tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-203589652024-03-13T16:17:11.337-05:00...the true confessions of mrs. olson...Shauna Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11070009805045557724noreply@blogger.comBlogger262125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358965.post-62152006145662011392012-04-23T20:51:00.000-05:002012-04-23T20:51:43.638-05:00Russian Space Dog Birthday Party...Alternately titled {DOG} ROCKET to RUSSIA party as a nod to the Ramones album.<br />
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So the E- cousTWins turned 2.<br />
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In an effort to remain original while having a 'dog' themed birthday party... I combined their mutual love of dogs with an awesome vintage Russian space program ad I found. <br />
Bam. 3 themes for the price of 1. Be still my heart.<br />
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April 14th turned out to be the WINDIEST day in Central Texas history... I'm guessing while I was praying for no rain... someone else was praying for gale force winds. The party still happened... and no one was sweating but me.<br />
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Details (Pictured above) Explained:<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Party activities:</span><br />
Rocket test-launch: using the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Stomp-Rocket-Jr-Glow-Kit/dp/B00000K3BR/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1335125611&sr=8-2" target="_blank">best. toy. ever.</a> and my new 'go-to' birthday present!<br />
Pre-flight check up: Lily's idea. toy doctor kit and stuffed dogs. done.<br />
Moon dig simulation: plastic pool filled with sand and 'moon rocks' (foil balls)<br />
Space Race: rolling dog toys labeled with Russian and US flags<br />
Anti-gravity training: bounce house (one of those cheap second hand purchases that keeps paying for itself)<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Party Food:</span><br />
Cocoa Kibble: Cocoa Puffs<br />
Dog Bones: Scooby graham cracker bones<br />
Puppy Chow: with<a href="http://savorysweetlife.com/2009/12/puppy-chow-recipe-muddy-buddies/" target="_blank"> this recipe</a> but substituted Crispix for Chex... because Kellogg's is good to Mr. Olson.<br />
Potato Rounds: a nod to the Russians. thank you pinterest for <a href="http://allrecipes.com/recipe/cheese-and-bacon-potato-rounds/" target="_blank">this recipe</a>.<br />
with copycat Chuy's Creamy Jalapeno: (got me through a pregnancy outside the Austin City Limits)<br />
1 c. mayo<br />
1 c. buttermilk<br />
1 HV buttermilk ranch packet<br />
2 Tbs. diced green chiles from can (more or less for desired heat)<br />
A few fresh cilantro leaves... if you've got them<br />
Combine in a blender until smooth.<br />
Fruit with cream cheese fruit dip<br />
Party Punch: listed on <a href="http://wouldbewritersguild.com/blog/2008/07/15/why-i-keep-getting-invited-to-parties/" target="_blank">Pinterest as the best. punch. EVER</a>!!!... it was good... but not the best.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Cake:</span><br />
Buttercream frosting: <a href="http://savorysweetlife.com/2010/03/buttercream-frosting/" target="_blank">found here</a> with Wilton sky blue icing color and Wilton black spray color and Wilton white sugar sheet cut into stars, planets, and comets.<br />
Moon: Rice Krispie treats molded into a mixing bowl and craters hollowed out with a melon baller. I meant to cover it in grey fondant... but didn't have it in me after the other preparations.... so I sprayed it with the remaining Wilton color spray.<br />
Rocket: paper towel roll with a cone cup top and a pronamel toothpaste top burner<br />
Dog: Schleich toy<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Homemade touches: </span> (all super time consuming... and ruined in seconds by the WINDIEST day in history... but such is life.)<br />
paper banner<br />
cardboard rocket ship<br />
balloons turned planets with cardstock rings wrapped in foil<br />
painted cardboard logo with dog silhouette and giant E^2<br />
cups: each taught you to say a word/phrase in Russian while making it distinguishable from your neighbor's cup... (theme related cup markers: a Tiffany Ashcraft party idea that I continue to use... just like the next one)<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Guest book:</span><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dogs-Space-Nancy-Coffelt/dp/0152010157/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1335126131&sr=1-1" target="_blank">Dogs in Space</a> by Nancy Coffelt<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Favors:</span><br />
AstroRox: freeze dried <a href="http://www.amazon.com/AstroRox-Neapolitan-Freeze-Dried-Cream-Containers/dp/B0077O8LEO/ref=sr_1_17?ie=UTF8&qid=1335125789&sr=8-17" target="_blank">"Astronaut ice cream"</a><br />
Party Playlist cd: <br />
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</div>Shauna Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11070009805045557724noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358965.post-52417243173919048412012-04-19T16:31:00.001-05:002012-04-23T17:37:27.371-05:00Guess who’s TWO….<p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-pWP_hSoONjw/T5CEBSkCwMI/AAAAAAAAFpM/IflPdPxgbdg/s1600-h/D7K_15689.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="D7K_1568" border="0" alt="D7K_1568" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-FDWJtj3ni7w/T5CECtZAftI/AAAAAAAAFpU/PZIV87FtLmw/D7K_1568_thumb6.jpg?imgmax=800" width="479" height="739" /></a></p> <p>the same kid who sat in the same yard looking like this:</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-sWQq7eUIjNQ/T5CEDcz3rjI/AAAAAAAAFpc/WZc1MAFoUAM/s1600-h/elibaby11.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="elibaby" border="0" alt="elibaby" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-3cbV2jcjlrA/T5CEEEv7G8I/AAAAAAAAFpk/7FF2SQrr-VQ/elibaby_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" width="477" height="729" /></a></p> <p>only months ago.</p> <p>Here is my little Easter baby… the past three years.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-5gA332Yhlls/T5CEFMMgAbI/AAAAAAAAFps/7uj6uUBdw4E/s1600-h/easteregg6.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="easteregg" border="0" alt="easteregg" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-8of-qhiKDE4/T5CEF2hRqcI/AAAAAAAAFp0/Ir63cAQzD0s/easteregg_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="842" height="421" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p><font size="6">Eli at 2:</font></p> <p>-still loves his paci.  We hear “Pa-ti, are you?” multiple times a day, as he looks for them.  I’m not ready to take it from him… don’t judge.  A kid this cute can pull off a wicked overbite, right?</p> <p>-such a character.  Already loves making us laugh.</p> <p>-answers to Beankins, Goo-beankins, Mr. Goo-Beankins, and Beankins ol’ Stinkins</p> <p>-wakes up everyday telling me (very seriously) how he dreamed about “ow-dants" and “rogs”… elephants and frogs</p> <p>-can say (or at least try to say) pretty much everything now.  Some of our favorite Eli-isms are “Lucky=yucky, ‘Mon= C’mon, eeg0=here you go, wajthiz=watch this” and of course Mommo and Daddo</p> <p>- loves everyone.  Finally an Olson kid that will wave  to old people in the grocery store… and save his mother from overcompensating with nervous high pitched laughter.</p> <p>-SO busy. This kid NEVER STOPS.  He is a full time job and the source of my premature aging.</p> <p>-loves Barney (“Marney and eebop”). loves to sing. loves to talk about animals (especially cows and chickens). loves any kind of drink at any time of day.</p> <p>-wants to be just like his ‘Daddo’… which is okay by me.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-SgYoBtGWNZo/T5CEGsu_BSI/AAAAAAAAFp8/8wLq1XXuJ-w/s1600-h/mrblueeyes6.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="mrblueeyes" border="0" alt="mrblueeyes" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-zclc03fXyv0/T5CEHMBhriI/AAAAAAAAFqE/zK8Irnzw7Wo/mrblueeyes_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="748" height="500" /></a></p> <p>I’ll admit that I was scared of life with a boy…  and that it is COMPLETELY different than life with a girl… but I wouldn’t trade it.    He is ALL boy and is  a CONSTANT source of joy and laughter.  Nano’s early nickname for him is still so fitting… he’s our little ‘bright spot’…. and I LOVE LOVE LOVE him with all my heart.</p> <p><font size="6">Happy 2nd birthday Eli!</font></p> <p><font size="6"> </font></p> Shauna Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11070009805045557724noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358965.post-25352431489248954762012-03-09T13:52:00.001-06:002012-03-09T13:56:51.249-06:00Seeing as Easter is just around the corner…<p>and as I saw that  this Resurrection countdown made it on Pinterest (haha)...</p> <p> I figured I should disclose the rest of my 12 days of Jesus lessons and activities from <a href="http://www.shauna-lynn.blogspot.com/2011/04/easter-countdown.html">this post</a> last year. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-RL1jjl2Q5kQ/T1pfeojNxSI/AAAAAAAAFCM/YzQ1fIYg8Vo/s1600-h/D7K_1449%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="D7K_1449" border="0" alt="D7K_1449" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-zdh2mG7_x-Y/T1pffZNULqI/AAAAAAAAFCU/urjSnDrAYkI/D7K_1449_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="424" /></a></p> <p> <br />I realized recently that I have taken for granted the education that I received through 20+ years of Sunday School.  As we go to a small church without a Sunday School program for my kids... I am trying to be better about working Bible stories in at home.  That is where this idea originated last year.  Plus… this kind of stuff is fun for the former teacher in me.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-RE8BCz4zOA0/T1pfgsqnNAI/AAAAAAAAFCY/oXNMzp9lse4/s1600-h/D7K_1448%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="D7K_1448" border="0" alt="D7K_1448" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-hAoS3o0bfU4/T1pfh24ZzTI/AAAAAAAAFCk/jTLCLfwC7ME/D7K_1448_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="280" height="426" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p>Start 12 days before Easter.  Easter Sunday should leave you with the #1 egg to open.  Each of the 12 eggs should hold a small trinket or conversation starter that will kind of fit in the egg.  After Lily opens the egg for that day, we read the story together in her Children’s Bible (we have <a href="http://www.amazon.com/NIrV-Read-Bible-Dennis-Jones/dp/0310920086/ref=sr_1_25?ie=UTF8&qid=1331317757&sr=8-25">this one</a> and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Early-Readers-Bible-Gilbert-Beers/dp/0310701392/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1331317634&sr=8-9">this one</a>)... then talk a little bit about how the object relates to the story and how the story relates to our lives. My main purpose is to start to get her as excited about my Savior as I am.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>... and to make strides in redeeming Easter in our house from the Pagans, while keeping it fun. </p> <p>… and full of chocolate.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-2T_Y9olLrzk/T1pfiwKUaYI/AAAAAAAAFCs/WxIl2KMHn4s/s1600-h/countdown%25255B7%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="countdown" border="0" alt="countdown" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ipzE0kwWQUE/T1pfkYwyhjI/AAAAAAAAFC0/zBfEoTm-Hmk/countdown_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="633" height="643" /></a></p> <p> <br /><font size="3" face="Pea Candice">Day 12: mini playdoh … “The name of Jesus”    <br /></font>Read the story of the Angel coming to Mary in Luke 1.   Talk about what the name of Jesus -  Immanuel “God with us” means.  Talk about the meaning of our own names. Read Philippians 2:10 together and discuss.  Use the playdoh to spell out the name of Jesus.</p> <p> <br /><font size="3" face="Pea Candice">Day 11:  swedish fish candy and a cracker … “Jesus feeds the 5000” <br /></font>See how many times we can break the ‘bread’ and ‘fish’. Read the story in  Matthew 14, Luke 9, or John 6.  Talk about what it might have looked like and note how everyone got enough to be full and not just tiny pieces.</p> <p> <br /><font size="3" face="Pea Candice">Day 10:  toy boat … “Jesus calms the storm” </font><font size="2" face="Georgia">(I found a tiny boat at the party store this year for a dime… but last year decorated a piece of mulch with a sharpie… no joke)</font><font size="3" face="Pea Candice">  <br /></font>Read the story in  Matthew 8, Mark 4 or Luke 8 and talk about why this is so amazing. Make a storm in a bottle (with a liter bottle oil water and food coloring) with your toy boat or storm in the bathtub and try to calm it instantly, which can’t be done.</p> <p> <br /><font size="3" face="Pea Candice">Day  9:  blindfold …  “Jesus heals the blind man”</font> <br />Lead them in a few activities with the blindfold on.  Talk about how hard it would be to live life that way and how you’d feel if you were healed.  Read about  the healing in John 9.   Note how the blind man reacted when Jesus told him who He was.   How does God reveal Himself in our lives… how should we react?</p> <p> <br /><font size="3" face="Pea Candice">Day  8:  paper crown and a travel soap …  “Jesus washes feet”   <br /></font>Talk about the meaning of royalty and the things that kings, queens, princesses are supposed to do.  Explain how Jesus is the King of all Kings and what that means.  Then read the story of Jesus washing the feet of the disciples in John 13 and how he came to serve and not be served. Is that what you’d expect the King of Kings to do?  Take turns putting on the crown and washing each other’s feet talking about how we can serve the way Jesus did.</p> <p> <br /><font size="3" face="Pea Candice">Day  7:  sample perfume or scented lotion … “Mary Magdalene and the perfume”</font></p> <p>(I did this one because Lily is obsessed with perfume... feel free to substitute)  Read the story of Mary pouring the perfume on Jesus’ feet from John 12.  Talk about how expensive this was back then and what a big deal it was for her to do it.  Discuss some other things are important to us now and how we can give them as an offering to God.... time, money etc.</p> <p> <br /><font size="3" face="Pea Candice">Day  6:  4 quarters … “giving/ Rich young ruler” <br /></font>Talk about what they’d like to do with the 4 quarters.  Read the story Jesus tells of the rich young ruler from Matthew 19 or Luke 12 and then Acts 20:35 when Jesus says it is better to give than to receive.  Now revisit the quarters and talk about what they’d like to do with the 4 quarters.</p> <p> <br /><font size="3" face="Pea Candice">Day  5:  TWO small treats or candy … “Jesus visits Zacchaeus” <br /></font>Read the story in Luke 19.  Talk about why people didn’t like Zacchaeus back then and how cool it is that Jesus not only saw and acknowledged him, but wanted to spend time with him… and how it changed the man’s life.  Lead them to think about some people that they (or the world  in general) haven’t been ‘noticing’.  Invite them to seek out the person and share the extra treat and play with them.</p> <p> <br /><font size="3" face="Pea Candice">Day  4:  Time Coupon … “Jesus loved the children”</font> <br />Read the story in Mark 10 .  Talk about adults in our lives that obviously love children.  How do you know and what do they do to show it?  How do we think Jesus showed it?  How would you like me to show you that I love you and value spending time with you?  Fill out the time coupon together.  (Although I’d like to steer her into wanting extra hugs or going on a walk together... I can already tell you that I am going to be in for 20 excruciating minutes of Barbies with this one. )</p> <p> <br /><font size="3" face="Pea Candice">Day  3:  Tearjerker gum … “Jesus wept.”</font> <br />Read the story of Jesus healing Lazarus in John 11.   Talk about  how Jesus was a real person with real emotions like us.  Note how he was sad, but never lost hope.  He knew God was going to use Lazarus’ story for His glory.  Talk about times when we feel sad, hurt, scared at times and how awesome it is to have hope like Jesus did in this situation because God is behind us and hears our prayers.</p> <p> <br /><font size="3" face="Pea Candice">Day  2:  Crayon and a slip of paper … “Jesus died for us”</font> <br />Read the story of the crucifixion in Matthew 27, Luke 23 or John 19 and talk about how must have felt to love Jesus and be there that day... and how it might have felt for those who didn’t love Jesus but saw what happened.  Write the word that you feel on the piece of paper and put it inside the egg for the next day.  Bury the egg somewhere nearby.</p> <p> <br /><font size="3" face="Pea Candice">Day  1:  the egg is empty … “He is RISEN!”</font>   <br />Go find the egg (which has now been unearthed, broken open and is empty.) Read the story in Matthew 28, Mark 16 or John 20.  Talk about how God gave us the most special gift ever when he gave us Jesus: Himself in a body to love us and show us how to live and to ultimately give his own life so that we could have an eternal relationship with him.... not because we deserved it at all... but because He loves us that much.  </p> <p>This is kind of how I worked the ‘Easter Basket’ in last year: </p> <p>“All good things that we do are God’s grace at work in us because of our salvation in Jesus.  One of these is how Dad and I  enjoy giving you and Eli gifts to show our love... just like He does. Since this is a special day as we are celebrating Jesus’ victory over death…. I ‘ve made a special basket of gifts for you. If you can find it… you can keep it!”</p> <p> </p> <p>***sidenote: Lily is 4, but loves to discuss things and make connections.  I catered this to her interests/ ability level.</p> <p>When she gets older I might be to just read the stories each day and then have the Easter basket be full objects that relate to the stories and go back through and see if she can match them.   This whole ‘fitting inside the egg’ criteria may start to cramp my style in the coming years.</p> <p><font size="3"><u>Please share if you substitute or come with other story/activity ideas.</u></font>   </p> <p>This was a hit last year and is probably going to be a new family tradition.</p> Shauna Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11070009805045557724noreply@blogger.com51tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358965.post-11667047115037626022012-03-08T13:54:00.001-06:002012-03-09T13:56:31.616-06:00If I ever tell you I’ve just bought a groupon…<p>for 100$ worth of photo books…  please remind me on several occasions  to scrapbook at some point during the year.