tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8703688378898111392023-11-16T05:51:05.822-05:00Little Man and MeLittle Man and Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01457727077675416697noreply@blogger.comBlogger99125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-870368837889811139.post-46561977894216158202012-09-10T15:24:00.000-04:002012-09-10T15:26:27.713-04:00Days go by...<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Since all health scares my way have been put on hold for now the normal routine has come back into play. Months, days and seconds go by with the quickness of an intake of a breath and you are left wondering how you got to today. Yesterday is just a blur and you try to envision tomorrow. I remember trying to envision what Little Man would look like going off to preschool. How excited he would be, if he would be nervous or the best way to prepare him for being in the care of someone else. I tried to picture all these things but when they actually happen it's so different. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Little Man started preschool last week. I did not get emotional like I always thought I would. I think that will happen when he starts kindergarten. His nerves only lasted the amount of time it took to walk from the car to the doors of the school and he saw the surprise welcome of a bubble machine. I let go of his hand once we reached the sidewalk for the school and let him walk ahead a few steps. My Little Man, with his Spiderman backpack and new school shoes. He looked so much older than he really was. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglCNA9JXjHwH6OHIl0jCL0XPPGVivohmrZFS2f1rOKvji3tycuQ59GZMLm13Qln2faA8_vREMYxpMvlQKhFtGfTqJrleRPGUvUQPIkVdegg1IK1SmKhbLHwKFL0puQkt1xKAzUlZgYnYM/s1600/preschool.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglCNA9JXjHwH6OHIl0jCL0XPPGVivohmrZFS2f1rOKvji3tycuQ59GZMLm13Qln2faA8_vREMYxpMvlQKhFtGfTqJrleRPGUvUQPIkVdegg1IK1SmKhbLHwKFL0puQkt1xKAzUlZgYnYM/s320/preschool.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEkNCr1KL5xS3771-ZyxNY4HFsC10T2lCeHMBxXAzGq1bzuD2XMz_oiD-f5tQmGGOTj_sDHjwJW9PzK-KpOHwLnC2BCY6nULKvjzRkv_sTWfwh3QUpAFxN7mVulAP54UU7q7kiph2TTz0/s1600/preschool1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEkNCr1KL5xS3771-ZyxNY4HFsC10T2lCeHMBxXAzGq1bzuD2XMz_oiD-f5tQmGGOTj_sDHjwJW9PzK-KpOHwLnC2BCY6nULKvjzRkv_sTWfwh3QUpAFxN7mVulAP54UU7q7kiph2TTz0/s400/preschool1.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was such a roller coaster ride trying to decide yes or no on preschool for C.J. It was such a large expense but we knew that it would be a wonderful start to his education and getting him socialized. So we will take it month by month and keep our fingers crossed for the best for our little family. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />Little Man and Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01457727077675416697noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-870368837889811139.post-88621239592457228552012-07-25T20:44:00.000-04:002012-07-25T20:45:58.896-04:00The best week ever<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After my last post <a href="http://www.littlemanandme2.blogspot.com/2012/07/fear-anger-jealousy-regret-terror.html" target="_blank">Fear. Anger. Jealousy. Regret</a> I vowed to have the best week ever with my Little Man before my biopsy Friday. I am happy to say that every day so far has been wonderful, filled with fun and lasting memories. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Monday we started out by going to Chuck E Cheese with some tokens we had stashed away. Had lunch and an ice cream then after dinner went to the dollar theater and saw 'The Lorax'. It was a great movie and had an incredible message. One of the quotes will stay with me forever. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot,</span><br />
<h1 class="quoteText" style="color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px 0px 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Nothing is going to get better. It's not.”</span></h1>
<b><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span style="color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">― </span><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/61105.Dr_Seuss" style="color: #666600; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">Dr. Seuss</a><span style="color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">, </span><i style="color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/886002" style="color: #666600; text-decoration: none;">The Lorax</a></i></span></b>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I know that C.J. is too young to even begin to understand the meaning behind that quote but I will recite it often to him. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Tuesday we took the light rail train into uptown and went to ImaginOn. It's a huge library with lots of activities for kids- and it's free. I can't believe we hadn't gone before, but we will go back. C.J. had so much fun riding the light rail and can't wait to do it again. Then we had lunch at my parents house. Little Man came across a dollar and used it to get some M&M's. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Today the morning started out stormy and yucky. So some great friends invited us as guests to go to the indoor pool at the Y. We had so much fun, and eventually the skies cleared up enough for some fun in the outdoor pool. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We have plans for tomorrow that I'm hoping will pan out. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As I was reading him a book before bed I completely lost it. I don't know what came over me and attempted to compose myself but couldn't. The tears would not stop. I don't know how I became so lucky to have brought such an amazing person into this world. His infancy, I took for granted and I regret that. All those sleepless nights filled with feedings, those days when nothing went right- I just wished they would be over so fast and they were, but along with everything else. It went by so fast and I wont get any of those moments back. I can close my eyes and see a small baby, so warm and sweet and trusting asleep in my arms and I open them and see a living room cluttered with cars and super heroes. Where have the last two years gone? If you are reading this and have a new born, or are expecting or are planning on becoming a parent please take this advice. Cherish it all. The constant feedings, the sleep training, the puke, the diaper blow outs. Everything that you think sucks, and as much as it does, don't wish it away so fast. Because it's going to be gone in the blink of an eye. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm so proud of the Little Man that my baby has become. He's brave and curious and smart. He is going to do wonderful things in this world and leave it better than when he came into it. I just pray that I will get to see all of the amazing things to come in his life. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3oIQevo74NvzyDltW-TJhJ98ghgJtmvRXWkjFAag_q4zFa8yxH9uuHXrm15Uf62CsUp4G4E8sWmzJv4LMqZNnvUa_fln4J9HlekB46und8TvJPJGSIcvWjaAQ8dq6DbcH6jcHlarbYyY/s1600/july2012+035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3oIQevo74NvzyDltW-TJhJ98ghgJtmvRXWkjFAag_q4zFa8yxH9uuHXrm15Uf62CsUp4G4E8sWmzJv4LMqZNnvUa_fln4J9HlekB46und8TvJPJGSIcvWjaAQ8dq6DbcH6jcHlarbYyY/s320/july2012+035.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<br />
<br />Little Man and Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01457727077675416697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-870368837889811139.post-57661467494292255222012-07-23T14:41:00.000-04:002012-07-23T14:44:19.913-04:00fear. anger. jealousy. regret. terror.I have a biopsy scheduled for Friday.<br />
<br />
Last month I felt a lump on my throat. Immediately I was concerned, emotional and scared. I went to my doctor, she did some blood work and reassured me it was probably just a cyst. All my blood work was great- I shouldn't be loosing sleep and stressing over it. I felt a little better after talking with her. I was praying a lot and finding comfort in my family and friends. My fears began to subside a bit. Then I received a call from my doctor, I needed to have an ultrasound done. They were concerned because the lump seemed to move and change size. I was beginning to get nervous again. I remember sitting in the waiting room hoping that the ultrasound would show nothing, it was just a bump. Nothing serious, nothing at all. During the ultrasound I asked the technician if he knew what it was. He didn't know, the ultrasound would be sent to a doctor to be reviewed.<br />
<br />
It was 3 days before I got the call from a nurse. The lump was not a cyst, it was a nodule located on my thyroid. I needed to have a biopsy. I think it's obvious to everyone where my mind went... cancer.<br />
<br />
So now I have to wait to have a biopsy... to find out what is going on. My fear is coming back. I look at my son and my stomach drops. Trying not to imagine all the things I could miss if the worse happens. First day of school, watching his sporting events, taking summer vacations, graduation. The small moments. Cuddling watching cartoons in the mornings, playing with his cars, listening to his laugh, watching his excitement grow knowing that something fun is about to happen. All these things I would miss. How would it affect him? What if this is the worse thing? What if I get sick and it drags on? What if he has to see that happen?<br />
<br />
There are so many different feelings I have. It scares me the things I think about.<br />
<br />
Jealousy. Jealousy that if this does take me away that my husband would remarry. Someone else could make him happier than I did. Someone else would raise my child. Would they be able to do more for him than I could? They would have all those special moments and times that I wanted. Would they miss me? Would my son forget about me? Would whoever takes my place help him to remember me? Would all my wishes for him happen? Will this person be sure my family will always be important and a large part of his life?<br />
<br />
Anger. Anger that this is happening to me. There are so many horrible, terrible people in the world. Why would this happen to me and not them? I feel like I'm being punished.<br />
<br />
Regret. All of the stupid things I've stressed over that weren't important. I wasted so much time on ridiculous things that meant nothing. They were not important. <b>My family is important, life, being happy... these are what are important to me.</b> I wasted so much time on things and not enough time on the important factors in my life.
So this week I'm spending everyday making sure my son knows happiness. Before I get the results of the biopsy. Pure, innocent fun.<br />
<br />
Maybe I'm over reacting. It's possible that what I have is nothing. But I'm not taking my chances of missing out on the opportunity of having fun with CJ. My Little Man. My reason for fighting.
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWelUUiw_IsQUbvE5u_QWDawimSdudvXj97K6Fgj0h7jhk40xDz5-Bq5aVSUHHs7oeL5YLwzK2L6fkqGTFCWk4W5VFC2yqY1hO2jhAq-wkVdJXPgITDJaW6aSDO9LILmLEwZ-qpxDwfm4/s1600/cjmom2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWelUUiw_IsQUbvE5u_QWDawimSdudvXj97K6Fgj0h7jhk40xDz5-Bq5aVSUHHs7oeL5YLwzK2L6fkqGTFCWk4W5VFC2yqY1hO2jhAq-wkVdJXPgITDJaW6aSDO9LILmLEwZ-qpxDwfm4/s400/cjmom2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Little Man and Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01457727077675416697noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-870368837889811139.post-89760703892045149612012-06-20T18:01:00.003-04:002012-06-20T18:01:58.614-04:00Let go and break freeSomewhere in the world today someone lost someone they loved. Their world will never be the same, they are heart broken and inconsolable. I recently learned of a couple who lost their baby after delivering early. I can't even begin to fathom the pain they are feeling. After learning of this loss my mind went to my family. We don't know how long we are going to be graced with each other, with those we love. It could be tomorrow we are forced to say good-bye or it could be years from today. While I don't like to think about these types of things it really made me consider the things I have done, and will do today because tomorrow is not promised at all. Did I tell everyone that is special to me thank you for being in my life? Did I tell my friends that they have all impacted me in ways I can't even begin to describe? Did I sit with my dogs and just pet them and tell them they bring me joy? Have I called my parents and told them I love them and am grateful for everything they've done for me? Did I take an extra 5 or 10 minutes to just study my son's face? It changes everyday. Did I do something special with him because he wanted to? The answer is no, not today. And that answer breaks my heart.
They say never give up and always strive for more. I believe these are great words to live by. But I also believe the lines have been blurred somewhere along the road. Never giving up is great until you are constantly stressed about something that it wears you to the bone and you've forgotten why you were reaching for that something to begin with. Why are we all so wired for stress? I see these people, they are so laid back and they could have the world falling apart under their feet and they are still smiling happy and care free. How do they do it? I'm envious. That is the type of person I want to be. It's who I strive to be. But then something happens and I begin to stress and worry, and then life happens. Cooking, cleaning, running errands. Then I'm exhausted by the end of the day. Then I lay in bed and think of all the things I should have done that day instead of worrying about making sure the laundry was done or making sure dinner was ready at a certain time. And then I promise myself the next day will be different. I will slow down, not let the stress of my life get to me and just enjoy the day. Then I wake up and have a million things going through my mind and rush around and forget all of those promises I had just made to myself. It's a pattern and I don't know how to break it. I think alot of people have this problem.
Sometime's when I'm busy doing something Little Man will come up to me and say he wants to do something like go to the park. And I'll reply with "Not right now kiddo, Mommy's busy". To which he reply's "CJ go to park tomorrow?". So now I'm left to wonder how many time's I've promised him that tomorrow we will do something because today we are busy. What if we never got that tomorrow?
Life happens too fast. We need to stop saying maybe tomorrow and start doing things now. Start enjoying our lives. Screw the dishes, screw the laundry, screw the bills for now. Screw the stress. Take a sick day when your not just to lay in bed with your spouse and talk. Take a road trip with your family. Enjoy the company of an old friend. Spend a day with your parents. Take your dog for a walk. Take the only 5 dollars you have to your name and let your kid spend it on candy. <b>ENJOY LIFE. LET GO OF WHAT WE HAVE BEEN WIRED TO THINK WE NEED AND BREAK FREE FROM IT!</b> Tomorrow may not come so let's stop being consumed by what the main stream is telling us. Bigger, better, faster. I say we need to realize how small we are in this huge world. I say we don't need better because we are already surviving on the best we have. I say screw the faster because I want to see things as they are happening, not buzzing by me so fast I didn't have a chance to check it out. Still go for your dreams and keep trying if you fail. Don't let it consume you though. And it's okay to want more but don't spend your whole life chasing after something just because someone told you it was what you are supposed to have. Do it because you want to.
<b>I am taking a personal pledge.</b> To say screw you stress. Everything will be okay in the end. And if it's not, then it is not the end. Press on and be happy. I want to be that person who when the world begins to crumble at my feet I just get up and shuffle to a different spot with a smile on my face. I want all of my today's to be awesome. I know this will be a difficult thing to do, I have a habit of letting myself get caught up in the stress of a situation and then dwell on it. But from here out I'm going to try with all my might to stop. Because this could be our last today.Little Man and Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01457727077675416697noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-870368837889811139.post-35884805414512207592012-06-20T12:30:00.000-04:002012-06-20T16:30:37.899-04:00The new directionIn case you hadn't heard I've been working on another blog with on of my good friends. 2 Moms and a Blog focuses on DIY stuff, crafts, frugal living with kids etc. You can check out what we've been up to lately at www.2momsandablog.blogspot.com
I wanted to let you all know of the new direction 'Little Man and Me' is going to take. I started this blog back in 2010 as a creative outlet and a place for family and friends, or anyone interested for that matter, to keep up to date on us. I ended up sharing recipes crafts and even did a giveaway. 'Little Man and Me' will remain as an outlet to get things out, just write and share things about my family.
I want to thank everyone who has been a reader of this blog. With lots of different post I've actually received emails from complete strangers offering words of strength, hope and thanks and it has been a great feeling to know that I've reached out to people.
