tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5596949263289988022024-03-28T22:29:53.263-05:00Joyfully WearyRachel Kaylynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09114768437192098372noreply@blogger.comBlogger624125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-559694926328998802.post-62267884221583410682018-07-11T05:00:00.000-05:002018-07-11T05:00:07.647-05:00BabyZ's Jungle Book Nursery<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Recently, we just moved BabyZ from his nursery into the the big boys' room. Before we converted it back into at guest room, though, I wanted to capture some pictures of the space. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0062389505/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=rachelkaylynn-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=0062389505&linkId=1beb291f8a31a805df47bd31cd94e0f6">The Jungle Book</a> is a favorite of the older three kiddos...I've lost track of how many times we've read/<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00YU1R2VU/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=rachelkaylynn-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B00YU1R2VU&linkId=208e04ba811b7d5ff79e237b8428e44c">listened</a> to it. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs0RXaV6P97jZSA9Mv4LmxPX6Eoioy_Iy2Hao1d-T6nYB1sZlaTNqGZDJQ4tOPFw_YvaEdadnC-l30YOL8QNDthsshAb9CPZ48wKIVPUb2b4UC1i6e_AxPrqdvouKIb7nXwUD1LnZMNLk/s1600/DSC_0188.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs0RXaV6P97jZSA9Mv4LmxPX6Eoioy_Iy2Hao1d-T6nYB1sZlaTNqGZDJQ4tOPFw_YvaEdadnC-l30YOL8QNDthsshAb9CPZ48wKIVPUb2b4UC1i6e_AxPrqdvouKIb7nXwUD1LnZMNLk/s640/DSC_0188.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
This space was a labor of love. I bought new curtains and sheets from Target, but everything else was either a hand-me-down, handmad<span style="font-family: inherit;">e, or a gift. I never really finished the room; I had plans to make a print with a picture of the kiddos and the quote, "<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">For the strength of the </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">pack</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"> is the </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">wolf</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">, and the strength of the </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">wolf is the pack</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">." With BabyZ being the fourth kiddo though I just never seemed to find the time...I'm sure lots of other moms can relate. </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUGm9jWaPxEzgKUi3x5YT93_8VtaCVTvYuvSbGk-5g9zwkBBKq0VlWYZ1GtxpjoAyA-vi-XnqhPNvQLz-V5yRdJF3Q5NmJc9tXVSHv3uld5Bxi4x8-cVYShJ-mPGTwoQ5yfbSsz0q0zC0/s1600/DSC_0080.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUGm9jWaPxEzgKUi3x5YT93_8VtaCVTvYuvSbGk-5g9zwkBBKq0VlWYZ1GtxpjoAyA-vi-XnqhPNvQLz-V5yRdJF3Q5NmJc9tXVSHv3uld5Bxi4x8-cVYShJ-mPGTwoQ5yfbSsz0q0zC0/s640/DSC_0080.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicaIeRqlAaYP4aW_YoYWQBIqMNh0aNLBc6UyAj3C4geVqeenJvfVjpmoVSzEQnfPTYRm7fMyZMC4l2UJJn7AotT3wCdR45jAtqkz1AR85VtukFeNbs0S_j9LYo6_NDnZONSNJdrDNibLY/s1600/DSC_0066.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicaIeRqlAaYP4aW_YoYWQBIqMNh0aNLBc6UyAj3C4geVqeenJvfVjpmoVSzEQnfPTYRm7fMyZMC4l2UJJn7AotT3wCdR45jAtqkz1AR85VtukFeNbs0S_j9LYo6_NDnZONSNJdrDNibLY/s640/DSC_0066.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggarNBJ9eOtiA6C14GMvNyBc3w86twS1shl_fg_Tbw9IRqFLrrTDtBkDzD7Venl9RyxByVJGmQlbls8ELIBObna_FZIF5CUiHAwYxSZhgnJCXNd35BQ6GsylaF12S2cWeo9uDzdFiQnTo/s1600/DSC_0088.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggarNBJ9eOtiA6C14GMvNyBc3w86twS1shl_fg_Tbw9IRqFLrrTDtBkDzD7Venl9RyxByVJGmQlbls8ELIBObna_FZIF5CUiHAwYxSZhgnJCXNd35BQ6GsylaF12S2cWeo9uDzdFiQnTo/s640/DSC_0088.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
One think I've done for all my kiddos nurseries is create a name decoration. This one was pretty simple, just wooden letters, decorative paper, and <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01GKHCDO2/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=rachelkaylynn-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B01GKHCDO2&linkId=8a3d270c1f9beb481b39b9673eedca94">Mod Podge</a>. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW2-35sPedH-g9z_2GBBVYA-Y6xqIfHp5oJLt_hf5SYYMN-fspHr1t9IzzMRXvNLKcbEzNhZnSIL6nQtp8uoE0NYm8CIRWLET5XC8QYGUrOAbMWsOaUCyN_Kph3cJSZ783Iu8FwzKhjL8/s1600/DSC_0046.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW2-35sPedH-g9z_2GBBVYA-Y6xqIfHp5oJLt_hf5SYYMN-fspHr1t9IzzMRXvNLKcbEzNhZnSIL6nQtp8uoE0NYm8CIRWLET5XC8QYGUrOAbMWsOaUCyN_Kph3cJSZ783Iu8FwzKhjL8/s640/DSC_0046.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQeNbVtHoeFRz9BNkQW7Z18qenUmKWmdygOAyZzIt8zxGZkrRx9XjzwJDU3Xwwg_LQpZst58UjArUGe6zQuzQSFyToXpb7-ayJLw5PTeO1yjFHiSmkHzgAljZmoyyfu8lU3I0d_bK05Zk/s1600/DSC_0030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQeNbVtHoeFRz9BNkQW7Z18qenUmKWmdygOAyZzIt8zxGZkrRx9XjzwJDU3Xwwg_LQpZst58UjArUGe6zQuzQSFyToXpb7-ayJLw5PTeO1yjFHiSmkHzgAljZmoyyfu8lU3I0d_bK05Zk/s640/DSC_0030.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Jer used a laser cutter to create the mobile and the wood print. The animal pictures were taken by one of BabyZ's aunts and printed on canvas.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDSgPCe-vlOFGQ4R08ZshQwGzeJ5ahzth4G_KDYyBt7f369o-Dzbs4MihFDviWF6Wjv8OGHNKLUb08ODepcmJ4AvrexSD2wA9nQasWtck3JIFEQUrzYmpXzbdO6xzikfB1SP99mSjGXZg/s1600/DSC_0072.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1281" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDSgPCe-vlOFGQ4R08ZshQwGzeJ5ahzth4G_KDYyBt7f369o-Dzbs4MihFDviWF6Wjv8OGHNKLUb08ODepcmJ4AvrexSD2wA9nQasWtck3JIFEQUrzYmpXzbdO6xzikfB1SP99mSjGXZg/s640/DSC_0072.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR5X16YSQLu5DSc0rtvwBx0mCXTqffU-exAtZ6tQ1ZDIekJqJyII9ryKYcszvHXc9sZBC327FiicsTYS7mjr1fnmmAeiEtzJQz2yzx4ln3DvdFiGZ3YKRUjpkD1fD5gjXlnjGVv8DtOrQ/s1600/DSC_0106.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR5X16YSQLu5DSc0rtvwBx0mCXTqffU-exAtZ6tQ1ZDIekJqJyII9ryKYcszvHXc9sZBC327FiicsTYS7mjr1fnmmAeiEtzJQz2yzx4ln3DvdFiGZ3YKRUjpkD1fD5gjXlnjGVv8DtOrQ/s640/DSC_0106.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip59FHJ6gsxomhTg3zzFOGw9MzpRxyTN8KeY6S0Ia-6BImbJQoYu0EL0utO6icWI_eEq7DP82FjfrA-3NwB-iRy3dwJvXn_P3d_X4mwmqpSSHQsaCBhsnmwF-ekzKWymtnnm3FOEntui8/s1600/DSC_0175.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip59FHJ6gsxomhTg3zzFOGw9MzpRxyTN8KeY6S0Ia-6BImbJQoYu0EL0utO6icWI_eEq7DP82FjfrA-3NwB-iRy3dwJvXn_P3d_X4mwmqpSSHQsaCBhsnmwF-ekzKWymtnnm3FOEntui8/s640/DSC_0175.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
This <a href="https://www.blogger.com/"><i><span id="goog_1598839554"></span>The Jungle Book: A BabyLit Animals Primer</i></a> has been in BabyZ's room since birth but it's only been the last couple months that it's become a favorite. It's fun that he's started to have an association to characters that the other children also ho<span style="font-family: inherit;">ld dear. I'm not a fan of abridged classics for children, but I feel different about these. They aren't trying to take place of the story and it's been a fun way to engage BabyZ in the stories that the older three are enjoying. We've also enjoyed: <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1423624777/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=rachelkaylynn-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=1423624777&linkId=c12ddb206b2a5ec2fa7d9d0033b2a87c">Alice in Wonderland: A BabyLit Color Primer</a>, </i></span><i style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: inherit;"><span class="a-size-large" id="productTitle" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.3 !important; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1423638727/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=rachelkaylynn-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=1423638727&linkId=955f2a824fcd6e8098a589a250500b29">The Secret Garden: A BabyLit Flowers Primer</a>, </span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1423647823/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=rachelkaylynn-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=1423647823&linkId=8c36e74f1b942cbf746b497b1d22a03d">Anne of Green Gables: A BabyLit Places Primer</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1423643895/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=rachelkaylynn-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=1423643895&linkId=f3ea61c73a9d58808b747006a39697c7">Little Women: A BabyLit Playtime Primer</a>, </i><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: inherit;">and </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1423640209/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=rachelkaylynn-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=1423640209&linkId=29c12e3c086e20414490d8fcf94adbee">Treasure Island: A BabyLit Shapes Primer</a>.</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<i style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: inherit;"><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #111111;"><span style="background-color: white;">This room also used to <a href="https://joyfullyweary.blogspot.com/2012/12/little-ladys-bedroom.html">Little Lady's nursery</a>. We went with a book theme for that too - Beatrix Potter. You can view pictures of it <a href="http://here./">here.</a><span id="goog_1598839566"></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"></a><span id="goog_1598839567"></span> </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<i style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: inherit;"><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
**Total Transparency - I am an Amazon associate. If you click and buy on some the links above I may earn a few cents...which will most likely be put towards buying more books. </div>
Rachel Kaylynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09114768437192098372noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-559694926328998802.post-3867512770418166102018-07-05T05:00:00.000-05:002018-07-05T05:00:04.595-05:00Strawberry Picking<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN-c4_TcRBh87TFtvT-PkVQ9y9lx-IvgHAtvlqZ04uA-nc2jm9FOxKdCfOhHsucjfgiLm7WHQ-XdoalbgCyx_f2x2u3QqMUzAcTJDk8y6lijhUvRG_EDCMx-jS3SJYMuiB_8jPmgw4TyA/s1600/DSC_0435.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1281" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN-c4_TcRBh87TFtvT-PkVQ9y9lx-IvgHAtvlqZ04uA-nc2jm9FOxKdCfOhHsucjfgiLm7WHQ-XdoalbgCyx_f2x2u3QqMUzAcTJDk8y6lijhUvRG_EDCMx-jS3SJYMuiB_8jPmgw4TyA/s320/DSC_0435.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
A couple weekends ago we went to one of our <a href="http://www.codysfarm.com/">favorite farms</a> to pick strawberries. This has become one of our cherished summer traditions. This year was extra special because Maca got to join us for the fun. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRDtwG0-UP5oEh1pfjoL4URno_BL2B2EbsebThEftxeGTeC0Z-rChsK0hnCtmC95EJqjfSOkyZ5r_W9WsmnMSklvrePDdZrQOLGQ8lXYUAmKUWXRu0_3nmk8N1eeryCQi7gmQu2lPxDE0/s1600/DSC_0347.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRDtwG0-UP5oEh1pfjoL4URno_BL2B2EbsebThEftxeGTeC0Z-rChsK0hnCtmC95EJqjfSOkyZ5r_W9WsmnMSklvrePDdZrQOLGQ8lXYUAmKUWXRu0_3nmk8N1eeryCQi7gmQu2lPxDE0/s320/DSC_0347.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpvFKE4RD2M1WCBn0teNXBS-JbDaiA4daTgSMFConHTowADW0AI5E7ZA91oY6n20lSt_xiYqU8u9HIOg7KWpstS6iT7wSF3OibqKDyZmgnc3kIgxAR7WsqI9JGbtydy2A_GYE9SOe-TUo/s1600/DSC_0342.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpvFKE4RD2M1WCBn0teNXBS-JbDaiA4daTgSMFConHTowADW0AI5E7ZA91oY6n20lSt_xiYqU8u9HIOg7KWpstS6iT7wSF3OibqKDyZmgnc3kIgxAR7WsqI9JGbtydy2A_GYE9SOe-TUo/s640/DSC_0342.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
It's usually best to go early in the morning when picking Strawberries so you avoid the heat. We however, took things slow and didn't get out to the field until a little after ten. BabyZ was a trooper for about ten minutes and then decided he'd just rest on Dada until we were finished. Jer's such a rock that he took it all in stride. All the rest of us mentioned the heat a couple times, but despite the extra baggage Jer never complained and went along picking and smiling the whole time. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqOyU_fd4oHQORL9qZRd-8bXEke5Mo65pdimqDPrb_g8rm4vEHHXdoI8oD8TwiDQX1CcmRTIMuJHmlPfQ08YPlvZah9qqhvGyJ2Ci5A0ctz-I_xqHYEJpyOP6YB8Or7y5oNXahr9e2t8k/s1600/DSC_0315.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqOyU_fd4oHQORL9qZRd-8bXEke5Mo65pdimqDPrb_g8rm4vEHHXdoI8oD8TwiDQX1CcmRTIMuJHmlPfQ08YPlvZah9qqhvGyJ2Ci5A0ctz-I_xqHYEJpyOP6YB8Or7y5oNXahr9e2t8k/s320/DSC_0315.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8S613yj8bs9E_cu_-uwoNn1XC435zP4SPhKszYqStBehHQAOMJfSB55tInGDAjdY4FMZwJ1lvp0Xw5526GBAL8F8IJj-v-a33DozUc6FxjsLSYU-Fv5n8WEnK31S2RSKjgkebbNvsz3o/s1600/DSC_0362.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1281" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8S613yj8bs9E_cu_-uwoNn1XC435zP4SPhKszYqStBehHQAOMJfSB55tInGDAjdY4FMZwJ1lvp0Xw5526GBAL8F8IJj-v-a33DozUc6FxjsLSYU-Fv5n8WEnK31S2RSKjgkebbNvsz3o/s320/DSC_0362.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcH4ECIARzR91Co_ehW74bhNAsvbLPXmyRDvjw_jCJV8fIzo73jMl0NJ_Bpt8t-V3wR7tnQw_L_r4jpsEIkkRKlZoVtkF4INHCWRuLypQ79maya5MtuL126DZW-3IIjE4P22yqvheVz_U/s1600/DSC_0368.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcH4ECIARzR91Co_ehW74bhNAsvbLPXmyRDvjw_jCJV8fIzo73jMl0NJ_Bpt8t-V3wR7tnQw_L_r4jpsEIkkRKlZoVtkF4INHCWRuLypQ79maya5MtuL126DZW-3IIjE4P22yqvheVz_U/s320/DSC_0368.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji2bvKSDmkESCGuh7h-2ui4riG1d6FKiHSd8pogyJyQPkS10Ihy7RwAJBpmDLs2fGJ49KpZtqZNApapkovwVLRrDxjjHwrQOsCTTKVtZIR3_gI4CdLJMVtV0IcrI_n6oXHQXTN0Qe7xdM/s1600/DSC_0324.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1281" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji2bvKSDmkESCGuh7h-2ui4riG1d6FKiHSd8pogyJyQPkS10Ihy7RwAJBpmDLs2fGJ49KpZtqZNApapkovwVLRrDxjjHwrQOsCTTKVtZIR3_gI4CdLJMVtV0IcrI_n6oXHQXTN0Qe7xdM/s320/DSC_0324.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Big Buddy has always been a finicky eater and for the most part turns his nose up at fruit (thankfully, he's a bit better with veggies)...that is until we go pick it ourselves. He didn't like apples until we went to an orchard when he was three; and then he ate over 1/2 dozen as we were picking. He also wasn't a fan of strawberries until we started picking them ourselves. He'll eat them at other times too but he's pretty insisted that fruit tastes better when you pick it yourself. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXPcB4WvAkgBrXa0QhXokE7YwAld_LRr0DAmJ2EQtUC7TRxUd6YjeKKOuyT6teWrpa0it5Jcvl1RvnxrvsbJvY9kpUDi5RMRGEUc7oyOPnxtQyFhXGH1CAcRB4E_5c3CzhDCMm-ChTdqA/s1600/DSC_0332.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" data-original-height="1281" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXPcB4WvAkgBrXa0QhXokE7YwAld_LRr0DAmJ2EQtUC7TRxUd6YjeKKOuyT6teWrpa0it5Jcvl1RvnxrvsbJvY9kpUDi5RMRGEUc7oyOPnxtQyFhXGH1CAcRB4E_5c3CzhDCMm-ChTdqA/s320/DSC_0332.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
At the edge of the orchard are a couple really good climbing trees. I think this time around it was the kiddos favorite part - they were so excited for some shade! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB3prmr2ctm8woi3ZM9Af48DepOWz1S7yHq0qmY3sW-5dOFPpnvBXgbemjJBCfnnWNeFl-sW1uhxKutqi4hdPJSMy_cTmZl0fWQc6-GZe4YgTxsPeneuAzbyP1QCnS0w7GIA24Ilc0Z7E/s1600/DSC_0376.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB3prmr2ctm8woi3ZM9Af48DepOWz1S7yHq0qmY3sW-5dOFPpnvBXgbemjJBCfnnWNeFl-sW1uhxKutqi4hdPJSMy_cTmZl0fWQc6-GZe4YgTxsPeneuAzbyP1QCnS0w7GIA24Ilc0Z7E/s320/DSC_0376.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Look at the pictures Jer and I were blown away but how much our kids favor each other - we really only do make one face. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg6Y8i0d9j6xgpAKoaqlRH-siGsHpVCMmfosYW5xozy8UI-tZwbs5x2zV4NUVJi1LaSFUjT3UyGoG0bI_Oe5niNPfDh2l1HruKFUMtgKPQfHvkwgG0zHG6UdyzqFNJsOCrxvTrVEt3FXw/s1600/DSC_0383.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1281" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg6Y8i0d9j6xgpAKoaqlRH-siGsHpVCMmfosYW5xozy8UI-tZwbs5x2zV4NUVJi1LaSFUjT3UyGoG0bI_Oe5niNPfDh2l1HruKFUMtgKPQfHvkwgG0zHG6UdyzqFNJsOCrxvTrVEt3FXw/s320/DSC_0383.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_4VIpzw3hSY-YQRehTYgewedOeB78ZMNJ3DAknLA7a7GbYjrBj2wUjygpj5swc7T1gls9zSKCZwsNQy8XJlQaQPIL7jAU0_e-vpfy50dZYb3xXy_D9Yn-GQ_sL4J7pLhRMbFIc8YggsE/s1600/DSC_0391.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_4VIpzw3hSY-YQRehTYgewedOeB78ZMNJ3DAknLA7a7GbYjrBj2wUjygpj5swc7T1gls9zSKCZwsNQy8XJlQaQPIL7jAU0_e-vpfy50dZYb3xXy_D9Yn-GQ_sL4J7pLhRMbFIc8YggsE/s320/DSC_0391.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSmLsBFWKnN9-nfbf37qJS5YZoWCS_mm4AyXt_R8-_VPQj1-Y3FMSSkHzHPiIu7EkPFOn3ae5bqjuTjIiONQIkAzPO7edMvZ5MoFFLFdsEXlcRNxWowe5MfvwFU47xyJAesuCGA3WObz8/s1600/DSC_0396.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSmLsBFWKnN9-nfbf37qJS5YZoWCS_mm4AyXt_R8-_VPQj1-Y3FMSSkHzHPiIu7EkPFOn3ae5bqjuTjIiONQIkAzPO7edMvZ5MoFFLFdsEXlcRNxWowe5MfvwFU47xyJAesuCGA3WObz8/s320/DSC_0396.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisZAifKoHVd_qLUjDLBTWwKqjGkhyphenhyphenO0BjXqV3VVrYKL4p-qLW-LbCoqVBx-rtbUVONl7K-HVoJs6HxYAHcs3uTZfMFFl6scHeV6X1gZ3-sUtlkCmbNoMhLJfyBHGLpcHsd-XKl-2MyspE/s1600/DSC_0418.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisZAifKoHVd_qLUjDLBTWwKqjGkhyphenhyphenO0BjXqV3VVrYKL4p-qLW-LbCoqVBx-rtbUVONl7K-HVoJs6HxYAHcs3uTZfMFFl6scHeV6X1gZ3-sUtlkCmbNoMhLJfyBHGLpcHsd-XKl-2MyspE/s320/DSC_0418.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ltZC0vvCV49XVtPs15eUVw1SHN0Ty_wElsDRlQyaXbd2gje1UwYPy9ffAoiKFfjuNkP2yv3UtuTeHbBdaN384iKdOh97xKE_IlcJyYp5aTM-F7IgIQx9CpEeJB8QiQw3-Vu93zZ8E2M/s1600/DSC_0474.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ltZC0vvCV49XVtPs15eUVw1SHN0Ty_wElsDRlQyaXbd2gje1UwYPy9ffAoiKFfjuNkP2yv3UtuTeHbBdaN384iKdOh97xKE_IlcJyYp5aTM-F7IgIQx9CpEeJB8QiQw3-Vu93zZ8E2M/s320/DSC_0474.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
One of the things I like best about <a href="http://www.codysfarm.com/">Cody's Farm and Orchard</a> is that it's not too commercialized yet. Fingers crossed they stays this way; I'm a bit of a snob and if we are going to visit a farm I want it to feel like a farm. I think it's the Iowa girl in me coming out - orchards and farms don't have exotic animals and carnival rides...they just don't! </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
That said, they do have some other nice amenities to help stretch out the fun. There is some cute nostalgic tables for enjoying food plus some simple play areas for the kiddos to roam. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK_lsmi16nnARFXIbxXkGWa8UYpvbVR8YCLOHClK31KuQvn_vwNosLRC4D-N2X-zpeW2W22-x4iIfb-JzZoLhwPvvTx7LnPZMOvs8uefsJEdQHFldeCmuLUWwKmb_ip-SrPvRB3OM-kUE/s1600/DSC_0478.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK_lsmi16nnARFXIbxXkGWa8UYpvbVR8YCLOHClK31KuQvn_vwNosLRC4D-N2X-zpeW2W22-x4iIfb-JzZoLhwPvvTx7LnPZMOvs8uefsJEdQHFldeCmuLUWwKmb_ip-SrPvRB3OM-kUE/s320/DSC_0478.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
They also had come goat kids which BabyZ loved. He was pretty sure they were meant to be best friends.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2QlSC79ONa4Z-JcbnHbAibEGtf28S0KpoEh2AeQENJj-Xgd1FwAO_j74Zo8SIG2wkxpdTD0jxqza08LF5SDb8WYrlwtrrWwOiRgWWhEu3-i0QL0Ce5Q7UA4jMGntr1u3GVIHkqLzax9A/s1600/DSC_0495.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" data-original-height="1281" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2QlSC79ONa4Z-JcbnHbAibEGtf28S0KpoEh2AeQENJj-Xgd1FwAO_j74Zo8SIG2wkxpdTD0jxqza08LF5SDb8WYrlwtrrWwOiRgWWhEu3-i0QL0Ce5Q7UA4jMGntr1u3GVIHkqLzax9A/s320/DSC_0495.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR014hoZb2CjGePCfnjlMkonzkuJJOSnAD4hyphenhyphenTeP84GUZgrVdtTdjIaJHpFUaNVjtKyhjmZo8DiXX5McAqGv73ddjO3VTaD1N62dy8MvO_M4HTHYutKJIW8NYk_KfnTmllmtZnL19tLm8/s1600/DSC_0490.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR014hoZb2CjGePCfnjlMkonzkuJJOSnAD4hyphenhyphenTeP84GUZgrVdtTdjIaJHpFUaNVjtKyhjmZo8DiXX5McAqGv73ddjO3VTaD1N62dy8MvO_M4HTHYutKJIW8NYk_KfnTmllmtZnL19tLm8/s320/DSC_0490.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSol1isERe7Yq9-N-k6G4DBm5Q4IeBfpccQPXgRxQ_kXCG2V7_3Df7ohv-bTyPNlmlxrg3e9lVyWW3JqOLPqnOEQGph4ky7Nmt5N-RhwiGZ08M7IEBwPt0hyphenhyphenUAJIT_2J-rTae14Mgl1rQ/s1600/DSC_0496.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSol1isERe7Yq9-N-k6G4DBm5Q4IeBfpccQPXgRxQ_kXCG2V7_3Df7ohv-bTyPNlmlxrg3e9lVyWW3JqOLPqnOEQGph4ky7Nmt5N-RhwiGZ08M7IEBwPt0hyphenhyphenUAJIT_2J-rTae14Mgl1rQ/s320/DSC_0496.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb7p7-6SjuJlzQ4vSrH26hvdhxANXeinw6RG8n27frbh8ymbR27uFvsXiX5te8sgs1abf0scnKgbt1RYLkZ0Tgxkv9QoNsWxJ6MyaXU30iik5mXxRXD36yrRSYhqPvftUO1URHl4Q3W3Q/s1600/DSC_0499.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb7p7-6SjuJlzQ4vSrH26hvdhxANXeinw6RG8n27frbh8ymbR27uFvsXiX5te8sgs1abf0scnKgbt1RYLkZ0Tgxkv9QoNsWxJ6MyaXU30iik5mXxRXD36yrRSYhqPvftUO1URHl4Q3W3Q/s320/DSC_0499.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="text-align: justify;">You can see photos from our other strawberry picking outings <a href="https://joyfullyweary.blogspot.com/2016/06/strawberries-at-codys-farm.html">here</a> and <a href="https://joyfullyweary.blogspot.com/2017/06/strawberry-picking.html">here</a>. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="text-align: justify;">I'm all about the books, if you are looking for a read-aloud I highly recommend <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0064405850/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=rachelkaylynn-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=0064405850&linkId=a8de4dcf20ed6a44aef63b6a5bee0177">Strawberry Girl</a>. It's a Newbery winner written by Lois Lenski; set in the early 20th century, it tells the tale of a girls excitement and the obstacles she faces as her family tries to harvest their first strawberry crop. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="text-align: justify;">If you have any strawberry themed book recommendations please share. </span></div>
Rachel Kaylynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09114768437192098372noreply@blogger.com30tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-559694926328998802.post-62854575781701694742018-05-29T22:41:00.001-05:002018-05-29T22:55:49.661-05:00A Day in ChicagoA morning exploring The Art Institute and an afternoon at <a href="http://maggiedaleypark.com/">Maggie Daley Park</a> is one my favorite ways to spend a day in Chicago with my kiddos. They are just across the street from each other, so I only have to park once and there are no complaints about aching feet. It's also an inexpensive day out. The Art Institute is always free for children under the age of 14 and if you register it's also always <a href="http://www.artic.edu/learn/teachers-pre-k-12/educator-admission-request">free for teachers</a> - if you homeschool you'll just need to show a co-op id.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBUIO-KeLVHzDaWcWv7mtbZD_4fzfBa3-R1naLOIH0pNEdIm73hDgmtUmOO3rnbTJyMeMV_Ulr8dDmwcDLgzqTwJm65bGM8Pp9IjX1Y5GmedUTB8VdOo-G0PlNKmt28Rp4nCPMx2plfAk/s1600/DSC_0112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1281" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBUIO-KeLVHzDaWcWv7mtbZD_4fzfBa3-R1naLOIH0pNEdIm73hDgmtUmOO3rnbTJyMeMV_Ulr8dDmwcDLgzqTwJm65bGM8Pp9IjX1Y5GmedUTB8VdOo-G0PlNKmt28Rp4nCPMx2plfAk/s640/DSC_0112.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Our favorite place to park is the Millennium Lakeside Garage - there is a stroller friendly elevator that takes your right up to one of the entrances to Maggie Daley Park. We always use <a href="https://refer.spothero.com/s/hb7fr">Spot Hero</a> and park for the day for around $15.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We went last week and had such a good time. I need to make more of an effort to visit Chicago more often....it always feels like such a big task (it's the hour in traffic that get me) to do solo but once we are in the city we have so much fun. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We are currently studying Van Gogh and AIC has an impressive number of his paintings. Little Lady immediately recognized his work - it so much fun seeing that the what we are observing and discussing at home is sticking with them. I was sure that The Starry Night or maybe Sunflowers would be the kiddos favorite Van Gogh paintings. However, Mini Man and Little Lady like the Bedroom at Arles, and Big Buddy is partial to Potato Eaters.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgptbihCT1xn5_RDiFH5kAARoLCEGbujYnZGcdiUO31ozVNSpvrfS5HzQ9VQIM-5OHODG-V9wgB_yaXGW-BjArxVkxnQYIscvOIqNBjiBlw1BuKKGKfPeQMEZzcTWdortDGllhTQYI_FK8/s1600/DSC_0098.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgptbihCT1xn5_RDiFH5kAARoLCEGbujYnZGcdiUO31ozVNSpvrfS5HzQ9VQIM-5OHODG-V9wgB_yaXGW-BjArxVkxnQYIscvOIqNBjiBlw1BuKKGKfPeQMEZzcTWdortDGllhTQYI_FK8/s640/DSC_0098.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In getting to the room that hosts Van Gogh's paintings we also walked by some Monet's works. I pointed out to the kids that while Monet is known for his lily ponds their Dad prefers his studies of the Waterloo Bridge - Little Lady immediately sat down to sketch him a picture of one of the paintings. The way she adores her daddy and wants so much to please him makes my heart do somersaults - it's just too precious!<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixETGZFR13R8csv0E2h3EB_JWRLEX-XNmrb5yDh0MRNbOuhEouKcJBaF6L_GLy5MZJ-B78JbwfTEbophZkKe2e0Z02v67GIxHJeakIwExfDJfYpN9uaneiO5N-E-QPUy_-2Iqb1IDsFO4/s1600/DSC_0092.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixETGZFR13R8csv0E2h3EB_JWRLEX-XNmrb5yDh0MRNbOuhEouKcJBaF6L_GLy5MZJ-B78JbwfTEbophZkKe2e0Z02v67GIxHJeakIwExfDJfYpN9uaneiO5N-E-QPUy_-2Iqb1IDsFO4/s640/DSC_0092.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWz5KeCCvzsfN828ojnbSNvxeV_0GO_YR9kGlsj0iATdH7rlTHlroS2ssOSLbLD8_8rBwsa9e04BHkPWt7GEyc5ISmm2AEZoRZhV0ZU8xPm7Uli2HH1pRTQR3l44eQZAEIQYb4psBAHas/s1600/DSC_0095.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWz5KeCCvzsfN828ojnbSNvxeV_0GO_YR9kGlsj0iATdH7rlTHlroS2ssOSLbLD8_8rBwsa9e04BHkPWt7GEyc5ISmm2AEZoRZhV0ZU8xPm7Uli2HH1pRTQR3l44eQZAEIQYb4psBAHas/s640/DSC_0095.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy1GvlESdKn3WMFOI29p48H44uvYSXmU3F9NFJeAwVPYvS7exlnbpbW6iIv0DMauXU5-KOLNZkZKzYYzlzDUOII3jvM5ykdr5Ch5Qc9a5wn6E2_v4nXfrlIeOALJae8mcOJUN4Ql1sNiM/s1600/DSC_0086.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy1GvlESdKn3WMFOI29p48H44uvYSXmU3F9NFJeAwVPYvS7exlnbpbW6iIv0DMauXU5-KOLNZkZKzYYzlzDUOII3jvM5ykdr5Ch5Qc9a5wn6E2_v4nXfrlIeOALJae8mcOJUN4Ql1sNiM/s640/DSC_0086.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="text-align: justify;">Last time we visited the AIC the gallery of renaissance art, arms and armor was closed so Big Buddy insisted we visit it this trip. I think he could of spent all day there examining the details of the weapons. </span><br />
<span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic_11_o9_C3lWdD1Zfa6gkGoIVh5hjMFZttKEA22KfPKAPezYcEdbAxttWAEPlvdBha-kXRstvi0VslOowgcLQ4HNR__5uFw4hdsEkVzGX7YqnySbA_kOxlY2TIMNHzXLi0KDlaz0m3LA/s1600/DSC_0108.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic_11_o9_C3lWdD1Zfa6gkGoIVh5hjMFZttKEA22KfPKAPezYcEdbAxttWAEPlvdBha-kXRstvi0VslOowgcLQ4HNR__5uFw4hdsEkVzGX7YqnySbA_kOxlY2TIMNHzXLi0KDlaz0m3LA/s640/DSC_0108.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
While were there we also found some armor that looked like it would fit Baby Z. The boys pointed it out to him and he kept walking back to it and saying "that's mine, that's mine."<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6j8vo9XbNF2kvs9Aqx55uxGOg7ZYCqw5FG-EOpGIscTUHhyjNGZzIpVxW70DDXVkxwcTHh0TShogEQsm50gx0pi3Lh8BUnlM6nRsd7HPXeq4UGRwO3rYzH1h6uY13uzO4YS_NtHbtLQU/s1600/DSC_0107.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6j8vo9XbNF2kvs9Aqx55uxGOg7ZYCqw5FG-EOpGIscTUHhyjNGZzIpVxW70DDXVkxwcTHh0TShogEQsm50gx0pi3Lh8BUnlM6nRsd7HPXeq4UGRwO3rYzH1h6uY13uzO4YS_NtHbtLQU/s640/DSC_0107.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
It's been awhile since we've studied renaissance history but as soon Big Buddy saw the picture below he knew it was Saint George and the Dragon and was so excited to look it over. A lot of times I wonder if the few minutes we get to spend on art each week is really making an impact. This trip was reinvigorating because not only were the kiddos able to recognize paintings but they also felt comfortable comparing and discussing. Those little moments really do add up and make an impact.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaeWNXUVGBuV68aohCzzDCt2OiY1bhPCzs_NrYWNTQH7JgIroyq2pTj6Tekx_0es9yM87uHkk2IfP2XEgu6ta4BOv3KD2Rz4FZ3IJrtgmD2vdYaziHfMPOG-jPIOIycDah6FP4wiedMdA/s1600/DSC_0102.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaeWNXUVGBuV68aohCzzDCt2OiY1bhPCzs_NrYWNTQH7JgIroyq2pTj6Tekx_0es9yM87uHkk2IfP2XEgu6ta4BOv3KD2Rz4FZ3IJrtgmD2vdYaziHfMPOG-jPIOIycDah6FP4wiedMdA/s640/DSC_0102.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
There is so much to see at AIC that we could of spent all day there but after a couple hours BabyZ was done. He actually started to ask, "we go home now, pleassse?" I think the older kiddos could have looked awhile longer but I wanted to call it quits while they were still excited by the art instead of bored by it. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
It's so nice that the park is right across the street. They got to let off some steam after having to move slowly and talk quietly all morning. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhckD483GSalVVG4isgoQzwfSwXN9r2YqSfNYTxEUQ0iu-cZjUcTpLlYX4JnjU7IOYR0PPjFMXXSj-g5ilwazrPjMYNwHSMVWB6NGc6MFHI7e1SMS13T6Xzfjh9-OpMtvPjKrM9wkfPABs/s1600/DSC_0147.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1281" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhckD483GSalVVG4isgoQzwfSwXN9r2YqSfNYTxEUQ0iu-cZjUcTpLlYX4JnjU7IOYR0PPjFMXXSj-g5ilwazrPjMYNwHSMVWB6NGc6MFHI7e1SMS13T6Xzfjh9-OpMtvPjKrM9wkfPABs/s640/DSC_0147.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcbJZKUbBj3UebXigC9OIS6xqQQPkTERZy3Umio5hLVS1gOcLUmZCgJkp46zhgX0iO1_BXDHAi4DulHGdhAc4MzNyUHVIMcgSrAuMk9ocJ4sMU0iMADZgEI5puGjDb6aCvQXXKUTwxC2M/s1600/DSC_0132.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcbJZKUbBj3UebXigC9OIS6xqQQPkTERZy3Umio5hLVS1gOcLUmZCgJkp46zhgX0iO1_BXDHAi4DulHGdhAc4MzNyUHVIMcgSrAuMk9ocJ4sMU0iMADZgEI5puGjDb6aCvQXXKUTwxC2M/s640/DSC_0132.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
I'm not sure if these ropes under this bridge are meant to be used as monkey bars but Big Buddy and Mini Man love swinging themselves across them. They usually draw a bit of a crowded - they are skinny little things and I think most people are amazed they have stamina to make it across. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDHs84i9EIJkIGk56_AlirkMe0FXOzx1qrnhzAxDsKFt0RoQb52LxeuzJP6V2PYZgkozAxh_PKlS85M_Oin3IsBkNPsx4bizt8Jz5dQokz3Vci-zdV5L93opL-dDHrbZGro1FLUw-ODGM/s1600/DSC_0137.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDHs84i9EIJkIGk56_AlirkMe0FXOzx1qrnhzAxDsKFt0RoQb52LxeuzJP6V2PYZgkozAxh_PKlS85M_Oin3IsBkNPsx4bizt8Jz5dQokz3Vci-zdV5L93opL-dDHrbZGro1FLUw-ODGM/s640/DSC_0137.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmy7FYGaEmn_Wgbf62hsZm76JkQ_NG3ffjThOyLVorkGRq0cpU1qcEluqonxLiC-tpynvTX2j2pOwqIB4exW3EZ9eX__Y_e1Wn3seDMmRQ7-oCY4dHKUtdyg7oEzLsYUCXO0oVqF39xGw/s1600/DSC_0140-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1281" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmy7FYGaEmn_Wgbf62hsZm76JkQ_NG3ffjThOyLVorkGRq0cpU1qcEluqonxLiC-tpynvTX2j2pOwqIB4exW3EZ9eX__Y_e1Wn3seDMmRQ7-oCY4dHKUtdyg7oEzLsYUCXO0oVqF39xGw/s640/DSC_0140-2.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
BabyZ made Big Buddy take him down this slide over a dozen a times. We tried to distract him with swings and other slides, but this was his favorite and he was determined to do it over and over and over again. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhArXz9AdDArRTO-mnvAfozFxmyYi4gjMINkm55OCDoLeISqkAOP2spxGAlOuApM4gwH719WpJCx0aSz0Jo4fZLQCL4W01ZBaSOsxriU8zs2VynbYz-CSu2KbNMF8AIjgqXvhz2Soxr-ko/s1600/DSC_0125.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhArXz9AdDArRTO-mnvAfozFxmyYi4gjMINkm55OCDoLeISqkAOP2spxGAlOuApM4gwH719WpJCx0aSz0Jo4fZLQCL4W01ZBaSOsxriU8zs2VynbYz-CSu2KbNMF8AIjgqXvhz2Soxr-ko/s640/DSC_0125.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmrO7lZ7N7qh5ca_3xUOmRja6hgZJ3Z7CgLdbns1DbM-Kc6L_zf-fKY5MFpOvgkkPpqp_48yxphYrBrYInvtK5L68BquvrF_s05vxbcjxLgkJvLs2rzDDU7Vy1ilBfnEHsekMBg-RRCZI/s1600/DSC_0114.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmrO7lZ7N7qh5ca_3xUOmRja6hgZJ3Z7CgLdbns1DbM-Kc6L_zf-fKY5MFpOvgkkPpqp_48yxphYrBrYInvtK5L68BquvrF_s05vxbcjxLgkJvLs2rzDDU7Vy1ilBfnEHsekMBg-RRCZI/s640/DSC_0114.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
I'm so thankful for what a good big brother he is - I don't think I would have been able to make it to the top of the slide carrying BabyZ, let alone continuously for 20 minutes. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVUMKHoDCtfvAoRQiBdANXKrmF6T-CCU-jphr0aFxdlL9KkB6rQ7FnU3RAofzr3YyTL6ZOi4q79PSBPEdWgMuBCbtgTtZXKpppTmznbRFfD5BFo07m5G7OfRIVOi90lSzbiFXt4I92ESw/s1600/DSC_0115.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1281" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVUMKHoDCtfvAoRQiBdANXKrmF6T-CCU-jphr0aFxdlL9KkB6rQ7FnU3RAofzr3YyTL6ZOi4q79PSBPEdWgMuBCbtgTtZXKpppTmznbRFfD5BFo07m5G7OfRIVOi90lSzbiFXt4I92ESw/s640/DSC_0115.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
This kid...always, always climbing.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimF-ZfL1-RgH00hb7WlcXgdA0nE_B5sm_kV_tPuZ-14VP4dd6i_YczVYjyR-E_hryKL2uexe8-njcjkT7Na33ACVH9lDkB1uq8IHvWqCs2URdJBmOAB8e4y-HaNchXTfXwL4z2zjrUDFA/s1600/DSC_0160.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimF-ZfL1-RgH00hb7WlcXgdA0nE_B5sm_kV_tPuZ-14VP4dd6i_YczVYjyR-E_hryKL2uexe8-njcjkT7Na33ACVH9lDkB1uq8IHvWqCs2URdJBmOAB8e4y-HaNchXTfXwL4z2zjrUDFA/s640/DSC_0160.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd91KKSEyl9AMlADxRAW4mviPD1yyiSUqenAE_DwmCX5AmD6SRgxvLG5wAAxc_mGWtaq5XtoGXVbbeHrokcP3Su5nwPh1lk4-bEITh2HYgWEvs1Z5NTHdEg-e_EkqD4GNsHeZyjkiMrL0/s1600/DSC_0164.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1281" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd91KKSEyl9AMlADxRAW4mviPD1yyiSUqenAE_DwmCX5AmD6SRgxvLG5wAAxc_mGWtaq5XtoGXVbbeHrokcP3Su5nwPh1lk4-bEITh2HYgWEvs1Z5NTHdEg-e_EkqD4GNsHeZyjkiMrL0/s640/DSC_0164.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtV0T1P2Ai0KVtckeIWrLRayYz9f2T9snsDx-Yl8_hq_3nOLeJlE_8wsfY0eha8AEEAQ65jkCuCtBDROTNred0w1onveOI2Cj9lv4bVUm5WlE3_HCcYivuphcpA5BCYjcHh4CgFPjSvgI/s1600/DSC_0155.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtV0T1P2Ai0KVtckeIWrLRayYz9f2T9snsDx-Yl8_hq_3nOLeJlE_8wsfY0eha8AEEAQ65jkCuCtBDROTNred0w1onveOI2Cj9lv4bVUm5WlE3_HCcYivuphcpA5BCYjcHh4CgFPjSvgI/s640/DSC_0155.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8xDBI9UIx0VjCB1frIuLrY0AzOjGb-eNEHOPP7dpfwqNT9wvwSWKjELDxWNMqcdDdcqHR3LeknlxDf2QUXb1Jbb4v5gl1YZqyvc66Wlx0wC-IqPG047PhAc5FHSJqBOTJ2pDJsuCCm0U/s1600/DSC_0169.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1281" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8xDBI9UIx0VjCB1frIuLrY0AzOjGb-eNEHOPP7dpfwqNT9wvwSWKjELDxWNMqcdDdcqHR3LeknlxDf2QUXb1Jbb4v5gl1YZqyvc66Wlx0wC-IqPG047PhAc5FHSJqBOTJ2pDJsuCCm0U/s640/DSC_0169.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Do you have any favorite places you like to go in the Chicagoland area? If so please share. </div>
Rachel Kaylynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09114768437192098372noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-559694926328998802.post-17958525325851877942018-05-22T20:52:00.000-05:002018-05-22T20:52:30.702-05:00Our March and April Morning Basket<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: left;">It doesn't always go smoothly and it's hardly ever quiet, but starting each day with morning time has become my favorite part of our homeschool routine. I have hopes that someday there will be less spills and less interruptions, but right now, I'm just enjoying the little bit of goodness we get to dive into each morning...even if that goodness only lasts for five minutes. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-rWpSEMGo5X0NxKx_KW4Sv_xBnoPFyRtg7J91xi8LbeaDgGsCwSxdptR8Ea1qkytIYvwCIe7olQZwtdSYSfu3op6p_vI9Fnl3UNqBfe8F562Z3QflqX11W8bEQsfv9BGhhU_FK5DkHgE/s1600/DSC_0173.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1281" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-rWpSEMGo5X0NxKx_KW4Sv_xBnoPFyRtg7J91xi8LbeaDgGsCwSxdptR8Ea1qkytIYvwCIe7olQZwtdSYSfu3op6p_vI9Fnl3UNqBfe8F562Z3QflqX11W8bEQsfv9BGhhU_FK5DkHgE/s640/DSC_0173.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Originally, my plan was to study a new composer, artist, and poet each month but that just wasn't giving us enough time. While I'm not expecting any sort of mastery; I want my kiddos to feel a familiarity with these greats - to almost start to think of them as friends. </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/AVvXsEh1u4MSbokQKO41qVBlvcvzwljumH5JWNbuyInOyblLZfY-x7_y8d8VLCYEZCnN_Lk7zlC3ysirF3nHHHh_5oBIV2B5ZqH1B3fGJATKcJIPDBngQbZzA-Kw3wgxM4D-MiBbKPproQbcLIw/s1600/DSC_0027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1u4MSbokQKO41qVBlvcvzwljumH5JWNbuyInOyblLZfY-x7_y8d8VLCYEZCnN_Lk7zlC3ysirF3nHHHh_5oBIV2B5ZqH1B3fGJATKcJIPDBngQbZzA-Kw3wgxM4D-MiBbKPproQbcLIw/s640/DSC_0027.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Rembrandt was our artist. The prints are from <a href="https://simplycharlottemason.com/store/picture-study-portfolios/">Simply Charlotte Mason</a>. You can also get lesson plans to go with them, but I just order the prints and read a couple biographies. The </span>biographies<span style="font-family: inherit;"> we read were </span><i style="background-color: white;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0736834109/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=rachelkaylynn-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=0736834109&linkId=b33e9a4fa7d6febf6b7bcfd49d97ad90">Rembrandt (Masterpieces: Artists and Their Works)</a> </i><span style="background-color: white;">and <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0670035726/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=rachelkaylynn-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=0670035726&linkId=ecaf9702cb44a20f540fb5f7f3eb07c1">What Makes A Rembrandt a Rembrandt</a></i></span><span class="author notFaded" data-width="" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #111111;">. The <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0670035726/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=rachelkaylynn-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=0670035726&linkId=ecaf9702cb44a20f540fb5f7f3eb07c1">later</a> was our favorite. Each page-spread told a bit about Rembrandt's life while also describing one of his pictures and the techniques he used. </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSAoAZzNtFqQ-KETwjHKlo-Tx0VILbxINnBj3GvobCyfVJZQYN0Iv56TE7XP49zuIAY2T4Epb577xWWPW39_RDzjlwsXYZl95-K7EzhZsGd_oulO2XQYYKnuE7twWA9YzLdj87ZwlV4O4/s1600/DSC_0026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSAoAZzNtFqQ-KETwjHKlo-Tx0VILbxINnBj3GvobCyfVJZQYN0Iv56TE7XP49zuIAY2T4Epb577xWWPW39_RDzjlwsXYZl95-K7EzhZsGd_oulO2XQYYKnuE7twWA9YzLdj87ZwlV4O4/s640/DSC_0026.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Vivaldi was our composer. We really enjoy the audio cds, by <a href="https://www.rainbowresource.com/proddtl?id=MMCDPK">Vox Music: An Introduction to the Classics</a>. They intertwined a kid friendly biography with music by the composer.<i> </i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0802853188/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=rachelkaylynn-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=0802853188&linkId=413732d6b5be6e6605d1c4237414ecf3">I, Vivaldi</a> </i>is a a colorful picture biography told from Vivaldi's perspective. It drew the kiddos in and made Vivaldi come to life. <span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: inherit;"><i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0805078010/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=rachelkaylynn-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=0805078010&linkId=6c9f45960f2443cdf0f290b445b4fcf4">Vivaldi and the Invisible Orchestra</a>,</i> is a fictional story of a orphan girl who transcribes Vivaldi's orchestra pieces. It is, however, based on a bit of fact; Vivaldi did instruct an orchestra made up of orphan girls. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXQ3Rf4u8RDlpFsGj06y1dg_PCvtRVvlvpUrUtm7mEPKobBswUTEgrslTcNKagTnq-xVCsZDhKuuVXEzN48Rqhfj6ubgf_ZVCUNfQsE5KXWauIouVkYMjwMlOt9mevG8aLKsQQwhtyVIs/s1600/DSC_0058.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1281" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXQ3Rf4u8RDlpFsGj06y1dg_PCvtRVvlvpUrUtm7mEPKobBswUTEgrslTcNKagTnq-xVCsZDhKuuVXEzN48Rqhfj6ubgf_ZVCUNfQsE5KXWauIouVkYMjwMlOt9mevG8aLKsQQwhtyVIs/s640/DSC_0058.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #111111; font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1847808778/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=rachelkaylynn-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=1847808778&linkId=f858660540ea54620540e657105836da">The Story Orchestra; Four Seasons in One Day</a> is not a biography; it is a cute story about a girl and her dog as they </span><span style="color: #111111;">experience</span><span style="color: #111111; font-family: inherit;"> the four seasons. Each page-spread has a button you can push to hear the music. The last page does include a short biography as well as a breakdown of all pieces your heard in the book. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTpCV2u2NBln78rbW3CEVDgTxItbT4hzP41VhVKznx4AkBzmpSFqk4oRhQHiMGwHVGYAElxbcqSKPXpObiP49WXGsL0ESQXIZSe03yusDHKonXoboSjgj18o4rNs8VX6R5Ko-vTgU8tp8/s1600/DSC_0177.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1281" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTpCV2u2NBln78rbW3CEVDgTxItbT4hzP41VhVKznx4AkBzmpSFqk4oRhQHiMGwHVGYAElxbcqSKPXpObiP49WXGsL0ESQXIZSe03yusDHKonXoboSjgj18o4rNs8VX6R5Ko-vTgU8tp8/s640/DSC_0177.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: justify;">Our poet was Carl Sandburg. It ended up being a happy accident because Sandburg was fascinated by Abraham Lincoln and we were also studying the Civil War. We really enjoy the <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1633221512/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=rachelkaylynn-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=1633221512&linkId=77abb59958f48159f64d5d4b8e40e3d5">Poetry for Kids</a> series, so much so, that when we could not get a copy through our library we bought our own. They had other compilations but none that were as good. Someday, I hope to own the whole series. </span><br />
