tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5279573577136934242024-02-19T18:42:22.362-05:00ThreeShiningStarsNatureMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03941764964611602733noreply@blogger.comBlogger69125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-527957357713693424.post-45473020493216273612010-05-12T22:28:00.000-04:002010-05-12T22:28:36.944-04:00New Blog!Okay, so I have finally come up with a new blog title and site, since I am way out of date on the number of shining stars that I now have! Here is a link to my new site, <a href="http://naturemamanarratives.blogspot.com/">NatureMama Narratives</a>. I'll be posting there from now on, and it should be where I stay, because I have not limited myself in my title in any way. Drop by, follow me there, and leave a comment now and then if you like what you read and see!NatureMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03941764964611602733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-527957357713693424.post-20778883771280218062010-05-12T10:00:00.001-04:002010-05-12T10:00:06.021-04:00Broughton Hike FourLast but not least, I'll share Max's adventures from our recent hike. After hanging out with me and Laini while the disc golf got rolling, <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">he was anxious for a turn with the grasshopper that Bella had caught. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikcyp4ulreHBis9URa6COSauyASqJ1gjXXvPSWPhlAWT4bHHjVUizllsFP_wLrlOkzKuOm6CICnrscLh89M-2b7RNYH4-IZ_97dOUwk5onhc2dcYItKu9_BaDiImXe94dRl52GI0niFLKM/s1600/IMG_1226.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikcyp4ulreHBis9URa6COSauyASqJ1gjXXvPSWPhlAWT4bHHjVUizllsFP_wLrlOkzKuOm6CICnrscLh89M-2b7RNYH4-IZ_97dOUwk5onhc2dcYItKu9_BaDiImXe94dRl52GI0niFLKM/s320/IMG_1226.JPG" tt="true" /></a></div><div class="" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">She passed it on gladly, and he giggled as it tickled his hand.</div><div class="" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw6bHRNRaini6-AYpMHsq-tWuEx4KKSrAjt308LvKpAihFBnr6V7rGmcYQLwk9XBVkcOOejvIjpY_a7JGJ5RMzvQL2KsLXkidnD9XyxT1G05LP6qujzvHab4bcqbxfsidAhjr0uMZWi6e5/s1600/IMG_1228.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw6bHRNRaini6-AYpMHsq-tWuEx4KKSrAjt308LvKpAihFBnr6V7rGmcYQLwk9XBVkcOOejvIjpY_a7JGJ5RMzvQL2KsLXkidnD9XyxT1G05LP6qujzvHab4bcqbxfsidAhjr0uMZWi6e5/s320/IMG_1228.JPG" tt="true" /></a></div><div class="" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">He spent some time pointing out these fun mushrooms that we found. They were all over the place, and I'm still trying to find my field guide to ID them, as I can't find a website that's extensive enough to help out. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPj-aOtJj8ML0iTlI064UdtI1aiJOPemGMECJIPZ0P6mOdWbSe3qs2rovpDFOl5Hym_Qfbvs8UQHRpw7DgTy_sghDnSTHg9Hz-EGvV9NZFLY_qPhf7H8rYtbyLjO2yFLZEvc0ouQ_NnF6E/s1600/IMG_1247.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPj-aOtJj8ML0iTlI064UdtI1aiJOPemGMECJIPZ0P6mOdWbSe3qs2rovpDFOl5Hym_Qfbvs8UQHRpw7DgTy_sghDnSTHg9Hz-EGvV9NZFLY_qPhf7H8rYtbyLjO2yFLZEvc0ouQ_NnF6E/s320/IMG_1247.JPG" tt="true" /></a></div><div class="" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">But the most fun was had in the creek. While the rest of us were salamander searching, he was having a blast tromping, sitting and splashing in the water. </div><div class="" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">The it was on to filling up his Frisbee with water.</div><div class="" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">And after that, BeeBee got to join in the fun. </div><div class="" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPwG0zVEsnQj2S8ZPVhHYdke4f6MZovTp4kEiTpUmDlK-Jiu_lh1Q3Yfj81UcC2sWnhzE2_7B2xp-94gF4P7K42mmEG_gVhZmY-BP0YAVIO1DlQoBii3bsAMT6QwVukLgx6wmqGAgoxpoX/s1600/IMG_1320.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPwG0zVEsnQj2S8ZPVhHYdke4f6MZovTp4kEiTpUmDlK-Jiu_lh1Q3Yfj81UcC2sWnhzE2_7B2xp-94gF4P7K42mmEG_gVhZmY-BP0YAVIO1DlQoBii3bsAMT6QwVukLgx6wmqGAgoxpoX/s320/IMG_1320.JPG" tt="true" /></a></div><div class="" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Mama: "Max, are you dunking your BeeBee?!"</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Max: "Yeah! Fine BeeBee wet, Mama!"</div><div class="" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg77jsdYNZ67_Xhl21Gj6ulgLQJ3VofPS52rYf832x2fodchEBiObtR-jfSZ3jac1iQ4r5ancoiEOjrAIU3lFDSrSztr3qM_NPbBJ1Al6eRFSlAeAUM5JYwI-JPfMy2eK5DQHe1glZc5KA6/s1600/IMG_1321.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg77jsdYNZ67_Xhl21Gj6ulgLQJ3VofPS52rYf832x2fodchEBiObtR-jfSZ3jac1iQ4r5ancoiEOjrAIU3lFDSrSztr3qM_NPbBJ1Al6eRFSlAeAUM5JYwI-JPfMy2eK5DQHe1glZc5KA6/s320/IMG_1321.JPG" tt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">There is never a dull moment with Maxwell around. </div>NatureMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03941764964611602733noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-527957357713693424.post-14471017264094545182010-05-11T23:03:00.001-04:002010-05-11T23:03:47.563-04:00Broughton Hike ThreeWhile Laini was chillin' and Bella was exploring, Kaney was leading the way. He likes to be the leader all the time, and I struggle to keep him from being the rude, pushing-in-front-of-everyone-else kind of kid. But as soon as he gets the chance, he leads the way. He was the first down the paths with his Frisbee for disc golf.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOxAbAVjY5UR4LRG9SYqBTaORh9Qc8eCiFHAPDc2Rhm-xFPWVIzjxKKLasiVmnzFBR3aJOlr3Apk1qM9JbHQrZ4qpGsKbJbUQhONndLXkIHDxVcuGVjfywlM7Stefky1ePppa5X09FgGHs/s1600/IMG_1242.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOxAbAVjY5UR4LRG9SYqBTaORh9Qc8eCiFHAPDc2Rhm-xFPWVIzjxKKLasiVmnzFBR3aJOlr3Apk1qM9JbHQrZ4qpGsKbJbUQhONndLXkIHDxVcuGVjfywlM7Stefky1ePppa5X09FgGHs/s320/IMG_1242.JPG" tt="true" /></a></div>After Bella led the way into the pine grove, he quickly made his way to the front of the line to lead everyone to the creek. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPOR_o-QrFsv9AhuZMOKpJsJLDPVPkwyG1adDw2AkKM4sfhfOsuzvkoju2ZIuyKXWeuUysHJ8OPPkKFvsykSkyLtaSuxEX-o8uknrwIR_FWoZoQ7zI1YFAnrzQcU0lbe5I7aqPnWa968nt/s1600/IMG_1269.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPOR_o-QrFsv9AhuZMOKpJsJLDPVPkwyG1adDw2AkKM4sfhfOsuzvkoju2ZIuyKXWeuUysHJ8OPPkKFvsykSkyLtaSuxEX-o8uknrwIR_FWoZoQ7zI1YFAnrzQcU0lbe5I7aqPnWa968nt/s320/IMG_1269.JPG" tt="true" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">And he lead the way flipping rocks for salamanders. But along with being a leader, he is a big helper, and volunteered to road-block the salamander for a picture.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQQLkWnzMYCebW7yVuuA9KFvBE4-cAaPgF5ISaJuKHAYMTV4ZBM_Um5LArd4icoqpDPUqvd8x58JmiNRIht0wfd63_smOu0jtf2A0g6TZ0RJbTeCQxjCPh2weRQ6Y_uMQADJP_ScktomOL/s1600/IMG_1278.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQQLkWnzMYCebW7yVuuA9KFvBE4-cAaPgF5ISaJuKHAYMTV4ZBM_Um5LArd4icoqpDPUqvd8x58JmiNRIht0wfd63_smOu0jtf2A0g6TZ0RJbTeCQxjCPh2weRQ6Y_uMQADJP_ScktomOL/s320/IMG_1278.JPG" tt="true" /></a></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">That's my boy. And we got a good shot of our salamander with his help. This one was a Norther Two-Lined Salamander, one of the most common that we have in this area. We also had a bunch of tiny mud puppies, but they were way too fast to photograph even with Kane's help.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy1ABzPlXtLXaVrevkYGslmc8D2TTblI3MYKplH2vM4CaNz7qrtjZdpRy5KfP945CeroysH5LRbxwvZBA882wkq-J5UeuKDhi-r6fLHsHM7C3LJyW1PLLW7C8q4fm9IFeL14y6r4w5jhpM/s1600/IMG_1276.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy1ABzPlXtLXaVrevkYGslmc8D2TTblI3MYKplH2vM4CaNz7qrtjZdpRy5KfP945CeroysH5LRbxwvZBA882wkq-J5UeuKDhi-r6fLHsHM7C3LJyW1PLLW7C8q4fm9IFeL14y6r4w5jhpM/s320/IMG_1276.JPG" tt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">He's my laid-back, quiet boy, but he knows how to have fun.