</p> <p>So, I’m not scrambling the week before it expires to crank out pages from 2010… yes… 2010.  </p> <p>Who is a procrastinator… this guy.   </p> <p>Who was shocked to find out that 100$ only got me 2 books instead of 3 and I could have been done hours sooner… this guy.</p> <p>However stressful they were to complete on my 3 hours of Eli-free time per day… it is fun to look back at the memories in colorful 8.5x11 form.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ltrVTVQf2Ho/T1kN8-eIxwI/AAAAAAAAE-Y/jk1KEUHz_hs/s1600-h/puppytowel1%25255B16%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="puppytowel1" border="0" alt="puppytowel1" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-29Ct9njgDMk/T1kN90sUEBI/AAAAAAAAE-g/BMalpopCB4c/puppytowel1_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="518" height="417" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-59tJhx0LkPI/T1kN_Y5r6uI/AAAAAAAAE-o/OxH9dIBsBuY/s1600-h/puppytowel2%25255B15%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="puppytowel2" border="0" alt="puppytowel2" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-HEVzRjeM2jc/T1kOB0NXsmI/AAAAAAAAE-w/YSjeulr6BBQ/puppytowel2_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="520" height="414" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Y_yHijzS5VU/T1kOC5NqllI/AAAAAAAAE-4/zV2DiRIs72M/s1600-h/homeschool9102%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; 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border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="circus5.10" border="0" alt="circus5.10" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-qXOHyuLyC-w/T1kOSUqr7pI/AAAAAAAAFAg/-Zagu0Adgdo/circus5.10_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="625" height="484" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Wk7vVYMtUWk/T1kOTqlS2vI/AAAAAAAAFAo/ONjEqaBF5Vg/s1600-h/iceskating1210%25255B10%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="iceskating1210" border="0" alt="iceskating1210" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-xwTyMUaa9o0/T1kOUjVsvtI/AAAAAAAAFAw/pDtt7FxSVjQ/iceskating1210_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="625" height="484" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-QGfebNGZlgg/T1kOV9zTYCI/AAAAAAAAFA4/iq8EYCYDISM/s1600-h/orange%252520egg%25255B10%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="orange egg" border="0" alt="orange egg" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-L60LLY5y-ao/T1kOXJIg16I/AAAAAAAAFBA/MzPE-2vGDiI/orange%252520egg_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="625" height="484" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-yVgOLNfNLBY/T1kOXzMUyxI/AAAAAAAAFBI/rdHH9BSFIO8/s1600-h/pigeonparty1%25255B8%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="pigeonparty1" border="0" alt="pigeonparty1" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-cGT5_E7JUBY/T1kOY6JR6dI/AAAAAAAAFBQ/LqqkF5Ypyq4/pigeonparty1_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="402" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-rAHhciMnL8c/T1kOZeQQJLI/AAAAAAAAFBY/QiI0JYVrN80/s1600-h/pigeonparty2%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="pigeonparty2" border="0" alt="pigeonparty2" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-tKb7RFAqZVY/T1kOao7g3eI/AAAAAAAAFBg/VXgheLi3bTo/pigeonparty2_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="399" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-N-OrqgKtLpQ/T1kObVv8WMI/AAAAAAAAFBo/2s7csIlwCb0/s1600-h/elifirstsnow%25255B12%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="elifirstsnow" border="0" alt="elifirstsnow" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-mlUJWrD6uDU/T1kOb_1j3AI/AAAAAAAAFBw/vmutBNAExQs/elifirstsnow_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="625" height="484" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-yqhcooITq2k/T1kOc-M0mkI/AAAAAAAAFB4/YwlQIrOiTp8/s1600-h/stickerface%25255B7%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="stickerface" border="0" alt="stickerface" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-RJucHJH84fs/T1kOdzOYfBI/AAAAAAAAFCA/9W3D6ZJVViM/stickerface_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="625" height="484" /></a></p> Shauna Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11070009805045557724noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358965.post-50749399177440479802012-02-04T13:36:00.001-06:002012-04-23T17:37:20.777-05:00Oldie but a goodie…<p>In light of things I’ve been learning and growing in as a parent and spouse, I was thinking about this post yesterday on my Dad’s 61st birthday.  </p> <p>love, love, love my dad.</p> <p>From February 2, 2008:</p> <p>“Tomorrow, February 3rd, is my dad's 57th birthday. Thinking about what to get him, on a recent drive into Austin, (No radio for a sleeping baby gives one much time to think.) led me to think about why he is such a good dad. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTVAE_PleESKCghDFYz685Vm9TR5Ewf1W2MZYdn2R_E1K56RxHrRX_bj44e_HyNte1OC25lQ85t5UtUc96n5zlP4lMP4Ur-guv-uO7rl51XQiVNcvy9-xqhyphenhyphenk_6Q82EhtjrnLS/s1600-h/image.jpg"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTVAE_PleESKCghDFYz685Vm9TR5Ewf1W2MZYdn2R_E1K56RxHrRX_bj44e_HyNte1OC25lQ85t5UtUc96n5zlP4lMP4Ur-guv-uO7rl51XQiVNcvy9-xqhyphenhyphenk_6Q82EhtjrnLS/s400/image.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigtBfG8W9D0DXCuNbYXIZB3zuCahfV3zdSOinbZGhQwRKkXscetIyovLupMcShmckgae0Hi_qE-FCAW4DDmPjbow-wcxtFDizJrBxiF6eGxRnNTOrdL-QqHjVBS9KlFvnUirJF/s1600-h/wed60.jpg"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigtBfG8W9D0DXCuNbYXIZB3zuCahfV3zdSOinbZGhQwRKkXscetIyovLupMcShmckgae0Hi_qE-FCAW4DDmPjbow-wcxtFDizJrBxiF6eGxRnNTOrdL-QqHjVBS9KlFvnUirJF/s400/wed60.jpg" /></a> <br /> <br />What I decided is that there are so many things that I love about Dad... how he tells stories, loves a good laugh, his "nuggets" of truth, that everyone that knows him--loves him, how clueless he is sometimes, etc... <br />but there are 3 main things that make him so special to me. <br />1. How much he loves me... <br />He never had any trouble telling me that he loved me.... "with all (his) heart, for real, for real, forever and ever" every time he thought about it. I'm the only kid I know that was "bu-wudduh-wudduhed on" every night (sometimes mercilessly). He maybe didn't go to every one of my choir concerts, but he took an active interest in the shaping of my character and the growing of my spirit. Research shows that so much about a girl rests on her relationship with her dad. I always had an identity in his love and correction and KNEW I had great worth, so didn't search for it in less fulfilling places. <br />2. How much he loves my mom... <br />I think it does something extra special for a daughter's spirit when she knows, without a doubt, that her dad thinks her mom is the most beautiful creation on this earth and wants to be around her every second of every day. My sister and I heard him say every Sunday morning when were ready to go to church, "You SURE are pretty," in that distinctive Texas drawl. We knew that she is his favorite person in the world and that he felt it to be the greatest gift just to call her his wife. <br />3. How much he loves Jesus... <br />Some of my earliest memories are emerging sleepy-eyed from my room in the morning to see my dad sitting at the table with his Bible. From an early age, Suzanne and I both got to hear the profound thoughts and revelations that my dad was receiving. He was always ready to pray as a family and draw our attention to the way God was working in the life of our family in the times of blessing and times that tested his faith. Most important of all, I got to see that his relationship with Jesus was something that he devoted time and energy to and was always growing. <br />Being that I share his same sense of humor.... we aren't comfortable being sentimental much... but sometimes it's called for. This public proclamation should last for quite a few years. <br />In one more bit of serious-ness, I was blessed to have him as a dad and I'm so excited for Luke and Lily (and Ethan and Eli) to get to have him as their Granddad. (renamed ‘Augie’ by Lukie B.)”</p> Shauna Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11070009805045557724noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358965.post-81254169029448445312012-01-21T21:26:00.001-06:002012-01-29T20:38:00.741-06:00DISNEYWORLD… round 2<p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Zv9at2d_ZaM/TxuBi49LwZI/AAAAAAAAE8U/HZoO3mYIies/s1600-h/disney0%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="disney0" border="0" alt="disney0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-UaTHnd05ckk/TxuBjUfIbrI/AAAAAAAAE8c/cEx1zpa1RC0/disney0_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="424" /></a></p> <p>I was so, so excited to go back again with Jeff’s family to the ‘Happiest Place on Earth’. </p> <p>Lily was the perfect age to enjoy the ‘magic…  Beankins, on the other hand, had a wonderful time, but would have been just as happy at the city park… for free.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-hcW2ErnFnQU/TxuBkg516tI/AAAAAAAAE8k/iuVsi1cBdpE/s1600-h/disney1%25255B7%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="disney1" border="0" alt="disney1" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-0QoRCkzQ23Y/TxuBoZaQBhI/AAAAAAAAE8s/m9wWa3uJcuk/disney1_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="630" height="1276" /></a></p> <p>Despite my photo catalog of acceptable outfits to prevent Bug from throwing a fit to wear dirty jeggings and a size 3T shirt everyday…  </p> <p>Lily just wanted to match Gracie everyday.  Luckily, she has a very sweet Aunt and Maow that buy them cute matching things.  We didn’t have a fit for dirty jeggings until the trip home.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-im3xl8txTss/TxuBq78jYZI/AAAAAAAAE80/6ClaQj58eFw/s1600-h/disney4%25255B13%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="disney4" border="0" alt="disney4" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-JV5dmkeMM4I/TxuBtsbFvwI/AAAAAAAAE88/yTMSr2Kyb-Q/disney4_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="427" /></a></p> <p>Some favorites from our trip…</p> <p>character to meet: Lily- Rapunzel Eli- Pooh (least favorite: Stitch…. who even is that guy?)</p> <p>ride: Lily- Star Tours, safari tour at Animal Kingdom     Eli- jungle river cruise at Magic Kingdom (he totally thought all of those animatronic elephants were real… and AMAZING!)</p> <p>Jeff’s favorite part was when Eli would fall asleep in the stroller.  Sad.</p> <p>My favorite part was the disney dining plan… getting to eat mashed potatoes and dessert at every meal. Sadder.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-HuJDDsn7gOg/TxuBvzHiAdI/AAAAAAAAE9E/FMzUjUv-FQo/s1600-h/disney3%25255B7%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="disney3" border="0" alt="disney3" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ibvyCBR484g/TxuByPgCDtI/AAAAAAAAE9M/5-lxRrRGQ58/disney3_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="633" height="1100" /></a></p> <p>I had a strange fascination with trying to figure out if the people in the suits were men or women.  I don’t know about Phineas… but he was definitely a parent, as he plucked Beankin’s pacifier out at the last minute.  These pictures are so funny to me… because Jeff caught him pulling it out and then Eli looking at me like…</p> <p>“Did you see that Mommo?  </p> <p>Who is this fool?”</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-udaK0wq0BH0/TxuBzUitjnI/AAAAAAAAE9U/mSgvBqAa69I/s1600-h/disney7%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="disney7" border="0" alt="disney7" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-sSuI8je3lHM/TxuB0nkQXVI/AAAAAAAAE9c/x8gmrrmZ6o0/disney7_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="441" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-sWLGMCVEH2o/TxuB1CII2AI/AAAAAAAAE9k/hFZ99a28ojQ/s1600-h/disney5%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="disney5" border="0" alt="disney5" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-1KPM94MG-wg/TxuB2dzjcyI/AAAAAAAAE9s/XBeJKyRMhXg/disney5_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="635" height="1115" /></a></p> <p>Having four doting older cousins has got to be the best thing in the world… seriously.  </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-BXbGNUH0wl8/TxuB29vkk2I/AAAAAAAAE90/CmbH7qy-nSU/s1600-h/disney6%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="disney6" border="0" alt="disney6" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-dtxkOVQ2aNE/TxuB4WMwkwI/AAAAAAAAE98/mgeOaztLtfw/disney6_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="594" height="1027" /></a></p> <p>2nd favorite thing  has to be having a kid this time that wasn’t scared of the characters.  </p> <p>Lily still was a little uncomfortable… but Eli just wanted to KISS them all.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-tRxZbgcxObo/TxuB45tu0EI/AAAAAAAAE-E/STwN3aMNY7A/s1600-h/disney2%25255B15%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="disney2" border="0" alt="disney2" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/--JFv-PD78H4/TxuB5limo5I/AAAAAAAAE-M/4JTjqmh6VzI/disney2_thumb%25255B9%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="585" height="1191" /></a></p> <p>I could go back every year… and it would never get old.  </p> <p> Heck, I could be a dancer in the parade and it would never get old.</p> Shauna Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11070009805045557724noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358965.post-66325566254160606362011-12-25T10:24:00.001-06:002012-01-29T20:38:00.741-06:00His law is love and His gospel is peace…<p> </p> <p><a href="http://markandsuz.blogspot.com">My sister</a> is famous for her Christmas mix cds in our family.  The 2010 mix had the GLEE version of <em>O holy night</em> which includes the lesser known later part.  In my car at a stoplight, I cry every time singing it… no joke… no matter that the trucker in the next lane is laughing at me.  The underlined section has been running through my head and the recurring theme in our celebration all season long.</p> <dl><dd><i>O holy night! The stars are brightly shining,</i></dd><dd><i>It is the night of our dear Savior's birth.</i></dd><dd><i>Long lay the world in sin and error pining,</i></dd><dd>'<i>Til He appear'd and the soul felt its worth.</i></dd><dd><i>A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,</i></dd><dd><i>For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.</i></dd></dl><dl><dd><dl><dd><i>Fall on your knees! O hears the angels' voices!</i></dd><dd><i>O night divine, O night when Christ was born;</i></dd><dd><i>O night divine, O night, O night Divine.</i></dd></dl></dd></dl><dl><dd><i><strong><font color="#333333"><u>Truly He taught us to love one another;</u></font></strong></i></dd><dd><i><strong><font color="#333333"><u>His law is love and His gospel is peace.</u></font></strong></i></dd><dd><i><strong>Chains shall His break for the slave is our brother;</strong></i></dd><dd><i><strong>And in His name all oppression shall cease.</strong></i></dd><dd><i><strong>Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise us,</strong></i></dd><dd><strong><em><font size="4"><u>Let all within us praise His holy name.</u></font></em></strong></dd></dl><dl><dd><dl><dd><i><strong>Christ is the Lord! O praise His Name forever,</strong></i></dd><dd><i><strong>His power and glory evermore proclaim.</strong></i></dd><dd><i><strong>His power and glory evermore proclaim.</strong></i></dd></dl></dd></dl> <p><em></em></p> <p><em></em></p> <p> </p> <p><font size="5"><font size="4">To all that we won’t see this season…</font> </font><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Tym5VznRsW8/TvdOQ8zhQyI/AAAAAAAAE7w/Z8g8pjhP9n8/s1600-h/christmascard2011page%252520copy%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="christmascard2011page copy" border="0" alt="christmascard2011page copy" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-9OdvHRVoIMo/TvdORrlE4xI/AAAAAAAAE74/NuBMKd411P4/christmascard2011page%252520copy_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="1028" height="669" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-s8BpD5zSgs4/TvdOSCzfXhI/AAAAAAAAE8A/3laMPpX4qT0/s1600-h/christmascard2011back%252520copy%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="christmascard2011back copy" border="0" alt="christmascard2011back copy" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-A_XSBtsJJSw/TvdOShR3RdI/AAAAAAAAE8I/4XLZAnpPbV8/christmascard2011back%252520copy_thumb%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="1028" height="416" /></a></p> Shauna Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11070009805045557724noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358965.post-62612613803218372302011-12-19T13:52:00.001-06:002012-01-29T20:21:45.339-06:00B-Bug’s got a brand new room…<p>constant ear fluid and pressure for over a year, hearing loss, 3 surgeries in one day followed by 12 LONG days of recovery…</p> <p>… the poor kid deserved a little something.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-AYGCq-gyCCM/Tu-VrX0MZNI/AAAAAAAAE4Q/dDXcMflca8Y/s1600-h/D7K_04865.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="D7K_0486" border="0" alt="D7K_0486" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Gul85e2MDAU/Tu-VsNs_O6I/AAAAAAAAE4Y/yQwYbZb4Rgg/D7K_0486_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="424" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p>Horsies are out.  She stills loves them… but with the help of Bindi Irwin… she has broadened her animal tastes to those that aren’t just found in a pasture behind our house.</p> <p>Zebras are in... and leopards… and koalas.  Lily is excited about Heaven because somewhere she came to believe that Jesus will give her her very own zebra to ride there.  She loves all animals</p> <p>… as long as they are babies</p> <p>…. and wearing cute bows or tutus.</p> <p>In efforts to make an animal bedroom for a very style conscious 4 year old…  we gave her what she calls a ‘Fashion-y  baby animal room’.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Eq24mMYC_Xo/Tu-VshmOOPI/AAAAAAAAE4g/FVJQ8T_e5oI/s1600-h/D7K_0938%25255B7%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="D7K_0938" border="0" alt="D7K_0938" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-QYOXthGsxKs/Tu-VtmeRhGI/AAAAAAAAE4o/BewmixAFGIY/D7K_0938_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="668" height="1013" /></a>               </p> <p>I HEART this ‘Paisley Pop’ bedding.  