<br />
<i style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0152046860/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=rachelkaylynn-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=0152046860&linkId=f3d889349070f97da5481ec9173428f1">Carl Sandburg, Adventures of a Poet</a></i><span style="text-align: justify;"> is a terrific picture biography. Each page-spread chronologically walks you through an era in Sandburg's life and combines it with a piece of his written work. The historical illustrations are also captivating. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilT7C9U7ovrDCQlEdwicyM4qlcIsq539YYMhc6495fLv841cUEPcJP8IcX8zOeAQOW3XwWvdlZyDCUgag-af1poLxLtBkWA_8um9PTn182OJuCngWJLSGAmp-yoetisXXJh1IUBtnDB9o/s1600/DSC_0062.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilT7C9U7ovrDCQlEdwicyM4qlcIsq539YYMhc6495fLv841cUEPcJP8IcX8zOeAQOW3XwWvdlZyDCUgag-af1poLxLtBkWA_8um9PTn182OJuCngWJLSGAmp-yoetisXXJh1IUBtnDB9o/s640/DSC_0062.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
For one of the kids co-op classes they had a history heroes day; each of the kids had dress up or make poster about their hero. Josiah chose Abraham Lincoln; click <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BiQWPnxgXfJ/?taken-by=joyfullyweary">here</a> to see him recite the Gettysburg Address. Mini Man chose Buffalo Bill; you can see his poster <a href="http://here./">here.</a> They individually read some simple biographies but <a href="http://bfbooks.com/DAulaire-Biography-Pack">d'Aulaire</a> is the gold standard of picture biographies so even though we've read these before we had to read them again. I feel lucky because these are hand-me-downs from Jeremy's homeschooling days. My mother-in-law is very gracious and is careful not to wear me down with too much advice, but when I started homeschooling she did tell about the wonderfulness of <a href="http://bfbooks.com/">Beautiful Feet Books history through literature collection</a>.<br />
<br />
We've been resting for awhile in the Civil War era. My kiddos are still enthralled and soaking up information. Later, I plan to post about all the books we have read, but these are the two we would open-up when morning time was going smoothly and they wanted to sit a listen for awhile longer. <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0544668278/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=rachelkaylynn-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=0544668278&linkId=a5f81b8e75a01aba168ba4447e1ce41f">Abraham Lincoln & Frederick Douglass: The Story Behind an American Friendship</a></i>, truth be told, I wasn't sure about this book; it looked like it might be a little dull. I, however, wanted my kids to know about Frederick Douglass and thought his relationship with Lincoln was fascinating. Once we got into the book though we were all hooked. The kids would ask for one more chapter and seemed to be soaking in lots of goodness. Most of the illustrations are historical photos or politically cartoons from the era. I wouldn't recommended this as your first nonfiction historical book or your first biography on Lincoln, but if your kids are already familiar with the Civil War then this is a great resource.<br />
<br />
I thought <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0152052046/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=rachelkaylynn-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=0152052046&linkId=c35230608e820a5c4dd6d166593d642b">The Perilous Road</a></i> offered an interesting perspective on the Civil War. Its protagonist is an eleven year old boy from Tennessee who thinks of himself as a confederate. He's angry at the Yankees because the have confiscated the food he has worked so hard to grow. His brother, however, goes off an join the Union Army. Through the book he see the way war changes people, that people on the other side are not that much different than him, and the horrors of a battle. My boys tend to glorify war. I want them to be men who stand up and fight for what they believe, but I also want them to be people of nuance. Men who can see both sides. Who are never rash to act, because they have weighed the cost.<br />
<br />
I cannot recommended the <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0986223506/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=rachelkaylynn-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=0986223506&linkId=ccbfdfb5c686bc5f120cefd573ffbeab">The Green Ember series</a> enough! <a href="http://0999655329/">Ember Rising</a> is the latest book in the series and while it's geared toward upper elementary/middle school kids, I stayed up late one night finishing it because I was so enraptured! My kids are also hooked and would speed through their morning chores so I would read this book to them before they had to start 'real' school. It's packed full of action but is also peppered with truths that had me crying at some parts. This is series that could be read again and again.<br />
<br />
Do you have a morning basket? If you do, I'd love to hear what's inside. You can see some of our other monthly morning baskets <a href="https://joyfullyweary.blogspot.com/2017/10/our-september-morning-basket.html">here</a> and <a href="https://joyfullyweary.blogspot.com/2018/03/february-morning-basket.html">here</a>.</div>
Rachel Kaylynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09114768437192098372noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-559694926328998802.post-41321066540702025992018-05-14T19:07:00.001-05:002018-05-14T22:32:13.847-05:00Mother's Day 2018<div style="text-align: justify;">
I'm such a lucky momma. My older three kiddos, with the help of Jeremy, surprised me with breakfast in bed yesterday. Jeremy made sure I knew to stay in my room and they all headed downstairs early to make me bacon, eggs, and chocolate chip pancakes. It was so much fun hearing their happy chatter as they prepared their surprise. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4hFOhmikOceo-a0Or9Loi3qOnL9bxffyntcdK351l9zNxEze-sJPx3hN4Fzs62rU6ye91V9Acj4QPKccT9zfdAoIh-xlFtm1TfSD9nZUH-URxiBhBno95ksaTMsh-bRqnm5PoJGdXO6s/s1600/DSC_0100.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4hFOhmikOceo-a0Or9Loi3qOnL9bxffyntcdK351l9zNxEze-sJPx3hN4Fzs62rU6ye91V9Acj4QPKccT9zfdAoIh-xlFtm1TfSD9nZUH-URxiBhBno95ksaTMsh-bRqnm5PoJGdXO6s/s640/DSC_0100.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRY41YsElkpnUtGKw6E27COrpgWYzA2-cieFwdB6Nq5Jgfgi7YEw0OlX4Za5RGP-GLiOmw1Bjb15wy_VTvsZdUqZby7fMl67ocOQbg2NRuZn0yvrZJNjitqju6SA0wW8xG4tcco13TOEI/s1600/DSC_0113.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1281" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRY41YsElkpnUtGKw6E27COrpgWYzA2-cieFwdB6Nq5Jgfgi7YEw0OlX4Za5RGP-GLiOmw1Bjb15wy_VTvsZdUqZby7fMl67ocOQbg2NRuZn0yvrZJNjitqju6SA0wW8xG4tcco13TOEI/s640/DSC_0113.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgypvQysxtM_b3eWeLe3bkrV0b9ZRKprwTyyNr9eJlB6n4IOWf1Goz6sl0Lm66Ao8Nm2_zowa11qnL-YxjIhkz6IPbsgOMuCJxk6_TfZEdP6nZaQfa3E_5-Q7tPQjkKNVeXw-8Gb5onD1M/s1600/DSC_0115.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgypvQysxtM_b3eWeLe3bkrV0b9ZRKprwTyyNr9eJlB6n4IOWf1Goz6sl0Lm66Ao8Nm2_zowa11qnL-YxjIhkz6IPbsgOMuCJxk6_TfZEdP6nZaQfa3E_5-Q7tPQjkKNVeXw-8Gb5onD1M/s640/DSC_0115.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUv8_tTU7e8uOkJsWuuTdvvSR1YIhq2CWei-JYas-uZHWYtiU0rQAm0gmOn_n8vWFZUqIW7P4lvOEzq-VIWunxhUSC9edQT7cEwxCjpFHWCVFqqW1UT4FezbJfl0dkjSY6f5NzxfYJ70o/s1600/DSC_0120.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1281" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUv8_tTU7e8uOkJsWuuTdvvSR1YIhq2CWei-JYas-uZHWYtiU0rQAm0gmOn_n8vWFZUqIW7P4lvOEzq-VIWunxhUSC9edQT7cEwxCjpFHWCVFqqW1UT4FezbJfl0dkjSY6f5NzxfYJ70o/s640/DSC_0120.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4FsWKmMiL7a2L2s1x7CfE8TulcQqQ_ODewduN5m4Mz3hw6jda9aKQL5AW78Fm1Ann3hF_Q570WV6cdRGWFcep_VeJqfAN33NwhmcY_-4f02fIFBCa8gZi9zHVlxR_AuvViuGqVMM1Yqw/s1600/DSC_0125.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4FsWKmMiL7a2L2s1x7CfE8TulcQqQ_ODewduN5m4Mz3hw6jda9aKQL5AW78Fm1Ann3hF_Q570WV6cdRGWFcep_VeJqfAN33NwhmcY_-4f02fIFBCa8gZi9zHVlxR_AuvViuGqVMM1Yqw/s640/DSC_0125.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwWxaAKla36y8lplJVckH_iuUb8mR5uyl93CMMukUkCJqWBgSrhT5yqY_j58Fyn04FbKGAz_uPSk4XHAYHnRMHYCvJhyphenhyphen6jh2eru7Jj9FKBAP_asG5FDggdDipEEpDBPqPcOwQ9TwZARQY/s1600/DSC_0133.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwWxaAKla36y8lplJVckH_iuUb8mR5uyl93CMMukUkCJqWBgSrhT5yqY_j58Fyn04FbKGAz_uPSk4XHAYHnRMHYCvJhyphenhyphen6jh2eru7Jj9FKBAP_asG5FDggdDipEEpDBPqPcOwQ9TwZARQY/s640/DSC_0133.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Big Buddy is so past giving kisses to his Mama, but he knows is makes me happy so once in awhile he will amuse me. 💓<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsaL7-9DImwmxC0sXe0MmsRkpGmAIoIx0hsgzusuJ-LWPd9ctBNykWExQBWIGQ3SMbXsw2Rzupsua_xUbZy_zAeojILF4chQxwBrUXBEvdYM9X8zaWFH5ZEIivY2DNysOWTo_DJxALsuo/s1600/DSC_0139.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1281" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsaL7-9DImwmxC0sXe0MmsRkpGmAIoIx0hsgzusuJ-LWPd9ctBNykWExQBWIGQ3SMbXsw2Rzupsua_xUbZy_zAeojILF4chQxwBrUXBEvdYM9X8zaWFH5ZEIivY2DNysOWTo_DJxALsuo/s640/DSC_0139.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
They day before they also worked together to make this spinning Lego heart. I love that they are such a team! The breakfast and the heart were wonderful, but them working together is what makes me beam with joy. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHwQ48SQ9ywRBGwErIblO0Gp4FRGjwBUWBx492rahfF831WaNAWMmwMROmLQwBvHx8G5RHO0zUySGzvrr8gNcaYlGySOGVjox1wD7iLWLHBru9pMyyBwmEc57kzE5UZ7Neyyid5snFO9w/s1600/DSC_0153.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHwQ48SQ9ywRBGwErIblO0Gp4FRGjwBUWBx492rahfF831WaNAWMmwMROmLQwBvHx8G5RHO0zUySGzvrr8gNcaYlGySOGVjox1wD7iLWLHBru9pMyyBwmEc57kzE5UZ7Neyyid5snFO9w/s640/DSC_0153.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
BabyZ gave his own gift and slept in super late! He didn't wake up until after my breakfast was served...and then he helped me eat some of my chocolate chip pancakes 😉 He was convinced that all the candles meant it was somebodies birthday and started to sing "Happy Birthday". The older kiddos quickly adapted it to a round of "Happy Mother's Day". </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3z-yu8GqW7Q-RdGAY8m-UTrOZxTTmmO9oYDv8Ql5BKzJYyittc1EzYPDqJ0su23xzz6n0eY1MJ_ZGPASkdEvUF3mRwUAKiCrgr-5ksk76aiSPwViVhLPtwzPus6EPKqB1nlKdwlqUqTA/s1600/DSC_0159.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3z-yu8GqW7Q-RdGAY8m-UTrOZxTTmmO9oYDv8Ql5BKzJYyittc1EzYPDqJ0su23xzz6n0eY1MJ_ZGPASkdEvUF3mRwUAKiCrgr-5ksk76aiSPwViVhLPtwzPus6EPKqB1nlKdwlqUqTA/s640/DSC_0159.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Jeremy gave me the <a href="https://store.rabbitroom.com/products/liturgy-prints-every-moment-holy?variant=599658233870">perfect print</a>. I love being a mom, but some days are hard! Over the last eight years I've struggled off and on with anxiety and depression; it often leaves me felling like a failure as a mom. I want to give my kids so much and it hurts when I fall short. I'm constantly thanking the LORD for new mornings, and asking HIM to strengthening me as I try again. To give me the ability to be here, present and joyful, even when my heart and body is weary.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6yEzFSfGQfGbA4UoY4IHw0hV3PLmGxLFj1HlxfkOg0d1fyFuUKAgi1bojXlnLFYiDcCM_FNBkbyupNnSf22Cmen0enXfz0Rzdr2BY2qPaY9yPahWf-HWQ_0GLI7HHVPemUKPjXtVWsbQ/s1600/2018-05-14_10-00-29_744.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6yEzFSfGQfGbA4UoY4IHw0hV3PLmGxLFj1HlxfkOg0d1fyFuUKAgi1bojXlnLFYiDcCM_FNBkbyupNnSf22Cmen0enXfz0Rzdr2BY2qPaY9yPahWf-HWQ_0GLI7HHVPemUKPjXtVWsbQ/s640/2018-05-14_10-00-29_744.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Meet me. O Christ, </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>in this stillness of morning. </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Move me, O Spirit, </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>to quiet my heart. </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Mend me, Oh Father, </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>from yesterday's harms. </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>From the discord of yesterday, </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>resurrect my peace. </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>From the discouragement of yesterday, </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>resurrect my peace.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>From the weariness of yesterday, </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>resurrect my strength. </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>From the doubts of yesterday, </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>resurrect my faith. </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>From the wounds of yesterday, </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>resurrect my love. </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Let me enter this new day, </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>aware of my need, </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>and awake</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>to your grace, </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>O Lord. </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Amen</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://store.rabbitroom.com/products/liturgy-prints-every-moment-holy?variant=599658233870">- Doug Mckelvey -</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I'm so thankful that I get to share this journey of parenthood with Jeremy! He hears and echos my heart's cry. He sees the hopes of my heart despite my whininess and grumbling. He praises and encourages my strengths even when my weakness are laid raw and exposed. He believes in me when I struggle to believe in myself.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpoAJYoEGlw7DTTrWLORGI7z1mMa5pbqJmbCKC4GcgFp8oCKkGX18DL96F48dqMaPYQfTOAWrirVSieNJh7yb7aQTMqP8ONznd11ywAXptVm-k1oph5zSTcw8yJWAJYBDHpTDrxQix87o/s1600/DSC_0151.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpoAJYoEGlw7DTTrWLORGI7z1mMa5pbqJmbCKC4GcgFp8oCKkGX18DL96F48dqMaPYQfTOAWrirVSieNJh7yb7aQTMqP8ONznd11ywAXptVm-k1oph5zSTcw8yJWAJYBDHpTDrxQix87o/s640/DSC_0151.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="text-align: justify;">Saying the above prayer for all of you moms our there...that when you feel tired and beaten, that the LORD's love and strength will surround you - and you will rise like a phoenix!</span>Rachel Kaylynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09114768437192098372noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-559694926328998802.post-83478019177082580722018-03-17T19:16:00.002-05:002018-03-17T19:16:34.596-05:00St. Patrick's Day 2018<div style="text-align: justify;">
I've mentioned before that we are big on traditions, especially holiday traditions. St. Patrick's Day doesn't get left out! Every year the kids' aunts send them a box full of St. Patrick's Day goodies. We deck our house out in in green and then count down the days until the leprechaun visits. This year was a little bittersweet for me, because in past years the kiddos didn't call it St. Patrick's Day; it was a count down until Green Day...nobody called it Green Day this year. They are growing up too fast! </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
At our house the leprechaun hides some gold/golden wrapped candy under a hidden rainbow. To find the rainbow the kiddos have to solve five rhyming riddles. He also dyes some milk green, sets out the Lucky Charms, and usually leaves behind balloons. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihyphenhyphen190EVGDR1F1EE5SO84rqKvXXkc6K18Yp_LwGKKZkyo-eQBK8NE9E5QhQNRMGpT8uzbO_ontCXFvYOLeQ1K0jh64Ywue7dHGntSMjcRRpmS0lpxwb0xTqdKpLUBAHl5emnXQ7Djfa1FX/s1600/St.+Patricks-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1281" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihyphenhyphen190EVGDR1F1EE5SO84rqKvXXkc6K18Yp_LwGKKZkyo-eQBK8NE9E5QhQNRMGpT8uzbO_ontCXFvYOLeQ1K0jh64Ywue7dHGntSMjcRRpmS0lpxwb0xTqdKpLUBAHl5emnXQ7Djfa1FX/s640/St.+Patricks-4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNB5aarGbHd9Iw909FRzYzrkVNmBd0xx38MUYO55dPeYG_qiRtZKS_p0mwMccwvuSZ3SbHkG4epzrxW8WTxDS53hoZQfZePor_WYCMbpv2iIzK_K-NCbLG7HHosacMEXMzrDQMXyVlissu/s1600/St.+Patricks-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNB5aarGbHd9Iw909FRzYzrkVNmBd0xx38MUYO55dPeYG_qiRtZKS_p0mwMccwvuSZ3SbHkG4epzrxW8WTxDS53hoZQfZePor_WYCMbpv2iIzK_K-NCbLG7HHosacMEXMzrDQMXyVlissu/s640/St.+Patricks-2.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKasoz4zt9L2MuPLsePwSDEFngXICG24g9lFePaFZhOEMDAK6Bcc73VoBV_xtk3pNAkMWcFEBJxNq0Bg_ocRLHLpZAlcvOezTW-VIXvcyIAlU36zGp0iEVHK0UVTVvqEXilA9bCd9601jE/s1600/St.+Patricks-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1281" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKasoz4zt9L2MuPLsePwSDEFngXICG24g9lFePaFZhOEMDAK6Bcc73VoBV_xtk3pNAkMWcFEBJxNq0Bg_ocRLHLpZAlcvOezTW-VIXvcyIAlU36zGp0iEVHK0UVTVvqEXilA9bCd9601jE/s640/St.+Patricks-3.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSDkgP2Sm9Ywx3vt16bKjzY_HkzM9C2pToRZvUiwr4_mub49KN1OaUPN77-ldislXCnsPF6WNKz9kamHqtdjl2EJCu6j3egGUAaWdb37liED_Bg2wl_k6iERuxCeYtbM3roIKz3QvuJ8ma/s1600/St.+Patricks-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSDkgP2Sm9Ywx3vt16bKjzY_HkzM9C2pToRZvUiwr4_mub49KN1OaUPN77-ldislXCnsPF6WNKz9kamHqtdjl2EJCu6j3egGUAaWdb37liED_Bg2wl_k6iERuxCeYtbM3roIKz3QvuJ8ma/s640/St.+Patricks-5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We thought the second clue would be really easy for them but it took them awhile for them to solve. That right answer was just coming to Mini Man in the picture below. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSpOdKg5-Ad5ONZVhilFx49IercyWscOh8t3p7x07TUKgTHE5XWL8gzg5YvpKM-ETMecB-MKZ9E7OK7B6TpP9K6b6r3ilG_aseIDVfH9c7ifB8hGM7o4FXLhRd8lkQ_DgluCefoqThNfUg/s1600/St.+Patricks-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1281" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSpOdKg5-Ad5ONZVhilFx49IercyWscOh8t3p7x07TUKgTHE5XWL8gzg5YvpKM-ETMecB-MKZ9E7OK7B6TpP9K6b6r3ilG_aseIDVfH9c7ifB8hGM7o4FXLhRd8lkQ_DgluCefoqThNfUg/s640/St.+Patricks-6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
And they are off...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdR7k-iD_HYBb5mUmSATrEP5kBmiz4FA_UceZm6Km63iXS2-cZRz_rYY_eSMLAYRJgaZXEav5xGX0UmFgk3bgb89G0eYp9s0cuysP8wmdwWHz2Fw4Zgt7tHRUXnNOTFBGD3ypG_lTRkm5m/s1600/St.+Patricks-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdR7k-iD_HYBb5mUmSATrEP5kBmiz4FA_UceZm6Km63iXS2-cZRz_rYY_eSMLAYRJgaZXEav5xGX0UmFgk3bgb89G0eYp9s0cuysP8wmdwWHz2Fw4Zgt7tHRUXnNOTFBGD3ypG_lTRkm5m/s640/St.+Patricks-7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg962irZx_StDJ2-maBeVhGQUeDIDJ-sYpcjd5i0W44mWuW-Ul_vDFbEHPdZ0tzGtwNI8WUzUt9QVDGeR10cm4XGhvTxCkLM9l7IoDg_x7nNV2Q7QCAc6vv59VKjenp6L946A8168Mh_Cv8/s1600/St.+Patricks-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg962irZx_StDJ2-maBeVhGQUeDIDJ-sYpcjd5i0W44mWuW-Ul_vDFbEHPdZ0tzGtwNI8WUzUt9QVDGeR10cm4XGhvTxCkLM9l7IoDg_x7nNV2Q7QCAc6vv59VKjenp6L946A8168Mh_Cv8/s640/St.+Patricks-8.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi74HN00LpNGqwKaEwluJyaJW1L5AjdiS0ywhahPPl9Z1wJ9YruZh0L_GlR4hyjCz2Jw_hbKXybsdKpPB436AmGklkEqM2jf6o-gshDz5nqi95cjUy7fmzLURdUzKJ3uS8BHpXYWU9tgk1L/s1600/St.+Patricks-9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi74HN00LpNGqwKaEwluJyaJW1L5AjdiS0ywhahPPl9Z1wJ9YruZh0L_GlR4hyjCz2Jw_hbKXybsdKpPB436AmGklkEqM2jf6o-gshDz5nqi95cjUy7fmzLURdUzKJ3uS8BHpXYWU9tgk1L/s640/St.+Patricks-9.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
BabyZ wasn't sure what to think about this change-up to his morning routine. He could tell that his siblings were excited and tried to join the fun. When they read the last clue, though, and tried to get him to come look at his crib - he wasn't having it! Poor guy, I think he thought he had to go back to sleep. Hopefully, the marshmallows for breakfast erased in negative feelings about the day. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvSUSSJ5SyKVGkj4HcvjKqgUbuGZCKmKiSx35oqN_biLYCxY07iPsZM-nPB95y5xfC2d9zEblU1IFw-Pg4S_-Ufg3tVgoQZQRGVOqqDnG3ezfkOnd1NWR1rrytZyXmaXF_SgyjVhOQY2rs/s1600/St.+Patricks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvSUSSJ5SyKVGkj4HcvjKqgUbuGZCKmKiSx35oqN_biLYCxY07iPsZM-nPB95y5xfC2d9zEblU1IFw-Pg4S_-Ufg3tVgoQZQRGVOqqDnG3ezfkOnd1NWR1rrytZyXmaXF_SgyjVhOQY2rs/s640/St.+Patricks.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Over the years we've switched up what we've used for rainbows; click here to see our <a href="http://joyfullyweary.blogspot.com/2012/03/saint-patricks-day-fun.html">2012</a>, <a href="http://joyfullyweary.blogspot.com/2014/03/unlucky-but-blessed.html">2014</a>, <a href="https://joyfullyweary.blogspot.com/2015/03/saint-patricks-day-traditions.html">2015</a> celebrations.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF9xx6pJOOONqqz8oHYJCVWGcC_dRotmq1-lnuTmmV669bf3ZBIBoKdd9XSvxAKzpz-p2BBU522wnfkRt8iWPyX-PbX5zjNiK5jFideRGsJIktGENcmrhsh-qbz7461r_BsnO4tqVLR5cp/s1600/St.+Patricks-11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1281" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF9xx6pJOOONqqz8oHYJCVWGcC_dRotmq1-lnuTmmV669bf3ZBIBoKdd9XSvxAKzpz-p2BBU522wnfkRt8iWPyX-PbX5zjNiK5jFideRGsJIktGENcmrhsh-qbz7461r_BsnO4tqVLR5cp/s640/St.+Patricks-11.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRR5bUxUrNBoiIAAKrJ9W0uYVmrFJjzO09i5OaU9SErC0VmO5Fm9iJ8PD6ARm0Ip5M1fg-VRBCDP6sON5VSyOGl9dAU90lW6IJpJUQVmwfkohxTYSj7ccD5XaQBoSO6cY9nx6wOlcnbOLS/s1600/St.+Patricks-10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRR5bUxUrNBoiIAAKrJ9W0uYVmrFJjzO09i5OaU9SErC0VmO5Fm9iJ8PD6ARm0Ip5M1fg-VRBCDP6sON5VSyOGl9dAU90lW6IJpJUQVmwfkohxTYSj7ccD5XaQBoSO6cY9nx6wOlcnbOLS/s640/St.+Patricks-10.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Hope you all had a fun St. Patrick's Day! 💚🍀💚</div>
Rachel Kaylynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09114768437192098372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-559694926328998802.post-26246875375677949412018-03-12T18:39:00.001-05:002018-03-12T18:39:51.998-05:00February Morning Basket<div style="text-align: justify;">
My goal is to post our morning basket every month, but I haven't done it since <a href="https://joyfullyweary.blogspot.com/2017/10/our-september-morning-basket.html">September</a>...trying to be more organized with this space but life continues to get crazy and hectic. I call it our morning basket because we always pull out it out during breakfast, but we read through the books in it several times during a school day. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLxpSUEQOZ_FfLcDlpJJCj9WNCAqOaF91YWeIPEwLLK5Y2d6UK0Zs0cCbO_KbP4uf3IKGqCuyjg4RbGfPCDlm4BSiuPO2gtXVynMVhZ81I-WE-geZpDUpShyphenhyphenYlBkEVtQSEeUBs3DUuwGIA/s1600/feb-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1281" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLxpSUEQOZ_FfLcDlpJJCj9WNCAqOaF91YWeIPEwLLK5Y2d6UK0Zs0cCbO_KbP4uf3IKGqCuyjg4RbGfPCDlm4BSiuPO2gtXVynMVhZ81I-WE-geZpDUpShyphenhyphenYlBkEVtQSEeUBs3DUuwGIA/s640/feb-6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Every month I choose a poet, a composer, and an artist for us to study. My goal is not for my kiddos to have mastery on these people/topics but for them to become acquainted with them. I want to help them develop an affection for what is good and beautiful.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg29wzfPk1nxhoyDneI_W5PQ5cKGi2A4XR3j0jUW4cAu2PVGEH5LBYyxouMr3xpOzbv3gudtpisb3WMWo4cnE5aUbpjsm28H7NUwh6A08LKeGOuug95Rvd5i9Hk_IhZO6XlRxhvLzdcBJE/s1600/feb-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg29wzfPk1nxhoyDneI_W5PQ5cKGi2A4XR3j0jUW4cAu2PVGEH5LBYyxouMr3xpOzbv3gudtpisb3WMWo4cnE5aUbpjsm28H7NUwh6A08LKeGOuug95Rvd5i9Hk_IhZO6XlRxhvLzdcBJE/s640/feb-3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Our poet this month was Robert Frost. Both my boys have been reluctant readers, but one of their stronger skills is their ability to memorize poems. At breakfast I have them read the same poem for a week or so and that usually leads them having it memorized. Poetry has helped improve their vocabulary and helped them develop a cadence when reading other works. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I really enjoyed <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1633222209/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=rachelkaylynn-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=1633222209&linkId=4fbb87e3e1f3b87ef372d622f072f0e9" style="font-style: italic;">Poetry for Kids: Robert Frost</a><i>. </i>It's a collection of thirty-five poems with beautiful painted illustrations. There is also a short biography in the front and an a short synopsis of each poem in the back. <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0805094075/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=rachelkaylynn-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=0805094075&linkId=49747998423e2dbbefbc84184377b0aa">Papa is a Poet</a>, </i>is a charming picture biography told from the view point of Frost's oldest daughter Lesley. We had a lot of fun examining the details of Caldecott winner Susan Jeffers' illustrations in <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0525467343/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=rachelkaylynn-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=0525467343&linkId=b39166949562c5ad21946366e002ab2a">Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evenin</a>g. </i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxfRWH6ZZlD8Oi80K9ameZz-A_9Z7CzoQNmREvVCGd4n_W9avxnvVAM_GKmhSEMT50MblSxNQbXnUtZlw43WF7nZUfwOAMJDzmjSVO7PWgu263jYZaab-2ByRjbHVF9j1p4OnKp_XCE0vy/s1600/feb-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxfRWH6ZZlD8Oi80K9ameZz-A_9Z7CzoQNmREvVCGd4n_W9avxnvVAM_GKmhSEMT50MblSxNQbXnUtZlw43WF7nZUfwOAMJDzmjSVO7PWgu263jYZaab-2ByRjbHVF9j1p4OnKp_XCE0vy/s640/feb-4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Our composer for the month was Beethoven. My go-to biographies for composer is the <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0974650560/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=rachelkaylynn-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=0974650560&linkId=ec375b8f6bdf143c07bfc0f20c1c64ed">Great Musician Series by Zeezok Publishing</a>. These are a joy to read aloud; I also like how much detail is given about the composers' childhoods. Another favorite is the CD series, <i><a href="http://search.rainbowresource.com/vox-music-masters">An Introduction to the Classics</a></i>; it mixes in narrative biographical information along with pieces of the composer's work. Additionally, my boys are fans of <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0531222411/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=rachelkaylynn-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=0531222411&linkId=51c3523c7b03df4147511da1c9af0be4">Mike Venezia's</a> biographies. They are factually accurate, but he includes some funny comics that makes them giggle. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmRit4ekHeQ4vq7dd6hsrLeJEEOGCEb8th88U3Jdm0LU9KD6e6DcL6DqfOjIgG_1T5AwGi4KIgF5IBogXEED2FMV3GScVYq0yxMTgCdEUZ261tKOiKGo8sIBoL19B6TCLy5sz8opPewtSO/s1600/feb-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1281" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmRit4ekHeQ4vq7dd6hsrLeJEEOGCEb8th88U3Jdm0LU9KD6e6DcL6DqfOjIgG_1T5AwGi4KIgF5IBogXEED2FMV3GScVYq0yxMTgCdEUZ261tKOiKGo8sIBoL19B6TCLy5sz8opPewtSO/s640/feb-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Vermeer was our artist of the month. <a href="https://simplycharlottemason.com/store/picture-study-portfolios-vermeer/">Simply Charlotte Mason</a> is a great resource for getting inexpensive prints. We use these to do a picture study a couple times a week. Since the boys enjoy <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0516269992/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=rachelkaylynn-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=0516269992&linkId=09bb1092769322d45a993e6b065291f2">Mike Venezia</a> we also read one of his <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0516269992/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=rachelkaylynn-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=0516269992&linkId=09bb1092769322d45a993e6b065291f2">biographies on Vermeer</a>. I appreciated the <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1580138829/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=rachelkaylynn-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=1580138829&linkId=878598ccd98aeced7c44cb48f2c2ce02">The Vermeer Interviews</a></i>; it's written a bit like a play, with the author asking the subject of the painting questions about him or herself. It lead to some great discussion that I don't think we would of had otherwise. I randomly stumbled upon <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0006LBXDG/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=rachelkaylynn-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B0006LBXDG&linkId=959ecf1118a344e2921cfa59e0378093">Chasing Vermeer</a></i> while doing a library search - it was such a happy find! The story is a bit of a mystery, with two kids drawn into a hunt for a stolen Vermeer painting. We listened to the audio in the car, and Big Buddy was immediately hooked. The story is not the highest of quality (it won't ever by considered a classic), but it did give Big Buddy a new excitement for art. He spent more time examining Vermeer's painting and noticed more connection in them that he has with any other artist. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLxvEorJpK8FqCdbIzNBDb1ep5g3cUYuZz-4JrBTiGDBeRrBSd9WiWJNQ76-LWU6xqJqIX4Ed27Qp1XVhVnCvtqhQqkyWizx3EDGt8f9FxsZY3wAxQizlQES7E8OO1Go9j3KYsiH5F-9L0/s1600/feb-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLxvEorJpK8FqCdbIzNBDb1ep5g3cUYuZz-4JrBTiGDBeRrBSd9WiWJNQ76-LWU6xqJqIX4Ed27Qp1XVhVnCvtqhQqkyWizx3EDGt8f9FxsZY3wAxQizlQES7E8OO1Go9j3KYsiH5F-9L0/s640/feb-5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In addition to the books we read on the 'greats' I also like have a couple chapter books that we are reading through each month. Since February was Black History Month we read through<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=rachelkaylynn-20&keywords=0061730793&index=aps&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=xm2&linkId=62f7c2b7a5e1998d194a898789125d16"> </a><i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=rachelkaylynn-20&keywords=0061730793&index=aps&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=xm2&linkId=62f7c2b7a5e1998d194a898789125d16">Heart and Soul: The Story of America and African Americans</a>. </i>The book is narrated by of a 100 year old black women looking back on her life and the tales of her ancestors. With heart breaking and heart warming prose and exquisite oil paintings you walk through the history of Black Americans from the Declaration of Independence to the election of Barack Obama. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In the kids' history class they were studying westward expansion so we also read a few books on that topic. Ingri and Edgar Parin d'Aularie are one of my go-tos for historical biographies. Like all of their books, <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0964380374/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=rachelkaylynn-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=0964380374&linkId=ffb3ea118b05b9709ea60f41b1d86e4a">Buffalo Bill</a></i> was not only well researched and well written but also has beautiful illustrations. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1416940286/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=rachelkaylynn-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=1416940286&linkId=951eb77a0b54c99e6774db54345996f2"><i>Caddie Woodlawn</i></a> is a coming to age story of an adventurist-tomboy-pioneer girl. It was my first time reading it and I think I enjoyed it almost as much as the kids...it is one of those books that we all would of been happy spending a whole day reading. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0140321705/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=rachelkaylynn-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=0140321705&linkId=dd673a58a8ca29dcdfff8d9e9ab8f124">Moccasin Trai</a>l is the story of a white boy, Jim, who ran away from home and ended up being raised by Crow Indians. His biological family reaches out to him for help as they journey west. It's also a bit of a coming to age story, as Jim reunites with his family and tries to decided where he fits in and who are his people. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl_M2DfAd3yKhRmhxk3-ZOLevoCRJ-iSzAlcYHPkZU_MxuBfDhNBepcIRrpk3XZI6xlMXqsYsjAlLeSyXr-8BLHhitZuIf79afDJbgvUWS25bfFQ5HfY5hctJavk8us1Ib0_dRcxxgpmdM/s1600/feb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl_M2DfAd3yKhRmhxk3-ZOLevoCRJ-iSzAlcYHPkZU_MxuBfDhNBepcIRrpk3XZI6xlMXqsYsjAlLeSyXr-8BLHhitZuIf79afDJbgvUWS25bfFQ5HfY5hctJavk8us1Ib0_dRcxxgpmdM/s640/feb.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Our favorite book of the month was probably <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0986223506/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=rachelkaylynn-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=0986223506&linkId=75e696c36be0e00b654757c65e01731e">Green Ember</a></i>...we all quickly became devotees and have now read four of the books in the series. We may or may have not canceled part of school one day so we could finish a book. It's a fantasy story of a brother and a sister rabbit who get caught up in a tumultuous war for a throne and for freedom. It's packed with lots of PG action but also had moments that brought me to tears. Plus, there are these pockets of beautifully written eternal truths that I just wanted to read over and over again. If you have a child who is eight or above you need to add this book to your read aloud list. </div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Cezy0puIQmNIl8BrK4Jj3oeechj5sMt3m6CB8tbOqi7M_03-yebmV2aFWkvM04pbXFDgAB5KmV2hd7pQacjntz1qFZzAkoDFHkXxf0kVYKtNBw2fns6odqq8LkCE148IHxy-9GrveRup/s1600/feb-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1281" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Cezy0puIQmNIl8BrK4Jj3oeechj5sMt3m6CB8tbOqi7M_03-yebmV2aFWkvM04pbXFDgAB5KmV2hd7pQacjntz1qFZzAkoDFHkXxf0kVYKtNBw2fns6odqq8LkCE148IHxy-9GrveRup/s640/feb-8.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Rachel Kaylynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09114768437192098372noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-559694926328998802.post-14733519427789451372018-03-01T17:25:00.001-06:002018-03-01T17:26:15.599-06:00Dr. Seuss<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyzG8Dmjm2kxotohf7ATUeabV99cshN3UhzyVxoPmPaKXJakPwSSi8RtRoO08utbFuBi9HAnSRCkqE1OZVdGV6IF0m7MdITF1rBPVsJB_Ykc2LYYrpTaZ-afIEMw5Dxmi6gietDFk31sNz/s1600/Dr.+Seuss-13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyzG8Dmjm2kxotohf7ATUeabV99cshN3UhzyVxoPmPaKXJakPwSSi8RtRoO08utbFuBi9HAnSRCkqE1OZVdGV6IF0m7MdITF1rBPVsJB_Ykc2LYYrpTaZ-afIEMw5Dxmi6gietDFk31sNz/s640/Dr.+Seuss-13.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Tomorrow is Dr. Seuss's birthday, so this week we've been reading a few of his books and doing a couple related activities. <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0375855505/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=rachelkaylynn-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=0375855505&linkId=4e9f7d010de22c9bf4d04eab052c506e">The Boy on Fairfield Street</a> </i>is probably my new favorite Dr. Seuss biography for kids. I love children's biographies that actually talk about famous people's childhoods. The paintings in this book are also very nostalgic - they make you feel like you are going back in time. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_tlYvnOSg5DyrmzJEU5ypCppJj33MqPVjFm3GW-_dnYADGDdcHTzgdUgk9V2uY3wRlBS4GSl96jHJX1d14gn0puUs_8fZcyDiUNpna21TacuC9kYCiVdPVlAAlALtbr1Ebjsrk5Mj55iT/s1600/Dr.+Seuss-9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_tlYvnOSg5DyrmzJEU5ypCppJj33MqPVjFm3GW-_dnYADGDdcHTzgdUgk9V2uY3wRlBS4GSl96jHJX1d14gn0puUs_8fZcyDiUNpna21TacuC9kYCiVdPVlAAlALtbr1Ebjsrk5Mj55iT/s640/Dr.+Seuss-9.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
These messed up hats were something I made <a href="https://joyfullyweary.blogspot.com/2011/11/preschool-syllabus-dr-seuss.html">awhile ago</a> when my kiddos were still in the preschool stage. Back then they just had fun matching them. Now they've moved on to playing memory. Based on the ages of your children you might want to use only 1/2 the cards for a game; they are so much alike it can be difficult. Click here for the <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1K0U__XJHeYOWRjZDg3YmMtY2VkYy00ZDgzLWEwMzktYjZkYjdiMmQ0ZGJm/view?usp=sharing">free printable</a>; you'll need to print it twice to make a memory game.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP25X5rbgSiz7xJWonm2S4xVpXTyb9H6cvo6_V7VdFgpqtM7RlnCNJ5oSTdHCzQtUZty2utrbQhqNXxRBmJlPtwph9MkISQC1ezReuOlAE36hPDpGWvgeKnE6NwQ2TF0drL8qq1VkEz9RU/s1600/Dr.+Seuss-11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1281" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP25X5rbgSiz7xJWonm2S4xVpXTyb9H6cvo6_V7VdFgpqtM7RlnCNJ5oSTdHCzQtUZty2utrbQhqNXxRBmJlPtwph9MkISQC1ezReuOlAE36hPDpGWvgeKnE6NwQ2TF0drL8qq1VkEz9RU/s640/Dr.+Seuss-11.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifiXrayme2QR-psaI-5swV0v3KVLBvGuJUqJHqYMFEv6XndLWU3URZSjYkPk7ocq-bJd8XUjkrfKqDKQXQGQIe__ve9tBDbBxMPU3iElQpLzHhDEECLb2TAvzen1Wl5YooUxyPrv_d88kH/s1600/Dr.+Seuss-12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1281" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifiXrayme2QR-psaI-5swV0v3KVLBvGuJUqJHqYMFEv6XndLWU3URZSjYkPk7ocq-bJd8XUjkrfKqDKQXQGQIe__ve9tBDbBxMPU3iElQpLzHhDEECLb2TAvzen1Wl5YooUxyPrv_d88kH/s640/Dr.+Seuss-12.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I don't think you can study Dr. Seuss without making Oobleck. Mini Man loves <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0394800753/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=rachelkaylynn-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=0394800753&linkId=82a0065defee7d50d0ac76ec908c568d">Bartholomew and the Oobleck</a>. </i>When I told him we were going to be reading Dr. Seuss that was his first request. This year we made the traditional recipe: 2 parts cornstarch to 1 part water. It creates a amazing substance (the scientific name is<span style="font-family: inherit;"> <span style="background-color: white; color: #545454;">non-Newtonian fluid</span></span>) that is both a liquid and solid. The kiddos had a lot of fun punching it - it acts like a solid. As well as, watching things sink in it; they sink very slowly, kind of like quick sand.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFiJ3cf6XCiAhYe507XQSZwAAK7SJhfen4vOwucTieY_B_lLlAQa__UNb0cx4zsUGWyoqmNoiSnMHtJpwrwDQ2N2Dw6c28a9mYW7aUlu9PxjbYWpUTDSWQqwv5HUsErNGGFJsoTUTjSjEl/s1600/Dr.+Seuss-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFiJ3cf6XCiAhYe507XQSZwAAK7SJhfen4vOwucTieY_B_lLlAQa__UNb0cx4zsUGWyoqmNoiSnMHtJpwrwDQ2N2Dw6c28a9mYW7aUlu9PxjbYWpUTDSWQqwv5HUsErNGGFJsoTUTjSjEl/s640/Dr.+Seuss-3.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFhScQE7n1Kd40GtJqZOgqQEZDd5jnKWtmSEgv_oDErWmQqEX2-rrUTwNH3rTO0-YmM7mokRTHZ8feVMkrMHR5WqfSM-yp-EXK-4hlPJq4hnyJeQHcgi8G0CByQLEGZ4bU4C7iHzTON6zA/s1600/Dr.+Seuss-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFhScQE7n1Kd40GtJqZOgqQEZDd5jnKWtmSEgv_oDErWmQqEX2-rrUTwNH3rTO0-YmM7mokRTHZ8feVMkrMHR5WqfSM-yp-EXK-4hlPJq4hnyJeQHcgi8G0CByQLEGZ4bU4C7iHzTON6zA/s640/Dr.+Seuss-4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
In years past, <a href="https://joyfullyweary.blogspot.com/2011/11/preschool-syllabus-dr-seuss.html">we made a glue slime </a>...either way be prepared for a bit of mess. Here's a picture of Mini Man from 2011 and a picture of BabyZ from this week. No worries, it all came off very easily in the bath.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcGv1uiUzbwHzH1MWDUTaRyLSVWUZhJUeYvCGhBtXvFgvHyqvxrmy8gYAQ6a3I5UbTYWPrJg01FcaoIzbxDSo8qxl_OnjcD5yxRtMW1-Yeq7R_C8k8mjWExgV3050lBrEOWLLNMMN6whln/s1600/Dr.+Seuss-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcGv1uiUzbwHzH1MWDUTaRyLSVWUZhJUeYvCGhBtXvFgvHyqvxrmy8gYAQ6a3I5UbTYWPrJg01FcaoIzbxDSo8qxl_OnjcD5yxRtMW1-Yeq7R_C8k8mjWExgV3050lBrEOWLLNMMN6whln/s640/Dr.+Seuss-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHUYf4FC0oAFIZvL_T4nF2ZCVQYoB9Akdb9RQpwPUteIyd8SR2yDw9P_Oe9yDDsC15NCCcWABPVLTqyjuhPzmyfRPxYAciNS2YUapl2HoHWigia5_0lx9LhjQn7PJYBLD8pFQzSDjpZV_w/s1600/Dr.+Seuss-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHUYf4FC0oAFIZvL_T4nF2ZCVQYoB9Akdb9RQpwPUteIyd8SR2yDw9P_Oe9yDDsC15NCCcWABPVLTqyjuhPzmyfRPxYAciNS2YUapl2HoHWigia5_0lx9LhjQn7PJYBLD8pFQzSDjpZV_w/s640/Dr.+Seuss-5.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