</div>NatureMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03941764964611602733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-527957357713693424.post-10765265152964035472010-05-03T19:20:00.004-04:002010-05-03T22:03:55.775-04:00Broughton Hike Two<div><div><div><div><div>While Laini was nursing, napping, and enduring tons of smooches at Broughton Nature Preserve over the weekend, the rest of the kids were hiking away. While still in the field disc-golfing, Bella took her first try at catching a grasshopper and succeeded. </div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467190881434440130" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJSm1H2yNKo81shGC9_sXwc6ej_JziOkklgN3LpLvBsPXRFt7UyllgiteWPfYVQ-reYgHE5Ov2AZSJj4LHB9oxaTZHl8EAketPyWbYoBaIElrPyfwwC2IOsP9YmmCL7tVomQZQo8AYbavv/s400/IMG_1225.JPG" border="0" /> <div></div><div>True to her recent nature, she said, "Mama, I liked the way it felt to hold that grasshopper. I like the way he wiggled!" Really, until this summer, she was freaked by bugs, worms, spiders, which was totally opposite my love of the above and the way I was trying to raise her to love them, too. So I was surprised when she dove right in to capture him when I suggested it. She did, however, do the girly squeel and jerk back the first few attempts, but I'm so proud she went through with it. </div><div> </div><div>When we got to the wooded part of the course, Bella went off-trail for a bit, through the luscious, yummy undergrowth, and posed for a couple of shots. </div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467190882219330386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcjyzwimsupXPvWQA39w6EoktyLzxRISWGlqcVqg5EPH-DqtCqKsxXJP3n3WQPcnjvYCxZEKpU-4zf1TEgFQynAN2_wwmReyrPq-NpF1s08Lko5jGRhCVdzHAUsm9M4urCJkjsynf8rimq/s400/IMG_1233.JPG" border="0" /> <div></div><div>B: Here Mama, take my picture! </div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467190896748267842" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq7o6ggwCBiqtkZ_tMfQyhCrm-wtAzdNBzl-XduNv_OH0d86hqQ1HS9AmHvEFvgjbXXq9hGBWMGJT8d5nx4cYgvf2ylf3LxCTUKHfN_eHOjZ78vsVKefTj3CNWt4Z-hZg-XfECq7AwicJB/s400/IMG_1240.JPG" border="0" /> <div></div><div>B: You better put that picture on your blog, lady!</div><div><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-size:85%;">See, dear daughter, I promised I would.</span><br /></span></div><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467190907008351666" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRqYMa-cZ8ZvLLiYYMkZuhn3944-Zl6jtP9YRENwjH7MmfUruI8ZevCUA4YwVtdKLdXxfA3rfLLSQVs4RDG5vVZIEeJpnSHyzi8zg4rkcYkNam7VkRre-3YeAxx9RJcjWxA4MMLAP7uygg/s400/IMG_1268.JPG" border="0" /><br />Bella lead our party into the small pine grove that we've been wanting to explore. But the mystery of the pine grove wore out quickly, as the creek is just below it and all were sweaty and dirty and ready for some stomping and rock-flipping. </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467222265136725362" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibO3qXADlKh0cGOI7kaLuGiFPZjQ_oMtwYWSA4xZAo3WDj5MvpArB0GGis9OMyQFTrmHKeSSZSSMvuwknGQeF-zDYNWJsBUxug-iqDQ0I55yMUg0EokI68FsgAIQ6dfTsj55qDZZcg-wgD/s400/IMG_1273.JPG" border="0" /></div><div>The rock-flipping brought an ample supply of slallymanders and even a little group of mudpuppies, which I so tried to photograph, but man are they fast.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467222276081257810" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs7MKbWp9ZQoElz1NJZqhfABSTw2x0RGhMJXUbcDJfvMtJjrMp2fMcXfjxTpantJK9U4JSDLyGAU9RLI0d90sWZDUwrfAWAUbxikJdOLD3qnA6ncXju2ekZrn06VjCq02mIR7H5_7BACTC/s400/IMG_1305.JPG" border="0" />Although the frigid water felt wonderful on my feet, I wasn't up for the wading into deep pools, but Bella lead the way happily. That's my girl.</div><div></div></div></div></div>NatureMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03941764964611602733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-527957357713693424.post-86260007096633373572010-05-01T23:03:00.007-04:002010-05-03T19:20:35.959-04:00Broughton HikeWith today being another beautiful mid-80s day, we went to Broughton Nature Preserve, our favorite summer-time haunt. Adam took the frisbees to do some disc golfing, and we spent hours hiking and playing. While he and the older two climbed to the first tee,<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466507185019068418" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu_TsaL22kgscotLjd-f86xnjEMbn5XxAAQ8VKDikkT1GrUiid888x9lhqIHmrFbkl7vt9YOBe-BMPlPE6FTV-DTrgAiRyPJ2zmIiYrAELAFCjo6Z-ppMC-SPKVfDuaApv-ee6guMm3laW/s400/IMG_1217.JPG" border="0" /> Laini and I hung out with Max for a bit while she nursed. <div><div><div><div><div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466507192223848002" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvaoivIMKvAPewbGD7LISrPo-aqRwfJ7HjFuEQNMjReDob9ihFQTBYvbPAcX5W6Jz9A27nRcCLD5_CfVzh3ZYePmjBtCVWIs3l9B9gu7yFv9xVTCCQbrZtj6uHOhyphenhyphenIY7m6eNYxSr1Y-mo8/s400/IMG_1218.JPG" border="0" />Not the best composition on this pic, but I had to share it, because of the look on Max's face. Right at this moment, he is saying, "WOW! MOON!!!" because the light reflecting in the lens opening looks like a moon.<br /><br /><br /><div>Helena did a little bit of napping...</div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466507204278680738" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnIJu1iOpw4icGq71h79uIA_igxIaj78AZMMv7jHxGiBvzO7bBZ_K3roTQA7Mxlxsnm9r7C1nTLUobCYS_iz4yzUBRNp-MkxwaLXxfLtxH4ShcZ3I4iv_9j6nAkaPPfCkZXFPdBI3o48e4/s400/IMG_1229.JPG" border="0" />...a little bit of putting up with Mama's relentless head-smooching (a direct result of being in a wrap all day)...<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466511348309324274" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0JM7OKrrXKgGTtsIaIWddiUYIa-r-nBYSIt3m0eOYH566btw_SWDBZq6tT5AOcjz5gc8MPcTtTvKgJ1qmSa10qub5VlL6p57IOZQUsECHr258uP68yz_UdZFNBxe_G_kVdho5AO-QJebr/s400/IMG_1241.JPG" border="0" /><br /></div><div></div><div>...some riding through murky, mucky water, thanks to big brother's ceaseless stomping in said water...<br /></div><div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466508960983583202" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4JBX5y-pq_jXCjVkreuYbslekaY09Qo2KhI6bLaY-9eYBf1mnh19TbHmLIeXHOnwtI9ce_jhjM6vdPYZPZwi_T4OxL6jrAWL6zNudbXPFo-hVAA3d3XATHBOZdCkPMbe_EiGX9XAgv2bf/s400/IMG_1306.JPG" border="0" /><br />...and loads of finger chewing. </div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466508949433685874" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhootoBecw9OU2uIIRp___IPDqPtzBAc7_y-HMjrR4PC6pJDYXTEUT491Lhz9eFSl2lcTTjgDSvAboMPXqGVWl6wsoJ-WZyl43ge9xiry1JtEg6f-baHYSMXfd0xCCbSxgC_2LATXiev_p4/s400/IMG_1266.JPG" border="0" /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Ah, that's the life. </div></div><div></div></div></div></div>NatureMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03941764964611602733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-527957357713693424.post-3861299195124392962010-04-24T09:00:00.000-04:002010-04-24T09:00:01.872-04:00Science lessonScience lesson for the day? Using leverage to remove a huge pipe from the ground presents the opportunity for more lessons on levers and fulcrums, which has been a fun topic over the last couple of months. Whether he has been making simple models to teach with a box and an old ironing board, breaking walking sticks in the woods between two trees, or pulling out pipes from the ground, Adam has been constantly showing the kids how useful the knowledge of levers is. This time it was a second-class lever, where the load (pipe) is between the fulcrum (board) and the effort (kids and Papa!). He is an awesome teacher, and I am so thankful that we have him as a solid participant in our homeschooling efforts.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463346615802506194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZqO-rNoUDhpBJduQKziFoyYoOtNF5AN64mJd2WclfHxZPPB2_lZDnT1yM2TvhBBl6eqYqNkBaOGiTzAFTcfLm7aMrNQz28WV6L7-Ef8KcPpcO_xAx1sS7tRwwPc5mRLaneB81rDGKLGtI/s400/IMG_0015.JPG" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463346626032422034" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaQriiT440lZc8N2T9QkVuqfgMe-n_FbCXDm6jqGbdsxivUUBw3U6a077mYSKv10nmUYEVmpJRB6xvutOl5CzA6g6qrtSWYLx9mpbYH5tApFaQJfF4LxVPBfWKEIrv-YctAF-l5aV5AHFl/s400/IMG_0020.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div></div>NatureMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03941764964611602733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-527957357713693424.post-34152658212104980802010-04-23T10:11:00.003-04:002010-04-23T10:30:34.394-04:00Summer BoyDinner on the deck on a blanket, multiple boo-boos from one day, grass-stained feet...<br /><div><div>Can you say "summer?"