tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-44516718298567010252024-03-13T00:10:15.019-04:00A Handmade ChildhoodHannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09697216235081211135noreply@blogger.comBlogger546125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4451671829856701025.post-71257346926821543742013-01-24T16:25:00.000-05:002013-01-24T16:25:39.038-05:00A Cowl...finally!<!-- AddThis Button BEGIN -->
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It's rather impossible I believe to spend any respectable amount of time with my mother and not long for fiber and needles (or a hook) in your hand. That was certainly my fate during our Christmas holiday there and I began a delightful charcoal cowl scarf using yarn from my mother's stash. The bug had bit however, and when I found myself waiting for a new skein to arrive in the mail I <i>needed</i> to start another! This time I chose a <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/calm-cowl">crocheted cowl from ravelry</a>. I had the wrong size hook, and not quite enough yarn....but that didn't stop my need for immediate gratification! After all, I <i>needed</i> to make myself a cowl. I'm not quite sure if it was the cowl that I needed or the making...! It is off the hook so to speak and has spent a happy day around my neck. It couldn't have been finished at a better time as frigid temperatures seize New England. My nose might be freezing but my neck is warm! </div>
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Admittedly my cowl is much smaller than the pattern, due to the smaller hook and less yarn. I actually really like it as it is, I'd be happy with a few more inches in length...but really who needs more bulk around the neck when there's always a toddler (toddler, what?...well she toddles so I guess we're there!) there to pull and tug and tuck themselves into?! I actually have plans for two more...well three if you count the one that's already on the needles...! (<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/dovetail-cowl">idea 1</a> and<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/gap-tastic-cowl"> idea 2</a>) I'd better get busy or it will be warm before they're done! Although with the weather we've had this week it is very hard to remember what warm even feels like! </div>
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Although I loath photographing myself, it's a tricky business, the one handed - arms length or in the mirror photographing. But I have to say I love these pictures...because my littlest was just so interested! She loved the loopy goodness of a cowl scarf and was thrilled to pieces to be snug as a bug right up next to her mama! Who knew I was making something so fun!!! </div>
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<!-- AddThis Button END -->Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09697216235081211135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4451671829856701025.post-46165456001013553942013-01-19T16:22:00.001-05:002013-01-19T16:22:10.292-05:00<!-- AddThis Button BEGIN -->
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She wanted to make a quilt for Emma, and with such an enthusiastic little maker who could say no! So quick as a wink, a stack of fabric was selected, cut into 7" squares, a sewing station was established on the dining room table, and we were good to go! <br />
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I love this picture because Matt, had asked Becca to tell him about the quilt and she started in on an extraordinarily in depth explanation on just how a quilt, and this quilt in particular, is made. It was great!<br />
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She wanted to make a quilt for Emma, and with such an enthusiastic little maker who could say no! So quick as a wink, a stack of fabric was selected, cut into 7" squares, a sewing station was established on the dining room table, and we were good to go! </div>
<!-- AddThis Button END -->Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09697216235081211135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4451671829856701025.post-85758731556243806882013-01-04T09:50:00.003-05:002013-01-04T09:50:54.037-05:00A New Space<!-- AddThis Button BEGIN -->
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If there is anything that I have learned in the past 10 years it is that there is a time and a season to everything. <br />
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At this time, this space, that has meant so much to me, is in a season of winter. Hunkered down for a bit, dormant, and awaiting a new spring. I'll be here off and on, just like the glorious spring like days that help us get through the darkest and grayest of winter days. <br />
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In the meantime, in an effort to share our family life with a bit more freedom, we have created a new, and private, space. Please let me know if you would like to be included in the readers of this new blog. <br />
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Whether it is in our new space, or here, we look forward to sharing a moment together with you! <br />
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*the Robinsons<br />
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<!-- AddThis Button END -->Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09697216235081211135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4451671829856701025.post-50656693244601657182012-11-07T20:02:00.001-05:002012-11-07T20:02:52.996-05:00Halloween<p><font size="3">It’s a bit late…but the pictures are cute so here you are! We had a wonderful Halloween Night seeing my aunt and uncle and my Nana and Grandpa…if only all children had such a wonderful Auntie-auntie ‘n Uncle Bernie, and Nana-dear and Great Grandpa</font><font size="3"> to love them so.  We are truly blessed.</font></p> <p><font size="3">These pictures show a bit of the joy (and challenge…!) of photographing Spencer!!!  </font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-n4VtP8_eYnA/UJsEouDWCyI/AAAAAAAAH3A/UH7-GNLNOaU/s1600-h/DSC_0026%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0026" border="0" alt="DSC_0026" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-RVCLxLSB2dk/UJsEpaeGGUI/AAAAAAAAH3I/Cls1SZuZyKI/DSC_0026_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="530" height="366" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-yo-smcS9qtY/UJsEqXun96I/AAAAAAAAH3Q/XscCLAWFAJ4/s1600-h/DSC_0024%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0024" border="0" alt="DSC_0024" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-MrPv5JsapNg/UJsEq1xaQmI/AAAAAAAAH3Y/3F6ZcgZhToE/DSC_0024_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="531" height="366" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-9B14Zb1XSg4/UJsEr8m6LGI/AAAAAAAAH3g/yfEhO8UZwxY/s1600-h/DSC_0023%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0023" border="0" alt="DSC_0023" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-nm8MOVC1nT8/UJsEsvK3e8I/AAAAAAAAH3o/dZbet_3OJMA/DSC_0023_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="538" height="371" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-TK_8iBWlxPI/UJsEt5r6YlI/AAAAAAAAH3w/jT8HnToiUbA/s1600-h/DSC_0021%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0021" border="0" alt="DSC_0021" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-J7uiIa9714o/UJsEulvCMSI/AAAAAAAAH34/lKH1nUauqNg/DSC_0021_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="563" height="388" /></a></p> Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09697216235081211135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4451671829856701025.post-84074612889703326972012-10-19T11:30:00.001-04:002012-10-19T11:30:43.996-04:00Sewing for American Girl Dolls<p><font size="3">My sisters and I discovered the <a href="http://www.americangirl.com/index.php">American Girl Dolls</a> over 20 years ago and instantly fell in love.  In those days (wow…am I old enough to say that!?!) there were only a <a href="http://www.usatodayeducate.com/staging/index.php/campuslife/which-american-girl-doll-are-you">handful of dolls</a>, each from a different significant era in American History.  It was far from the massive operation that is now American Girl.  Even then though those dolls were way out of my parents price range for dolls.  We came to the arrangement that both myself and my older sister would each pay for half of our dolls and they would pay for the rest.  We saved and saved and counted and recounted our coins and finally had enough.  Felicity and Kirsten soon came into our homes and were immediately considered part to the family.  Well…okay, they were considered part of the family by the girls in the family…not so much by the brothers perhaps.</font></p> <p><font size="3">It’s true that the American Girl Dolls pricey.  But they are also very high quality.  So when our own little girl discovered them we chose to go with the real thing (in brand new condition from a consignment shot) instead of one of the <a href="http://www.target.com/s?searchTerm=our+generation&category=0%7CAll%7Cmatchallpartial%7Call+categories">great knock-offs</a> on the market.   With my own doll now in her possession, and another we happened upon at a church swap we now have more American Girl Dolls in the house than is totally necessary…but boy is it fun!  My favorite part….sewing for them!  Clothes from the A.G. Doll company are way beyond what I am willing to pay for doll clothes…plus, it’s so fun to create unique things together!</font></p> <p><font size="3">For Rebecca’s birthday I sewed her several new clothes for her dolls.  I thought I would share a few of the things that I have learned about sewing for these dolls.</font></p> <ul> <li><font size="3">Don’t be fooled…just because they are little doesn’t make them easier or faster to sew.  I am convinced that I could sew an outfit for one of my own girls in the time that it takes to sew one for their dolls.</font></li> </ul> <p><font size="3"></font></p> <ul> <li><font size="3">The American Girl Company has sewing patterns availab</font><font size="3">le for their historic dolls.  I’m not sure if they are still in production but they can be found on ebay I’m sure.</font></li> </ul> <p><font size="3"></font></p> <ul> <li><font size="3">Major pattern companies like Butterick, Simplicity, and McCalls all produce patterns for 18” dolls.</font></li> </ul> <p><font size="3"></font></p> <ul> <li><font size="3">Patterns for 18” dolls work quite well for the American Girl dolls.  