The last couple of activities we did involved one of my kiddos favorite snacks, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00IAE6WFU/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=rachelkaylynn-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B00IAE6WFU&linkId=8f8dc6d1595f6d9c8b9b1f3c608f04d8">Goldfish</a>. I had Mini Man and Little Lady read <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0394800133/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=rachelkaylynn-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=0394800133&linkId=61266ec893fb4ace2f6a953063ec5f1e">One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish</a></i>. Then they graphed the <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00IAE6WFU/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=rachelkaylynn-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B00IAE6WFU&linkId=8f8dc6d1595f6d9c8b9b1f3c608f04d8">Goldfish </a>they were having for a snack. To make it a little bit more complicated for them we had each rectangle worth two goldfish instead of one. The free graph printable can be found <a href="http://www.lessonpix.com/images/GraphGoldfish.pdf">here.</a> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7eSTK-MjbqSK84y9CviQQzKFkDsujjWmxZJ6HHwZUqCWjdF-hjVpDB1erQBQqA6laOV-AVhI6rEmWSUjJ79tIdeguudl5racrojXLUBqhB4enobuhGf85KKWMzmiukgUQbyiti69BXHsW/s1600/Dr.+Seuss-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7eSTK-MjbqSK84y9CviQQzKFkDsujjWmxZJ6HHwZUqCWjdF-hjVpDB1erQBQqA6laOV-AVhI6rEmWSUjJ79tIdeguudl5racrojXLUBqhB4enobuhGf85KKWMzmiukgUQbyiti69BXHsW/s640/Dr.+Seuss-8.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
I also had them use the Goldfish to practice their multiplication facts. They rolled the red dice to see how many fish bowls they had and the white dice to see how many fish lived in each bowl. They filled in these facts on a worksheet and then added up the total off all their fishbowls; the one with the highest number won the game.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Click <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RroBwPaXK8fwYwAgR-2R39eEKsUyJYyn/view?usp=sharing">here for the fish bowl printable</a> and <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TmML8oE9VNChzs5HNz5EOOxGtVsNr4qp/view?usp=sharing">here for the multiplication worksheet</a>. Mini Man and Little Lady are working on memorizing multiplication facts, but you could also use the dice and fish bowls to practice adding. In a couple months I might reprint these and add numerals and dots, so BabyZ can practice one-to-one correspondence and number recognition. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiORS36aAcX4kDKPvTeKTc8cGwidpHB2C48oYhth3kItGWsDU-iuSqLENP7UJEtaef7G2iCYhP9OKT3WPxhUK13oZXcxBz0tcE4n2Z0VmyyhHfub-l6RoGPVfpa07ve4DMelhyphenhyphenyzw6P8yzI/s1600/Dr.+Seuss-10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1281" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiORS36aAcX4kDKPvTeKTc8cGwidpHB2C48oYhth3kItGWsDU-iuSqLENP7UJEtaef7G2iCYhP9OKT3WPxhUK13oZXcxBz0tcE4n2Z0VmyyhHfub-l6RoGPVfpa07ve4DMelhyphenhyphenyzw6P8yzI/s640/Dr.+Seuss-10.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIgUkjEdOvXyJHkUOoBLFM7FEAePdfQaq4yo_wcEEYNuDcZIqcjRv4RyJV8KusZVq3Ar503bJim-95KwF_fEOYiIzMgFFNbOcSlnyntoOnFjRpLNOSWiRJIVxKv_BYsvDpp5U_OMIYhhOE/s1600/Dr.+Seuss-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIgUkjEdOvXyJHkUOoBLFM7FEAePdfQaq4yo_wcEEYNuDcZIqcjRv4RyJV8KusZVq3Ar503bJim-95KwF_fEOYiIzMgFFNbOcSlnyntoOnFjRpLNOSWiRJIVxKv_BYsvDpp5U_OMIYhhOE/s640/Dr.+Seuss-7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Every year our library hosts a little celebration for Dr. Seuss's birthday. I am hoping we can make it tomorrow, but other than that I think we are done with Seuss activities this year. If you are looking for more activities; be sure to also visit these posts: <a href="https://joyfullyweary.blogspot.com/2011/11/preschool-syllabus-dr-seuss.html">Preschool Syllabus: Dr. Seuss</a>, <a href="https://joyfullyweary.blogspot.com/2013/03/celebrating-dr-seuss.html">Celebrating Dr. Seuss</a>, <a href="https://joyfullyweary.blogspot.com/2011/11/easy-seussian-hats.html">Easy Seussian Hats</a>, <a href="https://joyfullyweary.blogspot.com/2011/11/green-eggs-two-ways.html">Green Eggs to Ways</a>, and <a href="https://joyfullyweary.blogspot.com/2011/11/cats-in-hats-and-parade-of-things.html">A Parade of Things</a>. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeCleZ5UIRc-JS0UQHkB6FgaVPCkbC07cZc_Hpgi-Jpr7EV6ex0-nZx8rHlSY_Qiv2ou_MHeX5Q_WTXku0pdgQrFMarxzRBsHnIZl9NdvARGJ4UYvTC4agG1lg9LRXVRHhSOLT5gAHe2CQ/s1600/Dr.+Seuss-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeCleZ5UIRc-JS0UQHkB6FgaVPCkbC07cZc_Hpgi-Jpr7EV6ex0-nZx8rHlSY_Qiv2ou_MHeX5Q_WTXku0pdgQrFMarxzRBsHnIZl9NdvARGJ4UYvTC4agG1lg9LRXVRHhSOLT5gAHe2CQ/s640/Dr.+Seuss-6.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
Rachel Kaylynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09114768437192098372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-559694926328998802.post-35141597505790527912018-02-25T21:45:00.000-06:002018-02-25T21:45:07.762-06:00Kalahari with Good Friends<div style="text-align: justify;">
I don't know how I've gotten so lucky, but I have been blessed with amazing friends. New and old, I have friends who have become family. I tend to hold my cards pretty close, and I'd prefer to keep the ugly parts of me hidden. When someone really gets to know you, though, and decides to love and accept you despite your awkwardness and the ugly struggles of your heart - it is such a blessing! </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This past week our family was able to go on a mini vacation with some of our dearest friends. We rented a villa together at <a href="https://www.kalahariresorts.com/wisconsin/#1391">Kalahari resorts in Wisconsin</a>. This group is really special; not only do I adore all of the moms, but their kiddos are some of my kids' best friends. We had a lot of fun exploring the water park. We also had plenty of good talks and lot of laughs. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-S__-43EbZrFsXcTZpXK_yg3fFC5gTx-hbikrWJEL2VdukcB4RV6dXxlIf9OM__BENr-L2eH_j9rbFJ06wT8VF9k89MZ5S8bHMw9o53WjI_rRuRt7yzMzENdIvxidRzTQLK-fyDZ7XSBS/s1600/Kalahari+%252815+of+27%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-S__-43EbZrFsXcTZpXK_yg3fFC5gTx-hbikrWJEL2VdukcB4RV6dXxlIf9OM__BENr-L2eH_j9rbFJ06wT8VF9k89MZ5S8bHMw9o53WjI_rRuRt7yzMzENdIvxidRzTQLK-fyDZ7XSBS/s640/Kalahari+%252815+of+27%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
All the kids spent a lot of time on this obstacle course. I soon as a saw it I knew it would be right up Mini Man's alley. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPyTbmVt5-uUO54IJUjHLSKwuX1-8NywcwnSE5jeqh8PLnIgubZdmwua-Spq1YuD9s2nAOfFQOEdNtml202csF7e1oC3oFbdWX1ViR1CPucaF7zapHWIB86qZOzsoYftqX6KMCbY6eBADS/s1600/Kalahari+%252817+of+27%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPyTbmVt5-uUO54IJUjHLSKwuX1-8NywcwnSE5jeqh8PLnIgubZdmwua-Spq1YuD9s2nAOfFQOEdNtml202csF7e1oC3oFbdWX1ViR1CPucaF7zapHWIB86qZOzsoYftqX6KMCbY6eBADS/s640/Kalahari+%252817+of+27%2529.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQiAIjO3fIQwl525xyX9itEke7b4TEkFi7X0yq69l6OCFKZCYmP65y-4KKp1cs78keUiMdGNL5yQHSy11e8oVewPLczCM7xS_3z6De-NhKxbJwdXZERCP8yEc4M5Eji2y-0HP_VNuhgxSD/s1600/Kalahari+%252818+of+27%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1281" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQiAIjO3fIQwl525xyX9itEke7b4TEkFi7X0yq69l6OCFKZCYmP65y-4KKp1cs78keUiMdGNL5yQHSy11e8oVewPLczCM7xS_3z6De-NhKxbJwdXZERCP8yEc4M5Eji2y-0HP_VNuhgxSD/s640/Kalahari+%252818+of+27%2529.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIuiyQnG6ZOq920FqA0dCUM5J6juiWWYavUpGuAxYXlGE6lPbZRcgwZpG5r820RfA4IXroqM0JwbbDs5Qs2ewR4Lwe3RIpmwH3DfjpHLk6rJ1Mo7VLUvtpsgsD7DjmxFzixGiYpytvyv5e/s1600/Kalahari+%252819+of+27%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIuiyQnG6ZOq920FqA0dCUM5J6juiWWYavUpGuAxYXlGE6lPbZRcgwZpG5r820RfA4IXroqM0JwbbDs5Qs2ewR4Lwe3RIpmwH3DfjpHLk6rJ1Mo7VLUvtpsgsD7DjmxFzixGiYpytvyv5e/s640/Kalahari+%252819+of+27%2529.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifVa7jjy3U26zYipVfFzLwRQ8BlEDnJ8WvmnS7L3Iza1dImIpaLpXiYkacL5Nkpb4Tn3YI-7iMjpRtCpSzg3SS2UzrihfEDnMhjENxyGNLOrEbXafaQ4hpuDCQVA-zk4jpHLbDuD5d4-DU/s1600/Kalahari+%252821+of+27%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifVa7jjy3U26zYipVfFzLwRQ8BlEDnJ8WvmnS7L3Iza1dImIpaLpXiYkacL5Nkpb4Tn3YI-7iMjpRtCpSzg3SS2UzrihfEDnMhjENxyGNLOrEbXafaQ4hpuDCQVA-zk4jpHLbDuD5d4-DU/s640/Kalahari+%252821+of+27%2529.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix3fbOFR1KOTujAL2Kh974PZsb6D9O5K9Xn6NRVyrJzNgOO7CRHg9Ka5EFI2US1LEFIjar3Kh_FjarMsCORIHx1NUICX3Xfmu0ESfxPDCWS3rEHHBsj-WZWh6yI8Nqy17-f6a5gSLBieXK/s1600/Kalahari+%252816+of+27%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1281" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix3fbOFR1KOTujAL2Kh974PZsb6D9O5K9Xn6NRVyrJzNgOO7CRHg9Ka5EFI2US1LEFIjar3Kh_FjarMsCORIHx1NUICX3Xfmu0ESfxPDCWS3rEHHBsj-WZWh6yI8Nqy17-f6a5gSLBieXK/s640/Kalahari+%252816+of+27%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFdqwJ-wsXmQLb50pdRhPJViRgnTazWM6zJJEtfph3-YhD-Y2HyWUp9iPRGAfA2Gqth6pB7gG2ZR2btMHBF2jFhDDBpoljluyjEE3roTe42bbPO7nRR3fIsM6DTfjoAl9te-5ljalqeMmz/s1600/Kalahari+%25283+of+27%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFdqwJ-wsXmQLb50pdRhPJViRgnTazWM6zJJEtfph3-YhD-Y2HyWUp9iPRGAfA2Gqth6pB7gG2ZR2btMHBF2jFhDDBpoljluyjEE3roTe42bbPO7nRR3fIsM6DTfjoAl9te-5ljalqeMmz/s640/Kalahari+%25283+of+27%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUOvLYUG9N3PvsmCiwu-r2_urj_fNWYKWt-MwD4Kfpr19AWo20WoveP1NGFVmWqyEPOtoPIDK2p2pWVJTyvCz3QIp3QawX_nZJXRlP_CJimyuxo3psw5EvtJbflgs7tbHZVsbDsi_b32Fo/s1600/Kalahari+%25281+of+27%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1281" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUOvLYUG9N3PvsmCiwu-r2_urj_fNWYKWt-MwD4Kfpr19AWo20WoveP1NGFVmWqyEPOtoPIDK2p2pWVJTyvCz3QIp3QawX_nZJXRlP_CJimyuxo3psw5EvtJbflgs7tbHZVsbDsi_b32Fo/s640/Kalahari+%25281+of+27%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
BabyZ is a water park enthusiast! He loved all the slides; none of which scared him in the least! Once he discovered the higher slides that's all he wanted to go down. Which meant Jeremy and I got quite a work out - it's hard carry a toddler up all those stairs! When he wasn't on the slides he was laying down in the water and impressing everyone with how long he could keep his head under. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3QAZ22wHCANNOPsMueK_nvtGl5nr-VDNTv3aT57tnR0C3pVxJz39LSH93o3v5el1O0qZ0xutV2aL-xwrw5fJxgmkne0wGOXUOuciI6UJGN0mDPvI7vAxSpXBAKHDqVtJbSLjzo3ZorNVa/s1600/Kalahari+%25282+of+27%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3QAZ22wHCANNOPsMueK_nvtGl5nr-VDNTv3aT57tnR0C3pVxJz39LSH93o3v5el1O0qZ0xutV2aL-xwrw5fJxgmkne0wGOXUOuciI6UJGN0mDPvI7vAxSpXBAKHDqVtJbSLjzo3ZorNVa/s640/Kalahari+%25282+of+27%2529.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLTnYLdBMtvE9gR-l2gj9yWUnguoL7VjPon15DeN5wx3GM0TGx1lCIFrtf4D0ZIr9EF36aVMAv3rgG5Pr19JNQO1xxfST1Q_V41VQLsdlsMdfiKOzQ8FePzpzmDOwecJhSgb_T7l1sCYAb/s1600/Kalahari+%252813+of+27%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLTnYLdBMtvE9gR-l2gj9yWUnguoL7VjPon15DeN5wx3GM0TGx1lCIFrtf4D0ZIr9EF36aVMAv3rgG5Pr19JNQO1xxfST1Q_V41VQLsdlsMdfiKOzQ8FePzpzmDOwecJhSgb_T7l1sCYAb/s640/Kalahari+%252813+of+27%2529.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRUNgnQHwTPrznSdI1I5A2qtJhImkmJ_dJ0zPPK3viOWsMclvLfBrGPWkpmrbBCGiOoNfchHXmd27flUMRWucP-1UVHf1h4WRckdbozYcY4TL5XA83O9WX_Ty8EFshvvawO0VrO5RnQ0n1/s1600/Kalahari+%252814+of+27%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRUNgnQHwTPrznSdI1I5A2qtJhImkmJ_dJ0zPPK3viOWsMclvLfBrGPWkpmrbBCGiOoNfchHXmd27flUMRWucP-1UVHf1h4WRckdbozYcY4TL5XA83O9WX_Ty8EFshvvawO0VrO5RnQ0n1/s640/Kalahari+%252814+of+27%2529.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQORoMnqSW5PWwe42BFd3Q3GWkNV7WqKhFRTL3XZLs8Sv6xUhxPnaWX_pMoof32fAHa_SbhL7nHz78CGUN6Uu1Mio0PJVn9dlCpjRG45TXs4dZ8WuiLLYEVo0H7-CdKzyEDB1op2kvzEl7/s1600/Kalahari+%252820+of+27%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1281" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQORoMnqSW5PWwe42BFd3Q3GWkNV7WqKhFRTL3XZLs8Sv6xUhxPnaWX_pMoof32fAHa_SbhL7nHz78CGUN6Uu1Mio0PJVn9dlCpjRG45TXs4dZ8WuiLLYEVo0H7-CdKzyEDB1op2kvzEl7/s640/Kalahari+%252820+of+27%2529.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFH7gdBTK7bnWjfVuJhFkj1OGk-KPv4h5_zUMXPI-ZIJXach8fnC2taR8tqrgYnJvpLPn2LNpP4zI0hpzm2b0AeqcAFwjba-lbb2uNxSXMULFgKJtLt2onN5PQR0f_kn3HHR5q6uhNMqzg/s1600/Kalahari+%252825+of+27%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1281" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFH7gdBTK7bnWjfVuJhFkj1OGk-KPv4h5_zUMXPI-ZIJXach8fnC2taR8tqrgYnJvpLPn2LNpP4zI0hpzm2b0AeqcAFwjba-lbb2uNxSXMULFgKJtLt2onN5PQR0f_kn3HHR5q6uhNMqzg/s640/Kalahari+%252825+of+27%2529.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigCoy5IXVvjTKNCldFi6TjnQdTZJurJ2WUOg_7yYTMg6QoRed5lt8vIR868SkLOtg_A12A5ppicL3wjhSL8HoQWxN5uL_wjB5GekHyZApq5QgB8H8r6rhBxmoKADYirN7kotwvgchsY1RT/s1600/Kalahari+%252827+of+27%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigCoy5IXVvjTKNCldFi6TjnQdTZJurJ2WUOg_7yYTMg6QoRed5lt8vIR868SkLOtg_A12A5ppicL3wjhSL8HoQWxN5uL_wjB5GekHyZApq5QgB8H8r6rhBxmoKADYirN7kotwvgchsY1RT/s640/Kalahari+%252827+of+27%2529.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
We had goals of getting a picture of everyone together...it didn't happen. We did, however, get separate shots of the dads, moms, and kiddos. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYQ6vfF9V8iKBaaZ8GOAz_SYcxKba5iYz_Rpd_XGhuVHLOu7lkij346092_4TjdOjPAH9nrkBcVmYD2gF7ricJOllr-0tKlb1bOK4i0DUaMMb7AQbmjGv4L5s2u0FYKDHf8vf2cXWitkei/s1600/Kalahari+%25286+of+27%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYQ6vfF9V8iKBaaZ8GOAz_SYcxKba5iYz_Rpd_XGhuVHLOu7lkij346092_4TjdOjPAH9nrkBcVmYD2gF7ricJOllr-0tKlb1bOK4i0DUaMMb7AQbmjGv4L5s2u0FYKDHf8vf2cXWitkei/s640/Kalahari+%25286+of+27%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH4Khvt2MqNh3HiePNQwqrVJAzfgcLpyHkrJo50hQ1JPFuDAyRlOwSRNr_lW_-brcjQZXpMvYpZJD4y8YBcoDrUGH8sxCPQxplfj6X-1J8Wf7OfeTU5uEA4KqN970qYFFbxawhIi63_YMi/s1600/Kalahari+%25289+of+27%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH4Khvt2MqNh3HiePNQwqrVJAzfgcLpyHkrJo50hQ1JPFuDAyRlOwSRNr_lW_-brcjQZXpMvYpZJD4y8YBcoDrUGH8sxCPQxplfj6X-1J8Wf7OfeTU5uEA4KqN970qYFFbxawhIi63_YMi/s640/Kalahari+%25289+of+27%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVsJ0k2TzI0qAXTGx_i_BzbZ6y8mz_-VhaAFWgYCpqEOnmDSOltZcxsI50Jv7rOj9fym6nY3GE0BIVIXrW-umBujuYK7ufUG646ANY9VVr63NKqDAYOQ9h2C-tx56wizHMEqCeMOtXRK3Z/s1600/Kalahari+%25288+of+27%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVsJ0k2TzI0qAXTGx_i_BzbZ6y8mz_-VhaAFWgYCpqEOnmDSOltZcxsI50Jv7rOj9fym6nY3GE0BIVIXrW-umBujuYK7ufUG646ANY9VVr63NKqDAYOQ9h2C-tx56wizHMEqCeMOtXRK3Z/s640/Kalahari+%25288+of+27%2529.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivfHpWjhOohilAq2YUIbRjNGSA4nx0a8iVGus2XlIXTkZCM_Ee7lHZVwMazpWX0un6MYcaD6-7E_RZIEbc3oLnu_h8WvrKP-YSg5bOvr3_6OkLhh9ablUgrW5Kw1g5RDZyv8TWb78goN7W/s1600/Kalahari+%25287+of+27%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivfHpWjhOohilAq2YUIbRjNGSA4nx0a8iVGus2XlIXTkZCM_Ee7lHZVwMazpWX0un6MYcaD6-7E_RZIEbc3oLnu_h8WvrKP-YSg5bOvr3_6OkLhh9ablUgrW5Kw1g5RDZyv8TWb78goN7W/s640/Kalahari+%25287+of+27%2529.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Some of the ladies let me play hair stylist and give them braids. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRpScqa8tziihVJb0J4Ulcvrqua73gzJrGZcOtrCuPmIbLMMhvsHzDTULanJu8TEmvfn8DLUsndEux1CLVJ0izEa7LevXNcZczjp8iJghtVcOmwJBj5jgmuW5DBtGKRFfgnGcTLWRrrDk5/s1600/Kalahari+%252811+of+27%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRpScqa8tziihVJb0J4Ulcvrqua73gzJrGZcOtrCuPmIbLMMhvsHzDTULanJu8TEmvfn8DLUsndEux1CLVJ0izEa7LevXNcZczjp8iJghtVcOmwJBj5jgmuW5DBtGKRFfgnGcTLWRrrDk5/s640/Kalahari+%252811+of+27%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
This is our second year we've gone to a water park with these friends. Last year, we rented suites, but I think we all agreed that the villa was a better option. It was nice to be in one place together and not feel crowded. The kids loved that it felt like a sleepover. One night we had five kiddos in one bed; they decided it was better to be cramped than to be separated.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIcCUno3heDITeJVO5hDCrBOlf05V2VLzQasquBhnw78k7mDyR8-wCrQlBkhwYETbZ8qBFSOx3QOp_nDRJ2GjfFq01tXkS36NkfGWwG7y405P6DonF6CJ2vrs1HCmDo2IesyIkkZ6WEeY2/s1600/Kalahari+%25284+of+27%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1281" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIcCUno3heDITeJVO5hDCrBOlf05V2VLzQasquBhnw78k7mDyR8-wCrQlBkhwYETbZ8qBFSOx3QOp_nDRJ2GjfFq01tXkS36NkfGWwG7y405P6DonF6CJ2vrs1HCmDo2IesyIkkZ6WEeY2/s640/Kalahari+%25284+of+27%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHFb6O6KN_PJB7pV4y2FvC240eKuW8JB0ttAQ-fPAJhNyzJOtxCXqV1iOMERiufArf67iEUUAfH8wKC8qVG1qnIc5Eim7WECwP0xSqbwjGc0_R2SS6sIDL9H7Weh6ngsSNFRCV_dLNKce2/s1600/Kalahari+%25285+of+27%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHFb6O6KN_PJB7pV4y2FvC240eKuW8JB0ttAQ-fPAJhNyzJOtxCXqV1iOMERiufArf67iEUUAfH8wKC8qVG1qnIc5Eim7WECwP0xSqbwjGc0_R2SS6sIDL9H7Weh6ngsSNFRCV_dLNKce2/s640/Kalahari+%25285+of+27%2529.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4DxNBKz22r4BfdBgF5WKts094714CuaXBel0O0j0aXKta60XV5x58deYVnG8kmPUWkD30cyhqUJSrqfnM9nX02OyLPJNOdvL8UdpfT7waXEB7Yw1unLIoRBXqp2NMcGFWol3gLT6-hlaz/s1600/Kalahari+%252822+of+27%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1281" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4DxNBKz22r4BfdBgF5WKts094714CuaXBel0O0j0aXKta60XV5x58deYVnG8kmPUWkD30cyhqUJSrqfnM9nX02OyLPJNOdvL8UdpfT7waXEB7Yw1unLIoRBXqp2NMcGFWol3gLT6-hlaz/s640/Kalahari+%252822+of+27%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSv5R_tvYwVIVhCdlPsb9JBwH_8DZUSUkGzea2Ob3BVoV9p55lAXRBxpyd91Rj2ZpdDSNLjqUEJ8zNRL50fP9SL8ylFMD7dREZmp9XS-H_VomOMRl-vFt70XCTGxY8hEbHIm1FE4J4rHhA/s1600/Kalahari+%252823+of+27%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1281" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSv5R_tvYwVIVhCdlPsb9JBwH_8DZUSUkGzea2Ob3BVoV9p55lAXRBxpyd91Rj2ZpdDSNLjqUEJ8zNRL50fP9SL8ylFMD7dREZmp9XS-H_VomOMRl-vFt70XCTGxY8hEbHIm1FE4J4rHhA/s640/Kalahari+%252823+of+27%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwFT6Q67lW4h6IuccaQQydweWDbyCqpAv6Yc1_IunBhUZ-fdwUxnQfVRtj8b3IZ-WcScnJkvAB497aUYy9laReXdZ5dYTlbuInJmpk_du3z5U6z4Dme9R-4ayEcLph3jz9w995gM-Jptcs/s1600/Kalahari+%252824+of+27%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwFT6Q67lW4h6IuccaQQydweWDbyCqpAv6Yc1_IunBhUZ-fdwUxnQfVRtj8b3IZ-WcScnJkvAB497aUYy9laReXdZ5dYTlbuInJmpk_du3z5U6z4Dme9R-4ayEcLph3jz9w995gM-Jptcs/s640/Kalahari+%252824+of+27%2529.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
So thankful for these wonderful people!</div>
Rachel Kaylynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09114768437192098372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-559694926328998802.post-69033357051956262862018-02-18T16:14:00.001-06:002018-02-18T16:14:18.241-06:00Valentine's Day 2018<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: start;">I already shared earlier in the month about our </span><a href="https://joyfullyweary.blogspot.com/2018/02/traditions-what-we-do-on-valentines-day.html" style="text-align: start;">V-day traditions.</a><span style="text-align: start;"> This has become one of my favorite holidays...I'm a bit like a kid, though, and get excited for every celebration.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: start;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfzbaEiiJQRPtsiNznw2Li6PXJOJBvORcSqgzOjm7WiOByREal7pPkBQyn0yWnOMjS727iGT3xjxZgpe9Lpx4lrKjpe-MKri4NBkIX5P6fBJgGFQ4wLCeoDpSQxFWNNAr4yN_-s_cSx8vD/s1600/valentine+%25288+of+12%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfzbaEiiJQRPtsiNznw2Li6PXJOJBvORcSqgzOjm7WiOByREal7pPkBQyn0yWnOMjS727iGT3xjxZgpe9Lpx4lrKjpe-MKri4NBkIX5P6fBJgGFQ4wLCeoDpSQxFWNNAr4yN_-s_cSx8vD/s640/valentine+%25288+of+12%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
It did this mama's heart so much good to sit down and write what I love about my kiddos; they are such unique-fun-extraordinary people. Life can get too hectic sometimes and I loose sight of what a joy they are. We have these little tin mailboxes, that I picked up at Target's dollar spot; Jeremy's been leaving little notes in them before he leaves for work. I think I'm going to start doing the same. There is just something about the written word...it seems to have more power to change outlooks/attitudes than spoken words do.<br />
<br />
The kiddos where all pumped to look for their hearts again. Mini Man always asks us to hide his really well and I think we succeeded this year. He was the last to find all of his hearts. We actually gave up on the last one. He found it a couple hours later when he was writing the date on some school work; Jeremy had hidden it behind the calendar.<br />
<br />
I don't think BabyZ remember from last year, but he caught on really quick. He was running around the house saying, "want more...find more hearts!"<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4SnDbtrxyuD6bnes7tnEjKt2xGwgcYsxGGI36914Nl8bMN9qo1khFZU_LlFqOU50-7gjyO8SV3BGGhJiKi2RU6SDj6phZUefLbe-CkFW-Vi7449JtDwXxMsh-jz3j4UR5dazGCU0M3qNp/s1600/valentine+%25281+of+12%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4SnDbtrxyuD6bnes7tnEjKt2xGwgcYsxGGI36914Nl8bMN9qo1khFZU_LlFqOU50-7gjyO8SV3BGGhJiKi2RU6SDj6phZUefLbe-CkFW-Vi7449JtDwXxMsh-jz3j4UR5dazGCU0M3qNp/s640/valentine+%25281+of+12%2529.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizMDzK9pRTWGIuHj0nOfnR_JSplXFXloqfW3erbcDhg8j81s0cKEtQGHmJDnxoVK7I2ax4q8BZTyCWTHU2YwT5fDwQBP6dKYamAiiYL0TOQSjY-DD6eydmoczRKKAC4Fs3h2plwJTmjm0V/s1600/valentine+%25282+of+12%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1281" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizMDzK9pRTWGIuHj0nOfnR_JSplXFXloqfW3erbcDhg8j81s0cKEtQGHmJDnxoVK7I2ax4q8BZTyCWTHU2YwT5fDwQBP6dKYamAiiYL0TOQSjY-DD6eydmoczRKKAC4Fs3h2plwJTmjm0V/s640/valentine+%25282+of+12%2529.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4_7SILnXox1Yj982nxgnRuZORSIlLN4ySPzlW2JnFItzirM4YoqO_fJBLZnfN1HVxZ4dFmbjKib9LtinESGGgO-lO6t7ohv-VWhP2Y9OznKppFcpuSuvckHKfnK3o6sPPEk0I0EBvQtFt/s1600/valentine+%25283+of+12%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1281" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4_7SILnXox1Yj982nxgnRuZORSIlLN4ySPzlW2JnFItzirM4YoqO_fJBLZnfN1HVxZ4dFmbjKib9LtinESGGgO-lO6t7ohv-VWhP2Y9OznKppFcpuSuvckHKfnK3o6sPPEk0I0EBvQtFt/s640/valentine+%25283+of+12%2529.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipuGY_jc5l_pO0AmCJmATVIZ4j33ongK9VfcCB1F0XskBvYE-rnw5xIR7sNb2EG51PIKQJ_zh1YlACjjAJFblKQljw-G-nzqEV1wcv6cB1paCa_fhrejcfclgesbcWJpcObiRWlYBXa-q2/s1600/valentine+%25284+of+12%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipuGY_jc5l_pO0AmCJmATVIZ4j33ongK9VfcCB1F0XskBvYE-rnw5xIR7sNb2EG51PIKQJ_zh1YlACjjAJFblKQljw-G-nzqEV1wcv6cB1paCa_fhrejcfclgesbcWJpcObiRWlYBXa-q2/s640/valentine+%25284+of+12%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHXmgMSTAcV2DMNYJt3r2wvrukcjsfRV5Lzn0v-OGiN437wAMHToZ3SZe89DwhRWx2esVyizHJdG1vZ_4Lj-D3cABDJ9I6F4K5DHMckqHGD4JRyWSHzpD0_IviDBr-d_9WO7IDT2IGi7Im/s1600/valentine+%25285+of+12%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHXmgMSTAcV2DMNYJt3r2wvrukcjsfRV5Lzn0v-OGiN437wAMHToZ3SZe89DwhRWx2esVyizHJdG1vZ_4Lj-D3cABDJ9I6F4K5DHMckqHGD4JRyWSHzpD0_IviDBr-d_9WO7IDT2IGi7Im/s640/valentine+%25285+of+12%2529.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2JUVBLUCk_5arZ9t8h5xKGuTeuYGk91NOYVhOvVAC9hrZcxb-t1biL24NS-W6ffcrw1g1ZWUGuObxxI12pxogUTkVjG8qBgcZWWkxrYy9NYDLUEKlKWeGfaqAxnUuyILEMsS5amCUH-ty/s1600/valentine+%25286+of+12%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1281" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2JUVBLUCk_5arZ9t8h5xKGuTeuYGk91NOYVhOvVAC9hrZcxb-t1biL24NS-W6ffcrw1g1ZWUGuObxxI12pxogUTkVjG8qBgcZWWkxrYy9NYDLUEKlKWeGfaqAxnUuyILEMsS5amCUH-ty/s640/valentine+%25286+of+12%2529.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidIZYaNYBAsD1mtuuANVgl6RNm2e8UYk5kG0pEPuW3oaQee4vahyphenhyphen1CTCsBR8WSI54rmCyXSDT-A8A2SrWrZ2wOFySX0ldqf4e7rYtJRdjaD169odl5Yqa8i_sHyGdckwAB1C99KuY0LmoA/s1600/valentine+%25287+of+12%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1281" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidIZYaNYBAsD1mtuuANVgl6RNm2e8UYk5kG0pEPuW3oaQee4vahyphenhyphen1CTCsBR8WSI54rmCyXSDT-A8A2SrWrZ2wOFySX0ldqf4e7rYtJRdjaD169odl5Yqa8i_sHyGdckwAB1C99KuY0LmoA/s640/valentine+%25287+of+12%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPrHe05uwOEh3lGFHHn6DZFSjaj-B79iSoSklgEbAWv5OUZZ9hi7ko165yCcULHz09lafdkESeNiSTEXieQP79tsDpuKgN3_q_sEUaVQuGYaz0X-nmQ9rZHK7nw1KeZKAE_2VQ03tpecrj/s1600/valentine+%25289+of+12%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPrHe05uwOEh3lGFHHn6DZFSjaj-B79iSoSklgEbAWv5OUZZ9hi7ko165yCcULHz09lafdkESeNiSTEXieQP79tsDpuKgN3_q_sEUaVQuGYaz0X-nmQ9rZHK7nw1KeZKAE_2VQ03tpecrj/s640/valentine+%25289+of+12%2529.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjszvEKhMhKggbdL8TACY3qUbELvTcUma3K1IXtjB3bxPgbctdWh484vhzpyJLmPWrfNgRgv_NcDLrz9KnUQ6tBZBbZyKqxd4LX-X0IqLsY3QpFFvHLrVr6e6woFAJrpKbxfmilj-MeTnx-/s1600/valentine+%252810+of+12%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1281" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjszvEKhMhKggbdL8TACY3qUbELvTcUma3K1IXtjB3bxPgbctdWh484vhzpyJLmPWrfNgRgv_NcDLrz9KnUQ6tBZBbZyKqxd4LX-X0IqLsY3QpFFvHLrVr6e6woFAJrpKbxfmilj-MeTnx-/s640/valentine+%252810+of+12%2529.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
This year we also studied 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 and the this kiddos took turns writing 'I love you' in different languages on our chalkboard. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Gp-eg3f9HO7cX4WEb2y8DrpCIGdiRO-GeKI8v79_FUUU0XIFAFis8xukimHVrj0iLruyapWdIyLCiixHNFDhb38ECjJ3r-WbLQFrPoOIwuWzk4F02U2dZPA4HhlkJF8SXrrQrloL2pMc/s1600/valentine+%252811+of+12%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Gp-eg3f9HO7cX4WEb2y8DrpCIGdiRO-GeKI8v79_FUUU0XIFAFis8xukimHVrj0iLruyapWdIyLCiixHNFDhb38ECjJ3r-WbLQFrPoOIwuWzk4F02U2dZPA4HhlkJF8SXrrQrloL2pMc/s640/valentine+%252811+of+12%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMnTkP6vlsQoDUisA3yCD3_TgTX_qhJZX905T2nQt46Q37kHxz1U3r2Bu66MDcAMT8IjK3LcNE5giKIp8N9cdJ96x7b1XwTUug2ahlAaJkUAJ1bGGlBBQlB3qvycKl9_DT8ZnMvKqkqmHD/s1600/valentine+%252812+of+12%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1281" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMnTkP6vlsQoDUisA3yCD3_TgTX_qhJZX905T2nQt46Q37kHxz1U3r2Bu66MDcAMT8IjK3LcNE5giKIp8N9cdJ96x7b1XwTUug2ahlAaJkUAJ1bGGlBBQlB3qvycKl9_DT8ZnMvKqkqmHD/s640/valentine+%252812+of+12%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Hope all of you had a Happy Valentine's Day! 💜💖💜</div>
Rachel Kaylynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09114768437192098372noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-559694926328998802.post-83321909814442791042018-02-12T18:35:00.002-06:002018-02-12T18:36:31.639-06:00American Girl Birthday<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/AVvXsEhkNqpxXj3WyPaLMQpA2udJxA0WAMruCqAaC7nzmTAES9faTCKx0F-bFMbyoXriKSuGf5MNroDRgncEmpPjYlOzV_evl8AIpJ0OGPhh4Tqm9jMWADgxdgAobFz-z0jt6Wauy-sUSe7AIfj-/s1600/American+Girl+%25284+of+15%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkNqpxXj3WyPaLMQpA2udJxA0WAMruCqAaC7nzmTAES9faTCKx0F-bFMbyoXriKSuGf5MNroDRgncEmpPjYlOzV_evl8AIpJ0OGPhh4Tqm9jMWADgxdgAobFz-z0jt6Wauy-sUSe7AIfj-/s640/American+Girl+%25284+of+15%2529.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
This past weekend we went to the <a href="http://www.americangirl.com/retail/chicago.php">American Girl Place</a> to celebrate these three girls birthdays. They all have January or February birthdays and decided that instead of <a href="https://joyfullyweary.blogspot.com/2017/02/little-ladys-tea-party.html">a party</a> they wanted to have dinner with each other and their dolls at the American Girl Place. They all have hand-me-down dolls: Felicity, Kristen, and Samantha that they are very attached too. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Too make it even more special we invited grandmas to join us. How cute do Maca and Little Lady look in their matching red coats?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnKtiY_YbTmaEE-SCD9IVWLWfgEpfM70IPNuK8ElkFroZdY2KHeEVjXxPDp0yD1BPhoxjZEeBSY3v7nd3pMbReP109V3MhoEeO9JdtHM_OQHdlS_aEfude7TNEZrJTIe5QTeSzOwgtmP95/s1600/American+Girl+%25282+of+15%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnKtiY_YbTmaEE-SCD9IVWLWfgEpfM70IPNuK8ElkFroZdY2KHeEVjXxPDp0yD1BPhoxjZEeBSY3v7nd3pMbReP109V3MhoEeO9JdtHM_OQHdlS_aEfude7TNEZrJTIe5QTeSzOwgtmP95/s640/American+Girl+%25282+of+15%2529.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJIfdGvPUQKAiBwtsKaaliyc7DIIntuzGr8XKDFiY3UTK9-Wtat3sX6OLXpR-1se5PZFpjMUsCCFh2Hs7Obb4q25qfQb8fEwJakmob3lZpH5tXeAED3d_K62_dfX-8q_MfvTC3V_IAz275/s1600/American+Girl+%25285+of+15%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJIfdGvPUQKAiBwtsKaaliyc7DIIntuzGr8XKDFiY3UTK9-Wtat3sX6OLXpR-1se5PZFpjMUsCCFh2Hs7Obb4q25qfQb8fEwJakmob3lZpH5tXeAED3d_K62_dfX-8q_MfvTC3V_IAz275/s640/American+Girl+%25285+of+15%2529.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
I am so grateful that Little Lady has these friendships. I am <a href="https://joyfullyweary.blogspot.com/2013/10/now-and-then.html">still close to friends</a> I met in first grade girls scouts. I'm hoping these three will also be life long friends. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnx_0G7ZbhJ5CUfIs_ATHzMjDIGSvmEP2ZkosehLzkSzCxY1FV5kHB9NlSSdRREe6OYQ5RdPu0KMm6t-S-cpoT_49VnTDwTKYxnDSdafUtPDXp5ZafDOvQaqONDzfBYsl42HpT_zb_kkT4/s1600/American+Girl+%25286+of+15%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnx_0G7ZbhJ5CUfIs_ATHzMjDIGSvmEP2ZkosehLzkSzCxY1FV5kHB9NlSSdRREe6OYQ5RdPu0KMm6t-S-cpoT_49VnTDwTKYxnDSdafUtPDXp5ZafDOvQaqONDzfBYsl42HpT_zb_kkT4/s640/American+Girl+%25286+of+15%2529.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
They are great girls who also come from families who also love the Lord. Their moms are actually good friends of mine. It's such a blessing to know that her best friends are being raised in families with similar values. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji32ymPdAn9V9if2UjVnAxpT_i5fOXe1RgJBQ8HRjnHjonnyaLvqAVEAC8Ffczv7HrtkJEsgzxWc0ZtkenoK3VtThS071PEs6YN_OAEsJBHciNdBzkfB-PPpNGAyRi-mCrLPIVo0elPrhL/s1600/American+Girl+%252811+of+15%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1281" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji32ymPdAn9V9if2UjVnAxpT_i5fOXe1RgJBQ8HRjnHjonnyaLvqAVEAC8Ffczv7HrtkJEsgzxWc0ZtkenoK3VtThS071PEs6YN_OAEsJBHciNdBzkfB-PPpNGAyRi-mCrLPIVo0elPrhL/s640/American+Girl+%252811+of+15%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I love how Little Lady can be completely herself with these girls. They bring out a silliness in her that makes me smile. It also makes me shake my head a little bit...in many ways she reminds me of myself. Her go to is sticking her tongue though; mine was bunny ears. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYIDk2uJW1mOvzoWMtPs9GZbG_cWU_X-pVOxnKjKY1mX8GGLBDdZ7HMPfXjndS4PidEWD_M2znw4y8ulkUk7yyUxdClYHrnGTcOAszzVhaQf6-6OCrs3qizVRHdMF3h9DRdMtEN78CNNhv/s1600/American+Girl+%252812+of+15%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYIDk2uJW1mOvzoWMtPs9GZbG_cWU_X-pVOxnKjKY1mX8GGLBDdZ7HMPfXjndS4PidEWD_M2znw4y8ulkUk7yyUxdClYHrnGTcOAszzVhaQf6-6OCrs3qizVRHdMF3h9DRdMtEN78CNNhv/s640/American+Girl+%252812+of+15%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Before dinner we wandered around the store a little bit and each of the girls picked something fun for their doll. It was hard decision! We couldn't believe all the accessories there were. Little Lady chose a <a href="http://www.americangirl.com/shop/ag/seashore-stripe-skirt-for-girls-flw72">matching skirt for her</a> and <a href="http://www.americangirl.com/shop/ag/seashore-stripe-skirt-for-18-inch-dolls-flv84">Felicity</a>. Maca also surprised her by lettinh her pick one more thing - she chose an <a href="http://www.americangirl.com/shop/ag/everyday-accessories-fll03">everyday accessory pack</a> for her doll. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoKwMn2-1ND8zM3rqDFel1psdcmUclFpUdyM0mf-i9b1c1MChTEkmuukQSRkzZ-aZEsVtYZ5Alm1ticMU55nEBoFXscUExLfdSI2Wkk9nNTdtXbru56KI4Tb3sMhSjcnIHGbJpJikW1Lc4/s1600/American+Girl+%25287+of+15%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoKwMn2-1ND8zM3rqDFel1psdcmUclFpUdyM0mf-i9b1c1MChTEkmuukQSRkzZ-aZEsVtYZ5Alm1ticMU55nEBoFXscUExLfdSI2Wkk9nNTdtXbru56KI4Tb3sMhSjcnIHGbJpJikW1Lc4/s640/American+Girl+%25287+of+15%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
We were really pleased with the restaurant. The food was yummy, and they really go out of their way to make it a memorable experience. The highlight was definitely getting to decorate cupcakes for themselves and their doll.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtmIahdMMN19_F8PGvgM5GTf4GeAPzmBAEmjzlM8dfPCG01MN_TKB4BQkYRKFV85teoIzCsk7HP0BQWlkjlRuJ2c5Buh-5yf_g-RSs_ZVAIIkvj2CJmnim3RQQNkAKXJz09eBoTZrjWCzN/s1600/American+Girl+%252813+of+15%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtmIahdMMN19_F8PGvgM5GTf4GeAPzmBAEmjzlM8dfPCG01MN_TKB4BQkYRKFV85teoIzCsk7HP0BQWlkjlRuJ2c5Buh-5yf_g-RSs_ZVAIIkvj2CJmnim3RQQNkAKXJz09eBoTZrjWCzN/s640/American+Girl+%252813+of+15%2529.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzy9FU0pQn1LqNEPYOyU8L828fxonxYHuS4tde6URPi9WUhsJeRGeIeEzdSkmOd_oxkgOwzV98q3eqxBQvBP0gF_tRxYp5c4o7W8ZPFA9iOoY-L2PZ8YwRv1A7OzcXg1fKISX82d2jC4JO/s1600/American+Girl+%252814+of+15%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1281" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzy9FU0pQn1LqNEPYOyU8L828fxonxYHuS4tde6URPi9WUhsJeRGeIeEzdSkmOd_oxkgOwzV98q3eqxBQvBP0gF_tRxYp5c4o7W8ZPFA9iOoY-L2PZ8YwRv1A7OzcXg1fKISX82d2jC4JO/s640/American+Girl+%252814+of+15%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9e9H3IFrABIQKcxUPsmvImbOJerm3z0zYH09ktAE4N1gDCn_gPQpliaaZDL0OTZUbTSE4odwohGQbCqefmYvSUO3z2P32jMYDRLFiIJX6tqpyIQIcl9pYf5UWXC0wBlEb_hO8V6yeHOls/s1600/American+Girl+%252815+of+15%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="750" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9e9H3IFrABIQKcxUPsmvImbOJerm3z0zYH09ktAE4N1gDCn_gPQpliaaZDL0OTZUbTSE4odwohGQbCqefmYvSUO3z2P32jMYDRLFiIJX6tqpyIQIcl9pYf5UWXC0wBlEb_hO8V6yeHOls/s640/American+Girl+%252815+of+15%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTvaNRFWfJitQRDwDpN2jqkcChR0sbM2DglgWE8BvQMycPL8nG-dOISHkgv5s7BL_s5E5z_qk0vych1PLOOu9z1ZQKaGh8OM0znDwR1scVtAe0HJOTU3P74LlSv3JJcA1KgpblZ2Xlzmfd/s1600/American+Girl+%25288+of+15%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTvaNRFWfJitQRDwDpN2jqkcChR0sbM2DglgWE8BvQMycPL8nG-dOISHkgv5s7BL_s5E5z_qk0vych1PLOOu9z1ZQKaGh8OM0znDwR1scVtAe0HJOTU3P74LlSv3JJcA1KgpblZ2Xlzmfd/s640/American+Girl+%25288+of+15%2529.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<br />
I could celebrate this sweet girl everyday!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNw4FuTd5CLdq_Iv_7mzzaKGqTaxEAutzU4JolkqXvpB6zr5T-4tTzmH3E5XfhJbN9CaV1cmq63iHDqTSsg_NoqD1xxXwpChSKGpKx-82FfR3Ikh_OZivQkMpvcF1c8cPEQmHqjwBJopBx/s1600/American+Girl+%25289+of+15%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1281" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNw4FuTd5CLdq_Iv_7mzzaKGqTaxEAutzU4JolkqXvpB6zr5T-4tTzmH3E5XfhJbN9CaV1cmq63iHDqTSsg_NoqD1xxXwpChSKGpKx-82FfR3Ikh_OZivQkMpvcF1c8cPEQmHqjwBJopBx/s640/American+Girl+%25289+of+15%2529.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
Rachel Kaylynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09114768437192098372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-559694926328998802.post-69966817064983785572018-02-11T19:54:00.000-06:002018-02-11T19:54:27.414-06:00What I've Been Wearing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
It's been forever since I've sat down and put together one of these posts. I'm still taking outfit pictures, though. My family is so sweet; they pose almost every Sunday for family outfit picture; I'm much better at posting those on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/joyfullyweary/">Instagram</a>.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8AycUNRXjwrNX1i2F7QLLn8NxwTNPVw6owKLyKM_A8eGC5EnBYvt0nGsdJElKMNWVlFCu8oOc-BrwgPz9a2zJn3DUbyHFDuVR2pwRAx2UtbcIyAgiTIUJcCgiVcfjhv2vUg_fAJrVX_Lv/s1600/dress+%25285+of+13%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8AycUNRXjwrNX1i2F7QLLn8NxwTNPVw6owKLyKM_A8eGC5EnBYvt0nGsdJElKMNWVlFCu8oOc-BrwgPz9a2zJn3DUbyHFDuVR2pwRAx2UtbcIyAgiTIUJcCgiVcfjhv2vUg_fAJrVX_Lv/s640/dress+%25285+of+13%2529.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
This outfit is two dresses layered on top of each other. Both of them where thrift finds. I love the pattern on the top dress, but it's a little too short for me to wear comfortably. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
My mother-in-law works at <a href="http://bananarepublic.gap.com/">Banana Republic</a> and she picked up this coat for me at a steal of a deal. I adore it; it's warm enough for hiking with the kids but also a bit dressy.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg61xVwYJ4G7y-aZt6Exu08XC50YJFLt0sEqWgGMN8uCxLokOYynM9_4hBFtDcDP_OgxpDKxKI9yNB3YWSJ2IMK0YzmrpWfwSMgaTPZQwoaJ88VdOwb9AuYg1975IbE8Yk_MA08e8NCkvE/s1600/dress+%25286+of+13%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg61xVwYJ4G7y-aZt6Exu08XC50YJFLt0sEqWgGMN8uCxLokOYynM9_4hBFtDcDP_OgxpDKxKI9yNB3YWSJ2IMK0YzmrpWfwSMgaTPZQwoaJ88VdOwb9AuYg1975IbE8Yk_MA08e8NCkvE/s640/dress+%25286+of+13%2529.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgffFL_7ddK8_zVo2I1vMeFzvCGT0uaWkKaOKR3gohmYCjTpyCETLBS9FOU0X6MV8_5JBEHCMf460PsAw0UrFRJcA7wRu-47W-SnYNo6dcmMiH8EKo7oHRbs1C46tuky9u_5N5VOyeEDKho/s1600/dress+%25283+of+13%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgffFL_7ddK8_zVo2I1vMeFzvCGT0uaWkKaOKR3gohmYCjTpyCETLBS9FOU0X6MV8_5JBEHCMf460PsAw0UrFRJcA7wRu-47W-SnYNo6dcmMiH8EKo7oHRbs1C46tuky9u_5N5VOyeEDKho/s640/dress+%25283+of+13%2529.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
These two dresses ↑↓ are both from <a href="https://www.anthropologie.com/">Antropologie</a>. The one above is several years old. The one below I picked up last summer. You can probably tell that I'm a sucker for bright colors, flowers, and texture. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
I always get complements on my <a href="https://joyfullyweary.blogspot.com/2013/01/fun-with-glitter.html">gold shoes</a>. They are actually a <a href="https://joyfullyweary.blogspot.com/2013/01/fun-with-glitter.html">DIY</a>. Almost eight years ago Jeremy and I where in Florence (he was teaching an architecture studio) and I splurged on some oxfords. They are seriously some of most comfortable shoes I've ever owned. Unfortunately, one day I spilt peanut butter oil on them. I tried everything I could think of to get it out but nothing worked...luckily, glitter covers a multitude of sins. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWWnosNPSmhCCAGyAyTHuhYHpumhaiyA_mP5db38tdHTSULog8epMJZj8kU34NTu_Z_dPkk9T3j1RRD39WfpTmGXlLZX1E2m2fLaIf-pxmoYuQeaUWPrSxK0cy0pzDxdPXl_mFYc5ELrpF/s1600/dress+%25289+of+13%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWWnosNPSmhCCAGyAyTHuhYHpumhaiyA_mP5db38tdHTSULog8epMJZj8kU34NTu_Z_dPkk9T3j1RRD39WfpTmGXlLZX1E2m2fLaIf-pxmoYuQeaUWPrSxK0cy0pzDxdPXl_mFYc5ELrpF/s640/dress+%25289+of+13%2529.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2GlI-rp8oVksjZvuIB5coim48H-nJV_ZvLWXZ5Pa7kizLDhVxyWBvl5nM4J1aFlk2zoz0CiYMjq8OuWbsA5RRdiHDZMkW-sSBv-1IFjQyb31TSfrhLctidIZ0fit4j_HmETAmnib3Ia-j/s1600/dress+%25282+of+13%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2GlI-rp8oVksjZvuIB5coim48H-nJV_ZvLWXZ5Pa7kizLDhVxyWBvl5nM4J1aFlk2zoz0CiYMjq8OuWbsA5RRdiHDZMkW-sSBv-1IFjQyb31TSfrhLctidIZ0fit4j_HmETAmnib3Ia-j/s640/dress+%25282+of+13%2529.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
One of my favorite finds of 2017 was the Etsy shop, <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/bumbleebuck?ref=listing-shop-header-item-count#items">Bumbleebuck Vintage.</a> The owner is super sweet, her pieces are darling, and prices are affordable. This is where I found the above dress and the one below. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRTwa7rOBlVnI7hJmTr0JIDDWnA0dBlJffEazK1Mzdm6ub2pfmXEQWjcBB0cT7DHN8ex-SJqnThsgIKkZXRTDhFI2u3nlEqYhm7E_8tyj6dJ0vEKxjshXfzYtJezUpY80MfAWF_D6F5O0f/s1600/dress+%25281+of+13%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRTwa7rOBlVnI7hJmTr0JIDDWnA0dBlJffEazK1Mzdm6ub2pfmXEQWjcBB0cT7DHN8ex-SJqnThsgIKkZXRTDhFI2u3nlEqYhm7E_8tyj6dJ0vEKxjshXfzYtJezUpY80MfAWF_D6F5O0f/s640/dress+%25281+of+13%2529.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
This dress has some serious 80's sleeves. I debated about it for awhile, but we've already talked about my love for bright colors and flowers. So far I've always layered it with a jacket or sweater; maybe, one day I'll be brave enough to completely embrace it's 80's vibe. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfXcV0Zz02Ym4eotvwWCMWh4UnWsB2XWPD1R1Xr6ubiVYJdr5V04Jeud9gGKbeBnS7ijxumV1h6ytgB7l8u_6I5B76dLKVOZHA7G0vVfu8fP_5EsmYm5Jv2SsnU-WUPohxPBwDvR4if_Cm/s1600/dress+%25288+of+13%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfXcV0Zz02Ym4eotvwWCMWh4UnWsB2XWPD1R1Xr6ubiVYJdr5V04Jeud9gGKbeBnS7ijxumV1h6ytgB7l8u_6I5B76dLKVOZHA7G0vVfu8fP_5EsmYm5Jv2SsnU-WUPohxPBwDvR4if_Cm/s640/dress+%25288+of+13%2529.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: left;">The outfit below is actually from my own '</span><i style="text-align: left;">vintage'</i><span style="text-align: left;"> collection...this is a combination I would wear all the time in college. The sweater has never been packed away; I think it will always be one of my favorites. I had put the skirt up with some other clothes I'm saving for Little Lady. This winter, however, I had the urge to get it back down again. I guess I'm just not ready to give up cargo pockets and corduroy. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Jh0FkPcetEChX1k48ElE1VkYacC7Jw86SIW7cTP2JHTLY5rLh3cz2WStFrJdwdc65_RLCpCjOeZMS6DVd_0EoU8ZpkuoXNKlkeoPs09rzQ1gYHhnv5qdEpEj7j2nkMGT_eiCPTbJZ1-Q/s1600/dress+%25284+of+13%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Jh0FkPcetEChX1k48ElE1VkYacC7Jw86SIW7cTP2JHTLY5rLh3cz2WStFrJdwdc65_RLCpCjOeZMS6DVd_0EoU8ZpkuoXNKlkeoPs09rzQ1gYHhnv5qdEpEj7j2nkMGT_eiCPTbJZ1-Q/s640/dress+%25284+of+13%2529.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpJzWrFsu5cVuxmm8WAx8jG2nuDnrizQY7klq9oK5s8WZMyDO4VDjTBAWV2M5iik7g0IZkNtnrNDHo7ZlU9Wte8BjJ0Tnd0n9n61ZSOo6LSbSXaA5MFmVLHW3g0mMmHGOBn67H42WSlXKW/s1600/dress+%252810+of+13%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpJzWrFsu5cVuxmm8WAx8jG2nuDnrizQY7klq9oK5s8WZMyDO4VDjTBAWV2M5iik7g0IZkNtnrNDHo7ZlU9Wte8BjJ0Tnd0n9n61ZSOo6LSbSXaA5MFmVLHW3g0mMmHGOBn67H42WSlXKW/s640/dress+%252810+of+13%2529.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