So please be sure to check out '2 Moms and a Blog' for all things crafty, DIY and frugal! www.2momsandablog.blogspot.com
And keep checking back here for updates on Little Man and Me!Little Man and Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01457727077675416697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-870368837889811139.post-25089994884308971942012-06-08T20:04:00.000-04:002012-06-08T20:06:19.193-04:00In the mean time...<div style="text-align: center;">
While Little Man and Me is on hiatus, be sure to check out another blog I've been working on with a great friend. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.2momsandablog.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><b> 2 Moms and a Blog</b></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b>2 Moms take on life, crafts, cooking, DIY tips and frugality all while remaining fabulous and kinda sane.</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Here is a little of what we've got going on over there...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Find out how to make these incredibly easy and super fun stick airplanes</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2momsandablog.blogspot.com/2012/06/pinterest-inspired-stick-airplanes.html" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOFyJZtWzOxV9jGvkXxlkWo7hIdER-tIudv-pObR0d-EEirV1a-k7rsE_JfaHg4oq-w9tW3oVbHWUDB0kMYMzQ_rY72cafRgwG6kSZurCgS_1rKYDxUeHu6q1WW6mmqbk53G5QTsx4KYc/s400/stickairplanesdirections.png" width="197" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Follow our family summer adventures as we cruise through our 2012 summer bucket list!</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2momsandablog.blogspot.com/2012/06/2012-summer-bucket-list.html" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl7cbef3gCmpYj2HPRqKI56LD-bPdOJu-opqfNmqLHC38QL8-kAWGOMImQlpghrK-ZlUIADLzu491ztjWzjthIR7h4N7cNTXpziPpNuLmayR4iiDos0M2cl0TQ1TIdY0nzWRlaEH3fGEo/s320/bucketlist.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b></div>Little Man and Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01457727077675416697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-870368837889811139.post-62634910281460770072012-06-07T12:01:00.001-04:002012-06-07T12:01:40.890-04:00I'm still here!<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am going to start to redesign Little Man and Me in the coming weeks, so while I know it's been a while since the last post I wanted to officially note the blog will be on hiatus! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I hope everyone is enjoying their families and summer so far, I know I have!</span>Little Man and Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01457727077675416697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-870368837889811139.post-4682819714710167192012-03-21T14:37:00.000-04:002012-03-21T14:37:25.203-04:00taking a toll on me...<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Stress is taking a huge toll on me. Stress, just plain stress. From every point it could possibly come from, it's coming at me. I can physically feel it in my body. As hard as I try to let it just roll off my back I feel like my brain is wired to continue to stress. I am fighting with myself daily trying to make the right decisions for my family. My heart and mind are fighting, my heart tells me one thing- and my mind another. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I find most days while as I'm putting Little Man's dinner on the table that I have not ate at all that day. I just forget to do it. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I hear people say, don't worry about tomorrow focus on today. Why can't I do this? These are words I TRY to live by. I don't want to constantly worry. But how can I not?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I want to go on vacation so badly with my family- to just get away for a couple of days. Have no worries. But the reality is that it's not going to happen. Then I feel guilty for being upset that we can't get away for a few days. People are struggling just to live and I am upset about not being able to take a vacation. Back to the stress. Am I not a good person? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's getting harder to enjoy the moment. Because I'm focusing on the next. This is not how I want to be. This is NOT how I want my son to grow up. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Just had to get that out. </span>Little Man and Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01457727077675416697noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-870368837889811139.post-13702765082903327112012-02-19T14:34:00.001-05:002012-02-19T14:34:33.542-05:00Stuff and more stuff about stuff.<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've been neglecting this blog. Big time. I am not sure why. I have tons to say, tons on my mind but some things I just don't know how to put into words. Other things I chose to keep private and some things I fear will be taken the wrong way. I've got to learn to get past the fear of how my thoughts and feelings will be perceived by my family and friends. Soon I hope to be able to do just that with this blog. Use it as an outlet to get things off my chest.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On another note, a late note we had a fun Valentine's day around here. Little Man was so happy to get a couple of new matchbox planes in his goody bag along with some cookies and a DVD. We had some fun with streamer that I had left over from some failed craft projects. It kept him busy for quite a while.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMHJJk-ivi1rO7UWIGNzD0mbcoSJlpddbFr9M9sU2wZre1pRgh9QeypScpEXEpLbgN9xkw20aJbADI9HJatHr9nqaBU9_ZObb0B-ChQbcZ6f54dOWaDPW0n_E8L4jjtOeZkU6SCmOaB6w/s1600/valentines023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMHJJk-ivi1rO7UWIGNzD0mbcoSJlpddbFr9M9sU2wZre1pRgh9QeypScpEXEpLbgN9xkw20aJbADI9HJatHr9nqaBU9_ZObb0B-ChQbcZ6f54dOWaDPW0n_E8L4jjtOeZkU6SCmOaB6w/s320/valentines023.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKHARu0dlaqTdycY0S7wLUDxvR1yq3UV3MR3Pz_wmDwKbLmTFql7R9MIljWPWe3hXWQOV1qYmdCUSDuRsX7qlAqg99s4zytYK-KLhIpdwFcEFKTBlTDPhVtou_-Q_TVkYuPzKla_zb1cE/s1600/valentines026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKHARu0dlaqTdycY0S7wLUDxvR1yq3UV3MR3Pz_wmDwKbLmTFql7R9MIljWPWe3hXWQOV1qYmdCUSDuRsX7qlAqg99s4zytYK-KLhIpdwFcEFKTBlTDPhVtou_-Q_TVkYuPzKla_zb1cE/s400/valentines026.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikwImmyGIA-HwvGcfS48yS_ReSf9NS-5QAhPWLiX3zltfPwBh8BGTIzJ47Am0vYoCX7Vt_-frWZhjOVLd8igyGQ5LOxC80Ow3G3yd_7r-_mj1XmmTXBfdN1O4j_xmD4JRZB4oG2E7ISqo/s1600/valentines031.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikwImmyGIA-HwvGcfS48yS_ReSf9NS-5QAhPWLiX3zltfPwBh8BGTIzJ47Am0vYoCX7Vt_-frWZhjOVLd8igyGQ5LOxC80Ow3G3yd_7r-_mj1XmmTXBfdN1O4j_xmD4JRZB4oG2E7ISqo/s320/valentines031.jpg" width="239" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We decorated the windows in our dinning room with some wax hearts that were inspired by <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/">Pinteres</a>t.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtJKV8HIQDH1yEt53Co_rmXSgcQK2ZZQhEwSa_67bYP_MFTcvaOefaUWjQN994lSruncSXtTwQ5qo0Gt-JtiQwdXqPeXJphCq_nF14_knIGbcFkIdpAH9Ar7UAmJu55yeTq0RByDmls_w/s1600/valentines014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtJKV8HIQDH1yEt53Co_rmXSgcQK2ZZQhEwSa_67bYP_MFTcvaOefaUWjQN994lSruncSXtTwQ5qo0Gt-JtiQwdXqPeXJphCq_nF14_knIGbcFkIdpAH9Ar7UAmJu55yeTq0RByDmls_w/s400/valentines014.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">and we decorated cookies.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG-_L-DXEyxafw6xHkZpVG2AA7jhkR82n_2bPtFG4-9Kswne9q_jJR6teY5jG-MrzvVLUFQEtp7qAptZ6MWyCANw4D-R1hlFe_veXIKzjhZ0RaozHTV323w-SK4ErazBHHJmckt-jjvm4/s1600/valentines006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG-_L-DXEyxafw6xHkZpVG2AA7jhkR82n_2bPtFG4-9Kswne9q_jJR6teY5jG-MrzvVLUFQEtp7qAptZ6MWyCANw4D-R1hlFe_veXIKzjhZ0RaozHTV323w-SK4ErazBHHJmckt-jjvm4/s320/valentines006.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I also decided to turn one of the walls in our kitchen into an art display for Little Man. I've been finding art canvas' on sale like crazy here lately and get them as often as I can. I'll give Little Man the canvas, some cotton balls or toy cars to paint with. I've even cut an apple in half and let him use that as a stamp. He loves to paint, and I love to watch him.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRKcGsF4ZPWLCr_RX7Tjl95fzTssfGXvqoPbibJhrUAvLm6YTIEZeG5lQnPMnLSEq-wVrtHlI0G9bMjonQqsg4h2m8QD-27ViBuHN-gWvfzcnUKUdhPcQLDe-te22GKbyaUCyfcyNUKUc/s1600/cjart001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRKcGsF4ZPWLCr_RX7Tjl95fzTssfGXvqoPbibJhrUAvLm6YTIEZeG5lQnPMnLSEq-wVrtHlI0G9bMjonQqsg4h2m8QD-27ViBuHN-gWvfzcnUKUdhPcQLDe-te22GKbyaUCyfcyNUKUc/s400/cjart001.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I even had a little fun with the paint too!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGPh7U_m1tmbh_eEppfsMF6IvJ06DWcHX3dJSRUPaCmyUW-r8lJx437S_VTvKlwAWMz7NSbQM-_bl_-2zebjTyxmQDcE7bkjgJYSbzTGIdztH9S9b5TnKyB6POK2goYi_fgxkL0N_DZEg/s1600/cjart003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGPh7U_m1tmbh_eEppfsMF6IvJ06DWcHX3dJSRUPaCmyUW-r8lJx437S_VTvKlwAWMz7NSbQM-_bl_-2zebjTyxmQDcE7bkjgJYSbzTGIdztH9S9b5TnKyB6POK2goYi_fgxkL0N_DZEg/s400/cjart003.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I do hope it wont be another month before I update again. But until then...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">hugs from me and Little Man</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Little Man and Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01457727077675416697noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-870368837889811139.post-9139807152464229912012-01-11T11:05:00.000-05:002012-01-11T11:05:47.600-05:00Growing up...<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My Little Man is growing up so fast. Too fast. We toured a pre-school last week. Being the terrible Mom that I am, I secretly wished he would hate it... to give me another reason to wait to enroll him. But no, he settled right in and loved it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<i><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Why must you keep getting older and more independent sweet Little Man? </span></b></i><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When he get's a boo-boo the hugs to make him feel better don't last as long. 3 seconds after holding him he says "CJ okay" and wiggles to get down. I guess I should rejoice in the fact that I have a growing healthy little boy, but I miss the days when he would stay curled up in my arms for an hour just because he wanted to.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But at the same time I'm enjoying the new things every day. Listening to him sing along to songs in the car. Point out different animals as he spots them, and his need to help do laundry. Then there is the constant changing of his mind. He wants the night light on... no he want's it off. No it has to be on. Turn it off now!!! I know this is just a stage, as annoying as it is in the moment of his indecisiveness I think back on the 40 minute debacle sometimes and laugh. <i>Sometimes</i>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This growing up stuff is going by fast. I haven't done the best job with keeping up with CJ's journal I've kept since before he was born. Things happen so fast and at the end of the day it slips my mind to note something funny he did, or said. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I guess I just wish there was a pause button in life, or rewind. I think all parents have this wish. At the same time, I can bet I'm not the only one who wishes for a fast forward for the tantrums though...</span>Little Man and Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01457727077675416697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-870368837889811139.post-88020213500582739392012-01-01T22:20:00.000-05:002012-01-01T22:20:06.783-05:00First post of 2012<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Wow, it's so weird to say 2012. My oh my how time flies. I haven't updated in a while, Christmas time usually keeps my little family busy with fun and memories to be made. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Little Man was introduced to <a href="http://www.littlemanandme2.blogspot.com/2011/12/adventures-of-nokie-elf.html">Nokie the Elf this year</a>. He had so much fun running around in the mornings trying to find out what he was up to. Unfortunately a cold hit the house pretty bad right before Christmas so Nokie didn't get to enjoy as many adventures as he would have liked. We did get some pictures of the ones he did achieve though. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ-f1tpqlJztkgZWvs448ciSPYE8i0g4HnPm8KU0InEn7cJZjAbujWaZNp_lOrvB81KQKFz4AKps0QE61RMQOjrkfTYEkV4ljyjUe9HsEMKI_L0y_dLnXIiPNqcMO0U2hxVCvCvIQAkoE/s1600/nokie001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ-f1tpqlJztkgZWvs448ciSPYE8i0g4HnPm8KU0InEn7cJZjAbujWaZNp_lOrvB81KQKFz4AKps0QE61RMQOjrkfTYEkV4ljyjUe9HsEMKI_L0y_dLnXIiPNqcMO0U2hxVCvCvIQAkoE/s320/nokie001.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Fishing for gold fish... </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimOD0JSqiT3l8OkIgu9Qj1d0SzyrdkqhDnlSBJvOol1QyIWcjQqbxt2mwYJ8opECQ-oPigeQWAR_0FNr3jNAahvGmfC0x-YQw17KHtIFUB72IyK54A6Qj5iG95ZUV7B-1sCUDWJ9xcAN4/s1600/nokie002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimOD0JSqiT3l8OkIgu9Qj1d0SzyrdkqhDnlSBJvOol1QyIWcjQqbxt2mwYJ8opECQ-oPigeQWAR_0FNr3jNAahvGmfC0x-YQw17KHtIFUB72IyK54A6Qj5iG95ZUV7B-1sCUDWJ9xcAN4/s320/nokie002.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Roasting marshmallows</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMHktRyZw5yxRLiopQqjWNdldIlPx8TZ9LftQv6ktvWP3PlLYcaZAYL6b0h38jbh5dFZDcpasBIh_n0HdvgXH4kr8KEQVqz2F3yBUwjUjzxyK-NasCtVrL7CdcXMpmsA6TPOdsTZTK_iM/s1600/nokie003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMHktRyZw5yxRLiopQqjWNdldIlPx8TZ9LftQv6ktvWP3PlLYcaZAYL6b0h38jbh5dFZDcpasBIh_n0HdvgXH4kr8KEQVqz2F3yBUwjUjzxyK-NasCtVrL7CdcXMpmsA6TPOdsTZTK_iM/s320/nokie003.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And being attacked my dinosaurs and sabers. Now, while this may look terrible, and that it would scare the heck out of a toddler... Little Man got a kick out if it.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And on Christmas morning CJ found this note Nokie had left...