];ord=[timestamp]?" width="1" /></a></span></span></div><a href="http://app.socialspark.com/disclosure_clicks?oid=3370332" rel="nofollow"> <img alt="Visit Sponsor's Site" border="0" src="http://app.socialspark.com/views?oid=3370332" style="border: none;" /> </a> </div>Ambrosiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18097714211741355342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7418242896908007008.post-55262470745477230982011-06-03T08:58:00.000-05:002011-06-03T08:58:08.380-05:001st Day Of Summer Break<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Yesterday was the last day of school - a half day at that. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihFhNVd9ohxkzBD12viB2R0hjZvxF7VDyaEBv6QJ_S2mbGo2Q6Qzpgz3Ri1rwyrY05LVmT93kdSNEEj6mdFamEptBPv6csRDOMLQZFoFNMyCaKb_SEm0WoRrkVsfK2pAxD6IGC6FMn93E/s1600/DSC01281.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihFhNVd9ohxkzBD12viB2R0hjZvxF7VDyaEBv6QJ_S2mbGo2Q6Qzpgz3Ri1rwyrY05LVmT93kdSNEEj6mdFamEptBPv6csRDOMLQZFoFNMyCaKb_SEm0WoRrkVsfK2pAxD6IGC6FMn93E/s640/DSC01281.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I felt like I did my part - baked brownies, attended wild class parties.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">And they did theirs - signed year books, hugged teachers and said goodbye to friends.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTpMlbmJmwuh1Y7FZe1pp98enLDmURU0t08PlkXK0ANGWI7uqv6ef7meOiOJVDROHPeyfo9B6uGaYwNZSUzyQYQHkWqbMa6tFl0jYB_Mj8P14nQw9eiTyANAAZ6tMx45Fwk2b89k9w_wA/s1600/DSC01262.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTpMlbmJmwuh1Y7FZe1pp98enLDmURU0t08PlkXK0ANGWI7uqv6ef7meOiOJVDROHPeyfo9B6uGaYwNZSUzyQYQHkWqbMa6tFl0jYB_Mj8P14nQw9eiTyANAAZ6tMx45Fwk2b89k9w_wA/s640/DSC01262.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv1rOqgIzdcBPBZrI6mfm_eu21iepBUgalNPQwpQERaFLMiMMM1K01ETk3txbkKSYQbS-4H_mLoaQ2C-YmfIgrI17BNXuAIi0ggk_NP8vYhyKXDafWhhZiloEpM8sylrnnOak1d1ij0Kc/s1600/DSC01280.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv1rOqgIzdcBPBZrI6mfm_eu21iepBUgalNPQwpQERaFLMiMMM1K01ETk3txbkKSYQbS-4H_mLoaQ2C-YmfIgrI17BNXuAIi0ggk_NP8vYhyKXDafWhhZiloEpM8sylrnnOak1d1ij0Kc/s640/DSC01280.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">But NOW what? </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">That's where I get a little anxious. I worry about if I'll make it out of summer break alive!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I'm only half kidding.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">How much fighting will there be?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Can I really get them to do their chores by a decent time?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Will they be at all impressed with the activities I want to do?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Can I honestly take all three of them to the beach by myself?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Will The Chief actually get to play on the select baseball team through the summer?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">And how much of our time will THAT take up?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">How do I get my kids to want to read more than watch tv???</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Yesterday afternoon was a little rough. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Today, though I'm determined to make it a good day!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Hopefully they won't fight the new routines too much.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">1st stop today is our local library - we are signing up for their Summer Reading Program!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Even Monkey Man (3 yrs) gets to participate and they have some great prizes.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Then I'm thinking a picnic and splash pad fun.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Who knows what the rest of our summer break has in store?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I'm sure some days we'll rely on our </span><a href="http://fortheluvofboys.blogspot.com/2011/05/summer-fun-ideas-tutorial.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Summer Bucket List</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> to help us survive!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">What fun things do you and your kids have planned?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Any awesome vacations coming up??</span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/129/59AF88D9DBE5D2D5ED4433B2ABFA48BD.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-color: initial !important; border-left-width: 0px !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; border-style: initial !important; border-top-width: 0px !important;" /></a>Ambrosiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18097714211741355342noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7418242896908007008.post-8399909563728289792011-05-11T09:18:00.000-05:002011-05-11T09:18:36.937-05:00Mostly Wordless Wednesday<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">These are some pics from the 1st Astros game we went to. The 1st professional baseball game for my hubby and boys! Very exciting!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Before the game, they got to walk around the field - these are my guys on the BIG screen.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju9AXPdX1EXNW_htiDknNjhTZDFVKNGI0-nl6SqGr0igN4TDgIGOtfZD55eZ-ZKUeZNBHJQclUI8_h9zmllaLHMrJrm0RM1LV0syz211bMrbKJ4BMHyN0dEdqj6QG5cA70ud_SmjeSjqI/s1600/DSC01082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju9AXPdX1EXNW_htiDknNjhTZDFVKNGI0-nl6SqGr0igN4TDgIGOtfZD55eZ-ZKUeZNBHJQclUI8_h9zmllaLHMrJrm0RM1LV0syz211bMrbKJ4BMHyN0dEdqj6QG5cA70ud_SmjeSjqI/s640/DSC01082.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgePT6da-ZFgc68vNCFq23bB8U3nckDwrz3b3l9fY_3DDfBH05Nb-2XfJnvsybuKoxUJpFqTG9YKOVYC3rQAn-3_ZUUiz19ULdcyv3jtgiVBMwi3n8c2YvwEzJnYChGLlzaxE-Xdx9ma2E/s1600/DSC01069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="488" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgePT6da-ZFgc68vNCFq23bB8U3nckDwrz3b3l9fY_3DDfBH05Nb-2XfJnvsybuKoxUJpFqTG9YKOVYC3rQAn-3_ZUUiz19ULdcyv3jtgiVBMwi3n8c2YvwEzJnYChGLlzaxE-Xdx9ma2E/s640/DSC01069.