</div><br /><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463338232393612802" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqTSVCP1L3cEJ6-m1kVkVTXLWDHucsQLcxDBY4kSYVPn1sFFfP7OBGRcjOk8ovyvZngf4QusMEWYX3NmqJptiCpJi8OCTHfGWcR5qBRY6NkfcBnEVqCINhTONnJ7rmQLhZdPXs02tg5K01/s400/IMG_0997.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463338222706777618" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPMeVt4LBukfNScZ2rQobu2MNI_lMuizOFbKBEtgnx3UTQjPdiui_y_4O1ZA1KEv8o9SX5hoX2wnsjri-OR2_z1Mka0XysWhx0UYkJrLc5S-zH0YEXgKWbt4AnCA-bpbel-ZEGrDLQFt6I/s400/IMG_0996.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><div></div></div>NatureMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03941764964611602733noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-527957357713693424.post-8165945900929168072010-03-06T19:17:00.000-05:002010-03-08T15:26:26.019-05:00Helena's First Photo ShootThis past week, with Helena at 3 weeks old, I finally took the time to sit down with her while she was awake and snap a million pictures. It started off with her on my lap, making a ton of fun faces.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445753698158239490" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwKZGuhUyM6qOEpPlrF86Rb2xTyGsqfL4NqY0IJdQ_-fJCaVPZUHMemCiS4Rg33aCWdUmui-yBHdXeweGtC4nQcVUmE1Qbr6VZBcrzw70klEUwWQeqBJjd3AteXEjXeI1gx7D8Qf7tczbZ/s400/IMG_9401+SOFT.JPG" border="0" /><br />I just love this girl's expressions.<br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445753684054465154" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwf9GXQIJFNkZtjz-vYrrR_DTAHALvRNncsIu1tLwSViFrhYmSWa3zgqr-iEAYnfFIcUBcaUuQ8prp_Kw-72u4ckULOBNQBln-z9CPJdiD6hn-Du4SwY_lWvfgxvuDk6KevPKTnu2rtITL/s400/IMG_9388+BW.JPG" border="0" /><br />Already, the eyebrows lend so much feeling to the expression.<br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445753671237145650" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWDpgcwvxu1J77WqxmPlFv8U6KkbtgMWARNFplJwLsKxnCYxqReArB5DYLlkGbhvacp94A9zhv1g75CLDah9VpjT59f36uQbk56yn6xMwlOTCR4qUngmwzzffzoZjUY0JanG_GruQJW34n/s400/IMG_9385.JPG" border="0" /><br />Then big big big sister dropped in for a kiss.<br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445756657649177346" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOSHInVMYdRsGvcQL4KJESBT6du25zql3Hmj69dvBNKErTClOTAybGg_GYT73QwiCx2RXIMNE5LsMA2ldaIkuWwWQeTnAMiYReStiy6MWYElAvWOUhG11ORKiF3-ohp41QIS1aCp21t9CZ/s400/IMG_9406+SOFT.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br />Don't you just love that face??? Next it was big big brother, which was a little better.<br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445756670597963826" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbwoPgRSAtgUTwYcxuDXnC5X4Oa7QJsQGSMhrnWzmXTEiYRzCScbXlaLgvBNQnHi3qrE0u38hij1866KTwdm3qpZQDIrq14Ku8OyqaaJ5X85O_1JwDptoK51iNTGiO-Svbq0_h7ek8Y7zI/s400/IMG_9407+SOFT.JPG" border="0" /><br />Then big brother...<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445756681635573410" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG-iQX3n4fBoDcq8OwJ2lD40f9uLrN3TPNaFnF-Z82DCGopUTHGkoUh06LjeXR76j_GpYDHvQcyN3fFD0cgo9Y6AwVeX2dWkzCDJ6P2bxRYiQ7lG3AqQmVxMtFaadeePk6cPS2Mkmixsru/s400/IMG_9408+SOFT.JPG" border="0" /><br />And at that point the kisses were tolerable. We moved on to hiccups, which are crazy strong for her. There is no wondering now why/how they shook my entire belly before she was born.<br /><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445762384678317778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ8DCXOZzMmpVNbccSN1EN-Y8wROulc-QYjuOOUb6payuflSyB5mxFMJQgdsxHpKBa9Nm9lcYE-mE-kVfuU_dPZCde6C7br-fVYA_3oiW9ppL5hxZ2vZ88gCzs5fxQnVnR6om4w-7Kt28N/s400/IMG_9427.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br />The hiccups can always be helped with some serious Mama lovin', though. Thanks to Kane, that was captured perfectly.<br /><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445762392461607714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFLOPAAeEaNVhOLW7S8X1lZ_sco3lGXah9BiDtcKufASagdAAftOsVQCPaXtbUoZJPRXWMn-CW-gpF4MxLnYuHbS0ruTFcm85AFJFbqGRJTDujsbk0ELfWs6bpJ_vu4Rwp-Yd2Dd-H263e/s400/IMG_9444+ALT.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br />Once Kane got in on the pics, Max had to try, too, and this is what he took.<br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445759694660371922" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT9VvOPnrBPstnUl0TVFWwAAfCu_-NYSdbNV1ZWxpvaTovYU257UfrenkWj-vg_3aiNztcbpM1xKjJLD4I7pjjt4Apuy3T6_LDbESYSDJJKYcH3LEyhN4oBPjLGp-LF-Dc8YRT_ZFta2bL/s400/IMG_9457+ALT.JPG" border="0" /><br />I love this picture. I call it Love In Focus. I love that my hand is in focus, while we are not. It is love that becomes the focus of the photo, the emotion that resonates. It is perfect. There were so many more pictures taken of all four children. I'll share them at a later time. There are too many for this one post. And if you're wondering, Bella was too busy reading to join in on the fun of taking pictures... Surprise, surprise... But we had much fun taking photos that day. I hope tomorrow to take some time for another photo shoot. I have tons of ideas, and I haven't taken a picture of her perfect little feet yet! Darn winter. But we may be outside too long to have the time. Which I will be quite alright with. Today we ended the day with everyone in the bath having sand in various locations. I love it.NatureMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03941764964611602733noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-527957357713693424.post-21237929686469521482010-02-22T13:26:00.005-05:002010-02-23T19:36:22.144-05:00I desparately want to sit and write a meaningful blog post. My mind is full of things I want to say, topics I want to explore, pictures I want to share. But the pictures I want to share are the most important right now, as there seems to be no time to deal with the other things. No time for the composition of meaninful words and topics. I'm lucky to be able to have these few minutes to get a few pictures up here to share. And then I will feel I have accomplished something other than nursing and half-completed household chores. Ugh, and as I'm sorting through pictures I realize that if I put them all up to share, then I'm shooting a few good posts in the foot because there are stories behind them to be shared, also... So here are a few pictures that require little words and stand on their own.<br /><br />Helena had her first outings this weekend - Saturday to the store for our weekly shopping, Sunday to church and then for a walk at the biking trail later in the afternoon. Ah, that's one that I want to share the story of... It was glorious - just what I needed. But for now, here she is, all bundled in the earflap hat that I knit her and her cozy warm "jacket" hand-sewn by my dear friend Sarah 6 years ago for Bella. Awwwww...<br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441138492413949378" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0SOm-g5-cjMcRZ98vqy4uJHTi6ttPIaiHeKNbCY3zD1aXcXrYnMPv9B8Gb-QMKaeVMMcgstivPQlkOzH0Z7tUTiQ74gDEHVUVXSbkkaHtIsutuXvBj7zh7rUKU8vZYiw9_WCzJkwCdDIJ/s400/IMG_9119.JPG" border="0" />Go ahead, let all of the AWWWWS out. We all know how absolutely sweet she is, especially in her pink carseat that matches her sister's.<br /><br />Oh, and here is what she does while she's awake and in the wrap, which I think is absolutely adorable. As long as those eyes are open, she has her head back, looking around at everything. Speaking of looking at everything, ignore the table piled with dishes from lunch time...<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441140640808327442" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKmIRKMxiOWZRloGy6E75YHu96CpdMu-f4ik3aNVdNTJkzjeuDKBATcjiJ63wGykH9gJZu1U1OoDYFOpdW08A9drB4z6antfAghaupnKr7KUl9UmqxT0Gky__45DlewpdL8li7JtTtHcqT/s400/IMG_9107.JPG" border="0" /><br />Here she is in pink. Right now it's the only pink outfit she has, bought by her Nanny the day after she was born. The rest of our nicely sorted and labelled bags of girly clothes are still in our storage unit. I suppose we'll get around to getting them out while she can still fit into them.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441140650972604338" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUcomP2hOmCg_16v_Sf24e-isXfI2ujfk_qoThNQnsjr-TmrxfaH_3r1NtE8LdvKX0cVpoEQm4a65LPBHutwMeNUogRHhOfDooE9avHmq2Wuy0ckA04eMBzr3sh2b4Qk-fcyNrJOtBKuvb/s400/IMG_9116.JPG" border="0" /><br />Here's Papa with a lap full of offspring. Gotta' love that.