tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22575613225016879712024-03-14T08:03:32.916-06:00Busy Beesley'sSarah Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04204472251037779390noreply@blogger.comBlogger395125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2257561322501687971.post-30702932287963400622019-01-01T11:37:00.000-07:002019-01-01T11:37:02.324-07:00January Menu Plan!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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For the past few months, I've decided to tackle a whole month of menu planning at once. Some times I go through and organize my ingredients to buy into several lists: I'll compile everything that's non-perishable and/or can last all month into one list and do one massive shopping trip at the beginning of the month. I'll buy all my meats, canned goods, boxed pastas, etc, plus whatever fresh veg will last (like a bag of onions or potatoes will keep in the pantry for the full month) AND whatever fresh ingredients are needed for the current week. Then I create several more weekly lists with the fresh ingredients that are needed each week that I can't buy ahead and also fill it with my weekly staples (milk, coffee creamer, snacks for the kids, lunch items, breakfast things, etc) and do weekly smaller trips until the next month. While I'm excited our new house actually has a pantry, it's a pretty small one so doing the big monthly trip makes things tight in there at first. Usually I just shop week to week. If the apocalypse ever hit on a Saturday afternoon, we'd be fairly well screwed as my shopping day is Monday...<br />
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To make things easier for myself, I have theme days. These change sometimes but mostly they are:<br /><b>Meatless Monday</b> - whatever I make that day is vegetarian-like<br />
<b>Taco Tuesday</b> - Mexican inspired meals this day<br />
<b>Whatever Wednesday</b> - Asian and Italian usually rule this day<br />
<b>Sandwich Thursday</b> - like the name implies, our dinners on Thursday are some sort of sandwich (this used to be Thrifty Thursday and we'd eat leftovers)<br />
<b>Pizza Friday</b> - we do a family movie night every Friday and order a pizza. Starting January, we'll be making our pizza's as I've challenged the fam to NO EATING OUT (as best we can) for the month of January<br />
<b>Slow Cooker Saturday</b> - whatever can be made in the crock pot or Instant Pot wins this day<br />
<b>Leftover Sunday</b> - if there's leftovers, we'll eat them this day. It seems like there's <i>always</i> a day a week we miss making dinner, so we'll make it on Sunday instead. If nothing else, this is a forage the fridge/freezer day and see what we can make.<br />
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I used a couple of tools to menu plan. The biggest one I use is <a href="http://cozi.com/">Cozi</a>. This app (desktop and mobile) is free (although I have the premium version) and contains my life. It has all my recipes, my menu plan, my shopping lists, my calendar, my to do lists, etc. I love it because my husband uses the same log in and has access to everything as well. If either of us add an appointment, the other gets a notification that it's on there. Along with that, I like to write things out so I use a page from my Happy Planner to list out the month of food (above). Then I can tack this on the fridge and have a quick glance at it in the morning when I'm getting the fam ready for the day. I also try to plan out my sides (some times I do this for the month, sometimes I do it the week I go shopping for those foods). I usually try to have 3 things on the plate (I have NO idea why, I just do): the main dish, some sort of vegetable side, and something else (a fruit, another veggie, a carby/starchy thing).<br />
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Without further ado, here is the proposed January Menu (linked where applicable):<br />
M, Dec 31: <a href="http://www.thecurvycarrot.com/2010/12/07/black-bean-quesadillas/">Black Bean Quesadillas</a>, salad, Mexican rice<br />
T, Jan 1: Beef & Bean Burritos, salad, corn<br />
W, Jan 2: Chicken & Wine Sauce, salad<br />
T, Jan 3: <a href="https://www.skinnytaste.com/grilled-hawaiian-teriyaki-burger/">Hawaiian Teriyaki Burgers</a>, salad, baked beans<br />
F, Jan 4: pizza<br />
S, Jan 5: <a href="https://recipes.sparkpeople.com/recipe-detail.asp?recipe=593315">Beef & Barley soup</a>, biscuits<br />
S, Jan 6th: Leftovers<br />
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M, Jan 7th: Cheesy Broccoli Casserole, salad<br />
T, Jan 8th: <a href="https://weelicious.com/2011/02/23/chicken-tortilla-soup/">Tortilla Soup</a>, corn muffins<br />
W, Jan 9th: <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/slow-roasted-filet-of-beef-and-basil-parmesan-mayonnaise-recipe-1996812">Slow Roasted Filet of Beef</a>, brussels sprouts, salad<br />
T, Jan 10th: <a href="https://www.lilblueboo.com/2011/09/southern-style-vinegar-based-pork-bbq-slow-cooked.html">Southern Style Pulled Pork</a>, corn, salad<br />F, Jan 11th: pizza<br />
S, Jan 12th:<br />
S, Jan 13th: Leftovers<br />
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M, Jan 14th: Ravioli, french bread, Cesar salad kit<br />
T, Jan 15th: <a href="https://www.skinnytaste.com/chicken-fajitas-45-pts/">Fajitas</a>, salad, refried beans or Mexican rice<br />
W, Jan 16th: Honey Glazed Chicken Stir Fry, rice, steamed broccoli<br />
T, Jan 17th: Hoagies, chips, salad<br />
F, Jan 18th: Camping - menu TBD<br />
S, Jan 19th: Camping - menu TBD<br />
S, Jan 20th: Camping - menu TBD<br />
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M, Jan 21st: <a href="https://weelicious.com/2011/01/10/crock-pot-black-bean-soup/">Black Bean Soup</a>, corn muffins<br />
T, Jan 22nd: <a href="https://ourbestbites.com/taco-soup//">Taco Soup</a>, fruit salad<br />
W, Jan 23rd: Fettuccine Alfredo, steamed broccoli, bread<br />
T, Jan 24th: Grilled Cheeses, tomato soup<br />
F, Jan 25th: Pizza<br />
S, Jan 26th: <a href="http://lakelurecottagekitchen.com/2011/08/30/crock-pot-teriyaki-chicken/">Crock Pot Chicken Teriyaki</a>, rice, steamed broccoli/carrots<br />
S, Jan 27th: Leftovers<br />
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M, Jan 28th: <a href="https://www.melskitchencafe.com/cheesy-ricotta-stuffed-shells/">Stuffed Shells</a>, french bread, Cesar salad<br />
T, Jan 29th: <a href="https://www.skinnytaste.com/enchilada-chicken-roll-ups/">Enchilada Roll Ups</a>, salad, refried beans<br />
W, Jan 30th: <a href="https://www.skinnytaste.com/asian-edamame-fried-rice/">Asian Edamame Fried Rice</a>, potstickers, steamed broccoli<br />
T, Jan 31st: <a href="https://www.skinnytaste.com/crock-pot-kalua-pork/">Kalua Pork</a> (on a bun), coleslaw, salad<br />
F, Feb 1: Pizza<br />
S, Feb 2: <a href="https://www.skinnytaste.com/crock-pot-santa-fe-chicken-425-pts/">Santa Fe Rice & Beans</a>, rice, fruit salad<br />
S, Feb 3: Leftovers<br />
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How do you menu plan? <i>Do</i> you menu plan? Let me know what you're cooking this week (or month!). :)<br />
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xoxo,<br />
SarahSarah Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04204472251037779390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2257561322501687971.post-63732362153178548602019-01-01T10:19:00.003-07:002019-01-01T10:19:19.454-07:00Hello Again!Well hello since 2014! I was a little surprised that<br />
1) I remembered my blog address<br />
2) it's been FOUR YEARS since I last blogged!<br />
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Most of you who will bother to read this know what my life has been up to since then. For my own sense of posterity (and because I like the sounds of my fingers clacking on the keys), here's a sum up. In 2014, I stepped up and took over my local mom's group. We were a group of 6-800 (I think?) women from all backgrounds, in all stages of life. It was an exciting and tiring journey. I ran the group with a core of really amazing women for 2 years before passing on the reins.<br />
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Ben started kindergarten in 2015 (holy cow) and I became very involved in the PTO at school. I came off of running the mommy group and into the PTO board at his school. Through a series of very wild and bizarre circumstances, I ended up taking over leadership of the group when he started 1st grade. Again, what an exciting and tiring journey that was! I had a lot of fun learning more about his school, becoming friendly with the staff, and growing myself as I navigated a good sized non-profit. Matthew started kinder in 2017 with Ben's kinder teacher (which was so much fun!).<br />
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Goodness, 4 years is most of Matthew's life. A lot has changed! The biggest over all change is we no longer live in Idaho. In March of 2018 we came down to Florida for a family vacation, doing our second Disney Cruise. Watching the cousins play so amazingly and wanting to give our kiddos a taste of that family, we decided we'd just move here. Nick's job is so flexible, he can work anywhere there's access to internet and the airport. I don't work and had finished my term on the PTO so I didn't really have any obligations tying me to Idaho (other than my own family). We felt the boys were young enough that a move would be fairly easy at this age to adjust to. Quick bam boom, we had our house listed and sold by mid July and were in a new house in Florida just before the new school year started.<br />
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We said goodbye to our pets: Sadie passed, then Frenchie, and then Kitty got out and got lost and we never found him again. In the midst of all that, we added Goldie the Goldfish to our family and then adopted Jett the cat from the Humane Society. Shortly after we arrived in Florida, we accidentally killed the fish (he was the BEST traveler in our 4 day trip across the country!) when we filled his tank with nasty Florida water. We bought a new fish, Phasma the Goldfish and just recently adopted a puppy! Max the yellow lab / German shepard mix. Puppies are hard y'all.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2kE8jq8I1npMk-e9t2G8TgNQ5grZ7yFMltLnCbkpgENF7ujx6xoeGsidnb0TZOARjVsBsikltggA9DiVvbotDzExn_rIAgn5c3Yn2yHXm9aW-t02re2QTtjU5-6H4oDvFpmSXsnuKyz0H/s1600/952A5854.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2kE8jq8I1npMk-e9t2G8TgNQ5grZ7yFMltLnCbkpgENF7ujx6xoeGsidnb0TZOARjVsBsikltggA9DiVvbotDzExn_rIAgn5c3Yn2yHXm9aW-t02re2QTtjU5-6H4oDvFpmSXsnuKyz0H/s320/952A5854.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo Credit: <a href="https://www.emilysparksphotography.com/">Emily Sparks Photography</a></td></tr>
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Well, that's a thumbnail into the last 4 years. Maybe I'll keep this little blog of mine a little more current!Sarah Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04204472251037779390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2257561322501687971.post-77807549675404777462014-02-06T14:42:00.000-07:002014-02-06T14:42:36.154-07:00Lately...Life around here has been busy. Like, borderline too busy. A friend asked if I could watch her boys one night and the first night I have free to do it is 2 weeks from today. That's crazy.<br />
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The blog is falling by the wayside which completely bums me out. I'm not recording Matthew's life the way I had hoped. The little details that get forgotten over time. <br />
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In any case, here's what's happening at our house lately:<br />
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Matthew: is running, jumping, and raising hell where ever he can. He's so sassy and so full of life. He takes no crap from anyone and we're going through a physical restraint challenge - hello hair pulling... he has a ton of words and a ton of teeth and is cutting 4 more as I type. He's my cuddle bug and we have a lot of fun (when he isn't making me want to pull my hair out). Fantastic sleeper - a good 2 - 2.5 hour nap every day and a solid 12 hours at night. Bliss. He's a hit or miss eater but had recently begun to devour veggies which is such a nice change from picking every vegetable off the floor after meal time.<br />
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Ben: is going through a difficult phase. A limit testing "I hear what you're saying but..." phase. He knows his address and 911 and we're starting to teach him my phone number. He loves his school and his friends and to make jokes. He's a good helper when it's time to clean up. He loves to go to the library and is so proud of his little wallet and library card. He's eating like a horse and giving me legitimate nightmares for the teenage years. He needs fresh air and hardcore exercise every day or he's very very naughty. No one makes me laugh like my Benny. He starts soccer in the spring and we're super excited!<br />
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Nick: is working nonstop. That's not true, but that's what it feels like. And honestly, I wish there were more to add but that's pretty much all he does anymore. I'm trying to encourage him to get out there and have a social life but. What can ya do?</div>
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and then there's me: I took the opportunity to be president of my mommy & me group for 2014. I'm pretty excited. I love my mommy group more than I can express. It's helped me grow more as a person more than anything else (other than being a mom, that is). Being a stay at home mom to two little boys should be more than enough to keep anyone busy, but I've been doing a lot of stuff. I escape the chaos of being a mama often by going to the movies, going dancing, getting together & doing crafty things. I've also been bringing a little extra income to our family by doing some part time evening work once a quarter. The extra money is super nice and it's also really nice to feel valuable in a way that has nothing to do with being a mom. <br />
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The end. ;)Sarah Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04204472251037779390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2257561322501687971.post-33527636089326322802013-12-04T16:06:00.001-07:002013-12-04T17:04:29.270-07:0017 Months!Well, at least I'm remembering to do some Matthew updates every now and then ;)<br />
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Mostly I just want to record all his words. The last month, his vocabulary has really taken off. <br />
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At 17 months he:<br />
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<ul>
<li>can say: mama (but still doesn't call me mama), mommy, daddy, bubba, shoes, cat (followed by "meow"), kitty, dog, Sadie (shee dee), baby, duck, truck, car, up, uh oh, no, hot, ow, ouch, milk (guck), binkie (ginkie), wow, whoa, Jake (oh my...), ahoy (OH my...), go, wheee, please (pea), he asks "what's that?" and "where is it?"... and probably a few more I'm forgetting. He's parroting a lot now and will often repeat what you've said. </li>