Although it was weird buying PB TEEN for my pre-schooler, it makes me happy every time I walk past the door and see it in an unmade, messy heap.  I also love these pillows that Maow sewed while she was here.  I can’t wait until life is not so hectic and I can make some fabric flowers for the pink one. </p> <p>Note… even Lily’s American Girl doll is getting in on the action and  wearing a zebra shirt from Maow.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-dJWcIQNlEOQ/Tu-VutbhYWI/AAAAAAAAE4w/FO36OfmIcTE/s1600-h/D7K_0516%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="D7K_0516" border="0" alt="D7K_0516" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-mxXQmR-AhsE/Tu-VxBjyYbI/AAAAAAAAE44/sEEM-CnLyvw/D7K_0516_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="318" height="480" /></a>           <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-gEvKdNogFcg/Tu-VyJvdThI/AAAAAAAAE5A/pGX4rPNQWuQ/s1600-h/D7K_0939%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="D7K_0939" border="0" alt="D7K_0939" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-DCvXE9YtVoY/Tu-Vyk46X2I/AAAAAAAAE5I/j0cnFx3J_w8/D7K_0939_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="318" height="480" /></a></p> <p>These are Lily’s 2 favorite animal t-shirts that I immortalized on canvas.  I wonder at what age she’ll stop thinking it is cool to have her mom make all of the art for her room…  not for a long time I hope.  I’ve decide that I love to paint.  I love it more than I loved making collage nursery art back when Laura and I were the only ones on Etsy selling it…. a lot more.</p> <p>.<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ezbuniKDcTM/Tu-VzMUoBvI/AAAAAAAAE5Q/48AhzeooOdQ/s1600-h/D7K_0941%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="D7K_0941" border="0" alt="D7K_0941" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-o-d8XF0TZq0/Tu-VztILfmI/AAAAAAAAE5Y/Wm037JvHzAg/D7K_0941_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="384" height="480" /></a></p> <p>  I love this little book nook that we created in lieu of a night stand with lamp.   </p> <p>The only problem is that I want to keep this nice display of animal themed books untouched… she can retrieve the ones she actually wants to read from the bookshelf across the room.  </p> <p> </p> <p>She hasn’t  stuck with this plan. </p> <p>           </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>I saw a similar quatrefoil painting while watching  ‘Goodluck Charlie’ with my niece two Christmases ago… and it inspired my desire to persuade B-Bug to want to redecorate her room.  Super easy to make…  using a little 7th grade math, a compass, and drawer full of acrylic paint colors… luckily I had all three.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-IqHHWQhEnG8/Tu-V0F_wuHI/AAAAAAAAE5g/zVJXMme_YpE/s1600-h/D7K_0943%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="D7K_0943" border="0" alt="D7K_0943" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-KHKmATfLYUA/Tu-V0oYTz0I/AAAAAAAAE5o/W5gEg5jFRGk/D7K_0943_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="318" height="480" /></a>                <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-z6ijcmSu0KQ/Tu-V1O46L9I/AAAAAAAAE5w/lp1mCAzBawE/s1600-h/D7K_0944%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="D7K_0944" border="0" alt="D7K_0944" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-n_859Xgg4_g/Tu-V1sZMwTI/AAAAAAAAE54/z96ZYc1BRU4/D7K_0944_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="318" height="480" /></a></p> <p>We had to set a 2 gumballs per day limit… to ensure that she has some teeth left on her 5th birthday. </p> <p>My heart is really in the details.  Lily was able to help with these… like placing all of her bows on a dress form and picking out her favorite animals from these baby animal sound flashcards.  Surely Eli won’t miss these 6.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-5DV_goeKLgk/Tu-V2XK9FmI/AAAAAAAAE6A/HdosyfsDYgI/s1600-h/D7K_0950%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="D7K_0950" border="0" alt="D7K_0950" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-410_EAWgUl8/Tu-V2wnp6WI/AAAAAAAAE6I/Srnd6u7zYGA/D7K_0950_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="318" height="480" /></a>        <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-1ctH0tabD88/Tu-V3aA040I/AAAAAAAAE6Q/bOpD0qiLO8U/s1600-h/D7K_0963%25255B15%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="D7K_0963" border="0" alt="D7K_0963" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-bCOeEUnTq7E/Tu-V3v1kMWI/AAAAAAAAE6Y/4sv3oDaAyjo/D7K_0963_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="318" height="480" /></a>        </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-PBM2Wog91YI/Tu-V4ZdRGuI/AAAAAAAAE6g/y_ql1wFaLg8/s1600-h/D7K_0970%25255B8%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="D7K_0970" border="0" alt="D7K_0970" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-qqSAMLtkxbE/Tu-V5Ch4mVI/AAAAAAAAE6o/4ab-l3_F8kk/D7K_0970_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="661" height="491" /></a></p> <p>What fashion-y baby animal room is complete without a pink leopard piggy bank?</p> <p>It is hard to believe that this is the silhouette I painted  of my sweet little Bug… </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-JGWvh_x-6Ig/Tu-V7ibyW6I/AAAAAAAAE6w/8FHQws3e-Rg/s1600-h/D7K_0953%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="D7K_0953" border="0" alt="D7K_0953" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-L17yEUQ4M5E/Tu-V74Nni9I/AAAAAAAAE64/U5c99rOU2IA/D7K_0953_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="487" height="480" /></a></p> <p>… who looked like this the first time I made one.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-E92LqvKbmhs/Tu-V8gV4i1I/AAAAAAAAE7A/-IiIVarynvY/s1600-h/lilysilhouette%25255B8%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="lilysilhouette" border="0" alt="lilysilhouette" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-yotx3XQTc-8/Tu-V9FhASoI/AAAAAAAAE7I/DfDlwgJ4gJM/lilysilhouette_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="303" height="400" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p>I hope she looks back on each phase of her little oasis and sees the love that went into creating it for her.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-T-NGX6IM-IU/Tu-V9hQnnII/AAAAAAAAE7Q/H8bykSnQ3sg/s1600-h/D7K_0948%25255B15%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="D7K_0948" border="0" alt="D7K_0948" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-vZnVsED8XOo/Tu-V-HcpFOI/AAAAAAAAE7Y/-1qcr0wRhWw/D7K_0948_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="255" height="480" /></a>      <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-B9RpPcsA6A8/Tu-V-2OsxLI/AAAAAAAAE7g/f3JINXCTvZ8/s1600-h/D7K_0512%25255B10%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="D7K_0512" border="0" alt="D7K_0512" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-jWMmFrfhiLI/Tu-V_109zyI/AAAAAAAAE7o/YRULiIij0H4/D7K_0512_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="483" height="726" /></a></p> Shauna Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11070009805045557724noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358965.post-64064974505447562562011-11-26T22:30:00.001-06:002012-01-29T20:38:00.741-06:0011 things I’m thankful for in 2011…<p> </p> <p>1. for a sovereign God and redeeming savior</p> <p>2. for a husband that makes me laugh all day long</p> <p>3. for sweet baby boys who love their paci, blankie and crib</p> <p>4. for a smart little girl who loves learning to write new words</p> <p>5. for Lily’s wonderful school and gifted teachers and God centered learning environment</p> <p>6. for our  new VW Routan with dual dvd system…  how did I ever drive two kids in a toyota avalon?</p> <p>7. for Kirby (or  Purr-vy) Puckett, the cat that knew we needed her and took up residence on our back porch… what excitement to wake up every morning and try to tell if she is pregnant or just eating at two houses.         **sidenote:  if you are in the market for a kitten… we might be the people to talk to in 6-8 weeks.</p> <p>8. for a generous mom who lets me clean her house weekly for extra money.  Who else would let their maid bring along her pesky kids who polish off any cheetohs on the premises?  What started as a way to earn money for fun stuff while helping busy Nana with her chores…  turned into a weekly lesson for B-Bug (and myself) about giving . We talk about  and pray for “E”, the African girl that we sponsor through <a href="http://www.compassion.com/">Compassion</a> with our earnings,  while we are scrubbing Nana’s sinks and toilets together.   I' am thankful for an opportunity to make BEING a blessing  a part of her (and my) everyday life.</p> <p>9. for Lily’s good health, restored hearing and that all needed surgeries are checked off the list now…  what are we going to do without the ‘her ears must be hurting’ excuse for her tantrums now?</p> <p>10. God’s faithfulness to provide…   i.e. surgery/hospital costs that popped up right after a big, fat check was written to Walt Disney World</p> <p>11.  for a family that loves, loves, loves being together… especially two little kids that can’t get enough of each other.  I had been worried about the brother/sister dynamics… but I don’t think their relationship could be any more special.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-1wYgUiB_-cM/TtG8tHPpZXI/AAAAAAAAE1s/t6PND_VfIEY/s1600-h/D7K_0414%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="D7K_0414" border="0" alt="D7K_0414" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-i1Gujfe-oo0/TtG8tvqmceI/AAAAAAAAE1w/N7zDGH2AlY0/D7K_0414_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="230" height="360" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-saj0IiAFqd8/TtG8uKUe8SI/AAAAAAAAE18/zAalbxfqbVk/s1600-h/D7K_0436%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="D7K_0436" border="0" alt="D7K_0436" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-xYii88h-PR8/TtG8ukChP-I/AAAAAAAAE2A/g8OsAY-v_5c/D7K_0436_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="236" height="163" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-0dHwEHudBqE/TtG8vAKIg1I/AAAAAAAAE2I/WiHBQAL81LU/s1600-h/D7K_0169%25255B3%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="D7K_0169" border="0" alt="D7K_0169" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-GyDFWPzx2yY/TtG8vioytkI/AAAAAAAAE2Q/5squt8Z6eFQ/D7K_0169_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="163" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-gYNQ9b4onlU/TtG8zG943SI/AAAAAAAAE2c/OOtp7di3KLE/s1600-h/DSC_0495%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_0495" border="0" alt="DSC_0495" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Mm_0j1rQYk0/TtG8ziaJUZI/AAAAAAAAE2k/uZKVWz3k_oA/DSC_0495_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="236" height="173" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-g7SLB9f7fmE/TtG80OktbEI/AAAAAAAAE2s/MxfQt_I8ZTc/s1600-h/DSC_0491%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_0491" border="0" alt="DSC_0491" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-9CirOGAoVPc/TtG80TvLB2I/AAAAAAAAE2w/7q4fhUpxOfA/DSC_0491_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="171" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-hSjfhzlSBrA/TtG803j8_9I/AAAAAAAAE24/ZQf43ihfM5Y/s1600-h/D7K_0314%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="D7K_0314" border="0" alt="D7K_0314" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-IsSrntjSiUc/TtG81KyI0_I/AAAAAAAAE3A/BeDJsUHIH4k/D7K_0314_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="233" height="355" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-xKecc3GR-Ag/TtG81-6MvdI/AAAAAAAAE3I/dTcAhmXyebA/s1600-h/D7K_0475%25255B7%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="D7K_0475" border="0" alt="D7K_0475" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ceuoYfOwBAM/TtG82ANhQKI/AAAAAAAAE3Q/8nHj-V44VzA/D7K_0475_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="163" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-nSUSSVWYsK8/TtG821fLgHI/AAAAAAAAE3c/odABzBsI1lc/s1600-h/D7K_0296%25255B7%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="D7K_0296" border="0" alt="D7K_0296" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-NoyFYPsd030/TtG83Y_cDiI/AAAAAAAAE3g/mbwJj4wK4Fo/D7K_0296_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="163" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-I7pmzcVN-Cc/TtG834p7BYI/AAAAAAAAE3s/34LpJBLtDdA/s1600-h/DSC_0480%25255B3%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_0480" border="0" alt="DSC_0480" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-IyJdipBZZ1c/TtG84YS41II/AAAAAAAAE30/i6R2CWLUOUA/DSC_0480_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Vn3mikCYOSM/TtG85Y_rkkI/AAAAAAAAE38/duFshIuuNJw/s1600-h/D7K_0207%25255B3%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="D7K_0207" border="0" alt="D7K_0207" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-7PxZx-GF0dc/TtG858Z7P4I/AAAAAAAAE4A/5qGspYjS7cM/D7K_0207_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="163" /></a></p> <p><font color="#333333" size="5"></font></p> <p><font color="#333333" size="5">Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.   1 Thessalonians 5:18</font></p> <p> </p> <p>Last year’s list:</p> <p><a title="http://shauna-lynn.blogspot.com/2010_11_01_archive.html" href="http://shauna-lynn.blogspot.com/2010_11_01_archive.html">http://shauna-lynn.blogspot.com/2010_11_01_archive.html</a></p> Shauna Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11070009805045557724noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358965.post-27048460944880200382011-11-14T21:36:00.001-06:002012-01-29T20:21:45.341-06:00T- Swizzle…<p> </p> <p>Greatest night of her life to date.  No contest.  October 26, 2011.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-AXrbL5fFLco/TsHeA-ZAtkI/AAAAAAAAEwk/FH4XuT_2d3U/s1600-h/IMAG0102.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="IMAG0102" border="0" alt="IMAG0102" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-CXbofjq1X3k/TsHeBcrL4uI/AAAAAAAAEws/STeaomHCkWI/IMAG0102_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="467" height="566" /></a></p> <p>Remember back on July 4th when Lily got Taylor Swift concert tickets for her golden birthday…</p> <p>well we finally got to use them and the whole night was amazing.</p> <p>-free, professional Taylor make up in the lobby</p> <p>-fun with her friends Ava and Anna</p> <p>-getting to be amongst her people (teenagers) for an entire evening as they told her she was cute and that they loved her sparkly dress and ruffle boots</p> <p>-having an awesome view from our front row seats (in the upper deck) with her very own dance floor.</p> <p>- knowing all of the words to every song… with exception of the nod to Austin- Jack Ingram and Shawn Colvin covers …naturally.</p> <p>-taking a little, sweaty power nap in my lap during the slow part and clapping in her sleep only to wake up to fireworks.</p> <p>-watching Taylor float by on cables mere feet  in front of us during ‘Love Story’ , scrunch up her nose a little, and give her a very special wave to say she saw her cute little fan on the first row…. INCREDIBLE, right!</p> <p>The only thing that could have made it better is if I’d brought my real 400 pound camera.  My cell phone, although light and compact, took horrible, blurry pictures until it ceased to function just a few songs in… and was dead for surprise fly-by in the last song.  No photographic evidence of the personal wave… you’ll have to take mine and Lily’s word for it.  Ask for a demonstration the next time you see us.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-MrPWtGWGZH0/TsHeCC6MU5I/AAAAAAAAEw0/RDETnnMnmQU/s1600-h/picplz-2011-10-26-18.05.233.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="picplz 2011-10-26 18.05.23" border="0" alt="picplz 2011-10-26 18.05.23" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Ap2JedRjS2Y/TsHeCjlNanI/AAAAAAAAEw8/DqLuK6Fk1PY/picplz-2011-10-26-18.05.23_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="277" height="331" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-N9LiwPE3f_U/TsHeDLPic1I/AAAAAAAAExE/TCxE8Gs-DiE/s1600-h/IMAG00813.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; 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display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMAG0088" border="0" alt="IMAG0088" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ZCbVQcUG_Xw/TsHeKuU-d3I/AAAAAAAAEyo/yeh2ctGLLJc/IMAG0088_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="277" height="331" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-BuO4HpEAtF0/TsHeLTS_f3I/AAAAAAAAEy0/YYe0rllhlI8/s1600-h/IMAG00894.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="IMAG0089" border="0" alt="IMAG0089" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-s-wt4vN1b90/TsHeLq7P-UI/AAAAAAAAEy8/YRW13nH8Sk0/IMAG0089_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="277" height="335" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-PLPeP-GeWQ0/TsHeMfouO1I/AAAAAAAAEzE/_0VNHD57vUc/s1600-h/picplz-2011-10-26-19.25.184.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="picplz 2011-10-26 19.25.18" border="0" alt="picplz 2011-10-26 19.25.18" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-BMFiIF7QT9E/TsHeM_rn_FI/AAAAAAAAEzI/2TcGgXJDPFs/picplz-2011-10-26-19.25.18_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="277" height="331" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-tH0RA2VtPes/TsHeOKE3hOI/AAAAAAAAEzU/fkUd2HfXFSU/s1600-h/IMAG00925.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="IMAG0092" border="0" alt="IMAG0092" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-r3n_qvQX0U0/TsHeOe6xdWI/AAAAAAAAEzc/iDAzcOo86Eo/IMAG0092_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="277" height="331" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-dNorg612G5g/TsHeOxGvlpI/AAAAAAAAEzk/4M4H2Th6dT8/s1600-h/IMAG00935.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="IMAG0093" border="0" alt="IMAG0093" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-2ENu1YUY0i0/TsHePKFD9bI/AAAAAAAAEzs/bDr2cYvqxZM/IMAG0093_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="277" height="331" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-9eI7X8SD7yM/TsHeP6XTHvI/AAAAAAAAEz4/cFooakurNV4/s1600-h/IMAG00945.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="IMAG0094" border="0" alt="IMAG0094" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-lQQUKZJfNQU/TsHeQYBN6bI/AAAAAAAAE0A/qfejRgZpt7E/IMAG0094_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="277" height="331" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Ea7ggkCPkNQ/TsHeRCFbrkI/AAAAAAAAE0I/Qc9GVt8xtGE/s1600-h/picplz-2011-10-26-20.43.414.