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441140654128095298" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNhMFR9rRf9zclgSYf54-VW1zeubnZUTMNKEsSZd4TWJD7KVSkwnZEQ7iwi-lfthy8pZGbBS_Va2FcSyMcZ0YK_DxHcKs231BK77QcDYFT1l_AtHDfwfKvePGhoNriVHFCpLeuHk6GXI8O/s400/IMG_9079.JPG" border="0" /><br />And here's how Max spent the morning. It's Super BiBi!!! He flies around the house, whooshing everywhere he goes, creating havoc. Wait, aren't super heroes supposed to save people, you ask? Well, not 2-year-old super heroes. Nope, they are creators of chaos, pure chaos.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441138474245079202" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSayqus3vW9goV_vZb6LMnUHjAJwtY2AkyerqbtE0kN1tjZTMoQBcWXBRRZkMgNCjRc4Rus3KxmhNeHYYuyYiGc6PaxgyfkNcgZumDiSAlwUE5oLmscrUczTjj2S5nK6MyLhkbn2BL4yPo/s400/IMG_9166.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />For those who don't know BiBi, there are three of them (originals), and they go everywhere we go, especially to bed. And if they are found after being misplaced and/or forgotten for a time, they are happily shoved in Max's mouth, and you hear a muffled yet clearly intense "ERRRRR."<br /><br />Okay, now I have finished a post. Feels good. Back to the nursing and half-finished chores...NatureMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03941764964611602733noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-527957357713693424.post-69214950917178974812010-02-12T17:10:00.004-05:002010-02-12T21:41:12.165-05:00Three Shining Stars RevisedSo by now most of you who frequent this blog know that our fourth shining star arrived this past Monday, February 8th. Our Helena Anne (pronounced He-lai-na, not Helen-a or He-lee-na) graced us with her presence at 9:29 pm. Yes, that would be nearly 56 hours or so after time-able contractions started. Mind you, they were not strong contractions. I even slept through both nights just fine. But they were still working contractions, muscles and tendons continually doing work every 10-8 minutes for days, and I am beat. All well worth it, however. She was born at home into the hands of our wonderful midwife, and is perfectly healthy and lovely. She weighed in at 8 lbs. 12 oz. and was 21 inches in length. She is a wonderfully calm and restful baby. <div><div><div></div><br /><div>Yes, eventually I will get around to changing my blog to include our fourth star. But for now, enjoy the new title pic with all four shining stars, and a few of miss Helena (loving called Lainey, although we're not sure yet how to spell that... Laney, Lainey, Laynee....). </div><div></div><div> </div><div>Here she is, one day after birth, soundly sleeping.<br /></div><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437551647121922210" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlRi-r9PfB-9h09s2vaBz_WMFdyzMEjADuN4MK4OWSHqcH7p8VjAPwAbioMJs2SpcpzDjS2zClaK37ZJBIBwR_ivPX-A1QQ5XMCk0LSJEEs1pii5PbQS8efvVNsOf39ToWez2qJgF7SN8I/s400/IMG_8910.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div></div><div>Here she is, four days after birth, in one of her many quiet, reflective times throughout the day.</div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437551635979463746" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCxsRLt6eVDDBRZkFCN5YM2m3Een5SBKOBpFnhbjF7S_fRKHsLFfFgPvZdrQnCesCJ7Azbp8XzThHOZKgy6FE0TadYkJpRVFkkR4RfaIDrEewwNOky_mqWsL99I31t61YqOLzGVppZaLaC/s400/IMG_8951.JPG" border="0" />She is eyes wide open for 45 minutes, taking all in, and sometimes we get a good crooked grin.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437551629040632242" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRGl8-ZRVRVFtirmQXs1F-H8Lp6x4CZzbEAPm6Lu9G3iavAgF3WejctC2D_udgRvYfS8YzzuBv9lgBjzYrXGCLTY93SkK3V0StOHURR55c5v6A2F36UR0nSEEf0dGeurRusnO2UelhKQn5/s400/IMG_8960.JPG" border="0" /></div><div></div><div>We love her dearly, and I can't wait to share her stories with you here.</div></div></div>NatureMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03941764964611602733noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-527957357713693424.post-40419267682213634202010-02-07T14:39:00.003-05:002010-02-07T14:46:31.993-05:00Honesty, Artistic Interpretation and BeautyReady for some honesty? Here it is: ME, with piles of sorted laundry behind me, in one of 2 or 3 shirts that still fit over my belly without me constantly yanking my pants up to cover its watermelon-cold rind... <div><div><div><div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435580855873746882" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 283px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-WVwkvZKtfvMwjgXjhHy_x0_ZmD1LhR7UrM9NfVeiuWwj0djXXDlRktR0LGXWg6ifO1NYvA6e3CdEQUWe4M_9-MgfCNkc4jYft_zWN3ifK23wviw5zG5dp2Lq6BS4G3v_4VJt9_sGVHeT/s400/IMG_8681.JPG" border="0" /><br /></div>Yep, that's it, my thermal. And one of two pair of jeans that fit. I have my black yoga pants, but you can only wear those so many days in a row (with three kids making sure they don't stay unblemished) before they are out of commission until laundered. So most of the time I'm in my flannel jammy pants and a long sleeved T (I have confiscated all of Adam's, but if they're mine, once again, three inch strip of 65 degree belly skin above those jammies...). There are times that honesty does NOT feel the least bit beautiful. But so much depends on where your focus lies; not just your photographic focus, but your mental focus.<br /><br /><div>Right now I am typing through a contraction. Here comes more honesty - turn your head for a line or two if you're squeamish - I lost most/all of my mucus plug by yesterday afternoon, so these contractions that I've been having for weeks are getting stronger and doing their job. I can feel the pull, opening up that door for our precious baby to come through. I went to bed early last night after talking to the midwife and labor team with contractions at 10 minutes apart or so. I slept right through them (except for the ten times to get up and empty my bladder) and I haven't timed them today, but last Friday I was 90% effaced and 3 cm, so we're looking at the next couple of days here as being a new birthday to mark on the calendars. It's exciting at the same time as being frustrating, tiring and emotionally draining. So there's some honesty...<br /></div><div><span><span style="font-size:78%;color:#000000;">(Insert space, which this stupid blog won't put in for me right now, no matter what I try...)</span></span></div><div></div><div></div><div>Now, are you ready for some artistic shine to it? There is beauty to be seen in everything, especially in bringing a new life into this world. And sometimes you just need to get over the every day mundane blah of the end of pregnancy with a little self-love for what you're cookin'. So yesterday I spent some time with my camera and my "fitty." (Pause for another contraction...) After I took the first shot you see above in an attempt to get a real picture of me at the end of this pregnancy, I had to find some beauty in what I KNOW is beautiful - not necessarily the honest, tired portrait of me, but the reality of what my body has been working on for the last 9 months. And these are the shots that me and my 50 mil came up with. I love them. </div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435583437103297746" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 283px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD3Irtx_NpOsvJ-vXJMqs68vC2vggSXEJjNbxisKpOfOLM1M-pPsdMX1oV63O04N573VsS2j0q7olp2eSdIlmBdeQf7D-OZVYZXF3QH4iR1a39_LmenpKFzgCEatzxyq_O0l_cMfYiuQM_/s400/IMG_8684+bw+cr.JPG" border="0" /><br />I love the lighting.<br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435583434222802770" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPsUIjhcYjyVMr-SkwZZPZffXookXlqFIb6g7gLdKMTbDiR5TS9vyu8kn9lVok3fx2CqX3dlKfao4y9kp-UdqSKxmVJ4C_Ubtta9uoPxSDvhsWHEsouw9fwYfshmYHBiptwkRHiTGqEbeM/s400/IMG_8696+bw.JPG" border="0" /><br />I love the focus.