There is one big thing that I have noticed:</font></li> <ul> <li><font size="3">The American Girl Dolls have a bigger body and bum so that they can stand and sit on their own.  (This is also one of the huge differences between the “real” thing and the knockoffs) Because of this the generic patterns can be a bit snug.  I add ~1/4”-1/2”  to the patterns at the side seams when I am cutting them out.</font></li> </ul> </ul> <p><font size="3">  </font></p> <ul> <li><font size="3">It is important, maybe even more important than with regular girl clothing, to sew very carefully, backstitching and reinforcing seams at high stress points like under the arms. *Remember that little and sometimes impatient hands will be putting these clothes onto dolls that don’t bend!</font></li> </ul> <p><font size="3"></font></p> <ul> <li><font size="3">I’m all about velcro for the fasteners!  It’s so easy for little fingers and is infinitely faster to attach than the teeny-tiny snaps usually used on doll clothing.  </font></li> </ul> <p><font size="3">It is so much fun for me to create for these dolls.  For her birthday we made a raincoat (I didn’t have oilcloth so just layered clear vinyl and a cotton print), a winter coat, a pair of jeans, a summer dress, and a fancy dress.  They were met with great enthusiasm!!  </font></p> <p><font size="3"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-xi_lUwE8lSQ/UIFx5mRhVII/AAAAAAAAHzE/LARM78LnTiw/s1600-h/DSC_0006%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0006" border="0" alt="DSC_0006" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-k0Gh4uPGgG4/UIFx6h3u6QI/AAAAAAAAHzM/-UI4TTJpbA0/DSC_0006_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="560" height="390" /></a></font></p> <p><font size="3"><em>Can you tell which doll is 20 years old?!  I’ve been researching how to help their hair and have a few tips I’m going to try.  I’ll let you know how it goes!</em></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-p6uQXFRj_BI/UIFx7uc5pbI/AAAAAAAAHzU/S7ukQGniA0A/s1600-h/DSC_0018%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0018" border="0" alt="DSC_0018" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-nvqF7p2l-n4/UIFx8FCipKI/AAAAAAAAHzc/Vo0YkA2D7zg/DSC_0018_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="260" height="397" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-i3KQhcdBrGE/UIFx9PopOkI/AAAAAAAAHzk/RvaZUYz0PkU/s1600-h/DSC_0014%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0014" border="0" alt="DSC_0014" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-boDnyhBs7D0/UIFx93ifwVI/AAAAAAAAHzs/Ja3-CSh5lDY/DSC_0014_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="260" height="396" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-FstBjaCeobU/UIFx-mWTxZI/AAAAAAAAHz0/rZB8sZS2tJ4/s1600-h/DSC_0017%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0017" border="0" alt="DSC_0017" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-zcphGDuDEYI/UIFx_fIggMI/AAAAAAAAHz8/6luElmXIZbs/DSC_0017_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="258" height="183" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-vRp4MIySIdg/UIFyAQYwOOI/AAAAAAAAH0E/qzVeEGUPY2Q/s1600-h/DSC_0015%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; 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padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0010" border="0" alt="DSC_0010" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-bE7pej4t0D0/UIFyDqIHF_I/AAAAAAAAH0s/ObSfJPoRplM/DSC_0010_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="265" height="183" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/--sN7QOjZR9Q/UIFyEZJG2rI/AAAAAAAAH00/gLyfphA4b9g/s1600-h/DSC_0009%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0009" border="0" alt="DSC_0009" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-IaDQcyZxfcc/UIFyFazdmtI/AAAAAAAAH08/rdm8RpLhGHI/DSC_0009_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="257" height="178" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-uNoSXL-w1Ok/UIFyGAZCYlI/AAAAAAAAH1E/kDcCsJg5F8Y/s1600-h/DSC_0008%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0008" border="0" alt="DSC_0008" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-9a2x5BHHJc4/UIFyGrjRu_I/AAAAAAAAH1M/wSxS9CDdJxc/DSC_0008_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="540" height="372" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-XR3EMM4doAo/UIFyHtSRH7I/AAAAAAAAH1U/5q1VUiMuDY8/s1600-h/DSC_0007%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0007" border="0" alt="DSC_0007" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-7-hfrc2j2LM/UIFyIV09INI/AAAAAAAAH1c/ECUi-Pqckmg/DSC_0007_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="556" height="384" /></a></p> <p><font size="3"></font></p> <p><font size="3">Just one more tip:  the Our Generation doll clothes and accessories available at Target are fantastic for American Girl Dolls.  We have found that some of the clothes are tight…but the furniture and accessories are wonderful and a fraction of the cost.  Yay!</font></p> Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09697216235081211135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4451671829856701025.post-91660813129378149292012-10-17T19:36:00.001-04:002012-10-18T22:09:13.678-04:00Out and About: Purgatory Chasm<p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-r4thBt14nE4/UH9AnBg0pWI/AAAAAAAAHt8/jHI1xe8uUlE/s1600-h/DSC_0019%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0019" border="0" alt="DSC_0019" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-7urH77VV9Ls/UH9AoE95nSI/AAAAAAAAHuE/gK_TClaZyAs/DSC_0019_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="567" height="432" /></a><font size="3">My Nana (who my children call Nana-Dear) told me about Purgatory Chasm in Sutton MA months ago, and we finally made it there this past weekend.  She was right…it was amazing and we all loved it!  A trail through the beautiful New England woods with huge boulders to scramble over, caves to explore, and tunnels to climb through…yup, the kids were in heaven! It turned out to be one of those perfect family days…the weather was perfect, cool and crisp and so very much “fall in New England”, the big kids had a blast and Emma was perfectly content in her hiking carrier. Such a great memory.  </font></p> <p><font size="3">We are hoping to squeeze in one more trip before the good winter ends, and if not, are looking forward to many more trips in the spring and summer!  If you are local this is a must-see to put on the top of your list.  It’s very easy to find and the entrance is free.  </font></p> <p><font size="3">Obviously the chasm itself has been around for a <em>very</em> long time, and it’s been a park since the 1919.  It was so much fun to think that I was brought here as a child when I was too young to remember, and that my parents had been brought here with their parents, and perhaps even more generations of my dear family came and explored these rocky trails making their own memories together.  You can be sure that if you visit us we’ll be making a trip here if the weather permits!  <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-8C_r30aPka0/UH9ApM3QGHI/AAAAAAAAHuM/uE9oEk2Sx9A/s1600-h/DSC_0020%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; 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padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0033" border="0" alt="DSC_0033" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-cmQTV0Fi5FU/UH9A0cm6WOI/AAAAAAAAHv0/O6K0YTQ6V1c/DSC_0033_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="625" height="949" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-WEsPEf9ly5A/UH9A1E2XTPI/AAAAAAAAHv8/t3I61sCUjGs/s1600-h/DSC_0032%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0032" border="0" alt="DSC_0032" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-zs6IQRnvWV8/UH9A1wX3y1I/AAAAAAAAHwE/-h6KNArRTe8/DSC_0032_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="647" height="446" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-xoOrcAat_dU/UH9A23IsGqI/AAAAAAAAHwM/nTKpXNeiZjs/s1600-h/DSC_0027%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; 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display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0025" border="0" alt="DSC_0025" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-XUFIiY9JWL8/UH9A7IACW7I/AAAAAAAAHw0/0MHw9rKP9XY/DSC_0025_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="672" height="463" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-rtIHkbWitoE/UH9A8WZsRlI/AAAAAAAAHw8/azvv-4zZK5A/s1600-h/DSC_0024%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0024" border="0" alt="DSC_0024" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-kBwqdLV-WbQ/UH9A9G6rV8I/AAAAAAAAHxE/xc-mtgx1D4E/DSC_0024_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="677" height="467" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-XEmyKOl7-vE/UH9A-GygNeI/AAAAAAAAHxM/F38Ve5yZxr8/s1600-h/DSC_0021%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0021" border="0" alt="DSC_0021" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Y3EsvHUdzH0/UH9A_AmtHVI/AAAAAAAAHxU/jRld2CgxEVI/DSC_0021_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="703" height="485" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-BQYGjs6EJJw/UH9BAXTtbhI/AAAAAAAAHxc/7ZhcCn6UwDQ/s1600-h/DSC_0016%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0016" border="0" alt="DSC_0016" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ASPZ89KW7v4/UH9BBY_nmKI/AAAAAAAAHxk/ou1C8WSQLK8/DSC_0016_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="693" height="478" /></a></p> <p>This huge rock is called “Sliding Rock” and is worn quite smooth from decades of children sliding down it.  Not completely smooth though…Becca actually wore a hole in the seat of her leggings right through to her skin…!  Thank goodness for the skirt she was wearing!  </p> Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09697216235081211135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4451671829856701025.post-34895965168297178052012-10-16T19:51:00.001-04:002012-10-16T19:51:18.973-04:00Happenings<p><font size="3">Fall has come to New England bringing with it all the idyllic fall joys.  Narrow winding roads flanked with massive trees and ancient rocks walls are classic New England, and one of my favorite things about this land where I live.  These roads are now a tunnel of fiery beauty and we marvel each day on the way to and from school on the magnificent leaves.  It invigorates the soul to see such splendor.  We’re trying to soak up as much as we can before holing up for the longest and hardest season…I won’t even say the word…we all know it’s coming!  </font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-vLEns6a3TT4/UH3y6pkPcHI/AAAAAAAAHsI/OUpitU_SoQ8/s1600-h/DSC_0082%25255B23%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0082" border="0" alt="DSC_0082" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-X8qHzQ7Tcqo/UH3y72O0-tI/AAAAAAAAHsQ/LG96FS9DWNA/DSC_0082_thumb%25255B11%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="573" height="395" /></a></p> <p><font size="3">Fall brings a birthday for our family.  Actually our little family now has a birthday in every season!  But, fall brings Rebecca’s birthday.  Anyone that has met this little wonder of ours knows how big her excitement can get…and around a birthday…well my goodness it is hard not to be carried off into the clouds with her as the day approaches!  It is just so much fun to do special things for one who gets so very very excited about it!  </font></p> <p><font size="3">I’ve been going out of my comfort zones with birthday cakes recently and having a lot of fun with it.  We made a pirate ship cake for Spencer’s birthday and had some fun with a fairy dress cake for Rebecca.  I’ve never been taught anything about cake decorating, or practiced or anything….just sort of went for it!  With my unexperienced hand and the styling direction of a 7 year old I think we did quite well!  At least it was super fun and ended up as a delicious treat!! </font></p> <p><font size="3"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-r8i6Fr1aIJ8/UH3y8flQasI/AAAAAAAAHsY/6yRRQdZtRGs/s1600-h/DSC_0004%25255B11%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0004" border="0" alt="DSC_0004" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-rm8S1KC2MUs/UH3y9dGLjrI/AAAAAAAAHsg/VnI7KbT33xg/DSC_0004_thumb%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="559" height="850" /></a> </font></p> Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09697216235081211135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4451671829856701025.post-63760782735337403142012-10-01T19:58:00.001-04:002012-10-01T19:58:30.639-04:00A Bit of Truck Heaven<p><font size="3">A new shopping spot close by hosted a “touch a truck” event, which basically consisted of a parking lot full of huge trucks and construction machinery.  There were some booths too…but if you had kids all you really were paying attention to were the trucks!!!  Spencer wants to be a “construction site man” when he grows up so he was in heaven.  (For local friends, he also <em>loves loves loves</em>  to drive through downtown Hudson and Northborough these days with all the work happening….his parents don’t share his sentiments!!)  So wonderful to see things through the eyes of a 4 year old boy!!!  </font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-kC0qNuPqlsM/UGot6q-MmjI/AAAAAAAAHoc/F6_ghjZwlsY/s1600-h/DSC_0946%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; 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padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0962" border="0" alt="DSC_0962" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-_d0thjVgJWU/UGouCNAJRSI/AAAAAAAAHqE/ixN12JI8MeI/DSC_0962_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="557" height="391" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-h2ZWdlUMm_0/UGouC7sikFI/AAAAAAAAHqM/rB7_z7XgjSM/s1600-h/DSC_0968%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0968" border="0" alt="DSC_0968" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/--3hrk9BwF40/UGouDv3Jz7I/AAAAAAAAHqU/hIBObjlJ9yY/DSC_0968_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="272" height="414" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-JTBUjTQWn9w/UGouEOlCXeI/AAAAAAAAHqc/oYQ9BMhD_VY/s1600-h/DSC_0969%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0969" border="0" alt="DSC_0969" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-1mbEP-uYayc/UGouE4hF_3I/AAAAAAAAHqk/RU6jPPq7uEU/DSC_0969_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="267" height="403" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-zYgNvigpaZw/UGouFY_71NI/AAAAAAAAHqs/sbNyM_yYSnI/s1600-h/DSC_0974%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0974" border="0" alt="DSC_0974" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-t0gynf9cbkM/UGouG3I4TUI/AAAAAAAAHq0/G7SEGzoLCC4/DSC_0974_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="271" height="188" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-gTYzYd6KFtY/UGouHdfF6DI/AAAAAAAAHq8/Qmm08OE_aug/s1600-h/DSC_0975%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0975" border="0" alt="DSC_0975" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-H6ZSRkXh9Qk/UGouIAXK9zI/AAAAAAAAHrE/ydZCIUyTc4w/DSC_0975_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="268" height="186" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-6_WKpcFOAgU/UGouIn9KiuI/AAAAAAAAHrM/24D4xialLmM/s1600-h/DSC_0978%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0978" border="0" alt="DSC_0978" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-J-HylbNmNZ0/UGouJJ2k_dI/AAAAAAAAHrU/EgQE74kXZ58/DSC_0978_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="534" height="373" /></a></p> Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09697216235081211135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4451671829856701025.post-42675625545864081042012-09-27T10:07:00.001-04:002012-09-27T10:07:49.144-04:00Dress-up!<p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-iVeJzs3sD9E/UGRdlkLp7CI/AAAAAAAAHmk/-etlyiWSc60/s1600-h/DSC_0857%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0857" border="0" alt="DSC_0857" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-30aqwgsZamY/UGRdmqRzAvI/AAAAAAAAHms/6PMarLMyR4w/DSC_0857_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="570" height="393" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-5RtLyQNx1IQ/UGRdnXt1S0I/AAAAAAAAHm0/1Sdf_BOZueI/s1600-h/DSC_0860%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0860" border="0" alt="DSC_0860" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-qEwwfrKa-5Y/UGRdoAWW-OI/AAAAAAAAHm8/HsiF3k_ADTA/DSC_0860_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="590" height="407" /></a></p> <p><font size="3">The kids love to dress up.  Love it.  In fact their love of it, and their ever growing collection is inspiring a huge change in the dress-up storage and use system in our little home.  I have big plans!  </font></p> <p><font size="3">Apparently the stuffed animals like to dress up too.  I walked into their room one morning to find this.  So funny.  </font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-P9OOb4dFrgM/UGRdo-jYEMI/AAAAAAAAHnE/QdrXMxMxdsk/s1600-h/DSC_0875%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0875" border="0" alt="DSC_0875" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-DZQ2CNSYf70/UGRdp7_jZnI/AAAAAAAAHnM/WEyYXmkEfW4/DSC_0875_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="627" height="432" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ax8jUblRMDA/UGRdqrFoMfI/AAAAAAAAHnU/YlPIoAyl_W0/s1600-h/DSC_0877%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0877" border="0" alt="DSC_0877" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Oi7KSE35xcE/UGRdrVR3IuI/AAAAAAAAHnc/jFCe5uba0Pw/DSC_0877_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="682" height="470" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-XHiLRelgLDc/UGRdr3LXlfI/AAAAAAAAHnk/RB1bSnl3xmQ/s1600-h/DSC_0876%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0876" border="0" alt="DSC_0876" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-dkiJYvwQLfs/UGRdsVQ1ppI/AAAAAAAAHns/SLvaVvE3AUY/DSC_0876_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="648" height="447" /></a></p> Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09697216235081211135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4451671829856701025.post-38387003712450461882012-09-25T20:36:00.001-04:002012-09-25T20:36:31.298-04:00An Afternoon Adventure<p><font size="3">We went on a spontaneous afternoon adventure.  Leaving homework and reading for later we packed a snack, snatched the baby backpack and off we went.  Just down the road a bit is a trail that has been calling our name as we drive by it to and from Rebecca’s school each day.  It was just the step away we needed.  Away from a schedule, a to do list, a pile of laundry, dinner to make, homework to do, and oh so very much more.  Just my sweet ones and I on our own in the woods.  Oh it fills the soul.  Isn’t it a wonder the way stepping away actually helps you step ahead.  Sweet sweet bliss.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ps1XJih2YRY/UGJN9gp1iwI/AAAAAAAAHko/KwWpLgSxiKM/s1600-h/DSC_0918%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0918" border="0" alt="DSC_0918" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ejCXRXHzg9M/UGJN-XQznSI/AAAAAAAAHkw/xXRQxizbuqg/DSC_0918_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="616" height="429" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-dKHITJdtjts/UGJN_Jc2chI/AAAAAAAAHk4/DA-wPYDM0dU/s1600-h/DSC_0931%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0931" border="0" alt="DSC_0931" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-z3F-t_uvdjo/UGJN_6BtUxI/AAAAAAAAHlA/xam3b4HxVmw/DSC_0931_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="605" height="920" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-h7iaX0IbWgA/UGJOAauN1HI/AAAAAAAAHlI/NE8WSNGso_I/s1600-h/DSC_0945%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0945" border="0" alt="DSC_0945" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-8pkV8ULC8sw/UGJOBDxSOiI/AAAAAAAAHlQ/PbgIznDE-Wo/DSC_0945_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="621" height="428" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-frRoBB3GWN8/UGJOBpX1WGI/AAAAAAAAHlY/pcSj7GMJIR0/s1600-h/DSC_0925%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0925" border="0" alt="DSC_0925" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-3maqyKZl1OE/UGJOCAsUsCI/AAAAAAAAHlg/J_LulHSIYYA/DSC_0925_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="613" height="426" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-0ae32j2PFe4/UGJOCxCPYlI/AAAAAAAAHlo/NxPVgNKZInA/s1600-h/DSC_0940%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0940" border="0" alt="DSC_0940" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-5x4P1nLSMO8/UGJODjEltmI/AAAAAAAAHlw/I-HdJCh1NNc/DSC_0940_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="609" height="420" /></a></p> Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09697216235081211135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4451671829856701025.post-62855494721470666052012-09-20T20:13:00.001-04:002012-09-20T20:13:36.204-04:00Out and About in Boston: The Boston Children’s Museum<p><font size="3">Early in the summer we took a trip into Boston to visit the Boston Children’s Museum as a family.  