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidBG9AtSrGFvMRkNNwMDvtJbdB3Eiam3QTDVmvL6F-OL_L3DI46FXBn1IymDzPsfQhx9rl8oJtYNoaaoLkhfT9OgkQaGfJAqS-p34qUKLJy7t8NgHCxC6G2IK53GUpvdnISf5ObpIp4zA/s1600/nokie008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidBG9AtSrGFvMRkNNwMDvtJbdB3Eiam3QTDVmvL6F-OL_L3DI46FXBn1IymDzPsfQhx9rl8oJtYNoaaoLkhfT9OgkQaGfJAqS-p34qUKLJy7t8NgHCxC6G2IK53GUpvdnISf5ObpIp4zA/s400/nokie008.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We've also had our share of desserts around the house the last month. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvAUjcVZUaLeVEJy4Kac0Kpzg9NFwSAdBbHuIiO-r91USnnETdcMGrqMWaoJupLhb-PnOzk96SK9J43xJlVSkOYQuup9sb8i3jxIrNmTC83Jrp-ik4JJ7nW32bxxZ57mAOk8EIdbfdk_Y/s1600/nokie004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvAUjcVZUaLeVEJy4Kac0Kpzg9NFwSAdBbHuIiO-r91USnnETdcMGrqMWaoJupLhb-PnOzk96SK9J43xJlVSkOYQuup9sb8i3jxIrNmTC83Jrp-ik4JJ7nW32bxxZ57mAOk8EIdbfdk_Y/s320/nokie004.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEFf8IdtFaWPry6UkPCVhrx6v6LWEaXhpaUV9_aIwpQyqrHCXYPfEWGlUSQe_BmbY5IuDl-HeBj-E9xVsKsT6k3CCa_b5_MCrEUxZuNP1MXQD_cWztp-8e7FuXdfMUU4alnQZo_bHl1WQ/s1600/nokie005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEFf8IdtFaWPry6UkPCVhrx6v6LWEaXhpaUV9_aIwpQyqrHCXYPfEWGlUSQe_BmbY5IuDl-HeBj-E9xVsKsT6k3CCa_b5_MCrEUxZuNP1MXQD_cWztp-8e7FuXdfMUU4alnQZo_bHl1WQ/s320/nokie005.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhubVLqlJ02fATe7do-HONJRc8zkWCuEN8F1D9xo4NjcH3NcaCDe4DdhdeHE33ITyTCQ4NKolDWzfCnQAYQxjs83IoabWb_efr9zqJuXA-zXt5cGafrdq9-W1fakQHYCVA_O4MBV9EbMDM/s1600/nokie006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhubVLqlJ02fATe7do-HONJRc8zkWCuEN8F1D9xo4NjcH3NcaCDe4DdhdeHE33ITyTCQ4NKolDWzfCnQAYQxjs83IoabWb_efr9zqJuXA-zXt5cGafrdq9-W1fakQHYCVA_O4MBV9EbMDM/s320/nokie006.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We've been painting presents to give to grandparents. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpKoUO1W4bA5-T1kTyMB3DlXqeErJrKDmP0jMv2uEMrubajzI71nt8usDSErdMKcoWj694af36hKizzmKH2bnYXtEEDqk0CHbqZqjrZaAysSfcxwMkWFmwYZqQnIeXOgnXiT8TA7zmDFk/s1600/nokie007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpKoUO1W4bA5-T1kTyMB3DlXqeErJrKDmP0jMv2uEMrubajzI71nt8usDSErdMKcoWj694af36hKizzmKH2bnYXtEEDqk0CHbqZqjrZaAysSfcxwMkWFmwYZqQnIeXOgnXiT8TA7zmDFk/s320/nokie007.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And enjoying presents Santa left!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRPpM86uNkfyCTZ-DTXAXhT_nOIhT3ccor3Sm-Me4QYCVYIL-rf-Bk7NLpCsPqYwjM3rHT8l2Upzugs4Qm8ZUXM3pBnur0uVv1k4XaUiSOV7_CYz8Pg0hURFucLCs7WLZGpA2Ez5UaqCY/s1600/nokie009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRPpM86uNkfyCTZ-DTXAXhT_nOIhT3ccor3Sm-Me4QYCVYIL-rf-Bk7NLpCsPqYwjM3rHT8l2Upzugs4Qm8ZUXM3pBnur0uVv1k4XaUiSOV7_CYz8Pg0hURFucLCs7WLZGpA2Ez5UaqCY/s320/nokie009.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've also been getting to know me a little better too. As a parent it can be easy to loose yourself when you are busy taking care of others and putting your own needs to the side. I've been spending time with friends and family and my husband. I'm finding that healthy balance between being a Mom and a woman, friend, daughter and wife. It isn't easy. It's hard to feel like your not being selfish when you want time to yourself when there are so many things to do. But I'm working through that!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtHB6LT17tm8TtWLzfuIzz2I_U_l-QpG9WnYfTwX-lXGau5sVhbJUx3hoddK3qy240cBduiJ9AL3lquTqFrjKKH5Dah9UH4zSdx1MNmUw3qrCtgGJSsKwDH3qBzhPHBqHgrWh5ZKkRkpQ/s1600/nokie0010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtHB6LT17tm8TtWLzfuIzz2I_U_l-QpG9WnYfTwX-lXGau5sVhbJUx3hoddK3qy240cBduiJ9AL3lquTqFrjKKH5Dah9UH4zSdx1MNmUw3qrCtgGJSsKwDH3qBzhPHBqHgrWh5ZKkRkpQ/s320/nokie0010.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and my Hubby</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have a feeling that 2012 is going to bring a lot of big things for my little family. We will as always roll with the punches and enjoy every moment together, and with family and friends. I hope that you do the same!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Little Man and Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01457727077675416697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-870368837889811139.post-86064218699388189132011-12-12T10:44:00.000-05:002011-12-12T10:44:50.784-05:00The adventures of Nokie the Elf... including Nokie's night off<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxgsC08Z-bf4sgvmFk7PUL30-b0Wxyi-4JvyMNHUeZemuNLK9l2hy5RdZn2nSUhC4-_ig9NBpNdBo53Fxc-mSLbiH9SUmJ5MfAh7SKqyer-rTC2xqloL2v7zqrWtp9F5cyb5-c975Ty-Y/s1600/nokie3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxgsC08Z-bf4sgvmFk7PUL30-b0Wxyi-4JvyMNHUeZemuNLK9l2hy5RdZn2nSUhC4-_ig9NBpNdBo53Fxc-mSLbiH9SUmJ5MfAh7SKqyer-rTC2xqloL2v7zqrWtp9F5cyb5-c975Ty-Y/s320/nokie3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>The adventures of Nokie the elf continue!</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOM5Rh2FVW58UJRIp25jEiUdKZKsWB_hyphenhyphenKnSUp1XSmrFmJCWCFdw2CBl2SDqSzIbtBXmctEjQ-carqm6s1M6REbvsc7yLYEWifjk2vDfSCDMPXTzqcj8o4b9EvIMJNyZ7TMCi8NgP9ft0/s1600/n1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOM5Rh2FVW58UJRIp25jEiUdKZKsWB_hyphenhyphenKnSUp1XSmrFmJCWCFdw2CBl2SDqSzIbtBXmctEjQ-carqm6s1M6REbvsc7yLYEWifjk2vDfSCDMPXTzqcj8o4b9EvIMJNyZ7TMCi8NgP9ft0/s400/n1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So we were beginning to think Nokie had calmed down a bit, we've found him doing puzzles and coloring...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDZNfnBXZfRF8Wjfp8RW9wvUZrcRcYm2b9PEW9LjGbMGSbP1gZl2dffMUjnJtGHEUFkfRqxUfs11SrSmLn2FJB7kI9_zvxY6MNARyOj5BApB5KX7d0qWmcKIcwWDmyOBDU1CbC3KGylOI/s1600/n3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDZNfnBXZfRF8Wjfp8RW9wvUZrcRcYm2b9PEW9LjGbMGSbP1gZl2dffMUjnJtGHEUFkfRqxUfs11SrSmLn2FJB7kI9_zvxY6MNARyOj5BApB5KX7d0qWmcKIcwWDmyOBDU1CbC3KGylOI/s320/n3.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One morning he was hanging upside down from the curtain rod.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaxYBzdtnkwUfKhzRi7HdODDvAn6ppRhHO8zvOJ8euf98-lbi3YeKTx4y3JAx3THA5WAwxMsVasdFZpy1RFgtLfy1BNUTENdl_4lo62NxKVinGTTvzfyghSFS5jQbZCj_sB5EOOSYcwBw/s1600/n2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaxYBzdtnkwUfKhzRi7HdODDvAn6ppRhHO8zvOJ8euf98-lbi3YeKTx4y3JAx3THA5WAwxMsVasdFZpy1RFgtLfy1BNUTENdl_4lo62NxKVinGTTvzfyghSFS5jQbZCj_sB5EOOSYcwBw/s320/n2.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And then Little Man went to stay with my parents for the night while I hosted a Mommies Night In party. It so happens Nokie enjoys his nights off...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjk9eDaZ2XtxL2x7Vnt6-5whSaQXhopbry4GTWDI9tcjlhE2TTvuOfz2-1Sioyjv_CsRAs0hE4bFX6TZIlkLy4DP83aXIK-IosokFAp9SDjYXMr3LdCZ2K23MFqpIr-tya3_eSiMAwHfo/s1600/n5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjk9eDaZ2XtxL2x7Vnt6-5whSaQXhopbry4GTWDI9tcjlhE2TTvuOfz2-1Sioyjv_CsRAs0hE4bFX6TZIlkLy4DP83aXIK-IosokFAp9SDjYXMr3LdCZ2K23MFqpIr-tya3_eSiMAwHfo/s320/n5.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Zu2lomW9sjNP4v72bExAzferwUaCaBt2Giva8O5OqkpyOzl1lmZGgDJVQ4ZZyC8c4Ipx4Db_ofN1gTg67C1zH4JBS-3ucJxEmRuf4Zl2PVMtcG6fJkcKaLPFec-EMdUToMyEJt8-n0Y/s1600/n4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Zu2lomW9sjNP4v72bExAzferwUaCaBt2Giva8O5OqkpyOzl1lmZGgDJVQ4ZZyC8c4Ipx4Db_ofN1gTg67C1zH4JBS-3ucJxEmRuf4Zl2PVMtcG6fJkcKaLPFec-EMdUToMyEJt8-n0Y/s400/n4.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Needless to say, after his wild night he tucked himself into a stocking for the day.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxsGQPCY7sQQ7u1JzFb2UioyhqnLZi0_GczDX5gcUrde9OBQLzE61X2kGOe5PDUlvxkw2a3iSnICWge3CEH3c2b6pLQKSjF75PK5MkMPA3SD1k-BEfzBU8CUxY4OLXXg6xBZF89iUDmgI/s1600/n6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxsGQPCY7sQQ7u1JzFb2UioyhqnLZi0_GczDX5gcUrde9OBQLzE61X2kGOe5PDUlvxkw2a3iSnICWge3CEH3c2b6pLQKSjF75PK5MkMPA3SD1k-BEfzBU8CUxY4OLXXg6xBZF89iUDmgI/s320/n6.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But the next day he was back to work. Nokie spotted CJ doing something he wasn't supposed to be doing from that stocking, and left Little Man a little note about it.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSc6UnqFmLySmizDCRgq8cgoFV66_-44g719mPqCnU86s3Rmb_MECI49ZtWdWEr2_qMzU2t0S3fSensrcWoLmW4eEbqbf7vXFfZM6pTWYIOdIU_ZXYNwdxRp1CGG8H4U83hjcRsVsXg-4/s1600/n7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSc6UnqFmLySmizDCRgq8cgoFV66_-44g719mPqCnU86s3Rmb_MECI49ZtWdWEr2_qMzU2t0S3fSensrcWoLmW4eEbqbf7vXFfZM6pTWYIOdIU_ZXYNwdxRp1CGG8H4U83hjcRsVsXg-4/s320/n7.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYUifhP-pIcQGDeZDq_qYC5Lg7svFHGy0XZ9Xnez6LGe9-cwAryNouhqJEW3F_J5OszocLmohyphenhyphenGUATbXqM80Le9IpWueceFfYWgMsvEC7ZXqYL28jlCrb-QKkn0dvFrHzE1d3r0DtibcI/s1600/n8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYUifhP-pIcQGDeZDq_qYC5Lg7svFHGy0XZ9Xnez6LGe9-cwAryNouhqJEW3F_J5OszocLmohyphenhyphenGUATbXqM80Le9IpWueceFfYWgMsvEC7ZXqYL28jlCrb-QKkn0dvFrHzE1d3r0DtibcI/s400/n8.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></div>Little Man and Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01457727077675416697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-870368837889811139.post-8086760859998122912011-12-12T10:32:00.000-05:002011-12-12T10:32:29.527-05:00Quick treats for Holiday parties!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This past Friday evening I held a Mommies Night In for a local group of moms. I found some inspiring menu ideas on Pinterest and got to work. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWSOaVMo3pyYP5q5j-0bYqOREfQ6Rodb0SM1lY3Zb8hstAXELs91KRM2Kc2gmMXwZy_FWzYJFuPCAGR80nu55I15kR2oqmJyhAubu6jMJrOHe3p7pic50NaPqXFUqF9vXSsLih1zeljUQ/s1600/cucumber+cups.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWSOaVMo3pyYP5q5j-0bYqOREfQ6Rodb0SM1lY3Zb8hstAXELs91KRM2Kc2gmMXwZy_FWzYJFuPCAGR80nu55I15kR2oqmJyhAubu6jMJrOHe3p7pic50NaPqXFUqF9vXSsLih1zeljUQ/s400/cucumber+cups.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">These hummus filled cucumber cups were so easy. I purchased a couple of English cucumbers and randomly peeled the skin off in places. Then I used a decorative slicer I've had for years to cut the cucumber (as you can see, they are not uniformed sizes). I then used a small melon baller to scoop out the middle, leaving a small amount in the bottom of the cucumber. I put some roasted red pepper hummus into a zip-lock bag, snipped off one of the ends and squeezed out the hummus into the cucumber cups. These cups would also be good with chicken salad, spinach dip or even cream cheese- the possibilities are endless!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pinterest also inspired these easy holiday desserts. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaISK24ysTqhFAdHs4A2gYUPG5FkYtd7O66zMgNXJKmQLdIC4xqtXdRYgHblfhjyt9-qFmZrxcBYNsf7PnGdFJOXryCM4WHlvn7okcE2ypLCp3kA8Qq5Kw8wNbnPilqDapCpotq-QEKok/s1600/snowman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaISK24ysTqhFAdHs4A2gYUPG5FkYtd7O66zMgNXJKmQLdIC4xqtXdRYgHblfhjyt9-qFmZrxcBYNsf7PnGdFJOXryCM4WHlvn7okcE2ypLCp3kA8Qq5Kw8wNbnPilqDapCpotq-QEKok/s400/snowman.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">These marshmallow snowmen were super easy to make. I just skewered 3 marshmallows onto a cake pop stick and stuck a rollo candy on top to make a hat. Using cake decorating gels I embellished the snowmen with eyes, noses, buttons, mouths and arms. One had a scarf. This would be a great no bake dessert the kids could help with as well. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr6TmSbyuRcGonm7BGPpQ9rXcFcbde-07p5o00o3_96s2S_JzksDs3KabGuxXHUpQhzGAlWhNPkcYRCuXFAhYoH46QCRuwDS_HnKeKtWFNwSqqSiRwNsooqttadc3eWTaJc-snyEr5xUU/s1600/snowman2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr6TmSbyuRcGonm7BGPpQ9rXcFcbde-07p5o00o3_96s2S_JzksDs3KabGuxXHUpQhzGAlWhNPkcYRCuXFAhYoH46QCRuwDS_HnKeKtWFNwSqqSiRwNsooqttadc3eWTaJc-snyEr5xUU/s320/snowman2.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The reindeer were easy too. I just skewered 1 marshmallow onto a stick and dipped in melted chocolate candy melts and (attempted) to tap off the excess. I let them harden in the fridge for a while then pulled them out to decorate the faces with the gel. I used pretzels for antlers (this was tricky, some of them fell out of the marshmallow- I should have put the pretzels on before the chocolate hardened). </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPeUDkt7L9O08M3XXf7dnos63ei777NkJ65XyegU0r4FG8OgnkoorShFNQwiEehL7R8FHFsc4s8vcB1j9kZfZ4n2CJ_vw2a2jfi3QZwOtLsWPqJj1Ig98-cziDGo_9klnBXwj4UNJEsCU/s1600/reindeer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPeUDkt7L9O08M3XXf7dnos63ei777NkJ65XyegU0r4FG8OgnkoorShFNQwiEehL7R8FHFsc4s8vcB1j9kZfZ4n2CJ_vw2a2jfi3QZwOtLsWPqJj1Ig98-cziDGo_9klnBXwj4UNJEsCU/s400/reindeer.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizOQ3yN3JoMa_jDJ288OcHsuMrsTD-K6YmDr6mXV0dfhQYvVFG-eP9uTUeYHJMKSS0P0ayKzf72rSvPdEeF5h4_b7CsxIj50cwFK31pQ1CdMJbvX2_eRbUq_eU9SgJmg5g2TyPEfriArg/s1600/deer1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizOQ3yN3JoMa_jDJ288OcHsuMrsTD-K6YmDr6mXV0dfhQYvVFG-eP9uTUeYHJMKSS0P0ayKzf72rSvPdEeF5h4_b7CsxIj50cwFK31pQ1CdMJbvX2_eRbUq_eU9SgJmg5g2TyPEfriArg/s400/deer1.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To display the yummy goodies I used some floral foam blocks from the dollar store, wrapped them in wrapping paper and then stuck the sticks into the blocks. Really cute display, and really cheap too!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlLkAqbKiGil5rlAmTXncHiYIX6TzQatqhuAbXvDDRZHkgG6g3QKNsjoJdRMFIIaXDNQNwfPuYAMm0C3bNiOMMrmgBSzqzgsahyphenhyphenSPixqlF5MhvAtxSPp_cuItcH7hieSKzPf9VFPsPUV0/s1600/snowman3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlLkAqbKiGil5rlAmTXncHiYIX6TzQatqhuAbXvDDRZHkgG6g3QKNsjoJdRMFIIaXDNQNwfPuYAMm0C3bNiOMMrmgBSzqzgsahyphenhyphenSPixqlF5MhvAtxSPp_cuItcH7hieSKzPf9VFPsPUV0/s400/snowman3.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Some of the reindeer's eyes became a little droopy after a while, I would suggest putting the decorated deer back in the fridge for a while before serving!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I love cooking, baking and spending time in the kitchen this time of year. All the parties and planning mean I'm going to spend time with family and friends! So if you are hosting a party soon do some research on quick and easy dishes and desserts to save yourself some time, or look for kid friendly recipes you and your Little One's can do together. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is what Christmas is to me. Being with the ones I care about most!