</div><div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435583425576878434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 283px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgemD6We7E3G3FHu_gAdbCQpcifALkf3OLSsEOEZhkoDSqcDJ3E2lBVR77no2AwI3zv_LtK6JQmrkkkKOC16bGD8y3FTGd_8OsUGQn7uYGBMXS60P20taGE3i4KI7CvGj9Lh2Fb-TgmKIZ_/s400/IMG_8692+bw+cr.JPG" border="0" /> <div>I love my stomach. </div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435583416984003490" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd_lZoDTQ1yA-jrF1jRu2DOVnrvMerTtYQn2cUcHgr1bXS9JYI2AcwH4c4_pDhVLzd2WJBAunJtDYAYMN2k1mG6IFysl_FKoaePmnhdjmx12xadLmQ36RPn6CmNS40rLh6kOc-ndLBo3ey/s400/IMG_8698+soft.JPG" border="0" /> <div></div><br /><br /><div>Not necessarily for the old stretch marks from three previous pregnancies, or the visual effect of the network of veins, like the roots of a tree, sprawling all over, but for what those landmarks signify and what they are doing for my fourth little bundle of perfection. I love the artistic interpretation of honesty. The honesty of life is beauty if you know how to look at it and where your focus should lie. So I'm going to go put in a load of laundry so I can labor in my one pair of yoga pants, knock that nasty cob web out of the corner above the computer that I just noticed, put on a cup of chamomile tea and drink it out of my favorite tea cup. It's simple, white, with the word "Enjoy" raised on it's side. It helps keep my frame of mind on the here and now, helps me enjoy frustration, tiredness, and unknowns. It helps me remember my artist brain, which sometimes gets lost in the day to day. And that, honestly, is beautiful.</div></div></div></div></div>NatureMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03941764964611602733noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-527957357713693424.post-45300431594684498892010-01-16T21:11:00.008-05:002010-01-16T23:43:01.459-05:00Sweet Woods Relief<div>Ah, this was the day I have been needing. Being 46 degrees helped the situation, because it was less work getting us all out the door and there, but had it been 20 it still would have had to happen. We've spent plenty of time lately outside, in the snow, at our house, building a lean-to against the swing set, sledding, building snow men, sliding and swinging in the snow, gathering sticks for kindling... Somehow it just hasn't been enough, though. My soul has been needing a good, long romp in the woods, and our in-town life doesn't lead to that unless we go there. Some of our best friends moved to New York this last autumn, and with them went our easy weekday hiking trips, because I just can't be taking the kids out in the woods by myself at the end of a pregnancy. So it comes down to weekends, and we've been spending those other ways. Not today. The kids played in the yard for a good while earlier today, but after Max's nap we headed off to Broughton Nature Preserve to go "mudding." Our idea of mudding???<br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div>Running in the mud:</div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427534703231756866" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQi44DEnGQmmiih6IW_uQbZTazAUbU_eHVT8ABRQlIe4oZBjwE6_eD3DToP-iIScYXfxXLj1IgOm6PwCSHBXXyi9kBCeImfRv6Lhk1Qy2tsWZ0xqU4-bYczp0NlwOVV21OTEsOxHaV049j/s400/IMG_8503.JPG" border="0" />Tromping in the mud:<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427550786873121842" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYI1BizjdE6w-IZLc8BFACHwkRipe4674oiLPtA0kPNlubEjzHQKHin30FcYv2z2IwBn0a7gnj2aMajGNhTnhSCC2v7vaucYNzXbpW5vHv859bSKvn9-wwBro1X77gz7AiDKj_XjfA6dnY/s400/IMG_8505.JPG" border="0" />Throwing things in the mud:<br /><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427534686050775842" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0XBrTvKxMxcJkJnR9lrNcPAguxbf-S1sp_AB2FVASaqHCt1Zn-n78cczBVNFcs8g0ZmjysKOWuFebEfmPNedtWxeJ2geshCyh394RX-OI3JHOpvBL9KB0uSgiITZ1Kyp09IGQLGIHEwAo/s400/IMG_8496.JPG" border="0" />Digging in the mud:<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427550781164637362" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxFwbhyfRd_tzit3R6A4xY1yykcqvYjCQsi9NXgCLixUjTO909j9X0HsQa9cEF5hNCoyRB7bb-bvk4i57hti9-CqS18sktpGbr_lawFATJf0qCeupkBc4TrDW_BYD-b6ByKig4gGgibUBL/s400/IMG_8499.JPG" border="0" />The high creek volume sent us off of our usual hiking trail and up over the hill to explore part of another trail. We had a blast climbimg on and digging in a fallen tree,<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427542449874239938" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpZtls6db9BDL_tQGTJxz5K3dryeHfgjgmIz8woLUptczQ8CP8qPFL_tQiiXvplDMhW_QOXoEOjywmar5Z1CmxGGp8nflk0lgWn11nWpDp7LcPwqOBb1_0ahnaVqp3G3RCmtRwbwB9rfrd/s400/IMG_8508.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427542460905023618" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn4cwCXEboPVjQurHe-afEXKNJFASaG4eO4GzWfyVWltDG9Rodb5uKfXVB8jwC1CgP0T6RMXJrNcBM2wUhQZOTekdxGaYn3J3fUGiMPWew-TOlbSAjT_8_bxgwLc5oyfG3-oOaouQhKS-8/s400/IMG_8509.JPG" border="0" />then went off of the trail at the suggestion of Kane and ended up spending the rest of the time climbing, as Adam's quick climb up a favorable pine<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427542462917627842" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcKrwEje-x9gpUeW-0kyx3ZwBukQ7odgLGFffklszWmZpaEUF00ikBVNpKvubnfeTto0MQSXywxFt3K4YTVeA9BPSZ3SPSRmS0PufJpWAGQzYWc1O8-USDhAzItBNa_iYT8m3FpkKw-qym/s400/IMG_8533.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div>sent us into a full-blown "how to climb trees the proper way" seminar by my awesome husband.<br /></div><div>After the initial run-through, it was hard to keep Kane down long enough to give anyone else a turn.<br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427542471652113090" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcLJ1CaVRgz1GJYYU1ih7FQOVQCG2MWxOB_moU91bUFX-PzH3JxU5Tn81Lnkwx7fCVEho7tA6xYOKQv6Ep_O9cSjPLo2nFWSYymFB9Xetmy3YgZ14JXGuAIlsW-0scpLwHUsPpq34bH6v0/s400/IMG_8537.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427561088255796210" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK2c0BzljXliRouw5qTf5jz5c_LSYmMdoU5toALIDytBoPrslgsfQ695s32TkWaJ65ZAk2ap6K22xdNmFDbvyEjR0o5XaXTVU-lHSXKTocEkLXISCu-e9jnsCPbvzeSeYig1E_I55tz9_R/s400/IMG_8542.JPG" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427561095795841458" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic45G79f-t41tT_m-6nxSBprC3HGUpiGqcP4aJx9pozC9uenZMaM5Cc17dkX-bG6ExdszK42BwHbtVfLjwL6yeZYe0PDVz6MPmkR07HQZJ7p65MIy1Mt-KOwgLi8Q7eZUs-Dstm7xPHhvt/s400/IMG_8554.JPG" border="0" /> <div>And he wasn't the only one to take right to it. Max got his lesson, then spent the rest of the time climbing up and down a set of limbs he found easy enough to navigate himself.<br /></div><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427561109215261410" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8XYcy_tAJ_mA5FpSA2nSg1AG77pVwn4qx4vqvLujOJirQUPnJrcpeGX6g-IUbNK_NNZD5M0Xapzmn6vxkYMMdmrVzETGJe9RPMUec-gb5MrtoVVen6ZT4kLLn6ly_tK-V9k0vD3v4NfJh/s400/IMG_8563.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div>Bella got as far as Papa's hands could take here then said she just couldn't do it anymore. She is a world of difference from those brothers of hers.<br /></div><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427561099650613778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTe1ZQTLRKWlOW0oV9alH72x-auc2P3EGET2FzU5WmesmZ2UydUNU1tYs9nhrvNVmH1gJPa7yz4pxc9NJUHJI_k4En1rv7AEXndpVRWPFEYyQ7AEKSekBU54rq6ttau71RWLfy4cq5eOMZ/s400/IMG_8569.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div>But in the end, when we headed for a fallen tree to climb and balance on, she found her long arms and legs worked pretty well to get her where she needed to be, and when she was done we had her changing from "I can't do this!" to "I think I can," which went right along with the lessons we've been working with her on optimism and having a positive attitude.<br /><br /></div><div>We had a wonderful day, everyone was much happier as it all ended (yes, including me, perhaps even especially me), and I just had to share it on here. The smell of detritus, fungus and good old dirt was invigorating, and I've caught myself several times this evening breathing big sighs of relief and relaxation. Tomorrow I believe it is supposed to rain, which will smell good, too. And we'll be working on finding the baby's cradle a spot in our room. I can't wait to strap the new baby to me, all warm and cozy next to me in a wrap, and take nice long hikes this spring. A new baby to play in the dirt with this summer.... Heaven.