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="picplz 2011-10-26 20.43.41" border="0" alt="picplz 2011-10-26 20.43.41" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-4tw39_9pHqc/TsHeRmvboYI/AAAAAAAAE0Q/WM-1KLiOEtI/picplz-2011-10-26-20.43.41_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="277" height="331" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-TZyJ57Z58KA/TsHeR9vHYTI/AAAAAAAAE0Y/l45ochKdjpo/s1600-h/IMAG00984.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="IMAG0098" border="0" alt="IMAG0098" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-YGEBv9hZ7SA/TsHeSe_OsQI/AAAAAAAAE0g/ISrn79ynqGA/IMAG0098_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="277" height="331" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-7c41ruIkpU0/TsHeS_vp4KI/AAAAAAAAE0o/fKufKsfnbe0/s1600-h/IMAG01004.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="IMAG0100" border="0" alt="IMAG0100" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-7MX_w5gnVqI/TsHeTYoVFxI/AAAAAAAAE0s/2GG1MX9-9sQ/IMAG0100_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="277" height="331" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ZPARPMox2AU/TsHeUNgl8uI/AAAAAAAAE04/GHNToh18T3A/s1600-h/IMAG01014.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="IMAG0101" border="0" alt="IMAG0101" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-5ylf06yB3As/TsHeUQxLnYI/AAAAAAAAE1A/0Kw9_9au9Ak/IMAG0101_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="277" height="331" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-aywSgzx7z7g/TsHeUzAg1NI/AAAAAAAAE1I/FwnED8CktkI/s1600-h/IMAG010210.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="IMAG0102" border="0" alt="IMAG0102" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-3OGKk3N66Io/TsHeVLIClXI/AAAAAAAAE1Q/N3WE164oRVA/IMAG0102_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="277" height="331" /></a></p> <p>Here is a horrible cell phonevideo of “Our Song”.  If you can get past the screaming at the beginning… at about 1 minute in you’ll get to glimpse Lily’s moves that she rocked through the entire show.  Ear hold. Dance. Finger points to the side. Hands in the shape of a heart to show T.Swift that she loves her.  Hips swinging. PRICELESS!</p> <p><iframe height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/FxVQRErhrT8?rel=0" frameborder="0" width="420" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p> Shauna Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11070009805045557724noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358965.post-4463659691515173902011-11-02T21:29:00.001-05:002012-01-29T20:38:00.742-06:00happy hawwoween…<p> </p> <p>We truly represented our dual state citizenship last night.  Eli was Joe Mauer and Lily was his cheerleader.   They were supposed to be Bindi Irwin, the wildlife warrior and a koala from her native homeland…. until Lily saw that the costume was tan polyester and she was suddenly vehemently opposed to the idea.   Thank goodness we had just received a Barbie cheerleader book from Scholastic and already had this Twins cheer dress… thanks to Aunt Je-Je.   </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_i8HcAHEEuI/TrBBmDr5IYI/AAAAAAAAEsA/PLy1fsCq-Iw/s1600-h/D7K_0347%252520copy%25255B10%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="D7K_0347 copy" border="0" alt="D7K_0347 copy" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/--5MRCkvf0hc/TrBBwsDR6uI/AAAAAAAAEsI/8ldd1L-RJCA/D7K_0347%252520copy_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="412" height="637" /></a>    <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-oVf5W7CNMWQ/TrBB7RwBt5I/AAAAAAAAEsQ/cSQJoe6UBa0/s1600-h/D7K_0331%252520copy%25255B11%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="D7K_0331 copy" border="0" alt="D7K_0331 copy" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_jpenWjT3lg/TrBCIYEDE1I/AAAAAAAAEsY/hZj1zs3Ieo4/D7K_0331%252520copy_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="406" height="633" /></a></p> <p>*** Thank you Scandinavian Olson genes for these beautiful BLUE eyed children. I mean, seriously, it’s ridiculous.</p> <p> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-DyIBLphyveQ/TrEyTW9YfZI/AAAAAAAAEtQ/qhbzZO1sa_U/s1600-h/D7K_0325-copy10.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="D7K_0325 copy" border="0" alt="D7K_0325 copy" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-WyjkzwXk2i0/TrEyT31LGKI/AAAAAAAAEtY/4Ufne40CKzs/D7K_0325-copy_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="284" height="443" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-lORYyPSgU18/TrEyUDLoR7I/AAAAAAAAEtg/Gzi6Hn5u_nE/s1600-h/D7K_0366-copy14.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="D7K_0366 copy" border="0" alt="D7K_0366 copy" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-kWcc1PLVDWs/TrEyUiFguvI/AAAAAAAAEto/0PSW-ueUQRU/D7K_0366-copy_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" width="283" height="441" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/--k7Y9eLj6_I/TrEyVD1IGqI/AAAAAAAAEtw/GNYRI77Wr_w/s1600-h/D7K_0332-copy10.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="D7K_0332 copy" border="0" alt="D7K_0332 copy" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-zPoxsn0J29g/TrEyVwyivII/AAAAAAAAEt4/veZkOBa6nA0/D7K_0332-copy_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="281" height="438" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p>We had our 2nd annual trick or treat hayride party with our most favoritest little neighborhood kids… and had twice as much fun as last year.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Umrv_2VP6BQ/TrEyaKvvNMI/AAAAAAAAEuA/t_dswcTkUk8/s1600-h/D7K_03764.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="D7K_0376" border="0" alt="D7K_0376" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-1HRIQhbe4p0/TrH8X9Un0sI/AAAAAAAAEuY/NFGlOrOUNlE/D7K_0376_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="294" height="449" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-FyJJzYxAXZM/TrH8Yb78dII/AAAAAAAAEug/qejc4kqe_H8/s1600-h/D7K_0374-copy4.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="D7K_0374 copy" border="0" alt="D7K_0374 copy" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-pd20_BxP3pE/TrH8ZH2rrqI/AAAAAAAAEuo/0u7TXbcXIQU/D7K_0374-copy_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="653" height="445" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-RrVOg6KSek8/TrH8ZUu67KI/AAAAAAAAEuw/4JZVuYuV6go/s1600-h/D7K_0373-copy5.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="D7K_0373 copy" border="0" alt="D7K_0373 copy" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-QXmyQCZw_U8/TrH8Z5fOu5I/AAAAAAAAEu4/KjG5c38cIrI/D7K_0373-copy_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="315" height="486" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-gEC6sOiTkfk/TrH8azTdbnI/AAAAAAAAEvA/tMXragTvE-4/s1600-h/D7K_0341-copy5.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="D7K_0341 copy" border="0" alt="D7K_0341 copy" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-KwPmnxm03cU/TrH8bSec67I/AAAAAAAAEvI/oQMaVBbZZuc/D7K_0341-copy_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="315" height="486" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-tPNkBo5nYxA/TrH8b7b1FcI/AAAAAAAAEvQ/yLimZd4SsMA/s1600-h/D7K_0337-copy6.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="D7K_0337 copy" border="0" alt="D7K_0337 copy" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-e1EAc1E8kng/TrH8cHaFiMI/AAAAAAAAEvY/L8Fb-DiKAuI/D7K_0337-copy_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="313" height="487" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-gu3unPRS8eU/TrH8c8C0mCI/AAAAAAAAEvg/vPRP104UsAs/s1600-h/D7K_032410.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="D7K_0324" border="0" alt="D7K_0324" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-l1b3_9-UESY/TrH8dbrf7FI/AAAAAAAAEvo/ylNs8JUb3ko/D7K_0324_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="650" height="454" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-5LOCF22J858/TrH8eOgauCI/AAAAAAAAEv0/qxKYFcMaVHM/s1600-h/D7K_0335-copy9.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="D7K_0335 copy" border="0" alt="D7K_0335 copy" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-FemwZhTagIA/TrH8ezTmfDI/AAAAAAAAEv4/U8SipMazQPE/D7K_0335-copy_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="294" height="454" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-LkUZLX3wSC8/TrH8fGgdx1I/AAAAAAAAEwA/GmsaWwoi7Lc/s1600-h/D7K_0334-copy13.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="D7K_0334 copy" border="0" alt="D7K_0334 copy" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-7upjN8iUyeI/TrH8ftQ4bPI/AAAAAAAAEwI/-4DShQrg8DI/D7K_0334-copy_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="345" height="532" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-nNXohf2tNgc/TrH8gZ9YJfI/AAAAAAAAEwU/jrb9kcOM_8A/s1600-h/D7K_03494.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="D7K_0349" border="0" alt="D7K_0349" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-HWWDmyUjSU0/TrH8gqbE5pI/AAAAAAAAEwc/pFwIhFMqCes/D7K_0349_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="603" height="411" /></a></p> <p>Eli was hilarious and seemed genuinely surprised at EACH new door that they handed him candy.  He held it in his hands until dropping it to get the candy at the next house.</p> <p>Being raised a non- Halloween celebrator…. I feel inclined to say that we give God ALL the glory for such a fun night of fellowship.</p> Shauna Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11070009805045557724noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358965.post-32507894014768471932011-10-18T20:38:00.001-05:002012-01-29T20:22:46.989-06:00Around our house lately…<p> </p> <p>it has been crazy busy.  Who knew October was going to be so full.</p> <p>Here is a  snapshot from our life:</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-VQD97tmkpyU/Tp4o3kmAz6I/AAAAAAAAEo8/hBmDPknQxuU/s1600-h/D7K_0140%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="D7K_0140" border="0" alt="D7K_0140" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-TMnLdMPspJo/Tp4o8EiOZbI/AAAAAAAAEpE/OyDjp_cX7iU/D7K_0140_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="809" height="546" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-9V2ND64qoE4/Tp4pB6HVEhI/AAAAAAAAEpM/R_XJZeOOh6I/s1600-h/D7K_0177%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="D7K_0177" border="0" alt="D7K_0177" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-v7bTPRo6tkI/Tp4pEiRVusI/AAAAAAAAEpU/3vDIA5wQJEc/D7K_0177_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="271" height="414" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-jZsX6HtJcbU/Tp4pIHOhOEI/AAAAAAAAEpc/xvgfAjHAnh4/s1600-h/D7K_0181%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="D7K_0181" border="0" alt="D7K_0181" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Mc9BFsSEn6I/Tp4pKYuT26I/AAAAAAAAEpk/OBdlwsfzH6E/D7K_0181_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="272" height="415" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-7K050dqphSU/Tp4pOijXo3I/AAAAAAAAEps/H2vEB7TKfDU/s1600-h/DSC_0004-4%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_0004-4" border="0" alt="DSC_0004-4" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-CVQPTeOq0Mc/Tp4pRf7vr8I/AAAAAAAAEp0/hihFwL7Hfls/DSC_0004-4_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="272" height="415" /></a></p> <p>Lily is a writing fool.  My days are spent spelling words aloud as she writes the letters.  Not a fan of having her picture taken.  Christmas cards may feature a family of 3 this year.  Eli prefers to write on floors, walls… or just eat the writing utensil.  I observed him yesterday chilling in the recliner (without any pants, of course), munching on a brown crayon.   Crayons, rolie polies, chewed gum from the HEB floor, dirty marshmallows meant for the lemur at Emily’s exotic animal party… oh, that kid and the things he eats. </p> <p>Augie came home with a new ‘racecar’… none more excited that Eli, who promptly crawled in and broke something.  </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-FL1nN8U5JBI/Tp4pd80LhaI/AAAAAAAAEp8/0ZtyGOR5tQI/s1600-h/DSC_0019%25255B7%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://lh4.ggpht.com/-RgX60HSAv3M/Tp4pjq-H6GI/AAAAAAAAEqE/AmsD0rEwYis/DSC_0019_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="786" height="532" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-NnY6N_2hcqA/Tp4ptqbKjRI/AAAAAAAAEqM/qtvIOB8uCwY/s1600-h/DSC_0031%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_0031" border="0" alt="DSC_0031" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-I7N818BAupQ/Tp4pxlU_4gI/AAAAAAAAEqU/8LqqPzp9-GY/DSC_0031_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="263" height="406" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-lW0buH5Zh_M/Tp4p2at1K0I/AAAAAAAAEqc/AfneHpDGHFU/s1600-h/DSC_0036%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_0036" border="0" alt="DSC_0036" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-xpV36Wj37SU/Tp4p59lQf-I/AAAAAAAAEqk/gCJ-atUXzbQ/DSC_0036_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="260" height="405" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-roOIuv9hpgE/Tp4p9qPo-7I/AAAAAAAAEqs/Dhhr1Qsk4_0/s1600-h/DSC_0042%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_0042" border="0" alt="DSC_0042" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-9hKIG9iMLys/Tp4qCdXC_XI/AAAAAAAAEq0/29OXL3Cstao/DSC_0042_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="265" height="405" /></a></p> Shauna Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11070009805045557724noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358965.post-77087128158812617372011-09-18T22:14:00.001-05:002012-01-29T20:22:46.989-06:00Iiiiiiiiiiiiiiii….<p> </p> <p>Eli is still a man of few words… but get him around a guitar (be it Barbie or human sized) and he’ll immediately begin the chorus of his favorite song, The Cave.  “Iiiiiiiii…” and that’s all he can say.</p> <p>I want to record all the little things that we love about him at each phase, because I know first hand how the things you think you’ll remember about the kid will be replaced by useless things like the names of all of the past winners of The Bachelor.  I can’t tell how many little things we remember about Lily only because of blogging and scrapbooking them at the time.</p> <p>I don’t know how long this will be his favorite song.  One by The Strokes and Arcade Fire have entered the running… <a href="http://shauna-lynn.blogspot.com/2010/01/nesting.html">he’s always liked a good beat</a>.  I always want to remember this story, though.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-eQTpD01NvYA/Tnayd8yXzrI/AAAAAAAAEoE/xNDHqgmTwCQ/s1600-h/thecave%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="thecave" border="0" alt="thecave" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-y5EhYm-2Tac/Tnayhshd2ZI/AAAAAAAAEoI/5d0GEwdz1Kk/thecave_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="798" height="627" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p>Sidenote: David showed us this clip of <a href="http://youtu.be/LviI36RVJXk">Mumford and Sons singing Come Thou Fount</a>… LOVE, love, love.</p> <p> </p> <p>Here are some other pages that I finished this summer:</p> <p>for beankins…</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-cbTjLDdp5KY/TnaymrMEFiI/AAAAAAAAEoM/cXpNBqXZiBw/s1600-h/tinypapa%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="tinypapa" border="0" alt="tinypapa" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-TSZLMSte3Qc/TnayqaPY4qI/AAAAAAAAEoQ/U_O-xsODGa0/tinypapa_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="757" height="591" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-XK2iWlfkOqU/TnayvZgf5AI/AAAAAAAAEoU/EfZdSdchqJk/s1600-h/beach10a%25255B13%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="beach10a" border="0" alt="beach10a" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-3a9ancymmlM/TnayxCkfYVI/AAAAAAAAEoY/z8emHF1vdJQ/beach10a_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="468" height="370" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-1zTasywKNtI/Tnay2Vqr5JI/AAAAAAAAEoc/Z8yfb-bXBiQ/s1600-h/beach10b%25255B12%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="beach10b" border="0" alt="beach10b" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-0h5CcbptsAg/Tnay4YpmAZI/AAAAAAAAEog/I-f2Bp071AQ/beach10b_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="468" height="370" /></a></p> <p>for b-bug…</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-RdeKXVo3-oA/TnazFQo_r4I/AAAAAAAAEok/QdqgEUwo23g/s1600-h/beach10a%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="beach10a" border="0" alt="beach10a" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-FEix0Ui0Kww/TnazIl5gYAI/AAAAAAAAEoo/Y-4WpgffFyw/beach10a_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="464" height="370" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-14p9Q6HmGWY/TnazYNQLkkI/AAAAAAAAEos/nBmhlELmQAc/s1600-h/beach10b%25255B10%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="beach10b" border="0" alt="beach10b" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-z97wSbg1qHQ/Tnazdomh1aI/AAAAAAAAEow/ZvmgORlSbmM/beach10b_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="468" height="369" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Fz_RD4pAQqI/TnazjNvAAJI/AAAAAAAAEo0/Cc1cdTBud3M/s1600-h/bigsister%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="bigsister" border="0" alt="bigsister" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-T29gxzGC9to/TnazqYu-BmI/AAAAAAAAEo4/O-X0XuhJ9as/bigsister_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="785" height="613" /></a></p> Shauna Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11070009805045557724noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358965.post-13733054496216495982011-09-14T13:58:00.001-05:002012-01-29T20:38:00.742-06:00Summer’s over…<p>Last week, Eli went to sleep clutching a wallet size school picture of Jonah and Josiah in each hand.  He obviously hasn’t forgotten our trip yet.  </p> <p>I always like to have our one last hoo-rah in late August. This year it was so fun to leave the desert and enjoy 10 days of cool weather and green grass.  Now that we’re good and settled back in… and our jeans and jackets are loaded back into attic tubs… let’s take a moment to remember our vacation.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-l-2z7bzBJwk/TnD3F9hO00I/AAAAAAAAEl0/_78C8M-lR38/s1600-h/DSC_0017-copy7.