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The Chief:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhftujb_8CuunJQWo8TiZZEwtlAa-Eg39v7VduApjxkXU6ieAvKfMjKHVKScK5yPo-xHOg846W_5HPtomuMjxlT5_rOBd4K9QDzzjPVDLoJddW5w08f4f9KjVRJtlZvFSLgnuYL-pKCApM/s1600/DSC01116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhftujb_8CuunJQWo8TiZZEwtlAa-Eg39v7VduApjxkXU6ieAvKfMjKHVKScK5yPo-xHOg846W_5HPtomuMjxlT5_rOBd4K9QDzzjPVDLoJddW5w08f4f9KjVRJtlZvFSLgnuYL-pKCApM/s640/DSC01116.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Con-Man:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfpYlhFO6hpNRjHXbavydUwdk3xo84EsqnAtFUzek6ozzadC6eb5ha4Xf6swted7TwWC4rYajx5cVslM3X0ALZbynGv81aCyWuR8aYDTe54DZUoC1bHaq-6g25huRMtbMxoJBdQElRJAg/s1600/DSC01118.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="496" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfpYlhFO6hpNRjHXbavydUwdk3xo84EsqnAtFUzek6ozzadC6eb5ha4Xf6swted7TwWC4rYajx5cVslM3X0ALZbynGv81aCyWuR8aYDTe54DZUoC1bHaq-6g25huRMtbMxoJBdQElRJAg/s640/DSC01118.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Con-Man getting an autograph:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3bGNFBIdsvM1fLw39gIsVKtOmUQf4LU7_plLMHzqYa7wL3EHI4novFpduaCkGuz7HBsRTSdMjQRdt3JLWWsrpERnq6nmGZMeujvtjjTGEoSJY6jQE9-kYMOlPAl91DOtdZxahdt7dz28/s1600/DSC01131.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3bGNFBIdsvM1fLw39gIsVKtOmUQf4LU7_plLMHzqYa7wL3EHI4novFpduaCkGuz7HBsRTSdMjQRdt3JLWWsrpERnq6nmGZMeujvtjjTGEoSJY6jQE9-kYMOlPAl91DOtdZxahdt7dz28/s640/DSC01131.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Players doing stretches - one of them is pretty silly looking:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS5qT9AgstDHBaD86eunCj4MZ3Er_skKs6MBwlzP2yPf9rVzWjzLNi7kcjoX9dSKQMHqDcmuJDlRUGquD7g720Zv_e2i7VERyrmdGYFhtQ6C-Ds-fQZSeBHpsMWrx8Vs7Z0beBk260VdY/s1600/DSC01111.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS5qT9AgstDHBaD86eunCj4MZ3Er_skKs6MBwlzP2yPf9rVzWjzLNi7kcjoX9dSKQMHqDcmuJDlRUGquD7g720Zv_e2i7VERyrmdGYFhtQ6C-Ds-fQZSeBHpsMWrx8Vs7Z0beBk260VdY/s640/DSC01111.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">As far as favorite activities to do with boys, taking them to a professional sporting event ranks really high for our family! They've since been to one more game, with just Dad and had a blast. I can't wait to take them to hockey, basketball and football games!</span></div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/129/59AF88D9DBE5D2D5ED4433B2ABFA48BD.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Ambrosiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18097714211741355342noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7418242896908007008.post-60987098733579418622011-05-09T09:58:00.004-05:002011-06-15T10:28:24.143-05:00Summer Bucket List - Tutorial<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Can you believe how quickly this school year has flown by?!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">My boys have less than a month before their summer break begins.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">That gives me heartburn. Just a little.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">How on earth can I keep them occupied and not fighting?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Not tearing up the house?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Not driving me to the brink of insanity?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Part of the answer is routine - my kids thrive on routine.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">They get it at school and they do awesome!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">But summer comes & we let all routines fly out the window.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Not this year.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I learned the hard way last year.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The kiddos are going to wake up at a decent hour, get chores done and eat at normal times.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The rest, though, will be free time!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Do your kids get bored with too much free time?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Mine sure do!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I decided to revamp </span><a href="http://fortheluvofboys.blogspot.com/2010/12/dinner-time-conversations.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">an idea</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> I shared back in December.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I'm making a Summer Fun Idea bucket.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">{Would have been a jar, but I'm fresh out.}</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">In case you want to make one, too, here are the instructions:</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr06qRbjj-LBOADPqTmx7KLOyFfQDCvfW2eOPoB604Oei-jCjtEDk9av5qG76b2XP191-fe27KSzV2vyTo7cAajUb5qJt9w-ohCdDxkZNZIkIwSjlaKlgOf0GLkFB3GxqSPRMdhWrNzrw/s1600/DSC01194.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr06qRbjj-LBOADPqTmx7KLOyFfQDCvfW2eOPoB604Oei-jCjtEDk9av5qG76b2XP191-fe27KSzV2vyTo7cAajUb5qJt9w-ohCdDxkZNZIkIwSjlaKlgOf0GLkFB3GxqSPRMdhWrNzrw/s640/DSC01194.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">What you'll need:</span></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr8AdlmbiS8uuO3KSC8WM_oH1XtZ7ilHQGtmTxfQsdCsYlyL7N7BlpZmOpvAeWWRwc4Su1J0aygNGKq5jdV4Yc6jf7BwoBKDDMyrR4VMrSicCN631LNfeqOfQLQuTCF7RFJ5qWZPWERaw/s1600/DSC01188.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr8AdlmbiS8uuO3KSC8WM_oH1XtZ7ilHQGtmTxfQsdCsYlyL7N7BlpZmOpvAeWWRwc4Su1J0aygNGKq5jdV4Yc6jf7BwoBKDDMyrR4VMrSicCN631LNfeqOfQLQuTCF7RFJ5qWZPWERaw/s640/DSC01188.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Jar or bucket</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">List of </span><a href="https://spreadsheets.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?hl=en&hl=en&key=tBVHLqepk57jt-hBeEIO3Gw&authkey=CJ-UgtEE#gid=0"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">activities</span></a><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Summery scrapbook paper {for tag}</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Twine or ribbon {for tag}</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Scissors or paper cutter to cut list into strips</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Instructions:</span></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkMdroVz8IDfHX82PAkuqNL3KUt8EAmb98sc_J8Mv2L_gNmTEsHD_xOR_912EfpXK4fVBcj6oCsYj5B3gKdA9N9xje1FY2jb3RCM84InZA3waR98dEA_RL2QCzTv9UhLe3mc1S_2-9xzI/s1600/bucket+instructions.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkMdroVz8IDfHX82PAkuqNL3KUt8EAmb98sc_J8Mv2L_gNmTEsHD_xOR_912EfpXK4fVBcj6oCsYj5B3gKdA9N9xje1FY2jb3RCM84InZA3waR98dEA_RL2QCzTv9UhLe3mc1S_2-9xzI/s640/bucket+instructions.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><b><br />