I’ve done the museums in Boston with just the kids, and we love it.  But it is always so wonderful to be there as a whole family.  It’s lovely to be together, and it’s always an extra bonus to not be the sole person responsible for keeping the kids together, fed, bathroomed, and happily back to a car that can be found!!!  Oh it is certainly great to have Matt around in Boston!  </font></p> <p><font size="3">We’re going to stick with just pictures this time! Next time come with us…we’d love to have you!!!!</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-jD5oNAcRu2o/UFuu5MVmA1I/AAAAAAAAHgg/UltDU0M23LY/s1600-h/DSC_0304%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0304" border="0" alt="DSC_0304" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-FEozMqQcfN0/UFuu53DaKQI/AAAAAAAAHgo/Z3SByUl1bJI/DSC_0304_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="571" height="401" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-qu1YRnjEuhA/UFuu6lOy_nI/AAAAAAAAHgw/gNuJNn8dbJ0/s1600-h/DSC_0310%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0310" border="0" alt="DSC_0310" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-wTq7BpuA7XY/UFuu7rCFROI/AAAAAAAAHg4/VJvBjhaSCXE/DSC_0310_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="578" height="399" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-1BJ9fb_Jca8/UFuu8Y5jjTI/AAAAAAAAHhA/SkGRY1Kbzvo/s1600-h/DSC_0313%252520%2525282%252529%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0313 (2)" border="0" alt="DSC_0313 (2)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-IvhBeOBGARU/UFuu9MSoUHI/AAAAAAAAHhI/bliIdUbNLp8/DSC_0313%252520%2525282%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="579" height="399" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-72U-Yd5w24U/UFuu92O055I/AAAAAAAAHhQ/WbjQlXTm-T4/s1600-h/DSC_0316%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0316" border="0" alt="DSC_0316" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-xqJQAPHOSjc/UFuu_JlhXsI/AAAAAAAAHhU/hfWAUj4Gfuc/DSC_0316_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="584" height="887" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-FHpuMVx-mOw/UFuvAzcembI/AAAAAAAAHhg/teep0SeUQ50/s1600-h/DSC_0315%252520%2525282%252529%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0315 (2)" border="0" alt="DSC_0315 (2)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Tqqcq5kfV_8/UFuvCDhC1PI/AAAAAAAAHho/e-FHwUFeQ_I/DSC_0315%252520%2525282%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="604" height="416" /></a><em>I wish you could hear how noisy noisy she was sucking away on this toe.  It was hilarious</em>!  </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-0YynAkBjqUs/UFuvDfVivUI/AAAAAAAAHhw/DFJOSgUVcVQ/s1600-h/DSC_0318%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0318" border="0" alt="DSC_0318" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-kp_rydIjJ6g/UFuvHYAO2jI/AAAAAAAAHh4/MxExXR9IAuc/DSC_0318_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="608" height="419" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-8GgmvmrAko4/UFuvK0s2ysI/AAAAAAAAHiA/G62WTqMqYig/s1600-h/DSC_0320%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0320" border="0" alt="DSC_0320" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-XLitfICId3A/UFuvOpQYe-I/AAAAAAAAHiI/SGTTFL7iMMA/DSC_0320_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="622" height="947" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-37HeNl3VYiY/UFuvROcer7I/AAAAAAAAHiQ/o1UJOOB1N6M/s1600-h/DSC_0323%252520%2525282%252529%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0323 (2)" border="0" alt="DSC_0323 (2)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-_5I-LfLi580/UFuvSG4HH9I/AAAAAAAAHiY/l3_LR0DYnqQ/DSC_0323%252520%2525282%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="624" height="430" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-CS7RHvfwLjk/UFuvTT3bqtI/AAAAAAAAHig/kizoDp6GZCM/s1600-h/DSC_0325%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0325" border="0" alt="DSC_0325" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-4x_4PsypA_A/UFuvUnCPtjI/AAAAAAAAHio/ckZM6cBjlPY/DSC_0325_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="616" height="947" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-nYIdOUUJvGc/UFuvWHlnn1I/AAAAAAAAHiw/hXJoec_UdMY/s1600-h/DSC_0327%252520%2525282%252529%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0327 (2)" border="0" alt="DSC_0327 (2)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-RLEWbGxsaUc/UFuvXN9xbjI/AAAAAAAAHi4/pZBuUOlwKAk/DSC_0327%252520%2525282%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="625" height="431" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-zKYe_HkdVyk/UFuvY0n64wI/AAAAAAAAHjA/haH741VnfTo/s1600-h/DSC_0336%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0336" border="0" alt="DSC_0336" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-xKLe4wMQ624/UFuvZfAbuJI/AAAAAAAAHjI/mayGODZ_dsE/DSC_0336_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="625" height="431" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-prps4VWF0MM/UFuvacswTpI/AAAAAAAAHjQ/BJ7YrIbd6Gw/s1600-h/DSC_0346%252520%2525282%252529%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0346 (2)" border="0" alt="DSC_0346 (2)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-3rK8Yooq3tA/UFuvbelejDI/AAAAAAAAHjY/oHsR3BJAzyY/DSC_0346%252520%2525282%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="642" height="443" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-wmZuxVXQV7E/UFuvcXcBaTI/AAAAAAAAHjg/sEjM7ANqgJs/s1600-h/DSC_0348%252520%2525282%252529%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0348 (2)" border="0" alt="DSC_0348 (2)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-leW54uGfnYo/UFuvdX9IvNI/AAAAAAAAHjo/fKAMCkhhMDA/DSC_0348%252520%2525282%252529_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="657" height="998" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-rZnAmQib4SQ/UFuvex6a5SI/AAAAAAAAHjw/MDLblNydVIM/s1600-h/DSC_0350%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0350" border="0" alt="DSC_0350" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-7ek7ZBcvFFA/UFuvgWyQ83I/AAAAAAAAHj4/0xOxjSTw7bE/DSC_0350_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="668" height="460" /></a></p> Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09697216235081211135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4451671829856701025.post-27471868283549126862012-09-19T20:13:00.001-04:002012-09-19T20:13:57.887-04:00Grateful<p><font size="3">Matt is the science guy.  Not me.  But there is a science to running a family, and a specific micro sort of science to all of the little gears that run a home.  </font></p> <p><font size="3">Grocery shopping is one of those gears. And we Robinsons, have had to develop our own little science to keep food in the house without leaving mom’s sanity (and perhaps a child or two!) at the grocery store.  Lately our science has involved a uber-specific list, and Dad, on his own on the way home from work, channeling his inner Hannah!  It’s worked our great really, as he also unloads and puts away everything he buys.  Heaven!  </font></p> <p><font size="3">Yesterday however, found Spencer, Emma and I in the grocery store for a much overdue shopping trip.  We like to shop at a discount grocery store that has fabulous prices (<a href="http://marketbasketfoods.com/">Market Basket</a>) but is 20 minutes away.  To make it worth it, we do one big shopping trip there a month and supplement with the local more pricey places for the produce, milk, eggs, etc. every week.  So this wasn’t just a little jaunt to the grocery store, it was serious business.  </font></p> <p><font size="3">The kids were actually really good.  Aside from Spencer dinging a car with his door in the parking lot (which we talked to the owner about and he was able to have a great experience with honesty and responsibility…yay for compassionate people!) and a bit of fussing from Emma, which was quickly abated with the gift of a whole carrot to gnaw on.  It was a lot of work, and was pretty insane, I’ll admit it, even with two very well behaved kids.  By the time we checked out we had two full carts…yup, take a minute to picture it. Two carts, two kids, one adult.  </font></p> <p><font size="3">As we pulled our carts through the last aisle the insanity (and humor) of the moment hit me.  I admit, I was on the verge of humiliation.  But then another, and much more profound emotion hit.  It was <em>gratitude.</em>  It struck me that there are countless mothers who cannot stand in the grocery store with two carts full of food.  Perhaps it’s the food itself that is not there, or perhaps it’s the money to purchase it.  We have had much leaner times than we enjoy at this season.  I still stick with a tight grocery budget, but one that allows for plenty of  delicious food.  Children have so many needs.  And the blessings that allow me to meet their need (their <em>constant </em>need) for food is one that I am truly grateful for.  </font></p> <p><font size="3">It was a welcome and beautiful thought amidst the chaos that is grocery shopping with two children in Market Basket.  </font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ESVCe0UVNfE/UFpfwQsAjLI/AAAAAAAAHfs/3Yi1AuMMPIA/s1600-h/DSC_0613%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0613" border="0" alt="DSC_0613" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-_oQG4TO8scA/UFpfxOTVXQI/AAAAAAAAHf0/VUPgMMhi-0U/DSC_0613_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="584" height="403" /></a></p> Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09697216235081211135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4451671829856701025.post-9751583187103339582012-09-13T22:10:00.001-04:002012-09-13T22:10:50.938-04:00Life is a Circus<p><font size="3">For the past couple of evenings it seems like my children’s sweet little selves have flown off and the circus has taken residence in their brains.  As a ring leader I found myself greatly lacking and poor Matt came home to a circus tent that was barely standing each evening. Today, <em>finally</em>, my children were back, in their whole sweet selves, and our home was as we love it.  They’re still children of course, but they were <em>my </em>children again!  </font></p> <p><font size="3">In honor of the circus that visited our home lately here’s a few pictures of a trip our family took to the circus earlier this summer.  