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_0017 copy" border="0" alt="DSC_0017 copy" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-EPCQhkSFElw/TnD3I4lCDpI/AAAAAAAAEl4/lWMqTFqm63k/DSC_0017-copy_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="732" height="508" /></a>  </p> <p>It was like spending a week at a nature center with the chickens to chase, apples everywhere, cows next door,  artesian well to drink from</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-bC-HgAJL0Dk/TnD3N1Q4ZqI/AAAAAAAAEl8/SdQOKCpVNUA/s1600-h/DSC_0012-copy12.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_0012 copy" border="0" alt="DSC_0012 copy" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-abCV1hXgKZs/TnD3RIZxhKI/AAAAAAAAEmA/iIfXdZaKwRY/DSC_0012-copy_thumb6.jpg?imgmax=800" width="370" height="580" /></a>  <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-0-9TdGAg9EU/TnD3VN7R2YI/AAAAAAAAEmE/kq2UvhaPN_s/s1600-h/DSC_0165-copy5.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_0165 copy" border="0" alt="DSC_0165 copy" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-av--NTVgrWc/TnD3XL259rI/AAAAAAAAEmI/cuLSOtZOTNA/DSC_0165-copy_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="381" height="585" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-jWm4nZrOUns/TnD3eQEl0DI/AAAAAAAAEmM/ViQT5ZOD77g/s1600-h/DSC_0074.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_0074" border="0" alt="DSC_0074" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-HHhq40l5L6I/TnD3hHFqYiI/AAAAAAAAEmQ/aRFgQPRdfpQ/DSC_0074_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="517" height="362" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-T8FcA246xdc/TnD3mLTDhzI/AAAAAAAAEmU/p1Hx7u9bf1E/s1600-h/DSC_0006-copy8.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_0006 copy" border="0" alt="DSC_0006 copy" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Slqihz_cq8A/TnD3q9x5WNI/AAAAAAAAEmY/7O4tGjX5_KM/DSC_0006-copy_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" width="519" height="815" /></a></p> <p>Time with the cousins all together is PRICELESS.  I love all 6 of these kids with all my heart.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-8ot7tXuD3UY/TnD3xv0TlKI/AAAAAAAAEmc/zIB3t2u2GG0/s1600-h/DSC_03006.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_0300" border="0" alt="DSC_0300" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-WP1o-6ndzz0/TnD3zx0_sXI/AAAAAAAAEmg/gGiLFdRLRtQ/DSC_0300_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="414" height="285" /></a>  <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-B_WaPbcq57Y/TnD38Co6ouI/AAAAAAAAEmk/bNW49BuRiRU/s1600-h/DSC_0229-copy6.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_0229 copy" border="0" alt="DSC_0229 copy" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-LKQ-tqtP924/TnD3-9kmLMI/AAAAAAAAEmo/Rff6fEbtnj0/DSC_0229-copy_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="414" height="285" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Z1MGt5Upds8/TnD4CglAfMI/AAAAAAAAEms/T-0QFakSVgg/s1600-h/DSC_0111-copy6.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_0111 copy" border="0" alt="DSC_0111 copy" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/--heNh-J4UgQ/TnD4Enb8w2I/AAAAAAAAEmw/RhU3eGCRPwc/DSC_0111-copy_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="815" height="558" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-UDY6RuDLDO0/TnD4IVRjd5I/AAAAAAAAEm0/Oy1czXLQ68k/s1600-h/DSC_00876.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_0087" border="0" alt="DSC_0087" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-5nVipCq68Co/TnD4KOfU_ZI/AAAAAAAAEm4/zuJsTDK_k6o/DSC_0087_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="279" /></a>  <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-9tiy-1rMFjg/TnD4RpqPVAI/AAAAAAAAEm8/F7USHfsLSP4/s1600-h/DSC_01855.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_0185" border="0" alt="DSC_0185" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-h7PmKxtqE5g/TnD4T0zJ0WI/AAAAAAAAEnA/IRL6Sx4BwIo/DSC_0185_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="272" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-KR_xfm58mlk/TnD4YYu-C6I/AAAAAAAAEnE/KTCRU57pkCc/s1600-h/DSC_02265.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_0226" border="0" alt="DSC_0226" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ACYB1GWBIS8/TnD4b5vrG_I/AAAAAAAAEnI/PIk-ySgP4qc/DSC_0226_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="801" height="544" /></a></p> <p>The county fair is always a favorite… even though it fills our  carnie interaction quota for the year in one night.  I swear these kids were supposed to be born into a farmer’s family… not a cereal salesman’s.  If only Kellogg’s sold cheese curds…. mmmmm…. cheese curds.  How will I wait ‘til next summer?</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-B42Y56eMxKg/TnD4jWrSUCI/AAAAAAAAEnM/8JlxVfxfpFo/s1600-h/DSC_00275.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_0027" border="0" alt="DSC_0027" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-mvyRzqcwC_M/TnD4miTT7LI/AAAAAAAAEnQ/-ZeuUe3GTtQ/DSC_0027_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="413" height="280" /></a>  <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-rntYZRDQQoQ/TnD4sSCvY0I/AAAAAAAAEnU/Gk4g9tkgPYE/s1600-h/DSC_00605.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_0060" border="0" alt="DSC_0060" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-0ib4biZn2HE/TnD4uYZ2NxI/AAAAAAAAEnY/_4KCys8gKn4/DSC_0060_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="411" height="279" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-4aLFeZSZaZ0/TnD4yKtRp4I/AAAAAAAAEnc/_V2YLuUzHEM/s1600-h/DSC_0054-copy8.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_0054 copy" border="0" alt="DSC_0054 copy" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-nEq4tvk1isI/TnD439jQbII/AAAAAAAAEng/gm4rkSDhSzY/DSC_0054-copy_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" width="824" height="586" /></a>  <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-LCBaNGr8NRo/TnD4832kL5I/AAAAAAAAEnk/BCda89_1bZo/s1600-h/DSC_0050%252520copy%25255B1%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_0050 copy" border="0" alt="DSC_0050 copy" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-9F5DTfGjp4I/TnD5AGUlP6I/AAAAAAAAEno/-wofip2iAXY/DSC_0050%252520copy_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="547" height="393" /></a>  <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Z7pxKA-QZC8/TnD5DFHgtiI/AAAAAAAAEns/pMYaUSg6sZ8/s1600-h/DSC_0053%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_0053" border="0" alt="DSC_0053" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-s3e0sEWEM2k/TnD5FYxPDHI/AAAAAAAAEnw/1eAWRRMYCOE/DSC_0053_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="265" height="411" /></a></p> <p>I love this picture because it sooo captures Eli’s little mischievous personality with that sideways glance after being told not to stick his hands in the pins.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-iW4fxo3Tszw/TnD5K9lDxaI/AAAAAAAAEn0/mzkowYhekzk/s1600-h/DSC_0040-copy7.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_0040 copy" border="0" alt="DSC_0040 copy" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-bs1FDi3NYeU/TnD5OR04tII/AAAAAAAAEn4/KWE_NgppohM/DSC_0040-copy_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="730" height="503" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p>Although it is no fun to live SO far away from people you love, its always such a blessing to create such lasting memories in such a fun place.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-nR2Nj-g2eGM/TnD5WVQTXNI/AAAAAAAAEn8/Fc-TJn1_ByE/s1600-h/DSC_012614.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_0126" border="0" alt="DSC_0126" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-2veVPFXM09M/TnD5ZtrAH0I/AAAAAAAAEoA/xpFg752XySQ/DSC_0126_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" width="732" height="504" /></a></p> Shauna Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11070009805045557724noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358965.post-82942108433348887692011-09-06T12:58:00.001-05:002012-01-29T20:21:45.339-06:00The end of an era…<p>Good-bye sleeping in, day trips to wherever we please, afternoon movies, jammies all day…</p> <p>Hello…</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-M02U2qOypIQ/TmZfIWbnKGI/AAAAAAAAElc/maDM0Q87i1Y/s1600-h/DSC_0011-2%252520copy%25255B7%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_0011-2 copy" border="0" alt="DSC_0011-2 copy" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-cDSZGT0JtQo/TmZfMDEmMuI/AAAAAAAAElg/fju8fOFiqY8/DSC_0011-2%252520copy_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="581" height="886" /></a></p> <p>Last night was spent listening to constant jeering from el Jefe as I…</p> <p> sewed flowers onto an aqua t-shirt so that it would match the leopard tutu skirt and gold sneakers that she chose for her first day, </p> <p>made headbands for all of her new outfits</p> <p>sprayed chalkboard paint on a piece of wood for a sign that we’ll use in pictures for the next 13 years, </p> <p>made signs and cut out a million paper apples for a last minute parent craft to do at our ‘Boo Hoo Woo Hoo Breakfast”.</p> <p> </p> <p>Surprisingly, no tears were shed today…      (except by Eli who added to his head wound collection)</p> <p>It may be the end of one era of our lives… but I think I’m going to love the new one that is dawning.</p> <p>Happy first day of school precious B-Bug!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-lQyVbGLTdEQ/TmZfQN4tJVI/AAAAAAAAElk/hGkQItYPy1I/s1600-h/DSC_0016%252520copy%25255B7%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 copy" border="0" alt="DSC_0016 copy" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-uPuHRGwhrEU/TmZfSKAUqzI/AAAAAAAAElo/im8YixroTwc/DSC_0016%252520copy_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="556" height="377" /></a>    <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-hP4U3MoIKKU/TmZfV6vHMjI/AAAAAAAAEls/UPu5jSoNxAw/s1600-h/DSC_0017-2%252520copy%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_0017-2 copy" border="0" alt="DSC_0017-2 copy" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-w0cwoKTN7VA/TmZfXgB2b_I/AAAAAAAAElw/fswzCyAaFD8/DSC_0017-2%252520copy_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="249" height="382" /></a></p> Shauna Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11070009805045557724noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358965.post-45390924808528397142011-08-10T20:15:00.001-05:002012-01-29T20:19:23.810-06:0017+ hour road trip with a 1 year old who hates the car…<p> </p> <p>and a 4 year old with an affinity for whining… begs the question: Why are we not flying this time?   I’ve been asking myself the same thing daily.</p> <p>Eli may hate his car seat, but he also hates to sit still and be restrained.  We vowed after the last flight that it would be less stressful to deal with 17 hours of misery <u>by ourselves</u> than 3 hours of it <u>with a plane full of testy strangers</u>.</p> <p>Before we embark on our northward journey,  I’ve been preparing some things for the kids in the car.  <a href="http://shauna-lynn.blogspot.com/2009/08/lilys-first-road-trip.html">Last time</a> we drove, I wrapped (2 year old) Lily a million little gifts to open along the way.  Not this time.</p> <p>Can I just say that in all of the vastness of the interwebs… we are sorely lacking in traveling with toddler ideas.   Lily was not hard at all… but I found NO decent help for traveling with a one year old.</p> <p>So I had to come up with some of my own …. I tried  to think of it as like a ‘road trip’ themed party to keep it less daunting for me.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-SEfQEqDoIhc/TkMnph7IrGI/AAAAAAAAEkI/v_rfg5-BTZg/s1600-h/DSC_0012-6.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_0012-6" border="0" alt="DSC_0012-6" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-kx3Rm3KSeNc/TkMnr4IwaKI/AAAAAAAAEkM/umRlYl8iU6Q/DSC_0012-6_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /></a>  <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-NOF5Ez_3TdY/TkMnub3_hoI/AAAAAAAAEkU/FyJwKNgKSWI/s1600-h/DSC_0005-12.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_0005-12" border="0" alt="DSC_0005-12" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-kNV4RgTN7aI/TkMnv8p-nnI/AAAAAAAAEkY/Mj3UKuWqstA/DSC_0005-12_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="319" height="480" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p><font size="4">Mini car lap track:</font></p> <p>materials: binder, textured stuff, packing tape</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-RJNuwo7mkQ0/TkMnyqRAsfI/AAAAAAAAEkc/ShjBNPhzB4U/s1600-h/DSC_0008-6.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_0008-6" border="0" alt="DSC_0008-6" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-eHCJFZy30-o/TkMn0L_m5aI/AAAAAAAAEkg/5dkGpEZA7jA/DSC_0008-6_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /></a></p> <p>The idea is for a sturdy surface for E to drive his little cars  in his lap. Nice because the whole thing folds up and puts away nicely.  I made it a little more interesting with a toilet paper roll hill and a couple of straw rumble strips and streets made of tulle for the sound effects.</p> <p> </p> <p><font size="4">Cereal bracelets:</font></p> <p>materials:  any round cereal (preferably Kellogg’s), pipe cleaners </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-bqMETfmK9Zc/TkMn2pfXHHI/AAAAAAAAEkk/6sf1QrvOAsk/s1600-h/DSC_0010-91.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_0010-9" border="0" alt="DSC_0010-9" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-8dr-n_gN6Fw/TkMn5FMbW6I/AAAAAAAAEko/633Dz2ZjxRg/DSC_0010-9_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="514" height="780" /></a></p> <p>Lily can work on patterns and dexterity while she slides the loops onto the pipe cleaners… then she can hand them to Eli, who will work on his fine motor skills while he pulls them off to eat them.  </p> <p>See. Fun and learning for both ages, eh.  I work wonders with a pantry full of Kellogg’s samples.  We should be on a commercial.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><font size="4">Household items turned toys:</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-F6vPaeRDhIg/TkMn7-BgTII/AAAAAAAAEks/dkSNVBPOyEI/s1600-h/DSC_0016-3.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_0016-3" border="0" alt="DSC_0016-3" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-8wEW7f_iv3Q/TkMn9gMcuJI/AAAAAAAAEkw/_70uVdqP7NU/DSC_0016-3_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /></a></p> <p>At 15 months, Eli loves to pull things apart, put things together, put things inside other things…. oh, and anything ball related.</p> <p>so I came up with these free ideas:</p> <p><font size="3">*pulling ‘credit cards’ and money out of a wallet.</font></p> <p><font size="3">*toothbrush holder with straws in it to put together, take apart, dump out, and refill</font></p> <p><font size="3">*bristled hair curlers that fit inside each other</font></p> <p><font size="3">*to go cup with extra straw holes to pull out and put back in</font></p> <p><font size="3">*cool whip container turned ball receptacle</font></p> <p>When these get old, or in a pinch, I have a brand new box of kleenex and baby wipes and will let him pull out every single one,  if need be.</p> <p> </p> <p><font size="4">Homemade picture books:</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-5geznAtKdTg/TkMoAnXT64I/AAAAAAAAEk0/xXMmQbrcm2U/s1600-h/DSC_0018-5.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_0018-5" border="0" alt="DSC_0018-5" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-5kLjzSOJ8BE/TkMoCIUkOxI/AAAAAAAAEk4/zZkR85xNuUo/DSC_0018-5_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /></a></p> <p>“Photo albums” filled with  people he knows and loves and another with cutouts of real animals.  Last time with Lily, I let her look through magazines and cut out pictures of babies and dogs (based on her interests and skill level at the time) and we filled the albums together.  Eli’s will be pre-made.</p> <p> </p> <p><font size="4">Do it yourself book illustrations:</font></p> <p>Materials needed: scissors, glue, paper</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-M_V7OVzdcKg/TkMoEQoP-lI/AAAAAAAAEk8/AReKE73KqRY/s1600-h/DSC_0002-94.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_0002-9" border="0" alt="DSC_0002-9" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-UhFjurhyuWA/TkMoF8rOG_I/AAAAAAAAElA/MwNP1Unug-w/DSC_0002-9_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /></a></p> <p>Bug is way into Bindi Irwin, the Crocodile Hunter’s daughter, for some reason. We now own Free Willy 3 and she will most likely be receiving the dolls for Christmas. So I compiled a page of google images, printed out a blurb about her I found on a website ( one sentence per page), and will let Lily cut out the pictures and glue them on to illustrate her own book about Bindi. </p> <p> </p> <p><font size="4">Store bought sanity savers:</font></p> <p>I was able to find a load of toys that have been in hiding that will seem like new, but some things had to be purchased .<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-KE9tq8Hudwc/TkMoJEzhcgI/AAAAAAAAElE/T0ZrrO5zdD4/s1600-h/DSC_0019-3.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_0019-3" border="0" alt="DSC_0019-3" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-OH3gt1S52hw/TkMoLA-om4I/AAAAAAAAElI/qCQGqTEhqFk/DSC_0019-3_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /></a></p> <p>I was trying to find things that fit Eli’s current interests and skill set at 15 months.</p> <p>stuff with buttons to push…. <font size="3">toy remote , electric toothbrush</font>(preferably equate brand… because the button makes a cool noise that could only come from a generic)</p> <p>something to try to master…<font size="3"> harmonica</font> (<5$ at World Market)</p> <p>stuff with funny noises…<font size="3"> bead stick thing </font><font size="2">($1 at WalMart), electric toothbrush, harmonica</font></p> <p>dogs, animals, songs, books… <font size="3">board books and animal song dvd</font></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>For Lily… I had a blast picking out random girly movies that I thought she might like.  (like how I snuck in Troop Beverly Hills, one of my childhood faves.) I know she’s only 4… but she prefers live action movies about teenagers.  I have to  make sure that they they don’t have any subject matters that I don’t want to get stuck explaining to her first.  Praise Jesus that the Routan has 2 DIFFERENT dvd capabilities…  I ‘d go crazy with only Baby Genius sing a long movies…. teeny movies I can handle.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-7ke1yDQkif8/TkMoOuBAoMI/AAAAAAAAElM/phZ5Q1nZPhs/s1600-h/DSC_0006-11.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0006-11" border="0" alt="DSC_0006-11" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ta8p_O6GaFg/TkMoQlJ57jI/AAAAAAAAElQ/leGUFbCcW7E/DSC_0006-11_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p><font size="4">Mrs. Olson (recently discovered) money- saving travel tips:</font></p> <p>#1= buying used dvds for as low as 25 cents (plus 3$ shipping) on amazon.com. The grand total for all of these was only like 25$… pretty much the cost of one new disney dvd. </p> <p>#2= stocking up during school supply season.  Glue sticks, crayons, folders etc.  for a trip are so much more fun when they are cheap.</p> <p>#3= setting back a few ‘car friendly’ items from the onslaught of gifts at a birthday party to reserve for a trip.  Lily will be psyched to remember the magnetic fairy set, Old Maid game, lift flap princess book, and 3D Taylor Swift tour book from hers that mysteriously ended up out of reach and view on the top shelf of her closet.</p> <p>#4= Marshall’s or TJ Maxx  usually have a good selection of discounted books.  I found an awesome Tangled reusable peel sticker book for 6$ and 3$ board books.</p> <p> </p> <p>I did the best I could…  but please pray for us anyway.</p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <p><font size="4">Any travel tips, non-messy snacks, car friendly crafts or games or things your kids like to do in the car?  </font></p> <p><font size="4">Please send them my way… QUICK!</font></p> Shauna Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11070009805045557724noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358965.post-24587025532603945762011-08-01T20:38:00.002-05:002012-01-29T20:16:15.224-06:00I promised Olson when we got married that I wouldn’t do it. But, who can resist when one’s favorite color becomes super popular and available everywhere? <br />