<li>He used to shove his finger up his nose and said "ni" but he doesn't seem to want to do that anymore. He can point to head, ear, eye & mouth and knows where his belly button is (and enjoys poking it)</li>
<li>he LOVES to play. he makes the "bbbbbbbbppp" noise when pushing around cars. He loves to swing, slide & run. He takes particular joy in annoying his older brother every opportunity he can.</li>
<li>he's wearing 18-24 month clothes and a size 6 shoe. he detests his hat but likes his scarf and no longer head butts me when I put his coat on.</li>
<li>bath time remains a favorite as does teeth brushing. I scheduled his first dentist appointment for the spring, so we'll see how that goes. ;)</li>
<li>he loves to read and enjoys exploring the library as quick as he can. </li>
<li>he signs more, all done, milk, water & please & waves when you say "night night!" and blows kisses when it's time to leave</li>
<li>is very anti veggie. if you offer him veggies, he will refuse. he will inspect every bite on his fork before putting it in his mouth and if you manage to sneak a bite of veggies in with his regular bite, he'll spit it all out, pick through it and throw the veggies on the floor. He does like smoothies, though, so I make him one loaded with veggies at least once a week.</li>
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This little boy is no push over and has a sassy temper. We went out to eat the other night and he'd brought along two cars (one of each hand, you know) and was happily pushing them around the table and through the tunnel made by our order number sign while Nick & Ben got drinks, straws & napkins. Ben came to the table and asked if he could play with a car, so I said sure and handed him one. I think any one within a 5 mile radius heard the angry scream from Matthew (very long too and turned his whole face red). </div>
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These boys fight like demons and don't have very many heart warming tender moments. They play but it often feels a bit mean spirited on Ben's part (sure, Matthew laughs at first when Ben whacks him in the face with a pillow, but I know Ben and I know he isn't doing it to make Matthew laugh - he's doing it to see how long he can get away with it before I make him stop). Matthew gives as good as he gets and will not sit back and take it when Ben's mean. Hopefully these two grow to more friendly play and less competition for attention cuz this mama is exhausted with that game.</div>
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He's a sweet little cuddler and loves to be picked up and lay his head on your shoulder. His favorite songs are the ABC's and Twinkle Twinkle Little Star and is usually calmed very quickly by either singing the ABCs to him or counting softly to 5. He sleeps a solid 12 hours at night and generally does about 2 hours for nap during the nap. It's so lovely. I can usually get at least 1.5 hours of time to myself during the day as Ben's quiet time (not always napping) occurs at the same time as Matthew's nap. Heaven.</div>
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Sarah Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04204472251037779390noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2257561322501687971.post-80409408101131620572013-09-19T19:17:00.001-06:002013-09-19T19:17:28.251-06:00Matthew's 14 Months!Wow so I'm not even going to bother apologizing for my SERIOUS lack of blogging.<br />
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But I do feel terribly that I'm letting life zip by in super duper fast forward and I'm not nearly documenting Matthew's life in a way that I'll remember. Other than random Facebook posts. Sadly, he is completely a victim of 2nd child syndrome and over scheduled mama.<br />
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I love our crazy busy life.<br />
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Matthew's 14.5 months old at the time of this post. At this point in his life he is:<br />
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<li>WALKING!!</li>
<li>He has 6.5 teeth (one of his molars is half way through, the rest of them are slowing making their way up through the gums)</li>
<li>says a few words: cracker (which means anything food or milk), cat, dog, duck, daddy (which means Nick and various other things that he points to and says "daddy"), and uh oh. he refuses to say mama. </li>
<li>he only signs his version of "all done" - he won't seem to pick up more, please, milk or thank you. </li>
<li>he's wearing 12-18 month clothes and a size 5 shoe</li>
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He's a delightful baby. Truly. He loves to cuddle and is super sweet. And sassy. :) He screams a bloody murder scream when he wants something (typically food) or isn't getting his way. He slaps his legs when angry (a trick he learned from Ben) and he thinks when mommy says no to putting bark dust in his mouth, that means scoop it up faster and shove it in in large handfuls.</div>
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He loves to climb and slide at the park. He loves swinging and jumping. He loves annoying his brother. :) He does not love eating meals. He must inspect every bite before it goes in his mouth and if you attempt to hide a bite of veggies behind his bite of dinner, he'll spit the whole mouthful out, pick out the veggies and only eat the dinner. He likes to drink milk and have snacks (mainly: crackers, grapes, oranges, bananas, applesauce (or any smoothie style drink), yogurt, bread, etc). He thinks bath time is really great and wiggles a happy dance when you show him his toothbrush. He's not a fan of "no." </div>
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We're working on doing just one nap a day. For the past 2 days, I've put him down around noon and he's slept til after 2:00. It's really nice. He sleeps a solid 12 hours at night - ALL THROUGH THE NIGHT. No waking. It's HEAVEN. Ben still wakes up once or so a night several nights a week. Having a kiddo that gets that night time sleep is for SLEEPING is amazing. :)</div>
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He's still nursing, but at most 3 times a day. He nurses for around 3 minutes each time (some times much less and some times not at all - he'll either slap me away or sign all done) generally before each nap (but now we're down to one nap, so I guess he just nurses twice a day) and then again before bed. Very rarely will he express an interest in nursing any other time. This is all baby led and I'm happy with the pace he's setting. So pleased nursing was smoother waters this time around.</div>
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So that's it for Matthew at 14 months. I'm so very excited for Christmas this year! A 17 month old and a 4 year old - what a magical time it'll be at our home!!</div>
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Sarah Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04204472251037779390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2257561322501687971.post-38668406743590371762013-08-05T12:50:00.001-06:002013-08-05T12:51:31.141-06:00Kids Say...too long for a FB status & a memory I want to keep forever:<br />
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Yesterday evening at bed time, Ben & I had cuddles and a song and then I left the room while Nick & Ben had their cuddles & song (a nightly tradition). When Nick was done, he came out and said Ben was asking for more mommy cuddles, so I went back in and was cuddling/tickling Ben. He got a little crazy and kicked at me, which was my signal that silly time was done and it was bed time. Slightly annoyed at being nearly kicked in the face, I said "good night" rather curtly, covered him up with his blanket and left the room.<br />
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Cue the hysterics.<br />
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Cue the theatrical crying.<br />
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Several moments passed and his door opened and a sobbing Ben rushed into the living room and launched himself at Nick. <br />
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"What's going on, Ben?"<br />
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(in a hysterical, sobbing voice): "Mommy said good night!"<br />
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to which Nick tried to smother a laugh and said "oh my goodness! she said "good night"??? is that all??"<br />
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and Ben launched into a few more tears and blurted out "then she put the blanket on me!"<br />
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and Nick couldn't hold it back anymore "she said good night and tucked you in?? what a mean mommy!"<br />
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oh, that kid.<br />
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<br />Sarah Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04204472251037779390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2257561322501687971.post-53042187928883315012013-06-24T07:30:00.000-06:002013-06-24T07:30:00.692-06:00Menu Plan MondayMonday: <a href="http://www.skinnytaste.com/2013/05/grilled-hawaiian-teriyaki-burger.html">Grilled Hawaiian Teriyaki Burgers</a> with baked beans & sweet potato wedges<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<img alt="" border="0" class="pinnable" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfCzPnSbtB_btX4K45d7aL2-pUe5Ztjpf2r57TztI4IKmGDsLGDi9yl9A9QzCQOxpKCY60RMfeWIAXotaqaT6MrLsJHt9nrPZlhjFeTBBZx5A8S1DP6osKNVyeiPPiNbCPdwFTPVUufKg/s1600/grilled-lean-teriyaki-burger.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Grilled Hawaiian Teriyaki Burger" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo via <a href="http://www.skinnytaste.com/2013/05/grilled-hawaiian-teriyaki-burger.html">Skinny Taste</a></td></tr>
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Tuesday: Anniversary Dinner! Happy 8th anniversary to us! :)<br />
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Wednesday: <a href="http://www.ourbestbites.com/2009/04/bacon-wrapped-teriyaki-chicken-skewers/">Bacon-Wrapped Teriyaki Chicken Skewers</a> with rice pilaf & a green salad<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo via <a href="http://www.ourbestbites.com/2009/04/bacon-wrapped-teriyaki-chicken-skewers/">Our Best Bites</a></td></tr>
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Thursday: Stuffed Shells with green beans & garlic toast<br />
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Friday: Grilled Cheese Sandwiches with Tomato Soup<br />
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Saturday: <a href="http://lakelurecottagekitchen.com/2011/08/30/crock-pot-teriyaki-chicken/">Crock Pot Chicken Teriyaki</a> with white rice & steamed broccoli<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRhs3lael7JT7UuUJQZ3bHTQ90WXARwKUAzQTRRik47L6cY0tA_HwaMkt7YZ0BYWiWVVaMkLhQ8jwiM1TvfoE_xokTDQtlykmWxXWPSV3gYBY5F0R88HbhyphenhyphencUbEhfP-89FWixZ7qJk2xG7/s1600/Teriyaki+Chichen+Better.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRhs3lael7JT7UuUJQZ3bHTQ90WXARwKUAzQTRRik47L6cY0tA_HwaMkt7YZ0BYWiWVVaMkLhQ8jwiM1TvfoE_xokTDQtlykmWxXWPSV3gYBY5F0R88HbhyphenhyphencUbEhfP-89FWixZ7qJk2xG7/s640/Teriyaki+Chichen+Better.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo via <a href="http://lakelurecottagekitchen.com/2011/08/30/crock-pot-teriyaki-chicken/">Lake Lure Cottage Kitchen</a></td></tr>
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Sunday: Matthew's 1st Birthday Party!!!<br />
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WOW.<br />
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I honestly had no idea how many Teriyaki style dishes I'd planned for this week til I started typing them out. Apparently the family menu planner (moi) is craving teriyaki. Oh, somebody, PLEASE bring me some Oshio Teriyaki from Enumclaw? 'Scuse me, I gotta go wipe the drool off my chin now... ;)Sarah Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04204472251037779390noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2257561322501687971.post-78710263178425448572013-06-22T22:57:00.000-06:002013-06-22T23:00:13.149-06:00Busy Bag SwapI got together with some ladies in my mommy group and put together a busy bag swap. I think it was a great success and wanted to share what we did!<br />
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I looked around online for some general ideas on how to host one and these are the guidelines I came up with. I think if you're part of a large group, or just have a big network of friends, to limit the number of players in your swap. We did a quiet book page exchange last fall with over 20 people. It was way too much work. I limited ours to 10.<br />
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<b>What's a busy bag?</b><br />
A busy bag is a ziploc bag containing an activity for your child to enjoy either with you or on their own. It is a form of creative occupation. It may be educational or may not. These can be great for keeping little hands and bodies occupied at the restaurant, in church, on road trips, when you need 10 minutes to get dinner prepped... ;) There's endless ideas for a busy bag activity, Pinterest & Google will be your best source of inspiration.<br />
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<b>What's a busy bag swap? </b><br />
It's 10 mamas creating 10 busy bags of the same kind, compiling them all together, and each receiving 10 different busy bags for their kids.<br />
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The success of this swap depends on the success of each member. The end goal of 10 different activities for each kid is only possible so long as each mom creates 10 bags of the same activities.<br />
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The RSVP's were locked 3 weeks in advance. This ensured that everyone was given enough time to complete their bags. We also asked that plenty of notice was given if you needed to cancel (however, we understand emergencies do happen - if you weren't able to come on the meet up day, we can still arrange to swap your bags. Preferably this should be done prior to the swap day so that those attending the event can leave with the bags they're expecting.)<br />
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Each activity needs to fit within 1 gallon sized zip top bag, should be clearly labeled on the outside of the bag with the activity name and any instructions for completing the activity need to be included within. For simplicity let's keep all activities on the preschool (or easier) level. The goal is for the kids to be able to do the activity with minimal parental help.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLImn0pUZtbb4xRWFg0uguCdfnitDLSNAglKVTUA6KKBoCEHds6uCJhc5ToGGjz_orHybr5tBhSJZUC6sW0DcvHbNjVMGcvqB4OYTxM168wOVjIuuem4dgTa2wwujhQnyARQKAqnfra_e1/s1600/busy+bag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLImn0pUZtbb4xRWFg0uguCdfnitDLSNAglKVTUA6KKBoCEHds6uCJhc5ToGGjz_orHybr5tBhSJZUC6sW0DcvHbNjVMGcvqB4OYTxM168wOVjIuuem4dgTa2wwujhQnyARQKAqnfra_e1/s640/busy+bag.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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For my activity, I opted to do an <a href="http://busybagcentral.blogspot.com/2012/01/alphabet-match-up-busy-bag.html">alphabet match</a>. I created my board by cutting cardstock to 9x9 and drew a grid (spacing 1.75" on one side and 1.5" inches on the other, to make my grid 5x6 - bottom row just contains the Z) and wrote the letters in with Sharpie. Then I took a single sided DIY laminating sheet and laminated the front side. Inside each bag, I included a full set of magnet letters (purchased at Walmart for 97 cents each) and an index card with the following instructions:<br />