</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>NatureMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03941764964611602733noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-527957357713693424.post-38587981793043067052010-01-16T09:37:00.000-05:002010-01-16T09:38:08.773-05:00Quick UpdateI have been way too focused on getting ready for this baby to get on here and post. I think I started nesting at about 6 months this time :-), and have been going through every room of this house with the idea that it will be awhile before the detailed things get done again, like cleaning the top of the kitchen cupboards and thoroughly cleaning under our bed. Last weekend we got all of the baby clothes unpacked, washed and put away, which also included moving Max's clothes to Bella's dressers in the bedroom, so that was a big project. Tomorrow we will be finding a place for the baby's cradle in our room and I will feel a little less unprepared. I have focused a lot of time on knitting for the baby also. I have some fun knee socks done that I will post a picture of soon because I want to get the pattern on here for some friends. Right now they are on Addy, our Lee Middleton doll, who has been the main plaything around here right now. Max just loves taking care of her - she even went to the store with us today and pooped in her diaper 10 times in a row yesterday.<br /><div><div><br /><div><div><div><div><div><div>In honesty, I feel really disconnected right now, and don't even feel like I have words to put in this post. I just wanted to spend an evening doing something that wasn't a required task because I'm pretty burned out. I've been moody as can be and am really trying to just stay centered. A lot of focus has come lately on getting the baby in the right position, also. For awhile she/he was fully posterior (baby's back against my spine, arms and legs out to my stomach), but with some work has been turning some.<br /></div><div>I think I'll leave some snow pictures and pics from Max's 2nd birthday for anyone still checking this blog. Hopefully once the baby gets here I'll get my creative spark back and feel like keeping up with this more often. I'm sure sharing pictures of our new little one will be the push I need.</div><br /><div><br /></div><div>Max chose a farm birthday this year, which is no surprise seeing that Mu-Lambs are one of his favorite things. Thus the mu-lamb in his pocket:</div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427188003311409426" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzjY68sKCgByVur71hep9IsBDYbAsq9iEc88EO4Ou3GJEftFMtaNpNq6ja1WZM7BuFe56rYMCJduyvCOM05vpRj86kZaTJc42mUAo4OMz64li7ByGG30Llwm1uzqOVWKlrPOe7BZ78sA_C/s400/IMG_8107.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div></div><div>And the joy at receiving a tractor:<br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427343794561091682" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJjb6iGjRMBfobEV5g5Oe7gHAb2OO8s8GQzhwpeAbSuYMSNqLbuLhkOxDdI76gMBb5Eh8KYVol2bHbSzOES5Js1MvghA1c-bxYZSIodCmM9hEmdJiQn5um-BQMO802B0S4xs8cAs0HRiLC/s400/IMG_8117.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div></div><div>His birthday cake had chocolate peanut butter for icing, which was the muddy pig sty.</div><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427188025083545218" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuaIahUrtgBhfIi_oyDLi2Irj55NV6j2Sn_hi4tRL3wEmL_IGCgbYTfnAJCQECpEnuRa3bwpWHd514Td2abkCzMP8IKU6ToiDcUQaZFvcT0SfW2P-F3FskRMxsjP_dhAouELuZXm6WsrTZ/s400/IMG_8154.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div>It was a lot of fun. Max made sure he said "Thanks, everybody!!" I can't believe he's two...</div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427188019395448050" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVwWDJHfmzv7T0BFDNhkfQmJeG2vzdRZnix-WIcEHqGOuwFQEVYo7i4Csu-mYOh6oBp7QEvet3h60wolSHYZ5ugeIm_zCDRENfpEQh5Vf8bgwUGSKWk2fKfb5QCqwK5P7jhgmmP1q9CIJr/s400/IMG_8142.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div>We've had a decent amount of snow here, so the kids have had their share of sledding this year.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427340075217191122" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpm9g7lmIfgbRYSHFYjHs8MHyKo6qKMeI3e04_EZxUa2MttL786sWksZEggD9Bvv9FF8sxB2QrFfcCdC1u9lfSYgBMii1q3b9SVTphIVfpQ5uGTErCoaQeM6BCHMT4eDW3ZzSjZfKjZGQA/s400/IMG_8178.JPG" border="0" /> Max loves flying down the big hill across the street from us, and has a blast going all by himself.<br /></div><div>He especially likes falling off the sled at the bottom, which sends him into histerics. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427340092732268818" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnDkczxUlApY7cl6zWxiIgDiyv63GEoE1sv5LYgjXGQxWwiGkMHMSZGa-kqowWvyznosuTb6Orwd-mvl0FROGtDlWWkSqXXlone3JM7tycAec1UOnuTPU0gqCT87T169iajyt6BcUVi6H9/s400/IMG_8282.JPG" border="0" />Bella does some sledding then moves on to better things, like gathering sticks and building forts. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427340091292741058" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgavrj7BTArt5EQKAIrMnkgZCYSStEMejfOm35029pkBdLBfUepMpC5NELX1FrvkKaqO-XLpVrytMkYxKY6FMYGpYFZ3ypT2Z4Vmc92yFhJCMek3F3IYQ0JM27uoVDYGFWC4VHhpFmtMBHB/s400/IMG_8267.JPG" border="0" />Kane could sled all day, and is now very skilled at steering (and bailing off of) our Flexible Fliers.</div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427340083551475586" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE_UEg_6CwrslTRDP-WPQW4syj_MZi0dVrA6sYT-bzzz3nMHFzURePJAAe617Dd8IK7O6wm5nff07EcLjmbUD4vo7k10frmJic-xVf2TdQMmqpm6L3GWZuElA-_-MAFSlXxbqYES8WWfkp/s400/IMG_8263.JPG" border="0" /> It's a big difference from last year, when Max definitely did NOT like sledding, and Kane was a little too leary to go by himself. Now we're having a bit of a warm spell here, and today the high will be in the high-40s. We're going to go on a nice muddy hike, burn off some energy, and hopefully get some sunshine before the next week of rain sets in. I'm loving winter, but have been planning the garden and looking at lots of pictures from last summer, so I'm starting to long for getting my hands in the dirt again... I'm sure once the baby is here that will give me something to focus on while waiting for spring :-)...<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>NatureMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03941764964611602733noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-527957357713693424.post-66146716693972103212009-09-24T22:08:00.011-04:002009-09-28T15:16:26.733-04:00August Knows How To SoarAugust didn't just fly on by for us, it soared high. Now September is nearly gone, and summer is officially at an end. This summer was exceptional for us, which is why I haven't been posting. There were so many more important things to do. There still are more important things to do, but I have been itching to post, and I need to scratch that itch. It is like one of those itches that lurks right in the middle of your back, and since no one else is going to scratch it any time soon, it's all up to me to get out that long, wooden, hand-shaped back scratcher and go to town... <div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div></div><div>Summer for us has been:</div><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385224843671699490" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnmqrCnbTzXunaYlPN3aaoHUQPGOOBotPIP6iKjEKteurGIFlFXKbKKN8zkmAZdCkUCnMNuXeJcxrNtNeFR9egxta4ubN_lnDfgKpzFaNxUMz9YObbgaouLT8gRusbbAwkj_v-8euTDCtB/s400/IMG_5524.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385224832906521410" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh37cKQoZRLT2Of5L5motPICE0GE41RXv1qRJGcotxs17XfROmNN-2hkT4BalfS5Wfazfdx2_s-EAwPWrJLv7hlQ0WmQTFsA9ko-popp6EYgqzx6CjggW0L2Ngws75nx8LRkjGd-y25bvXi/s400/IMG_5554.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div>A fun group trip with wonderful friends to a local sheep farm.</div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385224849824656642" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBhSZIEyfgw0QWSKpKl6f4P2FJpNaSGBmQbVfJYSxq90GQw5jt8JASnZJo4rw7FiF677H_sqg-SC9j9Edi5pn_Rb1jIuKBKPho8uPhaKSoERd77SU5o5D088jCBC8-ue5FG8_JrgOPfjKV/s400/IMG_5869.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385227219628818066" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEefD8_8Q7Np-TtMOOavdnJHEGPpFTiEzqSAgR7iTVahevO-psqhq3MnshyphenhyphenaIiTN-JAFGlObuLe9Fl30YVbNNiQU-2rMnWmgSa-M7hRtQ3CHPb7oR9xjClIt-80uw4c9ZkzgAG206WltU_/s400/IMG_6260.