I don’t think it was deliberate. But one day, I looked up and it was everywhere.<br />
It’s the color that makes me happy… and I’m here all day, every day… so I think ‘El Jefe’ can learn to accept it.<br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-aLX8dTMAfnQ/TjdUQR2Pj0I/AAAAAAAAEiY/6J04uitd4xc/s1600-h/DSC_0017-26.jpg"><img alt="DSC_0017-2" border="0" height="425" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-oCVaoEexJD4/TjdUSQ-hbuI/AAAAAAAAEic/hy77Xc-4YP8/DSC_0017-2_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSC_0017-2" width="640" /></a><br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-F86lWy-7q9M/TjdUUp9RfRI/AAAAAAAAEig/G2dJBftyD1M/s1600-h/DSC_0038-55.jpg"><img alt="DSC_0038-5" border="0" height="480" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-VFcTPQJAER8/TjdUW0eAyhI/AAAAAAAAEik/UaKMWiJ-c1c/DSC_0038-5_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSC_0038-5" width="319" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ekqTMYHEPsw/TjdUY35Rr_I/AAAAAAAAEio/gFjACj-MiRs/s1600-h/DSC_0036-55.jpg"><img alt="DSC_0036-5" border="0" height="480" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-f8wqTC4v2GA/TjdUaKEIC5I/AAAAAAAAEis/6lhBtb3ayA4/DSC_0036-5_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSC_0036-5" width="319" /></a><br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-DIr69a0Xng8/TjdUcMcSpnI/AAAAAAAAEiw/xvMi5d5CFWo/s1600-h/DSC_0009-6%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSC_0009-6" border="0" height="439" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-CV-5ArbNfGs/TjdUdIsDPJI/AAAAAAAAEi0/Bl9WR8B0GSQ/DSC_0009-6_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSC_0009-6" width="277" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-UYOVW39VbdY/TjdUfl0q1jI/AAAAAAAAEi4/f06ysvAyBXw/s1600-h/DSC_0006-9%25255B11%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSC_0006-9" border="0" height="440" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-WPgconTDS7I/TjdUhG4FLGI/AAAAAAAAEi8/z7NraEEVypI/DSC_0006-9_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSC_0006-9" width="361" /></a><br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-qf3eqMbnVP0/TjdUjtM9HmI/AAAAAAAAEjA/vXJE7GLARvU/s1600-h/DSC_0004-9%25255B12%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSC_0004-9" border="0" height="468" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-TF-0IgmRSK0/TjdUlTyrYyI/AAAAAAAAEjE/0otfeLAQZjU/DSC_0004-9_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSC_0004-9" width="297" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-opM2BPAzzMk/TjdUnb8fXWI/AAAAAAAAEjI/QWkEZ13Pvl0/s1600-h/DSC_0002-7%25255B15%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSC_0002-7" border="0" height="465" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-NOfYjHey77E/TjdUp6HqDcI/AAAAAAAAEjM/SNoOaMBN_VI/DSC_0002-7_thumb%25255B9%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSC_0002-7" width="297" /></a><br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-vEYU0-qZnF0/TjdUsfuKO1I/AAAAAAAAEjQ/ezaECtZ5xC0/s1600-h/DSC_0003-9%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSC_0003-9" border="0" height="478" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-PIqKVwTpJxc/TjdUtRiDsNI/AAAAAAAAEjU/Seojqoi1Y30/DSC_0003-9_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSC_0003-9" width="302" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-X21AzXtr_8c/TjdUxJa2i6I/AAAAAAAAEjY/H2pyz4BLDeA/s1600-h/kitchen%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="kitchen" border="0" height="471" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_aNyqJsR1nE/TjdUzYoww5I/AAAAAAAAEjc/DOf5jnc5-a8/kitchen_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="kitchen" width="304" /></a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ZpZITqxZ0O-uAyiwmyvnNFCkxt4f8LJ9pXN2GzOkKwm1CVJOlNuaPMmByk9yU_20ZiqrXyWam9phgEP8bzE7PVXnr5I7TU-Oh6CVIA5eTExt-pbzgDnC5aIHS37S2d1c2Eju/s1600/Untitled-1+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ZpZITqxZ0O-uAyiwmyvnNFCkxt4f8LJ9pXN2GzOkKwm1CVJOlNuaPMmByk9yU_20ZiqrXyWam9phgEP8bzE7PVXnr5I7TU-Oh6CVIA5eTExt-pbzgDnC5aIHS37S2d1c2Eju/s640/Untitled-1+copy.jpg" width="494" /></a></div><br />
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Naturally it would show up in our bedroom makeover. I’ve said before that is the most neglected room in the house. Finally, after months of begging to buy one and ‘accidentally’ leaving plans from <a href="http://ana-white.com/">this website</a> up on the screen… and even printing them out, Jeff gave in. No, he didn’t build me a farmhouse bed… but he actually made me something I love even more. Antique door turned headboard. Love, love, love it… almost as much as my handy, creative husband… who knows me better than I realize sometimes.<br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-dsymcBHJAhU/TjdU3BIqNPI/AAAAAAAAEjg/sWM7un2-ve8/s1600-h/headboard25.jpg"><img alt="headboard2" border="0" height="425" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-bup_xRRuihU/TjdU4-j_RPI/AAAAAAAAEjk/tvZb47uqXRw/headboard2_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="headboard2" width="640" /></a><br />
Much to his dismay, the new headboard required a drastic change in all décor. As a stay at home mom, I hate for my hobbies to be a burden on the family resources… so my gracious, over-worked mother agreed to pay me to come and clean her house on a weekly basis. 20 by 20 I started saving enough for the pottery barn bedding I loved in the catalog. After a tearful conversation with customer service, I was able to return it and get this instead.<br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-mbUcsS2I-ws/TjdU73tGPZI/AAAAAAAAEjo/qWlIIlGdask/s1600-h/DSC_0001-17.jpg"><img alt="DSC_0001-1" border="0" height="480" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-3Qpm7qc7-Ww/TjdU9cIg5nI/AAAAAAAAEjs/CDtugJEz1Jc/DSC_0001-1_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSC_0001-1" width="319" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ECt3B-u4_1c/TjdU_itqW0I/AAAAAAAAEjw/GRUCUOX9GN4/s1600-h/dresser9.jpg"><img alt="dresser" border="0" height="480" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-PuqSEaA3nfA/TjdVA9RJz8I/AAAAAAAAEj0/J8E4pdzrTF0/dresser_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="dresser" width="319" /></a><br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-jZNXt1Af0Dc/TjdVEtRU80I/AAAAAAAAEj4/M53HyBJX_NA/s1600-h/DSC_0003-29.jpg"><img alt="DSC_0003-2" border="0" height="425" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-hUTjY-Azru4/TjdVG-UPC0I/AAAAAAAAEj8/Crhv58PRozc/DSC_0003-2_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSC_0003-2" width="640" /></a><br />
Our sorry excuses for nightstands are still detested and embarrassing… but now… <br />
at least they are my favorite color.Shauna Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11070009805045557724noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358965.post-60741699551858356932011-07-29T21:09:00.001-05:002012-01-29T20:21:45.341-06:00Lily Beetle<p>turned 4 on the 4th of July.  It boggles my mind that she is that old…. but at the same time she seems way older.</p> <p>Since her birthday month is almost over, I felt it necessary to dedicate a post to …</p> <p>my little shadow, my bestest buddy, my Wee Bug.</p> <p> </p> <p><font size="4">4 things I love about her:</font></p> <p>that she says she needs “ a little lovin’s with Mom” first thing in the morning. </p> <p>that she makes up original songs like this:   “Listen to my eyes, wild on my scene, the way she got her eyes – song to me, the way she got… skillet, skies. the way she got – blue eyes, white skillet and she got no way”  This is both Jeff’s and my ring tone…. makes me smile EVERY time!</p> <p>that she always wants to whisper to me that she loves me more than dad</p> <p>that she’s such a little  mother to her baby brother</p> <p> </p> <p><font size="4">4 things I’m excited to see her do this year:</font></p> <p>learn to read… the wheels are already turning.</p> <p>sing her heart out at the Taylor Swift Concert</p> <p>wear her size 10 light up Pumas that have been sitting in her closet for a year</p> <p>go to Disneyworld…. and not be scared of the characters…. well, at least the female ones.</p> <p> </p> <p>Here is the commemorative scrapbook 2 pager for her golden birthday.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-lHKV6kq5iQk/TjNngax-IvI/AAAAAAAAEiA/ujrZ2lsKG14/s1600-h/4page%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="4page" border="0" alt="4page" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-i976gW3COPE/TjNnjKmUk0I/AAAAAAAAEiE/2_Fo-RipgfQ/4page_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="804" height="322" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-2g2YTZUJPjw/TjNnpHcQGoI/AAAAAAAAEiI/N0B6vbc2s8Q/s1600-h/4therecord%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="4therecord" border="0" alt="4therecord" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-9mYdogzNWCc/TjNnu9Xb66I/AAAAAAAAEiM/a_9bBdUlF3Q/4therecord_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="800" height="622" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-0kC9a3S17y4/TjNnzL1B9WI/AAAAAAAAEiQ/qEC-LVo0t3I/s1600-h/4therecord2%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="4therecord2" border="0" alt="4therecord2" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-5r_KLPJ3uJY/TjNn2zJqaMI/AAAAAAAAEiU/B2dhTA6LKVM/4therecord2_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="805" height="626" /></a></p> Shauna Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11070009805045557724noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358965.post-9292224774234160542011-07-14T20:54:00.001-05:002012-01-29T20:21:45.340-06:00LiLYPaLooZa!<p> </p> <p>These two things you should know:</p> <p>I LOVE my Lily-bug.</p> <p>I LOVE to plan her birthday parties down to the last minute detail.</p> <p> </p> <p>Lily turned FOUR on July 4th and we turned her favorite thing in the world into a ‘golden birthday’ party theme.  This kid is never without her iPod touch…(I received it for my birthday last year and have been slowly UNCHECKING all my old favorite songs to make room for Lily’s growing playlist and feature length movie collection… but such is motherhood.)</p> <p>She is always dressing up and performing for us.  In the last few months, she has really broadened her pop-music horizons and found a few favorites outside of the Taylor Swift  catalog.  Therefore, we took a sampling of her newest  favorites made some c.d. invitations and VIP passes…</p> <p> and thus created a fictitious music festival in our backyard.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-19yAZnWfdbU/Th-cbA38HkI/AAAAAAAAEgE/xgjZrNLEazA/s1600-h/DSC_0009-2%25255B7%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_0009-2" border="0" alt="DSC_0009-2" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-BKJsk91DUyk/Th-ccgmH31I/AAAAAAAAEgI/I8s5SyvjSmg/DSC_0009-2_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="667" height="449" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Z2vTgrnQIbA/Th-cgU-Rz4I/AAAAAAAAEgM/kQAq3752mdw/s1600-h/DSC_0011-3%25255B8%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_0011-3" border="0" alt="DSC_0011-3" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-CGhEB7LcdWk/Th-ci_g-TCI/AAAAAAAAEgQ/lJQ9-76j4Q0/DSC_0011-3_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="664" height="451" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p>We transformed our house into ‘backstage’…  our backporch into ‘center stage’… our laundry room into the concession stand.</p> <p>Lily and I are both big fans of concession stand fare. The concession stand had popcorn, pickles, nachos and drinks. </p> <p>The VIP snacks were supposed to be what the stars requested: Selena Gomez “Who Says” I can’t eat fruit candy, Lisa Loeb “Jenny Jenkins” juice, Lemonade Mouth “Mel’s Organic Lemonade”, Miley Cyrus “Party (in the USA)” tray, Grace Potter “Tangled” twizzlers, Carrie Underwood “Ever Ever After” Fairytale fruit kebabs, Taylor Swift “Speak Now” soda. </p> <p>I love how Grace asked, “So did you like email or text them to find out what they wanted?”</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-4hxn4TeD4d4/Th-coK5sgCI/AAAAAAAAEgU/BVX9ci9Rs2s/s1600-h/vipsnacks.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="vipsnacks" border="0" alt="vipsnacks" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_qrZF-NEI3c/Th-csCLdYqI/AAAAAAAAEgY/t3u8BPYLNy4/vipsnacks_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="787" height="611" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-EHsxv2CbOQ8/Th-cuRwOiGI/AAAAAAAAEgc/kABKoDJbVic/s1600-h/concessions%25255B1%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="concessions" border="0" alt="concessions" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-mTMLLUKa1D0/Th-cxJcB3qI/AAAAAAAAEgg/A7dmf3mxuCM/concessions_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="642" height="847" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p>To combine a little of all of Lily’s favorite things…</p> <p>All VIPs got to have access to a stocked dressing room… professional hair and makeup (aka my hairdresser friend doling out eyeshadow and glitter spray)… decorate a guitar… bling out their microphone and then sing their little hearts out.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-MfeaxG1cwlI/Th-czpgUuNI/AAAAAAAAEgk/hfoPGugAnUI/s1600-h/dressingroom%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="dressingroom" border="0" alt="dressingroom" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-49J1YIMFkok/Th-c3Gh1qYI/AAAAAAAAEgo/JNtFcFTL7PY/dressingroom_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="641" height="834" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ibJ5qqbfrcM/Th-c6vFa2sI/AAAAAAAAEgs/7fCAYhl-KAA/s1600-h/makeup%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="makeup" border="0" alt="makeup" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-GZbx7pEblWA/Th-c8hN0MiI/AAAAAAAAEgw/JM-cUs5E7Tw/makeup_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="645" height="458" /></a></p> <p>Being Lily’s cousin/BFF,  poor Lukie B. had to come to this uber-girly event as the only boy guest… but I must say he took it like a champ.  </p> <p>The VIP bags (per Lily’s request) had colored fake braid hair clips, a souvenir t-shirt, lemon slice rings, fake microphone to use, and candy. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-lfAqnwhVbF4/Th-dBkl87hI/AAAAAAAAEg0/HZCGG537-TM/s1600-h/activities%25255B10%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="activities" border="0" alt="activities" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-0SLR7BkgD7s/Th-dFax-Q3I/AAAAAAAAEg4/kgGuIGJ1u_0/activities_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="643" height="837" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-NFZDU-4C7Zs/Th-dIiHcg-I/AAAAAAAAEg8/JQZa-PEeT3U/s1600-h/stage%25255B2%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="stage" border="0" alt="stage" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-FaguDyKJbmM/Th-dN72VGmI/AAAAAAAAEhA/slYlk8tVU-M/stage_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="645" height="1086" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-AHI3YQxwQK0/Th-dRMN78DI/AAAAAAAAEhE/nqfWKK0j76Q/s1600-h/stage2%25255B7%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="stage2" border="0" alt="stage2" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-L4MzXoGyD3A/Th-dUnnItyI/AAAAAAAAEhI/J-BTQOvyYPY/stage2_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="638" height="831" /></a></p> <p>My lemon slice rainbow cake was the ugliest cake in history… at least the topper was super cute.  Lily (the parrot) referred to it as ‘the rainbow disaster cake’ as she ate my first attempt from a discard pile with a spoon.  If I tell you I am making the cake for the next one… stage an intervention.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-zc3tMhlnZnU/Th-dXjRXdrI/AAAAAAAAEhM/oji4eUSwHQE/s1600-h/cake%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="cake" border="0" alt="cake" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-pa7663n3S44/Th-dbTeKD7I/AAAAAAAAEhQ/tIAj6W7v7-s/cake_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="635" height="827" /></a></p> <p>I am always so impressed by the generosity of our friends and family toward my kids.   She honestly loved EVERYTHING!