This sweater is also one my mother-in-law picked up at Banana Republic. It's super comfy and is currently on <a href="http://bananarepublic.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=1014864&pcid=1014739&vid=1&pid=874415002">sale</a>. The skirt is a thrift find. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1A_GncU7lGm1zk8PGggng1tzuA540S3ALlfXoZYS6aYBvY4pj_CllOB9NUa3kXzro-0F_1wYkwvti95B4_vIy-RGXgxay0tqvMDOFYp8KuWk1mqPWRtoHKNSm5KmVJ0UYUlsSHY6akSVo/s1600/dress+%25287+of+13%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1A_GncU7lGm1zk8PGggng1tzuA540S3ALlfXoZYS6aYBvY4pj_CllOB9NUa3kXzro-0F_1wYkwvti95B4_vIy-RGXgxay0tqvMDOFYp8KuWk1mqPWRtoHKNSm5KmVJ0UYUlsSHY6akSVo/s640/dress+%25287+of+13%2529.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
If I'm not in dress or a skirt I'm usually in leggings...or pajamas. I wore some blue jeans a couple weeks back and the reactions I got from my friends were hilarious...you'd of thought I was in ballgown or something. Both the shirts above are from <a href="http://www.thredup.com/r/23IOKT">thredUp.</a> The leggings are from <a href="https://www.victoriassecret.com/">VS</a> and the boots are a Goodwill find. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuCazrVCx8K8gMi1JT-OIgl-HYSmtDvMSoA9sicB1hDD_AVq0nfL23KSUIh-IgDBsEzB0MUtq7yCdp47Q8O1xTLF-WIeConcA7z3u3K3BZJ3SzqoEXVWk6NpMz5fokO2ztjd0kcr3O7d8b/s1600/dress+%252812+of+13%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuCazrVCx8K8gMi1JT-OIgl-HYSmtDvMSoA9sicB1hDD_AVq0nfL23KSUIh-IgDBsEzB0MUtq7yCdp47Q8O1xTLF-WIeConcA7z3u3K3BZJ3SzqoEXVWk6NpMz5fokO2ztjd0kcr3O7d8b/s640/dress+%252812+of+13%2529.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Yesterday, Little Lady and I went to the American Girl store with some friends to celebrate birthdays. Two of Little Lady's best friends have birthdays just a couple weeks after hers. They also all have hand-me-down American Girl dolls: Felicity, Samantha, and Kristen. These are the outfits we wore for the celebration. Little Lady's new favorite color is turquoise; I think she likes the color because the word is so fun to say. Her and Felicity's dress is from <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B073DPBJCM/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=rachelkaylynn-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B073DPBJCM&linkId=52704c848dc0a99dc78c3ff018cce2aa">Dollie and Me</a>. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZyBpvy-YayQXZWR0sKfAq14VO5ahyphenhyphen_EPXRKe5sXVQKfrkkyz7HWw_8DRA1Qi7nLz1sVAQv3eTfxk7HUnKXHE9W2z7GTXpGKwk6rrBUm5Zee52EhTLeDI913i4JJHSbEd5xiPmdDvP_p1c/s1600/dress+%252813+of+13%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZyBpvy-YayQXZWR0sKfAq14VO5ahyphenhyphen_EPXRKe5sXVQKfrkkyz7HWw_8DRA1Qi7nLz1sVAQv3eTfxk7HUnKXHE9W2z7GTXpGKwk6rrBUm5Zee52EhTLeDI913i4JJHSbEd5xiPmdDvP_p1c/s640/dress+%252813+of+13%2529.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
Rachel Kaylynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09114768437192098372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-559694926328998802.post-87905055381588485522018-02-05T20:02:00.001-06:002018-02-05T20:04:15.748-06:00Traditions & What We do on Valentine's Day.<div style="text-align: justify;">
We are big on family traditions and celebrations in our house. I've shared here before that I grew up in a chaotic unhealthy home<span style="font-size: x-small;">**.</span> There wasn't enough structure to have rituals and traditions. Naturally, I want to provide better for my kiddos. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
There are several reasons I think traditions are so important. They become a joyful constant in our lives despite the many chaotic changes that happen. They give our kiddos and us a time to look forward to when life starts to feel mundane. Most importantly, they create shared memories which create strong bonds. Holiday traditions and family rituals are an easy way to create a lasting family identity. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In our home we don't just celebrate the major holidays like <a href="https://joyfullyweary.blogspot.com/search/label/christmas">Christmas</a> and <a href="https://joyfullyweary.blogspot.com/2017/09/10-year-birthday-in-st-louis.html">birthdays</a>. Minor holidays, like <a href="https://joyfullyweary.blogspot.com/2012/03/saint-patricks-day-fun.html">St. Patrick's Day</a> and <a href="https://joyfullyweary.blogspot.com/2013/05/celebrating-may-day.html">May Day</a>, also get a bit of celebration. We have seasonal rituals as well. We use a chalkboard where at the beginning of a season we write down our plans: apple picking, ice skating, Shakespeare in the park, etc. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I like to go big, but I think one of the keys to having successful traditions is sustainability. You have to keep it simple enough so that it's repeatable. Grace and flexibility are also needed. In the past we've celebrated Valentine's a couple days late. My kiddos would tell you that every fall we go <a href="https://joyfullyweary.blogspot.com/2014/09/apple-picking-at-prairie-sky-orchard.html">apple picking</a> and to the <a href="https://joyfullyweary.blogspot.com/2016/10/scarecrow-fest.html">Scarecrow Fest</a>, but some years it just doesn't happen. It doesn't need to be perfect for it become a cherished family tradition. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxbXa4zmEDwMjmFv5bAeuJft9W5tlZHoa6cZLxUsbQciD86fcZAk72oyHit-T1c7IBRIvSeexOt_3Q9pneO6_Bm2tUrbRiK6nEk36-y6wNowdcM_6_jv0cfbzJPjh378b-3FdheacTT3s3/s1600/valentines-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxbXa4zmEDwMjmFv5bAeuJft9W5tlZHoa6cZLxUsbQciD86fcZAk72oyHit-T1c7IBRIvSeexOt_3Q9pneO6_Bm2tUrbRiK6nEk36-y6wNowdcM_6_jv0cfbzJPjh378b-3FdheacTT3s3/s640/valentines-5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I love our Valentine's ritual. It's fairly low stress. It provides time for me to reflect on how blessed I am to be my kiddos' momma. The kids look forward to it every year...they have already started counting down the days. We take ten hearts for each our kids and write little notes about how they make us smile, ways they've grown, things they do that make us proud, etc. We usually cut hearts out of construction paper, a different color for each kid, but you could get pre-cut ones at a craft store. We've learned it's much easier if we start reflecting and writing the heart ideas a week or so out. If we procrastinate and rush it we miss out on the blessing of getting to reflect on how awesome our kiddos really are. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In the evening of Feb 13th, we hide the hearts around the house; kind of like hiding Easter eggs. The next morning the kids start hunting for them as soon as they wake up.We have a pin-up board in our dinning room where they usually get collected, but one year they just taped them to back of their chairs. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
To make the house a little more festive, we will also blow up a package of dollar store balloons. We are huge breakfast people, so that's when we will have a thematic meal. This has varied from year-to-year depending on energy. The Valentine's day after BabyZ was born we had yet to get on a sleep schedule; I was exhausted, so Jeremy used a cookie cutter to cut hearts of sliced bread and made Valentine's cinnamon toast. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGZnYsH8bPDFvdMSza-rVlWvSP1-um47rQ1FRUexNYIBT8kiglDR7upaEqpCgsXYz65MRG09oZbKLvhFC6WFcrkW-nsCzR8rSuI8_Muk_Ny2RDVPXfj-F6MlEm1tsuf6-WrY6-QDAygmK0/s1600/valentines-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1281" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGZnYsH8bPDFvdMSza-rVlWvSP1-um47rQ1FRUexNYIBT8kiglDR7upaEqpCgsXYz65MRG09oZbKLvhFC6WFcrkW-nsCzR8rSuI8_Muk_Ny2RDVPXfj-F6MlEm1tsuf6-WrY6-QDAygmK0/s640/valentines-1.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_klXcHyH2ie0rvaI-cv5EvCpl_lE6zxYMzsjRLWfRCGEgo9Vb_tmIjRKZAUh-BsH2HNmYHHryRpYeR4uy2Gzx6xhYaM1qH-0GcBTwITUe3LEGr2k6L6TIc7y-F7c9oXDzPFRprFYHBASw/s1600/valentines-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_klXcHyH2ie0rvaI-cv5EvCpl_lE6zxYMzsjRLWfRCGEgo9Vb_tmIjRKZAUh-BsH2HNmYHHryRpYeR4uy2Gzx6xhYaM1qH-0GcBTwITUe3LEGr2k6L6TIc7y-F7c9oXDzPFRprFYHBASw/s640/valentines-2.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXKGnbh9sHxbm55znil_q-M_u-LC8pR58ryPNnm9wS0Lbv2SgsdMuIhEFk3Of2TEVeFLioGEoNbYn40ZSzI1PX5xzNbtWgKjzc4hwKtEfla_-3Xm-xJdYQM00OoLFYv_VzznEldIoH7LAc/s1600/valentines-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXKGnbh9sHxbm55znil_q-M_u-LC8pR58ryPNnm9wS0Lbv2SgsdMuIhEFk3Of2TEVeFLioGEoNbYn40ZSzI1PX5xzNbtWgKjzc4hwKtEfla_-3Xm-xJdYQM00OoLFYv_VzznEldIoH7LAc/s640/valentines-3.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjrSvdeyew_5uxbOKbK0th7kpc7GY8i82x5pj3KGpXqJUeNTjjhX6z9SaDckyLNyUOzevJA3lZSWnX59oG0rP7WY1hWE30rKeZ05ELFDiwRRCrZis2QWP7_gWWJyCtqoVjDZfbuvK7Joxd/s1600/valentines-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1281" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjrSvdeyew_5uxbOKbK0th7kpc7GY8i82x5pj3KGpXqJUeNTjjhX6z9SaDckyLNyUOzevJA3lZSWnX59oG0rP7WY1hWE30rKeZ05ELFDiwRRCrZis2QWP7_gWWJyCtqoVjDZfbuvK7Joxd/s640/valentines-4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQJuBqMkUER0ygCUMwd1Kli7kNxtwbMS_jWWLb9AIvZf9_qNyBgr2SopW-EcManwjAUz1SyzwGe9rElA-OZEyQAOi30t4kA3H5l6Dhg8HGEbe-KeLzIu2mLJTYz83OxMDgvERYUZB-jVRc/s1600/valentines-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQJuBqMkUER0ygCUMwd1Kli7kNxtwbMS_jWWLb9AIvZf9_qNyBgr2SopW-EcManwjAUz1SyzwGe9rElA-OZEyQAOi30t4kA3H5l6Dhg8HGEbe-KeLzIu2mLJTYz83OxMDgvERYUZB-jVRc/s640/valentines-8.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7XXFjAbb3ARaEGef89LaObEt8IQoTPkKjGO1zrA_JAuc2EvS5eHKdLYNNt6_1fGOh9bjeBfJh6hpCtGSwdDleK7ZacEyCVTs5BYPwopv_Ba1w83t8ZX7nwzPnw4jc4DyQ3-arHkSBYiSu/s1600/valentines-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1281" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7XXFjAbb3ARaEGef89LaObEt8IQoTPkKjGO1zrA_JAuc2EvS5eHKdLYNNt6_1fGOh9bjeBfJh6hpCtGSwdDleK7ZacEyCVTs5BYPwopv_Ba1w83t8ZX7nwzPnw4jc4DyQ3-arHkSBYiSu/s640/valentines-6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9xJThMruX6DgZZ00ThB6EpWX4Q1RorZzOm-BX8nN_sDdkKQvwSPVwMJPVcfYUkUmbRKR-f3CP8QsyiSE5HH6bql5eUdwGInkkkui3LJ14VdqjWVi8Jh8a8zHkExj809VNY_4i9jxbSP9P/s1600/valentines-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9xJThMruX6DgZZ00ThB6EpWX4Q1RorZzOm-BX8nN_sDdkKQvwSPVwMJPVcfYUkUmbRKR-f3CP8QsyiSE5HH6bql5eUdwGInkkkui3LJ14VdqjWVi8Jh8a8zHkExj809VNY_4i9jxbSP9P/s640/valentines-7.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
You can see past Valentine's days here: <a href="https://joyfullyweary.blogspot.com/2012/02/sweet-valentines-day.html">2012</a>, <a href="http://joyfullyweary.blogspot.com/2013/02/valentines-day_18.html">2013</a>, <a href="https://joyfullyweary.blogspot.com/2016/02/valentines.html">2016</a>, and <a href="http://joyfullyweary.blogspot.com/2017/02/valentines-day-2017.html">2017</a>.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">**Whenever I mentioned my childhood I feel like I also need to say I love my mom and am so proud of her. Her life hasn't been an easy one. I know that she tried her best, she tried to give me a better life than she had. She's gotten knocked down many times, but she's always stood back-up. I have two siblings who are much younger than I am, and she was a better mom to them than she was with me. She's taught me that it's never too late to grow and change...it's a tradition I'm hoping to pass down. </span></div>
Rachel Kaylynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09114768437192098372noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-559694926328998802.post-29978495882740142692018-01-31T19:34:00.002-06:002018-03-05T22:18:36.704-06:00Mitten Match<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">All of our snow has melted away, but we are still holding out hope for more. Living in Illinois means that most likely the next month or so will be full of dull gray days. Bright white snow just makes the gray more bearable.</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span id="docs-internal-guid-5a83a02f-4efe-a975-df32-223b84801330"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We are going to continue doing some snow themed activities in our schoolroom in the hopes that nature takes the hint and gifts us with a real snowstorm. Today, we read a couple mitten themed books:</span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0399231099/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=rachelkaylynn-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=0399231099&linkId=feaca0862728b53c26f286c49191931f" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: black; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="color: #1155cc; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Mitten</span><span style="color: #1155cc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> by Jan Brett</span></a><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and</span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0899197965/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=rachelkaylynn-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=0899197965&linkId=afa142185fc8bf546fc3df6e52d1d1f4" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: black; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="color: #1155cc; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Little Kittens</span><span style="color: #1155cc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> by Paul Galdone</span></a><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. Both authors are known for retelling classic stories with exquisite illustrations. Jan Brett uses watercolors to create realistic illustrations. Her books also commonly have border art that offers a new vantage point to the story or foreshadows a coming character. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Some other winter themed books by Jan Brett are:</span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0399260099/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=rachelkaylynn-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=0399260099&linkId=616ed54364ddc33015a1cfa411fa95ed" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Three Snow Bears</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">and</span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0399231013/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=rachelkaylynn-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=0399231013&linkId=349e582d9074eae0da8af723c62d7703" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Hat</span></a><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. Paul Galdone's illustration are usually ink sketches with a watercolor wash. His illustrations are more impish and whimsical, but still are very rich in detail. His folktale books are must for any</span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0547852770/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=rachelkaylynn-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=0547852770&linkId=ee13979661e2e62e9c0a9453980eac5d" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">child's bookshelf</span></a><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtRy5aBWqxyWBAwqfuYq1Ey-isb6nscYsVeQ4P8yBVIzq7UcEWgC63zBaYppdtsXVSWhneI6DER9E2tfnL7OLhmC1fl61Lv-a7FB3bosIunNe-4ChHKobcX1d5sU8Rj11Fn0QSj2R9k5WC/s1600/mitten+match+%25281+of+8%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtRy5aBWqxyWBAwqfuYq1Ey-isb6nscYsVeQ4P8yBVIzq7UcEWgC63zBaYppdtsXVSWhneI6DER9E2tfnL7OLhmC1fl61Lv-a7FB3bosIunNe-4ChHKobcX1d5sU8Rj11Fn0QSj2R9k5WC/s640/mitten+match+%25281+of+8%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span id="docs-internal-guid-1aaa6c02-4ef2-9fc0-67b6-b102cab6b9e3"></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">After reading the books I pulled out our mitten pairs for the kiddos to hang on a makeshift clothesline. The older kiddos worked on pairing up contractions and homophones. BabyZ just worked on pairing up colors. He also had a lot of fun taking down Mini Man and Little Lady's work...little brothers are so cute and so annoying.</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSgLUkPPOMb0SSRZ4FcY3E1Ea-Rdvq0Bu9TNkdujh4diM5yiA1RLM5RnRm-apr8WoLwhbWO9ldd959JrbetZtro_MwEYLnSPa9hqHdTnc7enepUaKZzsCUexbz0WPxe93kWEHNvPYK08BQ/s1600/mitten+match+%25282+of+8%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSgLUkPPOMb0SSRZ4FcY3E1Ea-Rdvq0Bu9TNkdujh4diM5yiA1RLM5RnRm-apr8WoLwhbWO9ldd959JrbetZtro_MwEYLnSPa9hqHdTnc7enepUaKZzsCUexbz0WPxe93kWEHNvPYK08BQ/s640/mitten+match+%25282+of+8%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkGAyRbzb6zQ8w-j7KuXbjSVFeuR-pLdbwuOhZvcnXM7wm5KuNcOr-QzKJXEd2DlqKiTXe8-iibClP3smFjDdWzGei0T0F1Bq5S_3hJ0ydYhZOZERA-AZHazY9yYNI0bYOKEMp49W11GdX/s1600/mitten+match+%25283+of+8%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkGAyRbzb6zQ8w-j7KuXbjSVFeuR-pLdbwuOhZvcnXM7wm5KuNcOr-QzKJXEd2DlqKiTXe8-iibClP3smFjDdWzGei0T0F1Bq5S_3hJ0ydYhZOZERA-AZHazY9yYNI0bYOKEMp49W11GdX/s640/mitten+match+%25283+of+8%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpc9FD_nnqCb25V39H8AaTxEdwPnvXmdaDtLPt5ksa7Ph8VDlr2E2HBSon_vBXUXHL2n8s2r6xA6bGsv7clUqFL-gohP-q7nmYsHP7Tchz7pONEJs4OQF1-TFK1LzwnKH_focB_htkSES3/s1600/mitten+match+%25286+of+8%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1281" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpc9FD_nnqCb25V39H8AaTxEdwPnvXmdaDtLPt5ksa7Ph8VDlr2E2HBSon_vBXUXHL2n8s2r6xA6bGsv7clUqFL-gohP-q7nmYsHP7Tchz7pONEJs4OQF1-TFK1LzwnKH_focB_htkSES3/s640/mitten+match+%25286+of+8%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhycwVohS67YSkxtpDN6yQT_A09UfhYEWuP1rXtC68p8XdqkD9jF7YR5VcscJmJtedBmHs0a1UFAoaIq-nbAsvO5amMqoIbf1ghdoLuiSdFQALvg4S7sNaeg-EFw-UzE4rZq1BEoLDPM0mo/s1600/mitten+match+%25285+of+8%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhycwVohS67YSkxtpDN6yQT_A09UfhYEWuP1rXtC68p8XdqkD9jF7YR5VcscJmJtedBmHs0a1UFAoaIq-nbAsvO5amMqoIbf1ghdoLuiSdFQALvg4S7sNaeg-EFw-UzE4rZq1BEoLDPM0mo/s640/mitten+match+%25285+of+8%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnRu3bFiphtRL3Xle9X_LBYqRRvcJFhX6VZYHpSKiL9GmDiO_C4-pb3ROglE_KxgIypfp8dP8Z8GBjKTqJyMyEWPwZ5IQZhje5CLgKnS83MUuQtenDkAF_3k0cG3V6MByh_wh5eCt20ziy/s1600/mitten+match+%25287+of+8%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnRu3bFiphtRL3Xle9X_LBYqRRvcJFhX6VZYHpSKiL9GmDiO_C4-pb3ROglE_KxgIypfp8dP8Z8GBjKTqJyMyEWPwZ5IQZhje5CLgKnS83MUuQtenDkAF_3k0cG3V6MByh_wh5eCt20ziy/s640/mitten+match+%25287+of+8%2529.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-OVgDcRtoKq7YzD4lUaTV0-V_-3z1kYg9sK-AhTZvkySfCK2hPo-wFeqzfnSTDa1ygefzQQmE9pdrGowvOOOYCaNWJgS5SjwIz44FBJBh95ssqTVmeqIdNAI4iGQkJx1zMVx2b7dVKg4H/s1600/mitten+match+%25288+of+8%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-OVgDcRtoKq7YzD4lUaTV0-V_-3z1kYg9sK-AhTZvkySfCK2hPo-wFeqzfnSTDa1ygefzQQmE9pdrGowvOOOYCaNWJgS5SjwIz44FBJBh95ssqTVmeqIdNAI4iGQkJx1zMVx2b7dVKg4H/s640/mitten+match+%25288+of+8%2529.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "merriweather"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If you'd like your own set, I made them available on my google drive. There are four sets: <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1K0U__XJHeYZ3h0UDRqdXRiMG8/view?usp=sharing">homophones</a>, <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/18rDTjXdv3Bg8PbOi5q7mG14odQZsm3K9/view?usp=sharing">contractions</a>, <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1K0U__XJHeYM0VCckY3Yk5xNWM/view?usp=sharing">upper & lowercase alphabet</a>, and <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rSWrYu9_svAOuTHfhEBbfpjE6pxUOzGT/view?usp=sharing">blank</a>. The blank can be used for a toddler to match colors like BabyZ, or I thought it be a fun way to practice math facts. You could write the equation on one mitten and the answer on the other.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "merriweather"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "merriweather"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You can find more more winter themed ideas we've done in the past</span><a href="https://joyfullyweary.blogspot.com/2012/01/preschool-syllabus-winter.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "merriweather"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-family: "merriweather"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">here</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "merriweather"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and</span><a href="https://joyfullyweary.blogspot.com/2014/01/around-our-schoolroom-winter.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "merriweather"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-family: "merriweather"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">here</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "merriweather"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. We've also expanded on a couple other winter themed books:</span><a href="https://joyfullyweary.blogspot.com/2012/01/preschool-fun-with-snowy-day.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "merriweather"; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-family: "merriweather"; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Snowy Day</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "merriweather"; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "merriweather"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">and</span><a href="https://joyfullyweary.blogspot.com/2015/01/literature-based-kindergarten-bear.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "merriweather"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-family: "merriweather"; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Bear Snores On</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "merriweather"; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "merriweather"; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "merriweather"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What about you, are you still getting snow where you live? Are you hoping for more or already wishing for spring?</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "merriweather"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #292929; font-family: "merriweather";"><span style="font-size: x-small;">*Total Transparency: I am an Amazon associate; if you purchase a book after clicking on one of the links above I may earn a few cents. </span></span></div>
Rachel Kaylynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09114768437192098372noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-559694926328998802.post-54121590190712490322018-01-14T18:53:00.000-06:002018-06-28T15:38:02.299-05:00American Revolution and Founding Fathers Book List. <div style="text-align: justify;">
In years past, we've been working our way through <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1933339004/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=rachelkaylynn-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=1933339004&linkId=3e6091a1a40c2afa75ec43d821c7fb50"><i>Story of The World</i></a> by Susan Wise Bauer. This year, however, we are taking a break from world history and studying American history. We joined a co-op and one of the classes the kids are taking is Hands On American History. Originally, I had planned on continuing <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1933339004/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=rachelkaylynn-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=1933339004&linkId=3e6091a1a40c2afa75ec43d821c7fb50">Story of the World</a> </i>at home. We are about half-way through <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0971412995/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=rachelkaylynn-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=0971412995&linkId=7be54bb5d5f2f92c122dc38fbe4f36df">Vol 3, early modern history</a>, so in some ways the lesson would coincide. I quickly realized, however, that it wasn't going to work. In class they do a lot of games and skits to make history come alive; but I also wanted to supplement what they were learning with some living books. There just isn't enough time to do the reading for both. For now, we've pressed pause on <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1933339004/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=rachelkaylynn-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=1933339004&linkId=3e6091a1a40c2afa75ec43d821c7fb50">Story of the World </a></i>and will probably pick it back up come May when the class ends. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We are just wrapping up our books on the America Revolution and the Founding Fathers; I thought I'd share what we read.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7VHeD0LU8XGxcZ9Q1sT-5SyJQmuBSu9OjFbT9xAkiHQaXPSfdPeD53GD9dt8yQGiZfQ_YS-7oJKV5ee4s_bRD8kBghpgJm8cip44BtUhu9yPbBFjPbyqT4snkBKh3eyWtQhp3k_KnM6QB/s1600/American+Revolution+%25282+of+2%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7VHeD0LU8XGxcZ9Q1sT-5SyJQmuBSu9OjFbT9xAkiHQaXPSfdPeD53GD9dt8yQGiZfQ_YS-7oJKV5ee4s_bRD8kBghpgJm8cip44BtUhu9yPbBFjPbyqT4snkBKh3eyWtQhp3k_KnM6QB/s640/American+Revolution+%25282+of+2%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Jean Fritz is one of my go-to's for American history. She has written a plethora of historical and biographical children's books. Her books are quality - she is a Newbery Honor </span>recipient<span style="font-family: inherit;">, winner of the </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Laura Ingalls Wilder Award, and was nominated for the </span>Hans Christian Andersen Award<span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">. We ended up reading several of her books. One of the things that I like about Fritz's books is that while she in noway tears down the founding fathers (she writes </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">eloquently </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">about their brave, wise, and radical acts) she doesn't glorify them either. She presents them as real humans with failings and a few funny quirks. </span></span></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/069811440X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=rachelkaylynn-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=069811440X&linkId=beadd50ad0d3e89a2665bf135f1118e4"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Will You Sign Here, John Hancock?</span></i></a></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><i style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0698113519/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=rachelkaylynn-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=0698113519&linkId=b89b466c58f49214acc61ed04dc89357" style="background-color: white;">And Then What Happened, Paul Revere?</a></span></i></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><i style="background-color: white;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0698114167/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=rachelkaylynn-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=0698114167&linkId=94882c5ff228b0b8f2380f1484002a20">Why Don't You Get a Horse, Sam Adams?</a></i></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0698113721/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=rachelkaylynn-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=0698113721&linkId=be9ca9a4a4b9e6db5d74756af7eb8ea3">What's the Big Idea, Ben Franklin?</a></i></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0698114027/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=rachelkaylynn-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=0698114027&linkId=8e162c9d13172d0f8e3df4884a1d665e">Can't You Make Them Behave, King George?</a></i></li>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><i style="background-color: white;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0698114396/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=rachelkaylynn-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=0698114396&linkId=c4c435e4412a4f39a3d327cf388ab03e" style="background-color: white;">Where Was Patrick Henry on the 29th of May?</a></i></span></div>
</li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0698116240/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=rachelkaylynn-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=0698116240&linkId=733fd45e93b40ab5ad72a25a4a7c201e">Shh! We're Writing the Constitution.</a></i></span></li>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0142419869/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=rachelkaylynn-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=0142419869&linkId=581067112743f4ccf2ea1f7b301a5c06">Alexander Hamilton: the Outsider</a> -</i><span style="font-family: inherit;"> this is written to </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">a little bit older of a crowd (middle school instead of elementary school) than Fritz's other books but our family still really enjoyed it. </span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0140322590/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=rachelkaylynn-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=0140322590&linkId=6f759b654f24d3a86eea0a214f9ddfc7">Early Thunder</a></i> is also written for an older crowd but is a great read aloud; </span>especially,<span style="font-family: inherit;"> if you have boys.</span></span></div>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Another one of my go-to's for history is Ingri & Edgar Parin d'Aulaire. Every one of the books I've read by this husband and wife team has been a delight. They are a joy to read aloud and the illustrations are fabulous. They are also Newbery Honor recipients and winners of the Caldecott Medal. </span></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0964380315/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=rachelkaylynn-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=0964380315&linkId=91da140d5c9743363d07aeddedc7ec0e">Georg</a></span><span style="color: #111111; font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0964380315/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=rachelkaylynn-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=0964380315&linkId=91da140d5c9743363d07aeddedc7ec0e">e Washington</a></span></span></i></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0964380390/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=rachelkaylynn-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=0964380390&linkId=ec8bc3af8fbb7b298dec2a518a75bf3b">Benjamin Franklin</a></span></i></li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a class="a-link-normal contributorNameID" data-asin="B001ILKDW0" href="https://www.amazon.com/Alice-Dalgliesh/e/B001ILKDW0/ref=dp_byline_cont_book_1" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0066c0; text-decoration-line: none;">Alice Dalgliesh</a><span style="color: #111111;"><span style="background-color: white;">, is also one of my favorite children authors, especially for younger historical fiction. She is a also a three time </span></span>Newbery Honor recipient. </span></div>
</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0689718764/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=rachelkaylynn-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=0689718764&linkId=b538533c8b5bfe3f2081d9c5ffed6646">The Fourth of July Story</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111;"> </span></span></i></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0689715404/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=rachelkaylynn-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=0689715404&linkId=3617c13305bc64a5d01914469cde0e64">The Courage of Sarah Noble</a></i> - this book doesn't directly talk about the American Revolution, but is a great historical fiction about colonial times; perfect for kids who are just beginning to read chapter books. </span></li>
</ul>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Several of the above books are hand-me-downs from Jeremy's mom; she used them when homeschooling Jer and his sisters.The next couple are also hand-me-downs - it's been such blessing to have resources that you know are quality and enjoyable. </span></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">...<i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0590451553/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=rachelkaylynn-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=0590451553&linkId=bea96c711cc4b757c25081614bc884e9">if You Grew Up with George Washington</a> -</i> these 'If You Grew Up' books were some of Jer's favorites as a kid. This one walks you through what life would be like during early colonial times. </span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1541151852/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=rachelkaylynn-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=1541151852&linkId=0009001c83a82fbc29a13d09af01c3ad">Boy and Girls of Colonial Days</a> -</i> this chapter books contains several little snippets from a variety of children during colonial times. It begins with the pilgrims and ends after the Revolutionary War. </span></li>
</ul>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The rest of the books we read were ones that we stumbled upon at the library or recommendations from <a href="https://www.instagram.com/joyfullyweary/?hl=en">Instagram</a>. </span></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0802797113/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=rachelkaylynn-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=0802797113&linkId=a98a71a7f6b14fc0126359c669f0b8aa">Let it Begin Here! Lexington and Concord: First Battle of the American Revolution</a> - </i>this was probably Big Buddy's favorite book. It walks you through the first battle with dates and times. It describes all the major players and offers a point view from both sides. </span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1629793418/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=rachelkaylynn-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=1629793418&linkId=497a2d6846ba23837d452d5fdb8f72e5">Revolutionary Rogues: John André and Benedict Arnold</a> -</i> I remember as a kid being fascinated by Benedict Arnold. This books explains why he became a traitor and about John Andre, the British guy, on the other side. </span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B010EWDDKM/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=rachelkaylynn-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B010EWDDKM&linkId=1b8864bf7ed44df401739fb041355753">Paul Revere's Ride</a> -</i> I had Big Buddy memorize the first part of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's poem, <i>Paul Revere's Ride </i>and Charles Santore's illustrations were my favorite. </span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1426300425/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=rachelkaylynn-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=1426300425&linkId=904aa4e67692d8772b4f1f243e5a7be1">George vs George: The American Revolution as Seen by Both Sides</a> - </i>One of the things that I really want my kiddos to take away from our study of history is that while most conflicts have to have a winner and a loser it doesn't necessarily mean that the loser was a villain or evil. Or that the winners were perfect. We are all fallen people, we are all sinners. No one person (other than Christ) is 100% heroic. I like that this book presents both views...while he made lots of bad choices, King George wasn't an evil man; he was a ruler trying to keep his country stable and financially afloat. </span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0689810547/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=rachelkaylynn-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=0689810547&linkId=014539f0a49702f1d69edbbc04cec122">Katie's Trunk</a> -</i> this book is very different from the one above, but we read it for similar reasons. Katie's family are Loyalists, most of her neighbors are not. Her neighbors, 'on the right side of history,' let their emotions get the best of them and begin to ransack Katie's house. One of Katie's neighbors, however, sees that Katie is in danger and protects her. </span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1442442743/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=rachelkaylynn-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=1442442743&linkId=9d3e89dfae6ac9778e7a7fd007599dd1">The Founding Fathers!: Those Horse-Ridin', Fiddle-Playin', Book-Readin', Gun-Totin' Gentlemen Who Started America</a>. </i>This was the final book we read. It gives a brief description, with stats, on 14 of America's founding fathers. The pictures and some of the facts can be worded a bit silly, but it really emphasized that our founders were all very different men who had held differing opinions. I loved ending on this note - that our country didn't become great because it was homogeneous but because men of different opinions and strengths were able to work together. </span></li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi39A3JTwn7eMhJ4L2yHrun4mBEtoWISfbVrWRExO6-IQQZ2t_UPQRqTGwz7fEBxIRTErgfXrTYLxduwzTRYoi-9VC6lILZpoR5jJDXVLo9u_YjPESJKtybEw5gxSzgaR18Smi6x3t1_F6E/s1600/American+Revolution+%25281+of+2%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1281" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi39A3JTwn7eMhJ4L2yHrun4mBEtoWISfbVrWRExO6-IQQZ2t_UPQRqTGwz7fEBxIRTErgfXrTYLxduwzTRYoi-9VC6lILZpoR5jJDXVLo9u_YjPESJKtybEw5gxSzgaR18Smi6x3t1_F6E/s640/American+Revolution+%25281+of+2%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This is our first in-depth study of the founding of the United States of America, but for the last several years we've read books related to the topic every June and July. A couple years ago I shared some of our favorites, which you can find <a href="https://joyfullyweary.blogspot.com/2014/06/bookworms-in-training-july.html">here</a>. It differs a bit from this list; the selection is geared towards a younger crowd.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Next up in history we will be reading about westward migration. If you have any book suggestions, I'd love to hear them. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
**Total Transparency - I am an Amazon associate. If you click and buy on some the links above I may earn a few cents...which will most likely be put towards buying more books. </div>
Rachel Kaylynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09114768437192098372noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-559694926328998802.post-30879150393247484412018-01-09T18:30:00.002-06:002018-01-09T23:36:02.047-06:00Ice Skating<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Right in the center of our city is the cutest little outdoor skating rink. It's become a tradition for our family to go at least once during the winter...this year, the kids are determined that we are going to go at least SIX times. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
This rink is where all of kiddos have taken their 1st spin on the ice. Before kids, Jer and I would come here for a fun inexpensive date. This simple little place holds so many sweet happy memories. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-UvNvnq5pMdRs1DPjs1fhkqWPsLEKlVfQ0w-XItExImwKPIf4Nvcji0gd5fhnqUMTCMJn78ZxT9rxTwl8Vqr_ATp0dT4rqbQWjOjK6MPRLpWGh19GgIGTgR6xkQDuKGFVvBESa7PQZ6sf/s1600/skating-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-UvNvnq5pMdRs1DPjs1fhkqWPsLEKlVfQ0w-XItExImwKPIf4Nvcji0gd5fhnqUMTCMJn78ZxT9rxTwl8Vqr_ATp0dT4rqbQWjOjK6MPRLpWGh19GgIGTgR6xkQDuKGFVvBESa7PQZ6sf/s640/skating-5.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
This trip was BabyZ's 1st time on the ice. He could tell that all of siblings were pumped for what was coming, so he also got excited. Unfortunately, I don't think he's quite a fan, yet. The skates didn't quite work they way he thought they should.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQqdkAxx4a0zpvRcSQfA3DRI2A0TqQR27R-GIop4siwdKaM2I9mR67DdWC9aBhtsByLXPkXT5FP_-bt84kwSqEqg0OIBmhRHxA73GHZbqq-uLgGLeOasXCgVntM1b8YRCfRbSntPx46rvE/s1600/skating-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQqdkAxx4a0zpvRcSQfA3DRI2A0TqQR27R-GIop4siwdKaM2I9mR67DdWC9aBhtsByLXPkXT5FP_-bt84kwSqEqg0OIBmhRHxA73GHZbqq-uLgGLeOasXCgVntM1b8YRCfRbSntPx46rvE/s640/skating-1.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjGbQF0Ew3sAeHGYGrLzADa6KytfMgADQ0fvoY36MYLUpeCgwW5TqBh8dzpav7Gz0P8xBuF6txodAjzk3q1qS-IQwYsJeUhaZhHLo7uEk67sa2XBfCUsmxBK1a3vNcXhTOq0PnMkeAS2MW/s1600/skating-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1281" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjGbQF0Ew3sAeHGYGrLzADa6KytfMgADQ0fvoY36MYLUpeCgwW5TqBh8dzpav7Gz0P8xBuF6txodAjzk3q1qS-IQwYsJeUhaZhHLo7uEk67sa2XBfCUsmxBK1a3vNcXhTOq0PnMkeAS2MW/s640/skating-2.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBCtXuauc-x4Xesp8I9ZwEcBYPjRKqTv2p-HyEALWDQ2zYEOQJFItJ9LM0xO-Ll0aamm_Z_2P5wfiFuwO4mS30B2poS5Qt0BuuMFYwKt4rWgwH1a4nRQvA7befxEMffUESEG_Jfy3Kly2x/s1600/skating-11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1281" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBCtXuauc-x4Xesp8I9ZwEcBYPjRKqTv2p-HyEALWDQ2zYEOQJFItJ9LM0xO-Ll0aamm_Z_2P5wfiFuwO4mS30B2poS5Qt0BuuMFYwKt4rWgwH1a4nRQvA7befxEMffUESEG_Jfy3Kly2x/s640/skating-11.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx7jX4zSSjYkNTZCKduaBNgklnKJiyuekMomB1CopS7PZhtAByF1JrAAnXXagTGO4_GgunqmhYb4jceQB4GkMXrsmaJQ4Ziq3Z7IlIpbhh0KAmHv-WEAv6_Azs_KS31qMF13fSR8mZrmwZ/s1600/skating-12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx7jX4zSSjYkNTZCKduaBNgklnKJiyuekMomB1CopS7PZhtAByF1JrAAnXXagTGO4_GgunqmhYb4jceQB4GkMXrsmaJQ4Ziq3Z7IlIpbhh0KAmHv-WEAv6_Azs_KS31qMF13fSR8mZrmwZ/s640/skating-12.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