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div></div><div>Lots of garden harvesting (and eating, of course).</div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385227222891874050" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzYy4cDytLvq_x4QuUvi9BAiD0vzwN8LdzzENPVJFCYQJJu97W32ZY8jbXQcBGpTegiN1syhvYQn0NdoU2sYWtsbzOocKhqCw0q4vEm-4OEHNursumH4ieIPUhJLcr2p0W7vsTeHF-G0M2/s400/IMG_6336.JPG" border="0" /><br />Baby knitting (on the needles is the matching hat, since finished). Big kid knitting, too - I'm working on Bella's Easter dress, to be followed by the boys' Easter vests in coordinating cotton.</div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386583327659519282" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJOs0VK1mk4E3JVfIw6Zum5cqljGueUvzH4MjIXe_vPLkmt34vF-qjvm__oenpW-BShQQo3EK9BTpQT1HAXndqwlAaCQEas6rZlCDwhFLJnCOg17bdyRx5r3VQxKasWR-hYH523SL7SDVH/s400/IMG_5873.JPG" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386583333366737586" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 313px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Uy2irInYCTZM5XQlnF3WiHn9hoSqzi8uBP2HsjX7T88ilX2lb8d-pPhqPhYhcSBp0zjiqvrwQbcIv9gzrID5-ckSGler1bR63cT4jssQxuFgo7PrjOKpVL8q6wj7FGT-xsw1XGPLFzOl/s400/IMG_6871.JPG" border="0" /> <div></div><div>A growing belly size and baby kick strength.</div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385227211218519650" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN4Ns-F-kO5Of1LOQ8Erbbq-AHkn2OHvRes_JGFlokeJn52_YVyDdLzrdlTezTuAVgRZwqx0nah8PL2bkOgNsULJUeg8mZrjCv-Quk20ZyOlcg7y1dWzFmydHc27AFF25bz9kO_iZeIiJU/s400/IMG_6237.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386581357835290658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpt27p2FHVEyyXT4Ydzc1jSFdiiLIHMIk_ER5TBXuxLvVvLcnvcj8mEO8SqNRVSz_mpDT9jKsSkN219PI2VyjRP2f9DsOnWS91AJBRHYjBsvkL8CKMs4OacwSbEeFzzTics_w2uyxZTr1v/s400/IMG_6295.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386581348608542626" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz3rpbpR0nKfWcsD8IqMeZ94fC_xwfvBuqVPvI_SVuFDNK5JOSs3DEUjL1DDZDqWPkDQdhmCOHQS4vsuVCcLd31xNtdzZugJ6LIIhwlpjcM_BDpW4jmp85gmo-JkXiBtXWwY1lONrKBXJ1/s400/IMG_6277.JPG" border="0" /><br />Pool, pool, pool...<br /><div></div><div> </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386581367721683970" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpdvk1I0Z-FfAPYRspQwMsRhlke7lggXWDftA2Aey_YdsOruOCcsDPsWM3mt6PVYfJPPsblisDbnoAxqpq72398uFyF8UGZagmXWWF8_Hv8_HFFwfOtaC6sT59y3GXjylU_KaRB4DSnTzJ/s400/IMG_5350.JPG" border="0" /></div><div>A boy turning 4, complete with blueberry cake. </div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386581369352549826" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyUWybBdUMYuHcYmmDTUQW_2IdEjosm7SkWtg7c8aUZ_7NB1wbviSw5NbN16YaXeGHk8TDb1-67ED4RgZRL2aJonjywGZGv7mtCN82jrRc_YhfRfFVLtr4rK0IQI0xM0-nuUmikshThmXC/s400/IMG_6402.JPG" border="0" /> <div></div><div></div><div>A princess turning 6, complete with castle cake. </div><div></div><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386581345246055954" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA-75XV6Enz5ybfZSoZ_h6Uuy1hyMSV-ErquJj_e-OPikenoemEUt1YhtT2jE4UUQ7BkXj6Maka-rpanXRIKJrn0LTsTt_Ypog6JtRyE1tqswFCHeLDfQHIm4_03B_rq_WVM5Vw8LyQDdU/s400/IMG_6330.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386584611439689602" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN0YhI6brqWaWBftemIt9KgsOuOirXXjij6QHPK8765L0Aq_ppVIM3ZK44cicyh7iEPXVHfYXmgAqo1AmMumeJU99S903b6770btUvfmYZxVJZORv5pyZOEQpocFs1vG-ZU5fOz73BNzqk/s400/IMG_6381.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div>Lots of potty-dumping :-), with a mostly-naked boy 90% of the time.</div> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386585966162212098" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIo6oDcmiWtBXP_L2h5owhG_CWoxGSIjdc1BFfKjnJtzhy5DWtbrU5QZAF8pWWt8ym5zowb4kTOng0pPAvi8Yzy7odIlJuVL0WAqII2Fwgqlz8KvloxLTqItAk-Kohf_k44i-tru7AkJCU/s400/IMG_6352.JPG" border="0" /> <div>And a bunch of household projects, due to the hubby being home - my favorite being our new, awesome, totally organized craft closet! </div><div> </div><div>We were blessed with glorious weather all summer, and enjoyed every minute of it. Now the days are cool and breezy, and we've had to dig out our long pants and shirts and put on socks once more. Yep, Autumn is here in full, and we're loving every minute of it. I'm digging out the alpaca and wool for knitting, I'm shooting lots of Senior portraits for my niece and some of her friends, and I'm counting the days until I have to harvest my ton of sweet potatoes, one of the few things that actually grew AND prospered in my garden this year. I'm all set to prepare for a cozy winter and start nesting for this new little one that will be coming our way. It's quite wonderful. I hope your turn of seasons is offering the same quiet comfort for you! </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>NatureMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03941764964611602733noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-527957357713693424.post-8695241206369769202009-07-22T22:56:00.003-04:002009-07-22T23:44:17.905-04:00Back to Life, Back to Reality...(You're welcome for that song now being firmly lodged in your brain...) <div><div><br /></div><div></div><div>Oh so much has happened around here as of late, I don't even know where to begin. Adam is switching jobs (just had his first day with the new one today), contemplating a second one, and I have been struggling to keep up with all things with my all-day-morning-sickness and fatigue. Yup, if you don't already know, our Fourth Shining Star will arrive sometime mid-February - once you get to four, you tell one or two people and then hope it eventually filters around to the rest before the baby arrives. What this has all meant is major adjustments. First of all, we're not used to having Adam around, and he's not used to being around. As sad as it is, his abcense has become our norm. Therefore, his in-between-jobs couple of weeks have been a little crazy. The kids have been hanging on him every second they are awake. Bella and Kane are vying for his attention, with talk being the weapon of choice for Bella, rough-housing for Kane. Max on the other hand screams like a panther every time Adam dares to set him down. For some reason, Papa says he can't hold him all day long, and Max just can't understand WHY :-). </div><div><br /></div><div></div><div>For me, Adam being around has meant collaboration on family life, and I am nice and settled in my way being the way. Our parenting styles have clashed a bit here and there, that's for sure. Then there's the whole meals issue - NOT used to having to think of him when I cook, or think of having meals prepared, because he hasn't been around for meals but one day a week for the last year and a half. The kids and I generally fly by the seat of our pants when it comes to food and when to have it. Not that it works well for us, it is just where we've ended up. So meal planning is something we're working on. Another thing that needs some improvement on my part is being able to take care of the house with him around. It's so far out of my frame of normal for him to be here, I feel like we are all on vacation and shouldn't have to do anything. I have just wanted to spend the time hiking, playing, swimming, gardening, putt-putting, etc, etc.... Which, along with the "morning" sickness, definitely adds to the dissaster that the kitchen is in right now. Sigh...