It was met with mixed reviews.  I personally could barely handle the risk level of some of the stunts…motherhood will do that to you I guess!  The kids were in awe…Emma and Spencer’s faces say it all!!!  <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-SxRSKP7RBSM/UFKSEHlhObI/AAAAAAAAHdo/EOqk-PcZjgw/s1600-h/DSC_0419%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0419" border="0" alt="DSC_0419" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-xeeNVtiOdvM/UFKSE3wjgxI/AAAAAAAAHdw/nSaiBA36tB4/DSC_0419_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="555" height="383" /></a></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Ih1pN8cl6Lo/UFKSF6iQxlI/AAAAAAAAHd4/US8xvkag-is/s1600-h/DSC_0420%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0420" border="0" alt="DSC_0420" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-PgV1u8tYr7Y/UFKSGvBUIdI/AAAAAAAAHeA/xxGb620gRRA/DSC_0420_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="560" height="386" /></a><font size="3"></font></p> <p><font size="3">Spencer was so so thrilled to see a zebra up close, and the kids ate up the antics and excitement of it all.  </font></p> <p><font size="3">We’ll take the circus in the tents…but never in our house again please!</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-AT1ZxD0tOuI/UFKSHEyNrTI/AAAAAAAAHeI/Ei8pZOdLZ1o/s1600-h/DSC_0423%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0423" border="0" alt="DSC_0423" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-rjJIKsXdeX0/UFKSHoqUHaI/AAAAAAAAHeQ/_kH_XAbDZsk/DSC_0423_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="569" height="392" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-t8V-oaobotU/UFKSILMrVAI/AAAAAAAAHeY/mym_Zu3qGmQ/s1600-h/DSC_0426%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0426" border="0" alt="DSC_0426" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-BxULSl5MjOU/UFKSIu7LbqI/AAAAAAAAHeg/1OvyN3hMaCM/DSC_0426_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="284" height="196" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-MXHRASlzWzI/UFKSI-ZJHyI/AAAAAAAAHeo/oscDJIuFS80/s1600-h/DSC_0428%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0428" border="0" alt="DSC_0428" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-XHz-NHR6Sjk/UFKSJWKiMLI/AAAAAAAAHew/rENOyi3PNzg/DSC_0428_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="280" height="194" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Tko4usnv20U/UFKSJ1QejRI/AAAAAAAAHe4/_lxO_Cb2cwk/s1600-h/DSC_0431%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0431" border="0" alt="DSC_0431" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-SzPvGfIqkqU/UFKSKQ1XzFI/AAAAAAAAHfA/ED13VltzKH0/DSC_0431_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="586" height="404" /></a></p> Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09697216235081211135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4451671829856701025.post-34073959112918351712012-09-11T10:39:00.000-04:002012-09-11T10:39:00.851-04:00A Few of the Why’s<p><font size="3">The decision to homeschool a child, or a whole fleet of children, whichever you might have (!), is a big decision.  No one that has ever faced that decision would deny it.  For our family it was one that we faced prayerfully, as we try to face all things in life.  We always knew though, that how long we would homeschool our children was very much undecided.  We decided to take it year by year.  We were, however, very sure that we wanted to extend the pure and home centered childhood that our children could have by starting their schooling at home.  And what fun we had!!!  Seriously, it was a blast in many ways.  </font></p> <p><font size="3">Like I mentioned yesterday, we found ourselves very comfortably walking away from Rebecca’s homeschooling years at this time without much fanfare or warning really!  All of a sudden there we were.  Partly surprised that it was really happening!  But decide we did, and off went Rebecca to a “building school” as my sweet little homeschool kids call it.  </font></p> <p><font size="3">Several of you have asked for specifics about our decision.  For us it was a decision driven by two major factors.  1.  What was best for Rebecca at this time in her schooling and in her life.  And 2.  What was best for our family as a whole at this time in our adventures.  Part of my hesitancy to share specifics about our decision was out of respect for our girl.  I wouldn’t want anything that I say to shine a negative light on our sweet girl.  If you have ever met Rebecca you are aware that she has the personality of a small nation and the energy of a large one!!!  She grasps onto an idea or a new subject, or project and runs and runs with it.  That is part of what made it so fun and fulfilling to school at home with her.  It is also what made it difficult to school at home with her!  Balancing everything and maintaining peace in our home and for myself became too difficult.  Her need for a bigger adventure and the experience of learning from and with a bigger diversity of peers and teachers became clear.  Also clear was our sons need for a different dynamic during school time in order to excel in the way he deserved.  Plus there was one more little bundle of joy that needed my attention, and a husband with a great job with long hours and a long commute. There are many days when my best friend is parenting from his office in Boston via happy thoughts…!     </font></p> <p><font size="3">I am very aware that there are many families bigger than ours, and busier than hours, with multitudes of different challenges that successfully homeschool.  Personally I really can’t understand how it’s done without admitting massive personal deficiencies.  Which I refuse to accept.  Different families are different…that’s all there is.  Homeschooling is hard.  Anyone considering it should know for sure that it is all consuming, and a whole heap of hard work.  It has serious joys and huge triumphs…there is simply <em>nothing</em> like watching firsthand as a child learns and discovers the world by your side.  </font></p> <p><font size="3">For our family, the needs of the other children in our family, and the ultimate peace of our home, coincided with the changed needs for Rebecca’s personality and learning.  And the answer was to stop homeschooling.  There are several days as I am home with my two littles enjoying the dynamic that they create and learning together with my boy that I feel a bit guilty for so enjoying a time that one of my children is gone from home.  Yet each day, as I pick her up from school and see her face and hear of her joys and triumphs of the day I am settled again.  Different phases call for different adventures for all of us, and right now our adventures are just the right fit for all of us.  </font></p> Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09697216235081211135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4451671829856701025.post-6310058664350164742012-09-10T06:57:00.000-04:002012-09-10T06:57:00.271-04:00School…in a Whole New (Plaid!!) Fashion<p><font size="3">I can’t really tell you how many times people have asked us why we decided to begin homeschooling our children.  I didn’t always give everyone the same answer, which worked because, honestly, there were many different reasons behind our decision.  Now, as we begin a new phase in the schooling of our oldest dear one, we are faced with new questions!  This one being the most recurring:</font></p> <p><font size="3"><em>When and why did you decide to stop homeschooling Rebecca?</em></font></p> <p><font size="3">And, to be totally honest I don’t really have a clear answer.  Especially for the “when” question!  In many different and subtle ways we found ourselves moving toward a new schooling plan for Rebecca with her needs, personality and learning style in mind.  We definitely didn’t wake up one morning and say, “Hey, let’s put Becca into a Catholic school”, it was much more like “Wow, are we really talking about moving away from homeschooling and sending her to school….”  But every time the shock hit us, the settling feeling that what we were doing was in fact the best thing for our girl would calm the shock of the huge change we were putting into play.  </font></p> <p><font size="3">I’m not going to get into details about why we chose to stop homeschooling Rebecca. It was simply the right time to make the switch for her.  So switch we did!!!</font></p> <p><font size="3">She absolutely loves her new school and we are thrilled and thoroughly impressed with her new environment and the amazing team of teacher and administrators that she is working with.  </font></p> <p><font size="3">And here (Mom!) is what you’ve been waiting for…the classic “first day of school” pictures!  </font></p> <p><font size="3"></font></p> <p>  <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-wbdgQYKufqs/UE1XYAtCYvI/AAAAAAAAHcI/hofeqcSov6k/s1600-h/DSC_0768%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_0768" border="0" alt="DSC_0768" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-aAMe_u8Pim8/UE1XY19K_mI/AAAAAAAAHcQ/WKw6m4Yd1cs/DSC_0768_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="546" height="373" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-134Lo88auw8/UE1XZk3jnRI/AAAAAAAAHcY/NDr-6ahNt5k/s1600-h/DSC_0782%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_0782" border="0" alt="DSC_0782" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-5csZP22Zing/UE1XaYQ3SBI/AAAAAAAAHcg/ayCnCr6oURY/DSC_0782_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="560" height="385" /></a></p> <p>  <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-jvrzXl82P4g/UE1XbbuBOrI/AAAAAAAAHco/fAlidAmYvho/s1600-h/DSC_0769%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_0769" border="0" alt="DSC_0769" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-oX0Z2WHxkyw/UE1Xb5DoayI/AAAAAAAAHcw/FcCnfNBsZTA/DSC_0769_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="577" height="840" /></a>Not the best picture of her grinning face, but it shows her cute little “summer uniform” that she’ll wear until the end of October and again in the spring.  In the winter she’ll wear the traditional uniform jumper in classic red and blue plaid.        </p> <p><font size="3">Rebecca and I have been a team from the instant she was born, spending our days adventuring together.  When our little man arrived the two of them quickly became a packaged deal.  A new phase is in front of us now, as she goes off to adventure on her own, and he adventures at home with me, building his own dynamic duo with our littlest lady (whom he never calls simply Emma, and goes instead for “Emma-nema-nema-nema”…who knows why…that’s our Spencer!) </font> <font size="3">I admit, the reality of the changes this new phase would bring brought me to a panic a few times.  