He took the falls like a champ. He didn't cry at all; he just didn't see the point of why we insisted he keep these ridicules things on his feet. At one point he decided it was better to just to roll around on the ice than to try to walk on it. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmryF81YR8ItFQ1xLvSMSuyiX6fG3vScpIqG2mpAeSAIXrwurp1aJ9wLymtOqYkh_SrHTtzhQ8qC7zWbZDoX-QNt7MMwj1jRPSlZqLa8eYvJSUDljz7v9VhVGrd41QGO4DrVIHGbND9MiJ/s1600/skating-10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmryF81YR8ItFQ1xLvSMSuyiX6fG3vScpIqG2mpAeSAIXrwurp1aJ9wLymtOqYkh_SrHTtzhQ8qC7zWbZDoX-QNt7MMwj1jRPSlZqLa8eYvJSUDljz7v9VhVGrd41QGO4DrVIHGbND9MiJ/s640/skating-10.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihov1SWPBoWFPkdzNRxT3ze85aKNlstTK0q42kTH_dQ7p0aTIPrBjDZtlkMz95VTa1ZJT2wbKrJEl1zOPw-mH_g9FVMBHZdEBNC189vFPeEpY97FwXzE3CpK3tz3GRgQJTxU0eintzwwpf/s1600/skating2-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihov1SWPBoWFPkdzNRxT3ze85aKNlstTK0q42kTH_dQ7p0aTIPrBjDZtlkMz95VTa1ZJT2wbKrJEl1zOPw-mH_g9FVMBHZdEBNC189vFPeEpY97FwXzE3CpK3tz3GRgQJTxU0eintzwwpf/s640/skating2-2.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Luckily, mommy's arms and hot chocolate makes everything better. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRbbRISRh94Q9rjcwXOltGGHKO3sS16opF44wTmpn32lgxuIvT0YTZTTSdDx7nB3IuJ7oou5zPKKMe_cNkucYIoo61Rq8WLtosOEje2wDAmtLdKE0Zi3An1MEuBYxPg2Y9nPxLHgWyPEu-/s1600/skating-16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRbbRISRh94Q9rjcwXOltGGHKO3sS16opF44wTmpn32lgxuIvT0YTZTTSdDx7nB3IuJ7oou5zPKKMe_cNkucYIoo61Rq8WLtosOEje2wDAmtLdKE0Zi3An1MEuBYxPg2Y9nPxLHgWyPEu-/s640/skating-16.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Little Lady was happy when BabyZ left the ice; because that meant, for a bit, she got Dada all to herself.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXGpAtSnTMkBswol26gHG1dMbpelrMkSu8Jn_z2ZRIazvsz4QMqIzqes6FT3WBx3sjKxc0NMLtQZlQaWPIkKk2tK6ixdNJvpjEiOgov09SDfKQmS-pW71WQq2NqRBw0Y3pDm40RcuMWs0j/s1600/skating-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXGpAtSnTMkBswol26gHG1dMbpelrMkSu8Jn_z2ZRIazvsz4QMqIzqes6FT3WBx3sjKxc0NMLtQZlQaWPIkKk2tK6ixdNJvpjEiOgov09SDfKQmS-pW71WQq2NqRBw0Y3pDm40RcuMWs0j/s640/skating-8.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTDABctik17e0n2bY2N8n3zBilUXsj83blzO4CIfNT0yS5BeIBKsoHyK6gwpt9UdmYI_dHJCO6jdo4g36MwABYLZ4OUV7QwrkSKBnxruHw1iwOX1dIL0Lxp5DvA8Kzgjyoh31Hga4pOLCY/s1600/skating2-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTDABctik17e0n2bY2N8n3zBilUXsj83blzO4CIfNT0yS5BeIBKsoHyK6gwpt9UdmYI_dHJCO6jdo4g36MwABYLZ4OUV7QwrkSKBnxruHw1iwOX1dIL0Lxp5DvA8Kzgjyoh31Hga4pOLCY/s640/skating2-1.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
This next picture makes my heart so happy - I love that my kiddos are also such good friends. When she got cold Little Lady watched the boys skate from the warming box. They kept stopping by, encouraging her to come back out. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSyk7xH9VmQ_-5o-dYjCcV4aEmfpSBinmSr3yMo_eA3wv6rDnEXHOR0nAWPVMNRniP8sxQKgdFgpvyxOg6AeVThsnRINdAT0cuMxCpgrzWGdOBKd9PRY-k8pBEBxd46FoR5RZjYo52C1SP/s1600/skating-15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSyk7xH9VmQ_-5o-dYjCcV4aEmfpSBinmSr3yMo_eA3wv6rDnEXHOR0nAWPVMNRniP8sxQKgdFgpvyxOg6AeVThsnRINdAT0cuMxCpgrzWGdOBKd9PRY-k8pBEBxd46FoR5RZjYo52C1SP/s640/skating-15.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8aMbvr2YZa90A8UBwVR5V8yq4Qx00-_u4dC1wEFM7cH2aAfEbNdNY_eR0h4Uf_fKCgMTFY-K4U0ZyYdml0mg6O8ozqgXgGuxKgZZiVXQteZq1kWZ7ZRs5MKnwZzlovAM2mA_acPXYTFl0/s1600/skating2-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8aMbvr2YZa90A8UBwVR5V8yq4Qx00-_u4dC1wEFM7cH2aAfEbNdNY_eR0h4Uf_fKCgMTFY-K4U0ZyYdml0mg6O8ozqgXgGuxKgZZiVXQteZq1kWZ7ZRs5MKnwZzlovAM2mA_acPXYTFl0/s640/skating2-1.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Mini Man cracks me up - he is so fearless! As soon as he got on to the ice he started trying to skate backwards and spin. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCIYqtB1KdfDDUi2LysnNnR3rsajw5-HOagRni7EFbrAqQfr4YIffn3jFGzVet_AJecGhb2MCcw4qP7qNwHs5b0jHbbzNKB_Ks5Y5b2ru1gFOTL23x0a8OmayR4bN2SYjPfaT24RQkuLKY/s1600/skating-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCIYqtB1KdfDDUi2LysnNnR3rsajw5-HOagRni7EFbrAqQfr4YIffn3jFGzVet_AJecGhb2MCcw4qP7qNwHs5b0jHbbzNKB_Ks5Y5b2ru1gFOTL23x0a8OmayR4bN2SYjPfaT24RQkuLKY/s640/skating-4.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Do you have any local spots that have become precious; not because it's fancy, but because it's the place of happy memories? </div>
Rachel Kaylynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09114768437192098372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-559694926328998802.post-57429621039688486412018-01-03T18:33:00.001-06:002018-01-03T19:06:46.101-06:00Sister Cousins<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
I'm pretty sure we are done having kids, which means Little Lady won't ever have a sister. At first this made me really sad; I have three younger sisters and I can't imagine life without them. Little Lady, however, has no desire to have a sister. In fact, she prayed for BabyZ to be a boy...she didn't want to have to share her Daddy with another girl. 😲😂 Jeremy also wanted BabyZ to be boy. He grew up the only boy with three younger sisters, and he thinks he's already dealt with his fair share of sister drama. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
I was worried Little Lady would be lonely and crave companionship, but she is pretty good at attracting girl friends. She's also always ready to be "one-of-the-boys" with her brothers. I don't think I have ever seen a sibling relationship as tight as her's with Mini Man; they just compliment each other really well. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
The Lord also blessed her with four girl cousins. Two of them who are less than a year younger than her. We don't live super close to any of them but when we do visit; it is always like no time has passed. She treasures these times to play and talk with her girl cousins...it's the only time I've ever seen her not want Mini Man hanging around. She loves them as fiercely as I loved my younger sisters. They only have to give each other a look and they burst into giggles. So maybe she won't ever have sisters but she's been blessed with lots of sister-cousins and sister-friends.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUEL9OHEXhoYLgPMXyI10RbahH9r5U82ScUzHLRH8ERBX_zfaq57NO2zAMDUY8LVdADhCe9ZIKVXUdGtJ7hc3T7NKwCbCrTzUPCjsiDc9lEPeLmeYi7dYV8waW3ze2bW5RRENlbvzCrkzz/s1600/sister+cousins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUEL9OHEXhoYLgPMXyI10RbahH9r5U82ScUzHLRH8ERBX_zfaq57NO2zAMDUY8LVdADhCe9ZIKVXUdGtJ7hc3T7NKwCbCrTzUPCjsiDc9lEPeLmeYi7dYV8waW3ze2bW5RRENlbvzCrkzz/s640/sister+cousins.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
One of Little Lady's aunts bought her daughter, Wren, and Little Lady matching outfits. Little Lady loves fashion and was ecstatic about all the <a href="http://www.joyfolie.com/">accessorizes</a>. Wren is a fan of the <a href="https://aliceandames.com/">dress</a> but could do without all the rest; it was so sweet to see Little Lady side with and support her cousin in her objection to wearing it all. Eventually, they acquiesced and even let me take a bunch of cute pictures.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfn_ISlduK_XglLk-NOLtXtiCy3EIxM98-DSPquP249i2xwsSlB7EA7K3J38RX9YYoYaQpaeN07OmlRMDmywpG8IA2UrMGWLPCaCaEdmEycxPFnFBCGJnAjINMqkr9rvqW0X6PiG7V2-K5/s1600/sister+cousins-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfn_ISlduK_XglLk-NOLtXtiCy3EIxM98-DSPquP249i2xwsSlB7EA7K3J38RX9YYoYaQpaeN07OmlRMDmywpG8IA2UrMGWLPCaCaEdmEycxPFnFBCGJnAjINMqkr9rvqW0X6PiG7V2-K5/s640/sister+cousins-2.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkBOO6uwlHq_98nduxfHvJHQIzuuAOiOQrOKZqvhXtMVGJEJql6EsNBgAqzzBQWiWYFwJPtNMSWB6AD_G3vC92DLEslmpWmAEZ4F_oh9k7x3oJmA-9y2ruE60aYOHnNequdsBfnjLL6uBa/s1600/sister+cousins-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkBOO6uwlHq_98nduxfHvJHQIzuuAOiOQrOKZqvhXtMVGJEJql6EsNBgAqzzBQWiWYFwJPtNMSWB6AD_G3vC92DLEslmpWmAEZ4F_oh9k7x3oJmA-9y2ruE60aYOHnNequdsBfnjLL6uBa/s640/sister+cousins-3.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-I2X785VFfi6gRLzH3EZCDMdz_mCWEQp3pMHKBVDP3xQCEfAPkVW1mWfNBZTuPu-k25qPEFa7qI5aEyOrV-zP9vC_krxKb6u4__hT8HiDXO5rfBZCeba_ELjRR9UdQ9uPdbEl_pXhV8-8/s1600/sister+cousins-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-I2X785VFfi6gRLzH3EZCDMdz_mCWEQp3pMHKBVDP3xQCEfAPkVW1mWfNBZTuPu-k25qPEFa7qI5aEyOrV-zP9vC_krxKb6u4__hT8HiDXO5rfBZCeba_ELjRR9UdQ9uPdbEl_pXhV8-8/s640/sister+cousins-4.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAFFWvzIYhiLTWcs-t4Eok6yJ7SabEPDHwuykpUomWX7rC-ptz2w-vzwHrpG_lnBqgkNjLeKKInZgnCUENPIGi-wY6ifGzNFELmxU_nRmyrrUR95ZAwsthIrCKyz_np6LyGOPqieuWdrYI/s1600/sister+cousins-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAFFWvzIYhiLTWcs-t4Eok6yJ7SabEPDHwuykpUomWX7rC-ptz2w-vzwHrpG_lnBqgkNjLeKKInZgnCUENPIGi-wY6ifGzNFELmxU_nRmyrrUR95ZAwsthIrCKyz_np6LyGOPqieuWdrYI/s640/sister+cousins-5.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkKqcOdkOdM5cba6YhSowfku9eXFdmHwqwHQyfk13yVwAw8L6knOkSd1Nba0WwbtiuSEVZ_xRgHnAZyy7h-nR1aOzNwP_gkud1XpWChfezgMD62ioS80phv1DC81I2thd2qk2M3b_8wZZi/s1600/sister+cousins-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1281" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkKqcOdkOdM5cba6YhSowfku9eXFdmHwqwHQyfk13yVwAw8L6knOkSd1Nba0WwbtiuSEVZ_xRgHnAZyy7h-nR1aOzNwP_gkud1XpWChfezgMD62ioS80phv1DC81I2thd2qk2M3b_8wZZi/s640/sister+cousins-6.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK-tI1HaVCsusL_CKhkOUi3240heS664A25AQRRO17UPS2UiX0RnY0neq-804iKdpn26aYeT8edeOe6wtTfjqYYKftFL9AzMu6urxEt5naNTTCnDJrbT7SKQhcyhMuzmAGqT3_cRbdsKPr/s1600/sister+cousins-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1236" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK-tI1HaVCsusL_CKhkOUi3240heS664A25AQRRO17UPS2UiX0RnY0neq-804iKdpn26aYeT8edeOe6wtTfjqYYKftFL9AzMu6urxEt5naNTTCnDJrbT7SKQhcyhMuzmAGqT3_cRbdsKPr/s640/sister+cousins-7.jpg" width="494" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDUnFij3FjyuyLALrdOIIMwynPczi1SFro1eEa1m1JRXQ3TuC74uenN9oBFLyZECltIrasw9HfQNRFLYYnP3-u1icBbtQ9232R-uo9I0LLtoSAMRoX0GmraCZK43vU0q8dohlgVaLWWntL/s1600/sister+cousins-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1281" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDUnFij3FjyuyLALrdOIIMwynPczi1SFro1eEa1m1JRXQ3TuC74uenN9oBFLyZECltIrasw9HfQNRFLYYnP3-u1icBbtQ9232R-uo9I0LLtoSAMRoX0GmraCZK43vU0q8dohlgVaLWWntL/s640/sister+cousins-8.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
I love these girls! I hope they will always be able to make each other laugh, always have each others' backs, and never forget that they are warrior princesses. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ZwtW4ziXksZBfoq8BiUIFobf8vK9pXHtU-wVhYZLdj_WOPTNgQsGurrWu4rqGUv_CxLw6gZTJC-QCvNgmWVyEt3hfVXcrF28gMCLBi-tM3kZ3GRsiHYZ7PIYeuZEbmbLxPjV8DZJctUe/s1600/sister+cousins-9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1281" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ZwtW4ziXksZBfoq8BiUIFobf8vK9pXHtU-wVhYZLdj_WOPTNgQsGurrWu4rqGUv_CxLw6gZTJC-QCvNgmWVyEt3hfVXcrF28gMCLBi-tM3kZ3GRsiHYZ7PIYeuZEbmbLxPjV8DZJctUe/s640/sister+cousins-9.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Maca also posed for a couple shots. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpzMonNKWLJ-DB9-EZ_BAfxQW2dTRJHhK0l3XayGm6-E_Zq7gNoRU5Xgb-lga_mDvkZRkSulIbn8QMYqwyswc-6XIDTBw8NlKl3jMqoPdwyZAw9WU8m90ghuRISCsaH0XWKLRhWvyiCde2/s1600/sister+cousins-10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1281" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpzMonNKWLJ-DB9-EZ_BAfxQW2dTRJHhK0l3XayGm6-E_Zq7gNoRU5Xgb-lga_mDvkZRkSulIbn8QMYqwyswc-6XIDTBw8NlKl3jMqoPdwyZAw9WU8m90ghuRISCsaH0XWKLRhWvyiCde2/s640/sister+cousins-10.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNAKC1ugshytLTZxBa9OFVhT579DJa_dvjsNPS7aXoGfeCefRwv5rnG-Wt6osl0lOYqoSaO5l5_9toCjYl1_nP7Q3tVJmWb5bvSe2A9VslFYfezpP2A5AZxyOWsYUmRGGSE37-ZjSY1oMM/s1600/sister+cousins-11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1281" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNAKC1ugshytLTZxBa9OFVhT579DJa_dvjsNPS7aXoGfeCefRwv5rnG-Wt6osl0lOYqoSaO5l5_9toCjYl1_nP7Q3tVJmWb5bvSe2A9VslFYfezpP2A5AZxyOWsYUmRGGSE37-ZjSY1oMM/s640/sister+cousins-11.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
Rachel Kaylynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09114768437192098372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-559694926328998802.post-10797702482411729412018-01-01T12:05:00.001-06:002018-01-01T12:14:30.674-06:00Looking Back on 2017<div style="text-align: justify;">
Going into the new year I don't have any real resolutions. One of the things I've learned about myself is that, for me, grand expectations can be a killer of joy . Life is full of hiccups and mistakes, and it's amplified with four little kiddos. In 2018, I just want to continue to get better at seeing each day as a fresh start. A new day to love my family and my friends well. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
When the night of January 10th or January 3rd comes along an I haven't had my daily quiet time, or worked out, or I've lost my temper and yelled at my kiddos; I'm not going to beat myself up and count the year as failure. Instead, I'm going to thank the LORD for His grace. I'm going to accept His gifts of rest and a new day. Maybe it's different for other people, but for me change doesn't happen with big resolutions. It's happens slowly, almost unnoticed, as each day I choose to focus on the gifts of the LORD. It's only when I choose to focus on the joy of this life, even when some days leave me feeling defeated and weary, that I can look back and see real growth. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
For us 2017 didn't hold any huge events. It was a quiet year with lots of routine but happy days. This past week, I've been going through this year's photos; choosing which ones to delete and which ones to put in an album. It's a hard process...there are so many that make me smile! I'm nowhere near finishing the album, but I have found some favorites that will definitively be included. Scroll down if you want to take a photo tour of our 2017.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjylD7wl_yT8ETjhCirW2QOF_dnScpICD5sXOz2ySblnUGbpH8UIvzPUBHr0xi1iyyPL7QVhZrb0sb1uBXwo6h4DLm3KUUSOfZTfFdg4lpj9I9dGpc99GtxV7v7g3Mc4O6GSoRMgKo8Sr6b/s1600/end+of+year-0657.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjylD7wl_yT8ETjhCirW2QOF_dnScpICD5sXOz2ySblnUGbpH8UIvzPUBHr0xi1iyyPL7QVhZrb0sb1uBXwo6h4DLm3KUUSOfZTfFdg4lpj9I9dGpc99GtxV7v7g3Mc4O6GSoRMgKo8Sr6b/s640/end+of+year-0657.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
Celebrating <a href="https://joyfullyweary.blogspot.com/2017/02/little-ladys-tea-party.html?q=tea">Little Lady's 6th birthday</a>.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyflEdr3GA91rpzenQ6NrP17gdIeVXF3VIngwHzu0a6hB10VqFxZaei7bgJGqTJqwmYZ-SdlVyFTt_tj0L7UzjtczUV3yov2ZVDVhFAD6cGKxsQ4zEMdJItkVmtklICdRsL3wL57FP-Pp1/s1600/end+of+year-0659.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyflEdr3GA91rpzenQ6NrP17gdIeVXF3VIngwHzu0a6hB10VqFxZaei7bgJGqTJqwmYZ-SdlVyFTt_tj0L7UzjtczUV3yov2ZVDVhFAD6cGKxsQ4zEMdJItkVmtklICdRsL3wL57FP-Pp1/s640/end+of+year-0659.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
A <a href="https://joyfullyweary.blogspot.com/2017/03/daddy-daughter-dance.html?q=dance">Daddy daughter ball.</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyXaqR20rTsimCNFPQf2bK6YHXn3gEble-EnX10tSZAcW31UGP4X3WRM9Dm7CJ2-_kiSEa3fzfkBDily_QoKGxqjdXx-sRz8WHzUFZO4FgOFx_pBoIErv_ai6nu8ZIITllnAxN0WMfl8Ix/s1600/end+of+year-0659-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyXaqR20rTsimCNFPQf2bK6YHXn3gEble-EnX10tSZAcW31UGP4X3WRM9Dm7CJ2-_kiSEa3fzfkBDily_QoKGxqjdXx-sRz8WHzUFZO4FgOFx_pBoIErv_ai6nu8ZIITllnAxN0WMfl8Ix/s640/end+of+year-0659-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Soccer games...with the cutest goalie ever. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAfcPJBtj7MAmUmHzGzX644ZVbg0aLFWJCNsjlU4-T4FHzcCqfpJjh8p5B2KFXw66AdGWTdaD4PU60GZPFTHcvSpzUZk5k7TYYxJGyqYU56sNizbcyD032T7ZTvJYAN-v2EdVSzUNl4FoD/s1600/end+of+year-0013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1281" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAfcPJBtj7MAmUmHzGzX644ZVbg0aLFWJCNsjlU4-T4FHzcCqfpJjh8p5B2KFXw66AdGWTdaD4PU60GZPFTHcvSpzUZk5k7TYYxJGyqYU56sNizbcyD032T7ZTvJYAN-v2EdVSzUNl4FoD/s640/end+of+year-0013.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Praising the LORD that the spring storms didn't cause any real damage. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaftA3DnVvh2fRxKy51A_MlYuV0n_HJgyC2Z9q3f6sWYTUQRMfYxLwLLx7o66DN3TaDZERdn14wfUkJqj2BRPARA_yaD6gcPokI5GgYJOBN4UaLWpe-7B5EPlkhaU43C3uILbn36QLYmSv/s1600/end+of+year-0166.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1281" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaftA3DnVvh2fRxKy51A_MlYuV0n_HJgyC2Z9q3f6sWYTUQRMfYxLwLLx7o66DN3TaDZERdn14wfUkJqj2BRPARA_yaD6gcPokI5GgYJOBN4UaLWpe-7B5EPlkhaU43C3uILbn36QLYmSv/s640/end+of+year-0166.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2DJii99cxk5BFgiElh9onJwVrD6696xyqgvEeg6KRAfXYOV1HJ3ocb1GUSdPoPS8L-rtKZV2iWzcI2Dou9D9ZX91AKU3mYLxj5QN6rZeK_MzwNoJckKycw2E_6GqviEAfJ6fixKtBIGvR/s1600/end+of+year-0180.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2DJii99cxk5BFgiElh9onJwVrD6696xyqgvEeg6KRAfXYOV1HJ3ocb1GUSdPoPS8L-rtKZV2iWzcI2Dou9D9ZX91AKU3mYLxj5QN6rZeK_MzwNoJckKycw2E_6GqviEAfJ6fixKtBIGvR/s640/end+of+year-0180.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Dance recitals. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixgYyLjBPvouFLPcWXTlYYT-4kTfBul6-Ix6OAvoQACnKVHR5Kfj1uy_i0CCQSWw8qpHGIcU_brhwxVm26gpUQEQ4p2QaLjKFIWCpkHy3DLAqqL_5Cdf4kS_cNzkJKPenal1K7eijcAg0R/s1600/end+of+year-33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1281" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixgYyLjBPvouFLPcWXTlYYT-4kTfBul6-Ix6OAvoQACnKVHR5Kfj1uy_i0CCQSWw8qpHGIcU_brhwxVm26gpUQEQ4p2QaLjKFIWCpkHy3DLAqqL_5Cdf4kS_cNzkJKPenal1K7eijcAg0R/s640/end+of+year-33.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
BabyZ falling in love with books. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM_xZa6BKXAGjuUzIR22BykKxzu_hJhrSYZjijjnQhJb2scRz0r0QfbvILovNFJl_yQ1ixdAj6UlAraw4Mx4-X-l9h1g5T2sVUUuSyzW4xOr1eRPI9mijRvicvkIA4DPWEu4R8anVHtMn_/s1600/end+of+year-0068.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1281" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM_xZa6BKXAGjuUzIR22BykKxzu_hJhrSYZjijjnQhJb2scRz0r0QfbvILovNFJl_yQ1ixdAj6UlAraw4Mx4-X-l9h1g5T2sVUUuSyzW4xOr1eRPI9mijRvicvkIA4DPWEu4R8anVHtMn_/s640/end+of+year-0068.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmJaFp2o1b9RAuJrZ6FqU5CIvJS_-Iyh1769H6_g81MIIGIISBsey0VXjO7Kn9-_1iumYqKII5KW5E0Gghi7vdxrfS_fUjY5juPWaOTCF_ZAS1MTLQmAjVzDrz7-prEqynBI66iEx0FvJT/s1600/end+of+year-32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmJaFp2o1b9RAuJrZ6FqU5CIvJS_-Iyh1769H6_g81MIIGIISBsey0VXjO7Kn9-_1iumYqKII5KW5E0Gghi7vdxrfS_fUjY5juPWaOTCF_ZAS1MTLQmAjVzDrz7-prEqynBI66iEx0FvJT/s640/end+of+year-32.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Mini Man climbing everything. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAamzx5wsY-gHDi3D0Pgg-o5K0lOfieP6UmsOy9gvME3WAJNwXGzQJg5yol0efNytbG7dT3HDoNUxJi0uDXgR9BF7Ib65xjLaDaFXXMuBg47oJFrhz7GT9zERml39Y1_JCQ7F_46AFqrHf/s1600/end+of+year-120259.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAamzx5wsY-gHDi3D0Pgg-o5K0lOfieP6UmsOy9gvME3WAJNwXGzQJg5yol0efNytbG7dT3HDoNUxJi0uDXgR9BF7Ib65xjLaDaFXXMuBg47oJFrhz7GT9zERml39Y1_JCQ7F_46AFqrHf/s640/end+of+year-120259.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM1sduZ6-TTHwujP-pan8ZkkYRQ4gnrTvleNVDVS56Rcs2htvu5VzwXqL4WI6dxuybDyP-nEUB4RKDObmD8LelFnsP753L7r9HHFEMASVrwuw7DoMDV_w5XOrcfxUkNammUtZ3Rl-BwEet/s1600/end+of+year-0205.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM1sduZ6-TTHwujP-pan8ZkkYRQ4gnrTvleNVDVS56Rcs2htvu5VzwXqL4WI6dxuybDyP-nEUB4RKDObmD8LelFnsP753L7r9HHFEMASVrwuw7DoMDV_w5XOrcfxUkNammUtZ3Rl-BwEet/s640/end+of+year-0205.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Strawberry picking. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl4JpvELwxtVGtpyN0qf_oo4NzyGyZt0QB3NPsX5BIMrReMBP-ZWYtbYdOWIQxoYgF9Dq_0emMVKPckMHmYn2DyOpizuVKlzjn8LzSSsfosYRExMTGFprGQfJ4tJP7wfB3SzoxT-ws5eHe/s1600/end+of+year-550.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1281" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl4JpvELwxtVGtpyN0qf_oo4NzyGyZt0QB3NPsX5BIMrReMBP-ZWYtbYdOWIQxoYgF9Dq_0emMVKPckMHmYn2DyOpizuVKlzjn8LzSSsfosYRExMTGFprGQfJ4tJP7wfB3SzoxT-ws5eHe/s640/end+of+year-550.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqtXEr2pheaFyg8b_l4wjmbvZWOd8wTfj0ybO9BtBshSnXTWAYd9_7k149EGI8MAtnyw9EG5rt7yPraYJHMEIVhhB4jYs7G8eoLK51GMZ__7suZmeXLyyjQUkjnnwiFJ9ygDrm-L_DbhcF/s1600/end+of+year-0126.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqtXEr2pheaFyg8b_l4wjmbvZWOd8wTfj0ybO9BtBshSnXTWAYd9_7k149EGI8MAtnyw9EG5rt7yPraYJHMEIVhhB4jYs7G8eoLK51GMZ__7suZmeXLyyjQUkjnnwiFJ9ygDrm-L_DbhcF/s640/end+of+year-0126.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://joyfullyweary.blogspot.com/2017/06/lake-egypt-and-family.html?q=lake">Trips to Lake Egypt </a>to spend time with family. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhccLTLk1vmlwhqGvaAunZd9Dm6y9gqtTrO4LpNZ5R8BIsFGUiuDgLrUD5BbS0IyyX1R-ydUAWTri76SnHJ9THZ9EWK2QuMMbllb2pIXbyALyPEZZe8-3pzQmf1HQzHqgBNNQ0YYeyNNLvg/s1600/end+of+year-0295.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhccLTLk1vmlwhqGvaAunZd9Dm6y9gqtTrO4LpNZ5R8BIsFGUiuDgLrUD5BbS0IyyX1R-ydUAWTri76SnHJ9THZ9EWK2QuMMbllb2pIXbyALyPEZZe8-3pzQmf1HQzHqgBNNQ0YYeyNNLvg/s640/end+of+year-0295.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Fourth of July traditions.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihkPYGsqahgaPkhcDJEZOUIvN1cyMFA5H5O5cRnyfpY3W4SIliwl6bLMwVukxFnsssDF-sQ4jxshuRV7yM7yMe4LA_8SqLcj_rddvVYjZJvP46BzsylmCginxTc5oKQ3Ej73PcdlKvi8dF/s1600/end+of+year-211202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihkPYGsqahgaPkhcDJEZOUIvN1cyMFA5H5O5cRnyfpY3W4SIliwl6bLMwVukxFnsssDF-sQ4jxshuRV7yM7yMe4LA_8SqLcj_rddvVYjZJvP46BzsylmCginxTc5oKQ3Ej73PcdlKvi8dF/s640/end+of+year-211202.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Visiting all the ice cream shops in our area. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWk6Cm04nfzzgGXDm438nrCjmpZSqzdo5IEnvuC2rcqZw3N1Wd7fSyNBpDnd9T_EpRGyPMxgiaFgFxsrzAl3tskhwPjG_TG1WMS54HKPP6YpnZqg2a7jURmpyKwEH1YeiUwK9QJotj5Gcw/s1600/end+of+year-0029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWk6Cm04nfzzgGXDm438nrCjmpZSqzdo5IEnvuC2rcqZw3N1Wd7fSyNBpDnd9T_EpRGyPMxgiaFgFxsrzAl3tskhwPjG_TG1WMS54HKPP6YpnZqg2a7jURmpyKwEH1YeiUwK9QJotj5Gcw/s640/end+of+year-0029.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://joyfullyweary.blogspot.com/2017/09/10-year-birthday-in-st-louis.html?q=st+louis">Big Buddy's 10th birthday trip</a>. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlmln1C2nVoJ35WGJa118h4UNHuN4fO0RgHcf7jc5JlKGC_5x8-odCzkkw2yAkbAV_GdMbLsl-PqlnKMiOds2NUC2EOsGXDlBo8knz47p8WAijwAX3GnXyzyZAwfr3r7RrCtfE4faI-oPn/s1600/end+of+year-131859.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1281" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlmln1C2nVoJ35WGJa118h4UNHuN4fO0RgHcf7jc5JlKGC_5x8-odCzkkw2yAkbAV_GdMbLsl-PqlnKMiOds2NUC2EOsGXDlBo8knz47p8WAijwAX3GnXyzyZAwfr3r7RrCtfE4faI-oPn/s640/end+of+year-131859.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5bJ2wYMOl44ykb4VDAjZuFW5y4lckgP43pvAxHp4SFaeQPj1JgB331XrbDl3bGd0wY5Pol-tSQLHIE5GohRfReZkQCk8JTPwmTfniKolQeXrxXusuwcPLR7ThKv6a-ZHlNMEKr7w769c9/s1600/end+of+year-441.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5bJ2wYMOl44ykb4VDAjZuFW5y4lckgP43pvAxHp4SFaeQPj1JgB331XrbDl3bGd0wY5Pol-tSQLHIE5GohRfReZkQCk8JTPwmTfniKolQeXrxXusuwcPLR7ThKv6a-ZHlNMEKr7w769c9/s640/end+of+year-441.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Lots of hikes.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh28wcq-Au2816L6yrnMdvvnYejBPY5QftUueW7GVzPqSKcY_LKJixZxNCH_LqgmkHFQn4_1tl323csJmu_jg70McJnurK0tT0Fn0rLlhtz3USEHj-v0fhtLfQVKLzsbSSv6sEEebWcEu73/s1600/end+of+year-0058.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh28wcq-Au2816L6yrnMdvvnYejBPY5QftUueW7GVzPqSKcY_LKJixZxNCH_LqgmkHFQn4_1tl323csJmu_jg70McJnurK0tT0Fn0rLlhtz3USEHj-v0fhtLfQVKLzsbSSv6sEEebWcEu73/s640/end+of+year-0058.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYL9eqarQTsGPbWHpbEeyBHhu9fqOSD6Fq1w5Qn-SUSQDrYYtJ0U04HxPEFqOEtf5dXHJp5n6iE9aWiCzmyG1998PmZVAp-U7kvxEbDo32vIUHlk0cTtU0uwVCg7EYPsxVbLiOWcHY4vWR/s1600/end+of+year-0061.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1281" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYL9eqarQTsGPbWHpbEeyBHhu9fqOSD6Fq1w5Qn-SUSQDrYYtJ0U04HxPEFqOEtf5dXHJp5n6iE9aWiCzmyG1998PmZVAp-U7kvxEbDo32vIUHlk0cTtU0uwVCg7EYPsxVbLiOWcHY4vWR/s640/end+of+year-0061.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvlGJKXVzR_hRwhmiOemdMhwEZs-AtJpGsnbDF8iMKqPr6oqb2Jxx8GhyZAIHn8pOsA2cmL6dSUjcBdahg_k_RHx6QqBlinYt4O8RieV4VtSWb0U9dFtM9FsQ9iZo-zQ8RXh5FDaKtX3At/s1600/end+of+year-0003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvlGJKXVzR_hRwhmiOemdMhwEZs-AtJpGsnbDF8iMKqPr6oqb2Jxx8GhyZAIHn8pOsA2cmL6dSUjcBdahg_k_RHx6QqBlinYt4O8RieV4VtSWb0U9dFtM9FsQ9iZo-zQ8RXh5FDaKtX3At/s640/end+of+year-0003.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4xj8mZhLZx4cmBwEFrEzYS017MZJejB1NkRJOHKsoQ7mPv3R2rGveRms9v05pQEU5JQJQtTdb7HLxJuwTfGh_35nuotRgaGurS37ilV9IXam8CQFLXMAuQ8kb7f9EGVg3OiQxrNlj0kYo/s1600/end+of+year-0014-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4xj8mZhLZx4cmBwEFrEzYS017MZJejB1NkRJOHKsoQ7mPv3R2rGveRms9v05pQEU5JQJQtTdb7HLxJuwTfGh_35nuotRgaGurS37ilV9IXam8CQFLXMAuQ8kb7f9EGVg3OiQxrNlj0kYo/s640/end+of+year-0014-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_VN60UBLMqz94WoOqKPJBrOMPEFbony-e3ePp1btRRjy4OmGavwmi0tZIO2N5EQXh7unc1xJj_sIxaBCuMXqnW7n8f5rvwc34huikpEdhap8Naoj7lkL3YYdj9uPRdPGQBNNZgs8P7rVy/s1600/end+of+year-0733.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_VN60UBLMqz94WoOqKPJBrOMPEFbony-e3ePp1btRRjy4OmGavwmi0tZIO2N5EQXh7unc1xJj_sIxaBCuMXqnW7n8f5rvwc34huikpEdhap8Naoj7lkL3YYdj9uPRdPGQBNNZgs8P7rVy/s640/end+of+year-0733.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkVXf8NE6ouYK1SEFwLObR1WO47p2UwIpMUdgmIIRsOfmLa7hEqzvEZ-QLZtRYUCxKsViWqhjuPhhrjQKDSXmao2y1WvvZakeZERz-8Qj6rRzP15C5tHfFCCfZyuXrEH1VVqQBdIHpMxsi/s1600/end+of+year-0750.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkVXf8NE6ouYK1SEFwLObR1WO47p2UwIpMUdgmIIRsOfmLa7hEqzvEZ-QLZtRYUCxKsViWqhjuPhhrjQKDSXmao2y1WvvZakeZERz-8Qj6rRzP15C5tHfFCCfZyuXrEH1VVqQBdIHpMxsi/s640/end+of+year-0750.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJJR27sYIMm3fne5hT-_fgramuZOW-n837i6fmSSRJAxmCMU0MJk0yLa0ulIZ9GcoO_oOuBaMeKYPDumltUTPA1odBfL-UVrzlE6jVffo90P-t0l5w0xttao1hOld653jBt7f6vvfqQkhg/s1600/end+of+year-0783.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1281" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJJR27sYIMm3fne5hT-_fgramuZOW-n837i6fmSSRJAxmCMU0MJk0yLa0ulIZ9GcoO_oOuBaMeKYPDumltUTPA1odBfL-UVrzlE6jVffo90P-t0l5w0xttao1hOld653jBt7f6vvfqQkhg/s640/end+of+year-0783.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihZDRbIGeelZ-x82QPTdKA7D_Yi1ve-vsYstIub5VboOKHNHNIeDwzj9vBFW2cwMow00FJNVqCTjrXgUVr8XqBs9PJBP0zOxFHy-nSCLFJaU5Dv7uJs8wcaooFElKWUIkjT0j2jBUwBu_p/s1600/end+of+year-882.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1281" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihZDRbIGeelZ-x82QPTdKA7D_Yi1ve-vsYstIub5VboOKHNHNIeDwzj9vBFW2cwMow00FJNVqCTjrXgUVr8XqBs9PJBP0zOxFHy-nSCLFJaU5Dv7uJs8wcaooFElKWUIkjT0j2jBUwBu_p/s640/end+of+year-882.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Mini Man's 8th birthday.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgSsF2Tlxiy_W0MX4ZZA-EOKbARyHa4_Gv7tD1KI4ZdVpn9Xq0ixRvRss0nx9oeoIIt91jMuUO_kFqfzKzhV6W90NyoocDm0gjSXpEFvY5QcXk9IocLR5JvmPWlUF9m-KZOsXnjyXz-vWr/s1600/end+of+year-0008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgSsF2Tlxiy_W0MX4ZZA-EOKbARyHa4_Gv7tD1KI4ZdVpn9Xq0ixRvRss0nx9oeoIIt91jMuUO_kFqfzKzhV6W90NyoocDm0gjSXpEFvY5QcXk9IocLR5JvmPWlUF9m-KZOsXnjyXz-vWr/s640/end+of+year-0008.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
Camping with cousins.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxQZLK69YP4r6e-g0kUr41IPoqYsSfApKzxHuhVLFYw_32jisCFXqrrDNs-3F7ce8K9cveOMCnfIqK6pv1E5OBn0uILEj7ADL7AbJeyCcRMreQWzlejokc8W0u74qM0zE_vlXcufz_32ra/s1600/end+of+year-0228.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1281" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxQZLK69YP4r6e-g0kUr41IPoqYsSfApKzxHuhVLFYw_32jisCFXqrrDNs-3F7ce8K9cveOMCnfIqK6pv1E5OBn0uILEj7ADL7AbJeyCcRMreQWzlejokc8W0u74qM0zE_vlXcufz_32ra/s640/end+of+year-0228.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZGS0eOJjHZ0TZ_xla6vpaUTWCMRNAhzZHKK6Xp1GggqK3Di4GFmmzIz5YpbGTQ31kSQooyxHOCCsvYekFgtVfp6AEeJXRd5CT6eTYB8J16RBq5taltqap3gl7iXuYoGaOFr9waRLjzoeT/s1600/end+of+year-0109.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZGS0eOJjHZ0TZ_xla6vpaUTWCMRNAhzZHKK6Xp1GggqK3Di4GFmmzIz5YpbGTQ31kSQooyxHOCCsvYekFgtVfp6AEeJXRd5CT6eTYB8J16RBq5taltqap3gl7iXuYoGaOFr9waRLjzoeT/s640/end+of+year-0109.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://joyfullyweary.blogspot.com/2017/10/picking-apples.html?q=apple+picking">Apple picking</a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7vDsdg8mVgvGVeWmPegFsCamXoa4ezo5QxHNtAd5zQAwQfB0BhgvecMb3akAfwXy7pMcCMGyRZ0C53z4sr2B8NOEsllUfnX-QSKZaS8ZcUk4CUBqGxDo4mys0bMrejOs8wEcsgmTk46_-/s1600/end+of+year-0044.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7vDsdg8mVgvGVeWmPegFsCamXoa4ezo5QxHNtAd5zQAwQfB0BhgvecMb3akAfwXy7pMcCMGyRZ0C53z4sr2B8NOEsllUfnX-QSKZaS8ZcUk4CUBqGxDo4mys0bMrejOs8wEcsgmTk46_-/s640/end+of+year-0044.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
House upkeep...some mundane and some exciting. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6QDl1j3udKQaxnrv_sJDJh_P64EjNDTPUtFdb83kHf5IzeeU3_UDHgou3asgvW5OrOEMI8Z827mp3mhlACIcVMiZdeOLcJWd6XxAr1-RcKmYbC9HgCbG6ItUdCGCkX2uHb8FhhCS0AQdB/s1600/end+of+year-0013-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6QDl1j3udKQaxnrv_sJDJh_P64EjNDTPUtFdb83kHf5IzeeU3_UDHgou3asgvW5OrOEMI8Z827mp3mhlACIcVMiZdeOLcJWd6XxAr1-RcKmYbC9HgCbG6ItUdCGCkX2uHb8FhhCS0AQdB/s640/end+of+year-0013-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiScIDYTMGAh-tS-cLsd_MbiTXTYCJB4a0A81wk-SYqQavr7QKrEFZyB3pqAPAex9UHMr99pG1ep5r4jDZ5AOEd0PVu8OWMdspYkaGpz0ZP8hg66U_MRnLEanhCgG_PKO2ctAiMVFnbOUp0/s1600/end+of+year-192559.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1281" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiScIDYTMGAh-tS-cLsd_MbiTXTYCJB4a0A81wk-SYqQavr7QKrEFZyB3pqAPAex9UHMr99pG1ep5r4jDZ5AOEd0PVu8OWMdspYkaGpz0ZP8hg66U_MRnLEanhCgG_PKO2ctAiMVFnbOUp0/s640/end+of+year-192559.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT8x_0ljRSv22mQFTQDJi5mTKuY4M3wuRv6eUpWRRf9TExpRaTklgnSPveqAP7wchMh03WK3C010fTgfeq1E08k15475LLDZCZhQVmdOrQ5TCd5C0BUshnSmML-gSkHbeAedMjGnL5T4HT/s1600/end+of+year-0017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT8x_0ljRSv22mQFTQDJi5mTKuY4M3wuRv6eUpWRRf9TExpRaTklgnSPveqAP7wchMh03WK3C010fTgfeq1E08k15475LLDZCZhQVmdOrQ5TCd5C0BUshnSmML-gSkHbeAedMjGnL5T4HT/s640/end+of+year-0017.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpTcOa3CcV_QnM_qbJV3IVGl2WMIM3yEthd6P0SrSp_gIw-tgbHOYBY2rdVxH_UTUq7qTt6S0oe5YJPHROeqgtUJUd7o9qti5C5pywY8tJGoKAm5hl5A36Cs8aBRcXXjQNVpn1xkHxTyrs/s1600/end+of+year-0024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpTcOa3CcV_QnM_qbJV3IVGl2WMIM3yEthd6P0SrSp_gIw-tgbHOYBY2rdVxH_UTUq7qTt6S0oe5YJPHROeqgtUJUd7o9qti5C5pywY8tJGoKAm5hl5A36Cs8aBRcXXjQNVpn1xkHxTyrs/s640/end+of+year-0024.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Homeschool days. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJkFfslXyGiJAiPeAShJWYmtiQsDiYFIyZ0_bZ4YdpC0CglBR6U5c3KXs9lq-KR62INAxQAJCyAPDg80i3w1-Y5IV04Jlt6tmJ6ynZ1p7TTmDySj2LZRjBr5kQWHSlaXmH5lKhdk6lKv5j/s1600/end+of+year-657.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1281" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJkFfslXyGiJAiPeAShJWYmtiQsDiYFIyZ0_bZ4YdpC0CglBR6U5c3KXs9lq-KR62INAxQAJCyAPDg80i3w1-Y5IV04Jlt6tmJ6ynZ1p7TTmDySj2LZRjBr5kQWHSlaXmH5lKhdk6lKv5j/s640/end+of+year-657.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho-nNGZxpe6yH77iWuLfvYYvIenetFcr19IzsgdHqpGQJAgJjLOqtvreavztA8W_Nxfx1db_YtqdpG8qIclo88aCUi8ZNIQzOKSf_uUzTfnPDDfU1_DRuebusSsWag3mJyJh5Oh8KW9bIk/s1600/end+of+year-54.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho-nNGZxpe6yH77iWuLfvYYvIenetFcr19IzsgdHqpGQJAgJjLOqtvreavztA8W_Nxfx1db_YtqdpG8qIclo88aCUi8ZNIQzOKSf_uUzTfnPDDfU1_DRuebusSsWag3mJyJh5Oh8KW9bIk/s640/end+of+year-54.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr6In8rOGHJ_ACOu-3cZgi3G0uqC5ThKIlpF7UoMNbnFeQ0swVCJ4HN02IGfSykqij5TsFk8UzZHuvJ-RqSPvWTx8AR6x60-eVuqh2H7ukRKlyJKrLMSgs2BXxjuQdNRyZkqmMzCp8ddhY/s1600/end+of+year-0025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr6In8rOGHJ_ACOu-3cZgi3G0uqC5ThKIlpF7UoMNbnFeQ0swVCJ4HN02IGfSykqij5TsFk8UzZHuvJ-RqSPvWTx8AR6x60-eVuqh2H7ukRKlyJKrLMSgs2BXxjuQdNRyZkqmMzCp8ddhY/s640/end+of+year-0025.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfHLT7TiRAnVpl5qlskpzYhuW14-eF0OCkvZX6bIqALN4pNWnesAb4HPfYe8mHFRJ_QuR3NNxlG3iw73Kh9k0mvDSnmI8Hx2DDtPtzWjX-CKK_YZd_wemZ3OR5AUCJxMFt_oKrSbODdjmA/s1600/end+of+year-0649.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfHLT7TiRAnVpl5qlskpzYhuW14-eF0OCkvZX6bIqALN4pNWnesAb4HPfYe8mHFRJ_QuR3NNxlG3iw73Kh9k0mvDSnmI8Hx2DDtPtzWjX-CKK_YZd_wemZ3OR5AUCJxMFt_oKrSbODdjmA/s640/end+of+year-0649.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ZbiEUsr69haUWhoUgq0S6gAtFi2EVktElyhwIq48ERKobiHj5_jExZbLA31DPAZa-ASfyAXI-jz9Mow_xcIGSaxo4JSqhEPHR8L0m9lgvi7aXvMRQuTfqZl1xT9pXy9PwgUEX-BaNgZK/s1600/end+of+year-0247.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1281" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ZbiEUsr69haUWhoUgq0S6gAtFi2EVktElyhwIq48ERKobiHj5_jExZbLA31DPAZa-ASfyAXI-jz9Mow_xcIGSaxo4JSqhEPHR8L0m9lgvi7aXvMRQuTfqZl1xT9pXy9PwgUEX-BaNgZK/s640/end+of+year-0247.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Homeschool field-trips</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8WTkTed0yo1Xneg_M5ohXBhs3zUBKs37T0n8zvps25L0KQrNwfzaZDXJSlr6G9GfPaiUnJdnz4DYqOd0Qy7dfjQNY6zajq8NpB59AIUYoiiNlqA0ZUi_iZKop1-gYQOVjOLqZdbh6riTx/s1600/end+of+year-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1031" data-original-width="825" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8WTkTed0yo1Xneg_M5ohXBhs3zUBKs37T0n8zvps25L0KQrNwfzaZDXJSlr6G9GfPaiUnJdnz4DYqOd0Qy7dfjQNY6zajq8NpB59AIUYoiiNlqA0ZUi_iZKop1-gYQOVjOLqZdbh6riTx/s640/end+of+year-001.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiImGMGJrlsMZPZObBEJ9AerOrDqdjtKAqxyekNKbxw-zbXxCC0XgY9W4OD5TCYMlpSvI9e25wrLII4lBc47ULpMpQASQVkHqFKuqalJ5w5hP1tZg_E1BMvRjo1fEv07i1N-UxHLjqWYbF5/s1600/end+of+year-0104.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1281" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiImGMGJrlsMZPZObBEJ9AerOrDqdjtKAqxyekNKbxw-zbXxCC0XgY9W4OD5TCYMlpSvI9e25wrLII4lBc47ULpMpQASQVkHqFKuqalJ5w5hP1tZg_E1BMvRjo1fEv07i1N-UxHLjqWYbF5/s640/end+of+year-0104.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0RlFb6u7A_Jhb2kT2BN4cmr4A2J2a6BsHPKwWwI8mz2FakRh5Aoqr8fsPg1Sm_guQT90UQs0_ol5Lh4FXc1ObXvHv2I8qdBu9b31t-WwCupo5_7L728gqX_6QSnHwu6O1Q5LVbh_mD6hZ/s1600/end+of+year-554.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1281" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0RlFb6u7A_Jhb2kT2BN4cmr4A2J2a6BsHPKwWwI8mz2FakRh5Aoqr8fsPg1Sm_guQT90UQs0_ol5Lh4FXc1ObXvHv2I8qdBu9b31t-WwCupo5_7L728gqX_6QSnHwu6O1Q5LVbh_mD6hZ/s640/end+of+year-554.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeIXdAHfJsGIh8_sdeouGQ6nFFbsrDrvzNG6SUNtIJ27xYWGZk_BMjPteFa7v-uKfQEMMOYJ4sZYTdlNxndqA_lWlGu4otXOqrVbuid9TIyM0f3L4Io2f82WUQHfzqpcB9noR5EenlmQKo/s1600/end+of+year-0277.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1237" data-original-width="1600" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeIXdAHfJsGIh8_sdeouGQ6nFFbsrDrvzNG6SUNtIJ27xYWGZk_BMjPteFa7v-uKfQEMMOYJ4sZYTdlNxndqA_lWlGu4otXOqrVbuid9TIyM0f3L4Io2f82WUQHfzqpcB9noR5EenlmQKo/s640/end+of+year-0277.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRPNfWI2WuQ24G7XKjs4senoQorCp4lPE7dlhWgixVy9JvAm8MiYycRdPEcKGFr39eaMKo5Ge50rcMzaUICXGluyjew_RiwrpRaVW1XSHO1hnRLtG_7FkP6c0fADxrZV6tFi9MKFFxvF8n/s1600/end+of+year-0014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRPNfWI2WuQ24G7XKjs4senoQorCp4lPE7dlhWgixVy9JvAm8MiYycRdPEcKGFr39eaMKo5Ge50rcMzaUICXGluyjew_RiwrpRaVW1XSHO1hnRLtG_7FkP6c0fADxrZV6tFi9MKFFxvF8n/s640/end+of+year-0014.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<a href="https://joyfullyweary.blogspot.com/2017/11/harry-potter-halloween.html?q=harry+potter">Wizarding World costumes</a>.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitmDUgds2f9pf8Z_WUd4Q8lHsxVBIJZtPAeRhiWdOecafZYPmX-QnW80a8_cyGrMjZ611Zb1uSridnXH9gFijFeDC1wxTRs2BhMeuYRk_QWKCWRNZ_bVq2L-jzje7k-gEn5EJTf1onTVj3/s1600/end+of+year-0009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitmDUgds2f9pf8Z_WUd4Q8lHsxVBIJZtPAeRhiWdOecafZYPmX-QnW80a8_cyGrMjZ611Zb1uSridnXH9gFijFeDC1wxTRs2BhMeuYRk_QWKCWRNZ_bVq2L-jzje7k-gEn5EJTf1onTVj3/s640/end+of+year-0009.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLnlyJRroUHwuNyFoZLD5LH6wQzpatEuFLZDbWM4xSRzqiHis3OC1iKRygJ73OKoxEHuPi_bWzPR_ZNvX972ccG51cHmDhz1JroWwwFcugwwcoNdRrGOxXY8JL8GEdkBNrYYTfrCCOXAre/s1600/end+of+year-0482.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1281" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLnlyJRroUHwuNyFoZLD5LH6wQzpatEuFLZDbWM4xSRzqiHis3OC1iKRygJ73OKoxEHuPi_bWzPR_ZNvX972ccG51cHmDhz1JroWwwFcugwwcoNdRrGOxXY8JL8GEdkBNrYYTfrCCOXAre/s640/end+of+year-0482.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
The kiddos, much to Jer's relief, FINALLY falling in love with basketball.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZOifeEuXI9kE1JetyP3xjbx4hlcXIJpJbnuTaZDlOnDNZge0ggOzgG2HauO0J2Npgv6Y-zvnofEAlXUCXbUraaxmD8ee1iB5KKX5M023cV9ruBObvNeeE8psnGCh8hpSsYTscQSEWrSqD/s1600/end+of+year-167.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="864" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZOifeEuXI9kE1JetyP3xjbx4hlcXIJpJbnuTaZDlOnDNZge0ggOzgG2HauO0J2Npgv6Y-zvnofEAlXUCXbUraaxmD8ee1iB5KKX5M023cV9ruBObvNeeE8psnGCh8hpSsYTscQSEWrSqD/s640/end+of+year-167.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Old and new Thanksgiving traditions.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVhc_i8yGPkS3o7Z-52PHpx2sAXzu3FOtGTuaGYS6-gvXVe4QjTdWWntcKp3uM9k88QI-4I_mZ2u8xuBp6XzfLvmbVe-Kuyq7qvK4xM817LmkHpNXpq9YQ_9hcfmnki-ifIlPk9uN9_sRD/s1600/end+of+year-52.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1281" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVhc_i8yGPkS3o7Z-52PHpx2sAXzu3FOtGTuaGYS6-gvXVe4QjTdWWntcKp3uM9k88QI-4I_mZ2u8xuBp6XzfLvmbVe-Kuyq7qvK4xM817LmkHpNXpq9YQ_9hcfmnki-ifIlPk9uN9_sRD/s640/end+of+year-52.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
Annual <a href="https://joyfullyweary.blogspot.com/2017/11/christmas-tree-2017.html?q=tree+hunt">Christmas tree hunt</a>.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR3Gu0zDNmu3gi-6wMnpwQjeTPkDZ199IZa2V0X6pcEOsfqT9V7C1l4U2IyzA-DwyRDbmBso8OPTbHmzc2l8kyAeDxEPcgeLSxFMmLzos0p-gszD-ep1rnLzWguwzkE4nIWX2os4a-PVx1/s1600/end+of+year-0194.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR3Gu0zDNmu3gi-6wMnpwQjeTPkDZ199IZa2V0X6pcEOsfqT9V7C1l4U2IyzA-DwyRDbmBso8OPTbHmzc2l8kyAeDxEPcgeLSxFMmLzos0p-gszD-ep1rnLzWguwzkE4nIWX2os4a-PVx1/s640/end+of+year-0194.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
BabyZ is two!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTutiHpe92ZbBA0b-e3LYu4oygCrXe_yj-TtpaDqtz_mW5kmEYm7euWo1s6zXLfsKpYxKJ0RQwiT1HVZ8Qvg9QsWcbvOaVMFgbtbxxm4TxMlKs36Zq4GT6RPnELPI8xgUVS_yxcrbpoXwy/s1600/end+of+year-.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTutiHpe92ZbBA0b-e3LYu4oygCrXe_yj-TtpaDqtz_mW5kmEYm7euWo1s6zXLfsKpYxKJ0RQwiT1HVZ8Qvg9QsWcbvOaVMFgbtbxxm4TxMlKs36Zq4GT6RPnELPI8xgUVS_yxcrbpoXwy/s640/end+of+year-.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://joyfullyweary.blogspot.com/search/label/christmas">More Christmas traditions</a>. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4FnpjLzKXOFjn2rWPSelBEChRT1GeKE2P1KUdvyKKEQWIpZl6J8p5cMcZtiWuPtrJKcolfsglQbZjQt4jdHpdwmKqUhqtmQjMmubUIX8TK46SN0wz6I-EeLn_hHyQ9spfrY6Yf2jKdqNR/s1600/end+of+year-0305.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4FnpjLzKXOFjn2rWPSelBEChRT1GeKE2P1KUdvyKKEQWIpZl6J8p5cMcZtiWuPtrJKcolfsglQbZjQt4jdHpdwmKqUhqtmQjMmubUIX8TK46SN0wz6I-EeLn_hHyQ9spfrY6Yf2jKdqNR/s640/end+of+year-0305.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2jyoqJTmipJIxe6_KNDKrtw2fMNH7GJUq9b84h5R5Agwa21uJk5oSH-r5tJHqSA60LVrqOBNNOssxXPMuHrKrN0hWjVTqbMyZ22NYo-ZNr0yi8e5h4CtptoH9MbuesZ7rCTsaxNKj7ipP/s1600/end+of+year-0272.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2jyoqJTmipJIxe6_KNDKrtw2fMNH7GJUq9b84h5R5Agwa21uJk5oSH-r5tJHqSA60LVrqOBNNOssxXPMuHrKrN0hWjVTqbMyZ22NYo-ZNr0yi8e5h4CtptoH9MbuesZ7rCTsaxNKj7ipP/s640/end+of+year-0272.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVH_SsEMXWcnq7tf1iQ9owX7JHKCJwoOlnFsyqzWI1ZbzclciyIsuSjHJ5ErVd27X7EHt0piT6bTtWJ77EDR_Yz1UMBsBvBLoUFr-Olz9UJHig00S8zjoTpkpGK0ymFfIA2eSzCcwp9E2w/s1600/end+of+year-753.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1268" data-original-width="1014" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVH_SsEMXWcnq7tf1iQ9owX7JHKCJwoOlnFsyqzWI1ZbzclciyIsuSjHJ5ErVd27X7EHt0piT6bTtWJ77EDR_Yz1UMBsBvBLoUFr-Olz9UJHig00S8zjoTpkpGK0ymFfIA2eSzCcwp9E2w/s640/end+of+year-753.jpg" width="510" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMHQd3cPEdyqMhQhEDwk_MLi3HSVSmbbkgFzSLzd-aVYo4KcBkoNUgQckVWJfFZwbRuEqoGXmyaCX1LarBOtrWvoLiwqPj5FaaV9iplMCFIkO4me8HYSn6Y24c5tOw8gJDSXAJHZWUwoVE/s1600/end+of+year-0391.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMHQd3cPEdyqMhQhEDwk_MLi3HSVSmbbkgFzSLzd-aVYo4KcBkoNUgQckVWJfFZwbRuEqoGXmyaCX1LarBOtrWvoLiwqPj5FaaV9iplMCFIkO4me8HYSn6Y24c5tOw8gJDSXAJHZWUwoVE/s640/end+of+year-0391.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Celebrating another year of this wonderful man's life. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiASztZp0xkkUuu6a4IGWSKxbtG4NJZ0wwV3xiovQAUPqZpRIi6k1cn5yTAgIIHy83smoC7MXEseMTtI6UJACuBHYIdMZZdmkasTCanpQxsxBZ2z5G3mP3jMIHvVk_tvDwBmp2H7KK-GNmX/s1600/end+of+year-0624.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiASztZp0xkkUuu6a4IGWSKxbtG4NJZ0wwV3xiovQAUPqZpRIi6k1cn5yTAgIIHy83smoC7MXEseMTtI6UJACuBHYIdMZZdmkasTCanpQxsxBZ2z5G3mP3jMIHvVk_tvDwBmp2H7KK-GNmX/s640/end+of+year-0624.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Hoping your 2018 is light and joyful one but when the weariness and the darkness creeps in may you remember to turn to the one true light. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i> never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. </i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