</b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">1 Cut list of </span><a href="https://spreadsheets.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?hl=en&hl=en&key=tBVHLqepk57jt-hBeEIO3Gw&authkey=CJ-UgtEE#gid=0"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">activities</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> to same width</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">2 Cut into strips {there are lines to make this super easy}</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">3 Fold up or roll each strip</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">4 Throw in bucket</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">5 {Not shown} Make cute tag for your bucket/jar</span><br />
*<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">I know this is so simple that you probably didn't need instructions, but I did them just in case, you know?</span>*<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Whenever my boys get bored this summer, they can take turns drawing a slip of paper out.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I plan to do all the activities as a family and hopefully beat the boredom blues.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Who knows, maybe you'll see some of our fun in action this summer!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Get your list of activities </span><a href="https://spreadsheets.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?hl=en&hl=en&key=tBVHLqepk57jt-hBeEIO3Gw&authkey=CJ-UgtEE#gid=0"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">here</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> - change, add and omit as you see fit for your family!</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/129/59AF88D9DBE5D2D5ED4433B2ABFA48BD.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-color: initial !important; border-left-width: 0px !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; border-style: initial !important; border-top-width: 0px !important;" /></a><br />
<br />
I'm linking up here:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://craftomaniac.blogspot.com/"><img src="http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f136/butterflygirlms/Request/CraftomaniacMondayButton.png" /></a> <a href="http://tearosehome.blogspot.com/"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462799092490427250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj70bCvw6dZRVg99jDESJ6r65ZewDzOQhhFnm1HzsYhorjnRacjYenT49NbxnjCpDcV97s0Py2nPm-ec7AEoU0CwCTadPmEBCdQ8-94qt92vdU853PIBTmZP4xfd3shBja6jnI4WuEVvXg/s200/GrabButtonLinkParty.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; height: 160px; width: 126px;" /></a> <a border="0" href="http://tatertotsandjello.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://hadfield.smugmug.com/photos/978446890_7b2ZN-O.png" /></a>Ambrosiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18097714211741355342noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7418242896908007008.post-88417267279374151662011-05-06T10:35:00.000-05:002011-05-06T10:35:27.943-05:00Friday Funny - Monkey Man<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">So I suppose I should start this post off with an announcement. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">A really BIG announcement.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Turns out having three wonderful boys in our lives is just NOT enough.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">We are expecting another baby in November!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The whole family is SUPER excited - it's all we talk about.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Though I'll try to spare you guys here. :)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Monkey Man has been sleeping in our room since we moved (late last summer.)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">He has his own bed in there, but still!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">He says he's going to be scared of the dark when he moves upstairs.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I explained yesterday that he'll have to move soon because when the baby comes, s/he will sleep in my room.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">He said ok, and seemed fine with it.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Last night he fell asleep upstairs in his bed while he was playing.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I left him there, hopeful he'd stay all night. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">And see that it's not so scary after all.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">2:30am, he comes running into my room searching everywhere.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">He said, "Mama, where is the baby?!"</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I told him in my tummy and he got the biggest frown.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">He asked, "Well, then why was I asleep upstairs?"</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">That poor little guy was so excited, thinking the baby had come!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">He's going to make a great big brother this fall.