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<ul>
<li>Match the letters - either randomly or searching to put them in alphabetical order (for older kids)</li>
<li>By groups - by colors (all the yellow letters, then green, etc); by vowels; by consonants, etc</li>
<li>Spell simple words: childs name, 3 letter words like cat, dog, hit, zig, etc.</li>
</ul>
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For more fun, you can put the grid & letters on a cookie sheet - this will help the letters from sliding off the grid as they're placed.</div>
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Our exchange was a great success! Here are the bags I ended up with:</div>
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<ul>
<li><a href="http://formulamom.com/keeping-toddlers-busy-pom-poms-bottles-mom-made-easy/">Pom pom sorting into a spice jar:</a> sensory exploration for younger kids, task by color for older kids</li>
<li><a href="http://iheartsloppykisses.blogspot.com/2013/02/busy-bag-idea-popsicle-stick-puzzles.html">Popsicle stick puzzles</a>: arrange popsicle sticks to reveal the completed puzzle (numbered for smaller kids)</li>
<li><a href="http://babblin-brooke.com/2011/11/09/more-busy-bag-ideas/">Cardboard rubbings:</a> designs with hot glue on cardboard, used with a piece of paper & a crayon to create a scene on paper</li>
<li><a href="http://sproutshell.com/2012/05/30/activity-bags/">Felt Shapes:</a> cut outs provided with blank "canvas" felt sheet for children to create different pictures</li>
<li><a href="http://seevanessacraft.com/2012/12/30-busy-bag-swap-ideas-part-1/">color matching</a>: paint chips & clothes pins (match the colored clothes pin with the correct colored paint chip - chip divided in half with English & Spanish color names)</li>
<li><a href="http://www.motherhoodonadime.com/kids/16-busy-bag-ideas-for-a-busy-bag-swap/">bead stringing:</a> beads & pipe cleaners (sensory exploration & fine motor skill building for younger kids, match beads to correct pipe cleaner by color for older kids)</li>
<li><a href="http://www.musesofmegret.com/2008/08/14/preschooltoddler-activity-bags/">lacing cards</a>: craft foam cut into shapes with holes punched around the edges. this mama also included a lacing card of each child's first initial. </li>
<li>Mosaic tile board - shapes drawn onto card stock with corresponding craft foam shapes. use the shapes to create the puzzle on the board.</li>
<li>Stickers, pen & notebook: a super simple activity that has (so far) been my 3 year old's favorite. </li>
</ul>
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I've shown Ben 4 so far - mine when it was done, the lacing cards, the mosaic tile boards & the stickers with notebook. He did mine start to finish and was done with in 5 minutes. He said the mosaic puzzle was too hard and didn't want to play with it. He was super into the lacing cards, but had done a similar activity at preschool and so it didn't take him long to complete the task. He LOVED the stickers, pen & notebook. He sat right down and played with that for a good 15-20 minutes: choosing the stickers to go in his book, making pictures with his pen & crayons, etc.</div>
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Sarah Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04204472251037779390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2257561322501687971.post-91299184897824458292013-05-29T21:59:00.000-06:002013-05-29T21:59:16.290-06:00The Binkie: RevisitedJust about a month ago, I posted about how our family had a "<a href="http://idbeesley.blogspot.com/2013/04/the-binkie.html">dirty little secret</a>" regarding a certain preschool aged child and a pacifier.<br />
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Once the binkie was returned, the naps came back. Better sleep came back. Improved moods (for every one) came back.<br />
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Unfortunately, Ben's habit of chewing on his pacifier also came back. Last Wednesday or so, I discovered he'd nearly chewed through the pacifier nipple and it was barely hanging on. Sad faced, I told him I couldn't let him use it for bed time - if that piece came off while he was sleeping, it could choke & really hurt him. He was, obviously, upset. I ended up breaking the tip off and giving him the broken bink. He instantly stuck it in his mouth and tried to suck. No good. I told him he was welcome to keep it as long as he wanted. And he did. He kept it on his nightstand for a few days but didn't really need it.<br />
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Sleep was actually fine. I suggested he try sucking his thumb, if he needed to. He tried it a few times but wasn't super into it.<br />
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But then he was.<br />
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And now he often pops his thumb into his mouth when he's feeling sleepy or in need of some sort of comfort. The thumb goes in and the other hand reaches up to the top of his head to play with his hair.<br />
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I'm actually totally okay with this and don't plan to make a deal about it - EVER. I sucked my thumb way longer than I should have, and I think part of that was due to how much my family tried to get me to stop. The harder they tried, the harder I resisted. Thumb sucking is his deal. I don't have to provide it. I don't have to buy it or replace it. I don't have to look for it in the middle of the night. I don't have to look for it when it gets set someplace odd after waking. I don't have to set rules about when it can be used (and I won't). <br />
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And there's no jealousy over why Matthew gets one and can he have one of Matthew's?<br />
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I'll take it as a win.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHhpugpBFwbSqDIhT3xTKprh-Ve5WfXD1SbkXVsnoo9b3HvkKybiSfZWTgspUGlEHFQos2DUtfxCYBo4R8IE0ArJiP0Uu0mCgvJh2MysXdEMMNwpsB-iCY5hURhyphenhyphen0cFHTEaAjzGjIlDTUj/s1600/401889_10151522968514221_1618560106_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHhpugpBFwbSqDIhT3xTKprh-Ve5WfXD1SbkXVsnoo9b3HvkKybiSfZWTgspUGlEHFQos2DUtfxCYBo4R8IE0ArJiP0Uu0mCgvJh2MysXdEMMNwpsB-iCY5hURhyphenhyphen0cFHTEaAjzGjIlDTUj/s640/401889_10151522968514221_1618560106_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">terrible cell phone/Instagram pic</td></tr>
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<br />Sarah Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04204472251037779390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2257561322501687971.post-77872915411212498952013-05-23T07:54:00.003-06:002013-05-23T07:57:20.606-06:00Menu Plan Monday.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO4p5TF6l6-1A11Wj8gyutF8kDYXOL9NNM7uoiStJofkZB4Qs6V6k8e13h4tg9a_F0Kdp08aLBElLt9QSesUHbbdUCdUrezTvyD3oihebgnI9aoCojVwUegrbBAIfXJEmSOfZIrDYJ3yF4/s1600/mealplanmonday_v2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO4p5TF6l6-1A11Wj8gyutF8kDYXOL9NNM7uoiStJofkZB4Qs6V6k8e13h4tg9a_F0Kdp08aLBElLt9QSesUHbbdUCdUrezTvyD3oihebgnI9aoCojVwUegrbBAIfXJEmSOfZIrDYJ3yF4/s400/mealplanmonday_v2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://orgjunkie.com/2013/05/menu-plan-monday-may-2013.html">Menu Plan Monday at Org Junkie!</a></td></tr>
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Monday: <a href="http://weelicious.com/2012/04/04/crock-pot-mexican-corn-and-bean-soup/">Crock Pot Mexican Corn & Bean Soup</a> with corn bread<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-7249" height="375" src="http://weelicious.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Crock-Pot-Bean-and-Corn-Soup.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="500" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo via <a href="http://weelicious.com/2012/04/04/crock-pot-mexican-corn-and-bean-soup/">Weelicious</a></td></tr>
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This actually didn't turn out super tasty. We ended up getting something else to eat and this landed in my freezer. I plan to reheat this at some point and increase the number of spices. 1 tsp each of chili powder & cumin for the entire pot of soup was totally insufficient.<br />
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Tuesday: <a href="http://www.caramelpotatoes.com/2011/09/23/tortellini-skewers/">Tortellini Skewers</a>, garlic bread & salad</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-673" height="352" src="http://www.caramelpotatoes.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/close-up-tortellini-300x217.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="close up tortellini" width="487" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo via <a href="http://www.caramelpotatoes.com/2011/09/23/tortellini-skewers/">Caramel Potatoes</a></td></tr>
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I'd made these before to bring to bunco, but this time I just put everything in a big bowl and it was like a pasta salad.<br />
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Wednesday: <a href="http://www.skinnytaste.com/2011/08/chicken-rollatini-stuffed-with-zucchini.html">Chicken Rollatini Stuffed with Zucchini and Mozzarella</a>, with fresh green beans (cooked stove top with garlic, butter & bacon)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGYN6UvDup4V97Xi7NhiESaapU2P2rVlsPh6C8JHOWCv0fLQMshoDd5QKy4sDoCk0A3E__Y_o2p-Y91GXPvgEP4hPdsEG-CghTQS-z8xFm5mQ26gA0-zNbwibzLTNinXcghIc-SYqaxajK/s1600/chicken-rollatini-stuffed-with-zucchini-and-mozzarella.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo via <a href="http://www.skinnytaste.com/2011/08/chicken-rollatini-stuffed-with-zucchini.html">Skinny Taste</a></td></tr>
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Amazingly delicious.</div>
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Thursday: C<a href="http://www.familyfreshcooking.com/2012/12/06/cheesy-skillet-pasta-recipe/#.UZ4fO7Xa951">heesy Skillet Pasta with Meat Sauce</a>, dinner rolls & steamed veggies</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Cheesy Skillet Pasta with Meat Sauce recipe on FamilyFreshCooking.com" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-23964" height="768" src="http://www.familyfreshcooking.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/Pasta-Skillet-Marla-Meridith-IMG_6447.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Cheesy Skillet Pasta with Meat Sauce recipe on FamilyFreshCooking.com" width="512" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo via <a href="http://www.familyfreshcooking.com/2012/12/06/cheesy-skillet-pasta-recipe/#.UZ4fO7Xa951">Family Fresh Cooking</a></td></tr>
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Friday-Sunday: we're out of town for the weekend! Whoop!</div>
Sarah Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04204472251037779390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2257561322501687971.post-63525508562462537022013-05-13T11:07:00.000-06:002013-05-20T11:18:05.294-06:00Menu Plan Monday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuIaWpP_T5UYszPuru5qVpb-LHTFB4BH6-4Ymj0BGiaUS1XxeZJGDJkg1fpv2_t6s7nDXpu7mlAO9ciC8aKRYf48Yg2AAUxz-qSvsDIQwzuQMWxXa0ebsakXzw7gc-ZDfRlQng7bSZNfQY/s1600/MPM-Summer.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuIaWpP_T5UYszPuru5qVpb-LHTFB4BH6-4Ymj0BGiaUS1XxeZJGDJkg1fpv2_t6s7nDXpu7mlAO9ciC8aKRYf48Yg2AAUxz-qSvsDIQwzuQMWxXa0ebsakXzw7gc-ZDfRlQng7bSZNfQY/s640/MPM-Summer.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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Monday: <a href="http://www.skinnytaste.com/2009/02/crock-pot-santa-fe-chicken-425-pts.html">Crock Pot Santa Fe Chicken</a> with rice & corn on the cob<br />
Tuesday: <a href="http://www.skinnytaste.com/2013/01/broccoli-and-cheese-twice-baked-potatoes.html">Broccoli & Cheese Twice Baked Potatoes</a> with salad & rice pilaf<br />
Wednesday: Rigatoni Bake with <a href="http://www.skinnytaste.com/2012/07/zucchini-tots.html">Zucchini Tots</a> & salad<br />
Thursday: <a href="http://www.skinnytaste.com/2012/06/spicy-black-bean-burgers-with-chipotle.html">Spicy Black Bean Burgers with Chipotle Mayo</a>, sweet potato fries & salad<br />
Friday: Kebabs, foil packet potatoes, rice pilaf & salad<br />
Saturday: Taco Salad<br />
Sunday: <a href="http://www.memoriesoncloverlane.com/2011/09/quick-and-easy-pasta-primavera.html">Quick & Easy Pasta Primavera</a><br />
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Our menu this week was SO yummy - I didn't realize how many recipes came from Skinny Taste til I copied in all the links. What an amazing site, I'm so glad I found it for healthy menu inspirations!!!Sarah Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04204472251037779390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2257561322501687971.post-78545404165303232622013-05-11T13:41:00.001-06:002013-05-11T13:41:16.760-06:00Durango: Part 3<br />
So, <a href="http://idbeesley.blogspot.com/2013/04/durango-part-1.html">part one</a> was about our drive to Moab.<br />
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<a href="http://idbeesley.blogspot.com/2013/05/durango-part-2.html">Part two</a> was about our trip through Arches.</div>
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Finally diving into our actual visit in Durango. </div>
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We stayed in a beautiful "cabin" in Durango (I say "cabin" because while it was rustic, there was nothing <i>rough</i> about this place). A friend of Tara's family graciously invited her and her extended family to stay, so we had a destination vacation, nestled in the mountains with a humongous herd of elk nearby for company.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1rfYvV_0YBbP0FtitjsfvqF-vHl6PVhFXaNTs0DrWqOKEDzhf1ygiNPtqQOSAWy52oOHDDPC4X4xfUvUJIVx36AT-T0Xfjk917U0IIOopBInzVTHJlc-yUKGKZo98rF6WKadNRlwbKYla/s1600/Rob's+Camera.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1rfYvV_0YBbP0FtitjsfvqF-vHl6PVhFXaNTs0DrWqOKEDzhf1ygiNPtqQOSAWy52oOHDDPC4X4xfUvUJIVx36AT-T0Xfjk917U0IIOopBInzVTHJlc-yUKGKZo98rF6WKadNRlwbKYla/s640/Rob's+Camera.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMMcRDICSMzszznrFiYZYaCviBu8tChe_PFVmsFzX9CaX0-xe_oIMmyHqvWgsjvQZEndQVUpRnmr1AhT_qWcGfJXhwSt0UXQfNTKH2pWsfZV-MIMs9iUpEgv9a6_qJ_wHpAgX8B2jAqesW/s1600/DSC_21660018-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMMcRDICSMzszznrFiYZYaCviBu8tChe_PFVmsFzX9CaX0-xe_oIMmyHqvWgsjvQZEndQVUpRnmr1AhT_qWcGfJXhwSt0UXQfNTKH2pWsfZV-MIMs9iUpEgv9a6_qJ_wHpAgX8B2jAqesW/s640/DSC_21660018-001.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">elk in the backyard - this is just a tiny fraction, the total herd was in the hundred's</td></tr>