-John 8:12-</div>
Rachel Kaylynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09114768437192098372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-559694926328998802.post-56884362258197976012017-12-28T23:33:00.000-06:002017-12-28T23:35:47.849-06:00Christmas 2018<div style="text-align: justify;">
We has such a good Christmas this year. I actually feel like we are still in the midst of it, Jer has until January 2nd off. Having him home is such a joy! Everybody is happier when he's at home, and everything just feels slower and more peaceful.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I wanted to share a few...ok maybe not a few... pictures of our Christmas. I'm also going to throw in some from the weekend we spent with Jer's family. You can see some pictures from the holiday celebration we had with my family <a href="https://joyfullyweary.blogspot.com/2017/12/christmas-at-backbone-state-park.html">here</a>.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnHsHwNjqi0fXVaQ-z8ulhZC8uLr5Y90JpfG-jDEM-dbhtFtp9vgBC4TZypjX-wBOev7JSPFrStyBmMQK7U6epOB-dIwPALlDpO9ErgjP5YZnjorox-m7RYNP6SAwepGTs55ADjL6Wo2dd/s1600/christmas-0101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnHsHwNjqi0fXVaQ-z8ulhZC8uLr5Y90JpfG-jDEM-dbhtFtp9vgBC4TZypjX-wBOev7JSPFrStyBmMQK7U6epOB-dIwPALlDpO9ErgjP5YZnjorox-m7RYNP6SAwepGTs55ADjL6Wo2dd/s640/christmas-0101.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The kids' favorite activity we did with Jer's family was building gingerbread houses. Some of the kiddos have celiac so we used <a href="https://www.kinnikinnick.com/index/glutenfree/shop/action/detail/productname/s%27moreables-graham-style-crackers/productidupc/62013300309">gluten-free graham crackers</a>. Each of the kiddos had their own tray to build a house, but Mini Man and Big Buddy decided to work together. They made a fort - it was really just a group of little boxes to dump candy aka weapons into.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7l7rXC03JWAfbTwlpHLqK1P9ldqz16TInGSiOZhyphenhyphenNjOXevk49IwGEyrJcQ4XM5pCgx2BnW4GBHEp_ssuy4dBkChFSI8GD45zexqadis68J_wlO0vGttk_ssvTS9KO1Uf_PFRTzGs9TxNj/s1600/christmas-0010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1281" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7l7rXC03JWAfbTwlpHLqK1P9ldqz16TInGSiOZhyphenhyphenNjOXevk49IwGEyrJcQ4XM5pCgx2BnW4GBHEp_ssuy4dBkChFSI8GD45zexqadis68J_wlO0vGttk_ssvTS9KO1Uf_PFRTzGs9TxNj/s640/christmas-0010.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5bM2MvwbqS_YA-cmnXu8pb1yqWo6q2ofXCxzN4yzSL31n8SRHzcWX55s7YMXrhH7KiN-iSGyRULbPAOlO3fz-ptVRfsDdWlsCJLlahHFkuAlp48a-2E7c58USey563xy_vs444PK_ocE-/s1600/christmas-0049.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5bM2MvwbqS_YA-cmnXu8pb1yqWo6q2ofXCxzN4yzSL31n8SRHzcWX55s7YMXrhH7KiN-iSGyRULbPAOlO3fz-ptVRfsDdWlsCJLlahHFkuAlp48a-2E7c58USey563xy_vs444PK_ocE-/s640/christmas-0049.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii898Wj9d3_JSrwNaKBhHioU35ZdzmqxUfpcDAMU9hpSSFN-nISbyk6vQE6ZYFtDNjmSPIvPOYZavbZbWnJXv_ESX1iI3iVAXFZzrnclsPg7lMPgZ9e-a_RBJvDNRcfMAfWKbmzvId9ByR/s1600/christmas-0057.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii898Wj9d3_JSrwNaKBhHioU35ZdzmqxUfpcDAMU9hpSSFN-nISbyk6vQE6ZYFtDNjmSPIvPOYZavbZbWnJXv_ESX1iI3iVAXFZzrnclsPg7lMPgZ9e-a_RBJvDNRcfMAfWKbmzvId9ByR/s640/christmas-0057.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxY2g2Kr4JWyEYZuMa0jWJMmcyYsgO73hwgskyoWnVRbQO5WE3Nnyb8ZlXmj2RObkQhjn32VRvCgVhn3f3TUfewyiJA8ngt6DV6XxYR3MLmsmkQtn3N_isZbn-mhFw6zo0SEaygF1RLS3Y/s1600/christmas-753.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1268" data-original-width="1014" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxY2g2Kr4JWyEYZuMa0jWJMmcyYsgO73hwgskyoWnVRbQO5WE3Nnyb8ZlXmj2RObkQhjn32VRvCgVhn3f3TUfewyiJA8ngt6DV6XxYR3MLmsmkQtn3N_isZbn-mhFw6zo0SEaygF1RLS3Y/s640/christmas-753.jpg" width="510" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSFCck0CprKsxvth7NUIchiboMHY_ynj7tG7xDRA0-63qCt1MVOuBq1hcAb6OkpYwJuHhe2eTxyLPIwjNPFtIKY5etkmpu-NuWySTgg2u4Ix27rtXPzFsl9tyPn-tEiZtdS04wuJAtiH52/s1600/christmas-0069.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1281" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSFCck0CprKsxvth7NUIchiboMHY_ynj7tG7xDRA0-63qCt1MVOuBq1hcAb6OkpYwJuHhe2eTxyLPIwjNPFtIKY5etkmpu-NuWySTgg2u4Ix27rtXPzFsl9tyPn-tEiZtdS04wuJAtiH52/s640/christmas-0069.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjudULI7oDT09MPknLUX0ZOifjeKM1ny8wdso8iFVREP8dCBipLfyzLXfpq3b7jx8oSgEHKVuZrp5d_Cl4FoQZPCfTVK8mv-7iPPPjqSBL0E888x4Cjdq_Ov5d2VBtZvEqZJHA5hWhDDfcN/s1600/christmas-780.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1190" data-original-width="952" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjudULI7oDT09MPknLUX0ZOifjeKM1ny8wdso8iFVREP8dCBipLfyzLXfpq3b7jx8oSgEHKVuZrp5d_Cl4FoQZPCfTVK8mv-7iPPPjqSBL0E888x4Cjdq_Ov5d2VBtZvEqZJHA5hWhDDfcN/s640/christmas-780.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
We packed a lot into the weekend. In addition to gingerbread houses we also went to see the Nutcracker, exchanged gifts, played in the snow, read books, did crafts, etc. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-k3_a3df5ES1tDJ1cN6RGrmk977iix2PiTBzCExLPCvFgFij-VS-IJ-RaREWh_QR9fuUJ9KuPMTh2eNZocGLKXgdpVZQeut8SsP_qzq9Qvod6RoqcZkEdv8kljzYgfAmaO0gscJ9w8CYR/s1600/christmas-624.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-k3_a3df5ES1tDJ1cN6RGrmk977iix2PiTBzCExLPCvFgFij-VS-IJ-RaREWh_QR9fuUJ9KuPMTh2eNZocGLKXgdpVZQeut8SsP_qzq9Qvod6RoqcZkEdv8kljzYgfAmaO0gscJ9w8CYR/s640/christmas-624.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqjuMd1H6Ec5KtOy2D0aZIaVqrSalEweedBaxTOhRfgo0oLGwtsabqIfn1xI0HCiBiXM-6sjemw8VLgrU_fPkqHgxnAkSftOrETI3J3TwwClA7Sy1_i_e8Y84aW_XQN_mQrSFL4S7dEKrL/s1600/christmas-305.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqjuMd1H6Ec5KtOy2D0aZIaVqrSalEweedBaxTOhRfgo0oLGwtsabqIfn1xI0HCiBiXM-6sjemw8VLgrU_fPkqHgxnAkSftOrETI3J3TwwClA7Sy1_i_e8Y84aW_XQN_mQrSFL4S7dEKrL/s640/christmas-305.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEMJFF54hCt-eRsXaqRPXv6cDQO1h9jxx0a-9sT7fLivTnUHb5EDlNHkydxATYXZSq4lQJYe2Y_zpBQWh-43O_S2ZsAhv84H_6lI9VWy4xV7VliHb_XDahZlcO9YwDAjILHtsjGXEHR6TI/s1600/christmas-0076.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEMJFF54hCt-eRsXaqRPXv6cDQO1h9jxx0a-9sT7fLivTnUHb5EDlNHkydxATYXZSq4lQJYe2Y_zpBQWh-43O_S2ZsAhv84H_6lI9VWy4xV7VliHb_XDahZlcO9YwDAjILHtsjGXEHR6TI/s640/christmas-0076.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEw1Ce5x9M4kzjXrOlHlisOVYr2XHCVWrZjGQM-OTMy-bjC-CfBqeLARXwsEKape0dTG7LVEoLUw9cRpZyK2xhHx87QR-xlNGYQnsAWUN7TkXXGIv4NMppKCyHJQql6rStrHiiHb0OS8zZ/s1600/christmas-0105.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEw1Ce5x9M4kzjXrOlHlisOVYr2XHCVWrZjGQM-OTMy-bjC-CfBqeLARXwsEKape0dTG7LVEoLUw9cRpZyK2xhHx87QR-xlNGYQnsAWUN7TkXXGIv4NMppKCyHJQql6rStrHiiHb0OS8zZ/s640/christmas-0105.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
When we got back from celebrating with Jer's family I decided to push pause on school. We spent the rest of December reading, baking, and crafting. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc2QIErMoSiu7hVkpd0OHAATbW77HRTP4XAb7VdrWKk3clVCCNVnfrdfrtNsLnK85bI_MVwMnywvF4bubxjQNFlO7hI2-lw7oNMrHDI2U505ztpFwC3_KCxbkTrSyNI1P0JfTmFi6msAEZ/s1600/christmas-0237.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc2QIErMoSiu7hVkpd0OHAATbW77HRTP4XAb7VdrWKk3clVCCNVnfrdfrtNsLnK85bI_MVwMnywvF4bubxjQNFlO7hI2-lw7oNMrHDI2U505ztpFwC3_KCxbkTrSyNI1P0JfTmFi6msAEZ/s640/christmas-0237.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJiwFNVEKChN4CXrctDAaYN_sERXc4JZcIi8Jc-iNFz9QiIQcURMLeLYt-wlZEhxOvHNLD1fYtLZHVxUxeyY9P8hpH02b5ElaWfgV8ZVPevHPOMU5oIOZICDlF9CItrqX04CXks7kK3IEa/s1600/christmas-0289.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1281" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJiwFNVEKChN4CXrctDAaYN_sERXc4JZcIi8Jc-iNFz9QiIQcURMLeLYt-wlZEhxOvHNLD1fYtLZHVxUxeyY9P8hpH02b5ElaWfgV8ZVPevHPOMU5oIOZICDlF9CItrqX04CXks7kK3IEa/s640/christmas-0289.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
↑ I did a blog post about these watercolor nativity silhouettes; you can read about it <a href="https://joyfullyweary.blogspot.com/2017/12/kids-craft-window-nativity-silhouette.html">here</a>. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkrTlqk09KzhMfdyHjc3nakVJJg_XqPrEQcsl78QvXP2O6VkDx8FC2dh_l3GFXw5BQXJrQ4HEHeYP4RLQFBkZC8kbAJ5y6slHOF3OPlFdnQZKaZchlf2edxwJ9_rxubses8Pvk-bUDCvXu/s1600/christmas-0302.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1281" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkrTlqk09KzhMfdyHjc3nakVJJg_XqPrEQcsl78QvXP2O6VkDx8FC2dh_l3GFXw5BQXJrQ4HEHeYP4RLQFBkZC8kbAJ5y6slHOF3OPlFdnQZKaZchlf2edxwJ9_rxubses8Pvk-bUDCvXu/s640/christmas-0302.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
One of our <a href="https://joyfullyweary.blogspot.com/2011/12/looking-at-lights.html?q=christmas+lights">tradition</a><span style="text-align: center;">s</span> is that when we drive around looking at lights the kiddos hand-out an award to their favorite house.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcfAv5MIOvnoC924Xz43HId5Pd78YRt1RL4UKq3DimMiE187nkubmzCXECDpW6I85XVkXHbgqFVfd0GPujXP1wHDmu2DbZDgMJAiiELgXpvpN8Pb7nMm3S4KF88uBAv7evK2lq56yQTVHN/s1600/christmas-911.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcfAv5MIOvnoC924Xz43HId5Pd78YRt1RL4UKq3DimMiE187nkubmzCXECDpW6I85XVkXHbgqFVfd0GPujXP1wHDmu2DbZDgMJAiiELgXpvpN8Pb7nMm3S4KF88uBAv7evK2lq56yQTVHN/s640/christmas-911.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Another one of our Christmas traditions is new pajamas on Christmas Eve. This year we went with <a href="http://www.gap.com/browse/search.do?searchText=crazy+stripes">crazy stripes from Gap</a>. We closed the evening by finishing off our <a href="https://joyfullyweary.blogspot.com/2011/11/our-advent-calendar.html?q=advent+calendar">Advent calendar</a> and then the kiddos all crawled into bed together. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1MbQGKsCnOpjzZvG_ikrfozGI4Qsl89-9II3KzLYVjuVw4UWG82H7hytju6csUHeF3VZELTHXYWdnhI0l8So8EPjgjhHIMPH4TQnf4iYuAXWf52jyqYMZOzbsQy1d8fM7T0rSylMGVmfd/s1600/christmas-565.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1MbQGKsCnOpjzZvG_ikrfozGI4Qsl89-9II3KzLYVjuVw4UWG82H7hytju6csUHeF3VZELTHXYWdnhI0l8So8EPjgjhHIMPH4TQnf4iYuAXWf52jyqYMZOzbsQy1d8fM7T0rSylMGVmfd/s640/christmas-565.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzj-wJpEtg4aAGNQM3CdyYFkPtsqNPlxG99D7QiUTAbZJAQHzzj5C4fd9qubR4sJ1iOikm2Mh-KBqgyJreNAZ8RbYOO0zUJWrFE9RhdVd13JZhU927qZtjIbsIeRbmQkFQZf2ong5E6WN4/s1600/christmas-0382.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzj-wJpEtg4aAGNQM3CdyYFkPtsqNPlxG99D7QiUTAbZJAQHzzj5C4fd9qubR4sJ1iOikm2Mh-KBqgyJreNAZ8RbYOO0zUJWrFE9RhdVd13JZhU927qZtjIbsIeRbmQkFQZf2ong5E6WN4/s640/christmas-0382.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioz_4I0kLH0UW1HjtOAhh4KReYjHDhIe8RCBdX6E7Q__SSB15mNIg_ICHzsQ4qDUkWXikr5SUTSXjTJCjBZadvGBhWtNUT12UedYOv43wKyKgioc0hEtrJ4PLa1NUBg2m42Dhr6d2GjOQf/s1600/christmas-537.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioz_4I0kLH0UW1HjtOAhh4KReYjHDhIe8RCBdX6E7Q__SSB15mNIg_ICHzsQ4qDUkWXikr5SUTSXjTJCjBZadvGBhWtNUT12UedYOv43wKyKgioc0hEtrJ4PLa1NUBg2m42Dhr6d2GjOQf/s640/christmas-537.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Jeremy's sister Heidi and her husband Colby joined us for Christmas morning. The kids had to stay upstairs until they arrived; they were pretty patient, but were very HAPPY when the call came to come downstairs. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSHasmJAnXHvgfXJihQJ2ijk56fPHJjWWDZC-KPO5WaSLaAa1CFT88XTZcGSBTD-9MqGdkmSm5WW20dHlPlH8xKy61lOpWhTWMwSvuk6rD4SP5PuKIs8O-poaEN_TR-GamSiwclqFM_e9j/s1600/christmas-0391.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSHasmJAnXHvgfXJihQJ2ijk56fPHJjWWDZC-KPO5WaSLaAa1CFT88XTZcGSBTD-9MqGdkmSm5WW20dHlPlH8xKy61lOpWhTWMwSvuk6rD4SP5PuKIs8O-poaEN_TR-GamSiwclqFM_e9j/s640/christmas-0391.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgksg6hHeysK7lydKADCRDjQ3J6IdZi8er0SKa8Se7ZvRFfHo_da2U0aDMi7V7O3VU0mujNnUSkAgimNDpfywlaEVIELaLweQSsjQqMcCeuny1biF-Z4hzgS0tKTjZGzBlCv3NZsocHRq6Y/s1600/christmas-876.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1281" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgksg6hHeysK7lydKADCRDjQ3J6IdZi8er0SKa8Se7ZvRFfHo_da2U0aDMi7V7O3VU0mujNnUSkAgimNDpfywlaEVIELaLweQSsjQqMcCeuny1biF-Z4hzgS0tKTjZGzBlCv3NZsocHRq6Y/s640/christmas-876.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj03w2xW3DYs6f5lm31ittWDNFZKWTlVEuYKh7TpbX4XrG62McigROIdAD56Chyphenhyphene2JItI_TGXwVnLaF_j12zl1ziR0rnqwOmeWSyf_Rb9cKdbz5neR1Ctz4Kc3njokinvRNyUL7wEcSZ2dC/s1600/christmas-0419.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj03w2xW3DYs6f5lm31ittWDNFZKWTlVEuYKh7TpbX4XrG62McigROIdAD56Chyphenhyphene2JItI_TGXwVnLaF_j12zl1ziR0rnqwOmeWSyf_Rb9cKdbz5neR1Ctz4Kc3njokinvRNyUL7wEcSZ2dC/s640/christmas-0419.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj58y-klwsD_Vbm0iJzNI-a0Hkj7i5wf3FsgCYbNhEWG4di2QdfWdvWyDLdF3CQOU_x4v52YdrmfPrCo-9xb4_G2HmhECNhFKzeN_JhmKH8urhbAcaIvhRIF9kKt2MbbyPuMy58_pRYNKgN/s1600/christmas-0428.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj58y-klwsD_Vbm0iJzNI-a0Hkj7i5wf3FsgCYbNhEWG4di2QdfWdvWyDLdF3CQOU_x4v52YdrmfPrCo-9xb4_G2HmhECNhFKzeN_JhmKH8urhbAcaIvhRIF9kKt2MbbyPuMy58_pRYNKgN/s640/christmas-0428.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN4Rmki3Ba64uM1-D_hAZg7ffNNYdamzqq_2nZz7GeJoBqKBB7kJcFRUAjpC8_XvZOKKWI709gqFbF9vS3BI3eqS_3mhSxSEwtGaGWFlI5o7ceb0AGIQKmY-HJRA1H3NscQhTh99x1Yfg2/s1600/christmas-0437.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1281" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN4Rmki3Ba64uM1-D_hAZg7ffNNYdamzqq_2nZz7GeJoBqKBB7kJcFRUAjpC8_XvZOKKWI709gqFbF9vS3BI3eqS_3mhSxSEwtGaGWFlI5o7ceb0AGIQKmY-HJRA1H3NscQhTh99x1Yfg2/s640/christmas-0437.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjFfgy9Wd-sB8ybaDTVuzVOpeWOhIT1Yirv7UW4Nn2T9-SGCtXbQC2ZqTVoB0FeEFN1UppS6U83AXWk4c8NwN2SU3AgQe3K8oLVOD-gCr1CDE_zRHqci76b8Yivx-9-rB1tZugUICMZify/s1600/christmas-0447.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1281" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjFfgy9Wd-sB8ybaDTVuzVOpeWOhIT1Yirv7UW4Nn2T9-SGCtXbQC2ZqTVoB0FeEFN1UppS6U83AXWk4c8NwN2SU3AgQe3K8oLVOD-gCr1CDE_zRHqci76b8Yivx-9-rB1tZugUICMZify/s640/christmas-0447.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdix5D5FRHIY_bGwZN0mtuCtsd03B0sVB01X8FEI7naWvMhonzjumC67JNmMKEscLO7X3Hhrk72pve6d0IoDvP9cDOHUY1zR_SteODlre95QJsnW74NoWZWPrTzLNIXdFWoGTkIE59EL3i/s1600/christmas-0462.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1281" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdix5D5FRHIY_bGwZN0mtuCtsd03B0sVB01X8FEI7naWvMhonzjumC67JNmMKEscLO7X3Hhrk72pve6d0IoDvP9cDOHUY1zR_SteODlre95QJsnW74NoWZWPrTzLNIXdFWoGTkIE59EL3i/s640/christmas-0462.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
In order to try and keep Christ the focus of Christmas we always take a break between stockings and gifts. We have a big breakfast with a birthday cake for Jesus. We also give the children <a href="https://joyfullyweary.blogspot.com/2016/12/three-gifts.html?q=three+gifts">three gifts to represent frankincense, gold, and myrrh.</a> I was really excited about Big Buddy's gold gift. He's been into drawing arthropods and on his own started to pin up some. We got him a few taxidermy arthropods, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0006ATQEK/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=rachelkaylynn-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B0006ATQEK&linkId=34e2c3a7464e9e8303601e3701966d2f">a book about setting up a home nature museum</a>, and few supplies to get him started. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijbDw5m4QNWDV2EBvzjQaCkEn4u4z-YPKK4B6kG_unXnqsKRtEYe5vC5GDVobUBFMxG9B-ktttWM4751K7mnnS3p1h_Bbooffa1jOjpBFcFE8W27ah3UFP0stVxKUa1WGxeKAc1J7X0AxS/s1600/christmas-0473.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijbDw5m4QNWDV2EBvzjQaCkEn4u4z-YPKK4B6kG_unXnqsKRtEYe5vC5GDVobUBFMxG9B-ktttWM4751K7mnnS3p1h_Bbooffa1jOjpBFcFE8W27ah3UFP0stVxKUa1WGxeKAc1J7X0AxS/s640/christmas-0473.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
I wasn't as excited about Mini Man's <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N41LVJ5/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=rachelkaylynn-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B01N41LVJ5&linkId=f9e00e869174232a6737a8fc6613c942">gold gift</a>, but his face and squeals totally made up for it. Sometimes you have to give into those wants, even when you think they are kind of silly. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL-WjcN2N6VSzbHUEop6_R9P5l_6tnup_PLJderAJQn2FiITJjOt6sKxS5dyIjYnMDBUWZU0_xdiaqMW2dNJomdZSfg5SSpuTZyaUXP0dwX0SVGbZjy-0Z2VLKeo3LP3oeYOBLnRaKk5qm/s1600/christmas-0480.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL-WjcN2N6VSzbHUEop6_R9P5l_6tnup_PLJderAJQn2FiITJjOt6sKxS5dyIjYnMDBUWZU0_xdiaqMW2dNJomdZSfg5SSpuTZyaUXP0dwX0SVGbZjy-0Z2VLKeo3LP3oeYOBLnRaKk5qm/s640/christmas-0480.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Little Lady's gift was a <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000JQM1DE/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=rachelkaylynn-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B000JQM1DE&linkId=5eb70e2f99fde551e41d3477db0dcd4e">sewing machine</a>. BabyZ got a <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01C5A2WJO/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=rachelkaylynn-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B01C5A2WJO&linkId=190b72ab15eb1225e152d1dff196bd35">basketball hoop</a> that we actually just pulled down from storage. It was given to Big Buddy when he was two and until a couple months ago we forgot we still had it. We don't think at this age BabyZ will mind that his gift was not new. His aunts also provided him with plenty of NEW ball toys. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt080jfB0eqnHqWfcrbiDFqsRDqKRTQXi_jfVl3ErL_cDEvgGhsvfW1eyCsgXVI3KXKlIz0SrpiajGcoeYDoxBOJi_-unGE-g4PClcNsRlqyiXBRaU38K0MEIJsT53vsp5P_mgltXoosFa/s1600/christmas-348.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt080jfB0eqnHqWfcrbiDFqsRDqKRTQXi_jfVl3ErL_cDEvgGhsvfW1eyCsgXVI3KXKlIz0SrpiajGcoeYDoxBOJi_-unGE-g4PClcNsRlqyiXBRaU38K0MEIJsT53vsp5P_mgltXoosFa/s640/christmas-348.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
His myrrh gift was also second hand. I was able to snag some gently used <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B013F8S4W4/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=rachelkaylynn-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B013F8S4W4&linkId=778f3cfcd6c959ec06fa5c9c71c997eb">magnetic blocks</a>. It was such a good deal that I didn't realize it had moving parts - the dinosaurs actually walk!. Luckily, Aunt Heidi was here to help with the assembly. </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/AVvXsEj3MUi8X4yoxk0QKH2TH8kbrHPTOV3eqv1cgGBVL0zdURLU4jcepK1KTWy9kULLdrH1s5e_sM2M3LQ-KS38U8HLi0i5DCNzWenQnSCyxBB5P-6DBVoOU_9UTH9Bxt-vrjhTUlqyiSj26M52/s1600/christmas-0521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3MUi8X4yoxk0QKH2TH8kbrHPTOV3eqv1cgGBVL0zdURLU4jcepK1KTWy9kULLdrH1s5e_sM2M3LQ-KS38U8HLi0i5DCNzWenQnSCyxBB5P-6DBVoOU_9UTH9Bxt-vrjhTUlqyiSj26M52/s640/christmas-0521.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhytQpxYEj3zwFqp7bkx83op0ZoLOpUhaRVt0nY9U6Kc_l7y3t0S0RYrjzI7HjF8NJf5MIWOxssSxDT6QdhasGrU0GH53k5zFSQj2Tzwh4sl_eDLsph1kxp__Hd5MlHT47sjL7YntSSZiaq/s1600/christmas-0525.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhytQpxYEj3zwFqp7bkx83op0ZoLOpUhaRVt0nY9U6Kc_l7y3t0S0RYrjzI7HjF8NJf5MIWOxssSxDT6QdhasGrU0GH53k5zFSQj2Tzwh4sl_eDLsph1kxp__Hd5MlHT47sjL7YntSSZiaq/s640/christmas-0525.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Jeremy picked out all the kiddos' <a href="https://joyfullyweary.blogspot.com/2016/12/three-gifts.html?q=three+gifts">frankincense</a> gifts this year. I'm so pumped to read them with the kids. The illustrations in <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1433542447/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=rachelkaylynn-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=1433542447&linkId=d85a1a78cae182c9b932e60a6cf40089">The Biggest Story</a> </i>and <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0310757509/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=rachelkaylynn-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=0310757509&linkId=57d463dca0603206349f8d3611d2b3e4">Found</a> </i>are fantastic; the prose is also pretty stellar. <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0988963221/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=rachelkaylynn-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=0988963221&linkId=2bf655a3b466d735cbdefa2d558a1f9d">The Bark and Bog Owl</a> </i>doesn't have any illustration beside a map but it's a biblical fantasy story that I know Big Buddy will just eat up. The book I'm most excited about is the <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1942572719/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=rachelkaylynn-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=1942572719&linkId=ad27947238fedf94c20ba9be1da888a9">The Radical Book for Kids</a>. </i>It's a guide book that uses some amazing graphics to take kids through the history and theology of the Christian faith. I've paged through it a couple times and it's already taught me a few things. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw3DY2nCJ5hibojFm2fZtID30rKLcGM5FkNz9l1-XhCPhnBj2noYxvLsajRV3tRS5ecSTFXHijkHxopsFl3q_wYkIOl2X98UCqnX4-9os7Cv1XPabqUQNgO56x3DxoBcmdVCs8X4xwM3Bc/s1600/christmas-47.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1281" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw3DY2nCJ5hibojFm2fZtID30rKLcGM5FkNz9l1-XhCPhnBj2noYxvLsajRV3tRS5ecSTFXHijkHxopsFl3q_wYkIOl2X98UCqnX4-9os7Cv1XPabqUQNgO56x3DxoBcmdVCs8X4xwM3Bc/s640/christmas-47.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
The kids were all excited because I told them they didn't have to do any chores on Christmas. Unfortunately, that doesn't apply to mommies. I honestly didn't mind though. It's a privilege to be the guider/supplier/protector of their innocence and joy. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3jNgW3UQnE_4WKp58GtxXqTqyVzjGrcro6GmRz7QD4e1TUb4uCM4pH6ZXzKhIP5mxlLl4ZHgZhKqiDAEIeythaIZCgWHCk_y-8eLLRyChmk_eYY3lHzZ0XHcXP9ErAhCxSvNZsQsueoX2/s1600/christmas-0467.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3jNgW3UQnE_4WKp58GtxXqTqyVzjGrcro6GmRz7QD4e1TUb4uCM4pH6ZXzKhIP5mxlLl4ZHgZhKqiDAEIeythaIZCgWHCk_y-8eLLRyChmk_eYY3lHzZ0XHcXP9ErAhCxSvNZsQsueoX2/s640/christmas-0467.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
As I mentioned above Jer's off on a bit of an extended vacation so I feel like we are still in the midst of Christmas. In just a few days, though, we will have to get back to daily tasks of life that can seem so mundane. It's easy to loose sight of the of glory of Christmas when we take down all the lights and return to normal. I love this message that Jer shared on his <a href="https://www.instagram.com/jplindsey/?hl=en">instagram</a> Christmas night</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<i>"</i><i>It was a good good day...all is quiet here now. All the “get to’s” and
“have to’s” are complete and we are all spent in the best kind of way.
As I have been win<span class="text_exposed_show">ding down the day,
this “night after that night” has been rolling around my head. As anyone
knows, who has seen their child come into the world, there is an
inevitable adrenaline crash. Was it this quiet for Christ’s earthly
family? Did things go silent until Anna and Simon? What about after?
Were they left with normal exhaustion and this “other” weight? Did the
shepherds ever come back? Did Elizabeth ever come back to share that
connection with Mary? We are so weak sometimes and faith is such a
fight, and that’s just my little corner...there battleground of faith
was entirely different. As these thoughts tumbled to a stop, I had such a
moment of thankfulness about the “timing” of the Magi. To THAT kind of
breaking into your normal day, that fight of faith, is just the way God
is the cornerstone of fighting faith. That moment, that Magi moment is
coming. For those that fight for their hope and faith and love in their
Savior, His message of assurance that the fight is worth it, is already
on its way. It might still be years out, but He has already released
it...you...we...I need only hold on. The message that we are not alone
is not just for Christmas night. Our God rings that bell so many other
times in our lives. Look, listen and wait. Isaiah 9:2"</span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<i><span class="text_exposed_show"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
I married a good one! I hope you had a Merry Christmas and as the New Year comes I hope you hold on to the fact that we are indeed not doing this life alone. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN0JrZEuBSEchKUrtMqVXKM21k4PQ9p7AW55Qy4E_oos6oK_2729oT3DWIYAD9GxBpqDJPHVvxsUAtmqU0kjWLUfk7_eLcshCLwC-TvWchK4g0LuWRez4HDJAESPMD2g4c35D83IFqre48/s1600/christmas-0300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN0JrZEuBSEchKUrtMqVXKM21k4PQ9p7AW55Qy4E_oos6oK_2729oT3DWIYAD9GxBpqDJPHVvxsUAtmqU0kjWLUfk7_eLcshCLwC-TvWchK4g0LuWRez4HDJAESPMD2g4c35D83IFqre48/s640/christmas-0300.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
Rachel Kaylynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09114768437192098372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-559694926328998802.post-71949851438439351732017-12-22T08:09:00.000-06:002017-12-22T08:09:08.694-06:00Kids Craft, Window Nativity Silhouette<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
This week the kids did a simple craft and made a nativity silhouette to hang on our windows. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2xej7M6CEXBWxkai0V6XsyA4uhtqwCMMO4vNDAGPsCymQHIpFoGLrdqOfYFZMRSoS4-6P-oVn6uZEk9rAYjafuCfm2oY6RJdXmuH3Pq5FqM3e6ZmI-yKg_q994dOWta4d40n0wNCunt-F/s1600/nativitiy-0002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1281" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2xej7M6CEXBWxkai0V6XsyA4uhtqwCMMO4vNDAGPsCymQHIpFoGLrdqOfYFZMRSoS4-6P-oVn6uZEk9rAYjafuCfm2oY6RJdXmuH3Pq5FqM3e6ZmI-yKg_q994dOWta4d40n0wNCunt-F/s640/nativitiy-0002.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The materials needed for this craft are: vellum, watercolors, a paintbrush, a glue-stick, scissors, and a nativity silhouette cut out of black construction paper. I found our silhouette through <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=nativity++silhouette&rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS734US735&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiHmvi43p3YAhVJ0oMKHUjCDH0Q_AUICigB&biw=1920&bih=949">Google images</a> and then Jer tweaked it a little bit and used a laser cutter to cut all the details - there is no way I would of been able to cut this out by hand. 😬 A simpler nativity would work just as well. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ATMHOugpZxoNidi-FU94unKnM4k2ifjKPk8xxDuZiN0i6AxbG_tuxCCmyyIbUSuF3tdM8snebw9ywN1dUsmgNB7Ku0SRR9fyPaFCfFBnwJPA8khLJYquqEsybg8eWlyD-MfW_hlygBi8/s1600/nativitiy-0013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ATMHOugpZxoNidi-FU94unKnM4k2ifjKPk8xxDuZiN0i6AxbG_tuxCCmyyIbUSuF3tdM8snebw9ywN1dUsmgNB7Ku0SRR9fyPaFCfFBnwJPA8khLJYquqEsybg8eWlyD-MfW_hlygBi8/s640/nativitiy-0013.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The first step to this craft is to paint the vellum. I cut the vellum a little bit larger than the nativity silhouette to make gluing easier. Vellum won't work for detailed paintings, but is great for skies, etc. Little Lady was the inspiration for this craft; she's currently very into painting sunrises and sunsets. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt9Tsxx8N4w2Ias3LeHibeJAcFPj2OxQpopFPwYvuvAM0BUlCLRtYCL6ApF8tr4sq_R441VdkRU6qjO-NzrJWh49z4FDTQI6UhUPxqkVLN-c-1fxrhNqvb47oXnDyFYpK7mHW5WodwZzuF/s1600/nativitiy-0031.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1281" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt9Tsxx8N4w2Ias3LeHibeJAcFPj2OxQpopFPwYvuvAM0BUlCLRtYCL6ApF8tr4sq_R441VdkRU6qjO-NzrJWh49z4FDTQI6UhUPxqkVLN-c-1fxrhNqvb47oXnDyFYpK7mHW5WodwZzuF/s640/nativitiy-0031.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKSx-USbx4dtwy5PdcX_pFT3MEegqACfn_MKyZ3eHzGW6YV9EhB6jiV7mSWRWpuAU8krbkfJmEBslX9pAtdB-qDpOFJaxlHsy8U52grmYZbx4gkDfJn59-4Pgd61FY1BwUZCB4VqTSir1P/s1600/nativitiy-0026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1281" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKSx-USbx4dtwy5PdcX_pFT3MEegqACfn_MKyZ3eHzGW6YV9EhB6jiV7mSWRWpuAU8krbkfJmEBslX9pAtdB-qDpOFJaxlHsy8U52grmYZbx4gkDfJn59-4Pgd61FY1BwUZCB4VqTSir1P/s640/nativitiy-0026.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilIa5A2cFhkWldL0HaTL-ZOjK2K3fGStOVCGn_IRmfvF9xrMBeEDjCLzoosy799LwdmIX-tSd_UHwiY6wxcgKfTpRbFIPHzOa6fYxsf2RgRZdNFMQ0ufKLgYAXjIf8P-H7swVcMRpmsPVW/s1600/nativitiy-0036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilIa5A2cFhkWldL0HaTL-ZOjK2K3fGStOVCGn_IRmfvF9xrMBeEDjCLzoosy799LwdmIX-tSd_UHwiY6wxcgKfTpRbFIPHzOa6fYxsf2RgRZdNFMQ0ufKLgYAXjIf8P-H7swVcMRpmsPVW/s640/nativitiy-0036.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Once the vellum has dried, use a glue stick to attach your nativity. Then you can trim around the edges to make the final product look a bit nicer. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXUHnkxflyqsLcIPtjhiFcb8AMBQxCiJY27XwaVsWDKWZP8kz4yFHRW-nH0beV23OQLPQF7TvjQiDzf6tG1oKvBsYx68FZKBglsXVU__pCXMWoXIuqmXmO9-fYCf48VldqdOUY8NzeLbh_/s1600/nativitiy-0090.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXUHnkxflyqsLcIPtjhiFcb8AMBQxCiJY27XwaVsWDKWZP8kz4yFHRW-nH0beV23OQLPQF7TvjQiDzf6tG1oKvBsYx68FZKBglsXVU__pCXMWoXIuqmXmO9-fYCf48VldqdOUY8NzeLbh_/s640/nativitiy-0090.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Now it's ready to be displayed!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHDbXmE7ISKm_hAv5iN9guUQdBdguVlWFG9TiSVm2T_DKimyxbHSIIsLt85zVOVNicloZ04fMft78C2Zoy840sdRiAviM6-baYIMFzH1Bg6zMIYfEkE2PmaN6YcjmOA-iNU-UrJQypvLKL/s1600/nativitiy-0118.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHDbXmE7ISKm_hAv5iN9guUQdBdguVlWFG9TiSVm2T_DKimyxbHSIIsLt85zVOVNicloZ04fMft78C2Zoy840sdRiAviM6-baYIMFzH1Bg6zMIYfEkE2PmaN6YcjmOA-iNU-UrJQypvLKL/s640/nativitiy-0118.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
BabyZ 'painted' with us but his vellum didn't really turn out, so later I had him do a simpler version of this craft with tissue paper. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVpkcRSPigLOvaDcIQUCR41_wLB7nBNeteiBe-c8BiRKv9BLo84utzHb9nunXb_iaiJHbe_ySUWl8ySz-WgOsKqskLJO3b7zKJs_lRv6_97YA2pXmAkSVkfHoknkFtjF4H7Ukrf9g3UYxx/s1600/nativitiy-0030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVpkcRSPigLOvaDcIQUCR41_wLB7nBNeteiBe-c8BiRKv9BLo84utzHb9nunXb_iaiJHbe_ySUWl8ySz-WgOsKqskLJO3b7zKJs_lRv6_97YA2pXmAkSVkfHoknkFtjF4H7Ukrf9g3UYxx/s640/nativitiy-0030.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: center;">For this version you will need a construction paper silhouette, contact paper the size of your silhouette, and small pieces of tissue paper. This is a lot less messier of a craft. Jer originally cut these silhouettes for a Christmas party; this was the craft we set out for all the kiddos. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihQcb6z0NSAuZrQ8t2P7iBMLoD9bovfJesoDwAiQmz9Ro2yni8kK64VvhllC6QMgjaa1uXdyZROQiRb-P4ZcUIj_lLgGHevYdGrDQuZz3yhs76rSggUtHHDydThyphenhyphenDNGSIE15osT-MdJ_7a/s1600/nativitiy-0032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihQcb6z0NSAuZrQ8t2P7iBMLoD9bovfJesoDwAiQmz9Ro2yni8kK64VvhllC6QMgjaa1uXdyZROQiRb-P4ZcUIj_lLgGHevYdGrDQuZz3yhs76rSggUtHHDydThyphenhyphenDNGSIE15osT-MdJ_7a/s640/nativitiy-0032.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
An adult may have to help adhere the silhouette to the contact paper; this can be a bit tricky. Then the kids can start sticking on the tissue paper.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP7pgqHN0hG_x9hDQ9v5lkprKbux8A7SjXH0duMt4zvkb3BH2ZY6koDmtd0OZMig4t7iZOuj6jIhByVaYfRJMrLTrSdXPyOKd81etnnawJqOyQ2yH4L_8A_54cu-ftiMzF7ZYKQoeVwNgU/s1600/nativitiy-0026-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP7pgqHN0hG_x9hDQ9v5lkprKbux8A7SjXH0duMt4zvkb3BH2ZY6koDmtd0OZMig4t7iZOuj6jIhByVaYfRJMrLTrSdXPyOKd81etnnawJqOyQ2yH4L_8A_54cu-ftiMzF7ZYKQoeVwNgU/s640/nativitiy-0026-2.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcDHWQGPEmh1WL_oB4WQn543ZFTgG77NfinXBaKGsEsf5ciotr-6AforygB0z0v5jSTszx08er8RM3imDA4Y0VOVzYyqv18mPID73JBUpQijte_NChDaiQ4w8kUXda_xWcq90Tvb_qDqEU/s1600/nativitiy-0039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1281" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcDHWQGPEmh1WL_oB4WQn543ZFTgG77NfinXBaKGsEsf5ciotr-6AforygB0z0v5jSTszx08er8RM3imDA4Y0VOVzYyqv18mPID73JBUpQijte_NChDaiQ4w8kUXda_xWcq90Tvb_qDqEU/s640/nativitiy-0039.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
I'm loving the way these are brightening up our home. Do you have any favorite Christmas crafts?</div>
Rachel Kaylynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09114768437192098372noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-559694926328998802.post-21206138273528429022017-12-21T17:17:00.000-06:002017-12-22T08:36:43.893-06:00What I've Been WearingIt's been forever since I've done one of these post, be prepared for a lot of outfits. I figure if I take the time to take the picture, not to mention convincing Jer or one of the kiddos to play photographer; I should complete the process by sharing.<br />
<br />
The first couple of outfits are from late October...if you scroll through them all, you can actually see the effect the cold weather has had on our yard.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpxIhQyda4HgoAB47fCEGgnG86gfMW7vSBz7q7UBLBUSIKvCwWsrBXFgrawngOiAzV2XrnwwT2apM4t-GkEoWxKRGXSMqbJU2qq93CoAFjIAOgGikdlp8cYDhZoEMXoQJM1gtt_KPyg_em/s1600/clothes-0263.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpxIhQyda4HgoAB47fCEGgnG86gfMW7vSBz7q7UBLBUSIKvCwWsrBXFgrawngOiAzV2XrnwwT2apM4t-GkEoWxKRGXSMqbJU2qq93CoAFjIAOgGikdlp8cYDhZoEMXoQJM1gtt_KPyg_em/s640/clothes-0263.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
The above dress is an old favorite from<a href="https://www.anthropologie.com/"> Anthropologie</a>. Green is my favorite color; I adore this piece so much that I have found countless ways to layer it so I can wear it all-year-round. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNmJL9vBxEkVNdEFVBEH8d9itkCY5uRKXQ_zhrUopndjFOkeQf1Lc1mgPSuyv_u_xtI0TGn962YYPxdU1DbVbshzvCguzfarxIe27yBEQzooyPAk4hHAMBvucAexmxj_8iv7ldxq4jrm9e/s1600/clothes-0062.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNmJL9vBxEkVNdEFVBEH8d9itkCY5uRKXQ_zhrUopndjFOkeQf1Lc1mgPSuyv_u_xtI0TGn962YYPxdU1DbVbshzvCguzfarxIe27yBEQzooyPAk4hHAMBvucAexmxj_8iv7ldxq4jrm9e/s640/clothes-0062.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Playing around on Etsy one night I stumbled upon the shop <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/bumbleebuck">Bumbleebuck Vintage</a> - it was such a happy find! She carries a lot of unique pieces at affordable prices. I picked up this dress and a 60's watercolor velvet dress. The shoulders on this dress are very 80's, but I loved the color and pattern so much that I was determined to make it work. This time I layered it with a light jacket. I'm excited to find some other combinations...any suggestions? </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitJjZncs3NXk-W7EDeFIrWbhdW7XvsnePtZiw1wyDBE-RPJthzwHv49l1IBil6zWlescO5wVBxBD0fceOeO0DDbZ8SPZau_juM2F688IDT_X5WqnnXLWhakXpZuBLvSRO__AKgTYlzIxFY/s1600/clothes-0065.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitJjZncs3NXk-W7EDeFIrWbhdW7XvsnePtZiw1wyDBE-RPJthzwHv49l1IBil6zWlescO5wVBxBD0fceOeO0DDbZ8SPZau_juM2F688IDT_X5WqnnXLWhakXpZuBLvSRO__AKgTYlzIxFY/s640/clothes-0065.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjISIH-fpTP5Q5M6pWfqSF-QUyxVXBcg7svUi4AaxWQRSgmSPXnLkORMK8eg9-nR5HQrl29JobUGJINIU2MlYe-Lg0SzjRBd4kNuNrrtX0TzwVLGcomecCzWK-7tI-OxuvN4ZFCkqXKnOo6/s1600/clothes-0068.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjISIH-fpTP5Q5M6pWfqSF-QUyxVXBcg7svUi4AaxWQRSgmSPXnLkORMK8eg9-nR5HQrl29JobUGJINIU2MlYe-Lg0SzjRBd4kNuNrrtX0TzwVLGcomecCzWK-7tI-OxuvN4ZFCkqXKnOo6/s640/clothes-0068.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
The dress above and this one are both recent <a href="https://www.anthropologie.com/">Anthropologie</a> purchases. Being a stay-home-mom my budget for clothing is tight and in the last couple of years I've rarely shop new except for basics. I like the hunt of thrifting and that you never have to worry about lots of other people having the same piece. <a href="https://www.anthropologie.com/">Anthro</a>, however, has had some great sales and for price these dresses were too good too pass up. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp5_sEhMmleWs9ucNzPMPbWCICSJSEPc7_4tlhBlWIer4rjs4wB7ffWFLJa-sY-WjCk0B01uFoF2eW2xQvDH_PFvUthNgBaCTnQnOzCjr93JEoSu8GqQlJ1hN0TDd4tPIpVFunRKooYxZF/s1600/clothes-0031.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp5_sEhMmleWs9ucNzPMPbWCICSJSEPc7_4tlhBlWIer4rjs4wB7ffWFLJa-sY-WjCk0B01uFoF2eW2xQvDH_PFvUthNgBaCTnQnOzCjr93JEoSu8GqQlJ1hN0TDd4tPIpVFunRKooYxZF/s640/clothes-0031.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVrBLdzJh-UlpiN8U78pIXaEoZmycho7RjX-FUcJ4WLQKuVN4dJqiiNMHyYDDJ6OViJoxvMA2xDk715oVgTvUE860dy7lLfRW7bPilKQvRmmH_Pf1QnkwLQiCV8qkG9U-upN_XhAIxcfeA/s1600/clothes-0004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVrBLdzJh-UlpiN8U78pIXaEoZmycho7RjX-FUcJ4WLQKuVN4dJqiiNMHyYDDJ6OViJoxvMA2xDk715oVgTvUE860dy7lLfRW7bPilKQvRmmH_Pf1QnkwLQiCV8qkG9U-upN_XhAIxcfeA/s640/clothes-0004.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Both of these pieces are from <a href="http://www.thredup.com/r/23IOKT">thredUp</a>. It's hard to tell in the picture, but the skirt has the cutest little house pattern. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC9TFIlmVOFZNYJ7SuoJhIDoVkHPebADtIxgKqpg_Lu7q4mrxJlbjyoqxZOU-8w47Tuu_HSdd6MVDMLk7V5TV8jj3Pmtz72wLJlHQD2WHqklx71PxlBp-S_VR-dvgbF0jXPFDIPVJDNFvL/s1600/clothes-0039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC9TFIlmVOFZNYJ7SuoJhIDoVkHPebADtIxgKqpg_Lu7q4mrxJlbjyoqxZOU-8w47Tuu_HSdd6MVDMLk7V5TV8jj3Pmtz72wLJlHQD2WHqklx71PxlBp-S_VR-dvgbF0jXPFDIPVJDNFvL/s640/clothes-0039.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This skirt is another <a href="http://www.thredup.com/r/23IOKT">thredUp</a> find. The shirt and the cardigan are both old.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9vSq6AFiBr-xempUTqBApRjPxTyBm26GOdjyPZbMavziknVY2D1EG1jM0YiMnnfCjOno08c_Vb1_BqR12W16Y7lhiuaEVf2wFCajfImGNTwpYn3lzDV3lgdY_qvj1RAXgBDXIh0V12uj7/s1600/clothes-0128.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9vSq6AFiBr-xempUTqBApRjPxTyBm26GOdjyPZbMavziknVY2D1EG1jM0YiMnnfCjOno08c_Vb1_BqR12W16Y7lhiuaEVf2wFCajfImGNTwpYn3lzDV3lgdY_qvj1RAXgBDXIh0V12uj7/s640/clothes-0128.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijsuOfJ4a8SwIHwgIjnTsZjxE58TA4Q_w1aGEHcdZSc6H737k61SXi89mMkH4ch2ZasVTZbORRvfLUCDGXF8l_u8yAakPpHJPJJZwt33WI57RA7F1x9G9Izotwobpo0jmPODXcsWHdHWy6/s1600/clothes-0124.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijsuOfJ4a8SwIHwgIjnTsZjxE58TA4Q_w1aGEHcdZSc6H737k61SXi89mMkH4ch2ZasVTZbORRvfLUCDGXF8l_u8yAakPpHJPJJZwt33WI57RA7F1x9G9Izotwobpo0jmPODXcsWHdHWy6/s640/clothes-0124.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Another <a href="https://www.anthropologie.com/">Anthro</a> dress...yes, I do acknowledge that I may have problem. In my defense though this one is 11 years old. My tastes have pretty much stayed the same. Once I find a dress that I like I'll mix it up and wear it over and over again. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5mq8gHtBIFE_LaWTg-VR79i4eR9Y_TGBr_XTBjjw9NKnW1qHxVljK3eQFnCtvoMhVrQfnHryUZaw0W9qRnUaVjVVbtXyHaiSZP45IlpW8TcUb58mz1uHkLU5G3Jc7jln6I43TES7EkY1o/s1600/clothes-0086.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5mq8gHtBIFE_LaWTg-VR79i4eR9Y_TGBr_XTBjjw9NKnW1qHxVljK3eQFnCtvoMhVrQfnHryUZaw0W9qRnUaVjVVbtXyHaiSZP45IlpW8TcUb58mz1uHkLU5G3Jc7jln6I43TES7EkY1o/s640/clothes-0086.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
This shirt was a Goodwill find and the skirt is from <a href="https://www.chicwish.com/falling-flowers-airy-pleated-midi-skirt-in-green.html">Chicwash</a>. It's not an everyday piece but I love the texture of the flowers...and it's green 😍.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo7AUnVx7e9EOHOlfBPyi2LGUZVZYedsDWpiARnrzU_V7NRfZuxgFizrefUQFHuvfyDuAGzctAyo_TNFGLKy6Ujx-hmQ82dw0ZQt0bjF3AGd-GbiLgmxc7pt0KsHx3OM7cDNFwZqVay5LF/s1600/clothes-0045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo7AUnVx7e9EOHOlfBPyi2LGUZVZYedsDWpiARnrzU_V7NRfZuxgFizrefUQFHuvfyDuAGzctAyo_TNFGLKy6Ujx-hmQ82dw0ZQt0bjF3AGd-GbiLgmxc7pt0KsHx3OM7cDNFwZqVay5LF/s640/clothes-0045.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