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Little Man and Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01457727077675416697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-870368837889811139.post-71011125547520793632011-12-05T22:47:00.000-05:002011-12-05T22:47:12.860-05:00The adventures of Nokie the Elf, continued<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnOUhjzons1j5e8lV-g3EiVrYAWYZxvgMdIfFJDDLS61bHgxttGUcNvNVF1X2jUnWryh0TokcjejeIL8ceB9BTLDKcpTJn2JgWZEwoTqvXekxK0g1f5L4Th4x5n3FJ6TVSpKcFHaPVCfc/s1600/nokie3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnOUhjzons1j5e8lV-g3EiVrYAWYZxvgMdIfFJDDLS61bHgxttGUcNvNVF1X2jUnWryh0TokcjejeIL8ceB9BTLDKcpTJn2JgWZEwoTqvXekxK0g1f5L4Th4x5n3FJ6TVSpKcFHaPVCfc/s200/nokie3.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The adventures of Nokie the Elf continue in our home. I knew this little Elf had a bit of a mischief up his sleeve. He's been up to a lot over the last few days... </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One morning he was chillin' out with Woody and Buzz in front of the fire. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfuaRHBl4Lg-f2_8j8pJ0AGDboi8IEwNGj-qmai4j27njGEv17uOEHVGFh8Vwh8adnPH2FzHfUwYGAmBlAXlQNh_giO910l-kFdjNAg4OKHDQuov1G0-h9URDEa2PMSMRU_ar-aBKvojc/s1600/nokie4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfuaRHBl4Lg-f2_8j8pJ0AGDboi8IEwNGj-qmai4j27njGEv17uOEHVGFh8Vwh8adnPH2FzHfUwYGAmBlAXlQNh_giO910l-kFdjNAg4OKHDQuov1G0-h9URDEa2PMSMRU_ar-aBKvojc/s320/nokie4.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When Little Man gets up every morning we ask him "Where is Nokie?" and he takes off looking for him. Same thing each time he spots him, he stops dead in his tracks and stares- then laughs and removes all other toys from the scene. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL5ZbHeBm2vWPYZg330v3ctnOjwB9UToxQH_IJCXRTYutZDrqMoieEJfCMvcVJiPqdkaoAUcjboPmS2_y_3BFu35-uI_Aw3H1z9uGdawep_ObVrX73xsRX6dleVpFwcJBqNSzGHReTaZw/s1600/nokie5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL5ZbHeBm2vWPYZg330v3ctnOjwB9UToxQH_IJCXRTYutZDrqMoieEJfCMvcVJiPqdkaoAUcjboPmS2_y_3BFu35-uI_Aw3H1z9uGdawep_ObVrX73xsRX6dleVpFwcJBqNSzGHReTaZw/s320/nokie5.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then we found him zip-lining with a candy cane through our kitchen!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBaOhFDkvTcTk7YrFD7BqtgWw4FzQUO5vHonv9HYZ11gTycO1YL18Zh0TlpqLbYtU4gNV88roFGuqQGAfiYisiah8kqeJYZOS9cKAagIR6C3rg-xCrtJhxMj3Z894hgCuTv_SIT1rmaCg/s1600/Christmas11+017pc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBaOhFDkvTcTk7YrFD7BqtgWw4FzQUO5vHonv9HYZ11gTycO1YL18Zh0TlpqLbYtU4gNV88roFGuqQGAfiYisiah8kqeJYZOS9cKAagIR6C3rg-xCrtJhxMj3Z894hgCuTv_SIT1rmaCg/s400/Christmas11+017pc.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4TsVrV3AZC8zbHlHiEPsstGCATuLvTgSAPTbkUKWiCsgr80Iy-ksSwT0KdGD8n3aJ3HhdKx9Joaf9lUgMEWgcGCJ5PtLpiWoLt18Mpco-rSMTYAwpxqL9d48uMcnKKeA5PvYtdknhuNg/s1600/nokie6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4TsVrV3AZC8zbHlHiEPsstGCATuLvTgSAPTbkUKWiCsgr80Iy-ksSwT0KdGD8n3aJ3HhdKx9Joaf9lUgMEWgcGCJ5PtLpiWoLt18Mpco-rSMTYAwpxqL9d48uMcnKKeA5PvYtdknhuNg/s320/nokie6.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He also went joyriding on a train in our living room... along with a few friends.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiftpRf-M1GhNk3vb8nuHrymmuHiP3hQ9TjDgJvibE8NRb6L_2swGsa74dycp9hWZvlYgBhcHLRtsmN6v00L-5I1vo2fzE4-BCiFK7B4LSbKTtTTtyN1TlqWNH-2H9YCBiNivTaJ761wug/s1600/nokie7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiftpRf-M1GhNk3vb8nuHrymmuHiP3hQ9TjDgJvibE8NRb6L_2swGsa74dycp9hWZvlYgBhcHLRtsmN6v00L-5I1vo2fzE4-BCiFK7B4LSbKTtTTtyN1TlqWNH-2H9YCBiNivTaJ761wug/s400/nokie7.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He's been reading Christmas books to all CJ's buddies.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYMAQSltNOkapXTZYYxwNs5DDGo8XcHMxjaEWMMtv9U2eZvjWeor3GF3sPJUDx8CfEh7HYGwluDQoeEw_TctvYKzX3Z-XVcS9EjXwP38ltiq9yQHUX6-qGr-JxsNiGZ0mV2SZHumnaohU/s1600/Nokiepc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYMAQSltNOkapXTZYYxwNs5DDGo8XcHMxjaEWMMtv9U2eZvjWeor3GF3sPJUDx8CfEh7HYGwluDQoeEw_TctvYKzX3Z-XVcS9EjXwP38ltiq9yQHUX6-qGr-JxsNiGZ0mV2SZHumnaohU/s400/Nokiepc.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTxlsskTxc6DgpCyc6hxdrF4xgTB6spnMHt4HxZsJS7j9r_ImjOh7KTaM9cijz92yG27KZZ_upGMvclLYkbWeDwpflP7LqHwL9WSqdPtKHrwbaJlJKKm_jAzBnmoD50Jt-CtnCbq2mKFk/s1600/Nokie1pc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTxlsskTxc6DgpCyc6hxdrF4xgTB6spnMHt4HxZsJS7j9r_ImjOh7KTaM9cijz92yG27KZZ_upGMvclLYkbWeDwpflP7LqHwL9WSqdPtKHrwbaJlJKKm_jAzBnmoD50Jt-CtnCbq2mKFk/s320/Nokie1pc.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And was also seen plowing snow for Little Man's car and little people! What a helpful little Elf!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii9ydqtEEh26KluTdDKAxo6wCTTjOJh-QYsmPH5oO0wDh2nasn3tpAVDDQ2fnoaJpcMDJxWLNhXDg6ekQeo1nTTNQYM2VANhbaV9919sHADfki_AL7SV5OljhOQkoo9SfIHdoM-I0hy6c/s1600/nokie9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii9ydqtEEh26KluTdDKAxo6wCTTjOJh-QYsmPH5oO0wDh2nasn3tpAVDDQ2fnoaJpcMDJxWLNhXDg6ekQeo1nTTNQYM2VANhbaV9919sHADfki_AL7SV5OljhOQkoo9SfIHdoM-I0hy6c/s400/nokie9.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7zUHDaR_YOVGtSO1MR5X4TzafeEiI-H_e8_49tG7E2kLrbkITwoohosFqylTpRuIfUmrTKsQB4GjRr6UnMUrNKMZAFtok150vVBLu9nEwO0dEvUhDWSe78sJ8Umhn-gRJ6ztU_QXYYcs/s1600/nokie10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7zUHDaR_YOVGtSO1MR5X4TzafeEiI-H_e8_49tG7E2kLrbkITwoohosFqylTpRuIfUmrTKsQB4GjRr6UnMUrNKMZAFtok150vVBLu9nEwO0dEvUhDWSe78sJ8Umhn-gRJ6ztU_QXYYcs/s400/nokie10.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRMLIBa7rt3EDaxMIv86amNdUXsUmsgpRuZdEE3E8SOgfOAE1EkwsZlRverxiP3DlIScvlveBL5AQb7a4M9rxgggbMrMG8ChiEz3wjYe-WdsyQgpgQYfW_gbeK_CV4Rqqtr3aLGT3hh2c/s1600/Nokie11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRMLIBa7rt3EDaxMIv86amNdUXsUmsgpRuZdEE3E8SOgfOAE1EkwsZlRverxiP3DlIScvlveBL5AQb7a4M9rxgggbMrMG8ChiEz3wjYe-WdsyQgpgQYfW_gbeK_CV4Rqqtr3aLGT3hh2c/s400/Nokie11.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVMoAxMpcVsE7Y_2b47RBDkdI8geFSqgqeUNgYHUw3Kn5S6cpl7yH9jhyphenhyphen0hsEnfTBS3w1V7IneQJcqKNh9QWDI4A4S9QXSBi0jpHsLoco1SuCEWHpSLGymQlGIJJvs1G535IshmxsflSs/s1600/Nokie12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVMoAxMpcVsE7Y_2b47RBDkdI8geFSqgqeUNgYHUw3Kn5S6cpl7yH9jhyphenhyphen0hsEnfTBS3w1V7IneQJcqKNh9QWDI4A4S9QXSBi0jpHsLoco1SuCEWHpSLGymQlGIJJvs1G535IshmxsflSs/s400/Nokie12.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij9XTJk4IhiMNF6MzJWXYJs2eW7q6zYaPwq21-irAVKfDfMybpb1ixc_c0VlGbkJl8yZnHcAugRkqdqKxWbiym2R2MLkA95i-U3Pf2uG1_0Ezk3XUVhTgmABDS0IY3HBtsIc_kEohtbaA/s1600/nokie13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij9XTJk4IhiMNF6MzJWXYJs2eW7q6zYaPwq21-irAVKfDfMybpb1ixc_c0VlGbkJl8yZnHcAugRkqdqKxWbiym2R2MLkA95i-U3Pf2uG1_0Ezk3XUVhTgmABDS0IY3HBtsIc_kEohtbaA/s400/nokie13.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Oh my! It's snowing in my living room!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjADHV8ENDQPBotbAexKrEJgnNXYOhYHpq_RA-OYKLlKKoXXzC9rl5f0mn9nkoQW7AZLEGV93z3G_ss7jMOmWMgzpHwWETk1FWuhVWtLsSeEF55e-5XI8VXMylucqJLdMSabdkeA8NdUsE/s1600/Christmasnokiepc1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjADHV8ENDQPBotbAexKrEJgnNXYOhYHpq_RA-OYKLlKKoXXzC9rl5f0mn9nkoQW7AZLEGV93z3G_ss7jMOmWMgzpHwWETk1FWuhVWtLsSeEF55e-5XI8VXMylucqJLdMSabdkeA8NdUsE/s400/Christmasnokiepc1.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLoEuNX1SBXPI_Wj9UDPI4xK_l7n0aYTrpQDbTmd9Utx5sLFtnE35yEHaCip-ptciDulgDBdLkr3se_LhSU36YAIWjMfVVbcwyJ2jErjp0mOz0O0r6fOPSzNmi5DrVNBkxcrn9YoYCOD0/s1600/Christmaspcnokie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLoEuNX1SBXPI_Wj9UDPI4xK_l7n0aYTrpQDbTmd9Utx5sLFtnE35yEHaCip-ptciDulgDBdLkr3se_LhSU36YAIWjMfVVbcwyJ2jErjp0mOz0O0r6fOPSzNmi5DrVNBkxcrn9YoYCOD0/s400/Christmaspcnokie.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>Little Man and Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01457727077675416697noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-870368837889811139.post-5739939709255952692011-12-01T10:22:00.000-05:002011-12-01T10:22:02.860-05:00The adventures of Nokie the Elf<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyA3QB5Z93CKSSBKh9mDbYTOgXs03GgMI6lILtuwPxoXaLK3gWTHTzW_OgKwRMyL1pWGkcGbCwtJm0bNV-V0EG8caNsTN5HnwHNt8FHjnvOydh0KKGmHSeH8ArqWE_qadAoqm_j7Tjn1U/s1600/nokie3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyA3QB5Z93CKSSBKh9mDbYTOgXs03GgMI6lILtuwPxoXaLK3gWTHTzW_OgKwRMyL1pWGkcGbCwtJm0bNV-V0EG8caNsTN5HnwHNt8FHjnvOydh0KKGmHSeH8ArqWE_qadAoqm_j7Tjn1U/s320/nokie3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We recently received a visitor from the North Pole. An Elf, named Nokie (pronounced No-key). He was sent by Santa to keep an eye on Little Man to make sure he's on his best behavior in the days leading up to Christmas. Every night he will fly back to North Pole to give his report and reappear the next morning. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So far he's just been hanging around our fireplace with the snowmen and penguins, and today he was hanging above the dinning room table from our light. I get the slight feeling that this little Elf has a mischievous side... I can't wait to see what kind of trouble he gets into around here! </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW-KI8ZKvoxFxiwzRhHrzLLOnfyk5tY-a_5blW4SuZpg6E9GR_VyT-5lHly4tES-p04In2VbzbW9Zenrt5ijxO6KZOZf-HtANAyuAbbZLqdHkiyxljNzp2LqAKBuMvDH-rQj_pgpMibls/s1600/nokie1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW-KI8ZKvoxFxiwzRhHrzLLOnfyk5tY-a_5blW4SuZpg6E9GR_VyT-5lHly4tES-p04In2VbzbW9Zenrt5ijxO6KZOZf-HtANAyuAbbZLqdHkiyxljNzp2LqAKBuMvDH-rQj_pgpMibls/s320/nokie1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi84EI58WgeLDKTqh2xTSXOxoS6-OBRbotD5qzY4dwfr4EGQuODYRqJJHMc8wYLuGZ6X5edHMvfqVx70f1G_xo3kDiMdIXc8zQelSVWsHQ5p-rQ2SbYUE0zxaQUdKJT9cWLbY_lVwMl7OI/s1600/nokie2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi84EI58WgeLDKTqh2xTSXOxoS6-OBRbotD5qzY4dwfr4EGQuODYRqJJHMc8wYLuGZ6X5edHMvfqVx70f1G_xo3kDiMdIXc8zQelSVWsHQ5p-rQ2SbYUE0zxaQUdKJT9cWLbY_lVwMl7OI/s320/nokie2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm going to update every few days on Nokie's antics, so check back often!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Little Man and Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01457727077675416697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-870368837889811139.post-9951088034983003762011-11-23T16:29:00.000-05:002011-11-23T16:29:29.737-05:00Count your blessings<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Times are difficult for so many people in the world right now. It's hard to peek towards the future to see the clouds break up for a hope of some sun and the struggles to end. Right now, more than any I ask you to take a moment... or a few and think really hard about all of the things you have to be grateful for. While it may not be easy to do, they are there. Maybe they are blessings in disguise, and you are just not realizing the plan. Or maybe everything is going wonderfully and there are too many blessings to count!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After the tough year my family has had I search for blessings. Once you begin to open your eyes to them, you will see them pile up. I decided to take on the challenge of a friend's and come up with a blessings list. 100 things I am grateful for, blessed with right now. Anything counts, anything goes, no order needed. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So here is my blessings list today:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1. Little Man</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2. Hubby</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">3. all of my family</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">4. all of my in-laws</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">5. friends</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">6. my house</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">7. my car</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">8. food</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">9. sweet tea</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">10. great neighbors</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">11. laptop</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">12. DVR</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">13. health</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">14. a busy calendar</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">15. nap time</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">16. cell phone</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">17. to be able to open my windows on beautiful days</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">18. comfy couch</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">19. internet</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">20. books</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">21. my boots</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">22. my camera</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">23. coffee</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">24. blogging</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">25. having great friends to meet up with for drinks every now and then</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">26. making new friends</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">27. my faith</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">28. strength of my family, especially when I feel like my own strength may be failing me</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">29. music</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">30. cheese fries</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">31. memories</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">32. laughter</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">33. warm socks</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">34. comfy jeans</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">35. fireplace</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">36. old pictures</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">37. sun shine</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">38. rainy days</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">39. being a Mom</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">40. special moments between Little Man and me</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">41. pie</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">42. diet dr. pepper</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">43. hopes</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">44. writing</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">45. park days</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">46. Japanese