</span><br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/129/59AF88D9DBE5D2D5ED4433B2ABFA48BD.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Ambrosiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18097714211741355342noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7418242896908007008.post-64413451104931636092011-04-29T09:07:00.000-05:002011-04-29T09:07:01.721-05:00Always full of surprises!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Boys, well kids in general, are always full of surprises. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Sometimes good, sometimes not.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">This week has been a bit challenging for us - state testing at school meant no baseball.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">No baseball means no after school activities. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">No after school activities means time for fighting.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">And whining.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">And talking back.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">And grounding.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The surprising part - the next morning usually starts off fresh, with good attitudes!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">My older boys both have substitutes for the rest of the year.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">One teacher is having major medical problems, the other had a baby.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The Chief is adjusting just fine.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Con-Man was hating school and never wanted to go back.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Surprisingly, my advice to him worked. (Surprising to HIM, maybe but mama is always right!)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">So now I've got two happy kiddos at school.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Monkey-Man has started taunting. This only surprises me because he's so little! lol</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">He sings this to his big brother:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">"Bubba and Bwooklin, sittin in a twee. K-M-P-L-M-N-O-P"</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Love it!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">My biggest surprises this week came from The Chief.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">One morning I heard him in the laundry room & asked what he was doing.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">"Just starting a load of laundry, mom!" </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">WHAT?!?! </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">And last night, he asked me if he could do the dishes for me.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Who is this kid? </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I think I'll keep him!</span><br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/129/59AF88D9DBE5D2D5ED4433B2ABFA48BD.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Ambrosiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18097714211741355342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7418242896908007008.post-53683331029148669272011-04-25T10:42:00.000-05:002011-04-25T10:42:12.741-05:0030!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKFIH_rKbCPp7P1lYlDJnncJ7YzST9iqbAWigCjDS-HPww0rl9Xp6OHmbJVi68OgGTTRqNpeqApeKnAZoHm65DGKGyGFc4s7nii-hkcacS1LIPvRtQ3u15Un4rHdoc31Hc3XUhyphenhyphenR2zl-wS/s1600/30+collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKFIH_rKbCPp7P1lYlDJnncJ7YzST9iqbAWigCjDS-HPww0rl9Xp6OHmbJVi68OgGTTRqNpeqApeKnAZoHm65DGKGyGFc4s7nii-hkcacS1LIPvRtQ3u15Un4rHdoc31Hc3XUhyphenhyphenR2zl-wS/s400/30+collage.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Wow, no matter how I look at it, I can't deny I'm turning 30 today!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">For the last few months, I've been trying to figure out how 30 would feel - </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I've even cried a few times. Silly, right?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">But it's hard admitting sometimes that I'm an adult.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I'd rather play and have fun all day like a kid.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">So in honor of turning 30 years old today, here is a list of 30 fun things I plan to do to keep myself young!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">30 run through the sprinklers with my boys</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">29 play hookie from household duties & go shopping</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">28 blow bubbles</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">27 swing with the kids</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">26 go feed the ducks</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">25 boogie board at the beach</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">24 go out for ice cream</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">23 have birthday cake for breakfast</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">22 play dress up</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">21 plan a fun game night</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">20 watch Disney classic movies with my kids</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">19 draw with chalk on the sidewalk</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">18 pack a sack lunch to eat at the park</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">17 color in a coloring book</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">16 dance</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">15 play hop scotch</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">14 visit with an old friend</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">13 wear ruffles</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">12 finger paint</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">11 stay up late</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">10 eat junk food</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">9 sleep in</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">8 go swimming without worrying how I look</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">7 do a cannon ball</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">6 eat pizza & brownies on the same night</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">5 play games at Chuck E Cheese</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">4 read my favorite childhood books</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">3 let me kids choose the menu one week</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">2 cook with my boys</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">1 PLAY</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