This dress is another Goodwill find. The scarf and the earrings were both gifts from my sister-in-laws; it's nice when relatives have good taste. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvesrvJcH84PAWjC90Dzm3DRiZ4ycPFkxk14hUILdfvUGHQe-HgAOcN9DsqJbRU96IgzqKJMbBB1HMLj-eLu6LXRkCOyyga3PA9zrMRrEhYtlyddpGuFhYpmYKR9RHzBi5ujKvbLO4X5l0/s1600/clothes-0277.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvesrvJcH84PAWjC90Dzm3DRiZ4ycPFkxk14hUILdfvUGHQe-HgAOcN9DsqJbRU96IgzqKJMbBB1HMLj-eLu6LXRkCOyyga3PA9zrMRrEhYtlyddpGuFhYpmYKR9RHzBi5ujKvbLO4X5l0/s640/clothes-0277.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Have you ever had a piece that just feels like you? That there is just something familiar and comfortable about it? That's what this sweater is like for me. I picked it up at Goodwill almost 15 years ago and I've worn it every fall/winter since. The skirt was a gift from my mother-in-law. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSlyHM4DYV7K1AvcxLf1ZOGoHojXk7VH05bzmuWnrNgxn4M_Pim9KXFLgLwz4p_X_rQDqhIp3_gHDYKHrKPCA0u3jWIlfFfGO73rG1M9eFdM1MyQeEfmWCMVJ02rE-OkIkjnn1qx-AB8jG/s1600/clothes-0061.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSlyHM4DYV7K1AvcxLf1ZOGoHojXk7VH05bzmuWnrNgxn4M_Pim9KXFLgLwz4p_X_rQDqhIp3_gHDYKHrKPCA0u3jWIlfFfGO73rG1M9eFdM1MyQeEfmWCMVJ02rE-OkIkjnn1qx-AB8jG/s640/clothes-0061.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs_GoYmHFmZy8zccDpQb2ogx3vc-hK_DBL6ECshQ-pje_VTz0w5AKakBr5j2UIUV3RGka8kg2eUEVS_Mm7TA8zZOA6lNvyTOSo0-mZ613JUb311X6eIEkTzm9gwoDz9UMsCmbr_idW6q89/s1600/oops-0245.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs_GoYmHFmZy8zccDpQb2ogx3vc-hK_DBL6ECshQ-pje_VTz0w5AKakBr5j2UIUV3RGka8kg2eUEVS_Mm7TA8zZOA6lNvyTOSo0-mZ613JUb311X6eIEkTzm9gwoDz9UMsCmbr_idW6q89/s640/oops-0245.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTruVXoVN7MFCMPnsEm8CeAPMo-3x0ZCbr_2VZT-r82CifTQUQQNTx_6sFjqV7sS28SDUf5Fo71wCMXLqdrSStAjUKYOOqrpvqQ68WkIp2-BQR2vuSUhhVu_bjBH4Y6Gxeqy-UXIyXS67_/s1600/clothes-0126.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTruVXoVN7MFCMPnsEm8CeAPMo-3x0ZCbr_2VZT-r82CifTQUQQNTx_6sFjqV7sS28SDUf5Fo71wCMXLqdrSStAjUKYOOqrpvqQ68WkIp2-BQR2vuSUhhVu_bjBH4Y6Gxeqy-UXIyXS67_/s640/clothes-0126.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
I love playing with different shades of reds and greens come December. The above sweater is another gift from my mother-in-law - YES, I do realize how lucky I am in the in-law department. Both the shirt and the skirt below are thrifted pieces. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO3E5MhMuaciB6gyqXLvtTSs_MU9a1q9KvwmR0x6SeEhtB7Em7y2Tv8vhFKJr50IaGuh21XEFISjIbNtd56-FKie-UmEkEYi0UIIdGReL3j5VqePmD-CF0UGacXJONPoXeWQzPwbDg7obO/s1600/clothes-0129.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO3E5MhMuaciB6gyqXLvtTSs_MU9a1q9KvwmR0x6SeEhtB7Em7y2Tv8vhFKJr50IaGuh21XEFISjIbNtd56-FKie-UmEkEYi0UIIdGReL3j5VqePmD-CF0UGacXJONPoXeWQzPwbDg7obO/s640/clothes-0129.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2HxnHgU7BO67MCCcDZeTUDxn-KeUzlnZ3NtiPxXN50PX1T9zgqIG_NaY1boaXyV68V4JBdX72HAGjI1cZkUESWd2B1URae6S2aGXKxiqrkKKmpO7lglYndYU7ZW3auc26FvL1C73_dKkb/s1600/clothes-0046.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2HxnHgU7BO67MCCcDZeTUDxn-KeUzlnZ3NtiPxXN50PX1T9zgqIG_NaY1boaXyV68V4JBdX72HAGjI1cZkUESWd2B1URae6S2aGXKxiqrkKKmpO7lglYndYU7ZW3auc26FvL1C73_dKkb/s640/clothes-0046.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
This shirt is another thrift find from a few years ago. It's become one of my go to pieces in the fall/winter. I like that its long enough to wear over leggings but still tucks nicely into skirts. </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/AVvXsEi9KPQ5wEXiFBAdShR6YZZBwKUVA63C88EsATVkaRsUE_QCmPNIM7wTvUedwcnJPpFUlMZN_mp0EsXUYCARDiTO50i26z9tfgXSGdj0fXackd0AQtmqwEDJtUlZoxghpxaK9HrS6hL9y-kL/s1600/clothes-0194.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9KPQ5wEXiFBAdShR6YZZBwKUVA63C88EsATVkaRsUE_QCmPNIM7wTvUedwcnJPpFUlMZN_mp0EsXUYCARDiTO50i26z9tfgXSGdj0fXackd0AQtmqwEDJtUlZoxghpxaK9HrS6hL9y-kL/s640/clothes-0194.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
I'm super impressed if you've scrolled all the way through. I promise next time not to wait so long between 'what I've been wearing' posts.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYzDzV0P3u8VaIOQDKIFT6iXhLi-2BHcdaRhTaaFTSlYE6bbPGARBur-QidArRVn_2ULs0tCK0A5534qk0vam8zf_3Yn24x84cVd6BI2tEm7YPSjCrALM1Q-T5Of8JApMncnDYT74opGeU/s1600/clothes-0201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYzDzV0P3u8VaIOQDKIFT6iXhLi-2BHcdaRhTaaFTSlYE6bbPGARBur-QidArRVn_2ULs0tCK0A5534qk0vam8zf_3Yn24x84cVd6BI2tEm7YPSjCrALM1Q-T5Of8JApMncnDYT74opGeU/s640/clothes-0201.jpg" width="425" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Hope your holiday season has been merry!</div>
Rachel Kaylynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09114768437192098372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-559694926328998802.post-91105266556174274742017-12-13T22:06:00.002-06:002017-12-13T22:06:41.882-06:00Christmas at Backbone State Park<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
This year, for my extended families Christmas get-together we rented cabins at a <a href="http://www.iowadnr.gov/Places-to-Go/State-Parks/Iowa-State-Parks/ParkDetails/ParkID/610105">Backbone State Park</a> in Iowa. Since both my sister Sarah and I have larger families it's become a bit cramped to host all of us in one house. This ended up being the perfect solution. The park was about midway between everyone's respective locations so the drive wasn't too bad. The park was beautiful and we were pleasantly surprised by the cabins. They were pretty inexpensive to rent so it was nice to find them bigger than we expected. They were clean and the furniture was comfortable; we really couldn't of asked for a better place to stay. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
I should of taken more pictures of the cabin, but I didn't really think about until we got home. I did, however, make sure to get some pictures of all the cousins. </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/AVvXsEgwwb_SpWqNfOeDbgSIt8X18uAurPAU3GVTDU8VFL8PfPgCJ0xGHtD5rs2uIVkn_ins15IY8Q8X2yWNFkEKHv1uLPMBr9OJorpZo3yaRPUL9rwvgZr5Lio4OLkr3KwGQ66cPeMzOUaDtAhU/s1600/Cousin+Christmas+%252816+of+28%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1281" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwwb_SpWqNfOeDbgSIt8X18uAurPAU3GVTDU8VFL8PfPgCJ0xGHtD5rs2uIVkn_ins15IY8Q8X2yWNFkEKHv1uLPMBr9OJorpZo3yaRPUL9rwvgZr5Lio4OLkr3KwGQ66cPeMzOUaDtAhU/s640/Cousin+Christmas+%252816+of+28%2529.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-1XbYpJzBQ0iQii8HZl0uvP_6mvR-lvp84axXX2Wnc2yAGwktCl3bWIsUFhU9VQyV2zdtM-FO9IA0_X9PJ5gjmw-sxA5dIxhqvccOqHLOyxuiuseeL6av7Yk_KOTNCfANEy-VFSDa2fm5/s1600/Cousin+Christmas+%252814+of+28%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-1XbYpJzBQ0iQii8HZl0uvP_6mvR-lvp84axXX2Wnc2yAGwktCl3bWIsUFhU9VQyV2zdtM-FO9IA0_X9PJ5gjmw-sxA5dIxhqvccOqHLOyxuiuseeL6av7Yk_KOTNCfANEy-VFSDa2fm5/s640/Cousin+Christmas+%252814+of+28%2529.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0v4e1cFqdzft9Uc-i7oKS5JUYJQpjzkYXhhSa8aK6FEyd6L6rEMBU0oKsMTgNvan4nxdVYxs8yJVIcftf6Gbnlp2bNAZzGdR_mFV1SNpedsHkfckPzZ9Doc6kG_-NoR4d5n6pvKHnU6Fq/s1600/Cousin+Christmas+%25286+of+28%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0v4e1cFqdzft9Uc-i7oKS5JUYJQpjzkYXhhSa8aK6FEyd6L6rEMBU0oKsMTgNvan4nxdVYxs8yJVIcftf6Gbnlp2bNAZzGdR_mFV1SNpedsHkfckPzZ9Doc6kG_-NoR4d5n6pvKHnU6Fq/s640/Cousin+Christmas+%25286+of+28%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkRMKUWBv3v6Lx-GikNFi9d-L5-UBYS_wdTQIFu8b-xkA8m-7e09eP4KMEobwlyUNLXOuuh-YPKlqj1nQjT9hU6VBAtgDx5ofQKN06Kmcxlu0sPLGlsRDSJGzIkxBsDRVL0gaX1tCsoi2a/s1600/Cousin+Christmas+%25288+of+28%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1281" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkRMKUWBv3v6Lx-GikNFi9d-L5-UBYS_wdTQIFu8b-xkA8m-7e09eP4KMEobwlyUNLXOuuh-YPKlqj1nQjT9hU6VBAtgDx5ofQKN06Kmcxlu0sPLGlsRDSJGzIkxBsDRVL0gaX1tCsoi2a/s640/Cousin+Christmas+%25288+of+28%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
My oldest niece is the sweetest...I hope my kids are the same way when they are teenagers.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9bJcw5YNTGoQ-soPpYbPoLvB7zrDMUWP5R4fawYGfKTLentOHU-fFg3vL6__fzadkphofVFntRIVRp6cQNM_WbKb08s2Y-_KC0axMLl-yLtS13VvCu06Z_nFD0UnViLdQ20DHiyvCdl9d/s1600/Cousin+Christmas+%25289+of+28%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1281" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9bJcw5YNTGoQ-soPpYbPoLvB7zrDMUWP5R4fawYGfKTLentOHU-fFg3vL6__fzadkphofVFntRIVRp6cQNM_WbKb08s2Y-_KC0axMLl-yLtS13VvCu06Z_nFD0UnViLdQ20DHiyvCdl9d/s640/Cousin+Christmas+%25289+of+28%2529.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Jeremy and I would not have probably given in to the <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N1FZVNU/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=rachelkaylynn-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B01N1FZVNU&linkId=e9dc5d146278883689ad641a46741281">Hatchimal </a>craze, but I guess that's what aunts are for. Little Lady was on cloud nine and the rest of us were pretty mesmerized too. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBA-Mo8PaVFLzN0zX8yMO25cdq72Tx4CEhj-0kZE8Tu7rJSoxNmjXbTFvX00vw30h5q18WrqFa1gQXqMn46fYz76FF2FN1gtHMGgmcw55WiuJKbsuhCf7OgV6bI9J3zjFUmYQYyC6okgpb/s1600/Cousin+Christmas+%25284+of+28%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBA-Mo8PaVFLzN0zX8yMO25cdq72Tx4CEhj-0kZE8Tu7rJSoxNmjXbTFvX00vw30h5q18WrqFa1gQXqMn46fYz76FF2FN1gtHMGgmcw55WiuJKbsuhCf7OgV6bI9J3zjFUmYQYyC6okgpb/s640/Cousin+Christmas+%25284+of+28%2529.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtlG-F85uTXuvAoCzeVPHXIh2A5aPyFC42_UiXOEZQtB9Lj5c9zs8NFdsBaNddAL775cscYaas6askrHyXOdvU4TL9dNODudzgWkhvBQzuiIaNaHzzZT1tIX3Hoj6wK6BG9u5KSxtEwde9/s1600/Cousin+Christmas+%252811+of+28%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1281" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtlG-F85uTXuvAoCzeVPHXIh2A5aPyFC42_UiXOEZQtB9Lj5c9zs8NFdsBaNddAL775cscYaas6askrHyXOdvU4TL9dNODudzgWkhvBQzuiIaNaHzzZT1tIX3Hoj6wK6BG9u5KSxtEwde9/s640/Cousin+Christmas+%252811+of+28%2529.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
These faces 💗😁</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinnSGkCnx5_PQ70N5FOusLxEWdRhPsOPf-5dlsavcQn-woDWzfDqvXhWJtN7GCw8z2ZT-Ed-Fbd0Pm78eul7K_1jnkgZ-738bVmROuody8YcAGtO0UPDBZl6bHpvCU4j5LIJW2cn5LGjsY/s1600/Cousin+Christmas+%252812+of+28%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinnSGkCnx5_PQ70N5FOusLxEWdRhPsOPf-5dlsavcQn-woDWzfDqvXhWJtN7GCw8z2ZT-Ed-Fbd0Pm78eul7K_1jnkgZ-738bVmROuody8YcAGtO0UPDBZl6bHpvCU4j5LIJW2cn5LGjsY/s640/Cousin+Christmas+%252812+of+28%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd-1Oc1r_CLUTmBsaPRtlQTVL9ydth6wg-7RuMXAbDl2n7pogd468rZ_U1dxlhhat7jOH51zyZ0i7zHQ6hWm533_ZXta3q16bElEVcl4R0ukC-V1yiIa8OeqCUr4-fIgr-xlUZJKyo4KN_/s1600/Cousin+Christmas+%252813+of+28%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd-1Oc1r_CLUTmBsaPRtlQTVL9ydth6wg-7RuMXAbDl2n7pogd468rZ_U1dxlhhat7jOH51zyZ0i7zHQ6hWm533_ZXta3q16bElEVcl4R0ukC-V1yiIa8OeqCUr4-fIgr-xlUZJKyo4KN_/s640/Cousin+Christmas+%252813+of+28%2529.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Everyone else was pretty pleased with their gifts too. It was a simple time, but we had a lot of fun of taking hikes together, playing games, and enjoying good food. </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/AVvXsEio4FcB1EpvPV598rUyTQXgNc-3ZWP6h3zt4DQRvuhpo7SHzhmrxn_kVG1sEOGUrgLBOlhaUyrBrv5EL_8XV88e5-5ShrCOMBMprEMDc_i9RSzC5ayd1V3c1F2IHWhyKqxFi6M_VtDh_L7E/s1600/Cousin+Christmas+%25283+of+28%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio4FcB1EpvPV598rUyTQXgNc-3ZWP6h3zt4DQRvuhpo7SHzhmrxn_kVG1sEOGUrgLBOlhaUyrBrv5EL_8XV88e5-5ShrCOMBMprEMDc_i9RSzC5ayd1V3c1F2IHWhyKqxFi6M_VtDh_L7E/s640/Cousin+Christmas+%25283+of+28%2529.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdm9vnA9fjlxEuYjZw5bR5vEB-G46mzuwDwtOLKdpq4Er8baKbEtc8WAefVOOvuEEnWLKPUxns6QLWJuDNvdHn-7hIONbHC0cJ10rQHoy2x8hNtJZSObw-_uYNHYu_BHdcNq8GVoP1qhLz/s1600/Cousin+Christmas+%25287+of+28%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdm9vnA9fjlxEuYjZw5bR5vEB-G46mzuwDwtOLKdpq4Er8baKbEtc8WAefVOOvuEEnWLKPUxns6QLWJuDNvdHn-7hIONbHC0cJ10rQHoy2x8hNtJZSObw-_uYNHYu_BHdcNq8GVoP1qhLz/s640/Cousin+Christmas+%25287+of+28%2529.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiurnh9ALE-r2diUmGnv_eiFzMbtnuoLTrnhM6OCkXrLkKwvspA7Ho7_oifFk4KpTfssHSYCHq8h3PzZmXNwLWRtM-ifPytVRthCJNk5m00pw0BFhYSHnUekELOxwvNam0Kqgjr3RAhDL33/s1600/Cousin+Christmas+%25282+of+28%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1281" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiurnh9ALE-r2diUmGnv_eiFzMbtnuoLTrnhM6OCkXrLkKwvspA7Ho7_oifFk4KpTfssHSYCHq8h3PzZmXNwLWRtM-ifPytVRthCJNk5m00pw0BFhYSHnUekELOxwvNam0Kqgjr3RAhDL33/s640/Cousin+Christmas+%25282+of+28%2529.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaKkYBa2SKY8uvFBN6l4Ib5OhyphenhyphendMgYWv3AOtSx_1bP8gbbobt8NJ1b6ielvx1pNCnPb7GFMFGIWSLStbVFRFB9QZMxdQveE7rtg1UV_Sti6l-i2CPMlN4Gb_FoQjR8d-Nqv6DF1oPAs_hU/s1600/Cousin+Christmas+%252810+of+28%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaKkYBa2SKY8uvFBN6l4Ib5OhyphenhyphendMgYWv3AOtSx_1bP8gbbobt8NJ1b6ielvx1pNCnPb7GFMFGIWSLStbVFRFB9QZMxdQveE7rtg1UV_Sti6l-i2CPMlN4Gb_FoQjR8d-Nqv6DF1oPAs_hU/s640/Cousin+Christmas+%252810+of+28%2529.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh50Xd1m7ZUaTx7uxzKaDp_CM5Huk2VLtnCua_Rkxs41uR9eY_EzpZKxn8rwNRMEOOPGxbp-Yl4dYFeUu21QPACCBi_8vD_cdw5_w6liIMASvumu67KsCwRTpB8tYDmbApRSGb7rYHRxuEK/s1600/Cousin+Christmas+%252817+of+28%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh50Xd1m7ZUaTx7uxzKaDp_CM5Huk2VLtnCua_Rkxs41uR9eY_EzpZKxn8rwNRMEOOPGxbp-Yl4dYFeUu21QPACCBi_8vD_cdw5_w6liIMASvumu67KsCwRTpB8tYDmbApRSGb7rYHRxuEK/s640/Cousin+Christmas+%252817+of+28%2529.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
↑ Can you see the resemblance between my sister Sarah, my mom, and I. When we were kids Sarah was called Rachel all the time; now when I return to our hometown everyone assumes I'm her. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Our favorite part of the having Christmas at Backbone was getting to explore the trails. We went out a couple times with my family and then stayed after checkout of one more hike. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzJ5H_uFxbjkI6DZYHKGtpEF11kr0vk1WX_RC5EebLPRESxojYIwoCEjKMD-tzT4twspKJzMg-OcANNXN5wxWMonwt3IVeaM909_NnFIOjaO_s9FUNujmiPZapwlN-XuBGyDadd826m421/s1600/Cousin+Christmas+%25285+of+28%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1281" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzJ5H_uFxbjkI6DZYHKGtpEF11kr0vk1WX_RC5EebLPRESxojYIwoCEjKMD-tzT4twspKJzMg-OcANNXN5wxWMonwt3IVeaM909_NnFIOjaO_s9FUNujmiPZapwlN-XuBGyDadd826m421/s640/Cousin+Christmas+%25285+of+28%2529.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg99u8KL_ymW1t6dSTGc-wnkAET3B4yxKR_JeScJZe-sQzCg8uUhLvZ_xgg1gLGZshMAD59TvAJbbf7bmZqvYlSoNfVW4KadtFuxuhYyKCZ8bTHjKe5D8NQyLDNBiVZxBTlAXrZW2uwByUm/s1600/Cousin+Christmas+%252825+of+28%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg99u8KL_ymW1t6dSTGc-wnkAET3B4yxKR_JeScJZe-sQzCg8uUhLvZ_xgg1gLGZshMAD59TvAJbbf7bmZqvYlSoNfVW4KadtFuxuhYyKCZ8bTHjKe5D8NQyLDNBiVZxBTlAXrZW2uwByUm/s640/Cousin+Christmas+%252825+of+28%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizOACCFkHKTST0ynkkwKBT-Ksq6iX6dMAhVHN1kRAYeGa9odGgy5Cvnd3nJuaFHn5kt2eUoefYnEz_ebvq0JzirYMRLz_GDUhAcxP8LIMEUMQ1ZQY8Jn4CHk3gwBmdaVd5532qmJ3Atz4Q/s1600/Cousin+Christmas+%252818+of+28%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizOACCFkHKTST0ynkkwKBT-Ksq6iX6dMAhVHN1kRAYeGa9odGgy5Cvnd3nJuaFHn5kt2eUoefYnEz_ebvq0JzirYMRLz_GDUhAcxP8LIMEUMQ1ZQY8Jn4CHk3gwBmdaVd5532qmJ3Atz4Q/s640/Cousin+Christmas+%252818+of+28%2529.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXbQjOCiedKwLdvN_AllYmgEb_co5TGOUrnUnzCq2BZtw7HVs62M5bH7dhxkVaV628VrXWxvMOAm43rvZdd_HyPmA6pV59aehx-m657WewYaQWqH8xDI4k5ghTyyKzKEHTCPzT8cxC5log/s1600/Cousin+Christmas+%252819+of+28%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXbQjOCiedKwLdvN_AllYmgEb_co5TGOUrnUnzCq2BZtw7HVs62M5bH7dhxkVaV628VrXWxvMOAm43rvZdd_HyPmA6pV59aehx-m657WewYaQWqH8xDI4k5ghTyyKzKEHTCPzT8cxC5log/s640/Cousin+Christmas+%252819+of+28%2529.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW05SuudCiGIBAOvC9m-SrkIwHskJpaVD-jCt1_xXsYA_T_weuQAHefsHbZkFwR6ITy3xMEHrOvQjYFOqN3eMElzuUQFJ-rwUh5DtPS8BYV-HDS3M8cXeg4-GUWmboxtFDrYoX2pSEWcZi/s1600/Cousin+Christmas+%252820+of+28%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW05SuudCiGIBAOvC9m-SrkIwHskJpaVD-jCt1_xXsYA_T_weuQAHefsHbZkFwR6ITy3xMEHrOvQjYFOqN3eMElzuUQFJ-rwUh5DtPS8BYV-HDS3M8cXeg4-GUWmboxtFDrYoX2pSEWcZi/s640/Cousin+Christmas+%252820+of+28%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></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/AVvXsEiqaDPBZI6u1Sc9iD-lh74cyvSqheZrcTA-A9QqMRfddv3aARUFG27xPGwD_Az3E6bvNqGT9_32tDcshl6a8GnQoxMI3GhX4mgfXWQzH-UXWQU4Qtks1N7LgqKwy3Jo3OC7JyJMohOhmQET/s1600/Cousin+Christmas+%252823+of+28%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqaDPBZI6u1Sc9iD-lh74cyvSqheZrcTA-A9QqMRfddv3aARUFG27xPGwD_Az3E6bvNqGT9_32tDcshl6a8GnQoxMI3GhX4mgfXWQzH-UXWQU4Qtks1N7LgqKwy3Jo3OC7JyJMohOhmQET/s640/Cousin+Christmas+%252823+of+28%2529.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfD-89jQQcT8lhkUeollYsk3EmYKvutESs50oCPEzIucdlznkaCzdqAypKBW-vV5Dd66AhcqUzXSieyuOkXMfg6po72L39Q1XGl7HzVtqYbDXKLw3gvYvm4oTZ7WsTvKCp2fQgTUlzOw7o/s1600/Cousin+Christmas+%252824+of+28%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfD-89jQQcT8lhkUeollYsk3EmYKvutESs50oCPEzIucdlznkaCzdqAypKBW-vV5Dd66AhcqUzXSieyuOkXMfg6po72L39Q1XGl7HzVtqYbDXKLw3gvYvm4oTZ7WsTvKCp2fQgTUlzOw7o/s640/Cousin+Christmas+%252824+of+28%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPHko4uTk5ocO-pHlkFlB_FUxh5Ny9noqOudoWlZW3-C1hTdhsXAV0VJbYLJCao7fuk-fyrweVbXiu9BGr7y9oFAB-LL3TgZn2QQOu0fi5Wyh6SsbD0ljrZGq1DC2iVsp4K3uIBspsHcMQ/s1600/Cousin+Christmas+%252826+of+28%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1281" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPHko4uTk5ocO-pHlkFlB_FUxh5Ny9noqOudoWlZW3-C1hTdhsXAV0VJbYLJCao7fuk-fyrweVbXiu9BGr7y9oFAB-LL3TgZn2QQOu0fi5Wyh6SsbD0ljrZGq1DC2iVsp4K3uIBspsHcMQ/s640/Cousin+Christmas+%252826+of+28%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTk9hVPG3i9xAmUqn4RHmZ3OC7cDzb254v0hjfuus4enQTQB3MD7SWc5BTj9RVTlAYj7wZCwVHxM-USUfQ4x_Mg2DKdIQUa0vPXxkVzfYv5GyZtyxaLwEA5_MUQzJod1w4POZ7nI1Axw_J/s1600/Cousin+Christmas+%252827+of+28%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1281" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTk9hVPG3i9xAmUqn4RHmZ3OC7cDzb254v0hjfuus4enQTQB3MD7SWc5BTj9RVTlAYj7wZCwVHxM-USUfQ4x_Mg2DKdIQUa0vPXxkVzfYv5GyZtyxaLwEA5_MUQzJod1w4POZ7nI1Axw_J/s640/Cousin+Christmas+%252827+of+28%2529.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
If you live Iowa, I highly recommended checking out Backbone. We already have plans to go back and are hoping sometime we can check it out in the summer and try out the beach. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuhwJu7xT2snl-E4D307oenT-MUnz_Oz7oQz3Y-kPgTXdWDPWgyqR9ZwWC5ADT69eKaSEPQYwUPJY7i5nYlqH4ybmIUUuwJrOsavY0uox9Z1UXEoF643WWqIpynJyJ3-0eU6S49zCTg-g8/s1600/Cousin+Christmas+%252822+of+28%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuhwJu7xT2snl-E4D307oenT-MUnz_Oz7oQz3Y-kPgTXdWDPWgyqR9ZwWC5ADT69eKaSEPQYwUPJY7i5nYlqH4ybmIUUuwJrOsavY0uox9Z1UXEoF643WWqIpynJyJ3-0eU6S49zCTg-g8/s640/Cousin+Christmas+%252822+of+28%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Rachel Kaylynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09114768437192098372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-559694926328998802.post-47413188741981871712017-12-01T17:58:00.000-06:002017-12-01T17:58:14.789-06:00Picture Book Advent.<div style="text-align: justify;">
We just started our picture book Advent today. I wrap 24 Christmas themed books each year, and every morning leading up to Christmas we open one and read it. Jeremy does a J<a href="http://joyfullyweary.blogspot.com/2011/11/our-advent-calendar.html?q=Jesse+Tree+advent">esse Tree Advent </a>that we made using <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0310708257/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=rachelkaylynn-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=0310708257&linkId=cc47555d4478d7870f8e2ae41e4ac355">The Jesus Storybook Bible</a> </i>at night, but since we homeschool I wanted something we could work into our school day. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigyGNe387XLSsIkvDCB-1Awr0n-GlI_lO3cWkQc2VPSOJNS1zC0iPoAnewYp4VBnauMSOvZPUjND6UcdjLa97o4kb-cwsXcdH9z47jj65eTgWMY5PLhxDif93MiI8uCwZASMk7UxyTS1qI/s1600/Advent+%25284+of+11%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigyGNe387XLSsIkvDCB-1Awr0n-GlI_lO3cWkQc2VPSOJNS1zC0iPoAnewYp4VBnauMSOvZPUjND6UcdjLa97o4kb-cwsXcdH9z47jj65eTgWMY5PLhxDif93MiI8uCwZASMk7UxyTS1qI/s640/Advent+%25284+of+11%2529.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It's a good problem to have, but it was actually hard narrowing down our favorite Christmas books to 24. I struggled with which on ones to wrap; then Jeremy remind me that even if I didn't wrap them we could still read them. So we have our wrapped books and a few other picture books in a basket. Read-aloud-time is one of my favorite activities to do with my kiddos and Christmas books are just so fun!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggJeB2uxdXwJMJUA7vzNBmkAdOpSvk0Qnj0qD154T5DWpcZHagrlTRMXMT_PVvDJ8LvS1jiXFJJXWBqG_ZwoPXIItNjxnazzmMVXtdUpVm_yf20uv431FlnpfsESsIrxpq51LTtDfJL4GH/s1600/Advent+%25281+of+11%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggJeB2uxdXwJMJUA7vzNBmkAdOpSvk0Qnj0qD154T5DWpcZHagrlTRMXMT_PVvDJ8LvS1jiXFJJXWBqG_ZwoPXIItNjxnazzmMVXtdUpVm_yf20uv431FlnpfsESsIrxpq51LTtDfJL4GH/s640/Advent+%25281+of+11%2529.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhozATRbbCc_Gv16frkA5uiAC7fX3_zcw7YvkmzjQ4wD0Qx_YrykM2TD-r4GwXtOz7bkg0-n2Gm3KId4cmMUF3jjp59BZ5mX6Mz1UK6InfjmHnxW7_ZosSFS9hLWbIqmrCFTAl_lHDL2Ldn/s1600/Advent+%25282+of+11%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1281" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhozATRbbCc_Gv16frkA5uiAC7fX3_zcw7YvkmzjQ4wD0Qx_YrykM2TD-r4GwXtOz7bkg0-n2Gm3KId4cmMUF3jjp59BZ5mX6Mz1UK6InfjmHnxW7_ZosSFS9hLWbIqmrCFTAl_lHDL2Ldn/s640/Advent+%25282+of+11%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Here is the list of the 24 I finally narrowed it down too. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i style="font-style: italic;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1786030683/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=rachelkaylynn-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=1786030683&linkId=1949cd9c65ddbf3c1e888e964c90fde5">The Story of the Orchestra, The Nutcracker</a>, </i>by <span class="author notFaded" data-width="" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #111111;"><span class="a-declarative" data-a-popover="{"closeButtonLabel":"Close Author Dialog Popover","name":"contributor-info-B075ZQQVBR","position":"triggerBottom","popoverLabel":"Author Dialog Popover","allowLinkDefault":"true"}" data-action="a-popover" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Jessica Courtney-Tickle</span></span></b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i style="font-style: italic;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1940290333/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=rachelkaylynn-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=1940290333&linkId=5fcbb9fd9fc1c33462d512aac853113f">If Picasso Had a Christmas Tree</a></i><i>, </i>by Eric Gibbons </b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://amzn.to/2nkIUSB">Voices of Christmas</a></i><i>, </i>by Nikki Grimes<i> </i></b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i style="font-style: italic;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0670062197/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=rachelkaylynn-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=0670062197&linkId=95bd4666e5eb3d2756b7717034ceae3e">The Story of Holly and Ivy</a>,</i> by Rumor Godden</b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i style="font-style: italic;"><a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/p/story-of-christmas-for-children-beverly-charette/1002071953/2675911069224?st=PLA&sid=BNB_DRS_Marketplace+Shopping+Books_00000000&2sid=Google_&sourceId=PLGoP1948&k_clickid=3x1948&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIifPqrvjp1wIVF7bACh2imgz-EAQYASABEgJ01vD_BwE">The Story of Christmas for Children,</a> </i>by <span style="box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial;">Beverly Rae Wiersum</span> </b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0312384211/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=rachelkaylynn-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=0312384211&linkId=072ed1aa1eb5773f70c07d950186e184" style="font-style: italic;"><i>This Is the Stable</i></a><i style="font-style: italic;">, </i>by <span class="author notFaded" data-width="" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #111111;"><span class="a-declarative" data-a-popover="{"closeButtonLabel":"Close Author Dialog Popover","name":"contributor-info-B001HMTN2G","position":"triggerBottom","popoverLabel":"Author Dialog Popover","allowLinkDefault":"true"}" data-action="a-popover" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Cynthia Cotten</span></span></b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1585362700/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=rachelkaylynn-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=1585362700&linkId=eeb3fa57788bd8ec92331125ab2987d4" style="font-style: italic;"><i>Apple Tree Christmas</i></a><i>, </i>by Trinka Hakes Noble</b></span></li>
<li><b><i><a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/p/we-were-there-eve-bunting/1100301845/2678477700136?st=PLA&sid=BNB_DRS_Marketplace+Shopping+Books_00000000&2sid=Google_&sourceId=PLGoP4449&k_clickid=3x4449&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIyYaN4vjp1wIVU7nACh3Q3wSlEAQYASABEgKqAPD_BwE">We Were There: A Nativity Story</a> </i>by Eve Bunting</b></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i style="font-style: italic;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1561453749/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=rachelkaylynn-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=1561453749&linkId=c0d4f29dd72b6462cef73af4394d05d9">Christmas in the Trenches</a>,</i> by John McCutcheon</b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i style="font-style: italic;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/076246125X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=rachelkaylynn-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=076246125X&linkId=ee49aa7766d64e41197b645789aef4f4">The ABC's of Christmas</a>, </i>by Jill Howarth</b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i style="font-style: italic;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1406376922/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=rachelkaylynn-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=1406376922&linkId=6703bea831e604bb9d990245eee88704">Red and Lulu</a>,</i> by Matt Tavares</b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i style="font-style: italic;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0310722918/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=rachelkaylynn-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=0310722918&linkId=7ae5916ae346e74903c5ac93ed4bd23d">Song of the Stars,</a> </i>by Sally Lloyd-Jones</b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i style="font-style: italic;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0515157635/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=rachelkaylynn-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=0515157635&linkId=3fb40b6396835737d8e2adb0dffc28cb">The Twelve Days of Christmas</a>, </i>by Emma Randall<span style="color: #111111;"> </span></b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i style="font-style: italic;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0395564387/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=rachelkaylynn-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=0395564387&linkId=dc9792fdfaf57d30b0895c36b4577904">The Gingerbread Doll</a>,</i> by Susan Tews</b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i style="font-style: italic;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0570060958/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=rachelkaylynn-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=0570060958&linkId=ae802d4bb34a9babf732b25416ace67a">The Night the Angels Sang</a>, </i>by Allan Ross</b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="font-style: italic;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0688162673/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=rachelkaylynn-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=0688162673&linkId=48ed9a3f198cfb20e674a1653ee8679c" style="font-style: italic;">Christmas Day in the Morning,</a><span style="font-style: normal;"> </span></span>by <span class="a-size-small a-color-secondary" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(85, 85, 85) !important; line-height: 1.25 !important;">Pearl S. Buck</span></b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i style="font-style: italic;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1481486861/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=rachelkaylynn-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=1481486861&linkId=a1956b34f0d51ee3883f1ed6491c3fbd">The Little Reindeer</a>, </i>by Nicola Killen</b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i style="font-style: italic;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0833512455/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=rachelkaylynn-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=0833512455&linkId=c092ef088f69e2f8c43117ed3b344376">New Coat of Anna</a>, </i>by Harriet Ziefert</b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i style="font-style: italic;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0310731151/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=rachelkaylynn-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=0310731151&linkId=6ba31648c17cf1005d74a75c62f6a5d2">The Legend of St. Nick</a>, </i>by Dandi Daley Mackall</b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i style="font-style: italic;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0042P5L1W/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=rachelkaylynn-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B0042P5L1W&linkId=20ae402b13c218820595df9af7165a29">Josie's Gift</a>, </i>by Kathleen Bostrom</b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i style="font-style: italic;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0140567437/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=rachelkaylynn-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=0140567437&linkId=f9cace4ccd94db8ae34dbf046238e2ba">The Little Drummer Boy,</a> </i>by Ezra Jack Keats</b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i style="font-style: italic;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0763635308/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=rachelkaylynn-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=0763635308&linkId=60a3f62e42fae28174f071fd7124608e">The Gift of the Magi</a>, </i>by O Henry</b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i style="font-style: italic;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/039924302X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=rachelkaylynn-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=039924302X&linkId=c0aef6348370168205e462204bd0b1e7">An Orange for Frankie</a>, </i>by Patricia Polacco</b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0789315688/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=rachelkaylynn-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=0789315688&linkId=952fc622c2952405b792ea45fda7cc07" style="font-style: italic;"><i>The Night Before Christma</i>s</a><i>, </i>illustrated by Grandma Moses</b></span></li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
One thing really special about our wrapped Advent books this year is that a few of them: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0789315688/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=rachelkaylynn-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=0789315688&linkId=952fc622c2952405b792ea45fda7cc07" style="font-style: italic;"><i>The Night Before Christma</i>s</a>, <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/076246125X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=rachelkaylynn-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=076246125X&linkId=ee49aa7766d64e41197b645789aef4f4">The ABC's of Christmas</a>, </i><i><a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/p/story-of-christmas-for-children-beverly-charette/1002071953/2675911069224?st=PLA&sid=BNB_DRS_Marketplace+Shopping+Books_00000000&2sid=Google_&sourceId=PLGoP1948&k_clickid=3x1948&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIifPqrvjp1wIVF7bACh2imgz-EAQYASABEgJ01vD_BwE">The Story of Christmas for Children</a>, </i>and, <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0570060958/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=rachelkaylynn-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=0570060958&linkId=ae802d4bb34a9babf732b25416ace67a">The Night the Angels Sang</a> </i>are hand-me-downs from Jeremy's mom. There is something heartwarming to know that he enjoyed these same books as a child. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoymB0h4t10h8XKpNsbR6T_kPJq0jtS6FYs6QU0Hx0NO6w_-t35z6ar3LPDqYOWzOMMJyqTgeQhlc-tAxfsAtWZ2H2Wu3Slgo7DAamY7nuP2NmPge1zymOLKNUqP4LPBAF93skVgYTwYgj/s1600/Advent+%25283+of+11%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoymB0h4t10h8XKpNsbR6T_kPJq0jtS6FYs6QU0Hx0NO6w_-t35z6ar3LPDqYOWzOMMJyqTgeQhlc-tAxfsAtWZ2H2Wu3Slgo7DAamY7nuP2NmPge1zymOLKNUqP4LPBAF93skVgYTwYgj/s640/Advent+%25283+of+11%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Probably my boys' favorite Christmas book of all time is <i><a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/p/we-were-there-eve-bunting/1100301845/2678477700136?st=PLA&sid=BNB_DRS_Marketplace+Shopping+Books_00000000&2sid=Google_&sourceId=PLGoP4449&k_clickid=3x4449&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIyYaN4vjp1wIVU7nACh3Q3wSlEAQYASABEgKqAPD_BwE">We Were There: A Nativity Story</a> </i>by Eve Bunting. There are lots of stories from the farm animals point-of-view; this story is about how the animals we find 'creepy' also took note of of Jesus's birth and worshiped.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Most of the books listed above are old favorites but there are few new ones we just became acquainted: <i style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1406376922/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=rachelkaylynn-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=1406376922&linkId=6703bea831e604bb9d990245eee88704">Red and Lulu</a>,</i><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><i style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1481486861/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=rachelkaylynn-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=1481486861&linkId=a1956b34f0d51ee3883f1ed6491c3fbd">The Little Reindeer</a>, </i>and <i style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1786030683/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=rachelkaylynn-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=1786030683&linkId=1949cd9c65ddbf3c1e888e964c90fde5">The Story of the Orchestra,The Nutcracker</a>. </i><span style="font-family: inherit;">I decided to start us off with The Nutcracker, since we are going to see the ballet in a couple weeks. I think it's </span>brilliant<span style="font-family: inherit;"> how they included clips of the orchestra on each page. The last page also gives you a tiny biography on Tchaikovsky as well as a little lesson on musical theory.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-teRul0hGrXVfByZ_T-bPwX_pevdSfCmo-6QJTKB24QomC86uAm_LaYYA1EwZQiiPGXrqC9WcB5o0vUC0FRH8sCnJMmC9ggxfi7wKvc7Wk_BwO4hDlZmbNMyQ_fjfJQI0jBR-zyMUdXT-/s1600/Advent+%252811+of+11%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-teRul0hGrXVfByZ_T-bPwX_pevdSfCmo-6QJTKB24QomC86uAm_LaYYA1EwZQiiPGXrqC9WcB5o0vUC0FRH8sCnJMmC9ggxfi7wKvc7Wk_BwO4hDlZmbNMyQ_fjfJQI0jBR-zyMUdXT-/s640/Advent+%252811+of+11%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgylcDidS5KynLMqWNs4J6FAiLsgtYnK6m76E_5BP7qGxCA-1XVDUVtf3cUd_SzcHNvVxj92DBP7thVuN_Idgz9KBRkYgzBj_dtHMD5GiagcwvRMzVzO-3I869XNKXaBGa6bKQJxm_dxqa2/s1600/Advent+%25288+of+11%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1281" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgylcDidS5KynLMqWNs4J6FAiLsgtYnK6m76E_5BP7qGxCA-1XVDUVtf3cUd_SzcHNvVxj92DBP7thVuN_Idgz9KBRkYgzBj_dtHMD5GiagcwvRMzVzO-3I869XNKXaBGa6bKQJxm_dxqa2/s640/Advent+%25288+of+11%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7M29naWUURjCEeQEmwTvHx_W39d7Dmlfb_yh6v0D_HTt0jFYDeL7uX5eZPsnclMNCq1OJ1YhS6Hh8UEFdc8jOKWZyCIpsZNa7IXULitMIN1VkLnJEpbN_G_L660XF6Ao7amxhtBqDcQmy/s1600/Advent+%25289+of+11%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7M29naWUURjCEeQEmwTvHx_W39d7Dmlfb_yh6v0D_HTt0jFYDeL7uX5eZPsnclMNCq1OJ1YhS6Hh8UEFdc8jOKWZyCIpsZNa7IXULitMIN1VkLnJEpbN_G_L660XF6Ao7amxhtBqDcQmy/s640/Advent+%25289+of+11%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpZ425wSF8RQdyJ7xaiyL4uYH5SMH-0aKU3x8fk7bykdlv6R7-9Om6hqmcUkvU9Dz3SntSs-9kQkbYCaaawM59PaaW2gOO0R3UUDr-_yxC_aCg9YcMADSvewoVuWndt2YM4XRpQSOeUT_M/s1600/Advent+%252810+of+11%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpZ425wSF8RQdyJ7xaiyL4uYH5SMH-0aKU3x8fk7bykdlv6R7-9Om6hqmcUkvU9Dz3SntSs-9kQkbYCaaawM59PaaW2gOO0R3UUDr-_yxC_aCg9YcMADSvewoVuWndt2YM4XRpQSOeUT_M/s640/Advent+%252810+of+11%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In addition to the picture books we will also be enjoying some Christmas themed chapter books. <span style="text-align: justify;">Little Lady and Mini Man will be independently reading </span><i style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0618369228/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=rachelkaylynn-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=0618369228&linkId=f396b1b68b88843a6cb94861a6329c67">Noelle of the Nutcraker</a> </i><span style="text-align: justify;">and Big Buddy will read <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1617205125/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=rachelkaylynn-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=1617205125&linkId=13f89248825f6aeb691bf4b200fff5d4">The Birds' Christmas Carol</a></i>. I adore Louisa May Alcott, but just discovered <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1562926160/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=rachelkaylynn-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=1562926160&linkId=8cced54e1ef5fd08c1cc8dda7b8015cd">The </a><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1562926160/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=rachelkaylynn-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=1562926160&linkId=8cced54e1ef5fd08c1cc8dda7b8015cd">Quiet Little Women</a>; </i>I am hoping I can find some time to enjoy it. Side-note, I think every mom, especially every homeschool mom, should read <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0141366087/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=rachelkaylynn-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=0141366087&linkId=b56c9aa0d6df3862bfc0591b3c29770d"><i>Little Men</i></a> - it is so good! We've already started <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0375859861/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=rachelkaylynn-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=0375859861&linkId=55374cd362f9b773a7af624bfad0b76e">Nancy and Plum</a></i> as a read-aloud and are almost finished...the kids beg for one more chapter every-time. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMrOMz_YHScFy4xUnSfRUq3F16DEziq2Hr221cFLkAdFVuwxOYTC-EwxVH6_BZBHZUEUW487QvkCFF6Bcztwk29M7WgT27pzqhql3vsCVojwq_OEZaEuBEUGbrOa24K2YsJnBxlZ94ilwV/s1600/Advent+%25285+of+11%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMrOMz_YHScFy4xUnSfRUq3F16DEziq2Hr221cFLkAdFVuwxOYTC-EwxVH6_BZBHZUEUW487QvkCFF6Bcztwk29M7WgT27pzqhql3vsCVojwq_OEZaEuBEUGbrOa24K2YsJnBxlZ94ilwV/s640/Advent+%25285+of+11%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0895873192/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=rachelkaylynn-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=0895873192&linkId=3a1f4b7e61f4d374dcb5afe1f432290a">American Christmases</a> </i>and<i> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0310239265/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=rachelkaylynn-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=0310239265&linkId=40261dd6f105dbc79ad5c92da0822b33">Stories Behind the Best Loved Songs of Christmas</a></i> were both happy finds at our library's for sale room. <i>American Christmas </i>is a fascinating book; it contains short first hand accounts (letters, diaries, etc) from the 1600's to 2004. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I'm planning on adding listening to and study a Christmas carol to our routine in December. The above mentioned book contains 31 songs so we already got a head start and so far have really enjoyed the stories. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Last year we read <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0763631205/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=rachelkaylynn-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=0763631205&linkId=b6e45f1268a7978c5ccfe3d1984159c2">A Christmas Carol</a></i> for the first time. I'm hoping we get to it again this year; we might end up going the audible route. We are already planning on listening to <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001OR73P8/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=rachelkaylynn-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B001OR73P8&linkId=48b57e2baed70fbe5694e51ed73b5c4f">Winter Holiday</a></i>, a sequel to one of our favorite book we read this fall, <i><a href="http://joyfullyweary.blogspot.com/2017/11/swallows-and-amazons.html">Swallows and Amazons</a></i>.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSDSrK3DiFpduFSbr30Bm2dEuGuOuC5E2SrhA4oH7xyygnbYo97ecf9WTCx9ig3GUIKS74_lJ-678M4Eb3eUHP9xOsk6_zWT8SoJhOaMTkYSywowT1F36e9lzF68FZBX5UaI1Qxq-dpBwI/s1600/Advent+2+%25282+of+2%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1281" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSDSrK3DiFpduFSbr30Bm2dEuGuOuC5E2SrhA4oH7xyygnbYo97ecf9WTCx9ig3GUIKS74_lJ-678M4Eb3eUHP9xOsk6_zWT8SoJhOaMTkYSywowT1F36e9lzF68FZBX5UaI1Qxq-dpBwI/s640/Advent+2+%25282+of+2%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