cherry blossom lotion</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">47. chapstick</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">48. lip gloss</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">49. over sized old navy sweatshirts</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">50. my hooded jacket</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">51. humility</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">52. humor</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">53. day dreams</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">54. Target</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">55. crock pot</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">56. leaked black friday ads :)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">57. on-line shopping</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">58. home made cookies</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">59. Christmas music</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">60. You Tube</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">61. FB</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">62. CM</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">63. hobbies</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">64. gift cards</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">65. pjs</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">66. Little Man's closet full of clothes</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">67. purple nail polish</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">68. cheap wine :)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">69. electricity</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">70. water</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">71. heating</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">72. a/c</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">73. moon roof in the car</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">74. stars</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">75. the moon</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">76. candy</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">77. feeling loved</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">78. hearing CJ say "i love you momma"</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">79. fans</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">80. warm towels</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">81. tooth paste</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">82. creativity</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">83. art</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">84. warm showers</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">85. soap</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">86. washing machine</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">87. dish washer</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">88. frozen pizza</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">89. fresh fruit</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">90. our Christmas fund</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">91. leaves</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">92. movies</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">93. medicine</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">94. pillows</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">95. comforter</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">96. lottery tickets</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">97. sunglasses</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">98. dinner rolls</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">99. clocks</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">100. ability to feel blessed</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So... I ask that you take the challenge. Write down 100 things you are thankful for, blessed with right now at this very moment. Even if you are having the worst day ever, whatever you are going through you can and will find blessings. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I hope that you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving!</span>Little Man and Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01457727077675416697noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-870368837889811139.post-53620603265286623562011-11-16T11:21:00.000-05:002011-11-16T11:21:54.312-05:00"Pick your battles"<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I cannot tell you how many times I've heard the term "pick your battles" since I've become a Mother. Each day I go over the phrase in my head when Little Man is up to no good. Then I have to repeat it with every situation... evaluate, and ask myself "is this worth the fight?". </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For example, Little Man climbing onto a laundry basket and opening the screen door... yes it's worth the battle because I don't want him to fly off the basket, out the door and hit his head on the cement. Little Man pulling out the pots and pans right after I've washed and put them away... eh- not worth the battle. Little Man poking the dogs in the eyes... yeah, that's worth the battle- I would rather my dogs not go blind. Little Man pulling the lint filter out of the dryer getting lint everywhere... not worth the battle- he's just trying to help and I can easily just pick the lint off everything as annoying as it may be. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I try to stay consistent. I still struggle with situations, some days certain things annoy more than they would on another day. I try to stay sensitive to him because sometimes he's just trying to help as much as in the long run he's doing more harm than good. There is a balance that has to be learned in letting them explore and keeping them from accidentally harming themselves or someone else. Every day brings a new challenges when you are a parent, it's very rare that you get two days exactly alike. As our children learn everyday so do we. We learn our breaking points, we learn to let go, we learn what cleaner is best at taking out nasty stains in the carpet and we also discover what lengths we go to to keep our children safe. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I try not to give advice to other parents, I remember sometimes how badly that got under my skin. But I will say pick your battles. It can lead to less nerves being rattled and a happier you and child!</span>Little Man and Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01457727077675416697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-870368837889811139.post-70756401096713784402011-11-07T15:58:00.000-05:002011-11-07T15:58:45.774-05:00A Little Pumpkin Baby Shower<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLBojWmYcv1n71f8Wvf3IyGuH61F3CaFW-A2SYaN0qGqeSo2tx_auIa-7FV9td3Do3HdZvg63sPEDnb3ZTj8K3RvYlSrfvHMkT0A0RCazDbeUFfIyDsTIT7ANFZaDMTAbKk6z8cD7t0p4/s1600/Brandishower005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLBojWmYcv1n71f8Wvf3IyGuH61F3CaFW-A2SYaN0qGqeSo2tx_auIa-7FV9td3Do3HdZvg63sPEDnb3ZTj8K3RvYlSrfvHMkT0A0RCazDbeUFfIyDsTIT7ANFZaDMTAbKk6z8cD7t0p4/s320/Brandishower005.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
When I was given an opportunity to plan my cousin's baby shower, I was thrilled. This time of year opens up endless creative doors to create a special day. So what better theme for fall than "Little Pumpkin"?<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP-W8SVF45oxcG3PBUGSlhy1f0COkTa_MaLsxADaTz9gm2hwuUYLLgympj1PGkSqGyKm3SMHKpd2VeuqrdfEf9tC-vVvyogD8Jmi4fKbq8_vMlCyIcdHJs6XwGL9ljwGFWaS26iUVTV30/s1600/Brandishower004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP-W8SVF45oxcG3PBUGSlhy1f0COkTa_MaLsxADaTz9gm2hwuUYLLgympj1PGkSqGyKm3SMHKpd2VeuqrdfEf9tC-vVvyogD8Jmi4fKbq8_vMlCyIcdHJs6XwGL9ljwGFWaS26iUVTV30/s400/Brandishower004.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I created a Little Pumpkin banner with hemp string and hung little shirts from clothes pins over the food table.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikEHc_u5JvhJFw7ZpwmITGOWmnPVr0esMwyWAdw-wcnaYRV8ZwcFhPYYsnhP2Lu5dryR6XYCKNdvQWCm0_r3-TmnJK6h-pATi5M3fT2yXGxYcsELILR49h5gnti3H1fl5XqzWUtBtnpJM/s1600/Brandishower022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikEHc_u5JvhJFw7ZpwmITGOWmnPVr0esMwyWAdw-wcnaYRV8ZwcFhPYYsnhP2Lu5dryR6XYCKNdvQWCm0_r3-TmnJK6h-pATi5M3fT2yXGxYcsELILR49h5gnti3H1fl5XqzWUtBtnpJM/s320/Brandishower022.jpg" width="262" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I got the idea for the baby pumpkin from Pinterest. This website was great in finding ideas.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2aZ8xlD8ahV8v97L-rg705JJITAKZTMVBRSztuc5BuPWlrhccHskzd41ENGd13Tw0BX-65tFaQceMpLmofpzErN40rUwuyaBSo2fEjQN-sdSseGlT-EthJqBM-5DV84wqq7mRcN35svs/s1600/Brandishower018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2aZ8xlD8ahV8v97L-rg705JJITAKZTMVBRSztuc5BuPWlrhccHskzd41ENGd13Tw0BX-65tFaQceMpLmofpzErN40rUwuyaBSo2fEjQN-sdSseGlT-EthJqBM-5DV84wqq7mRcN35svs/s320/Brandishower018.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
One of the games... guess how many little pumpkins!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHtFc0yNmS56s1-EdxPWjRjJ9JnLz57jvNiKZoGBdNpXgYJy-uXPBtHhfgDGZjfEb6S-nMDNewBe8LUdSejVbBo2r6OGQQ08k1yPt61cM9T1M9KE50rpX7W1TPnM1l1IPkiZALcj4SnOU/s1600/Brandishower016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHtFc0yNmS56s1-EdxPWjRjJ9JnLz57jvNiKZoGBdNpXgYJy-uXPBtHhfgDGZjfEb6S-nMDNewBe8LUdSejVbBo2r6OGQQ08k1yPt61cM9T1M9KE50rpX7W1TPnM1l1IPkiZALcj4SnOU/s640/Brandishower016.jpg" width="478" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Another Pinterest idea, "Wishes for Baby". Each guest filled out a card and they were given to the Mommy to be for her baby book.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiMEzttS7kBHSAIP0U99yCbFCXRg2kxnQlBKXaGekiEILji_ycQ-tMLIzfrbypaHhZXTCjnNdSYOwBPsTHOmHRb-VGrzvC5RscMm8uRf7ukOhapw_oeb0NSe-cjlX-S5hQqtaXUKtTjfc/s1600/Brandishower038.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiMEzttS7kBHSAIP0U99yCbFCXRg2kxnQlBKXaGekiEILji_ycQ-tMLIzfrbypaHhZXTCjnNdSYOwBPsTHOmHRb-VGrzvC5RscMm8uRf7ukOhapw_oeb0NSe-cjlX-S5hQqtaXUKtTjfc/s320/Brandishower038.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwlt9H2JgCgR_29JDJaHy27HByPoLunXQ1w-iieQpyu1pDOXiKXg9j7soHS6I1ZcslJbkW5wmB5dIyzs2LdHVsG_Vpmb99GuHiDQ3r0tvL97GVwzjy7fGMO8DXhvJVdmNmw9tpLDC-fX8/s1600/Brandishower019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwlt9H2JgCgR_29JDJaHy27HByPoLunXQ1w-iieQpyu1pDOXiKXg9j7soHS6I1ZcslJbkW5wmB5dIyzs2LdHVsG_Vpmb99GuHiDQ3r0tvL97GVwzjy7fGMO8DXhvJVdmNmw9tpLDC-fX8/s320/Brandishower019.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Since the baby boy's name will be Mason, we used Mason jars as drinking glasses- they also doubled as favors.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBUTKNSmJMny5YG4huDakpn0vexcH2zb1EznLVMA2Q6CTmWZ9l0AvyTYB2q4PdkhFPhtcyPLlMTCHULjk19RTsJfqAwaNhAGVH1ylDTarYJobsCJZAMGSL_e-cjR9RDPjCfuixl-t3i-A/s1600/Brandishower021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBUTKNSmJMny5YG4huDakpn0vexcH2zb1EznLVMA2Q6CTmWZ9l0AvyTYB2q4PdkhFPhtcyPLlMTCHULjk19RTsJfqAwaNhAGVH1ylDTarYJobsCJZAMGSL_e-cjR9RDPjCfuixl-t3i-A/s400/Brandishower021.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Each guest's name adorned a tag and hung from a ribbon around the glass.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicE2aA_1GjJjFLHDOQt7P-Gc43Z72A511O89vFeKaiGiQGSzbgUf3YYvgbKpK00v4LSdi2owX441qVtPajswXN2MA4gfVqQGLYyv4F6rw0iDZW3DivtzExINhrqFraJStNsKK9f2BcrLg/s1600/Brandishower044.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicE2aA_1GjJjFLHDOQt7P-Gc43Z72A511O89vFeKaiGiQGSzbgUf3YYvgbKpK00v4LSdi2owX441qVtPajswXN2MA4gfVqQGLYyv4F6rw0iDZW3DivtzExINhrqFraJStNsKK9f2BcrLg/s320/Brandishower044.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
The lids for the jars were wrapped up with candy to finish off the party favors.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDkezkp7measXEcArXlCL49c6ezKDCnEG1Sidiykn3Cn4RVn0V7cLKnjaI4D2yC9dc4W0z9V_7qb8jbBDAN_-vccljaXgfZ7MAUYNXFwuIc8P_5LWlRWBYx_8Irufs-iIXZ-slKX4iRuo/s1600/Brandishower057.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDkezkp7measXEcArXlCL49c6ezKDCnEG1Sidiykn3Cn4RVn0V7cLKnjaI4D2yC9dc4W0z9V_7qb8jbBDAN_-vccljaXgfZ7MAUYNXFwuIc8P_5LWlRWBYx_8Irufs-iIXZ-slKX4iRuo/s320/Brandishower057.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Another Pinterest idea, a pumpkin shaped cheese ball.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbSyJG1kg_5DVQjXSIBQXkH4MgOyAmtV_1TLqtEUbHI73aFd8hQLJaSkEDmDittHAwpbHr6Z3BZCnBuwE3MT7icWEFT3XdHOgaKZQSXaiwk2GOZF08exWSOJVMBWoQ2NWghLjtOyQgkes/s1600/Brandishower041.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbSyJG1kg_5DVQjXSIBQXkH4MgOyAmtV_1TLqtEUbHI73aFd8hQLJaSkEDmDittHAwpbHr6Z3BZCnBuwE3MT7icWEFT3XdHOgaKZQSXaiwk2GOZF08exWSOJVMBWoQ2NWghLjtOyQgkes/s320/Brandishower041.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
The Mommy to be request cake pops, ask and you shall receive!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbIdPkvP55233gOOdq_r8_vjSvPdkf4LE5nOgTbH0kl8KAChZMSaeIFMbhIRDWyXA-y_Z5r5GkU1txMegidjbu-9qIXUP2hKYXmP6OZZyh3Q7qKuOgyurG1dDAxZAP0q_OT8hxlwN0V6U/s1600/Brandishower040.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbIdPkvP55233gOOdq_r8_vjSvPdkf4LE5nOgTbH0kl8KAChZMSaeIFMbhIRDWyXA-y_Z5r5GkU1txMegidjbu-9qIXUP2hKYXmP6OZZyh3Q7qKuOgyurG1dDAxZAP0q_OT8hxlwN0V6U/s400/Brandishower040.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Fabric leaves scattered around the food table added to the fall ambiance.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRs28ol1k3DhMjR0p6DXnIiG5JokjkkAk1g_afBf4JQtvttXeDDNuHwFQ-77tbp0mQCY-jb4MgMNMPCOdQCLeozU3FzDwxG1eg-EIngeTUl1D4-lfWZV0mu6ExuddPH5rSd_tl04ZQNvE/s1600/Brandishower043.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRs28ol1k3DhMjR0p6DXnIiG5JokjkkAk1g_afBf4JQtvttXeDDNuHwFQ-77tbp0mQCY-jb4MgMNMPCOdQCLeozU3FzDwxG1eg-EIngeTUl1D4-lfWZV0mu6ExuddPH5rSd_tl04ZQNvE/s320/Brandishower043.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLQQFWs8KYvs3NIKpODUmWCD4nDFOVKUqISaOIgHQKFcjySPJANs5j3-78JqWqMpIbyWqNq7GuAAqowlMewHdC5jcQEUmAGuCm3C49It-GhHtTvv06Z9nx40RB1qk7C8y5iq4HqLVBADs/s1600/Brandishower033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLQQFWs8KYvs3NIKpODUmWCD4nDFOVKUqISaOIgHQKFcjySPJANs5j3-78JqWqMpIbyWqNq7GuAAqowlMewHdC5jcQEUmAGuCm3C49It-GhHtTvv06Z9nx40RB1qk7C8y5iq4HqLVBADs/s320/Brandishower033.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
The cutlery was wrapped in a napkin and tied with an orange ribbon.<br />