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</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/129/59AF88D9DBE5D2D5ED4433B2ABFA48BD.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-color: initial !important; border-left-width: 0px !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; border-style: initial !important; border-top-width: 0px !important; cursor: move;" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">I'm posting this on both of my blogs today! Let's celebrate!</span></div>Ambrosiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18097714211741355342noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7418242896908007008.post-36263246862281369502011-04-21T08:29:00.000-05:002011-04-21T08:29:00.960-05:00The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly {3 year old boys}<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">The Good:</span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">He can dress himself</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">The Ugly:</span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It sometimes looks like this:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzVncZSkp5gDreRFsV67royfpw7jABCYEtR-C5qGyW5OpBtb1qDNahTfWIXTQBrnB-h7mwnOBpMWy3-oBGF_qin4fl_qyWKYDHnPR6-OUIxVq8-sy6he_pLWIJi_Ud3gKfYWfpq9x_oX4/s1600/IMG_0515.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzVncZSkp5gDreRFsV67royfpw7jABCYEtR-C5qGyW5OpBtb1qDNahTfWIXTQBrnB-h7mwnOBpMWy3-oBGF_qin4fl_qyWKYDHnPR6-OUIxVq8-sy6he_pLWIJi_Ud3gKfYWfpq9x_oX4/s400/IMG_0515.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c;">The Good:</span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">He's figured out how to defend himself against big brothers</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c;">The Bad:</span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It usually involves biting, which this week turned into a doctor's visit and an ER trip</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">The Good:</span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">He can tell me what hurts and how bad</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">The Bad:</span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I still can't always make it go away</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">The Good:</span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">He's mama's shopping companion</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">The Ugly:</span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The receipt total - he helps me impulse buy</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUROQLYumJjsS5TZyZ1qQt84Rs8fIoYPPXvtlG89iN3cUhuc9ByE10xpVcylKw1y4Rsgv84KFi9uko6H4T9a1exCdz4YQLAeDYRPqT7QDoF2TdNHhNQfh46o6Sq7qeeA20UnqLeq3Opro/s1600/full-shopping-cart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUROQLYumJjsS5TZyZ1qQt84Rs8fIoYPPXvtlG89iN3cUhuc9ByE10xpVcylKw1y4Rsgv84KFi9uko6H4T9a1exCdz4YQLAeDYRPqT7QDoF2TdNHhNQfh46o6Sq7qeeA20UnqLeq3Opro/s400/full-shopping-cart.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Picture from <a href="http://www.asmnewsroom.com/2010/06/prices-up-in-monthly-market-basket-study/">here</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c;">The Bad:</span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">He still has occasional nighttime accidents</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c;">The Good:</span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">After cleanup, he can climb in bed with me to cuddle</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">The Good:</span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">This age doesn't last forever</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">The Bad:</span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">This age doesn't last forever</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ6i3l381iOY9JLs_hum8hq0_rp2b6szmvn3Ng0A6Gkk2vMix-0CwajRbOfMzUSZHki4ZlSDPVsh11QtCYbAoKn3vgoOgnyjgYPO4LOvqiIAT8TCCeFp-S552MNVcx0ofvTmC165oj4UM/s1600/DSC00601.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ6i3l381iOY9JLs_hum8hq0_rp2b6szmvn3Ng0A6Gkk2vMix-0CwajRbOfMzUSZHki4ZlSDPVsh11QtCYbAoKn3vgoOgnyjgYPO4LOvqiIAT8TCCeFp-S552MNVcx0ofvTmC165oj4UM/s640/DSC00601.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/129/59AF88D9DBE5D2D5ED4433B2ABFA48BD.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Ambrosiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18097714211741355342noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7418242896908007008.post-81724018901617630012011-04-13T10:16:00.000-05:002011-04-13T10:16:11.651-05:00Wordless Wednesday - Grandma<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3iqxwUvXRnwix1CFlluhRApHq9oiHC-y8_dzPBcj7JekHFwIKg6tuTTt1o16n2fxnoROeS__gnhbZRCKSN0J2xmN9ng88ZlXFYKCmo_SufZJohI90jNM-EYmLsREFx2ukNP2JcDUkyy0/s1600/Grandma+Mahan+1946+-+17+yrs+old.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3iqxwUvXRnwix1CFlluhRApHq9oiHC-y8_dzPBcj7JekHFwIKg6tuTTt1o16n2fxnoROeS__gnhbZRCKSN0J2xmN9ng88ZlXFYKCmo_SufZJohI90jNM-EYmLsREFx2ukNP2JcDUkyy0/s400/Grandma+Mahan+1946+-+17+yrs+old.jpg" width="318" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">1946</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7f8Xc9R9F_00lRCJtx3eG3vBNVTUSM36Z7RNoMq4tebrBdd_l888inepKm4i7fmLd7sRle_VLS-yfxkmIAbnzBNrqyxt0Mb_GJv0rp-0z_zMiIPSOd_XSGUsXkkS97vMww9cYnsB0Q4Y/s1600/Grandma%252C+Grandpa%252C+Kay+and+Chris+1960.