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-DTXMLUvGtzA/Th-dhLGILII/AAAAAAAAEhU/MTZhQLcxjgw/s1600-h/DSC_0136%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_0136" border="0" alt="DSC_0136" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-3RFYpouS48Q/Th-dkEfuCoI/AAAAAAAAEhY/wis0Crjm4XM/DSC_0136_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /></a></p> <p>Our big surprise gift was this … </p> <p>Shout out to Nana and Augie whose gift of the 2nd (overpriced) ticket allows ME to go too and not just drop the 4 year old off at the Erwin Center and say ‘HAVE FUN!’</p> <p> (I may or may not be JUST as excited as she is.) </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Q_vBzEP9U9Y/Th-eKSMNDwI/AAAAAAAAEh0/an-J3rDlI_Y/s1600-h/edit2%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="edit2" border="0" alt="edit2" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-73X1HwqKx0g/Th-eL3puCII/AAAAAAAAEh4/-pDARU6vwXk/edit2_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="269" /></a></p> <p>This was an EXTRA special birthday because the Minnesotans descended into our territory and braved the desertous heat all for little B-Bug. This was her first time to have her friends, 4 grandparents, 2 aunts, 2 uncles and all 6 cousins at her party! I hardly even saw Eli during the party thanks to these 3. Beankins LOVES his boy cousins… even though they covered his face with microphone jewels that I had to photoshop out of every picture!</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-5N2-OrpRYPg/Th-drrXoVZI/AAAAAAAAEhk/lUjLF4w_KLs/s1600-h/DSC_0102%25255B10%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_0102" border="0" alt="DSC_0102" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-l9JgKURcuwg/Th-dwbvHUsI/AAAAAAAAEho/s3qXtfAcFo0/DSC_0102_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="603" height="919" /></a></p> <p>I can’t believe our little bug is 4 years old.  She’s my favorite little girl in the entire world.</p> <p>…On to planning next year’s party!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-fEsMXq88wWI/Th-d0zAsxoI/AAAAAAAAEhs/JAS6ad6jzLw/s1600-h/DSC_0020-2%25255B7%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_0020-2" border="0" alt="DSC_0020-2" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-8vdplasyZO8/Th-d3FRtPeI/AAAAAAAAEhw/GX2ufvMdU0c/DSC_0020-2_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="630" height="425" /></a></p> Shauna Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11070009805045557724noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358965.post-72904739896793625522011-06-24T14:55:00.001-05:002012-01-29T20:23:29.080-06:005 years…<p>with Olson and I love him more now than ever.</p> <p>I learned that the theme for the 5 year anniversary gift is supposed to be wood…  and you know how I LOVE A THEME.</p> <p>So, I took control of planning our anniversary celebration in all wood related things…  and as I am not currently paid for my job… I did it cheaply.</p> <p>We celebrated things in our past that all had something to do with the ‘wood’ theme… here is the scrapbook page I made for the event:</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-kouZsjOa9NA/TgTrhMU2XBI/AAAAAAAAEfQ/xFVmOAM45lk/s1600-h/5yranniversary.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="5yranniversary" border="0" alt="5yranniversary" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-tI1t9w2wmF4/TgTriT8NbaI/AAAAAAAAEfU/RBGb_Qp8ueA/5yranniversary_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="782" height="800" /></a></p> <p>1.I took him to  Rudy’s… to the exact wooden table on which he sat across from me and charmed me with his witty remarks… (and decided I was cute, but much too young.) **shout out due here to David James, who made the last 5 years possible by being so great that both Jeff and I wanted to sit by him at Rudy’s after church one Sunday, and consequently sat across from each other.</p> <p>2.I look him to the driving range… where we used to go for fun when dating and looking for something to do. (** this is where I sustained a shoulder injury on my first ever golf swing and have not been able to swing again.  Jeff refuses to believe this… but yes…  I am THAT un-athletic.</p> <p>3.We tried to camp out… but it is like we live in the Sahara desert…  and with Me, Him, and B-Bug in a 2 man tent.  We didn’t make it long.  I think we could maybe call it 10 minutes, before we were inside watching a movie in the AC with Nana and Augie.  Blame it on our anniversary being in June…. if you must.</p> <p>4.I gave him a magnesium stick and tinder dust to start a fire from scratch for all the hours we’ve spent together watching OTHER men make fires.  Jeff LOVES him some survival shows.</p> <p>5.We played Jenga… because yes…. we own Jenga.  We played it at night when newly married and bored for approximately 4 months.  Then I was pregnant and asleep by 7 and then we had a baby and remember with fondness the lost feeling of boredom.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-342uz5UYb9w/TgTrjcxl9vI/AAAAAAAAEfY/wY6tGCTcKfI/s1600-h/DSC_0045-1%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0045-1" border="0" alt="DSC_0045-1" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Wu9DzTDyZzQ/TgTrkN9sQII/AAAAAAAAEfc/nJh9k7U8FMU/DSC_0045-1_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="370" height="453" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Pkqpt3whBX4/TgTrlcRXVeI/AAAAAAAAEfg/GZcaY8kc0Js/s1600-h/DSC_0028-1%25255B14%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_0028-1" border="0" alt="DSC_0028-1" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-t_SEHeTC0QU/TgTrmOIn5wI/AAAAAAAAEfk/tw1HdqbBy8k/DSC_0028-1_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="371" height="452" /></a></p> <p>5 things I love about him after 5 years…</p> <p>1. He’s so, so funny.  It’s what caught me on our first meeting and everyday since.</p> <p>2. He’s a man’s man.  I am confident always that he can make, build, solve or fix anything.  Just last weekend he went out with a dollar store sand bucket and some too small gloves and fixed our non-draining septic tank about 10 minutes after we noticed it was broken.  I didn’t have to smell a thing!  He’s good man to have around.</p> <p>3. He grows more handsome with age… which is nice for me.  Poor him… motherhood, it seems,  is a one way ticket to Trolls-ville for me.</p> <p>4. He’s such a good provider for our family. He is such a generous giver, so smart and has such a strong work ethic (which is semi- uncommon for someone with sales hours).  I am so thankful because he is the reason I am able to stay home and give our family ALL of my attention each day.</p> <p>5. He makes cute babies.  Not singlehandedly, mind you.  But, it might be his super power nonetheless.</p> <p> </p> <p>I love him so. I love him so. I love him so. I love him so.  I love him so.</p> Shauna Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11070009805045557724noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358965.post-36353621274547140122011-06-20T19:29:00.001-05:002012-01-29T20:21:45.340-06:00Sequins…<p>are everywhere around here. </p> <p>Thanks to a gift from Nana</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-xCW9ZNAuP7w/Tf_l5KkflXI/AAAAAAAAEfA/xtbwlu0Raus/s1600-h/DSC_00095.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_0009" border="0" alt="DSC_0009" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-QIz0huYl6IE/Tf_l7cRYcEI/AAAAAAAAEfE/ApU_gwyyCsc/DSC_0009_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="516" height="624" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p>and Maow.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-_wmJcdb0LSg/Tf_l9UoD73I/AAAAAAAAEfI/Lji-I0o1hQ0/s1600-h/DSC_0024-1%25255B13%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_0024-1" border="0" alt="DSC_0024-1" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-gWOoJGWvCuw/Tf_l_7Pr9qI/AAAAAAAAEfM/CpYb3MCv_no/DSC_0024-1_thumb%25255B34%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="510" height="626" /></a></p> <p>This little diva has 2 sweet grandmothers that love her.</p> <p> </p> <p>Now if we can just keep them in good shape until the rock star birthday party.  2 weeks. We’ll see. </p> <p>The sequins… not the grandmothers.</p> Shauna Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11070009805045557724noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358965.post-56514629851502408582011-05-31T11:51:00.001-05:002012-01-29T20:22:46.990-06:00Oh, Beankins….<p>…Is probably the most said phrase in our home.  </p> <p>At 13 months, Eli is into everything.  His head and our living room are pretty much always in rough shape.  </p> <p>He loves to climb, to dump out, to grab, to eat, to run, to trip, to fall, to dance, to splash, to drink and to spin.</p> <p>He still doesn’t feel the need to say much…. (just like his dad)… including ‘Mama’ despite my constant coaching.  </p> <p>He’s been saying: Da-Da, woof (for dog), buh (for bird), and hot, hot, hot (while eating) and dat (for everything else)… but I think he’s on the verge of a verbal explosion.</p> <p>He LOVES music and has pretty good rhythm. I think a drum set is in his future.</p> <p>He is forever looking for his paci and blue blankie.  When he has them, he will lay his head down on anything or anyone. </p> <p>He gets more kisses and squeezes than he knows what to do with, between Lily and me all day.</p> <p>He is such a good sleeper. (THANK YOU JESUS)  Lily is still up every night… but he sleeps from 7 pm to 7:30 am without fail… never making a peep.</p> <p>He adores his dad.  Hard to believe that  he might wear size 12 shoes one day too.</p> <p>He is the sweetest little boy I’ve ever met.  Seriously.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-yPdeN1mzXZ0/TeUcqchXt4I/AAAAAAAAEe4/jAiCng84_Oc/s1600-h/DSC_0005-1%25255B8%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_0005-1" border="0" alt="DSC_0005-1" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-FPXA5BanX3M/TeUcrdP46QI/AAAAAAAAEe8/oca8p6r6lfk/DSC_0005-1_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="683" height="1059" /></a></p> Shauna Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11070009805045557724noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358965.post-38756468153861558792011-05-23T16:06:00.001-05:002012-01-29T20:38:00.742-06:00little ballerina…<p> Lily had her very first dance recital yesterday.    (Despite the fact that she is usually very much an Olson, I think she looks like Nana in this picture.)</p> <p> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9qfxf5vAzIU/TdrMDHRYoFI/AAAAAAAAEd4/BZGbUBLtyzE/s1600-h/DSC_0031.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_0031" border="0" alt="DSC_0031" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9qfxf5vAzIU/TdrMEMLc6kI/AAAAAAAAEd8/ZxXPMe3qhwc/DSC_0031_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="499" height="776" /></a></p> <p>She loved getting to wear make-up, she loved getting to wear a costume, she loved practicing her bow and curtsy… and loved seeing her best friends.</p> <p>She hated having her  to get her hair  pulled into a proper ballet bun, and hated how her dad and I couldn’t stop laughing when we took it out and she looked like Dog the Bounty Hunter. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9qfxf5vAzIU/TdrMFSJeKoI/AAAAAAAAEeA/QDJKxKmsJnE/s1600-h/DSC_00175.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_0017" border="0" alt="DSC_0017" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9qfxf5vAzIU/TdrMGv5pXhI/AAAAAAAAEeE/5JNMXN1xuV0/DSC_0017_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="654" height="444" /></a></p> <p>She fought a nervous tummy, went on stage, danced her little heart out ( despite being next to a girl who never ‘woke up’ at the beginning of the dance)  and  even recovered after getting a little distracted by the big audience.  </p> <p>She looked beautiful and so, so tiny up on the stage.  Since she usually seems so, so grown up… that was especially fun for me.  She was a baby again for 3.5 minutes.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9qfxf5vAzIU/TdrMHs6Wk2I/AAAAAAAAEeI/U4ynaYzqu3Y/s1600-h/DSC_0038.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_0038" border="0" alt="DSC_0038" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9qfxf5vAzIU/TdrMIq9VXZI/AAAAAAAAEeM/lf3ddtXefFI/DSC_0038_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="528" height="816" /></a>         </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9qfxf5vAzIU/TdrMKOr5DjI/AAAAAAAAEeQ/KhPlA7l1kos/s1600-h/DSC_0035%5B1%5D.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_0035" border="0" alt="DSC_0035" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9qfxf5vAzIU/TdrMMAuUQNI/AAAAAAAAEeU/PnBlZKKXVDk/DSC_0035_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="713" height="506" /></a>  </p> <p>The grand finale required them to bow holding hands and walk backwards.  Being 3 year olds, walking backwards holding hands was a little tricky.  There was a mishap.  The crowd reacted. Her poor little face showed her crushed spirit and sore bottom.  I wanted to rush the stage and hold her.  But she  pulled it together.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9qfxf5vAzIU/TdrMOPqsEUI/AAAAAAAAEeY/hokLIbYTr1A/s1600-h/DSC_0043.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_0043" border="0" alt="DSC_0043" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9qfxf5vAzIU/TdrMPeyv9TI/AAAAAAAAEec/UoXkYnw41eU/DSC_0043_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="704" height="483" /></a></p> <p>I ran backstage to get her, told her how wonderful she was and how beautifully she danced.  </p> <p>Her face said it all.  She promptly informed me that this performance was her LAST.</p> <p>Wish we’d taken pictures BEFORE the show.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9qfxf5vAzIU/TdrMQi22NMI/AAAAAAAAEeg/DXH6brWbJMY/s1600-h/DSC_0046%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0046" border="0" alt="DSC_0046" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9qfxf5vAzIU/TdrMRbLUc8I/AAAAAAAAEek/Zb7uhLLI-V0/DSC_0046_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="383" height="592" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9qfxf5vAzIU/TdrMTYVW8hI/AAAAAAAAEeo/rM6p5_KulBQ/s1600-h/DSC_0050.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_0050" border="0" alt="DSC_0050" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9qfxf5vAzIU/TdrMUUgBg6I/AAAAAAAAEes/91ILoUeY8Pw/DSC_0050_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="429" height="296" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9qfxf5vAzIU/TdrMV4zWoWI/AAAAAAAAEew/6zJNHmLpLSo/s1600-h/DSC_0053%5B6%5D.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_0053" border="0" alt="DSC_0053" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9qfxf5vAzIU/TdrMXPhDJdI/AAAAAAAAEe0/4-wnwAK7jxQ/DSC_0053_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="423" height="292" /></a></p> <p>Therefore, since there will be no others…. </p> <p> watch below the spectacular but brief dancing career of Lily Olson</p> <p>… in its entirety.</p> <iframe height="300" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/24097802?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0" frameborder="0" width="400"></iframe> <p><a href="http://vimeo.com/24097802">Lily Dance Recital</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user1348816">Jeff Olson</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p> Shauna Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11070009805045557724noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358965.post-59269802803954148842011-04-20T12:30:00.001-05:002012-01-29T20:15:30.591-06:00The Pigeon birthday party…<p>was a hit… although the birthday boys didn’t even make it through the whole thing.  Both zonked out in their cribs at Nana’s even before present opening time.</p> <p>Here are some highlights:</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9qfxf5vAzIU/Ta8V6CPB4PI/AAAAAAAAEYI/D5HgfMeaiLs/s1600-h/DSC_0058-11%5B1%5D.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_0058-1" border="0" alt="DSC_0058-1" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9qfxf5vAzIU/Ta8V63sahuI/AAAAAAAAEYM/v0pEtAILDnA/DSC_0058-1_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="319" height="480" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9qfxf5vAzIU/Ta8V8GiwTSI/AAAAAAAAEYQ/htFEU4sVqyg/s1600-h/DSC_0059-1.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_0059-1" border="0" alt="DSC_0059-1" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9qfxf5vAzIU/Ta8V9AZjO3I/AAAAAAAAEYU/S4ttQldnfLk/DSC_0059-1_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="709" height="475" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9qfxf5vAzIU/Ta8V-PouZdI/AAAAAAAAEYY/gOySsGHPFaU/s1600-h/DSC_0086.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_0086" border="0" alt="DSC_0086" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9qfxf5vAzIU/Ta8V_AwacnI/AAAAAAAAEYc/qrEHrqLUHGA/DSC_0086_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="507" height="774" /></a>         <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9qfxf5vAzIU/Ta8V_0vQ9fI/AAAAAAAAEYg/M3xmlUgoAbw/s1600-h/DSC_0039%5B1%5D.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_0039" border="0" alt="DSC_0039" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9qfxf5vAzIU/Ta8WBCteedI/AAAAAAAAEYk/-44hx5DS9sU/DSC_0039_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="511" height="780" /></a></p> <p>Of course, the green bus was there.  My kids didn’t even play in it after this photo was taken.  Old hat, I guess.  Oh well,  Ethan made it all worthwhile.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9qfxf5vAzIU/Ta8WCiIs3rI/AAAAAAAAEYo/KVLuWrY2u4E/s1600-h/DSC_0044%5B1%5D.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_0044" border="0" alt="DSC_0044" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9qfxf5vAzIU/Ta8WEas96DI/AAAAAAAAEYs/qwDZaqlhHa8/DSC_0044_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="855" height="577" /></a></p> <p>Maow, the Queen of Scrapbooking, made the cutest accordion file keepsake books for both boys.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9qfxf5vAzIU/Ta8WFoyvwKI/AAAAAAAAEYw/NRGqLRWh8uw/s1600-h/DSC_0050.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_0050" border="0" alt="DSC_0050" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9qfxf5vAzIU/Ta8WG56lkzI/AAAAAAAAEY0/xSxVOqjuyB0/DSC_0050_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="890" height="610" /></a></p> <p>I  think my pigeon balloons were my favorite part.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9qfxf5vAzIU/Ta8WH_I8wJI/AAAAAAAAEY4/sWkvOfv3r58/s1600-h/DSC_00361%5B1%5D.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_0036" border="0" alt="DSC_0036" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9qfxf5vAzIU/Ta8WIbpppGI/AAAAAAAAEY8/nlqiPeLVQpw/DSC_0036_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="319" height="480" /></a>     <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9qfxf5vAzIU/Ta8WJkY85LI/AAAAAAAAEZA/kr1nCmRJUME/s1600-h/DSC_00691%5B1%5D.