________________________________________________________<br />
<br />
The beautiful Mommy-to-Be!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigR66NWciQZJ7ReT2HM11CAmo5O6f_Bptbjl2oqdErGQ3rwUnyGpIhgLVP3AF1IBnuLz8DZfNGzFjysTE3uUuNSJA_g5CW_tI9ZCAVO2MRcd5EB2pfwwhvjqFkO5VjB7VwO-JCq7P2pq8/s1600/Brandishower191.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigR66NWciQZJ7ReT2HM11CAmo5O6f_Bptbjl2oqdErGQ3rwUnyGpIhgLVP3AF1IBnuLz8DZfNGzFjysTE3uUuNSJA_g5CW_tI9ZCAVO2MRcd5EB2pfwwhvjqFkO5VjB7VwO-JCq7P2pq8/s400/Brandishower191.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsWPeU1bP7B3I9iX_zLKC6w59WSRBomjNpiLyOyCuQpOj7MRpDql7iLp6AiapI5TyzU4KNbWh8lYxmVt41c75UQWEUkhCpr1jaVceDgeLjE9ZURZZM_lVAR_EWdBmeMKnI7rRiLJB9s6I/s1600/Brandishower176.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsWPeU1bP7B3I9iX_zLKC6w59WSRBomjNpiLyOyCuQpOj7MRpDql7iLp6AiapI5TyzU4KNbWh8lYxmVt41c75UQWEUkhCpr1jaVceDgeLjE9ZURZZM_lVAR_EWdBmeMKnI7rRiLJB9s6I/s400/Brandishower176.jpg" width="315" /></a></div>Little Man and Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01457727077675416697noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-870368837889811139.post-47136598151567972892011-10-29T11:50:00.001-04:002011-10-29T11:51:29.720-04:00We love this time of year...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVaT68cj0eUyLwVDXjNfm2SHot5miJt9Cvar7kNzzHf0bb1hOsBLqJcEzfWjHoYfteuI6RdQxAzea0TWDAHykWWBPORmyBw4L99wm_VEnLT9mHh4xPTYDFcirKBHfPJvPJwV5rNTs-ZHo/s1600/October2011015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVaT68cj0eUyLwVDXjNfm2SHot5miJt9Cvar7kNzzHf0bb1hOsBLqJcEzfWjHoYfteuI6RdQxAzea0TWDAHykWWBPORmyBw4L99wm_VEnLT9mHh4xPTYDFcirKBHfPJvPJwV5rNTs-ZHo/s320/October2011015.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is my favorite time of year. The chill in the air, the beautiful colors of the trees and activities to keep us busy until the real cold hits. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We've been spending a lot of time outside enjoying the the sunny cool days. Little Man spends time digging through leaves trying to find the best to add to his pile. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt-N7BUyIgD5f9U5O2SVFpB5BXPDvLirW8gsaXxJQ-nRjvNhD8EabF8mAAKVuu3dN30laTFYSusL73cyaSYCqbOYBp9CrW0gKN9wRqLO8TuvWk3w8QT9_mHYK3xCokUdYnCqeGhdWppB8/s1600/October2011032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt-N7BUyIgD5f9U5O2SVFpB5BXPDvLirW8gsaXxJQ-nRjvNhD8EabF8mAAKVuu3dN30laTFYSusL73cyaSYCqbOYBp9CrW0gKN9wRqLO8TuvWk3w8QT9_mHYK3xCokUdYnCqeGhdWppB8/s320/October2011032.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh33UQKQzGJk2Yp2CIppUehmTs8QbS_rGqe33bP4ZRoKsn57k2KJ_kAaL44iZUhr3ynxSZUtg9JarclwQN0Uaw77APhQcp0oDzDXCJnKOkyslZxfz-LF2uyKUVG-zMCu7oiltL1DlPObUY/s1600/October2011029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh33UQKQzGJk2Yp2CIppUehmTs8QbS_rGqe33bP4ZRoKsn57k2KJ_kAaL44iZUhr3ynxSZUtg9JarclwQN0Uaw77APhQcp0oDzDXCJnKOkyslZxfz-LF2uyKUVG-zMCu7oiltL1DlPObUY/s320/October2011029.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He has been loving his remote control cars he received as gifts for his birthday. He likes to the jeep off-roading through the grass and over the little bumps in the yard. It gets stuck in mud sometimes though... </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcKFndM4-JmXBQgMMeDdwdHwOfFOc3fAPhgcH7lmnjzE3syCtlywuVhyphenhyphenIViu3cL1ssEoMxiFHb0TfSC1UVeAYffeNFwJfQuUwt27fBMJcpZj93kFp8CffpGkrB6krIpaBNG73SKH-d01I/s1600/October+2011+019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcKFndM4-JmXBQgMMeDdwdHwOfFOc3fAPhgcH7lmnjzE3syCtlywuVhyphenhyphenIViu3cL1ssEoMxiFHb0TfSC1UVeAYffeNFwJfQuUwt27fBMJcpZj93kFp8CffpGkrB6krIpaBNG73SKH-d01I/s320/October+2011+019.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We pull out the red wagon and CJ will ride while we go for walks. Or Little Man will put things in the wagon, like his Buzz Lightyear or all the pumpkins from our porch and take them for a walk.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0-BWO4WksBRVGrXDJMJBWQw5OzooX4Mk13exX6BxUBvf3vbo6NICKA3pzSnHpAH0aSTfjN4alOyGKZ7gGyN_xratOgIPepJqcGsHkwcqIZa4lLcyMMi6PNiCM2NMRLxFIAFcmRJT_yT0/s1600/October2011020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0-BWO4WksBRVGrXDJMJBWQw5OzooX4Mk13exX6BxUBvf3vbo6NICKA3pzSnHpAH0aSTfjN4alOyGKZ7gGyN_xratOgIPepJqcGsHkwcqIZa4lLcyMMi6PNiCM2NMRLxFIAFcmRJT_yT0/s320/October2011020.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_DHGe205zQ-LAdRaW2CEszJrol71zxE-bH5cEXWp6S8A5-BrbE7f43CwI0NXZkcVFz6MlFlUbHCEssZppIwd5Dv-pPpe3cGacH2wbLXC1XzsUYeehVmmrSY71Hc_bgeACWDDOwDzbuik/s1600/October2011011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_DHGe205zQ-LAdRaW2CEszJrol71zxE-bH5cEXWp6S8A5-BrbE7f43CwI0NXZkcVFz6MlFlUbHCEssZppIwd5Dv-pPpe3cGacH2wbLXC1XzsUYeehVmmrSY71Hc_bgeACWDDOwDzbuik/s320/October2011011.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4qD2coG27OcT80sMaT1jXleXuZyyC3Vgm2Gnn4yG_dw-rGLSTjSUuhACXa_buvsiAAXQsxalezpOEWH-C-DVqAmKg1XI23QysmXpM-VBobDrHlmXQur_zKAz0QLwL-0hOxXgOVkkU7c0/s1600/October2011022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4qD2coG27OcT80sMaT1jXleXuZyyC3Vgm2Gnn4yG_dw-rGLSTjSUuhACXa_buvsiAAXQsxalezpOEWH-C-DVqAmKg1XI23QysmXpM-VBobDrHlmXQur_zKAz0QLwL-0hOxXgOVkkU7c0/s320/October2011022.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE7nnI_ghDok02VBttSeTS5g9n7dOPKXhFHouYqigtpg4pPKxGSDhX3pGYTY0yEyw4zJsPZwJaKc0SSSMNmKEAklXYA0qBOmAKq32RpV78drQsjJYa_aF8M2WymhmnVng1LZrMUR5vPjw/s1600/October2011008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE7nnI_ghDok02VBttSeTS5g9n7dOPKXhFHouYqigtpg4pPKxGSDhX3pGYTY0yEyw4zJsPZwJaKc0SSSMNmKEAklXYA0qBOmAKq32RpV78drQsjJYa_aF8M2WymhmnVng1LZrMUR5vPjw/s320/October2011008.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We didn't make it out to the Pumpkin patch this year, but the hardware store had lots of pumpkins to choose from. I think Little Man had as much fun looking at all the Fall decorations and the Christmas decorations they already had out as he would have at a pumpkin patch. We let Little Man hand paint 2 pumpkins, then he decided to paint himself as well!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX5HK7DPOniH3dG6apGiRoQeBOQPlxeGZAXjWKL8k7LZ9qtaCIvirGz8-GQR7EfQ_JHn3AjdMj4okh_e4EomE8fNq16WTRVy3BVO0Oe9JDc-At2VMPqF1C0Zmk2CqZXJQHcOJA39t4huE/s1600/October2011025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX5HK7DPOniH3dG6apGiRoQeBOQPlxeGZAXjWKL8k7LZ9qtaCIvirGz8-GQR7EfQ_JHn3AjdMj4okh_e4EomE8fNq16WTRVy3BVO0Oe9JDc-At2VMPqF1C0Zmk2CqZXJQHcOJA39t4huE/s320/October2011025.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkfo0HZJ5zN8IWb-NLV14edpyLZhX7cLMWVbdZKFLQgzwQA-AKtzSSAFuopuAAgupqc1nRNxxA_Oqx5KcsLulXFEFK2A64DnTbbrZErgjQMNYUn1JY73fQTKiNUf-vsjJSChBSC2IlyWM/s1600/October2011041.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkfo0HZJ5zN8IWb-NLV14edpyLZhX7cLMWVbdZKFLQgzwQA-AKtzSSAFuopuAAgupqc1nRNxxA_Oqx5KcsLulXFEFK2A64DnTbbrZErgjQMNYUn1JY73fQTKiNUf-vsjJSChBSC2IlyWM/s320/October2011041.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He also enjoyed helping his Daddy prep another pumpkin for carving. We thought he'd be excited to reach in and pull out the "guts" of the pumpkins- but he wouldn't touch it without a spoon!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh3eDOeitYc6jcFr9XEpwokfYfSC-a9SiPXDfX5r1KejWiSP6KkUkXF7Ea24m0f9A89r3AXO9yz0lsnXEXVFE5Z3KOh0IXyWx3OZrtpgydXxu8A7tegAJsn4X0efKKB6PmsT7TTIU8eSY/s1600/October2011058.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh3eDOeitYc6jcFr9XEpwokfYfSC-a9SiPXDfX5r1KejWiSP6KkUkXF7Ea24m0f9A89r3AXO9yz0lsnXEXVFE5Z3KOh0IXyWx3OZrtpgydXxu8A7tegAJsn4X0efKKB6PmsT7TTIU8eSY/s320/October2011058.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We have been making home made decorations, like pumpkins to go in the windows, witches and spooky spiders hanging from the arches in our kitchen. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Eq5MiDJkPa80xXhnFpDi23wm0UgCgKl_uantlsnuRzvzPU1DF7rhAXBmBRm8vjVrREkeZjfkWPO_rd4IJSc1yyyHPpTiVS6O3mHtbh7NflyUlutW5BCNVyy7d5AAGSc98C7o9rWKRFc/s1600/October2011045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Eq5MiDJkPa80xXhnFpDi23wm0UgCgKl_uantlsnuRzvzPU1DF7rhAXBmBRm8vjVrREkeZjfkWPO_rd4IJSc1yyyHPpTiVS6O3mHtbh7NflyUlutW5BCNVyy7d5AAGSc98C7o9rWKRFc/s320/October2011045.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB2gGuj9cvHYdjeL2DTX2HeeaTjBv7soZZgpiFj1aRhjiygurAE33rvBKdoiu3AEl-1R34Fc3agUeSI6fR1LrA2KV2DNO2k8icg0Tx_22y5zRiTPBqhApWrCEINtFn9BjXsb1jXd1P1KI/s1600/October2011052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB2gGuj9cvHYdjeL2DTX2HeeaTjBv7soZZgpiFj1aRhjiygurAE33rvBKdoiu3AEl-1R34Fc3agUeSI6fR1LrA2KV2DNO2k8icg0Tx_22y5zRiTPBqhApWrCEINtFn9BjXsb1jXd1P1KI/s320/October2011052.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
Little Man also enjoyed decorating the house with some things we've had on hand since before he arrived.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkrs8DV0SwgtFEHf7abTekPoy8TxaEbpdeDKopFHkse1SVAf_xr1wyvfFALXDtpWyk6DtkPpPppoZAUfQoSYwuFbrm-59D4IIztBLYSL0edy6E2Yh54jgE36MSk1MoS0c8wdsQhFfCAm0/s1600/October2011069.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkrs8DV0SwgtFEHf7abTekPoy8TxaEbpdeDKopFHkse1SVAf_xr1wyvfFALXDtpWyk6DtkPpPppoZAUfQoSYwuFbrm-59D4IIztBLYSL0edy6E2Yh54jgE36MSk1MoS0c8wdsQhFfCAm0/s320/October2011069.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">CJ received a Buzz Lightyear costume as a present and we have been working with him on saying </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Trick or Treat". </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhaB7nOUCUGtVh9hiD5pQEb2wDsB55fDWgjjuUZ0kHt9F_sA7D1SOUCCTBqZiTIfkLHn8_2ZZCBjZTiGCzcuV6AeJqcVgAjAkICBWfwiPsgNY2gQyItDxJUKUvKwHfY6XetN_LrmDSLog/s1600/October2011064.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhaB7nOUCUGtVh9hiD5pQEb2wDsB55fDWgjjuUZ0kHt9F_sA7D1SOUCCTBqZiTIfkLHn8_2ZZCBjZTiGCzcuV6AeJqcVgAjAkICBWfwiPsgNY2gQyItDxJUKUvKwHfY6XetN_LrmDSLog/s320/October2011064.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We also went to see Yo Gabba Gabba! Live, and wow... what a show! Little Man had such a good time, he loved the confetti flying through the air and dancing around to some of his favorite songs. We made him a shirt to wear to the show since I had a hard time finding toddler sized YGG apparel online. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu4XiYZEsBZ7dtVeicEtmsVw0uBFZmbQiE40Kq2p5pi1RvoVCcN5jTJb6ta2jevSevKYj55ezByHssQzWH5kSQ3NV0i79KKtct6Mx_l9ZSrbG3HJeJ0hd8SQCF_UdMODjn1onpaLG2RO4/s1600/October2011065.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu4XiYZEsBZ7dtVeicEtmsVw0uBFZmbQiE40Kq2p5pi1RvoVCcN5jTJb6ta2jevSevKYj55ezByHssQzWH5kSQ3NV0i79KKtct6Mx_l9ZSrbG3HJeJ0hd8SQCF_UdMODjn1onpaLG2RO4/s320/October2011065.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguJ66Q-8NC9Q5k0RWRcEAlDZyDlD6br2SfJqvSahSAjUnc7lAyV1Op3KZzWZnXf_Pdh9k2BvcE4fEcf83dGOs2H_DmLlHsYO3u2GsNuXR0_ZWwSR5xoFPN9JzVKbLWb9T34cYYslvrTJI/s1600/October2011067.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguJ66Q-8NC9Q5k0RWRcEAlDZyDlD6br2SfJqvSahSAjUnc7lAyV1Op3KZzWZnXf_Pdh9k2BvcE4fEcf83dGOs2H_DmLlHsYO3u2GsNuXR0_ZWwSR5xoFPN9JzVKbLWb9T34cYYslvrTJI/s320/October2011067.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We are heading out to a Halloween carnival this afternoon and visiting with some family in from out of town tonight. Then it will be trick or treating on Monday. Busy time of year, but it's all fun... making decorations with your children, going on leaf hunts, baking treats, and just spending time with family. I think this is why this is my favorite time of the year!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Little Man and Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01457727077675416697noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-870368837889811139.post-55706866816491471802011-10-19T12:02:00.000-04:002011-10-19T12:02:57.517-04:00Guest Post- Beating Those Autumn Time Blues for Free as a Family<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">Beating Those Autumn Time Blues for Free as a Family<u></u><u></u></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><i><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">Article submitted by Kathleen Thomas on behalf of Primrose Schools</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><i><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;"><br />
</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><i><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">About the author of this guest post:</span></i></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Kathleen is a Marketing Support Coordinator for the Atlanta day care facility, a member of the AdvancED® accredited family of Primrose Schools (located in 16 states throughout the U.S.) and part of the network of day care preschools delivering progressive, early childhood, Balanced Learning® curriculum.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">Beating Those Autumn Time Blues for Free as a Family</span></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">Are you tired of hearing "I'm bored." Well, the crisp air and the colorful leaves make autumn the perfect season to spend family time outdoors. Grab some jackets and soak up the stunning scenery. Don't let your children wile away the beauty of fall, playing video games or surfing the Web.<u></u><u></u></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">Research indicates that children who participate in nature improve their problem-solving abilities, confidence, cooperative skills, and even test scores. By allowing your children to explore and rely on their imagination when undertaking activities, they will enhance their creativity. Boredom will be a thing of the past.<u></u><u></u></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">By planning family fun activities for when schools and <a href="http://www.primroseschools.com/" style="color: #0000cc;" target="_blank">day care centers</a> are closed and giving children a taste of the great outdoors in the beautiful fall weather, you can fight the ennui. Family fun activities don't have to break the bank. A little imagination goes a long way. Searching for ideas? Here are 10 wallet-friendly ways to beat boredom outdoors this autumn:<u></u><u></u></span></div><ol start="1" type="1"><li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 15px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">Apple Picking</span></b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;"> – Take part in the fall harvest with a trip to the local apple orchard. Meander around picking apples with your family. Take the apples home and let the kids participate in making apple pies and homemade apple sauce with the bounty.