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7f8Xc9R9F_00lRCJtx3eG3vBNVTUSM36Z7RNoMq4tebrBdd_l888inepKm4i7fmLd7sRle_VLS-yfxkmIAbnzBNrqyxt0Mb_GJv0rp-0z_zMiIPSOd_XSGUsXkkS97vMww9cYnsB0Q4Y/s400/Grandma%252C+Grandpa%252C+Kay+and+Chris+1960.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">1960</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjusx0ekui4ZO8EUVYhcHDelnSMx9PTk-u_-OL3IxId0qNSDMqnqufzoQfnrmXQLp7HZ2CL4JJxP4RclIeAEQCtLIH92FcxSJuMI3RfyPvshpd9Q1v0fDjtdpC2SjoiO6PaSI8D5sa7TTM/s1600/rescan+2007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjusx0ekui4ZO8EUVYhcHDelnSMx9PTk-u_-OL3IxId0qNSDMqnqufzoQfnrmXQLp7HZ2CL4JJxP4RclIeAEQCtLIH92FcxSJuMI3RfyPvshpd9Q1v0fDjtdpC2SjoiO6PaSI8D5sa7TTM/s400/rescan+2007.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">2007</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Love you, Grandma.</div><br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/129/59AF88D9DBE5D2D5ED4433B2ABFA48BD.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-color: initial !important; border-left-width: 0px !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; border-style: initial !important; border-top-width: 0px !important;" /></a>Ambrosiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18097714211741355342noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7418242896908007008.post-25784462070856349492011-04-11T10:51:00.000-05:002011-04-11T10:51:37.161-05:00Saying Goodbye<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">My close friends and family know that this week is going to be a hard one for me. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I received a phone call at 3am Saturday morning from my dad. Of course 3am phone calls are never good. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">My grandma had just passed away. I'm heartbroken. I know that I'm very lucky to have had so much time with her, and I'm thankful for that. But it will never be enough time.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Reading her obituary, I think people can just get a glimpse into the kind of woman she was.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Born May 19, 1929 in Canton, OH. Loving wife, mother, and grandmother who loved her dogs and was an avid nature lover, spending much time planning and growing beautiful flower gardens. All who knew her will affectionately and lovingly remember her. Married for 49 years. Mother to three daughters and four sons, 18 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPeAqSgeme0_EXd5ciO4lxffrAZmRNXsDjLn0NORpZPgWQAtI_q_3xb2a6fV5XN_ED04dGCErLshBfcCFWIvW0STESV9yiIS-k1sah83jC2rApBqttt1MePlWN-B6vYA0nPENh7FQHChI/s1600/Easter+Eggs+with+Grandma+Mahan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPeAqSgeme0_EXd5ciO4lxffrAZmRNXsDjLn0NORpZPgWQAtI_q_3xb2a6fV5XN_ED04dGCErLshBfcCFWIvW0STESV9yiIS-k1sah83jC2rApBqttt1MePlWN-B6vYA0nPENh7FQHChI/s400/Easter+Eggs+with+Grandma+Mahan.jpg" width="375" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">What you can't see is how kind and loving she was. That she could always make me feel better with just a positive word or a hug. When I'd come to visit, she made sure that we were more than comfortable - that we felt special! Those 7 children she raised are all kind, good people with big hearts. I've honestly never seen such a close-knit family. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvQZZio_qyZNs6le_nNv-8JnPhGmFgAzkt5qN8qQK8cRa9fprHpmb646Oe2mcwjIMbQc70xTGWq9XLsNKJAKqNoIFcClsy8vf_e9H7ABoWvQ4K7xfKzlpPgONeEbUnxsggHiYg7fwhKSs/s1600/Grandma+%2526+Grandpa+Mahan+-+Ambrosia%2527s+Graduation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvQZZio_qyZNs6le_nNv-8JnPhGmFgAzkt5qN8qQK8cRa9fprHpmb646Oe2mcwjIMbQc70xTGWq9XLsNKJAKqNoIFcClsy8vf_e9H7ABoWvQ4K7xfKzlpPgONeEbUnxsggHiYg7fwhKSs/s400/Grandma+%2526+Grandpa+Mahan+-+Ambrosia%2527s+Graduation.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I strive every day to be the kind of mother she was - to raise my kids with the kind of love she must have. I would love nothing more than for people to someday say that I remind them of my grandma. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVegdWIniGz_MEIM74-rVs-xMjhWhmg5a4MKp1FftRngGOPaXjfbVZaz1oKzvUD8YH8M3KMJMkhPQea9MVYcchD-ejvPBNcqmo_mAEu84Z3OWNEXzwZskUuEIDXaPGLcruc6ASzgx0ook/s1600/rescan+2007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVegdWIniGz_MEIM74-rVs-xMjhWhmg5a4MKp1FftRngGOPaXjfbVZaz1oKzvUD8YH8M3KMJMkhPQea9MVYcchD-ejvPBNcqmo_mAEu84Z3OWNEXzwZskUuEIDXaPGLcruc6ASzgx0ook/s400/rescan+2007.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Goodbye, Grandma. I'll see you soon.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/129/59AF88D9DBE5D2D5ED4433B2ABFA48BD.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-color: initial !important; border-left-width: 0px !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; border-style: initial !important; border-top-width: 0px !important;" /></a>Ambrosiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18097714211741355342noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7418242896908007008.post-57889475387407862862011-04-08T08:54:00.000-05:002011-04-08T08:54:21.692-05:00The Grass Ain't Greener<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">This morning was rough. Very rough. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I woke up WAY too early from tons of bad dreams. My coffee tasted absolutely nasty. Microwave died. The Chief lost his baseball jersey that he needs for tonight - and was being a total turd about finding it. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Con-Man tried to just wear the same clothes from yesterday and threw a tantrum most 2 year olds couldn't match. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">And two (I won't name names) of my boys peed the bed last night. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">NOT a good morning. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I lectured them all - about disrespect, responsibility, cleaning their rooms, etc. I hate lecturing. What I hate the most is that it doesn't work and I sound like a broken record.