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We had tons of family time:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnGp0wukkBuifoio91jfsoj16QslnQnZKC3Bfz6gYjta-WGTr9lMGcOQUb8amyub3f6282T7Zvo-g4qiIkdWgcavPmiA40387bwAPaIx8isvnrI1PI1hqM26Dh_f34gtdvE0Mb9ObZoM4C/s1600/IMG_4029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnGp0wukkBuifoio91jfsoj16QslnQnZKC3Bfz6gYjta-WGTr9lMGcOQUb8amyub3f6282T7Zvo-g4qiIkdWgcavPmiA40387bwAPaIx8isvnrI1PI1hqM26Dh_f34gtdvE0Mb9ObZoM4C/s640/IMG_4029.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ben & Shea</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR-MlYIaoki33_W0F7zr_YVwEDVAaQcWX7njN5BVt_uBKzASH2AvCQPG81MI6MRb245UeLBiAiowgaKszsoE-0-eXux429H56-DmqHk6xXraMPXvbzYMSX8FIut3C2vLX2kmZ63Sjgdwmg/s1600/IMG_4057-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR-MlYIaoki33_W0F7zr_YVwEDVAaQcWX7njN5BVt_uBKzASH2AvCQPG81MI6MRb245UeLBiAiowgaKszsoE-0-eXux429H56-DmqHk6xXraMPXvbzYMSX8FIut3C2vLX2kmZ63Sjgdwmg/s640/IMG_4057-001.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matthew, Shea, Ben & Ruby (and part of me ha ha)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_aainoeNC29HdgrvApEPcGspUzTJbe2moDLpVjWbWclMWX1Te33FzhOuJyVH7b4mi0w7td72_G3Z9SLhyn4dQykSqs5soSCXzLhLJ7cyakf9I3O2Tkwwc49UorIpQejzx9PwXCeT_LyoB/s1600/IMG_4116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_aainoeNC29HdgrvApEPcGspUzTJbe2moDLpVjWbWclMWX1Te33FzhOuJyVH7b4mi0w7td72_G3Z9SLhyn4dQykSqs5soSCXzLhLJ7cyakf9I3O2Tkwwc49UorIpQejzx9PwXCeT_LyoB/s640/IMG_4116.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ben, Nana & Matthew</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM30rzlDKBuDAO7DIC-djo9B3QVJKTI6LOs6iXrRQrEVXP6j_AY25N62iGfPuNL2oGAE6nuf0UoFncmnKE-GG_JKAWJ5CzJfUQXJs3CvWeeuv1vxDP18VWCofigpvO-fpzPP75etftbojA/s1600/IMG_4154.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM30rzlDKBuDAO7DIC-djo9B3QVJKTI6LOs6iXrRQrEVXP6j_AY25N62iGfPuNL2oGAE6nuf0UoFncmnKE-GG_JKAWJ5CzJfUQXJs3CvWeeuv1vxDP18VWCofigpvO-fpzPP75etftbojA/s640/IMG_4154.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ben & Ruby playing some random game with Nemo and/or Dori</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn1fy6Yna6B3N9FWsCyijRywjm_xCiO5-LJo7Vv6bDWDlWZ34w4gIyfUj6XqWzBbhJgpz-mCmw18RJ4fg9TsGUy_vj0sNohDY8fVzGHq3jA-yjh7cFfHeoP4dmQbRFiZnf8fWHKThf-zTB/s1600/IMG_4223-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn1fy6Yna6B3N9FWsCyijRywjm_xCiO5-LJo7Vv6bDWDlWZ34w4gIyfUj6XqWzBbhJgpz-mCmw18RJ4fg9TsGUy_vj0sNohDY8fVzGHq3jA-yjh7cFfHeoP4dmQbRFiZnf8fWHKThf-zTB/s640/IMG_4223-001.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matthew & Ruby</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAubcDSJ1KHYlYG5U_tTEB4daBi5XDgGlXIU9Nv2SVzCFUb6oKxz-EVifCtig06BES6KHEo2YzTVi2KRmLzUnHiMtQFsIruLEzP6VWfs-1s-uxUj4RzZXfhN5pYGoRGufBGV2PERSN6Hv-/s1600/IMG_4229-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAubcDSJ1KHYlYG5U_tTEB4daBi5XDgGlXIU9Nv2SVzCFUb6oKxz-EVifCtig06BES6KHEo2YzTVi2KRmLzUnHiMtQFsIruLEzP6VWfs-1s-uxUj4RzZXfhN5pYGoRGufBGV2PERSN6Hv-/s640/IMG_4229-001.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">probably the last time these two can pull this off ;)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXCNcUUY6898HtRpVO9owOJ4F9Xc1z-mPWQrY4njCP7Ut_FD6ROLV6-A0oENXi_eRYsXu84bMn1ZCKTRIBfk1fqPQ_TcGOhyyjjBOoumzYZ7LIambt9iHrtSWy14lGs_J63Yr5dBiuAqGZ/s1600/IMG_4230-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXCNcUUY6898HtRpVO9owOJ4F9Xc1z-mPWQrY4njCP7Ut_FD6ROLV6-A0oENXi_eRYsXu84bMn1ZCKTRIBfk1fqPQ_TcGOhyyjjBOoumzYZ7LIambt9iHrtSWy14lGs_J63Yr5dBiuAqGZ/s640/IMG_4230-001.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ruby, Matthew, me & Ben</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqYwGakJRlzoDzz__gAVQq3t_sFeH5F1LMkfN6sgHkQveguwTwreLJG1qMU29FbRfgHxVd_QRi3pAf3opYKvaXLDGNGUgAlSw7cuNCrlPLiX77qM9_20MOPGXN_IlRooVtmaEwm_sTsBY3/s1600/IMG_4470.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqYwGakJRlzoDzz__gAVQq3t_sFeH5F1LMkfN6sgHkQveguwTwreLJG1qMU29FbRfgHxVd_QRi3pAf3opYKvaXLDGNGUgAlSw7cuNCrlPLiX77qM9_20MOPGXN_IlRooVtmaEwm_sTsBY3/s640/IMG_4470.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">movie night: Beauty & the Beast (while Tara & I sung obnoxiously along to every song...I may have also mouthed all the dialogue...)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3CJLB96rRN4I74CA7-fw8jgAJaufbDKJU37OJrA0RwS0NjvEbn859gw2gVBFVjIBwoDQ_RLw2itI_5BcYqbpsh0m1S5ZM8xtZN1oqwu44Tu3FEl95UBIL9D6nhkg-FL0J64bSFHEAKqxk/s1600/IMG_4473.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3CJLB96rRN4I74CA7-fw8jgAJaufbDKJU37OJrA0RwS0NjvEbn859gw2gVBFVjIBwoDQ_RLw2itI_5BcYqbpsh0m1S5ZM8xtZN1oqwu44Tu3FEl95UBIL9D6nhkg-FL0J64bSFHEAKqxk/s640/IMG_4473.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ruby, Ben & Shea</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7HM007N-adx4qh5xby4okjdK9KetDX85dL5gOHjCID41Ro28VXCyfsNG6GOEwlavH7fYC8rHUShGb4iTIIfNSp1JFaybxxgLjyCCxTGgY5ngA1trsski7bKaQF4_oB0j5YTpsNjjTF688/s1600/IMG_4356.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7HM007N-adx4qh5xby4okjdK9KetDX85dL5gOHjCID41Ro28VXCyfsNG6GOEwlavH7fYC8rHUShGb4iTIIfNSp1JFaybxxgLjyCCxTGgY5ngA1trsski7bKaQF4_oB0j5YTpsNjjTF688/s640/IMG_4356.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ben, Ruby, Shea & Matthew</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNjg2mVutx2QqV9VOyofwp7CUc1nD2S_5HINQ8dMzr5XLy1oJ5kUQLphjdm2QwPuIvS3PJV5Fulhvp96c2d8-4UlPSplavnnIgN_bP8oOJjohsP0mTFRYujODqMBVBPhTzHWwXjv0lpHu7/s1600/IMG_4358.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNjg2mVutx2QqV9VOyofwp7CUc1nD2S_5HINQ8dMzr5XLy1oJ5kUQLphjdm2QwPuIvS3PJV5Fulhvp96c2d8-4UlPSplavnnIgN_bP8oOJjohsP0mTFRYujODqMBVBPhTzHWwXjv0lpHu7/s640/IMG_4358.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shea & Matthew</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We played in the snow:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjINJCM2NeL3mMXcI2SPFjcRKzkZqFYFSGs3EFE9zRl5f-uYbcuhyP0V2fLjKFqDBOpDBlisB2m0l3HYUnbT52oT2EdOagqtbT_WM0xJ2Do2MOIZeqKEA3SIdLgeObgHG5dVYMYJc-WuVkJ/s1600/DSC_21840001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjINJCM2NeL3mMXcI2SPFjcRKzkZqFYFSGs3EFE9zRl5f-uYbcuhyP0V2fLjKFqDBOpDBlisB2m0l3HYUnbT52oT2EdOagqtbT_WM0xJ2Do2MOIZeqKEA3SIdLgeObgHG5dVYMYJc-WuVkJ/s640/DSC_21840001.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKE-OcZ8eeoh-6-WAVG_KF04BWlHbkVkO7a1SAOsaDj4oKeTjC-Ptbw3JuT60P8k4A6CgMlcnTF2YwIHedKTFMaPe5FOV-iMXvvINKfHV4CBTHermy1sW72WiirWufUZQjghIKFlCL3kQc/s1600/DSC_22050022-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKE-OcZ8eeoh-6-WAVG_KF04BWlHbkVkO7a1SAOsaDj4oKeTjC-Ptbw3JuT60P8k4A6CgMlcnTF2YwIHedKTFMaPe5FOV-iMXvvINKfHV4CBTHermy1sW72WiirWufUZQjghIKFlCL3kQc/s640/DSC_22050022-001.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">snowman building</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2I-WM_2qwELfHhVxrS84RL2G1Xmp2rdOBDG9gJn0LHt8EBr_z7pak67YR113O35yjQtc76YTW-OFbzN_t8bcBxoqjSK0S2TL9lLY_Tub3bAVWRuTa5Z_NDLc8PpFB4oQYZd-LA3zM84dX/s1600/DSC_22080025-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2I-WM_2qwELfHhVxrS84RL2G1Xmp2rdOBDG9gJn0LHt8EBr_z7pak67YR113O35yjQtc76YTW-OFbzN_t8bcBxoqjSK0S2TL9lLY_Tub3bAVWRuTa5Z_NDLc8PpFB4oQYZd-LA3zM84dX/s640/DSC_22080025-001.JPG" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">grandad & Ben</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiej8uBCLJHQn7JEH1N5mLZpThWfgwvyQq9IzuKutjVaXdZsKWojJ9GS-wOmW70BqYkMJjv-ynbFVRSvmpu9LybPDV_s7sb-LW2fB1sH58kTGo384ILAq3oCIwG2oAECM8xpem6-CXJeA94/s1600/DSC_22100027-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiej8uBCLJHQn7JEH1N5mLZpThWfgwvyQq9IzuKutjVaXdZsKWojJ9GS-wOmW70BqYkMJjv-ynbFVRSvmpu9LybPDV_s7sb-LW2fB1sH58kTGo384ILAq3oCIwG2oAECM8xpem6-CXJeA94/s640/DSC_22100027-001.JPG" width="424" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8d-UN6dc9f_fdacBe7obIaVzvn5-9blnrVL7qZ2v6WNbOrkjjl9CnUE8-LN7VRMHEzaYfEuOML3upDcKscnmUyoY4tAzd4_7pcZ1wQ3U6QyZB626KjM5sO2XXVpC0r4dRB_WBrRmW7JmN/s1600/IMG_4241.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8d-UN6dc9f_fdacBe7obIaVzvn5-9blnrVL7qZ2v6WNbOrkjjl9CnUE8-LN7VRMHEzaYfEuOML3upDcKscnmUyoY4tAzd4_7pcZ1wQ3U6QyZB626KjM5sO2XXVpC0r4dRB_WBrRmW7JmN/s640/IMG_4241.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">spent the rest of the adventure in the car while he napped ;)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQL7uictnW_CnTDj0-wMoPxKVGosmTiPVAe8yiETkw_G5UZo5cMlB4MXYr2WTkpdCWUcAhrNERJoMW3yoPrUQ4lhiEZp4phnupD9estayeZixZjy0lZ_nHSf2sDv5meHnoibSETs-e5iFP/s1600/IMG_4306.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQL7uictnW_CnTDj0-wMoPxKVGosmTiPVAe8yiETkw_G5UZo5cMlB4MXYr2WTkpdCWUcAhrNERJoMW3yoPrUQ4lhiEZp4phnupD9estayeZixZjy0lZ_nHSf2sDv5meHnoibSETs-e5iFP/s640/IMG_4306.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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We went 4 wheeling:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitBBu_q44lOYlgczOBHKpmO2YzFh7-L989ywA6lXqFPOH9BVSBd0l9id_UoQ1fV0UP1Cci8uAZgujXBijBO_SqIIXuNPJB8NS6NwlBkNsbU9yuNdB-oBgVsJUhpR9Ooa0xKLVXvRBi_3-K/s1600/DSC_21700014-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitBBu_q44lOYlgczOBHKpmO2YzFh7-L989ywA6lXqFPOH9BVSBd0l9id_UoQ1fV0UP1Cci8uAZgujXBijBO_SqIIXuNPJB8NS6NwlBkNsbU9yuNdB-oBgVsJUhpR9Ooa0xKLVXvRBi_3-K/s640/DSC_21700014-001.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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and the saga shall continue in another post. that's a lot o' photos right there. ;)<br /></div>
Sarah Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04204472251037779390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2257561322501687971.post-61037232258168365372013-05-03T09:59:00.002-06:002013-05-03T09:59:27.290-06:00Preschool AssessmentLast time Ben had <a href="http://idbeesley.blogspot.com/2012/10/updates.html">one of these assessments</a> at school (they do them in the fall & the spring), he was in the younger class, of older 2's and younger 3's. <br />
<br />
Since he's moved up to the 3's & 4's class, his assessment is a bit different. I'm interested to see how it compares to fall, since he'll be in the same class for both assessment's.<br />
<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>He has mastered recognition of all his ABC's</li>
<li>He can count to 15</li>
<li>He has mastered all his shapes (circle, oval, square, triangle, rectangle, diamond, star & heart)</li>
<li>He recognizes all the colors but needs help with gray.</li>
<li>He's mastered his opposites</li>
<li>He can identify all visible parts of his body</li>
</ul>
<div>
<i>Note from the teacher: Ben is able to ID all the letters in the alphabet, basic colors and shapes He is still working on his numbers 1-10. He knows opposites & body parts.</i></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
He only needs one area of work with his large motor skills, and that's hopping on one foot. Otherwise, he's mastered:</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>running with control over speed and direction</li>
<li>jumping over obstacles & landing on two feet</li>
<li>climbing up and down equipment with ease (thanks, Tumble Time!)</li>
<li>moves body creatively to music (that's probably my favorite ever)</li>
<li>is willing to exercise (dude, when is this child ever NOT willing to exercise? he is on the move from wake to sleep)</li>
<li>jumping on two feet</li>
<li>galloping</li>
<li>throwing a ball (he's got a great arm)</li>
<li>catching a ball (in my opinion - this still needs work)</li>
<li>bouncing a ball</li>
</ul>
<div>
<i>Note from the teacher: Be is great at large motor activities, he is able to run, jump, dance & gallop. He needs a little more work with hopping. He is able to throw, catch & bounce a ball.</i></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5HsUBBvgU6m1mGMInAx4trEaPTwPUy0YXBKC-wK7FWkQbFFGw9MM0XEod-bZoHCBtsUfu-Jwuk6AzDeWEMIs_oSWr8eD6_HVFWE50ZkSWPuki3RXUBf8b5IJeGJNLwWnzkX3mgoCaE7ZC/s1600/DSC_19830018-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5HsUBBvgU6m1mGMInAx4trEaPTwPUy0YXBKC-wK7FWkQbFFGw9MM0XEod-bZoHCBtsUfu-Jwuk6AzDeWEMIs_oSWr8eD6_HVFWE50ZkSWPuki3RXUBf8b5IJeGJNLwWnzkX3mgoCaE7ZC/s640/DSC_19830018-001.JPG" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">showing off those gross motor skills :)</td></tr>
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<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
His fine motor skills are a mix of mastered and working on:</div>
</div>
<div>
Mastered:</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>using art materials to create</li>
<li>showing hand preference (he's right handed)</li>
<li>using table utensils skillfully (though he won't at home, he prefers to use his hands)</li>
<li>paint & paste neatly</li>
<li>making attempts to put on own coat/jacket</li>
<li>stacking more than 4 blocks</li>
</ul>
<div>
Working on:</div>
</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>using scissors properly</li>
<li>cutting in a straight line</li>
<li>beginning to draw human figures</li>
<li>copying horizontal/diagonal/vertical lines</li>
</ul>
<div>
<i>Note from the teacher: Ben is able to paint & paste neatly. He is able to put on his own jacket and stack blocks. He is working on drawing, writing & using scissors.</i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYBdy30v68MVqUM5kc08bN96r_5Jceu9_s7JZoTWBVpkRxtRpk7ruUf-oTIWhwGDRSIWTlGe16uBPn4ZRJn4X3d-XNQgedG4yVFH9Ktq3fnhx3jGP6ulrZnUpyAawsRrFcqRcvM5rVfPzs/s1600/20130414_103547.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYBdy30v68MVqUM5kc08bN96r_5Jceu9_s7JZoTWBVpkRxtRpk7ruUf-oTIWhwGDRSIWTlGe16uBPn4ZRJn4X3d-XNQgedG4yVFH9Ktq3fnhx3jGP6ulrZnUpyAawsRrFcqRcvM5rVfPzs/s640/20130414_103547.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">fine motor skills - thanks daddy! :)</td></tr>
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<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
His language skills are great. He speaks in complete sentences, speaks clearly, takes part in conversations with others, expresses needs & wants clearly... according to their assessment, he needs work on dictating description of drawings (I'm actually not sure what this means) and showing an interest in books. I strongly, firmly, 100% disagree with that last one. Ben is a HUGE fan of books. His room is LITTERED with books that he's read/looked at and has so many memorized, he basically reads by himself.</div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<i>Note from the teacher: Ben is a terrific vocabulary! He is getting better and better and using words with his teachers and his peers.</i></div>
<div>
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<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Social/Emotional:</div>
<div>
Seems we've done some back sliding on sharing & taking turns. I wonder if some of this is simply age or if competition from an increasingly mobile little brother plays a factor.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
He's mastered:</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Shows respect & rights of others property</li>
<li>is polite/courteous to others</li>
<li>helps classmates clean up</li>