<u></u><u></u></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 15px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">Take a Hike</span></b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;"> – Soak up the beauty of nature by hitting the trails. Find a local hiking area that offers clear, safe, established trails, exciting scenery, and a little exercise. Allow the children time to explore the area and just enjoy each other's company. Pack a picnic lunch and stop half-way through for a healthy meal. For adventurous types with slightly older children, enlist the help of a seasoned hiker and take a full moon hike. Bask in the magical, quiet, hour.<u></u><u></u></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 15px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">Play da Vinci</span></b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;"> – Purchase an inexpensive sketch pad for each child. Give them a box of crayons or colored pencils and head to a park that is rich in fall colors. Let the children wander around, drawing their surroundings. Collect some leaves so that they can create leaf rubbings to preserve the essence of fall. Be sure to pick-up items in nature that can be used for art projects on rainy days.<u></u><u></u></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 15px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">Pumpkin Patch Fun</span></b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;"> – Farms are captivating places to visit during the fall harvest. As Halloween approaches, pumpkins take center stage. Take a family trip to a pumpkin patch. Participate in any fun activities, such as hay rides or a corn maze. Allow the children to walk around and pick their favorite pumpkin. When you return home, play some festive music, perhaps serve some gingersnaps and warm spiced cider, and let the games begin. Have each child draw their desired jack-o-lantern face onto their pumpkin using a marker. Then depending on age, either help them carve the pumpkin or carve it yourself. This will put them in the Halloween spirit.<u></u><u></u></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 15px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">Star-Gazing</span></b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;"> – Astronomy is fascinating and it's not just a classroom activity. Pick-up a stargazing guidebook from the library. Be sure that it illustrates the locations of constellations. On a clear night with no moon, find a dark area away from lights. Put down a blanket so that the whole family can stretch out on their backs and gaze up at the stars. Using the guidebook, take turns identifying constellations.<u></u><u></u></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 15px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">Send the Kids on a Mission</span></b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;"> – A scavenger hunt is the perfect way to keep kids' attention. Go to a park or other area of nature where fall is in full bloom. Write out a list of items for the children to find in nature and then let them loose. Not only will they get physical activity and have a blast, they'll also learn about the different leaves, trees, seeds, and more.<u></u><u></u></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 15px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">Game Time</span></b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;"> – Add a little competition to your family time. Play a game such as basketball, soccer, flag football, or whatever your family enjoys. If your family isn't large enough for two teams, invite neighbors or friends to join you for a friendly game. Pair smaller children with bigger children on each team to even out the playing field. Kids will learn teamwork and cooperation.<u></u><u></u></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 15px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">Obstacle Course</span></b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;"> – Set up an obstacle course with fun twists, such as puzzle solving. Invite some of the children's friends over and get ready for the peals of laughter. The whole family will enjoy being active in the fresh air. Of course, let the littlest ones have a head start.<u></u><u></u></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 15px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">Rake Some Leaves</span></b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;"> – Raking leaves can seem like a chore. But children will feel important being able to help the adults. So grab your family and start raking. For added fun, create big piles of leaves and jump in!<u></u><u></u></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 15px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">Take a Bike Ride</span></b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;"> – Bike rides surrounded by the vibrant colors of autumn are a simple pleasure. Spend quality family time together by choosing a route and going for a ride. Take note of the changes in nature<u></u><u></u></span></li>
</ol><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">Autumn is truly magical. Immerse your children in nature and beat boredom with outdoor activities for the fall. There is no need to spend a lot of money. The natural scenery is free and taking advantage of it just requires some creativity and planning. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;"></span></div><a name='more'></a>Disclaimer regarding guest posts;<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Occasionally you may see a guest post featured on Little Man and Me. Thoughts and opinions by any guest poster may not necessarily reflect those of the author of Little Man and Me.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span>Little Man and Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01457727077675416697noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-870368837889811139.post-23958914017337467392011-10-18T20:28:00.001-04:002011-10-18T20:31:48.905-04:00A year ago today...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A year ago today I began this blog. I had an idea of where I wanted to take it. But I haven't reached that yet, and that's okay. As you can see on my side note, this blog is about everything in the world and nothing in particular- which makes no sense. But such is life. Life doesn't make sense. But if everything was figured out, if we knew how everything was to turn out what fun would it be? Where would the surprises be? So while this blog hasn't blossomed to what I wanted, it has turned into being a place for friends and family to catch up on my little family, a place for other Mom's to find relate-able topics and a place for me to find peace by writing what's on my mind.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Readers of this blog have seen the ups and downs I've been through with raising my blessing I call Little Man. With topics such as the sadness you feel <a href="http://littlemanandme2.blogspot.com/2010/11/sad-day-in-my-home.html">watching your child grow out of infancy</a>, <a href="http://littlemanandme2.blogspot.com/2010/12/some-days.html">venting</a>, and the<a href="http://littlemanandme2.blogspot.com/2010/11/mommy-mind.html"> occasional mommy mind</a>. I have found an outlet with this blog, and in time's it's helped me get through some difficult things. Many remember this past April when I wrote about the tortured feeling of <a href="http://littlemanandme2.blogspot.com/2011/04/is-he-gone.html">not knowing if your child is alive or not. </a> It took a few days to get everything out, but after I did and read it I felt relief not to be carrying those feelings around as heavy as I did. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've also had some fun along the way. Two pieces I've wrote wound up in the <a href="http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/beyond-the-diaper-bag/15691627?productTrackingContext=search_results/search_shelf/center/1">book Beyond the Diaper Bag</a>. I've been featured on <a href="http://gabbafriends.com/cj">Gabba Friends</a>, as well as in <a href="http://littlemanandme2.blogspot.com/2011/09/charlotte-parent-magazine-teams-up-with.html">Charlotte Parent magazine</a>. Little Man and Me just held it's first giveaway, and there are many other things coming up in the future for this blog! Exciting things! </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So I wanted to say thank you. Thanks for taking time out of your day to read my random thoughts, and for helping to inspire me more!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thank you for being a reader of Little Man and Me!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Love,<br />
<br />
Miranda & Little Man</i></span>Little Man and Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01457727077675416697noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-870368837889811139.post-42855607261333156822011-10-11T19:15:00.000-04:002011-10-11T19:15:09.264-04:00Don't forget...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you are entering to win <a href="http://littlemanandme2.blogspot.com/2011/10/farm-rich-review-and-giveaway.html">the FREE Farm Rich product</a>, leaving a blog post comment is mandatory! All other entries are optional (although if you do them, you raise your chances of winning!). </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Go here to read about the give away and the rules!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://littlemanandme2.blogspot.com/2011/10/farm-rich-review-and-giveaway.html">http://littlemanandme2.blogspot.com/2011/10/farm-rich-review-and-giveaway.html</a></span>Little Man and Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01457727077675416697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-870368837889811139.post-85504608245368007582011-10-10T15:32:00.000-04:002011-10-10T15:32:01.207-04:00Farm Rich Review and Giveaway!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have a weakness for cheese sticks, so when I was contacted to do a Farm Rich product review and giveaway I was really excited!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikh_7k2XPfGe6fl3ZuhblYr3XZaIXfXF-MRiBDRac03pqWjfqIF3xqdYiwaxjF1qRnlz_0xXxq5fLLH3lXtj_78bbbTtIxxgo_afUnsqzWsv2y7Cm6f0dE2stvj2z0dKBxQ21_d5WiTdo/s1600/cheesesticks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikh_7k2XPfGe6fl3ZuhblYr3XZaIXfXF-MRiBDRac03pqWjfqIF3xqdYiwaxjF1qRnlz_0xXxq5fLLH3lXtj_78bbbTtIxxgo_afUnsqzWsv2y7Cm6f0dE2stvj2z0dKBxQ21_d5WiTdo/s200/cheesesticks.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I picked up a bag of my favorite, <a href="http://farmrich.com/products/cheese-sticks">cheese sticks</a>, along with some of my favorite marinara sauce. You get a large amount in a bag so they are a great for entertaining. Or pop some in the oven for a quick snack for your family. Like I said, I have a weakness for cheese sticks... sometimes after Little Man goes down for a nap I'll make a few to enjoy while catching up on some of my DVR shows. And since CJ's naps seem to be getting shorter lately I love the fact that it only takes about 10 minutes to cook just a few. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Farm Rich has a large selection of products from mozzarella bites to meatballs. You can check out more about Farm Rich and the products they offer along with some awesome recipes- <a href="http://www.farmrich.com/">Farm Rich</a>. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I would recommend Farm Rich to other families, especially Moms who are looking for something to enjoy while taking a moment to unwind!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Wanna try out a Farm Rich product for free? Here is your chance!</b> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Farm Rich is giving TWO readers of Little Man and Me vouchers to receive a free product. Awesome deal, huh?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Here are the details on how to enter:</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mandatory Entry- </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Comment that you would like to be entered to win</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For additional entries you can- </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Like" Little Man and Me on Facebook</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Like" Farm Rich on Facebook</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Share the love! Share this blog post with your Facebook friends so they can have a chance to win. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>The winners will be chosen at random on October 18th 2011 (which just so happens to be the 1 year anniversary of the start of this blog!). Contest is open to US residents 18 years of age or older only. Winners will be contacted by email and given 48 hours to respond. </i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You can use this Rafflecopter form to enter below- good luck!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><script id="rafl-script" type="text/javascript">
RafflecopterSettings = {
raffleID: 'OTIxYThjMTIxZTNkYTBjMzNiNzA2OTQ4M2JmZWJkOjI='
};
</script><br />
<script src="https://rafflecopter.ssl.dotcloud.com/static/js/widget/rafl-widget.js" type="text/javascript">
</script><br />
<noscript>&amp;amp;lt;a href="http://rafl.es/enable-js"&amp;amp;gt;You need javascript enabled to see this giveaway&amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;gt;.</noscript> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>*Disclosure- I was given a<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"> complimentary product for purpose of facilitating this review. All opinions are 100% mine and have not been edited in any way.</span></i></span>Little Man and Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01457727077675416697noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-870368837889811139.post-84351516951631736912011-10-06T21:03:00.000-04:002011-10-06T21:03:37.200-04:00Sit down to read. Stand up for children.Tonight me and CJ read Llama Llama Red Pajama, one of his favorite books of all time. Tonight was a little different though- we were participating to set a reading record and help Jumpstart's Read for the Record.<br />
<br />
You can participate too!<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #9f8168; color: #603813; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><<a href="http://www.readfortherecord.org/"><img alt="Jumpstart's Read for the Record" height="250" src="http://www.jstart.org/images/content/pagebuilder/JRFTR2011_WebAd_250x250.jpg" width="250" /></a></span><br />