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I see other kids behaving and taking care of their things - maybe the grass IS greener. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I always wonder what it will take to get things through to my boys. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Then I started thinking...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Lately we've been working hard around our yard. Apparently, the lawn was pretty well neglected when we bought our house. We have de-thatched twice, applied fertilizer and weed treatments, water often, and have reseeded heavily. All this work, and I still don't see a difference. Except bare spots! UGH</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju5Po0cEHQzj7HJHan-jTiBDKC88sdphqkj6lkCY8TvE9wDS8rIT_N0fvzc81y9WSIwg4valx33CDaEj-p-L1ydVHdnIhNkLQVjmkzPssgXBDw4fVFoYSIXQrH163uzop2vZhERb0L4No/s1600/DSC00985.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju5Po0cEHQzj7HJHan-jTiBDKC88sdphqkj6lkCY8TvE9wDS8rIT_N0fvzc81y9WSIwg4valx33CDaEj-p-L1ydVHdnIhNkLQVjmkzPssgXBDw4fVFoYSIXQrH163uzop2vZhERb0L4No/s640/DSC00985.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Ugly, right? And that's right in our front yard! But what can we do? Keep tending it, keep nurturing it, and keep hoping it'll all come out right.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">And it does - see what I found when I looked a little more closely this morning:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDxvBVwiZ7GSBtXF42Us2IZY1A_x5HjGLTYGpKP69tIrqn-cuq08oi8kM1Kkeo7UiEmjWPUS8n-yUiSYwGFn1nGD4IiEC5WRSTkyFYN-JeenWL0WnlkslilrxJXBTo6dDV2_-9UjZxiQg/s1600/DSC00988.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDxvBVwiZ7GSBtXF42Us2IZY1A_x5HjGLTYGpKP69tIrqn-cuq08oi8kM1Kkeo7UiEmjWPUS8n-yUiSYwGFn1nGD4IiEC5WRSTkyFYN-JeenWL0WnlkslilrxJXBTo6dDV2_-9UjZxiQg/s640/DSC00988.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Sweet, new, green baby grass. Doing exactly what it's supposed to be doing. Growing in strong.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">So what will I do with my babies today? Keep tending, keep nurturing, and keep praying that it all turns out the way it's supposed to.</span></div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/129/59AF88D9DBE5D2D5ED4433B2ABFA48BD.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-color: initial !important; border-left-width: 0px !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; border-style: initial !important; border-top-width: 0px !important;" /></a>Ambrosiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18097714211741355342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7418242896908007008.post-63601264931796966092011-04-05T08:45:00.000-05:002011-04-05T08:45:34.068-05:00Love Our Children - Stop Bullying<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I’m in a local playgroup. It’s a great group where the women all know that they can come together for support, advice, to share in good news and bad - not to mention bring our kids together to play and interact. Recently a friend came to the group with a heartbreaking problem. Her daughter is being picked on - bullied - at school. Other children are making fun of her because she is different than them. This mom wanted advice - what can she do to help her daughter, what can she do to ensure that her daughter comes to HER for support? While we all tried to help with what advice and support we could, it’s hard to know exactly how to handle bullies. </span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">One of my own children has been bullied at different times. In kindergarten, while riding the bus, he was taunted, hit, kicked, even bitten by a 4th grader. He didn’t even come to me and tell me until it got so bad that he was crying, bruised and had just had enough. He’s made fun of quite often by peers because he stutters, even by “friends.” He has an amazing personality and the biggest heart you could imagine. He always fights for the underdog and he sticks up for other kids that are being bullied - but he doesn’t know how to stick up for himself when it happens to him. </span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_2047632239"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://loveourchildrenusa.org/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="106" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0pXj-GsVi5Qk5y9Y4J7P9ssDGibYaMGnwg4i4OkAjp1vP-O5olNswjCcvooaU_UKo6lVocfQsBZA6DBeCTz-Eymm3tNZw9-N-xaFiFLD1RULwWTTOZ1uIxz4RP3yF_k3ztR9uICN1wPs/s400/header.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It was recently brought to my attention that April 2nd was National Love Our Children Day. While that day has passed, I think every day is a good one to focus on our children! </span><a href="http://www.loveourchildrenusa.org/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Love Our Children USA</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> is a national nonprofit group that focuses on the prevention of all forms of violence and neglect against children. They teach effective parenting solutions and create programs that empower positive changes in parenting and family attitudes. Love Our Children USA has an amazing website that gives information for parents as well as kids on how to deal with bullies and abuse. </span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It is so important to educate our kids while they are young! While it’s extremely heartbreaking to see our little ones be bullied, can you imagine how you’d feel if you found out YOUR child was the bully?! We have GOT to put an end to this. As parents, it is our job to foster a respect for others - no matter how different they may be. As a country, the US especially is such a melting pot, yet we thrive on pointing out someone else’s “weaknesses,” usually in an attempt to make ourselves feel better. How can we stop?