<li>can attend to bathroom needs by himself</li>
<li>separates from parents with ease (HOORAY!)</li>
<li>seeks out other children to play with (favorite friends are Dayton, Noah & Cooper)</li>
<li>Smiles & seems happy much of the time</li>
<li>works/plays cooperatively with other children</li>
<li>seeks help when needed</li>
</ul>
<div>
Working on:</div>
</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>sharing materials</li>
<li>taking turns</li>
<li>keeping hands to himself</li>
<li>listening while others speak/tell a story</li>
<li>expressing anger in words rather than actions</li>
</ul>
<div>
<i>Note from the teacher: Ben has very strong self help skills. He is able to attend all his bathroom needs. He is able to help clean up after playtime. We are working on sharing and taking turns.</i></div>
</div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
And her overall comments:</div>
<div>
<i>Ben is a very happy boy who likes to pay with lego's and cars. He is really learning quickly and settling in to this class. We are really working on keeping hands on his body and listening during circle time. We will continue to offer him more challenges and support learning.</i></div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
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Sarah Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04204472251037779390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2257561322501687971.post-30459290507599992782013-05-02T21:51:00.000-06:002013-05-02T21:51:08.204-06:00Durango: Part 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So, picking up where I left off on <a href="http://idbeesley.blogspot.com/2013/04/durango-part-1.html">part 1</a> of our adventure, we got up on Sunday and checked out of our hotel. We stayed right in Moab, so the drive to Arches National Park was pretty quick. I'd been before, but I was 15 and obnoxious and I really don't remember any of it. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuMtNzx7g9BX5LxTukDtHQ8mpTVvEjpKsUcsDXQPfTidowCgYV2n9J-gVnB-QWqGzuDkPERzfqdilycm9oY03TBBDYD6yd95pd_fy2Y3cQR835AwN6BzfqCkgdQCUqD1h9Oaskr5rECCYJ/s1600/DSC_20540129-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuMtNzx7g9BX5LxTukDtHQ8mpTVvEjpKsUcsDXQPfTidowCgYV2n9J-gVnB-QWqGzuDkPERzfqdilycm9oY03TBBDYD6yd95pd_fy2Y3cQR835AwN6BzfqCkgdQCUqD1h9Oaskr5rECCYJ/s640/DSC_20540129-001.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arches National Park</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn6PttHXXcEBeRWDc41uP3GEFBBSqupM-owgBgZOJVcw_cvASH3BxdhNqMbp2gwOTrU1RJWaADVqnEBURg5K8EZ8iDqK6vxzDA5sFXEmiWrqqrVrfTBEQn0F95B1eGnB6Jai0dVieplYA2/s1600/DSC_20560127-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn6PttHXXcEBeRWDc41uP3GEFBBSqupM-owgBgZOJVcw_cvASH3BxdhNqMbp2gwOTrU1RJWaADVqnEBURg5K8EZ8iDqK6vxzDA5sFXEmiWrqqrVrfTBEQn0F95B1eGnB6Jai0dVieplYA2/s640/DSC_20560127-001.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nick & Ben, on the way up to one of the window arches</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggS9dmEPzHYMIZNMcwWeFxhJ6K1kTAbX_67dfa1ixl2oSYfCbw9Ocwh2gkOSWvrdJ7Bg3dd6Kun0z1xn6lVfWy0pHMQlumR5qD1oYl7h-n26JaDK1YLI4QL5ojdULRjK0aBZCT4B3TdYYB/s1600/DSC_20640120-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggS9dmEPzHYMIZNMcwWeFxhJ6K1kTAbX_67dfa1ixl2oSYfCbw9Ocwh2gkOSWvrdJ7Bg3dd6Kun0z1xn6lVfWy0pHMQlumR5qD1oYl7h-n26JaDK1YLI4QL5ojdULRjK0aBZCT4B3TdYYB/s640/DSC_20640120-001.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">they made it! :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpLPB8kfTiGiMpacL0hnH4ovSS7DrF2nEcO15lLOr5AMfmExDjJANkXm0gMYYPritNslJC7EWG3b8t8svWaDmhjrxAi5A2hjpQDyML6u_SYz7W0SdnpkLmefX-K9v5F7NvSu9KAfZaQjBF/s1600/DSC_20680116-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpLPB8kfTiGiMpacL0hnH4ovSS7DrF2nEcO15lLOr5AMfmExDjJANkXm0gMYYPritNslJC7EWG3b8t8svWaDmhjrxAi5A2hjpQDyML6u_SYz7W0SdnpkLmefX-K9v5F7NvSu9KAfZaQjBF/s640/DSC_20680116-001.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">so amazing</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ErQyz4ylUwPEfPY2ChxV2tqJHf8msnIIEiL9ip-qGcV7fUjvFcQTaWISw4t-cBFmtB2qfEoOo-ewqwkn05eF6dwcao-jcf6u91IULyKcEbmKXzZHHV0IRTPz9P8fwnEDweRvKw-0BVXH/s1600/DSC_20700114-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ErQyz4ylUwPEfPY2ChxV2tqJHf8msnIIEiL9ip-qGcV7fUjvFcQTaWISw4t-cBFmtB2qfEoOo-ewqwkn05eF6dwcao-jcf6u91IULyKcEbmKXzZHHV0IRTPz9P8fwnEDweRvKw-0BVXH/s640/DSC_20700114-001.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">puuuuuuuuuuush!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtLvO6ELCnzEtTQxTNmsH7TGi2bvBZ_YBgcEQHZqV5CnwR-chfEpI_zoSWv6wYJMxH6gYBwQr4CDkh7j54NzyXjtziDdoUJzGURN5HqbCrz48PpQkGAQL7R27b64MbxMHDlf2rJ3PdeMrg/s1600/DSC_20730111-002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtLvO6ELCnzEtTQxTNmsH7TGi2bvBZ_YBgcEQHZqV5CnwR-chfEpI_zoSWv6wYJMxH6gYBwQr4CDkh7j54NzyXjtziDdoUJzGURN5HqbCrz48PpQkGAQL7R27b64MbxMHDlf2rJ3PdeMrg/s640/DSC_20730111-002.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">me and ma' boys </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNHaWWRG_KlakjEZ-8_rVRF_83mrAIbIRjzedEfarUITOeqA3TX9_8kOeIE9-190uX4TXcr0TKe8rXswcpNUKrYJaRBK9VXJqJx41TvkHCHr0ShWulXkmipNuWQnYufNbYXAQAGJpJMcyj/s1600/DSC_20770107.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNHaWWRG_KlakjEZ-8_rVRF_83mrAIbIRjzedEfarUITOeqA3TX9_8kOeIE9-190uX4TXcr0TKe8rXswcpNUKrYJaRBK9VXJqJx41TvkHCHr0ShWulXkmipNuWQnYufNbYXAQAGJpJMcyj/s640/DSC_20770107.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this little guy was so very excited to be allowed to climb on all the really cool rocks</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7IbJSyt4_9748ap4mmYTkecrloGE_VzZ3hKRQLX0PVEDr5V7rpNhMcpAAEPTGNIpcUViI9-1pxyA0pTi-g0tn6Yh_GXDMnpu3hbjo5jUZaakP_riOZGub_5z7DkoNpdJMeI4FblZtCIB9/s1600/DSC_20830101-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7IbJSyt4_9748ap4mmYTkecrloGE_VzZ3hKRQLX0PVEDr5V7rpNhMcpAAEPTGNIpcUViI9-1pxyA0pTi-g0tn6Yh_GXDMnpu3hbjo5jUZaakP_riOZGub_5z7DkoNpdJMeI4FblZtCIB9/s640/DSC_20830101-001.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">hot footing it back to the car with a now hysterical Matthew - he was clearly due for a nap.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggxLTRRd_fiZqS16rT0D0EY2kaR6Eq0BFjchW5omCtUx9wX08305g135C__rGfr9D4l2i23_Z3plwTI30DWhtT7bmR5bEBG8G0eI_InlTOCxrG1k4bkurGHtwYOr1qKeto3W8LRirMHgfh/s1600/DSC_20880096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggxLTRRd_fiZqS16rT0D0EY2kaR6Eq0BFjchW5omCtUx9wX08305g135C__rGfr9D4l2i23_Z3plwTI30DWhtT7bmR5bEBG8G0eI_InlTOCxrG1k4bkurGHtwYOr1qKeto3W8LRirMHgfh/s640/DSC_20880096.JPG" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As much fun as he had climbing on the rocks, this is pretty much how he enjoyed the rest of the park</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicA2vJV6ieR5HpDVLF_1Wfuxv-uBqC7kRvaNGmV6kXEGP6Rlv2sZjLdKO9OdqvNQ8aGx2Q63ijypINpaQbAeDROBwOkM6tpyQwyKJgSDxOTdS_3IcvgwPXczabOuHnpAW5Ny_sYgUdi5Dc/s1600/DSC_21090075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicA2vJV6ieR5HpDVLF_1Wfuxv-uBqC7kRvaNGmV6kXEGP6Rlv2sZjLdKO9OdqvNQ8aGx2Q63ijypINpaQbAeDROBwOkM6tpyQwyKJgSDxOTdS_3IcvgwPXczabOuHnpAW5Ny_sYgUdi5Dc/s640/DSC_21090075.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sleep, baby, sleep</td></tr>
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<br />
What a cool park. If you're ever in the area, I really suggest you go in. Nick & I would love to go back, either by ourselves or when the boys are a little older and nap times no longer need to be scheduled in. :)<br />
<br />
Part 3 will come eventually. ;)<br />
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<br />Sarah Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04204472251037779390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2257561322501687971.post-39388752358293724032013-04-27T14:36:00.000-06:002013-04-27T14:41:00.513-06:00The Binkie.For the last year or so, I feel like we've been keeping a dirty little secret from the world.<br />
<br />
My 3 year old (well, nearly 3 & 1/2 at this point) still uses a pacifier for sleeping. <br />
<br />
He'd probably happily suck away on it most of the day if I let him, but I restrict it to sleeping only.<br />
<br />
I've been feeling like this is our "dirty little secret" because most everything I read makes me feel bad that my 3 year old still uses one. That I'm damaging his teeth. That he'll have a speech delay. That he'll never grow out of it.<br />
<br />
I've decided I don't need to justify my kid with a bink to anyone but my family. I've decided to stop stressing out about it. If you don't like it - well, that's good for you! Sincerely! I'm glad your kids don't have a sleep crutch, but mine does & I'm okay with it. <br />
<br />
He's not deformed. He isn't slow. He doesn't have buck teeth. He doesn't have a speech impediment (other than what's normal for a 3 year old have). I'll tell you what he does have: a great vocabulary. Impressive diction for a 3 year old. <br />
<br />
So.<br />
<br />
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<br />
Dear Ben,<br />
<br />
The evening of April 19th kicked off the worst week in recent memory for our family (as far as child rearing stuff goes). That evening, you went & got your binkie and then headed to the potty before bed. As soon as you got in to the bathroom, your binkie fell out of your mouth and landed in the toilet. Daddy said that was enough. The end of the binkie (we couldn't very well give you something to put in your mouth that had been in the TOILET - GROSS). I convinced you you could sleep with out it - I reminded you that you fell asleep in Colorado for Nana without it. I reminded you that once the Binkie Fairy came to visit, you'd get a prize.<br />
<br />
You laid right down, my brave sweet boy, and fell right to sleep. I was half way lulled into thinking this would be an amazingly smooth transition. <br />
<br />
And then the rest of the week happened.<br />
<br />
No naps.<br />
<br />
No naps in 7 days (well. 1 nap. but that was after mommy completely lost it, got right in your face & yelled and then cried and apologized all over herself).<br />
<br />
Night time sleep-stalling tactics that took you at least an hour (if not longer) to stop doing and just go to sleep. Waking an hour early and not going back to sleep.<br />
<br />
Horrific, horrific behavior that did not improve &; in fact, got worse.<br />
<br />
And one of daddy's cousins posted a sweet note that reminded mommy that no matter what any one else says, I get to choose what's right for my child.<br />
<br />
In this case, I sincerely believe you are not ready to let go of your bink and I'm not going to make you. Who is it hurting, really? It's really not that different than sucking a thumb, which your mommy did for ever and ever. Who does it bother? Not me.<br />
<br />
Last night I gave you a new binkie (I actually found it in the cupboard the day after The Event while cleaning up/rearranging and nearly gave it to you then). You fell right asleep with no sleep-stalling. Today, we had a mostly great day (that attitude seems to be sticking around, hopefully it doesn't take the full week it was here to disappear) and at nap time, you happily went right to sleep. Like I knew you should be. Some people say 3 year olds don't need naps. I say mine does. <br />
<br />
I love you to bits & pieces babe, and I'm sorry we made you spend a week in agony.<br />
<br />
The binkie will go away for good at some point. Just not right now. And that's okay.<br />
<br />
Love,<br />
MomSarah Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04204472251037779390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2257561322501687971.post-10511497865741738692013-04-26T15:37:00.001-06:002013-04-26T15:37:44.771-06:00Durango: Part 1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hey!<br />
<br />
We went to Durango!<br />
<br />
I almost forgot to share our adventure. :)<br />
<br />
Here it is, for posterity. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMtfLwIUqVdwgakZHlfl_5PkIbHuxFhG0gyy93e0jACKzNkYAE_s8La0I_V43nf4cOOUb_LK6jRPavLUze2K4J6YREYif3SXI9UpdvIrO1skIT1zjEfsr8O2-4hlw0E2m-iKO4QVd31Lsf/s1600/DSC_20060002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMtfLwIUqVdwgakZHlfl_5PkIbHuxFhG0gyy93e0jACKzNkYAE_s8La0I_V43nf4cOOUb_LK6jRPavLUze2K4J6YREYif3SXI9UpdvIrO1skIT1zjEfsr8O2-4hlw0E2m-iKO4QVd31Lsf/s640/DSC_20060002.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ready to go!</td></tr>
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We got up bright & early Saturday morning and loaded ourselves in to the car. Nick & I had gotten the car nearly all packed the night before - all we needed to do was add ourselves and our last minute things.</div>
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We started out about 45 minutes behind schedule, which really isn't that bad considering we're traveling with two kids. :) We took our first planned stop in Twin Falls, but decided to go a bit further and visit Shoshone Falls since we were there anyway. The falls are not spectacular in March, but it was still fun to see and a great way to let Ben stretch his legs while I fed Matthew.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZxrfbt32nO1nfLnGDZlwybmgGez6kFu8eYnuyUgPq7ormefvQnL3IGCPOmTY83-ekC2uT1QsRQZ5H1tKwCq2W3bVlO66WCqGdxRhmv7WFqBPAzCxnkX1fgU9_vD7Bk48u3KL_rj5D4bu0/s1600/DSC_20080004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZxrfbt32nO1nfLnGDZlwybmgGez6kFu8eYnuyUgPq7ormefvQnL3IGCPOmTY83-ekC2uT1QsRQZ5H1tKwCq2W3bVlO66WCqGdxRhmv7WFqBPAzCxnkX1fgU9_vD7Bk48u3KL_rj5D4bu0/s640/DSC_20080004.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ben & Nick at Shoshone Falls</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ6N9-7iI20m_FfwQpF_knDH8eIMA7L1mguG4mUmy2O8ahaj34b523Af_-DnlLpkoyww8OWMnkqoyvzlMraLehc9U9M3-NSUAX0_iP2L685JXlMBKDiFQdLDoPC1bhCr1f0oTZB89gw0jm/s1600/DSC_20100006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ6N9-7iI20m_FfwQpF_knDH8eIMA7L1mguG4mUmy2O8ahaj34b523Af_-DnlLpkoyww8OWMnkqoyvzlMraLehc9U9M3-NSUAX0_iP2L685JXlMBKDiFQdLDoPC1bhCr1f0oTZB89gw0jm/s640/DSC_20100006.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me & Matthew at Shoshone Falls</td></tr>
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<br />The rest of our drive down went fairly uneventfully - just long. What should have been an 8 hour drive ended up being about 12 because of all our stops. Ben did amazing. He watched movies, he colored, he read books, looked out the window and snacked - he even NAPPED. Matthew did amazing. He napped (terribly, but he napped) and didn't fuss too much. Matthew likes to eat every 2 hours and doesn't hide the fact that he's ready to nurse - that's part of what took so long to get down. Having to stop to nurse, to do potty breaks, to eat food, etc.<div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitIyoAWyNLU7WTe2Y4h9AHt-3ZVVTayg4dSRWwqL-jrHmhRH9PC9K7TsXoR8VYGtmWflbHyQRE3KK29IGMMfRzDdOOWEJ7Kk-NarebZPu8BuVnzt5sBgOlQbzNeyKG8xjUD3AQ7al2SG7j/s1600/DSC_20230152.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitIyoAWyNLU7WTe2Y4h9AHt-3ZVVTayg4dSRWwqL-jrHmhRH9PC9K7TsXoR8VYGtmWflbHyQRE3KK29IGMMfRzDdOOWEJ7Kk-NarebZPu8BuVnzt5sBgOlQbzNeyKG8xjUD3AQ7al2SG7j/s640/DSC_20230152.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the best way to road trip ;)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJgZaFZP4_ShtdxLgVhqIUZgKSMlWJy3Feqqp1TeFSVpeyG8GO7HocGToyJFTDMHR4TQs6s21vXbnhAfdPgEMA63IW826RonpUWeJMlDxQn1ECAZBt177t3FV7Ll5XG-r857-Qh8esuLW-/s1600/DSC_20370141-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJgZaFZP4_ShtdxLgVhqIUZgKSMlWJy3Feqqp1TeFSVpeyG8GO7HocGToyJFTDMHR4TQs6s21vXbnhAfdPgEMA63IW826RonpUWeJMlDxQn1ECAZBt177t3FV7Ll5XG-r857-Qh8esuLW-/s640/DSC_20370141-001.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">REAL MOUNTAINS!</td></tr>