Time is just flying by too fast watching these little ones grow up around me.  But when the morning of the big day arrived she was so excited, and I was so full of the assurance that this was the right move for her, that I found myself being carried along with her joy and kept my sentimentality in check! </font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-63cO_GKSl9U/UE1XctHdtKI/AAAAAAAAHc4/hrceK1WdBwk/s1600-h/DSC_0787%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_0787" border="0" alt="DSC_0787" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-pyw-CdqlLQE/UE1XdCLEcXI/AAAAAAAAHdA/_3Cn4B4J93U/DSC_0787_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="558" height="391" /></a> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p><font size="3">Here’s too our new schooling phase!!!</font></p> Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09697216235081211135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4451671829856701025.post-4246475877574056362012-09-08T22:40:00.001-04:002012-09-08T22:40:24.565-04:00Phases<p><font size="3"></font></p> <p><font size="3"> <em>We’re alive and well!  Thanks so many of you for asking!!!</em></font>  <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-kx4lrNtfgvg/UEwBkByuaYI/AAAAAAAAHbI/wbwMgK1OzTA/s1600-h/DSC_0785%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_0785" border="0" alt="DSC_0785" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-P1HsRbRPsag/UEwBklXwWpI/AAAAAAAAHbQ/ltGm3XUA4Tg/DSC_0785_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="570" height="417" /></a> </p> <p><font size="3">Life is simply a series of phases.  Some long, others short, some blissful and others, well…less than blissful.  “It’s just a phase” my mother would say. </font></p> <p><font size="3">A few months ago (yikes!!!) I stepped away from blogging for what I thought would be a moment, and here we are, months later without a trace.  For a while I thought that perhaps blogging had become a phase in my life.  A phase that had taken a backseat to life.  That perhaps <em>living</em> my life took so much that there wasn’t quite enough boost left to <em>write</em> about my life.  While things sifted down into an order that brought peace (and sanity!!) back to my soul I began to see that more had changed than just the number of littles I could call my own.   In terms of natural living, homeschooling, etc, we’ve changed a bit.  At first, as I witnessed the change I felt a bit of guilt, that my blog had lost some of it’s integrity, that maybe my blogging days really were over if the life I blogged about had changed.  Perhaps it was all just a phase.  </font></p> <p><font size="3">Lately though, I have been drawn back to this space.  But I come honestly.  With  a few confessions.  With a few changes.  </font></p> <p><font size="3">Let’s get the confessions out of the way.  </font></p> <p><font size="3">We don’t do cloth diapers anymore.</font></p> <p><font size="3">My garden is more weeds than plants (and that’s a <em>huge</em> understatement) after going away for all of July.</font></p> <p><font size="3">I don’t sew my kids clothes.  Aside from the occasional accessory, dress or skirt.  It’s definitely cheaper to buy them, and I just can’t find the time and energy.</font></p> <p><font size="3">I don’t remember the last time I’ve picked up a pair of knitting needles.</font></p> <p><font size="3">My daughter left homeschool for a Catholic School (every catholic school needs a little <a href="http://mormon.org/">Mormon</a> girl right!?!).  </font></p> <p><font size="3">While all these changes settled into our lives and this new phase of our life began I admit I felt twinges of guilt.  That I wasn’t being honest with my blog.  That the person presented in the past few years of post was no longer who I am…at least for the time being.  That these changes that fit us so well right now were somehow letting others down. </font></p> <p><font size="3">Then I got over it!  </font></p> <p><font size="3">After all, this space is still, at the heart, what it has always been.  A place to share the joy of childhood, the adventures of motherhood, and the beauty of all things created and nurtured by a loving hand.  </font></p> <p><font size="3">So…we’re back in business!  I can’t promise a post everyday, I can’t even promise a post every other day…!  But as often as I can I’ll be here sharing our adventures (and satisfying our children’s Nana and Grandma’s need for a more consistent glimpse into their lives…got to please our most loyal readers!!!)!</font></p> <p><font size="3">Stop by any chance you can get, I can’t wait to share this space with you once more!  </font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-MfWC_zRugow/UEwBlI257nI/AAAAAAAAHbY/eCiCHOFqA6U/s1600-h/DSC_0757%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_0757" border="0" alt="DSC_0757" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-HyOoMIyybM4/UEwBl7X500I/AAAAAAAAHbg/74O9ToSWXyY/DSC_0757_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="578" height="395" /></a> </p> <p><font size="3"></font></p> <p><font size="3"></font></p> <p><font size="3"> <em>Our little Emma…perhaps the biggest factor in my absence is oh-so-easy to forgive is she not!!!</em></font></p> Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09697216235081211135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4451671829856701025.post-53007546478812072582012-05-28T11:43:00.001-04:002012-05-28T12:15:58.927-04:00Weekending<p><font size="3">Every spring our church organizes a Father and Son campout.  This weekend my boys went off into the woods together to follow this tradition for the very first time.  It was <em>much</em><font size="3"></font> anticipated by our little man (and the big man as well…though his anticipation was accompanied with a bit less chatter…!)  I<em>  love</em>  this tradition.  Maybe it’s because I grew up with my brothers and Dad going off each spring for a woodsy adventure of their very own.  Each year they would look forward to this tradition with joy, just as my husband looked forward to it with his own father and brothers.  I love watching my own men continuing this yearly pilgrimage to the woods.  Though it’s certainly not the only time our family will campout this season, or possibly even the only time just the boys will head out to the woods, and most definitely not the only special time the boys will have on their own….but this was <em>the</em>  “Father and Son campout”, bringing with it generations of memories and traditions.  It was a fantastic weekend indeed.  </font></p> <p> <em>Spencer all ready to go!  We met Matt at work in Boston and they continued on to New Hampshire from there.  Spencer is in the middle of throwing his arms up in an excited cheer in this shot, so they’re a bit blurry…but I LOVE this picture because it shows his beautiful smile that we so rarely see in pictures. (remember <a href="http://ahandmadechildhood.blogspot.com/2012/03/taste-of-spring.html">this</a> !)</em><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-WRWuI9SzmQ4/T8Oc-0VEWiI/AAAAAAAAHYs/_spByC80dpY/s1600-h/DSC_0114%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_0114" border="0" alt="DSC_0114" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-zIfcLeyCCR8/T8OdE3ST-CI/AAAAAAAAHY0/mfjWgTQreS0/DSC_0114_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="580" height="397" /></a></p> <p><em>Falling asleep eating a s’more!</em></p> <p> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-OI-XM05BasA/T8OdFd1o0fI/AAAAAAAAHY4/jsxaK7DF99o/s1600-h/DSC_0122%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_0122" border="0" alt="DSC_0122" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-22MsJ9FF0AQ/T8OdF8lsVLI/AAAAAAAAHZE/wlm5GJ5ELHc/DSC_0122_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="266" height="190" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-34fQgub3_HQ/T8OdGfUifxI/AAAAAAAAHZM/RpgP96nc4vg/s1600-h/DSC_0123%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_0123" border="0" alt="DSC_0123" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-h-LYJEIAV70/T8OdG2syISI/AAAAAAAAHZU/Vjy9zqYDtOY/DSC_0123_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="271" height="193" /></a> </p> <p><em>Spencer was given a glow stick by another family that became his most favorite thing in the world for the evening!  </em></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Y9wDmblHFPE/T8OdHTzIp7I/AAAAAAAAHZY/kB4YKKWpsBk/s1600-h/DSC_0125%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_0125" border="0" alt="DSC_0125" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Vd3yQVOEIGs/T8OdHgQwzaI/AAAAAAAAHZg/5fV7Ywxo-Io/DSC_0125_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="592" height="405" /></a><em>Running around in the woods with his friend Garrett who was also there with hid Dad.</em><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-pE6l2KYJbTI/T8OdIGsBxaI/AAAAAAAAHZo/shOmAcVfPXs/s1600-h/DSC_0130%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_0130" border="0" alt="DSC_0130" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-xQU34JbILvI/T8OdImE-BDI/AAAAAAAAHZ0/TCGPqNAEiis/DSC_0130_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="584" height="433" /></a></p> <p><em>Oh the joy of a “Father and Son”!!!</em>  <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-xosiNjS-kIA/T8OdJ3s_8DI/AAAAAAAAHZ8/TFpD1TjEius/s1600-h/DSC_0140%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_0140" border="0" alt="DSC_0140" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-r20XpT3wihs/T8OdKNO7q9I/AAAAAAAAHaE/y2rhiFrstFw/DSC_0140_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="576" height="394" /></a>  <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-aRSPt8FSozA/T8OdKoOWTiI/AAAAAAAAHaM/sn6ZE4vM19o/s1600-h/DSC_0147%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_0147" border="0" alt="DSC_0147" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-CfAOtGqkm8M/T8OdLEWWB8I/AAAAAAAAHaU/PpzBMqBtnJc/DSC_0147_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="577" height="394" /></a>  <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-37UMpya8Bew/T8OdNDLb4GI/AAAAAAAAHac/y_NEu-WGhT0/s1600-h/DSC_0152%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_0152" border="0" alt="DSC_0152" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-9IZiC7iimWY/T8OdNQzmSiI/AAAAAAAAHak/8hoVFxDYnLU/DSC_0152_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="589" height="403" /></a><em>An attempt to document that they were both in fact there…!  </em>  <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-_8n7PbBUnRk/T8OdN_DhCUI/AAAAAAAAHao/GTXzC9Wz6iM/s1600-h/DSC_0154%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_0154" border="0" alt="DSC_0154" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-NdAdXFzhi44/T8OdOUHjy-I/AAAAAAAAHas/onvAlT197Oc/DSC_0154_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="605" height="414" /></a></p> Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09697216235081211135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4451671829856701025.post-58342472689686132182012-05-25T14:25:00.001-04:002012-05-25T14:25:26.899-04:00This Moment<p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Md8IJ8pPP-w/T7_OkS1I7uI/AAAAAAAAHYQ/FdTjk80iqMY/s1600-h/DSC_0109%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_0109" border="0" alt="DSC_0109" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-AGRD29BvfXE/T7_OlBaz_cI/AAAAAAAAHYY/HQ72DCMl-8M/DSC_0109_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="576" height="394" /></a> </p> <p><font size="3">Loving a little bit of screen time (while I make dinner) with their best friends <a href="http://pbskids.org/wildkratts/">Chris and Martin</a>.</font></p> Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09697216235081211135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4451671829856701025.post-23605204901856084332012-05-23T23:53:00.001-04:002012-05-23T23:53:33.644-04:00A Reminder<p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-KCdWeVQjEQY/T72wr5fW0MI/AAAAAAAAHX4/4X8L03esI80/s1600-h/DSC_0104%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_0104" border="0" alt="DSC_0104" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-s_PvS1uxhkg/T72wt7bqn7I/AAAAAAAAHYA/spfuV0pIVdM/DSC_0104_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="559" height="814" /></a>  </p> <p></p> <p>   <font size="3">Sometimes we all need a reminder!  </font></p> <p><font size="3">This little tid bit is our family motto for the year…or maybe the next ten!!  With it read and said, and seen and repeated again and again perhaps it will simply become part of their being.  Perhaps they will simply know.  I am ______.  I can do hard things.  Oh what beauty that would bring to their lives!</font></p> Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09697216235081211135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4451671829856701025.post-26032354329730610202012-05-23T00:27:00.001-04:002012-05-23T00:27:24.034-04:00A Family of Books<p><font size="3">We love books.  <em>Love</em> them.  I am sure that at some time a nook or kindle or something along those lines will enter our home…but right now we resist in the name of love.  Love for the way it feels to turn a page, to hold all those words in your hands, to stir all the feelings, emotions and adventure of the tale up inside of you with just the smell of the pages.  Oh it is good to hold a book!  </font></p> <p><font size="3">Our little Emma has developed a love for books and we are reveling in the charm and convenience of it.  When stuck in the car seat, or the bouncy seat for just a few minutes longer than she would like and starting to vocally show her frustration all one of her siblings needs to do is read her a book and she calms right down.  It is rather remarkable and totally adorable.  It doesn’t seem to be that she has a preference for a certain type of book in the variety…to be honest though, she does get a pretty heavy dose of Fancy Nancy and “truck” books!!  I’m not sure how long the magic of the books will last with her, but right now we’re loving it!  </font>  <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-2TNOl7fBT6c/T7xnKCnNHpI/AAAAAAAAHXg/lfTN001DHGk/s1600-h/DSC_00933.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC_0093" border="0" alt="DSC_0093" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-e2o6UAikBZk/T7xnKrIDUkI/AAAAAAAAHXo/qFAO1XuV0j8/DSC_0093_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="594" height="406" /></a></p> Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09697216235081211135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4451671829856701025.post-74839557249302642682012-05-22T09:03:00.001-04:002012-05-22T09:03:41.876-04:00To the Ceiling.<p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-OJ-cY5XUByg/T7uOqsHKrvI/AAAAAAAAHXI/_WQ-4tqhl4U/s1600-h/DSC_0089%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_0089" border="0" alt="DSC_0089" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-pD5BeJSqIUc/T7uOrHZTxaI/AAAAAAAAHXQ/CtlVDE6uF1U/DSC_0089_thumb%25255B9%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="476" height="978" /></a>  </p> <p><font size="3">For our most recent <a href="http://www.lds.org/hf/fhe/welcome/0,16785,4210-1,00.html">family night</a> Spencer was in charge of choosing an activity for us.  His choice…building a lego tower to the ceiling!!!  There is a lot of lego time in our home, but not always with such a focused and fun goal!  There are many things that build a happy and forever family…and I do believe building lego towers to the ceiling together might be one of them!!!  </font></p> <p><font size="3">Here’s to happy family time!  </font></p> Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09697216235081211135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4451671829856701025.post-59575528289645889422012-05-21T21:22:00.001-04:002012-05-21T21:22:19.280-04:00Generations!<p><font size="3">This weekend we celebrated my Nana’s 80th birthday, and boy was it a party!!!!  To my grandpa she is Eileen, to my mom she is “mother dear”, to me she is “Nana”, and to my children (and her many other great grandchildren) she is “Nana Dear”", and to all she is dearly loved.  It was a weekend to treasure to be sure!  As part of the celebration I created a video with decades of pictures and videos, and it was such a joy to collect and look at all those captured moments.  These three, capture generations of a shared joy…motherhood.  I count myself immensely blessed to have such wonderful mothers leading the way before me.  </font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-hexSiSyCcD8/T7rqPIzovkI/AAAAAAAAHWQ/suv_9S6VIaE/s1600-h/DSC_0031%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_0031" border="0" alt="DSC_0031" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-BpQPffT5o-E/T7rqP5_bqQI/AAAAAAAAHWY/j5JPD7LDQx4/DSC_0031_thumb%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="582" height="442" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-4tuUxmgoKiw/T7rqQT6mWwI/AAAAAAAAHWg/eHZ_dmG4d4k/s1600-h/DSC_0024%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_0024" border="0" alt="DSC_0024" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-xmwfWO-QDhc/T7rqQ74QPfI/AAAAAAAAHWo/YgYUDJULqYs/DSC_0024_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="583" height="440" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-46jZjaPgMkk/T7rqRhhxCaI/AAAAAAAAHWw/pYNdhPZ3qM8/s1600-h/DSC_0028%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_0028" border="0" alt="DSC_0028" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-LhI52nTLSxY/T7rqSiFTfGI/AAAAAAAAHW4/7BA6QAsPjVk/DSC_0028_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="586" height="387" /></a></p> Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09697216235081211135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4451671829856701025.post-76191165221817568452012-05-14T20:56:00.001-04:002012-05-14T20:56:46.716-04:00Mothers Day<p><font size="3">For Mother’s Day this year my loves gave me a delicious batch of new memories…of the Cape Cod variety!!!!  Perfection!!!</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-TSBWscy-nWI/T7Gpe77u1GI/AAAAAAAAHRA/CGo87bwon2Y/s1600-h/DSC_0047%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_0047" border="0" alt="DSC_0047" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-4iIwdWk2qeY/T7GpfTy65AI/AAAAAAAAHRI/GRIHZsIc3FU/DSC_0047_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="538" height="370" /></a>  </p> <p>It is hard not to grin when you look out the window in the morning to a view like this!!!</p> <p> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-JRGhSRHWDHM/T7Gpf7U64II/AAAAAAAAHRQ/ofMrejKpKkY/s1600-h/DSC_0050%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_0050" border="0" alt="DSC_0050" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-h7OdxgggICI/T7GpgU6QU7I/AAAAAAAAHRY/riRhlx1HD30/DSC_0050_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="541" height="370" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_8hzPymYBXQ/T7GpgnWKGBI/AAAAAAAAHRg/iJZO6Hu4P4g/s1600-h/DSC_0052%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_0052" border="0" alt="DSC_0052" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-T6sqJ5MR1zk/T7GphEk_EoI/AAAAAAAAHRo/xUcoauL6rVE/DSC_0052_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="546" height="373" /></a>  <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-aHC0KHlPPsY/T7GphuY93AI/AAAAAAAAHRw/PQlZWijajLI/s1600-h/DSC_0059%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_0059" border="0" alt="DSC_0059" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ldY2IUCZHGU/T7GpiOS6aTI/AAAAAAAAHR4/DaButOSvI8I/DSC_0059_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="570" height="390" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-9AgmRX3uhoE/T7GpiZh5dmI/AAAAAAAAHSA/uh6s6XDqnVY/s1600-h/DSC_0061%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_0061" border="0" alt="DSC_0061" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-SdWV8JP4qAw/T7GpjLTrV4I/AAAAAAAAHSI/f7gCAU193Ns/DSC_0061_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="272" height="187" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-X4fG_cyFwEk/T7GpjRefmnI/AAAAAAAAHSQ/O3Hu4bytJJI/s1600-h/DSC_0074%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_0074" border="0" alt="DSC_0074" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-PpiOIxVDKMM/T7GpjygKptI/AAAAAAAAHSY/IdZsZRCDGww/DSC_0074_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="257" height="182" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-PWBGS6ITb6o/T7GpkK1Y9vI/AAAAAAAAHSg/voCo5L2pgVU/s1600-h/DSC_0066%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_0066" border="0" alt="DSC_0066" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-BuNmso7jQFk/T7Gpl-ePA4I/AAAAAAAAHSo/bzubtOTctCM/DSC_0066_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="268" height="194" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-PI7ZVnqCzwc/T7GpmGa4a9I/AAAAAAAAHSw/ExfgV3ndmoc/s1600-h/DSC_0067%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_0067" border="0" alt="DSC_0067" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-taKIttlJpK4/T7GpmrZWC1I/AAAAAAAAHS4/I11trPeO7HI/DSC_0067_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="270" height="185" /></a>  <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-cAYyWapfFEI/T7GpnKraCPI/AAAAAAAAHTA/7fdoU44_srk/s1600-h/DSC_0085%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_0085" border="0" alt="DSC_0085" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-nsvoIgf1vQU/T7GpnXM0IkI/AAAAAAAAHTI/R5B9182Ujgs/DSC_0085_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="535" height="366" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_u5oDPQOhh8/T7Gpn4TZRvI/AAAAAAAAHTQ/G6HU5LWlNjk/s1600-h/DSC_0089%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_0089" border="0" alt="DSC_0089" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-nI4MmQYabsk/T7GpoQofV-I/AAAAAAAAHTY/3--VpJIfBL8/DSC_0089_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="269" height="187" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-eyRF3Djt-8M/T7Gpo82Y59I/AAAAAAAAHTg/2DrGPJeHs-I/s1600-h/DSC_0096%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_0096" border="0" alt="DSC_0096" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-TRUElOG5RbM/T7GppQRpFmI/AAAAAAAAHTo/CtagYhbeSBE/DSC_0096_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="271" height="186" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-7RLO1W9PmxY/T7Gpp4Xl6DI/AAAAAAAAHTw/cNKpxwYgbAo/s1600-h/DSC_0102%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_0102" border="0" alt="DSC_0102" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-MegJQA4dqFw/T7Gpq7mTi0I/AAAAAAAAHT4/_bB7d6sofd8/DSC_0102_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="550" height="378" /></a>  <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-knNOaJzeJUk/T7GprS23M5I/AAAAAAAAHUA/FgkjtkJfxIk/s1600-h/DSC_0120%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_0120" border="0" alt="DSC_0120" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-jqFyWrPZ_do/T7GprioCZYI/AAAAAAAAHUI/WDxZocruWWc/DSC_0120_thumb%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="264" height="195" /></a>  <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-chq1nIU820c/T7GpsQWJBLI/AAAAAAAAHUQ/qYAadZUQDvY/s1600-h/DSC_0136%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_0136" border="0" alt="DSC_0136" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-BFF3fNId4Sw/T7Gps7M9AfI/AAAAAAAAHUY/gXG-fkdFw-Q/DSC_0136_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="270" height="190" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/--rxMU3__f0E/T7GptWV4BVI/AAAAAAAAHUg/Y_GjKHU8QTM/s1600-h/DSC_0130%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_0130" border="0" alt="DSC_0130" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ckE-SjWlrzM/T7GptjcYbXI/AAAAAAAAHUo/JNEGVMJbR4w/DSC_0130_thumb%25255B9%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="268" height="196" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/--AtFeWDLuO0/T7Gpub-rhdI/AAAAAAAAHUw/UHbYj3Pm0wM/s1600-h/DSC_0126%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_0126" border="0" alt="DSC_0126" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-gBahyilujTw/T7Gpuzg5lCI/AAAAAAAAHU4/fOJBius67HQ/DSC_0126_thumb%25255B9%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="264" height="188" /></a>    </p> <p>Emma was not very thrilled with the whole “memory making in the sand and sun and wind” adventure.  It was a rough day for her but she pulled through, and will learn to love the Cape as much as the other little Robinsons.  </p> <p> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-xffNOMaoEG4/T7Gpvay7xTI/AAAAAAAAHVA/QogQJu0MsfU/s1600-h/DSC_0135%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_0135" border="0" alt="DSC_0135" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-9v4jj09XEr0/T7Gpv4w_D2I/AAAAAAAAHVI/jSZS6SD8MdA/DSC_0135_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="562" height="384" /></a>   <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-LPYOL1NFh0Y/T7GpwXETyuI/AAAAAAAAHVQ/ioJOc13lfcs/s1600-h/DSC_0140%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_0140" border="0" alt="DSC_0140" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-7rHsh52xvrg/T7Gpw-wTpUI/AAAAAAAAHVY/UEiiWeXUvYQ/DSC_0140_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="795" /></a>  <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Nz8Qxrw_ObE/T7GpxZ-8ACI/AAAAAAAAHVg/J7iW1j3UhMQ/s1600-h/DSC_0148%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_0148" border="0" alt="DSC_0148" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-fnStuWZDvxg/T7Gpx6oJU9I/AAAAAAAAHVo/1xBcDd89jDA/DSC_0148_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="263" height="183" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-k20sEJbO-4A/T7Gpyq6DUmI/AAAAAAAAHVw/3rdKoInWHhk/s1600-h/DSC_0143%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_0143" border="0" alt="DSC_0143" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ZxGQazKwVYM/T7GpzKwMr5I/AAAAAAAAHV4/jzuJ0p4g-Ng/DSC_0143_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="272" height="187" /></a></p> Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09697216235081211135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4451671829856701025.post-54581880732956991552012-05-11T07:01:00.000-04:002012-05-11T07:01:00.129-04:00Happy Friday<blockquote>
Happy Friday!!!!!<br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-fHQHQibmvp0/T6xy2604gvI/AAAAAAAAHP8/N4oAm5gsUdI/s1600-h/DSC_0295%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSC_0295" border="0" height="536" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-76jhCyQZ3iQ/T6xy3oX14jI/AAAAAAAAHQE/rwWjeBt-GPU/DSC_0295_thumb%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline;" title="DSC_0295" width="547" /></a> </blockquote>
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-bJDenwQ9oYY/T6xy4AOm72I/AAAAAAAAHQM/X3619cYwGCk/s1600-h/DSC_0332%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSC_0332" border="0" height="439" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-S5m55gKt6gs/T6xy4vv1E1I/AAAAAAAAHQU/2_L8ylhgbyw/DSC_0332_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline;" title="DSC_0332" width="551" /></a> <br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-h4HEtWEJTlI/T6xy5TTvcpI/AAAAAAAAHQc/W7kqJZGVNlk/s1600-h/DSC_0333%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSC_0333" border="0" height="385" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-JyXHke96bkY/T6xy6LA6yZI/AAAAAAAAHQk/rJUaJjTOPp8/DSC_0333_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline;" title="DSC_0333" width="559" /></a> <br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-uLu8GqOirS8/T6xy6n4WwcI/AAAAAAAAHQs/Fo47cbwHv0U/s1600-h/DSC_0245%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSC_0245" border="0" height="392" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-e2sRjVLGPwc/T6xy7W4uFkI/AAAAAAAAHQ0/QkMmvqToXQY/DSC_0245_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline;" title="DSC_0245" width="572" /></a>Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09697216235081211135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4451671829856701025.post-22217476619197292122012-05-10T07:10:00.000-04:002012-05-10T08:58:51.377-04:00Time for Becca’s Apron<span style="font-size: small;">Moments before the “making dinner” hour (read: crazy hour) the request for a doll apron came. And not just a doll apron, a doll apron that she could make herself (Becca, not the doll!) After a pause, and a deep breath, we dove in. Sewing with little fingers is wonderful and important, and I love it, but it does require extra patience and a bit more time. Both of which were waning…! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">I was thrilled when this little apron went together without a hiccup of any kind, and in no time at all! Becca did the sewing (I control the presser foot and she does everything else!!!), ironing, and choosing of fabrics, and I discovered the quickest doll apron pattern ever! We took two rectangles of fabric, sewed them right sides together on three sides, turned them right side out, pressed it flat, attached a grograin ribbon as a tie, melted the ends of the ribbon so they wouldn’t fray, and voila!!! <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-H8hkudlfDpA/T6sic8oMH-I/AAAAAAAAHO4/_1lGPldNgJ8/s1600-h/DSC_0312%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSC_0312" border="0" height="384" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-pmwyT8oa034/T6sidWMy9jI/AAAAAAAAHPA/4nrOq5Cgy6A/DSC_0312_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px currentColor; display: inline;" title="DSC_0312" width="562" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-nVnXY9waMac/T6sidxDH6rI/AAAAAAAAHPI/VSMyTiuOSwE/s1600-h/DSC_0313%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSC_0313" border="0" height="387" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Iqa40h4rLPM/T6sieh0RyWI/AAAAAAAAHPQ/EKMIch-lAgk/DSC_0313_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px currentColor; display: inline;" title="DSC_0313" width="566" /></a>It took no time at all really, and she was so thrilled with the result, and with the whole process really. It would have been so easy (and logical!) to say no, that it was too close to dinner, that I didn’t have the time. So easy. And too often it <em>is</em> what I say as I adjust to the adventure of three children (with the littlest insisting on being held every moment her big blue eyes are open!). Shame on me! Here’s to pausing, taking a deep breath, and saying <em>yes</em> as often as I can! </span><br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-U0PWyg3TF9E/T6sie50nF7I/AAAAAAAAHPY/3AQog4uCYWo/s1600-h/DSC_0319%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSC_0319" border="0" height="380" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Tu4WufwOPF4/T6sifarJpcI/AAAAAAAAHPg/uVyBElQ_1jw/DSC_0319_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px currentColor; display: inline;" title="DSC_0319" width="265" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ruKvBHJzGlk/T6sif82lppI/AAAAAAAAHPo/U8Q41OWJykY/s1600-h/DSC_0317%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSC_0317" border="0" height="375" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-mLP-usniYIA/T6sigeaXxMI/AAAAAAAAHPw/NvQQQkHaecs/DSC_0317_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px currentColor; display: inline;" title="DSC_0317" width="260" /></a>Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09697216235081211135noreply@blogger.com0