</span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Here are a few sites that I think can help. </span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><a href="http://www.loveourchildrenusa.org/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Love Our Children USA</span></a></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><a href="http://www.stompoutbullying.org/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Stomp Out Bullying</span></a></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><a href="http://www.loveourchildrenusa.org/stopschoolviolence.php"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Parenting Education to Stop Bullying</span></a></span></div>Ambrosiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18097714211741355342noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7418242896908007008.post-12064668142621284212011-03-31T11:15:00.000-05:002011-03-31T11:15:29.024-05:00Zoo Fun with Monkey Man<div style="text-align: center;">This week we took a little trip I've been wanting to take forever! To the Houston Zoo! I love going to the zoo, seeing the animals, teaching my boys about them. But since we moved here, we hadn't been to the local zoo. I think I might have been more excited than Monkey Man!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The day was gorgeous for it - overcast, not too hot, not too windy. Just nice! The really great thing about that is it means the animals come out and are more active. Here are a few highlights for Monkey Man, one of his playgroup friends, and I!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY3USXKUj58bDGctn_6FFfEdf3ILXCVQd-B-befj7laYXYKlPx1jAsb53qFnhFG0YifECMBqXdgnUFrTtfff0gNrzrmnVNqGu-grjKN-0tpAk76tiqgkdurn4xVFch5rwNTwgRmb7nQAI/s1600/DSC00977.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY3USXKUj58bDGctn_6FFfEdf3ILXCVQd-B-befj7laYXYKlPx1jAsb53qFnhFG0YifECMBqXdgnUFrTtfff0gNrzrmnVNqGu-grjKN-0tpAk76tiqgkdurn4xVFch5rwNTwgRmb7nQAI/s640/DSC00977.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Crawling through a tunnel inside an aquarium</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc_QKPw6rAkP0T575dg6UT8yeSrSXEZpKTcMW1tVh2wskHQtCmYkQKbSwtf-8TJ6TKjgKEpNSDuMpOAGt9lNOCPigE6u7OZyMdI3Ef6hl9X2vFifcLzno0fFwJWGJH88vPnrzXsv1qwNQ/s1600/DSC00826.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc_QKPw6rAkP0T575dg6UT8yeSrSXEZpKTcMW1tVh2wskHQtCmYkQKbSwtf-8TJ6TKjgKEpNSDuMpOAGt9lNOCPigE6u7OZyMdI3Ef6hl9X2vFifcLzno0fFwJWGJH88vPnrzXsv1qwNQ/s640/DSC00826.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Checkin out some birds as tall as they are</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghWC_c2ARVKBKlpNN_6-3FNU-qsWx1vzWt6F34SynROyHEvC4LDA-mCcDcp2IhufMGD_eqd_TVh1i3IxSQjPWVjRib2Rw0GD4HxPVTUV4IZuMks7z9Bcf8autGQ4SgPGnmocWpoIqlPu0/s1600/DSC00957.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghWC_c2ARVKBKlpNN_6-3FNU-qsWx1vzWt6F34SynROyHEvC4LDA-mCcDcp2IhufMGD_eqd_TVh1i3IxSQjPWVjRib2Rw0GD4HxPVTUV4IZuMks7z9Bcf8autGQ4SgPGnmocWpoIqlPu0/s640/DSC00957.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Fascinated by the meerkats</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi24t2m67nzZNYJjVL6YKf7DMRPihjrhNpoU7y5d2aN94yyPDbigX1bkBMY2l2PIiakKnUkwGNj9ZIjlvhj6gNGy2mkJjGfaFo0VexNiNnXZcKpOwSbVDj414zm3BP0GG-I-mhpXwh5a5s/s1600/DSC00840.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi24t2m67nzZNYJjVL6YKf7DMRPihjrhNpoU7y5d2aN94yyPDbigX1bkBMY2l2PIiakKnUkwGNj9ZIjlvhj6gNGy2mkJjGfaFo0VexNiNnXZcKpOwSbVDj414zm3BP0GG-I-mhpXwh5a5s/s640/DSC00840.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Mr Regal himself - right before he got frisky with his little woman </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM7Thp7kK6_pYqwoqfgq-cBXsdhmSaogpqSbCD44HEPDAEMw0n5K2XKxiVKFVKb79zq9WIeJ6ONbPEi_e1YzvufpfNwZyBw2zVnuM5SN8GZ7dxYw5BQzHWsY5Al8CRor48QQ7UW66w5m4/s1600/DSC00896.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM7Thp7kK6_pYqwoqfgq-cBXsdhmSaogpqSbCD44HEPDAEMw0n5K2XKxiVKFVKb79zq9WIeJ6ONbPEi_e1YzvufpfNwZyBw2zVnuM5SN8GZ7dxYw5BQzHWsY5Al8CRor48QQ7UW66w5m4/s640/DSC00896.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Loved this carousel </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsJ8FLbNmEOqWk9qJUZ6q7a1vgjUc1ucgzlqTEoYoj_Y5mfz84t7csP4G6lncZgWLCHN-7rb0LhTbSapj08qHPPi2UDwU9_L5w6qb6eaFszUpYbndjeUi7PMOatOR66BpNvDXwWgTsf-s/s1600/DSC00893.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsJ8FLbNmEOqWk9qJUZ6q7a1vgjUc1ucgzlqTEoYoj_Y5mfz84t7csP4G6lncZgWLCHN-7rb0LhTbSapj08qHPPi2UDwU9_L5w6qb6eaFszUpYbndjeUi7PMOatOR66BpNvDXwWgTsf-s/s640/DSC00893.jpg" width="430" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">One of us together </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFzIluDS8NPhUAUaklFufjGGd4EGGxjZ4nuQ4Ps9mofuBgjeEgAhfx54UDca7cFqi3E0pxeamqXo7lLF3QB9DHFpgKBUCK8VNvs42yR34gR8T0YG1YTf_nGCB8SawGDKN5VlcGEplV1Jo/s1600/DSC00920.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFzIluDS8NPhUAUaklFufjGGd4EGGxjZ4nuQ4Ps9mofuBgjeEgAhfx54UDca7cFqi3E0pxeamqXo7lLF3QB9DHFpgKBUCK8VNvs42yR34gR8T0YG1YTf_nGCB8SawGDKN5VlcGEplV1Jo/s640/DSC00920.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The ADORABLE baby elephants!!! I could have watched these two play for hours. So cute!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0rqurl4JhviiQFXaiMoPgd6uW6YM5Ihm1mJsth7JCTUAu3wLD1Vu2HMuUkD4a4qOeModDiuMmos58cxW94HqejYvvmCfAWQPoIr1nurGDFUj9osZhNknFvgy32eQhQtTxyWCEXH3_bU4/s1600/DSC00870.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0rqurl4JhviiQFXaiMoPgd6uW6YM5Ihm1mJsth7JCTUAu3wLD1Vu2HMuUkD4a4qOeModDiuMmos58cxW94HqejYvvmCfAWQPoIr1nurGDFUj9osZhNknFvgy32eQhQtTxyWCEXH3_bU4/s640/DSC00870.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Does this chimp remind you of anyone?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFKEjGAPfmj-qE08tYFfqpYlpDQmjthBWltfnCgG6DGoBTZpRWarKy2WoxGLXnVQV-hZNYk58yFEznmxBMiAzUIcLs4eGYD3dSpmXdD3DVL4Bl7RxouPqiECYbjtFgHEcDqCFQ6x_pfog/s1600/DSC00688.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFKEjGAPfmj-qE08tYFfqpYlpDQmjthBWltfnCgG6DGoBTZpRWarKy2WoxGLXnVQV-hZNYk58yFEznmxBMiAzUIcLs4eGYD3dSpmXdD3DVL4Bl7RxouPqiECYbjtFgHEcDqCFQ6x_pfog/s640/DSC00688.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Yep, I thought so, too!</div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span id="goog_167341960"></span><span id="goog_167341961"></span></div>Ambrosiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18097714211741355342noreply@blogger.com3