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<br />We stopped for the night in Moab. We hit Arches National Park in the morning, but since this is picture heavy already and quiet time is over for the biggest of my little dudes, I'll save that for another post.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR7Mp0pRpDZfeybZPwgj0sXLsUW_k7ZNFGmSpGVEuPx3Nce2jjwfrE57xlU9ipC8vO0fwrdJ756qY8WAwuFT1WivyV2zPAhaiIS9M80NnC1pBrP_GTtRY8cKl-5oJUT2DI512Bbi7nrjI4/s1600/DSC_20480134-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR7Mp0pRpDZfeybZPwgj0sXLsUW_k7ZNFGmSpGVEuPx3Nce2jjwfrE57xlU9ipC8vO0fwrdJ756qY8WAwuFT1WivyV2zPAhaiIS9M80NnC1pBrP_GTtRY8cKl-5oJUT2DI512Bbi7nrjI4/s640/DSC_20480134-001.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">so excited to be out of the car </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">obligatory hotel bath pic ;)</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirWCE1NFd_FFAhfFeIIwlwqbfBrpCj1PehE5OVdj-Za2G5tSHDyWHDrcb1yvOnPuBg71IRW_1YpfVCJm78nT7bhYnObI8aNAZwSrCW5g4N2X6PziIy5BBL0HLEK8x_MrOwCWF_Pf9cry9h/s1600/cute-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="87" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirWCE1NFd_FFAhfFeIIwlwqbfBrpCj1PehE5OVdj-Za2G5tSHDyWHDrcb1yvOnPuBg71IRW_1YpfVCJm78nT7bhYnObI8aNAZwSrCW5g4N2X6PziIy5BBL0HLEK8x_MrOwCWF_Pf9cry9h/s320/cute-001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">find me!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">: : </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/sbeesley81" style="background-color: white; color: #888888; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: none;">facebook</a><br style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">: : </span><a href="http://pinterest.com/sbeesley/" style="background-color: white; color: #888888; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: none;">pinterest</a><br style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">: : </span><a href="http://instagram.com/mrsbeesley" style="background-color: white; color: #888888; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: none;">instagram</a><br />
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Sarah Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04204472251037779390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2257561322501687971.post-16258109089148231142013-04-25T09:10:00.000-06:002013-04-25T09:15:17.263-06:00Owl WalkA few weekends ago, we bundled up the fam and drove out towards Camelsback to take a stroll through the hills and spy some owls.<br />
<br />
We didn't see any, but it was a fun adventure anyway.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyXCCVSC3JgTU5pI8yVVy6QOyUZNepWGsry3V2bz7umcsEQsB0yQHssX8y9VT5_7m2HNZb8DYQJPjMuoE_fgRoEiRW5M8xrNoPX2h3G5eenChsHWgqpKQci-ruDyC3PWVmdmZSxVXGlpy_/s1600/DSC_2385.NEF" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyXCCVSC3JgTU5pI8yVVy6QOyUZNepWGsry3V2bz7umcsEQsB0yQHssX8y9VT5_7m2HNZb8DYQJPjMuoE_fgRoEiRW5M8xrNoPX2h3G5eenChsHWgqpKQci-ruDyC3PWVmdmZSxVXGlpy_/s640/DSC_2385.NEF" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">we stopped by the learning center to make a craft</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLkqFVOIV5txD-ZrgWL2gNQ1mMrZHFDGobrcn1tsvDItt6WLx0AGnJ5-ophZ8783Bx3JNfFcgvJ6fvysb2p5OwtWGOYV2Gi43bjEesNMnyW5MwMHMkam8W5WRhpK2D9A069-Z3N5eGEQrR/s1600/DSC_2386.NEF" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLkqFVOIV5txD-ZrgWL2gNQ1mMrZHFDGobrcn1tsvDItt6WLx0AGnJ5-ophZ8783Bx3JNfFcgvJ6fvysb2p5OwtWGOYV2Gi43bjEesNMnyW5MwMHMkam8W5WRhpK2D9A069-Z3N5eGEQrR/s640/DSC_2386.NEF" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">it was supposed to look like the example on the table. it did not. ;)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0reTWQI2dttPMRCm7WIwB_WU6dqEyR9taQcXkn6mkmKXRYzoU7AprWAp3PtClIDcS2IlMY2fKsebS1BTOj4WmOEFge7OPWUrlyLTaXiBYKydMrYynNuSHntvYQHz1se1DS6LvJTZGmeVC/s1600/DSC_2387.NEF" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0reTWQI2dttPMRCm7WIwB_WU6dqEyR9taQcXkn6mkmKXRYzoU7AprWAp3PtClIDcS2IlMY2fKsebS1BTOj4WmOEFge7OPWUrlyLTaXiBYKydMrYynNuSHntvYQHz1se1DS6LvJTZGmeVC/s640/DSC_2387.NEF" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">off we go!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_s9aFT6J63I04LZVzh06LJIxv95U7QQGLQaJ8OPBmq1BidOoyhBPgVK55nsxeCZ_F0fSJsKe4PpondcYh2mAd7rWDozh0zci2zQig4TomPYv6tQdW62ezj4DxC4bs8E61m5Ggs1mdF4z1/s1600/DSC_2388.NEF" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_s9aFT6J63I04LZVzh06LJIxv95U7QQGLQaJ8OPBmq1BidOoyhBPgVK55nsxeCZ_F0fSJsKe4PpondcYh2mAd7rWDozh0zci2zQig4TomPYv6tQdW62ezj4DxC4bs8E61m5Ggs1mdF4z1/s640/DSC_2388.NEF" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">what every little guy needs for a hike: binocs, owl mask, water bottle, rain boots & a backpack</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpZ2-D5hhZZeaQ_k6tUt7f99-N741R0xEtuJcxoSDfMYORYRMhLUk2FHnhgL64FF54OEtJvZiPPqsEv8SXId11Cew6Qt1B9eD0Mv4A6BTN12lJ30IkP6G4W3h_05Hedzby6oj8Sd5B4ueo/s1600/DSC_2390.NEF" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpZ2-D5hhZZeaQ_k6tUt7f99-N741R0xEtuJcxoSDfMYORYRMhLUk2FHnhgL64FF54OEtJvZiPPqsEv8SXId11Cew6Qt1B9eD0Mv4A6BTN12lJ30IkP6G4W3h_05Hedzby6oj8Sd5B4ueo/s640/DSC_2390.NEF" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">two are better than one</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
find me!<br />
: : <a href="https://www.facebook.com/sbeesley81">facebook</a><br />
: : <a href="http://pinterest.com/sbeesley/">pinterest</a><br />
: : <a href="http://instagram.com/mrsbeesley">instagram</a>Sarah Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04204472251037779390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2257561322501687971.post-74220535971519956072013-04-11T14:24:00.001-06:002013-04-25T08:06:07.450-06:009 Months.Wow, so when things fall through the cracks - they <i>really</i> fall through the cracks.<br />
<br />
My little old blog is so neglected. I really want to keep up on it more, it's one of the only ways I keep track of my kids lives and there's stuff I just don't want to forget. I've hardly blogged about Matthew has he's growing and that bums me out. At some point, I'm going to get my crap together and start scrapbooking again and when I get to Matthew's - I'm not going to remember anything that happened.<br />
<br />
So.<br />
<br />
Matthew.<br />
<br />
He's 9 months old now.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8G5akJ3FmXzGFQjlzykic2wRbNoQtPdoGQxtBX265E7RzLLvCUxJCISRRGBPTIkcNd8tl5BkW1DAv1GAEzkXzOBJYhSdzlZqxiJSPvT1mdDuvL_kJ1zZyelOuJUPlurfRkgj7Mnvgaqau/s1600/DSC_18940019-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8G5akJ3FmXzGFQjlzykic2wRbNoQtPdoGQxtBX265E7RzLLvCUxJCISRRGBPTIkcNd8tl5BkW1DAv1GAEzkXzOBJYhSdzlZqxiJSPvT1mdDuvL_kJ1zZyelOuJUPlurfRkgj7Mnvgaqau/s640/DSC_18940019-001.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />
Last time I blogged specifically about Matthew, he was 4 months. So yeah... oops??<br />
<br />
So, we haven't had his 9 month check up yet (that's at the end of the month when he'll be practically 10 months but there ya go), so I'll update with these blank stats later:<br />
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<br />
Stats:<br />
<div>
<ul>
<li>Weight: </li>
<li>Height: </li>
<li>Head: </li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
He is:</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>just starting to work on a creeper/army crawl</li>
<li>really mobile, even though he doesn't necessarily crawl much - he rolls, lunges, stretches & creep/army crawls to get what he wants. when seated, he scooches by kicking his legs</li>
<li>not yet pulling up to stand on his own</li>
<li>finally said "mama" - his words (sounds ha ha) are: mama, dada & bubba (which is what we call Ben at home)</li>
<li>a VORACIOUS eater - this kid does not mess around with food. he has no tolerance for purees and basically eats what we do. the only thing I'm restricting for now are meat, peanut butter & honey.</li>
<li>has his bottom two middle teeth and is working on cutting his top two</li>
<li>adores his big brother</li>
</ul>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX1_83ERj03B7tI1JIYmJ-DzNaPZyH1qREjdppUnUlGlOM9GB3Hvo8P8jTFaXpaVKtFq05h_QbCMfXSNZJSVOYT5vafgAeogxstkAtv_90JcL38AREaUeIWV0COZBmQ2YUKrczasRiA_KR/s1600/DSC_23520028-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX1_83ERj03B7tI1JIYmJ-DzNaPZyH1qREjdppUnUlGlOM9GB3Hvo8P8jTFaXpaVKtFq05h_QbCMfXSNZJSVOYT5vafgAeogxstkAtv_90JcL38AREaUeIWV0COZBmQ2YUKrczasRiA_KR/s640/DSC_23520028-001.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div>
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<div>
He does not care for:</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>getting his nose wiped - he knows what's happening when you come at him with a tissue or wipe and will turn his head away (and freak out if you actually attempt to wipe his nose)</li>
<li>vegetables (he basically only eats yogurt, fruit & bread) or cottage cheese</li>
<li>hats of any kind</li>
</ul>
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<div>
People remark on:</div>
</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>his big blue eyes</li>
<li>how happy he is (though don't try to get a smile out of him at the grocery store - that boy knows how to throw a stare down)</li>
<li>his great laugh</li>
</ul>
</div>
<i>{just for fun - <a href="http://idbeesley.blogspot.com/2010/09/9-months.html" target="_blank">here's Ben's 9 month post</a>}</i><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;">find me! </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;" /><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.796875px;">: : facebook</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;"> </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;" /><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.796875px;">: : pinterest</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;"> </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;" /><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.796875px;">: : instagram</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;"> </span>Sarah Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04204472251037779390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2257561322501687971.post-82387313257700107962013-04-11T13:59:00.001-06:002013-04-25T08:06:28.301-06:00Tumble Time!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM5Cjmt1VxC00VtErip12UgT7qDvhKOFbp1mr0EL8S6onH4qxx3prEYoYOCaYXuUjLUvYMirjU5gZezcR6WsCKx8sXh8rhLubBubYZdkB_EzgdoaZbYu2tauux9_ngnQenHv1CrFl7VWjr/s1600/DSC_19700005-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM5Cjmt1VxC00VtErip12UgT7qDvhKOFbp1mr0EL8S6onH4qxx3prEYoYOCaYXuUjLUvYMirjU5gZezcR6WsCKx8sXh8rhLubBubYZdkB_EzgdoaZbYu2tauux9_ngnQenHv1CrFl7VWjr/s640/DSC_19700005-001.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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When Ben started up preschool, I stopped sending him to Tumble Time because I couldn't juggle both expenses. As much as we all love school, we were pretty bummed to miss out on Tumble Time, so in January we started him back up again and I'm so glad we did. Even though he missed about half that term from being sick and then recovering from <a href="http://idbeesley.blogspot.com/2013/03/follow-up.html" target="_blank">surgery</a>, we're so glad to be going again!<br />
<br />
This surgery was the very best thing we could have offered our little guy. The confidence he's gained... he never ever did the beam by himself before - he always had a death grip on Miss Colista. Now he confidently walks across like no big deal (which to me, it's a GIANT deal)... well... except on the taller beam. He still needs a little help from Miss Colista on the taller beam.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrJtkyMFuNkYSAgO5RV0RFAFheqS-i1nHMPs7XhQTxUyCXifze4SUAvVrnyN0CWW_zZwn4mHjhK7rzFUQma8xlgGD1WljNw-QSQhIEnkftgFfqYzjy6Yt7nM4GA4vVvraEKVg5mVW76mBe/s1600/DSC_19830018-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrJtkyMFuNkYSAgO5RV0RFAFheqS-i1nHMPs7XhQTxUyCXifze4SUAvVrnyN0CWW_zZwn4mHjhK7rzFUQma8xlgGD1WljNw-QSQhIEnkftgFfqYzjy6Yt7nM4GA4vVvraEKVg5mVW76mBe/s640/DSC_19830018-001.JPG" width="424" /></a></div>
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Such a difference a few months makes. I was worried that seeing me in the lobby would be a distraction (not that he couldn't do the class without me, but that looking up and seeing me would cause issues) but he mostly doesn't even look my way. He's so focused on the class, he's such a great listener, tries all the courses. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpzarJDHlnUoGYhFmEQka5DclZIqIfARqQKX_IgG6nt2s0m3HQiwE5FSor3zRLm3acgbRwXsVOweXc0_owRUItudsPbeSDrw2-OrG1lFKZ0Y6c4J0MIAKQdxONaq8InvOVFVNk9pbwzT9l/s1600/DSC_19960031-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpzarJDHlnUoGYhFmEQka5DclZIqIfARqQKX_IgG6nt2s0m3HQiwE5FSor3zRLm3acgbRwXsVOweXc0_owRUItudsPbeSDrw2-OrG1lFKZ0Y6c4J0MIAKQdxONaq8InvOVFVNk9pbwzT9l/s640/DSC_19960031-001.JPG" width="424" /></a></div>
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It's much fun. I'm so glad we juggled money and are able to have him go again!<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/wJ9wgtvpMrc?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