<a href="http://www.readfortherecord.org/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #9f8168; color: #603813; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbg0BRa6OquGAXS88pU8-RG5RTRljWSlnw_nXIdhgmoC6QhNiRcWwIu8Hjj8ddZ-enj4PxxpqViNuaI8syhWirtNwV6K1jT9WxkMdHzGN-noTeEIOeOxjmdeF0ljZPuzUCvDwO2sL_YlI/s1600/llama+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbg0BRa6OquGAXS88pU8-RG5RTRljWSlnw_nXIdhgmoC6QhNiRcWwIu8Hjj8ddZ-enj4PxxpqViNuaI8syhWirtNwV6K1jT9WxkMdHzGN-noTeEIOeOxjmdeF0ljZPuzUCvDwO2sL_YlI/s320/llama+%25281%2529.jpg" width="191" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #9f8168; color: #603813; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span>Little Man and Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01457727077675416697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-870368837889811139.post-12927009600381533182011-10-03T17:04:00.000-04:002011-10-03T17:04:54.287-04:00Little Man's ShrekTacular 2nd Birthday!!!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Today my Little Man turns the BIG 2! We celebrated yesterday with a Shrek extravaganza. You may or may not know, but Shrek party supplies are a bit on the difficult side to find. We were forced to get extra creative to make this a ShrekTacular party. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As the guests arrived they were greeted by a banner with some of our favorite Shrek characters!</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2OFxO6xW7mbIMS-NdykAoTU9SjtnCkDlxr2vmjGX7aw5w2bk20RiNYadF6Gn2rGIaBNRL3ThEgfeng1MlFGBGfex2oyQijZz8ac6gLSZtw8p3ZoIfccJCGVIrwTsV9wn8UkQKqTw4hUY/s1600/sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2OFxO6xW7mbIMS-NdykAoTU9SjtnCkDlxr2vmjGX7aw5w2bk20RiNYadF6Gn2rGIaBNRL3ThEgfeng1MlFGBGfex2oyQijZz8ac6gLSZtw8p3ZoIfccJCGVIrwTsV9wn8UkQKqTw4hUY/s320/sign.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I made CJ a special birthday banner to hang over the dessert table from scrapbook paper.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOo-MPm0bx0bBvV4pa19UoqvRQyrwnUhRPt6b4AAjY229vPQVKHnb5lp_ssOtuypV5pOYfW_bA2yqaYeNvMfn7-G-ViFnsnRDv2mPhQmGOCgg_KbJtCAis801sYFQAvwyz4XE5QBoHku4/s1600/banner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOo-MPm0bx0bBvV4pa19UoqvRQyrwnUhRPt6b4AAjY229vPQVKHnb5lp_ssOtuypV5pOYfW_bA2yqaYeNvMfn7-G-ViFnsnRDv2mPhQmGOCgg_KbJtCAis801sYFQAvwyz4XE5QBoHku4/s320/banner.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We set up a table with all of the goody bags for the kids to take home. Each little guest had a canvas tote bag with their name and inside were Shrek coloring books, stickers, home made "ogre-doh", temporary tattoos for the boys and little tiaras for the girls. There were Shrek silly bands for the older kids. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigTQvVa2j7w8Ou1sZaOLTktIiMLj9ryvS5fN770rtQtYK6n59LPZrV7AlKaUBIFxU7QBTPxZbltL3_V-wMQwxsmVnPMD0VT0-N79kGp4CedfQG7mk8Kc8D1LpHVv9IGeaVgX_LntDkifQ/s1600/goodybags.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigTQvVa2j7w8Ou1sZaOLTktIiMLj9ryvS5fN770rtQtYK6n59LPZrV7AlKaUBIFxU7QBTPxZbltL3_V-wMQwxsmVnPMD0VT0-N79kGp4CedfQG7mk8Kc8D1LpHVv9IGeaVgX_LntDkifQ/s200/goodybags.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDfpMdO_IVHIe8mtBmETwQkPXmHEIPf59vplU6gTgCJA3hE53UyREpU6qaisdSGK0e6uJX9Wu5dUzc08Dp-VI9wW_Ylcii_HJWQbwkJvPYaIR_hSgRXJC1YgRdca40Jyv3eRLKivZVU2o/s1600/goodytable.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDfpMdO_IVHIe8mtBmETwQkPXmHEIPf59vplU6gTgCJA3hE53UyREpU6qaisdSGK0e6uJX9Wu5dUzc08Dp-VI9wW_Ylcii_HJWQbwkJvPYaIR_hSgRXJC1YgRdca40Jyv3eRLKivZVU2o/s200/goodytable.jpg" width="200" /></span></a><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We made cookies embellished with 2 on them as well as gingy cookies. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiep82_tHqzOV67EB7JdfrAbz729UC2iUtz55hPExVVnNl5prjfTkomhAjAz2nd-xertxGrxlfBCOoUu0Tiy314u3v43fbF6TpfsC6L9iddaeQS_CMJGlqV3FqaPl_ZaejXH5j-AakM5wE/s1600/gingydisplay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiep82_tHqzOV67EB7JdfrAbz729UC2iUtz55hPExVVnNl5prjfTkomhAjAz2nd-xertxGrxlfBCOoUu0Tiy314u3v43fbF6TpfsC6L9iddaeQS_CMJGlqV3FqaPl_ZaejXH5j-AakM5wE/s320/gingydisplay.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A plush Donkey guarded the food table. We also had two small pumpkins and a jar of eyeballs as decoration. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgHPZuW-1LUMBgVkVWZRVgQscOr1qS6shLezP6JSkBOxW_wWE7uoW_zqW-_BJ9dYRhLg8B-tY9sYsBZcA5dbgNHevsuenP-Fs0DE1FLCgptThuUVBNDf_EXkfepFBcFuPoSHltCqqcEV4/s1600/donkey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgHPZuW-1LUMBgVkVWZRVgQscOr1qS6shLezP6JSkBOxW_wWE7uoW_zqW-_BJ9dYRhLg8B-tY9sYsBZcA5dbgNHevsuenP-Fs0DE1FLCgptThuUVBNDf_EXkfepFBcFuPoSHltCqqcEV4/s320/donkey.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I made home made cake pops and wrapped blocks of styrofoam to display them on the dessert table. They were so yummy, and easy to make! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrRqCj-Ddg8oSjzn8Q9PykpFK8w7o2JNj-265So3-rdN-0aRLBg3mJK8j07YsiqPERs7G8HdFyQBZSndVntuQOQR2kSPx2nHU3JaZ_wNFiud3Deo1th3QcXcczaX3blfTew9K3mDnUND0/s1600/cakepops.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrRqCj-Ddg8oSjzn8Q9PykpFK8w7o2JNj-265So3-rdN-0aRLBg3mJK8j07YsiqPERs7G8HdFyQBZSndVntuQOQR2kSPx2nHU3JaZ_wNFiud3Deo1th3QcXcczaX3blfTew9K3mDnUND0/s320/cakepops.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A fabulous local baker made CJ's Shrek swamp house cake.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqbLAwIEZCTMHahKOB_iqf3gPq8OQh2y-Ih-Z4OWh4bhJxOTWCoLZQb9rXptZ32wDf8mU-35_6lU8Uv7Jo9NfUybcXNAGELk4XNb8bLR-O-W_SzvB2koB56cDnrkpSmXEywkrJHyRPM3A/s1600/cake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqbLAwIEZCTMHahKOB_iqf3gPq8OQh2y-Ih-Z4OWh4bhJxOTWCoLZQb9rXptZ32wDf8mU-35_6lU8Uv7Jo9NfUybcXNAGELk4XNb8bLR-O-W_SzvB2koB56cDnrkpSmXEywkrJHyRPM3A/s320/cake.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The dessert table- what a spread!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8WeB3sFc2keA-emd7Mr16k3xfdRr1f3MOjkXAAoAhVVx9KbEIpEYMNvu_kiWcV3VqWMvn2qHmbuMJZWo1JTAazkHwGepz2XbAoBw8KLpCUFdbs2KqlASfbQyYlEDadEzMW7ukRySR5Qw/s1600/dessert.table.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8WeB3sFc2keA-emd7Mr16k3xfdRr1f3MOjkXAAoAhVVx9KbEIpEYMNvu_kiWcV3VqWMvn2qHmbuMJZWo1JTAazkHwGepz2XbAoBw8KLpCUFdbs2KqlASfbQyYlEDadEzMW7ukRySR5Qw/s320/dessert.table.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I decorated store bought cupcakes with home made cupcake toppers.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR0WXHK8SZT8OUVZEzWAFujw2rEYDgk3WVleKDlRj28DQHDQ-XHhnHEcGcFfohMDY-lQsOmmkS4nKKooGshjzj8Zi8vz8AslX9vJ4OVPRJ3M9NCefezSJJaHqdyvoDKciAZSgynr0Mp6E/s1600/cupcakes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR0WXHK8SZT8OUVZEzWAFujw2rEYDgk3WVleKDlRj28DQHDQ-XHhnHEcGcFfohMDY-lQsOmmkS4nKKooGshjzj8Zi8vz8AslX9vJ4OVPRJ3M9NCefezSJJaHqdyvoDKciAZSgynr0Mp6E/s320/cupcakes.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I made little cards with some quotes from the Shrek movies and put them out around the food and dessert.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgfzSUJF9tgp6bfw1hqLwmxdAfb9zB6ALd4p-WJeEKYcqYDW_Ed8h9knAxDDBod8T5Cuw2I3DPIErcWhL3IqX1cieANy8iu5jXpfosOCa6Fwf6O6pLKXucjbfSfeb_85YIGWeXnTBAiiw/s1600/pussquote.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgfzSUJF9tgp6bfw1hqLwmxdAfb9zB6ALd4p-WJeEKYcqYDW_Ed8h9knAxDDBod8T5Cuw2I3DPIErcWhL3IqX1cieANy8iu5jXpfosOCa6Fwf6O6pLKXucjbfSfeb_85YIGWeXnTBAiiw/s200/pussquote.jpg" width="200" /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNynK5o7-yo4zLkXfNTezGZODCZSkiMVGGlClFHtRGHFZVbmYO7l8tUpMqQcUgxXtdntzvHR5ukmUX5E-jMGkXaR90cFv3Mt4THSR8KFn7qcSia2oY9jjhTC08qFitBMzbIfjvDQoWrHc/s1600/muffinman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNynK5o7-yo4zLkXfNTezGZODCZSkiMVGGlClFHtRGHFZVbmYO7l8tUpMqQcUgxXtdntzvHR5ukmUX5E-jMGkXaR90cFv3Mt4THSR8KFn7qcSia2oY9jjhTC08qFitBMzbIfjvDQoWrHc/s200/muffinman.jpg" width="200" /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeAegbIm8bjzTTPzGkwcIfUDK8IrCpUUnm74ENKdg3TEGCs3wo3vZEgZNKLZSh5VSZuSN22FxlZZZy8qEFAbc7OBy4OTAllweh8FXMYL4l3j4uk55ZxoS0IHfyhKSSHD0IlmM7tnTTfh4/s1600/mousequote.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeAegbIm8bjzTTPzGkwcIfUDK8IrCpUUnm74ENKdg3TEGCs3wo3vZEgZNKLZSh5VSZuSN22FxlZZZy8qEFAbc7OBy4OTAllweh8FXMYL4l3j4uk55ZxoS0IHfyhKSSHD0IlmM7tnTTfh4/s200/mousequote.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBtg1G0ec6g5iziOdXHp1TB82NwZ1kGqBr8mCMMKkP9mOABruTFVlPTuheasGAFpEz9K0NNu_FNmpvE33mewD9eMqu00_vr3n4v5KBhAVuaXgxNND7DZpzbR-XYKAMfg6DtelFs08hqcE/s1600/shrekquote.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBtg1G0ec6g5iziOdXHp1TB82NwZ1kGqBr8mCMMKkP9mOABruTFVlPTuheasGAFpEz9K0NNu_FNmpvE33mewD9eMqu00_vr3n4v5KBhAVuaXgxNND7DZpzbR-XYKAMfg6DtelFs08hqcE/s200/shrekquote.jpg" width="200" /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2L0Est8hgFuZNQb-mK-YGUEqZwamGT0YfK0H8Hq1Q2f02ImHSZ-n5VFmLlW3OUloqLcmowNPqFzVg8KqZxbXQ2lq7kkGmLUBYqEz_pKrI4odh9plP4RLRoB3WhS3Bpl5eSYDYQNj6w0A/s1600/donkeyquote.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2L0Est8hgFuZNQb-mK-YGUEqZwamGT0YfK0H8Hq1Q2f02ImHSZ-n5VFmLlW3OUloqLcmowNPqFzVg8KqZxbXQ2lq7kkGmLUBYqEz_pKrI4odh9plP4RLRoB3WhS3Bpl5eSYDYQNj6w0A/s200/donkeyquote.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOHTM0QMvV8Z5mhEuo7l-6ncixmfkzq3IEVetdI6CGJUsqr4ZykL6EVK0pF3bvnFsK5-mva-lTKnjyN04t_EQhwW2Sz0S8JK4qkI5Z6fLUDBxJnk13HuvSFVPcn3HvPZ4V88MKXRN5_6I/s1600/donkeypussquote.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOHTM0QMvV8Z5mhEuo7l-6ncixmfkzq3IEVetdI6CGJUsqr4ZykL6EVK0pF3bvnFsK5-mva-lTKnjyN04t_EQhwW2Sz0S8JK4qkI5Z6fLUDBxJnk13HuvSFVPcn3HvPZ4V88MKXRN5_6I/s200/donkeypussquote.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRme2rzQCvqKKDXo52iUwuNi5fSZZUYE25G3_CRdwkXGL2cgZqo4Rm6HEnH5KwLbCLYMZAK7c4BMex_RTf2-UmcvyR2fmATAyMEGK3uTQDB9TRjC31CriZ9dRhM-PapGLjzXjzn2zuz4s/s1600/foodtable.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRme2rzQCvqKKDXo52iUwuNi5fSZZUYE25G3_CRdwkXGL2cgZqo4Rm6HEnH5KwLbCLYMZAK7c4BMex_RTf2-UmcvyR2fmATAyMEGK3uTQDB9TRjC31CriZ9dRhM-PapGLjzXjzn2zuz4s/s320/foodtable.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I made Little Man a special Shrek Birthday shirt. I didn't get a really good picture of the front.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT1lSw-4EXbjGzy3hqWmq3C_QZweqZ99g-UGUdY8ykOqjl-KPpiopd3FjDc1A_HcWVb9-V-RMkcwgL-V_xYwpBxQvyAYq_XPXGGouKEUDVqo269pBDxzPt70b9S3b3J1zM5KXN4qG_Rrw/s1600/cjshirtback.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT1lSw-4EXbjGzy3hqWmq3C_QZweqZ99g-UGUdY8ykOqjl-KPpiopd3FjDc1A_HcWVb9-V-RMkcwgL-V_xYwpBxQvyAYq_XPXGGouKEUDVqo269pBDxzPt70b9S3b3J1zM5KXN4qG_Rrw/s320/cjshirtback.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCH02oxC9TDrV5BaKZ0b6S8OI1tsD7-gRZoIeE9x7DoI-BOSBQcjKfymXaYO6f0yb2-3oUU4WlF0BPZ5daR-SaTkI_vUXtD96crsergbX4XO6Fd-5JfuW3l-LOzUJOIImsqwq0C4N7Kc0/s1600/birthdayboy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCH02oxC9TDrV5BaKZ0b6S8OI1tsD7-gRZoIeE9x7DoI-BOSBQcjKfymXaYO6f0yb2-3oUU4WlF0BPZ5daR-SaTkI_vUXtD96crsergbX4XO6Fd-5JfuW3l-LOzUJOIImsqwq0C4N7Kc0/s320/birthdayboy.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">All of the kids really enjoyed playing in CJ's new playhouse!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU1UW59DuN8UbjPGLKIempTLj6uOMbUASucrzL4-ahnxSvzXyyXR-g7dACmHOx03BU467WKbSFgRP6dqQkytiBPCO6CdQxc-kvwQmF47s7TJAyi82wTDwO5Kk2FbdTUcP3ZgOJNtoXm_I/s1600/cjhouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU1UW59DuN8UbjPGLKIempTLj6uOMbUASucrzL4-ahnxSvzXyyXR-g7dACmHOx03BU467WKbSFgRP6dqQkytiBPCO6CdQxc-kvwQmF47s7TJAyi82wTDwO5Kk2FbdTUcP3ZgOJNtoXm_I/s320/cjhouse.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And he had a blast opening up all of his wonderful presents!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl4XLogtk1-w36BafMl9T3Sdzb-6UFvIwQmUalUH5o7_sH9QE3cDez0ESs8PKlYAlrPnUsfW6G8SHYYMS4Sz__pfZhW1mLRmfjx1_0XK6ZMW0Z58b8-s9tC2Au53KPZU8vekKeTAsadKw/s1600/presents1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl4XLogtk1-w36BafMl9T3Sdzb-6UFvIwQmUalUH5o7_sH9QE3cDez0ESs8PKlYAlrPnUsfW6G8SHYYMS4Sz__pfZhW1mLRmfjx1_0XK6ZMW0Z58b8-s9tC2Au53KPZU8vekKeTAsadKw/s320/presents1.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbXdHORh61hCYe42ZLG2fE_5R1rZrBKROTW9s_qHAK2QC3qafaTt9b9tuq6nwUFz7GdPKadVUtKipyJpW43niuhd-FKSv2VK4oiaQsurXGZoUKNrXXbziuSbg7-i5PnqkMFJl8vS283vM/s1600/presents2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbXdHORh61hCYe42ZLG2fE_5R1rZrBKROTW9s_qHAK2QC3qafaTt9b9tuq6nwUFz7GdPKadVUtKipyJpW43niuhd-FKSv2VK4oiaQsurXGZoUKNrXXbziuSbg7-i5PnqkMFJl8vS283vM/s320/presents2.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvixbig3kiGtrjUQpRn8gBvoOfZo_zY-5VUQ6lgEW8RtVJTWrbWziOYYo8VqF1iChVxnJQ23qrFC1b4zF0e5T5XagHt4TLu4R-BHqvgdG9jSAM8L9M1Fyoz5BejMtf1Cgz6SGChLqE8pw/s1600/family.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvixbig3kiGtrjUQpRn8gBvoOfZo_zY-5VUQ6lgEW8RtVJTWrbWziOYYo8VqF1iChVxnJQ23qrFC1b4zF0e5T5XagHt4TLu4R-BHqvgdG9jSAM8L9M1Fyoz5BejMtf1Cgz6SGChLqE8pw/s320/family.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggtH0NnpvKYB1U998GJRGggrYYsZD6qZEgKrEgmBc5wdUWN5GV6ESDEjBBtcJ9LxD6gnMoX-kK79ftohpgWlMa2TofuaGtt2lJ0MCMWSI5oiMzvC6gm8tSZxeIQL_hYxV9qJ7tRXXiofg/s1600/family1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggtH0NnpvKYB1U998GJRGggrYYsZD6qZEgKrEgmBc5wdUWN5GV6ESDEjBBtcJ9LxD6gnMoX-kK79ftohpgWlMa2TofuaGtt2lJ0MCMWSI5oiMzvC6gm8tSZxeIQL_hYxV9qJ7tRXXiofg/s200/family1.jpg" width="149" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The last picture taken of the day, which was the last picture of me with my ONE year old.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioMXvaoKjXKILCgNq-fS5G9N8y1PGa23awgShwXhRSqg_HBR-yU1Vb4VwFK04Qug9MqQpvsJz20Y6xs8HtLbyh-OlJVJZwkyEH3ZT8bq1QToab8Wa2mmHGDqxd8FYDY2b9RRrUsaUECnI/s1600/mommycj.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioMXvaoKjXKILCgNq-fS5G9N8y1PGa23awgShwXhRSqg_HBR-yU1Vb4VwFK04Qug9MqQpvsJz20Y6xs8HtLbyh-OlJVJZwkyEH3ZT8bq1QToab8Wa2mmHGDqxd8FYDY2b9RRrUsaUECnI/s320/mommycj.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What a wonderful day we had spending it with our wonderful family and friends. Our little family is so blessed with so many great people. It still seems like it was only yesterday we brought him home from the hospital, were feeding every couple of hours and watching him take his first steps. And today my Little Man turns TWO (sniffle). </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Also, I made a video and showed it at the party. It is pictures and special moments of our Little Man from the last two years. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/Gr9WhWscGJ4?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY LITTLE "BIG" MAN!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
</div>Little Man and Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01457727077675416697noreply@blogger.com0