If you can't tell - I love me some Christmas books! If you are interested here are two other lists I composed in the past: <a href="http://joyfullyweary.blogspot.com/2016/12/more-christmas-books.html?q=christmas+books">2016</a> and <a href="http://joyfullyweary.blogspot.com/2014/11/24-exceptional-picture-books-to-carry.html?q=christmas+books">2014</a>. If you have some favorites I haven't listed I'd love to hear about them!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Hope the beginning of your Advent has been a happy and restful one. </div>
Rachel Kaylynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09114768437192098372noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-559694926328998802.post-30391941389058988032017-11-25T11:58:00.003-06:002017-11-27T17:44:14.025-06:00Christmas Tree 2017<div style="text-align: justify;">
One of my favorite days of the year is Christmas Tree day. We prefer a real tree so we head out early in the morning to one of the local farms. For the the last several years we’ve been going to<a href="https://abbeyfarms.org/"> Abbey Farms</a>; it is by far the best place we’ve found in the Chicagoland area. Jeremy grew up in upstate New York so he has lots of quintessential memories of Christmas tree hunting. He was pretty bummed this year that their was no snow for our hunt - it was in 50’s! The kiddos and I, however, enjoyed the sunny weather.</div>
<div both="" center="" class="“separator”" text-align:="">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a 1em="" href="https://www.blogger.com/%E2%80%9Chttps://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Ki9cMuU2yk7fZLh6cGehfIyR0b1_c4Zgr9gZtK7ijFe1AdEL19ETeZ1DhyphenhyphenfT90SdaYPTb6gJozq3Po7qWIGMcdwfgC16B1AaGnEhlpmqdIxJYtbWoOI7MTaEaTzmG_ZTtPqHxR_G2niH/s1600/Christmas+Tree+%25286+of+28%2529.jpg%E2%80%9D" imageanchor="“1”" margin-right:="" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="“0”" data-original-height="“1600”" data-original-width="“1281”" height="“640”" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Ki9cMuU2yk7fZLh6cGehfIyR0b1_c4Zgr9gZtK7ijFe1AdEL19ETeZ1DhyphenhyphenfT90SdaYPTb6gJozq3Po7qWIGMcdwfgC16B1AaGnEhlpmqdIxJYtbWoOI7MTaEaTzmG_ZTtPqHxR_G2niH/s640/Christmas+Tree+%25286+of+28%2529.jpg%E2%80%9D" width="“512”" /></a></div>
</div>
<div both="" center="" class="“separator”" text-align:="">
</div>
<div both="" center="" class="“separator”" text-align:="">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a 1em="" href="https://www.blogger.com/%E2%80%9Chttps://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdPmxSYhRKqMj2voFV6ZnKTllXc53PFXAwr08t0dmqkDTEgtjRLT2E1vDOGS_ABSs7ouAM1hd2I3-vHr9V_bYwMrbsorl8d6jAJVnEWEMMZJtwHyY10MS-ttPOyK2OqDbG7sgy3Q8d3uiv/s1600/Christmas+Tree+%252817+of+28%2529.jpg%E2%80%9D" imageanchor="“1”" margin-right:="" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="“0”" data-original-height="“1280”" data-original-width="“1600”" height="“512”" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdPmxSYhRKqMj2voFV6ZnKTllXc53PFXAwr08t0dmqkDTEgtjRLT2E1vDOGS_ABSs7ouAM1hd2I3-vHr9V_bYwMrbsorl8d6jAJVnEWEMMZJtwHyY10MS-ttPOyK2OqDbG7sgy3Q8d3uiv/s640/Christmas+Tree+%252817+of+28%2529.jpg%E2%80%9D" width="“640”" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij945Jbu7WefMrNglar6r7vQlZT8BA8p2R1msM6SL5Lz5mzHlZux41puc_wYcZ7E_JasYTqVQLpHieUpD3tX-54PSrQcTrn-d0iVSN9kHbJNNzU79YopC0sl2X9mUHsANSIWIgx2R1_R5l/s1600/Christmas+Tree+%25285+of+28%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij945Jbu7WefMrNglar6r7vQlZT8BA8p2R1msM6SL5Lz5mzHlZux41puc_wYcZ7E_JasYTqVQLpHieUpD3tX-54PSrQcTrn-d0iVSN9kHbJNNzU79YopC0sl2X9mUHsANSIWIgx2R1_R5l/s640/Christmas+Tree+%25285+of+28%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
</div>
<div both="" center="" class="“separator”" text-align:="">
</div>
<div both="" center="" class="“separator”" text-align:="">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a 1em="" href="https://www.blogger.com/%E2%80%9Chttps://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLLQvisztcSbMSpojQEnKUqUtwqg3YPir9we74lFcwGjkeZJXuuC6My37OzXgcLBWJpBNXUC1VGxtQISSbCrUmvMGFf-2pGyJZrnM4eR23UD0c_nKpe5cCtwTvUsLCBOfnaEU054DL6WMY/s1600/Christmas+Tree+%25281+of+28%2529.jpg%E2%80%9D" imageanchor="“1”" margin-right:="" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="“0”" data-original-height="“1600”" data-original-width="“1281”" height="“640”" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLLQvisztcSbMSpojQEnKUqUtwqg3YPir9we74lFcwGjkeZJXuuC6My37OzXgcLBWJpBNXUC1VGxtQISSbCrUmvMGFf-2pGyJZrnM4eR23UD0c_nKpe5cCtwTvUsLCBOfnaEU054DL6WMY/s640/Christmas+Tree+%25281+of+28%2529.jpg%E2%80%9D" width="“512”" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a 1em="" href="https://www.blogger.com/%E2%80%9Chttps://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPJZTS9n-buSH4_823YRBQdFBgjE6lVmwcVQRe3W-sofMEX1-Me0LSQU5ALklS5wb4whQR-uOh8XKizKvzGPjkd3eGK6smQxeIPAJsJnmNThUKI6Y7DfrQ7yBNqDIpJyG8MMwkftd4zLaU/s1600/Christmas+Tree+%25282+of+28%2529.jpg%E2%80%9D" imageanchor="“1”" margin-right:="" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="“0”" data-original-height="“1280”" data-original-width="“1600”" height="“512”" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPJZTS9n-buSH4_823YRBQdFBgjE6lVmwcVQRe3W-sofMEX1-Me0LSQU5ALklS5wb4whQR-uOh8XKizKvzGPjkd3eGK6smQxeIPAJsJnmNThUKI6Y7DfrQ7yBNqDIpJyG8MMwkftd4zLaU/s640/Christmas+Tree+%25282+of+28%2529.jpg%E2%80%9D" width="“640”" /></a></div>
</div>
<div both="" center="" class="“separator”" text-align:="">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
BabyZ is at such a fun age! His little mind is like a sponge. It’s such a joy to watch him observe and try to figure things out. He was so engaged all day - that night he had one of his best sleeps yet!</div>
</div>
<div both="" center="" class="“separator”" text-align:="">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a 1em="" href="https://www.blogger.com/%E2%80%9Chttps://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_hhWFV1xoozU6Jc9g00zVSZZcRGrkaIdBiyKCd_haMw9csWzH84fWurz8R79das6VRPjykBK0NhJP3noYwIilhBWNppxEpG5qBazaKwj-2gvSzgZjBwuskIe3uqbkOMiquJfGucJl5nzP/s1600/Christmas+Tree+%25287+of+28%2529.jpg%E2%80%9D" imageanchor="“1”" margin-right:="" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="“0”" data-original-height="“1600”" data-original-width="“1280”" height="“640”" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_hhWFV1xoozU6Jc9g00zVSZZcRGrkaIdBiyKCd_haMw9csWzH84fWurz8R79das6VRPjykBK0NhJP3noYwIilhBWNppxEpG5qBazaKwj-2gvSzgZjBwuskIe3uqbkOMiquJfGucJl5nzP/s640/Christmas+Tree+%25287+of+28%2529.jpg%E2%80%9D" width="“512”" /></a><span style="text-align: justify;"> </span></div>
</div>
<div both="" center="" class="“separator”" text-align:="">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a 1em="" href="https://www.blogger.com/%E2%80%9Chttps://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFGucKj-PSdx09xuaq-D3VMCiypFE__puA7rgKqvwm_hXNE90ZRdPM3OQVM9Aq6K8QuJh9Q1JVn27AusCU-0KhO1voGvoJxbgXwHb12zmcxzSEBM3gt8_shgqmHWdT6CBLksrL_pXpRENe/s1600/Christmas+Tree+%25289+of+28%2529.jpg%E2%80%9D" imageanchor="“1”" margin-right:="" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="“0”" data-original-height="“1600”" data-original-width="“1280”" height="“640”" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFGucKj-PSdx09xuaq-D3VMCiypFE__puA7rgKqvwm_hXNE90ZRdPM3OQVM9Aq6K8QuJh9Q1JVn27AusCU-0KhO1voGvoJxbgXwHb12zmcxzSEBM3gt8_shgqmHWdT6CBLksrL_pXpRENe/s640/Christmas+Tree+%25289+of+28%2529.jpg%E2%80%9D" width="“512”" /></a></div>
</div>
<div both="" center="" class="“separator”" text-align:="">
</div>
<div both="" center="" class="“separator”" text-align:="">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The older boys wanted to try and cut the tree down themselves, but still needed some assistance from Dad. I adore the picture above of Jer calmly coaching Big Buddy as BabyZ crawls all over him - he is such a patient wonderful dad! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM-HqQMbjgSSin2krE_YXrEtCGPDukXUDb0eK1EMw1U_Ik14UgmTPyLHSqobRmiCnsE4BrCUgb_BDryBnFb-QugkY-smTKBoEjZ6oE_SOx7ZWFckP3yjYCQqgeW1Bkz6CJu4lQO-hc6Oc_/s1600/Christmas+Tree+%25283+of+28%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM-HqQMbjgSSin2krE_YXrEtCGPDukXUDb0eK1EMw1U_Ik14UgmTPyLHSqobRmiCnsE4BrCUgb_BDryBnFb-QugkY-smTKBoEjZ6oE_SOx7ZWFckP3yjYCQqgeW1Bkz6CJu4lQO-hc6Oc_/s640/Christmas+Tree+%25283+of+28%2529.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<a 1em="" href="https://www.blogger.com/%E2%80%9Chttps://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y_bthChj2Go/WhmthtUNKoI/AAAAAAAAP4Y/YD495_PUA64Np9qDsvyOkFFCfd%E2%80%946iDBgCEwYBhgL/s1600/Christmas%2BTree%2B%25283%2Bof%2B28%2529.jpg%E2%80%9D" imageanchor="“1”" margin-right:=""><img border="“0”" data-original-height="“1600”" data-original-width="“1280”" height="“640”" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y_bthChj2Go/WhmthtUNKoI/AAAAAAAAP4Y/YD495_PUA64Np9qDsvyOkFFCfd%E2%80%946iDBgCEwYBhgL/s640/Christmas%2BTree%2B%25283%2Bof%2B28%2529.jpg%E2%80%9D" width="“512”" /></a></div>
<div both="" center="" class="“separator”" text-align:="">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a 1em="" href="https://www.blogger.com/%E2%80%9Chttps://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2xcDiT1StT8pQGaTBY9Yl6_AT5pLNBzAVWa2f9a2toR6jOyyTLXYsssi-3u1CdxyWYStcq1UGyPSbjbIMiq8bBmj2RtXatCFk49vusMuZgL51Mnq1xdExuQVO3owYhkjddpsyT0EP-yvX/s1600/Christmas+Tree+%252810+of+28%2529.jpg%E2%80%9D" imageanchor="“1”" margin-right:="" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="“0”" data-original-height="“1281”" data-original-width="“1600”" height="“512”" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2xcDiT1StT8pQGaTBY9Yl6_AT5pLNBzAVWa2f9a2toR6jOyyTLXYsssi-3u1CdxyWYStcq1UGyPSbjbIMiq8bBmj2RtXatCFk49vusMuZgL51Mnq1xdExuQVO3owYhkjddpsyT0EP-yvX/s640/Christmas+Tree+%252810+of+28%2529.jpg%E2%80%9D" width="“640”" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Jer didn’t have to help carry the tree this year. The older three kiddos did that all by themselves. This was the first year that Little Lady wanted to help carry. She did amazing! She would of taken it all they way back to car, but Mini Man wanted a turn too.</div>
</div>
<div both="" center="" class="“separator”" text-align:="">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a 1em="" href="https://www.blogger.com/%E2%80%9Chttps://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4xHU5tdwHs_q_gRwPy0RI8t0hUpXqRmUnDstuf-bkQIH-7EYdnaKI_cS0FWLQQYu1X88UYqRwoGRsjrLVwLL30H9mHwPy6gyyE8sLtZK071bO5fcQ4Rp99-G8t7g8zsOdFQevT38dp-bS/s1600/Christmas+Tree+%252811+of+28%2529.jpg%E2%80%9D" imageanchor="“1”" margin-right:="" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="“0”" data-original-height="“1281”" data-original-width="“1600”" height="“512”" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4xHU5tdwHs_q_gRwPy0RI8t0hUpXqRmUnDstuf-bkQIH-7EYdnaKI_cS0FWLQQYu1X88UYqRwoGRsjrLVwLL30H9mHwPy6gyyE8sLtZK071bO5fcQ4Rp99-G8t7g8zsOdFQevT38dp-bS/s640/Christmas+Tree+%252811+of+28%2529.jpg%E2%80%9D" width="“640”" /></a></div>
</div>
<div both="" center="" class="“separator”" text-align:="">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a 1em="" href="https://www.blogger.com/%E2%80%9Chttps://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_CT4wDWJS_T37dnlCL4YvLEViM4UxSYrw1yGmYMlBWqSii8bkBaoxJO0-GfwaO0e6ZZoudy9DJUdvVdAzF8BrGV8P8abXJbrM3MJXSke8w38KDXHiK8JaswjOsxsnb4cOUP_FFcCbC9iG/s1600/Christmas+Tree+%252812+of+28%2529.jpg%E2%80%9D" imageanchor="“1”" margin-right:="" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="“0”" data-original-height="“1280”" data-original-width="“1600”" height="“512”" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_CT4wDWJS_T37dnlCL4YvLEViM4UxSYrw1yGmYMlBWqSii8bkBaoxJO0-GfwaO0e6ZZoudy9DJUdvVdAzF8BrGV8P8abXJbrM3MJXSke8w38KDXHiK8JaswjOsxsnb4cOUP_FFcCbC9iG/s640/Christmas+Tree+%252812+of+28%2529.jpg%E2%80%9D" width="“640”" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Jeremy even had help securing the tree to roof.</div>
</div>
<div both="" center="" class="“separator”" text-align:="">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a 1em="" href="https://www.blogger.com/%E2%80%9Chttps://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmjwvv6ywNVuIAIBoracRWuwRpAQ7QH8fXMwuvleOlRO2Yv_tdwOsgYKTK2bMVfGEWPZg8WdfcWLntBpY8JIQYIqVgKtPDGUgQ5DrDHDuoABWSi0uAUzKNsuGClM8IlY-9YW-sOGvoxXbF/s1600/Christmas+Tree+%252813+of+28%2529.jpg%E2%80%9D" imageanchor="“1”" margin-right:="" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="“0”" data-original-height="“1280”" data-original-width="“1600”" height="“512”" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmjwvv6ywNVuIAIBoracRWuwRpAQ7QH8fXMwuvleOlRO2Yv_tdwOsgYKTK2bMVfGEWPZg8WdfcWLntBpY8JIQYIqVgKtPDGUgQ5DrDHDuoABWSi0uAUzKNsuGClM8IlY-9YW-sOGvoxXbF/s640/Christmas+Tree+%252813+of+28%2529.jpg%E2%80%9D" width="“640”" /></a></div>
</div>
<div both="" center="" class="“separator”" text-align:="">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a 1em="" href="https://www.blogger.com/%E2%80%9Chttps://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR7RI_SGyER9XudHDfTlnB5ufdLyZMNUcPHVITpJdErJlVV5igBjWH2JVCAr0jcrvetEGqfvqoOLvOr79K1dEBoCr2pTWoeyc-xCvGseEXjY7PCBvhgW54zGHdnKhDX85aNxRXRgY5-tz4/s1600/Christmas+Tree+%252814+of+28%2529.jpg%E2%80%9D" imageanchor="“1”" margin-right:="" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="“0”" data-original-height="“1600”" data-original-width="“1280”" height="“640”" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR7RI_SGyER9XudHDfTlnB5ufdLyZMNUcPHVITpJdErJlVV5igBjWH2JVCAr0jcrvetEGqfvqoOLvOr79K1dEBoCr2pTWoeyc-xCvGseEXjY7PCBvhgW54zGHdnKhDX85aNxRXRgY5-tz4/s640/Christmas+Tree+%252814+of+28%2529.jpg%E2%80%9D" width="“512”" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
While the farm shakes and bales our tree, we head inside for complimentary donuts and hot chocolate. There is also a Santa the kids like to visit. We’ve never encouraged our children to believe in Santa, but Little Lady and Mini Man still think it is fun to chat with him. BabyZ wasn’t so sure, but he did finally give Santa a high-five.</div>
</div>
<div both="" center="" class="“separator”" text-align:="">
</div>
<div both="" center="" class="“separator”" text-align:="">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a 1em="" href="https://www.blogger.com/%E2%80%9Chttps://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPpFaSOsbS71ydWA84pTtqPgLGnOJe2bIlMMpZHZJD78BAzxW5stwEyTUs5pRgee8NpUpE8WICMGkOuETg65MGaxJRGJxSvfmna1ceTdkiFPrTvLztKhsVb0KeyzAaEq3zAMJnzcKDOXpz/s1600/Christmas+Tree+%252816+of+28%2529.jpg%E2%80%9D" imageanchor="“1”" margin-right:="" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="“0”" data-original-height="“1600”" data-original-width="“1281”" height="“640”" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPpFaSOsbS71ydWA84pTtqPgLGnOJe2bIlMMpZHZJD78BAzxW5stwEyTUs5pRgee8NpUpE8WICMGkOuETg65MGaxJRGJxSvfmna1ceTdkiFPrTvLztKhsVb0KeyzAaEq3zAMJnzcKDOXpz/s640/Christmas+Tree+%252816+of+28%2529.jpg%E2%80%9D" width="“512”" /></a></div>
</div>
<div both="" center="" class="“separator”" text-align:="">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a 1em="" href="https://www.blogger.com/%E2%80%9Chttps://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJNHH03xoC24qeHCLdGKaGulhEopiX3wq0qLZbbrYP35hxRRi7hyphenhypheniI5P47KRUJxu7LoMFtxJRr46iuCTb0GrbpRgoA3kHXGUPH9m1L7hFhkWrAeTAeJIjMuG313wXd8mxjEU_J1V3ATiym/s1600/Christmas+Tree+%25288+of+28%2529.jpg%E2%80%9D" imageanchor="“1”" margin-right:="" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="“0”" data-original-height="“1600”" data-original-width="“1280”" height="“640”" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJNHH03xoC24qeHCLdGKaGulhEopiX3wq0qLZbbrYP35hxRRi7hyphenhypheniI5P47KRUJxu7LoMFtxJRr46iuCTb0GrbpRgoA3kHXGUPH9m1L7hFhkWrAeTAeJIjMuG313wXd8mxjEU_J1V3ATiym/s640/Christmas+Tree+%25288+of+28%2529.jpg%E2%80%9D" width="“512”" /></a></div>
</div>
<div both="" center="" class="“separator”" text-align:="">
</div>
<div both="" center="" class="“separator”" text-align:="">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a 1em="" href="https://www.blogger.com/%E2%80%9Chttps://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5i3HJvuobeDeTn0NeGZs012eI24Y7sn6ZC0nbX8dsiyq0p3XnhtEzIL7IuaZorZBYw4ZZibX8ZR6fSHRyF_XVo909Wnc8qTaRUu3USviBCXT_8iTiDzVXSCNB4ffu7-kA9a8Xr0CUpeqN/s1600/K+%25281+of+1%2529.jpg%E2%80%9D" imageanchor="“1”" margin-right:="" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="“0”" data-original-height="“1600”" data-original-width="“1281”" height="“640”" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5i3HJvuobeDeTn0NeGZs012eI24Y7sn6ZC0nbX8dsiyq0p3XnhtEzIL7IuaZorZBYw4ZZibX8ZR6fSHRyF_XVo909Wnc8qTaRUu3USviBCXT_8iTiDzVXSCNB4ffu7-kA9a8Xr0CUpeqN/s640/K+%25281+of+1%2529.jpg%E2%80%9D" width="“512”" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Since the weather was so nice we wandered around the farm a little bit and enjoyed the scenery. My climbers had so much fun scaling and jumping off this fence.</div>
</div>
<div both="" center="" class="“separator”" text-align:="">
</div>
<div both="" center="" class="“separator”" text-align:="">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a 1em="" href="https://www.blogger.com/%E2%80%9Chttps://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaws76eo85jilBcJO8Pbjpv_J3Q5dHtMyoQ6rX8-_JTX9FNzxJkMEV6DEVolVgAoOyYqU1JDW-NCu9Wilkt566AFNaq2hkRB9x_mG2xFWha0ztrrmN7IwtMLLbSrw-74skJBGzm_nZ5zAe/s1600/Christmas+Tree+%252815+of+28%2529.jpg%E2%80%9D" imageanchor="“1”" margin-right:="" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="“0”" data-original-height="“1281”" data-original-width="“1600”" height="“512”" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaws76eo85jilBcJO8Pbjpv_J3Q5dHtMyoQ6rX8-_JTX9FNzxJkMEV6DEVolVgAoOyYqU1JDW-NCu9Wilkt566AFNaq2hkRB9x_mG2xFWha0ztrrmN7IwtMLLbSrw-74skJBGzm_nZ5zAe/s640/Christmas+Tree+%252815+of+28%2529.jpg%E2%80%9D" width="“640”" /></a></div>
</div>
<div both="" center="" class="“separator”" text-align:="">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a 1em="" href="https://www.blogger.com/%E2%80%9Chttps://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJaETr42JiYs9g6nxAe3CqyaXoxRLjaTHsCtUkMH0vMz7cOCml5oUeT0DY5K8JCSu7kyopwzdzXKXCb-uuGwXSYHoB6_iU94JPN1ZO6UKmF75OuzFdJQj2UwZNqiPGjfJV0Y63-jJi_jCG/s1600/Christmas+Tree+%252818+of+28%2529.jpg%E2%80%9D" imageanchor="“1”" margin-right:="" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="“0”" data-original-height="“1281”" data-original-width="“1600”" height="“512”" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJaETr42JiYs9g6nxAe3CqyaXoxRLjaTHsCtUkMH0vMz7cOCml5oUeT0DY5K8JCSu7kyopwzdzXKXCb-uuGwXSYHoB6_iU94JPN1ZO6UKmF75OuzFdJQj2UwZNqiPGjfJV0Y63-jJi_jCG/s640/Christmas+Tree+%252818+of+28%2529.jpg%E2%80%9D" width="“640”" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
↑ BabyZ dirty little bum 😂</div>
</div>
<div both="" center="" class="“separator”" text-align:="">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a 1em="" href="https://www.blogger.com/%E2%80%9Chttps://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqAovSkqVlVt8fsrTLwhYjdE6VFHed19sFUNpGqfd0d1L8zDmyq4MtheHqsA3fdrsu9EfrGfUYwbX9rjv1jc3Wd5RLPxFSid-l0nyBpB0fwz7-RXtLo8lm9muZKuFAKk3Um4eswo023Zs6/s1600/Christmas+Tree+%252819+of+28%2529.jpg%E2%80%9D" imageanchor="“1”" margin-right:="" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="“0”" data-original-height="“1280”" data-original-width="“1600”" height="“512”" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqAovSkqVlVt8fsrTLwhYjdE6VFHed19sFUNpGqfd0d1L8zDmyq4MtheHqsA3fdrsu9EfrGfUYwbX9rjv1jc3Wd5RLPxFSid-l0nyBpB0fwz7-RXtLo8lm9muZKuFAKk3Um4eswo023Zs6/s640/Christmas+Tree+%252819+of+28%2529.jpg%E2%80%9D" width="“640”" /></a></div>
</div>
<div both="" center="" class="“separator”" text-align:="">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a 1em="" href="https://www.blogger.com/%E2%80%9Chttps://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnJYGOWYUp5xvBHM1Co1C5xRsE_oClcyv7TA2wzoIO504OR6r20C80Q13JrjHnU1QTdNmQ8zuLNd8TCY-pLQdpuwqAzfcp1IQ7CdPpK15m2lTuYAKd3hmKw8kKpDlXdAUg6GYqcCYwuLhv/s1600/Christmas+Tree+%252820+of+28%2529.jpg%E2%80%9D" imageanchor="“1”" margin-right:="" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="“0”" data-original-height="“1600”" data-original-width="“1281”" height="“640”" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnJYGOWYUp5xvBHM1Co1C5xRsE_oClcyv7TA2wzoIO504OR6r20C80Q13JrjHnU1QTdNmQ8zuLNd8TCY-pLQdpuwqAzfcp1IQ7CdPpK15m2lTuYAKd3hmKw8kKpDlXdAUg6GYqcCYwuLhv/s640/Christmas+Tree+%252820+of+28%2529.jpg%E2%80%9D" width="“512”" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Once we get the tree home Jeremy usually puts on the lights by himself; then we wait until it's dark to have a little tree decorating party. We always have eggnog and cookies. The kids also get a little gift to start the Christmas season. It’s a decoration that they will be able to take with them to their own homes someday. This year they also got some candy because the following day we had were headed to Iowa, and candy makes a 4-hour-car-ride much more fun.</div>
</div>
<div both="" center="" class="“separator”" text-align:="">
</div>
<div both="" center="" class="“separator”" text-align:="">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a 1em="" href="https://www.blogger.com/%E2%80%9Chttps://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzlIeQLlbmyBc_LBOKwVIYScXKjwmeuasrEML52U7KNI9pshROtft3MYBdEt-dF5sYbdeou6xKFORT0HIymS-6j5nfFjtgC0-40oUkOu36z5L3GbmJL3zanfmc8iRdJ8vAc71JYTYf3ngo/s1600/Christmas+Tree+%252821+of+28%2529.jpg%E2%80%9D" imageanchor="“1”" margin-right:="" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="“0”" data-original-height="“1281”" data-original-width="“1600”" height="“512”" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzlIeQLlbmyBc_LBOKwVIYScXKjwmeuasrEML52U7KNI9pshROtft3MYBdEt-dF5sYbdeou6xKFORT0HIymS-6j5nfFjtgC0-40oUkOu36z5L3GbmJL3zanfmc8iRdJ8vAc71JYTYf3ngo/s640/Christmas+Tree+%252821+of+28%2529.jpg%E2%80%9D" width="“640”" /></a></div>
</div>
<div both="" center="" class="“separator”" text-align:="">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a 1em="" href="https://www.blogger.com/%E2%80%9Chttps://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6jxaBT4vRAaPPvNGwYWH03Qri795QQSEDQ767-mAymOLsAVGDpS7eqBmFnBBDkw-w5HzaPwPQjCqXGHzI4uWOT7uMt_BUKkSjm1jKvqX0j1rmrCGVzBjLtqbxq1u27NO1w3VQ9OuNMm1N/s1600/Christmas+Tree+%252822+of+28%2529.jpg%E2%80%9D" imageanchor="“1”" margin-right:="" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="“0”" data-original-height="“1280”" data-original-width="“1600”" height="“512”" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6jxaBT4vRAaPPvNGwYWH03Qri795QQSEDQ767-mAymOLsAVGDpS7eqBmFnBBDkw-w5HzaPwPQjCqXGHzI4uWOT7uMt_BUKkSjm1jKvqX0j1rmrCGVzBjLtqbxq1u27NO1w3VQ9OuNMm1N/s640/Christmas+Tree+%252822+of+28%2529.jpg%E2%80%9D" width="“640”" /></a></div>
</div>
<div both="" center="" class="“separator”" text-align:="">
</div>
<div both="" center="" class="“separator”" text-align:="">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a 1em="" href="https://www.blogger.com/%E2%80%9Chttps://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIk_tkzZz6VisEtlVQ6qpj6GGSIVuCRQbGz9NxakPqZIrk1EIRlGVpD4ia8XzZfuWojqTqnqHSpQqk1s_kmD1BaCRB8XvGWoW06mBBo0q0bhzUksRu1TgiOkug517sgsk3ycQ9xSLFegPi/s1600/Christmas+Tree+%252824+of+28%2529.jpg%E2%80%9D" imageanchor="“1”" margin-right:="" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="“0”" data-original-height="“1600”" data-original-width="“1280”" height="“640”" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIk_tkzZz6VisEtlVQ6qpj6GGSIVuCRQbGz9NxakPqZIrk1EIRlGVpD4ia8XzZfuWojqTqnqHSpQqk1s_kmD1BaCRB8XvGWoW06mBBo0q0bhzUksRu1TgiOkug517sgsk3ycQ9xSLFegPi/s640/Christmas+Tree+%252824+of+28%2529.jpg%E2%80%9D" width="“512”" /></a></div>
</div>
<div both="" center="" class="“separator”" text-align:="">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a 1em="" href="https://www.blogger.com/%E2%80%9Chttps://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA8diK3B0ufWyuABg0DKLFtNnTW1UmnxBD6xWghH8jWHQUjjMtjyNPn1Fr1CAEmRptqnIZJfCouKkq-srIqwrS4sWYQdErKyZcvtna5AhigXpcoVbuCUJKlfTCKUgTTTPyUQnz0hIUEfv1/s1600/Christmas+Tree+%252825+of+28%2529.jpg%E2%80%9D" imageanchor="“1”" margin-right:="" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="“0”" data-original-height="“1600”" data-original-width="“1281”" height="“640”" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA8diK3B0ufWyuABg0DKLFtNnTW1UmnxBD6xWghH8jWHQUjjMtjyNPn1Fr1CAEmRptqnIZJfCouKkq-srIqwrS4sWYQdErKyZcvtna5AhigXpcoVbuCUJKlfTCKUgTTTPyUQnz0hIUEfv1/s640/Christmas+Tree+%252825+of+28%2529.jpg%E2%80%9D" width="“512”" /></a></div>
</div>
<div both="" center="" class="“separator”" text-align:="">
<a 1em="" href="https://www.blogger.com/%E2%80%9Chttps://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I6YKkUgoTNE/Whmta8DbqXI/AAAAAAAAP4Y/%E2%80%94wWuZfHmBcQlU6PToovX6SMJimKUzh-gCEwYBhgL/s1600/Christmas%2BTree%2B%252826%2Bof%2B28%2529.jpg%E2%80%9D" imageanchor="“1”" margin-right:=""><img border="“0”" data-original-height="“1600”" data-original-width="“1280”" height="“640”" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I6YKkUgoTNE/Whmta8DbqXI/AAAAAAAAP4Y/%E2%80%94wWuZfHmBcQlU6PToovX6SMJimKUzh-gCEwYBhgL/s640/Christmas%2BTree%2B%252826%2Bof%2B28%2529.jpg%E2%80%9D" width="“512”" /></a></div>
<div both="" center="" class="“separator”" text-align:="">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a 1em="" href="https://www.blogger.com/%E2%80%9Chttps://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU5XhdbHQjRwD0cX5JddAmS2YYrlPB3vq7uiLvgNsSOutn118onb0Q0Rez4IzPk1rC7ZciRNdvGYYsXSZvj_ZEJRsfMItrEdj7WYEzZrCSavSr_BwXCJGg9qJivAKEcg-IqclpDtJGy-n3/s1600/Christmas+Tree+%252827+of+28%2529.jpg%E2%80%9D" imageanchor="“1”" margin-right:="" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="“0”" data-original-height="“1600”" data-original-width="“1280”" height="“640”" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU5XhdbHQjRwD0cX5JddAmS2YYrlPB3vq7uiLvgNsSOutn118onb0Q0Rez4IzPk1rC7ZciRNdvGYYsXSZvj_ZEJRsfMItrEdj7WYEzZrCSavSr_BwXCJGg9qJivAKEcg-IqclpDtJGy-n3/s640/Christmas+Tree+%252827+of+28%2529.jpg%E2%80%9D" width="“512”" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Our tree is a little different every year. Some years we’ve done ribbons and some day we will actually get around to making a popcorn garland. We always follow an order when decorating though: lights, garland, balls, ornaments, and finally the star. The kids take turns putting up the star. I can never remember who’s turn it is; this was the FIRST year were nobody bickered about it - VICTORY!</div>
</div>
<div both="" center="" class="“separator”" text-align:="">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a 1em="" href="https://www.blogger.com/%E2%80%9Chttps://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitzursHLLh0uNcvPlyTxs56uUJYu69EbSt3uYvnAjytJ4TmDxNKUUyOdGhTJPCXmFQLRALH4BYCff8BB9N8twrTnE2kt0oP-hHuisXTCqRpGbRVfzlTAFbHQ3wCMnmh2tCh2pT6KPlcw9B/s1600/Christmas+Tree+%252828+of+28%2529.jpg%E2%80%9D" imageanchor="“1”" margin-right:="" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="“0”" data-original-height="“1280”" data-original-width="“1600”" height="“512”" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitzursHLLh0uNcvPlyTxs56uUJYu69EbSt3uYvnAjytJ4TmDxNKUUyOdGhTJPCXmFQLRALH4BYCff8BB9N8twrTnE2kt0oP-hHuisXTCqRpGbRVfzlTAFbHQ3wCMnmh2tCh2pT6KPlcw9B/s640/Christmas+Tree+%252828+of+28%2529.jpg%E2%80%9D" width="“640”" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
I hope your holiday season has started off with lots of smiles and laughs. Blessings! </div>
</div>
Rachel Kaylynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09114768437192098372noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-559694926328998802.post-39020196150116198832017-11-20T13:48:00.000-06:002017-11-20T13:48:49.533-06:00Swallows and AmazonsOne of the read-aloud books we've enjoyed this fall is<i> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Swallows-Amazons-Arthur-Ransome-ebook/dp/B00BIPOJVM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1511206944&sr=8-1&keywords=swallow+and+amazons+series">Swallows and Amazons</a></i>. This was a really fun book to introduce to the kiddos, because it was one of Jeremy's favorites as a child. It ignited his love for seas and sailing.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjusNJiMpoh4hMoVWL7aLonEbEYBvwrxEEHjolbD10WwpS4UTZUFBD3L8U5Ee4yfsPJH3_ZEnAF2HeIJnrXEQ4G8O3H0_WPfpcA5c_59HJE5Fv7zHE-pnCvjZ1yHPz06AeZURqtei2JmgPv/s1600/Swallows+%25281+of+2%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1281" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjusNJiMpoh4hMoVWL7aLonEbEYBvwrxEEHjolbD10WwpS4UTZUFBD3L8U5Ee4yfsPJH3_ZEnAF2HeIJnrXEQ4G8O3H0_WPfpcA5c_59HJE5Fv7zHE-pnCvjZ1yHPz06AeZURqtei2JmgPv/s640/Swallows+%25281+of+2%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: start;">The book is centered around the four older Walker children: John, Susan Titty, and Roger. They are on vacation with their mother in the Lake District of England. There is a sailboat (the Swallow) at their cottage; after getting permission from their father, and swearing not to be duffers, they set sail to deserted tiny island to camp. While on the island they meet a group of sailing sisters - the Blacketts, owners of the Amazon. They pair up with them to wage war against Captain Flint - the Blacketts' reclusive uncle.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The book is full of exploring, discovery, and imaginative play. Most of the adventure surrounds the Walkers and the Blacketts having a capture-the-boat-contest to see who should be commander of their fleet. There is also suspense about some misunderstandings with Captain Flint.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Not only did the book spark an interest in sailing but my kiddos were also left hungry to learn more about the wildlife mentioned. Without being preachy, the book also offers a picture of solid sibling relationships. It was nice to read about siblings working together and acknowledging each others strengths. Lastly, it exhorted me as a mom to spur on my children's imagination and to meet them in their places of play.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9orlJQAiCPf15yQqQ1ewhYEozouypGhzQLIDXI2GiGEl4GBdgSua3RsCCQPBV-HvrLaZ84v9MSZGejhzhU8jjh_n9K1AXSjVuhTT9a4RaTZbeeiVGCkPhEz-iYqM8W4YSlL5gF-yMHBLO/s1600/Amazons+and+Swallows+%25287+of+12%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9orlJQAiCPf15yQqQ1ewhYEozouypGhzQLIDXI2GiGEl4GBdgSua3RsCCQPBV-HvrLaZ84v9MSZGejhzhU8jjh_n9K1AXSjVuhTT9a4RaTZbeeiVGCkPhEz-iYqM8W4YSlL5gF-yMHBLO/s640/Amazons+and+Swallows+%25287+of+12%2529.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
I revel in finding ways to build upon the books that we read. I usually start by finding other books that coincide. Our favorite character from the book was Titty; she's skilled at what we would call traditional feminine arts like writing and sewing but she's also has a spunky 'tomboy' streak. I personally like that she didn't fit into a box. I was delighted when I found <span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i style="color: #111111; font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Dare-Wind-Record-breaking-Eleanor-Prentiss/dp/0374316996/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1511150031&sr=8-1&keywords=Dare+the+Wind">Dare the Wind: The Record-breaking Voyage of Eleanor Prentiss and the Flying Cloud</a>. </i><span style="color: #111111; font-family: inherit;">It's about another girl who is also drawn to the sea, and who goes on to set the fastest sailing record from New York to San Francisco. The book is a delight to read and it's watercolor illustrations are </span><span style="color: #111111;">gorgeous</span><span style="color: #111111; font-family: inherit;">. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #111111; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #111111;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The cormorants mentioned in the book caught my kiddos attention, but we had trouble finding any books </span>specifically<span style="font-family: inherit;"> about them. I stumbled upon<i> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Cory-Cormorant-Jane-Weinberger/dp/0932433928/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1511151056&sr=1-1&keywords=Cory+the+Cormorant">Cory the Cormorant</a> </i>at our </span>library's<span style="font-family: inherit;"> book sale and it was such a happy find. It uses a quaint story of a grandma type women befriending a cormorant to teach about the birds life and habits.</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #111111;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Little-Island-Dell-Picture-Yearling/dp/044040830X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1511151487&sr=1-1&keywords=The+Little+Island"><br /></a></span></span></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #111111;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Little-Island-Dell-Picture-Yearling/dp/044040830X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1511151487&sr=1-1&keywords=The+Little+Island" style="font-family: inherit;"><i>The Little Island</i></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> by </span>Margaret<span style="font-family: inherit;"> Wise Brown is a charming story. A little kitten visits the island and watches it go through the seasons and learns a lesson about how we are all connected. The book is a C</span></span></span></span><span style="color: #111111;">aldecott </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: inherit;">winner, so the the </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111;">illustration</span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #111111; font-family: inherit;"> are of course </span><span style="color: #111111;">superb</span><span style="color: #111111; font-family: inherit;">. </span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi74Myql4sBmFzoCMaSy6fUgIqF9Izz3OLXUUEQFgWJKZ60ILUG8r8gbqgAdEzj0fLiwi7FWqJJVkGaQdDKZSu4P7-Ol7MN3JqKPYBTySzuaQCyhnHCyr6f4e8MTHYRz4Ppabs7A3nzQlrr/s1600/Amazons+and+Swallows+%252811+of+12%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi74Myql4sBmFzoCMaSy6fUgIqF9Izz3OLXUUEQFgWJKZ60ILUG8r8gbqgAdEzj0fLiwi7FWqJJVkGaQdDKZSu4P7-Ol7MN3JqKPYBTySzuaQCyhnHCyr6f4e8MTHYRz4Ppabs7A3nzQlrr/s640/Amazons+and+Swallows+%252811+of+12%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I also printed off some sailing <a href="https://shopmontessoriprintshop.com/products/saiboat-nomenclature-book">nomenclature cards</a> and <a href="http://static1.1.sqspcdn.com/static/f/295934/12084644/1304634398437/dinghyparts.jpg?token=8VO8LahKlTWgWgVDTEOX7Yfv3Lo%3D">coloring pages</a> for the kids to go through in free moments during school time. Some <a href="http://www.teach-nology.com/worksheets/math/add/addpuz/addmulpuz8.pdf">sailboat mystery adding sheets</a> added a bit of fun on a review day for Mini Man and Little Lady.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzLAbxBPyFk-krfugqzW__7f0gjZfMpHq31VXFHQvm8ltUPaOGcdadTU7dg4dmwafEw5AqFNyUFuJ1cydux4rN361VOEh9K5FkbUXFnt9Sgf-4ER82Co-rLEI3hYcWeiYQyztmghLN9rmk/s1600/Amazons+and+Swallows+%252810+of+12%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzLAbxBPyFk-krfugqzW__7f0gjZfMpHq31VXFHQvm8ltUPaOGcdadTU7dg4dmwafEw5AqFNyUFuJ1cydux4rN361VOEh9K5FkbUXFnt9Sgf-4ER82Co-rLEI3hYcWeiYQyztmghLN9rmk/s640/Amazons+and+Swallows+%252810+of+12%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The kids and enjoyed working on our dexterity by practicing boating knots. We found a couple different <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrampH94LY8&t=2s">knot tying videos on YouTube</a>. We also made some <a href="https://blog.etsy.com/en/diy-nautical-knot-bracelets/">sailor knot bracelets</a> for ourselves and a few of our friends. Once they learned to tie a couple knots it was a great activity to have them do during read-aloud time. Another activity the kiddos did while I was reading was copying and coloring maps related to the book; the maps can be found <a href="http://arthur-ransome.wikia.com/wiki/The_Lake">here</a>. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv_AoM_dOQpfDmmq41yuLO04GLjCC05PdPJpGn4FeRVgHala_Uu1LZu_cnzFmkN3j-L7Jz54J165uezt5opcPdf7aSb5f_kYxA9z2bGqI-1aHFYgoY_8bqy2a5j9PeknagnAMC2ji3fZYP/s1600/Amazons+and+Swallows+%252812+of+12%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1281" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv_AoM_dOQpfDmmq41yuLO04GLjCC05PdPJpGn4FeRVgHala_Uu1LZu_cnzFmkN3j-L7Jz54J165uezt5opcPdf7aSb5f_kYxA9z2bGqI-1aHFYgoY_8bqy2a5j9PeknagnAMC2ji3fZYP/s640/Amazons+and+Swallows+%252812+of+12%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="text-align: justify;">Little Lady is taking a hand-sewing class at our co-op and wanted to make a swallow flag like Titty. Mini Man is also a huge Titty fan so he wanted to give it a try too. It was so sweet watching Little Lady coach him along.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR1QR0lfpyZuuCjyyDL7cdRJwgbL2Zge3CTtymjUWZMSToDCDOTPr4e2EVmCpFURk4qZ1JDlkJuU6vyLiozaFu1LsHGT7hKLh5ygUwS26gStpwPM9MdyMj6vVIl0F6h4Bl6njm4ZVKQKyT/s1600/Amazons+and+Swallows+%25284+of+12%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1281" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR1QR0lfpyZuuCjyyDL7cdRJwgbL2Zge3CTtymjUWZMSToDCDOTPr4e2EVmCpFURk4qZ1JDlkJuU6vyLiozaFu1LsHGT7hKLh5ygUwS26gStpwPM9MdyMj6vVIl0F6h4Bl6njm4ZVKQKyT/s640/Amazons+and+Swallows+%25284+of+12%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVyw2vqy0sHipfOYU0vFB3Yh62MZic0hzULLaM4NloJ7JMJxLXwusiAoKA3OqXTBA_JILG9ROz0zID0q29_ENYEtF1Msfwbm_nTMMJpyGqLEmGw-Cqfv9l_Vdml2U3GXlJiP9SSBS4rWaX/s1600/Amazons+and+Swallows+%25285+of+12%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVyw2vqy0sHipfOYU0vFB3Yh62MZic0hzULLaM4NloJ7JMJxLXwusiAoKA3OqXTBA_JILG9ROz0zID0q29_ENYEtF1Msfwbm_nTMMJpyGqLEmGw-Cqfv9l_Vdml2U3GXlJiP9SSBS4rWaX/s640/Amazons+and+Swallows+%25285+of+12%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Our favorite activity, though, was painting our own Swallows with Dad. Jeremy is currently teaching an evening watercolor course at a local university - we felt super lucky to have our own special class. :)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMP6DeAzZb3T07MOmSz35kZWfqE-8fzeDykc3TKpehptoWKf6e7KhKlhvQYHZE6Ctf5TrP_j-xuBF9mokyozOyi6VPUyeEYalD7dXI1X7N7OI1KZkwPzMVHrvXgiTX7MCV5-XUUnz4uzQr/s1600/Amazons+and+Swallows+%25281+of+12%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMP6DeAzZb3T07MOmSz35kZWfqE-8fzeDykc3TKpehptoWKf6e7KhKlhvQYHZE6Ctf5TrP_j-xuBF9mokyozOyi6VPUyeEYalD7dXI1X7N7OI1KZkwPzMVHrvXgiTX7MCV5-XUUnz4uzQr/s640/Amazons+and+Swallows+%25281+of+12%2529.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9pUv0APc3lQm12E2U42FHcNvSzzUJs-wsCLFbuWgJaejb_d7WyqxQqvJj1rIDFeBw8qdBs-qWgeX627_0OS4gDcdk5p_mhM3gqSqbBIZH12QTNHwD6ICP2EhXy03AGGskiia2olfOxpLP/s1600/Amazons+and+Swallows+%25282+of+12%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9pUv0APc3lQm12E2U42FHcNvSzzUJs-wsCLFbuWgJaejb_d7WyqxQqvJj1rIDFeBw8qdBs-qWgeX627_0OS4gDcdk5p_mhM3gqSqbBIZH12QTNHwD6ICP2EhXy03AGGskiia2olfOxpLP/s640/Amazons+and+Swallows+%25282+of+12%2529.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaEejho-r6cYWBRTQgpu0uxEzVBZHQG8kx_OB_rjycaY7ciFiUIahbPILGoQVfzkQlaXAJ0qmTbaLlGCzgXqDuAgyOV4VsPBUwAKQUbMTsC_LidKV9ZGDVfGuxyNfB4k3HzF1Q8av9ThZj/s1600/Amazons+and+Swallows+%25283+of+12%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaEejho-r6cYWBRTQgpu0uxEzVBZHQG8kx_OB_rjycaY7ciFiUIahbPILGoQVfzkQlaXAJ0qmTbaLlGCzgXqDuAgyOV4VsPBUwAKQUbMTsC_LidKV9ZGDVfGuxyNfB4k3HzF1Q8av9ThZj/s640/Amazons+and+Swallows+%25283+of+12%2529.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: left;">Our finished work...can you guess which one everyone painted?</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgqcuq5f_8C-GNBxuzzByhI6vfPyZHqohbKsloNLBlZ2Z7V0s2rKSH3YOqCizQpPQXXwjSNg4VlP2AEKAQzm4rZMunYzoLGISuOlt-2uP2LZ-xHWQ3IpuabBPa4BPlNjUvzt6VgaMzHjwv/s1600/Amazons+and+Swallows+%25289+of+12%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgqcuq5f_8C-GNBxuzzByhI6vfPyZHqohbKsloNLBlZ2Z7V0s2rKSH3YOqCizQpPQXXwjSNg4VlP2AEKAQzm4rZMunYzoLGISuOlt-2uP2LZ-xHWQ3IpuabBPa4BPlNjUvzt6VgaMzHjwv/s640/Amazons+and+Swallows+%25289+of+12%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: left;">If you've read Swallows and Amazons and are looking for a Christmas read-aloud then you should check out book four of the <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Collection-Childrens-Classics-Swallowdale-Swallows/dp/9369744274/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1511206944&sr=8-9&keywords=swallow+and+amazons+series">Swallows and Amazons series</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Winter-Holiday-Swallows-Amazons-Ransome/dp/1567924883"><i>Winter Holiday</i></a>. We will definitely be reading it over the next couple of weeks. </span></div>
Rachel Kaylynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09114768437192098372noreply@blogger.com0