Show day!<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;">find me! </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;" /><a href="https://www.facebook.com/sbeesley81" style="background-color: white; color: #999999; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px; text-decoration: none;">: : facebook</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;"> </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;" /><a href="http://pinterest.com/sbeesley/" style="background-color: white; color: #999999; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px; text-decoration: none;">: : pinterest</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;"> </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;" /><a href="http://instagram.com/mrsbeesley" style="background-color: white; color: #999999; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px; text-decoration: none;">: : instagram</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;"> </span>Sarah Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04204472251037779390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2257561322501687971.post-51784341478433365582013-03-11T14:00:00.001-06:002013-04-25T08:06:57.248-06:00Upgrades!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQBjKo916MvoIXL8sUaZEl36Yj0YOwaG7DSPZmqlmLTRu-NMr-IivfuXVf5VKNaJoTSRYBz7qJ1_W3hkc6r8sn1FP5DVKhFkrRXB8VWZMN1vdQbGT_xAX7UavMtfBLZT_Ua4LkkYxxJVAZ/s1600/DSC_19360018-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQBjKo916MvoIXL8sUaZEl36Yj0YOwaG7DSPZmqlmLTRu-NMr-IivfuXVf5VKNaJoTSRYBz7qJ1_W3hkc6r8sn1FP5DVKhFkrRXB8VWZMN1vdQbGT_xAX7UavMtfBLZT_Ua4LkkYxxJVAZ/s640/DSC_19360018-001.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">I found the baskets at Shopko for $7.99 each. I thought that was a great price (though 6 at once does add up, even if they are on clearance...). The big white bins on the bottom two shelves used to be in my bathroom closet. The basket on the top left used to be like wood color. Hello, spray paint! :) It's lined with a pillow sham cover for my bed set and filled with yarn.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm9jLrXP9H9iYezRxHYfa2Zp0QotokiEh4-6hsR9bqnj6_WgO3YBem93zWGkzuMzwxpz-M_5Gy-Zj6M6sYGBPBxYBshiPOyXbSxD_aof0W-VYvH1SS45rp3bksStLcU8KI4PLZ6dq_VMxM/s1600/DSC_19390021-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm9jLrXP9H9iYezRxHYfa2Zp0QotokiEh4-6hsR9bqnj6_WgO3YBem93zWGkzuMzwxpz-M_5Gy-Zj6M6sYGBPBxYBshiPOyXbSxD_aof0W-VYvH1SS45rp3bksStLcU8KI4PLZ6dq_VMxM/s640/DSC_19390021-001.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">I used empty mason jars to make my ribbon pretty. I heart it. ;) The basket to the left holds all my most used sewing supplies.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgibygiEV9pr1YMpqyPAztszykHxVpFI9p66CbyF1MGGtkzqjc5myo15D7dqCSQRW7pyiLRwoAgMmekoSqo5J_C-0R0Ro_PA2reB9zUulgXNNu0EgsQf-aV29-Rtqz7ODY3bknNet9SgCE8/s1600/DSC_19380020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgibygiEV9pr1YMpqyPAztszykHxVpFI9p66CbyF1MGGtkzqjc5myo15D7dqCSQRW7pyiLRwoAgMmekoSqo5J_C-0R0Ro_PA2reB9zUulgXNNu0EgsQf-aV29-Rtqz7ODY3bknNet9SgCE8/s640/DSC_19380020.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">I saved Matthew's baby food jars, boiled them to get the labels off (and to you know, get 'em really clean) and then I spray painted the lids and put all my buttons in them. The basket to the left has my works in progress: the quiet book pages I've still yet to assemble, the advent calendar from Christmas that I still need to decorate and some bits & bobs I've been saving to scrapbook.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">the shelf below the button jars is all my scrap book paper and two books I'm currently (never) working on. Below that is another basket of my fabric stash and the supplies for the baby book club crafts. the bottom big basket is misc crap - embroidery hoops, empty wreath forms and just random junk.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP7D0HGLWIsKn__cCfu76edlzoolQ8YiT4lDfavBX55gCheiaqfu3RY5hdyltDHy3ESlXWszlP6Ja0uhFheMzXERN9qqoo6yQeSkVxCnHqA4G96J9vIFbDf2Rrnwzqz15Z8djb_Sjwb72v/s1600/DSC_19400022-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP7D0HGLWIsKn__cCfu76edlzoolQ8YiT4lDfavBX55gCheiaqfu3RY5hdyltDHy3ESlXWszlP6Ja0uhFheMzXERN9qqoo6yQeSkVxCnHqA4G96J9vIFbDf2Rrnwzqz15Z8djb_Sjwb72v/s640/DSC_19400022-001.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">those red baskets in the hutch were from the dollar store! all my hot glue sticks are in the white vase on top and extra glass jars hold some clothes pins. the baskets have some felt and then just some miscellaneous stuff I don't know what to do with ;)</span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">the shelf below that is the boys baby books, 3 boxes of photos that I'm currently (never) scrapping and my (never used anymore) Cricut. The drawers underneath hold my cartridges, stamps, Cricut mats, paper scraps, and more kid craft supplies in the bottom drawer (finger paints, puffy sticker letters, foam sheets, fake gem thingies).</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">I made the beach sign! double heart!! ;)</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">the red photo boxes below are actually spray painted. they used to have floral prints - one was hot pink & multicolored flowers and the other was purple flowers. photo albums and extra books are in the bins on the top shelf and shelf below. the baskets below those two shelves are all full of Ben's toys - legos, Thomas trains & tracks & stuffed animals.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;">find me! </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;" /><a href="https://www.facebook.com/sbeesley81" style="background-color: white; color: #999999; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px; text-decoration: none;">: : facebook</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;"> </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;" /><a href="http://pinterest.com/sbeesley/" style="background-color: white; color: #999999; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px; text-decoration: none;">: : pinterest</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;"> </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;" /><a href="http://instagram.com/mrsbeesley" style="background-color: white; color: #999999; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px; text-decoration: none;">: : instagram</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;"> </span>Sarah Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04204472251037779390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2257561322501687971.post-32301917082529985942013-03-04T09:12:00.001-07:002013-04-25T08:07:31.936-06:00Follow Upfrom one of my <a href="http://www.martawrites.com/" target="_blank">favorite blogs</a>:<br />
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"<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21.828125px;">i must admit, for better or worse, i no longer feel so attached to this blog that i have to keep it up to date on every single happening in life. it's a bit of a relief to know that i don't have to blogument every detail, as i once felt was necessary. having two kids and a home to take care of has put things in perspective for me. it has forced me to put </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21.828125px;">first things first</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21.828125px;">."</span><br />
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I'm being forced to put lots of things in perspective and putting a lot of different things first. I wish I could find time (make time? fit it in?) to blog more often because there's details of Matthew's life that I want to capture and remember forever and too much of it is passing by and being forgotten. <br />
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In any case, I wanted to follow up with how Ben is doing since his surgery.<br />
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Surgery morning was brutal. I tried to warn Ben ahead of time that when he woke up in the morning he couldn't have breakfast, drink milk, brush his teeth, etc. I reminded him that we were taking Matthew to another mommy's house and then going to visit his new doctor. I reminded him that once we got there, he'd get to decorate a special mask with stickers and then when the doctor was ready for him, she'd have him wear the special mask and breathe the magic air (how she phrased it during our consultation) that would make him go to sleep, and while he was sleeping she'd fix his ears and his throat. I reminded him that when he woke up, he wouldn't feel very good but that once he was healed, he'd feel so much better.<br />
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Warning him ahead of time did not make the morning go any easier. This little boy wanted his milk and was pretty ticked off that we couldn't give it to him.<br />
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Added to that, we sat out in the waiting room for a good half hour past our appointment time before they called us back.<br />
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Then we waited in the prep room, decorating his mask for another 20 or so minutes before they took him away.<br />
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In no time at all, they were calling us back to see him. Typically, after the procedure, they have him recover and monitored in a post-op room for about 20 minutes before family is called back to see him. At that point, he would have been transferred to a giant recliner to snuggle with mom or dad and rest with periodic check in's by the nurse in a different room. Apparently Ben came out of his anesthesia pretty quickly and wanted his mom, so we came back early. We skipped the post-op observation and did the chair cuddles instead.<br />
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After that, we picked up Matthew and headed home. He surprised the crap out of us by eating quite a bit, drinking quite a bit, taking his medicine without fuss and just being generally in good spirits. <br />
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We woke up him throughout the night to keep the pain medicine going but the closer to morning we got, the more combative HE got and boy howdy, he was not having any of it. No medication, no drinks, no snacks -<br />
NOTHING. By about 10 or so that morning, Nick was starting to panic and had called the doctors office on advise on what to do. He waited awhile without a call back and decided to take Ben to the emergency room. Midway out the driveway, the nurse called back and told Nick to basically calm down. Thankfully, a short while later, a salesperson ignored my "no soliciting" sign (but honored the "please knock, baby sleeping" part) and knocked on our door. Ben really wanted to go talk, too, so I used that as a lever to take the medicine and drink some water.<br />
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For the most part, recovery has been incredibly easy. We had some power struggles with the ear drops and taking his medicines, but I made him a sticker chart that showed him what he had to take and at what time. Since he had to take stuff morning, lunch & dinner, I broke it up in to three sets and offered dollar store prizes for completing a set of medications. It mostly worked. <br />
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Since then, we've seen a huge improvement in his overall behavior. Since about September/October-ish, Ben's attitude was less than desirable. I wasn't sure if it was delayed sibling jealousy, a reaction to all the changes we'd thrown at him at once (baby brother, stop Tumble Time, start school, big boy bed, no more diapers ever, etc) or something else all together. I think the main driving cause of it was discomfort. Dr. Beck said his ears were a mess. They were full of clots that she had to go in an irrigate. Since we had his surgery, all of us are healthy (as opposed to at least one of us fighting off something since about Thanksgiving) and his behavior is much improved.<br />
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However, with feeling better come more energy for more dramatic tantrums. Some unattractive speech spews from his mouth when he's angry (I'm not sure who to blame: preschool friends or Disney/Pixar - but "shut up" and "you STUPID mommy!" are not acceptable phrases in our home nor ones he hears from either mom or dad). That aside, those are the kinds of tantrums we can deal with. They're reactions to specific things (unable to control his little hands a store and having to leave after several warnings.... not getting something he wanted...).<br />
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Throughout the recovery of his surgery, I think he lost about 8 pounds. I know he weighed just under 40 pounds before it all began (his weight seemed to fluctuate between 36 & 38 pounds when we'd visit the doctor) and midway through I weighed him at home and he was 30 pounds. Since then, he's back up to 35. He's eating an incredible amount of food and is just generally so much happier.<br />
<br />
The end.<br />
<br />
;)<br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;">find me! </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;" /><a href="https://www.facebook.com/sbeesley81" style="background-color: white; color: #999999; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px; text-decoration: none;">: : facebook</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;"> </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;" /><a href="http://pinterest.com/sbeesley/" style="background-color: white; color: #999999; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px; text-decoration: none;">: : pinterest</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;"> </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;" /><a href="http://instagram.com/mrsbeesley" style="background-color: white; color: #999999; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px; text-decoration: none;">: : instagram</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;"> </span><br />
<br />Sarah Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04204472251037779390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2257561322501687971.post-5455484366078791172013-02-07T13:17:00.000-07:002013-04-25T08:12:26.403-06:00Tonsils & Adenoids & Tubes, OH MY!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-u_EIgkC7vo4qO-KErCMWMsRdXqNY5MK21m2bvtoc5K3UWSd3TOW3CmnuTWFfRQTsqSh9QzTt4qOWeOF5gMfjBRB1UnYRUK79STr13JopF6tAe0591KI7y5kGYY6dOcDXT_peA7gkcmzy/s1600/DSC_17530038-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-u_EIgkC7vo4qO-KErCMWMsRdXqNY5MK21m2bvtoc5K3UWSd3TOW3CmnuTWFfRQTsqSh9QzTt4qOWeOF5gMfjBRB1UnYRUK79STr13JopF6tAe0591KI7y5kGYY6dOcDXT_peA7gkcmzy/s640/DSC_17530038-001.JPG" width="424" /></a></div>
My sweet, sweet Benny.<br />
<br />
The one with the usually dirty face (exhibit A above), the sweet smile, the infectious laugh, the brave face and zest for all things fun.<br />
<br />
The one that drives me batty, toes the line, pushes my buttons and makes me want to pull out my hair.<br />
<br />
My sweet little Ben, who's huge enthusiasm for the little things makes me forget how little he is. The way he twirls my hair (and refuses to let me wear a pony), asks to snuggle in bed (with his beloved pillow pet, blanket of the week and his "special" - a Monsters, Inc blanket), loves to watch YouTube movies on my computer, and play cars with me.<br />
<br />
Little dude has been <i>so sick</i> this winter. One thing after another, this little boy cannot seem to stay healthy (which he is gleefully sharing with the rest of the family). After his 3rd ear infection since the end of December and after feeling no better (and complaining that the other ear was hurting) after 4 days of antibiotics, his doctor referred him to a pediatric ENT.<br />
<br />
We visited her today and she was pretty amazed at the state of his ears. Apparently they're incredibly full of puss, and he's expressing his pain with a less than stellar attitude. Looking in his mouth, she also discovered he's tongue tied (which explains why we had such a rough go of nursing - I'm pretty disappointed that his regular doctor didn't discover this when he was a baby...). She recommended the "blue plate special":<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>tonsils out</li>
<li>adenoids out</li>
<li>tubes in</li>
<li>tongue tie fixed</li>
</ul>
<div>