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_0069" border="0" alt="DSC_0069" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9qfxf5vAzIU/Ta8WKJ1WElI/AAAAAAAAEZE/8AWdlYkPO5w/DSC_0069_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="319" height="480" /></a>  <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9qfxf5vAzIU/Ta8WLH_wegI/AAAAAAAAEZI/3nHkj3a45Oo/s1600-h/DSC_0055%5B4%5D.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_0055" border="0" alt="DSC_0055" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9qfxf5vAzIU/Ta8WL2QPmuI/AAAAAAAAEZM/N-Wr_tihQ4k/DSC_0055_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="311" height="477" /></a></p> <p>Lily and I made recycled centerpieces, coloring page placemats and party BEAKS for everyone to wear.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9qfxf5vAzIU/Ta8WNN9BLiI/AAAAAAAAEZQ/v1cbW5dAYkI/s1600-h/DSC_0052-1.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_0052-1" border="0" alt="DSC_0052-1" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9qfxf5vAzIU/Ta8WOEXhUNI/AAAAAAAAEZU/4tvBOfhYXMk/DSC_0052-1_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="809" height="542" /></a></p> <p>I wonder how long these two cuties will let us get away with the ol’ joint birthday trick.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9qfxf5vAzIU/Ta8WPvM1a8I/AAAAAAAAEZY/oVJGxW1bcnM/s1600-h/DSC_0084.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_0084" border="0" alt="DSC_0084" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9qfxf5vAzIU/Ta8WQmXs_hI/AAAAAAAAEZc/ZXYdrp0l5qM/DSC_0084_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="802" height="538" /></a></p> <p>Of course, we had The Pigeon’s favorite food…  hot dogs.</p> <p>…  and some beak kisses.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9qfxf5vAzIU/Ta8WSGz5-mI/AAAAAAAAEZg/rfsINKYXm5w/s1600-h/DSC_0091.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_0091" border="0" alt="DSC_0091" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9qfxf5vAzIU/Ta8WTfEnGGI/AAAAAAAAEZk/NgXR-pBwgb0/DSC_0091_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="828" height="555" /></a></p> <p>Big Pigeon, as he was named,  found a loving home with Lukie B. (much to the obvious delight of his parents).</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9qfxf5vAzIU/Ta8WUOe8yTI/AAAAAAAAEZo/-BXRG-qi83Q/s1600-h/DSC_0062-1%5B5%5D.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_0062-1" border="0" alt="DSC_0062-1" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9qfxf5vAzIU/Ta8WUu5lCOI/AAAAAAAAEZs/RCkQ6QeEy4M/DSC_0062-1_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="285" height="437" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9qfxf5vAzIU/Ta8WVTfrR7I/AAAAAAAAEZw/MhWkoUhuiFw/s1600-h/DSC_0110%5B5%5D.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_0110" border="0" alt="DSC_0110" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9qfxf5vAzIU/Ta8WWIaRhyI/AAAAAAAAEZ0/dKFDZBM0dvc/DSC_0110_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="349" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9qfxf5vAzIU/Ta8WW46cAQI/AAAAAAAAEZ4/qJeYHnczzKE/s1600-h/DSC_0117.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_0117" border="0" alt="DSC_0117" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9qfxf5vAzIU/Ta8WXEt1t3I/AAAAAAAAEZ8/qikOIaraHPo/DSC_0117_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="266" height="413" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9qfxf5vAzIU/Ta8WX4PDARI/AAAAAAAAEaA/hoz1MvjJbCA/s1600-h/DSC_0137%5B5%5D.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_0137" border="0" alt="DSC_0137" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9qfxf5vAzIU/Ta8WYj9MrhI/AAAAAAAAEaE/MZhdFJSlzxY/DSC_0137_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="260" height="409" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9qfxf5vAzIU/Ta8WZXJpvNI/AAAAAAAAEaI/Cx2gRt3p3vI/s1600-h/DSC_0115%5B5%5D.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_0115" border="0" alt="DSC_0115" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9qfxf5vAzIU/Ta8WZz5O3qI/AAAAAAAAEaM/QCARft9CtfI/DSC_0115_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="265" height="407" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9qfxf5vAzIU/Ta8WbHBvW-I/AAAAAAAAEaQ/nUYFQqanxNM/s1600-h/DSC_0112%5B6%5D.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_0112" border="0" alt="DSC_0112" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9qfxf5vAzIU/Ta8WcTy0JVI/AAAAAAAAEaU/Dz7heUmRJiY/DSC_0112_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="826" height="565" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9qfxf5vAzIU/Ta8Wdq5ia_I/AAAAAAAAEaY/b7cia7cXLrw/s1600-h/DSC_01211%5B1%5D.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_0121" border="0" alt="DSC_0121" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9qfxf5vAzIU/Ta8WeO8_zrI/AAAAAAAAEac/i3NXeTN3_Ts/DSC_0121_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="414" height="281" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9qfxf5vAzIU/Ta8WfUjb70I/AAAAAAAAEag/jbVkGqq5vOs/s1600-h/DSC_01301%5B1%5D.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_0130" border="0" alt="DSC_0130" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9qfxf5vAzIU/Ta8Wfzvz6rI/AAAAAAAAEak/-ulC62db2Lk/DSC_0130_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="415" height="282" /></a></p> <p>Of course, Beankins had to show off his trademarked move.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9qfxf5vAzIU/Ta8WhPwBC5I/AAAAAAAAEao/V522jNSkoXQ/s1600-h/DSC_0157.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_0157" border="0" alt="DSC_0157" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9qfxf5vAzIU/Ta8XeYj74EI/AAAAAAAAEas/uNmOLzZPgts/DSC_0157_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="830" height="569" /></a></p> <p>I may or may not have been the only adult wearing a beak.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9qfxf5vAzIU/Ta8XfW4yLEI/AAAAAAAAEaw/mMU139BHzuw/s1600-h/DSC_01666.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_0166" border="0" alt="DSC_0166" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9qfxf5vAzIU/Ta8Xf-YGzuI/AAAAAAAAEa0/AiWNnW8c_G0/DSC_0166_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="319" height="480" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9qfxf5vAzIU/Ta8XheCnvRI/AAAAAAAAEa4/yrmNtvMhmUw/s1600-h/DSC_0169.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_0169" border="0" alt="DSC_0169" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9qfxf5vAzIU/Ta8XiDgAy_I/AAAAAAAAEa8/qnatIPOx56M/DSC_0169_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="708" height="475" /></a></p> <p>A pigeon egg hunt and an impromptu game of ‘duck, duck pigeon’ kept the older kids entertained.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9qfxf5vAzIU/Ta8XjADZCZI/AAAAAAAAEbA/G82P873T3bY/s1600-h/DSC_0178%5B1%5D.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_0178" border="0" alt="DSC_0178" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9qfxf5vAzIU/Ta8Xj2J1rdI/AAAAAAAAEbE/JBI5zNBbOZE/DSC_0178_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="333" height="521" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9qfxf5vAzIU/Ta8Xk4LgO_I/AAAAAAAAEbI/wl8D1zIov7g/s1600-h/DSC_0183%5B6%5D.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_0183" border="0" alt="DSC_0183" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9qfxf5vAzIU/Ta8Xl5cFmWI/AAAAAAAAEbM/ZB2TtUpk634/DSC_0183_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="327" height="518" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9qfxf5vAzIU/Ta8Xmnt_c1I/AAAAAAAAEbQ/ECbwbGqQ7J4/s1600-h/DSC_0185%5B1%5D.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_0185" border="0" alt="DSC_0185" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9qfxf5vAzIU/Ta8XncFDiEI/AAAAAAAAEbU/UatexefUFD8/DSC_0185_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="325" height="510" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9qfxf5vAzIU/Ta8XpwcpBCI/AAAAAAAAEbY/AnLIdterY9w/s1600-h/DSC_00735.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_0073" border="0" alt="DSC_0073" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9qfxf5vAzIU/Ta8XrNqnHVI/AAAAAAAAEbc/wZszB_c485k/DSC_0073_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="531" height="361" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9qfxf5vAzIU/Ta8Xs02bzNI/AAAAAAAAEbg/7NTwtTjbH3A/s1600-h/DSC_0076%5B5%5D.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_0076" border="0" alt="DSC_0076" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9qfxf5vAzIU/Ta8Xt5wBq5I/AAAAAAAAEbk/LcB3mZW_IFQ/DSC_0076_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="514" height="349" /></a></p> <p>Eli was, and continues to be, terrified of our bounce house.  So much for hours of backyard fun this summer.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9qfxf5vAzIU/Ta8XwnGTApI/AAAAAAAAEbo/8_I537dIU6I/s1600-h/DSC_0186.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_0186" border="0" alt="DSC_0186" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9qfxf5vAzIU/Ta8XzaMn56I/AAAAAAAAEbw/2GR-p7dcgL4/DSC_0186_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="964" height="651" /></a></p> <p>Check <a href="http://markandsuz.blogspot.com">Suzanne’s blog</a> for more photos  of the other bday boy  and more that ‘my photographer’ might have missed.</p> <p> </p> <p>I used photoshop to make this invitation:</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9qfxf5vAzIU/Ta8X0ZbgacI/AAAAAAAAEb0/APoEXZ4RpDM/s1600-h/pigeoninvitefront%5B4%5D.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="pigeoninvitefront" border="0" alt="pigeoninvitefront" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9qfxf5vAzIU/Ta8X1P8bW8I/AAAAAAAAEb4/ris4LsZiP4w/pigeoninvitefront_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="416" height="423" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9qfxf5vAzIU/Ta8X2A3yfsI/AAAAAAAAEb8/690Qlqa1D_0/s1600-h/pigeoninviteback%5B8%5D.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="pigeoninviteback" border="0" alt="pigeoninviteback" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9qfxf5vAzIU/Ta8X2wku6gI/AAAAAAAAEcA/i7p5qzpy6QA/pigeoninviteback_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="414" height="421" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p>and create  this little keepsake book  to match for the boys…. and use as a guestbook at the party.  Of course, it arrived one day  AFTER the party.  Neat.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9qfxf5vAzIU/Ta8X35d8K2I/AAAAAAAAEcE/rKBmMS3lZoY/s1600-h/p3.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 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="p" border="0" alt="p" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9qfxf5vAzIU/Ta8X4ZNcOzI/AAAAAAAAEcI/woM2rLxVNYY/p_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="175" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9qfxf5vAzIU/Ta8X5DNW2_I/AAAAAAAAEcM/hCWWHwxBPwo/s1600-h/p13.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 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="p1" border="0" alt="p1" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9qfxf5vAzIU/Ta8X5i-1LgI/AAAAAAAAEcQ/FAaRaBbYbW8/p1_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="175" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9qfxf5vAzIU/Ta8X6hrHz-I/AAAAAAAAEcU/KXAcAbVC_ZY/s1600-h/p23.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 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="p2" border="0" alt="p2" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9qfxf5vAzIU/Ta8X690a-WI/AAAAAAAAEcY/TEDeT0THFEA/p2_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="175" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9qfxf5vAzIU/Ta8X8JjWVUI/AAAAAAAAEcc/Q4_kuc0A1i8/s1600-h/p33.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 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="p3" border="0" alt="p3" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9qfxf5vAzIU/Ta8X8TXsjgI/AAAAAAAAEcg/YlY_T1pXImY/p3_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="175" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9qfxf5vAzIU/Ta8X9NTd4MI/AAAAAAAAEck/oWuplZt9TEw/s1600-h/p43.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 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="p4" border="0" alt="p4" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9qfxf5vAzIU/Ta8X9gWaLfI/AAAAAAAAEco/3UEJVJG_yGA/p4_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="175" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9qfxf5vAzIU/Ta8X-xlaN9I/AAAAAAAAEcs/V7jYCIkYhLk/s1600-h/p53.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; 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padding-top: 0px" title="p7" border="0" alt="p7" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9qfxf5vAzIU/Ta8YCQVYd9I/AAAAAAAAEdA/2NE40mOGWIc/p7_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="175" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9qfxf5vAzIU/Ta8YDYE1d4I/AAAAAAAAEdE/ksOosOiRpvs/s1600-h/p83.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 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="p8" border="0" alt="p8" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9qfxf5vAzIU/Ta8YD3C_kMI/AAAAAAAAEdI/uA9nuLraY28/p8_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="175" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9qfxf5vAzIU/Ta8YEgMImWI/AAAAAAAAEdM/vyR9eWXbyPU/s1600-h/p93.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 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="p9" border="0" alt="p9" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9qfxf5vAzIU/Ta8YE_fMDWI/AAAAAAAAEdQ/5OEekQN5p2c/p9_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="175" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9qfxf5vAzIU/Ta8YFltgXWI/AAAAAAAAEdU/REuBgHKrRgA/s1600-h/p103.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 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="p10" border="0" alt="p10" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9qfxf5vAzIU/Ta8YF3B738I/AAAAAAAAEdY/pG-TFCI2KmM/p10_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="175" /></a></p> Shauna Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11070009805045557724noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358965.post-19833334563640373752011-04-13T10:38:00.003-05:002012-03-09T15:59:00.412-06:00Easter Countdown <br />
I’ve said before… how its really a big deal to me to keep Easter ALL about Jesus. <br />
I’ve seen this idea around blogland for a couple of years where you have an Easter countdown with a little toy or candy inside the egg. So I decided to make some changes to get Lily excited about Resurrection Day.<br />
… and thought I’d share in case you too love countdowns like I do and your kids love to have planned story and activity time as much as mine does…<br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9qfxf5vAzIU/TaXDYlqjpsI/AAAAAAAAEXY/UxT-tiP0NvE/s1600-h/DSC_0005-2%5B13%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC_0005-2" border="0" height="425" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9qfxf5vAzIU/TaXDZSjCWuI/AAAAAAAAEXc/pOsFPYx74xM/DSC_0005-2_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSC_0005-2" width="626" /></a><br />
Each day she’ll get to open an egg and find a paper with a special clue. It will tell us which story about Jesus we will read. After we read about the miraculous, wonderful things that our Savior did, I’ll have either a game, activity, craft or little gift. On the right days, we will talk about palm Sunday, the cross and how and why he died and on the last day we will CELEBRATE that he rose again… just like he said he would. <br />
After we read that story… then she’ll get her awesome basket of treats… because we are celebrating JESUS and the amazing gift of salvation that God gave us through him.<br />
I pray that I can plant seeds now that will foster a genuine love for Him at this early age and will only make them more zealous when they can truly understand it all.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: small;">Here is the updated post with an idea for all 12 days written out:</span></b><br />
<a href="http://www.shauna-lynn.blogspot.com/2012/03/seeing-as-easter-is-just-around-corner.html">http://www.shauna-lynn.blogspot.com/2012/03/seeing-as-easter-is-just-around-corner.html</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9qfxf5vAzIU/TaXDaRSMBiI/AAAAAAAAEXg/pK0gliJFKFw/s1600-h/DSC_0002-2%5B6%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC_0002-2" border="0" height="756" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9qfxf5vAzIU/TaXDbQmDMKI/AAAAAAAAEXk/jyziaTB9FZc/DSC_0002-2_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSC_0002-2" width="488" /></a><br />
Day 12 was the story of Mary pouring perfume on the feet of Jesus. I figured this would make an impact because she KNOWS how I feel about the perfume that Jeff got me from Anthropologie for Vday. I vocalize frequently how much I LOVE it and flip out if she comes near it… and she is obsessed. I gave her her very own travel size perfume after we read the story and talked about how Mary showed Jesus that she loved him …. and how we can show God that we love him everyday. <br />
The bottle is about half gone already… Eli and I both reek.<br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9qfxf5vAzIU/TaXDcbd-ZvI/AAAAAAAAEXo/dg9qjz5Dx2U/s1600-h/DSC_0006-1%5B10%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC_0006-1" border="0" height="413" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9qfxf5vAzIU/TaXDdOROBYI/AAAAAAAAEXs/xUNvGXYj_hw/DSC_0006-1_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSC_0006-1" width="601" /></a><br />
Tomorrow we’re reading the story in Luke 8 when Jesus calms the storm and we’re going to make storm bottles. In true procrastinator form… I have the bible story for each … but will probably wait ‘til minutes before to come up with something to do. I like the challenge of coming up with stuff with limited supplies and time… especially when I child is waiting expectantly. it’s a rush! ha.<br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9qfxf5vAzIU/TaXDdyiPeoI/AAAAAAAAEXw/krZgGafBOu8/s1600-h/DSC_0008-3%5B16%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC_0008-3" border="0" height="822" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9qfxf5vAzIU/TaXDewq1eiI/AAAAAAAAEX0/xd3REJb4AsU/DSC_0008-3_thumb%5B7%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSC_0008-3" width="522" /></a>Shauna Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11070009805045557724noreply@blogger.com6