All of this will be going down on Wednesday the 13th. I'm relieved to have some answers on why this kid can't seem to stay healthy and why his behavior can swing so poorly (some of it's just his age but some of it is how he copes with being in pain). I'm nervous. <br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;">find me! </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;" /><a href="https://www.facebook.com/sbeesley81" style="background-color: white; color: #999999; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px; text-decoration: none;">: : facebook</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;"> </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;" /><a href="http://pinterest.com/sbeesley/" style="background-color: white; color: #999999; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px; text-decoration: none;">: : pinterest</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;"> </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;" /><a href="http://instagram.com/mrsbeesley" style="background-color: white; color: #999999; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px; text-decoration: none;">: : instagram</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;"> </span></div>
Sarah Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04204472251037779390noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2257561322501687971.post-60032450923509580442013-01-21T07:51:00.000-07:002013-04-25T08:12:49.776-06:00Menu Plan Monday.Whew. It's been awhile since I did one of these! I'm hoping to get back into posting a bit more regularly - having two kiddos is a lot more work than I bargained for!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO4p5TF6l6-1A11Wj8gyutF8kDYXOL9NNM7uoiStJofkZB4Qs6V6k8e13h4tg9a_F0Kdp08aLBElLt9QSesUHbbdUCdUrezTvyD3oihebgnI9aoCojVwUegrbBAIfXJEmSOfZIrDYJ3yF4/s1600/mealplanmonday_v2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO4p5TF6l6-1A11Wj8gyutF8kDYXOL9NNM7uoiStJofkZB4Qs6V6k8e13h4tg9a_F0Kdp08aLBElLt9QSesUHbbdUCdUrezTvyD3oihebgnI9aoCojVwUegrbBAIfXJEmSOfZIrDYJ3yF4/s1600/mealplanmonday_v2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Visit <a href="http://orgjunkie.com/2013/01/menu-plan-monday-jan-2113-quinoa-greek-salad-recipe.html" target="_blank">Org Junkie's Menu Plan Monday</a> for more menus</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Monday: Meatloaf with green beans & mashed potatoes with gravy<br />
Tuesday: <a href="http://www.ourbestbites.com/2013/01/honey-orange-pork-tenderloin/" target="_blank">Honey Orange Pork Tenderloin</a> with<br />
Wednesday: <a href="http://www.twopeasandtheirpod.com/honey-lemon-rosemary-grilled-chicken/" target="_blank">Honey, Lemon & Rosemary Grilled Chicken</a> with baked beans & salad<br />
Thursday: <a href="http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Italian-Sausage-and-Tortellini-Soup-2537" target="_blank">Tortellini Soup</a> (I don't make mine quite like this. I should post a recipe/picture of my version) with breadsticks & salad<br />
Friday: Pizza night (I'm planning to get a Papa Murphy's delite pizza)<br />
Saturday: <a href="http://realmomkitchen.com/935/chile-lime-chicken-tostadas-in-the-slow-cooker/" target="_blank">Slow Cooked Chili Lime Chicken Tostadas</a><br />
Sunday: <a href="http://www.skinnytaste.com/2011/09/spaghetti-squash-lasagna.html" target="_blank">Spaghetti Squash Lasagna</a> with salad<br />
<br />
So, I don't make new years resolutions. I never really have. I figure I'm working on myself all year: working towards goals, redefining goals, etc. I've never felt the need to let the start of a new calendar entice me to make a bunch of off the cuff promises to myself.<br />
<br />
This year is mostly the same yet a little different.<br />
<br />
No resolutions, really. <br />
<br />
One of the ladies in my mom's group posted a 20 Week Challenge: she wants to lose some pregnancy weight and had a goal of losing 20% of her total weight within a 20 week time line. I thought - perfect. I've been itching to get more healthy, attempt to get somewhat fit and while I don't have any "pregnancy" weight to lose, it isn't difficult to see that I am overweight and could stand to lose some. So I joined & I made Nick do it, too. <br />
<br />
Then I went and joined Weight Watchers. I did WW a few years ago briefly and it was okay. It's kind of time consuming, figuring out how many points each little morsel is and making sure you track and account for each of those little morsels. At the same time, it's kind of worth it. I haven't really overhauled our eating habits too much, but I am way more mindful of how <i>much</i> I'm eating. I've been on WW and the 20 Week Challenge for 2 weeks now and I'm down 5 pounds.<br />
<br />
This morning, I got up early and let Jillian Michael's kick my butt for 15 minutes of her 30 Day Shred. Tomorrow I'll do 20 minutes.<br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;">find me! </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;" /><a href="https://www.facebook.com/sbeesley81" style="background-color: white; color: #999999; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px; text-decoration: none;">: : facebook</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;"> </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;" /><a href="http://pinterest.com/sbeesley/" style="background-color: white; color: #999999; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px; text-decoration: none;">: : pinterest</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;"> </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;" /><a href="http://instagram.com/mrsbeesley" style="background-color: white; color: #999999; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px; text-decoration: none;">: : instagram</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;"> </span><br />
<br />Sarah Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04204472251037779390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2257561322501687971.post-23861165784695537982013-01-02T22:18:00.001-07:002013-01-02T22:28:27.848-07:003 Years Old!Ben!<br />
<br />
Holy cow, man! You're 3! That's so amazing and surreal and just weird! I love it, though.<br />
<br />
This has been a wild year. Shortly after your birthday last year, we shared with you that a new little brother or sister was going to be joining our family. Of course, at 2, you had no idea what we were talking about. We did our best to prep you though, before he got here.<br />
<br />
This has been the year of the yuck. You, my tiny friend, <i>embodied</i> the terrible twos. Woosh. I certainly don't mean it to sound like the entire year was the nasty and I know that's how it can come off some times. You push buttons, you toe the line, you run right over the line, you are defiant, sassy, and some times violent.<br />
<br />
You are also incredibly funny, so super sweet, so easy going and good natured. You're 3. What else can we expect from you? ;)<br />
<br />
We've asked a LOT of you this last year and I'd have to say you held up to it really well. In April we got on a plane and traveled for<i>ever </i>to go visit nana, granddad, aunt Tara, Uncle Rob and cousins Shea & Ruby down in Florida. We had the best vacation. We did a little of everything and had a blast.<br />
<br />
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<br />
<br />
Oh, and did I mention we did this in the middle of hard core potty training? <br />
<br />
Yeah, your mom is a sadist, apparently.<br />
<br />
See, we started potty training the fall prior. You were doing really great, then we went on vacation to Chicago and potty training came to a screeching halt. I got lazy and it was easier to just change a diaper than clean up messes, do mass laundry and constantly remind you to go. Then I decided enough and we went 100% diaper free during the day.<br />
<br />
Anyway, we visited Florida & Seattle that spring. Then little brother was born and Nana came out to help. She spoiled you rotten and you loved it.<br />
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<br />
Then we stopped sending you to Tumble Time and enrolled you in preschool instead. You love it. Love, love, love it and I love that we're able to have you go.<br />
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<br />
Then we switched you from a crib to a toddler bed.<br />
<br />
Then we took away your diapers completely.<br />
<br />
I didn't do as much for your birthday this year as I have in the past and I felt really bad about it. Time is stuck on fast forward and I can't seem to keep up. Mommy is in charge of a kiddo bookclub with our play group and it just happened to fall on your actual birthday in December. Rather than reschedule it, I meshed our bookclub with your birthday and we had a lot of little friends over for a PJ party to play. <br />
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<br />
After your nap, family came over for dinner, presents & cake and ice cream. You chose a strawberry cake this year and we had a spaghetti dinner. You were spoiled.<br />
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<br />
<br />
At 2 years old, you were still mostly in diapers, using the binkie pretty much all day and were a tall skinny boy at 26.5 lbs and 38" tall. <br />
At 3 years old, we are completely diaper free, only using the binkie at night (we've made you do so many changes this past 6 months, we're letting you hold on to your "security blanket" just a little bit longer) and are still tall and skinny. You only grew 2 inches over the last year (you're now 40" which put you in the 93rd percentile) but nearly 10 pounds (35 pounds, which is the 87th percentile) - WOW!<br />
<br />
You have an amazing vocabulary and a delightful sense of humor. You stutter a bit, which I'm not sure if I should be concerned with or not. I assume it's a phase as your mouth struggles to keep up with your brain to get the words out. You know all your colors, you can count to about 20, you have sight recognition of all your letters and a lot of your numbers. You are so independent, which often turns into a power struggle with mom & dad, but is wonderful to see at the same time. <br />
<br />
Your daily schedule hasn't really changed that much in the last year. You wake some where from 6:30 to 7:30 pretty much every morning. You sleep a good 2 to 3 hours every afternoon for nap. Your bed time is still 7:30. You still love Caillou, though you rarely watch it. You're all about movies now and are always asking if we can put a movie on. Your favorites are the Cars movies (Cars 2 beats out the original - you love Finn McMissile or "Mick-a-sigh-el" as you say it), Monsters, Inc and Ratatouille.<br />
<br />
You love to play with cars. All cars. Big cars, little cars, cars you can ride on, cars you can push around, cars that crash. You love to color and play with stickers and have recently really gotten into Playdoh and Legos. You're not that into action figures yet, but Spiderman and Buzz Lightyear are starting to catch your attention.<br />
<br />
You love to read. Books about cars, construction or dinosaurs seem to be your favorite, but there's very few stories you won't sit and listen to.<br />
<br />
Your imagination is astounding and pretend play is starting to get very fun, though you're not especially into dress up play (but I hope it comes - mommy picked out a fun doctors set for you for Christmas that you've barely touched). <br />
<br />
I'm so excited to see what this next year brings!!!<br />
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<br />Sarah Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04204472251037779390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2257561322501687971.post-5514593959110413502013-01-02T21:36:00.002-07:002013-01-02T21:40:35.717-07:00Elf on the ShelfThis year a new friend came to visit, the Elf on the Shelf.<br />
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Our elf didn't come on December 1st or the day after Thanksgiving. Our elf arrived after we put up and decorated our tree. He came in the middle of the night and brought a special breakfast for us - chocolate chip pancakes, strawberries, sausage & yogurt. <br />
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He also brought Ben & Matthew new Christmas jammies.<br />
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In our house, we follow the rule that you mustn't touch the elf or he loses his magic. This meant the elf had to be particularly creative about where he hid, so he was out of the arm reach of small hands. I read on another blog a few weeks into the elf thing, that one mom has special powers and only she can move the elf. That way, the elf can play his tricks, the kids can discover it and then the mom moves the elf to his special watching place on the mantle for the rest of the day. I sure wish our elf had clued me in to that ahead of time...<br />
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Here are the things our elf did:<br />
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<ul>
<li><span style="text-align: center;">brought our special elf breakfast</span></li>
<li>hid by the sheep & the duck (Friends reference, any one?)</li>
<li>drew mustaches on our family photos (this may have been Ben's favorite)</li>
<li>went sledding in faux snow</li>
<li>hid on the Christmas tree</li>
<li>zip lined across the living room</li>
<li>colored the milk pink/red</li>
<li>hung out on top of the TV</li>
<li>colored all over the bathroom mirror</li>
</ul>
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<ul>
<li>went swinging by the beehive with a tiny jar of honey</li>
<li>played Godzilla in our Christmas village</li>
<li>got into our stickers</li>
<li>rode a chicken</li>
<li>swung from the hall chandy</li>
<li>Christmas wrapped the bathroom</li>
<li>rode a giant duck</li>
<li>hid in Ben's room</li>
</ul>
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<ul>
<li>hung our underpants on the stocking hooks & moved our stockings all over the house</li>
<li>left a Christmas movie & popcorn in Ben's stocking</li>
<li>TP'd our Christmas tree</li>
<li>got into the syrup</li>
<li>wished Ben a happy birthday</li>
<li>hung out with our Christmas cards</li>
<li>made lunch with play food</li>
</ul>
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and finally:</div>
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<ul>
<li>wearing a matching mask (okay, so that mask is actually a giant joke. every time we visit my grandparents in Portland, they make us take something with us. the mask is cool but it's absolutely not my style. Nick hung it up as a joke and Ben has a fit if I take it down so now it's stuck up there...)</li>
<li>playing with Legos</li>
<li>putting cuties in our Christmas village.</li>
</ul>
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I only forgot to take a picture like twice, I think, but the elf wasn't doing anything exciting - just moved to a new place. Elf (named Solider by Ben, who wanted to change it to "Chippy" after incessant Elf on the Shelf movie watching) didn't play tricks every night and I have to admit the best tricks were played after I went to bed... my husband is apparently insanely creative and a super sport.</div>
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Sarah Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04204472251037779390noreply@blogger.com0