</div><div><br /> </div><div>In it all, I have missed my posting. I have hundreds of pictures on the camera that haven't even made it to the computer yet. There's still no room for them, so I don't even try. I've been ordering prints, puting on to disc, and deleting from the computer, and it's making a dent. But it is still a work in progress. Maybe that can be finished during tomorrow's rainy day. I need to get some recent pictures on here of my current, photographable three! The best I could find were these: </div><div><br /> </div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361492008596680146" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOK76us1OrzCFdHb-rr3W9e7U_KjzJ_HPWOlo5DlbYUXSFoSWqOF6XxcWp3IdRNv8jiqxWXZUPLU60e37hXUEDlqgstef1XtRoArRm4vwe9V42Y5R_HRuiO0rcsqo-eRkj98yP0W2Ewehx/s400/IMG_3992.JPG" border="0" /> <div></div><br /><div>My Bella, nearly 6, before the recent hair cut and second lost tooth. Boy is it hard to get an un-hammed-up picture of her... She is just the biggest thing ever now. She spent 6 whole days at Nan and Pap's house for VBS, and only had one night of being homesick and needing Mama. She's reading at a third grade level now and spends all her free time doing just that. I love her love of reading. She has also been insistent on me enterring her into America's Got Talent, but says she would be too nervous to try singing a song with Pap's band first. </div><div> </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361492021517521730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvY4YMGVm1mIfhXrvqp9p7YAMda1VequfcESB6UcMwSkTKf1-b7iwl4cmQZo0x_EI09FHF_aKSgJGt26Prjrr1rNddrWfsq4tHzrDSA03ZKDMRNH84VjsXpkzSyCqE1QSZMHuITYljo5Wh/s400/IMG_4008.JPG" border="0" /></div><div>My Kaney, who has turned 4 in my blogger-abcense and also spent his first near-week with Nan and Pap. No phone calls home because of missing Mama there - just calls to tell me how much fun he was having and how many fish he caught on his first fishing trip. And he IS 4, meaning few pictures are snapped without a goofy face to go with them. My big stuff has decided to go to sleep in his own bed now - happened while sister was away - stays there most of the night now, and will actually go back to sleep in his bed if I'm in Max's bed at the time. Amazing...</div><div> </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361492019452477266" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaz4DIszVeUVfFVdzaktgXdBRqovERNfZyb-a0Biap-GOQFNlYRBmPGqubaikSu0StABsA2gmxJi4kCWGRTFfEg6BVzuRubsYSRQdRmpY8E2rlqdFO_9m9aF8GNTe2AoaePk1qfqBcrD5a/s400/IMG_4027.JPG" border="0" /></div><div> </div><div>My Maxwell, little mister big stuff. I can't get enough of who this kid is turning into. He is now so long, and thinning out, and just looks like such a big kid. He has his own wonderful words for many things - "oof" for nurse, howled like a wolf-pup now, with his head thrown back and his lips puckered up, "wavuv" for motorcycle, "woolamella" for watermelon, even though water is still just "wa"... I love his progression in to boyhood. He immitates any sound he hears - he does a super red-shouldered hawk - and is always pushing the limits of everything. His new name is Naked Wonder, because he will NOT leave his diaper on. </div><div> </div><div>Life is fun around here, even though hectic. Hopefully our reality will become a little more of what we want now instead of what we have grown used to. Until then, who knows how often I'll get to this. But I'm glad it is here when I have the time...</div></div>NatureMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03941764964611602733noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-527957357713693424.post-35762911581133716622009-06-21T10:49:00.009-04:002009-06-22T23:58:14.797-04:00Father's Day SaluteYesterday (okay, it USED to say Today, but that was yesterday, and I didn't get it done), <a href="http://shuttersisters.com/home/2009/6/21/browsing-the-archives.html">Shutter Sisters</a> asked us to browse our archives to find some long-forgotten treasures. I am way ahead here, as I have been forced to dig in deep lately to salvage memory before my computer lost it's temper with me in a bad way. Since it is Father's Day, I thought I would quickly share some of those precious few pictures I have of Papa with the kids. With his one day off a week and crazy work hours the other days, I tend to spend any time we have with him just enjoying our family life, and rarely pick up the camera on those days. But here are some of my favorite pictures of him. They may not be the best shots photographically speaking, but the importance of them is in higher focus than the quality here. Adam is a wonderful father to our children. He works so hard to provide the life we have. He includes them in all the work that he does around the house, building so many memories for them. He goes to horse shows with us, even though it means he'll end up sneezy and miserable. He piles them all on a skateboard to ride down a huge hill. He is always up for adventures, big and small, and always ready to teach a lesson (see the lever/fulcrum made out of an old ironing board and box of trash bags picture at the bottom). He always has someone on his shoulders. He plays along with a transformer birthday and gifts of Mousetrap and a Transformer of his own (very carefully picked out by the kids). He is ALWAYS up for snuggling. And my goodness, I love the way my babies look at him, and look when they're with him. There is a peace when he is around, even in the midst of excited chaos. He is our PAPA, and we love him for what he is and what he brings to our lives.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349818063784331538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipOl4whyphenhypheniBZt5ML4OF0VVq7Wv5J56lEAHOlKcZ6wg6MZA79LAhkOhqGQWbe6kmJBHgYPfU_q4OWtwiAwYhFS9LO8ssAl_XztvWVWXF8MtQNYynbVqOmGnVsWHip9tLYe57STHU9AmqV_aP/s400/IMG_4195.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349818055885575250" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 286px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieT3JjwTipKlTT-NvYzbrT5mvfnOGj-WgnHQ5lCFhjvFGkyV1arnSRqjGlKxnOJ_4JKn8TY1tsMj5CB3ektiBQX7wQxUK-o1SIy-9pGS7aq2GDLs2hEyAz76G1ojYakZNvZyuQVa17hr5j/s400/IMG_1155.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349818049707730642" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYgdcYA54iCON0JW78OrdPQe4KJ0Tjj6Bk6vg3-RuJhUhSVieEDUyM9jZaM_nruAWnrbY1iarWf7ZASg2iRkQNcue7CTZeLEalFiW8j0UMpi5UWnYEi0OJlhWGB53NndbmhCU15WR-aZ7-/s400/IMG_1020.JPG" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349798096526491058" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbAXuEBdlZlFaaRsOAj4DQB3KYtI7SgCkk99phY5z_hxSRsXJOtCMedUjyFJBIoOQMprCBoOsKcy9ru_69H2IN1D2C7_Msz17qOH8ry2D0OEY8gMDZVX37A3Ju6-ZFprp3Ey9w-4qlfEHf/s400/IMG_1927.JPG" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349811644701136130" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnEvr-7nwSe2z2HvzP7A4z5bwiR8UXt-o_IWoojAge0Luia6M0azmPZTtRxdyXuhaAlER03q4h30Yf1zB-FnQv64oWWb2YnK44QGRXerWWlVpMcFIDSOo5uY-OJOH_7Hy-pgq6sd4VHCkr/s400/IMG_0464.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349811640723635154" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOib8foPS1JetKeBqCn9EYzD-v1V5gz7EWrCaJZEtYMMlEfpLH6gkYeyIKr-Uow7wgBbGrZZfS1yp6gRkMraIbX5YDG0YXvgQiyF6PAAHnrOeOe4fL2_aKYivx7frvjupQ1OE5B3Sg1kmv/s400/IMG_0368.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349808173585276018" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz-AHgNiML23Fl7AqhdBH1hjdst9R5ZS9tRJnF-uDWditGbi7CrW2YMPseqSpod3s2vLW77YVdw5qifnBWxmwx7xqH4VlMlxQUA4TevA9rbMCcJJ1TVReEQrFWFdDkY9mXlSLd0QtQEC36/s400/IMG_9491.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349808159980313314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbW-ffX17PSZersdDNnHYs4rFABugJMU9H5eqdRHM_wrQO9IjOKGqmBLpBKT9ig_-3_88LdWcWu-fD5PbV9OXVu1iGlcXNxDfGYB2-OhnRcVSfluE5k8IOIOiLzVlZ3Cfk0wvzuC-bd0d6/s400/IMG_9463.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349811629548406338" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiL2fDHu26nNQYKR7RywQm3U3h7VXwfyKhNG_QwsPvFm9yGji81Mo71tXosHHXyZKS1BqtAV7VxvNOCPOXwGhjJwPvTHnckShFCvleacGNQBXIYWI50wJRclrdAGR61QxjUIFFNyT5tw51/s400/IMG_0048.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349808166479788930" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNcKDN6TYK8EB1QyjnRfhaZh-0pb0ywzV96SD5BpbkuSs4-9PkM9VMp6TBFsOp8YA0I6uIG62yz82gxATOZadW_xpvg956FJxRGSBZLjkb5v0nqSsch4v5gZ3O-CQR4-QS10wT_GGqrUMQ/s400/IMG_9482.JPG" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349805005137719650" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI3taxq5DKmym8Ou-MlFkF6tiIiTq9mGH_02nDNvHYBz2ORacH5XzTiUwjwriMzUa0cFS02QygCuG2X5BPk4bsA5zq4liEM4-urN0HS-d3n1dBTBmve2gHuoltYOkQhHS8eBTsNVjqq5h0/s400/IMG_5214.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349798112329626418" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoJAZRTghQK7HScvZnmmrU6Bgbs5VoaYVD8ZviY1fXVCh0_xKwvyU9V9aZbdDkigmlHpj5_9uhAs3GAF3x-ogzx7yYE7Hrk-ge4DLT4wkjNzMXf1J57qr6dh47wj852CxhgiDgfRnqzXwB/s400/IMG_3591.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349811647380594418" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_-PQKZgtzFJBt_oJRiHiFtJCUxVDT3TCn18ogVlxasCTIldlni9LHQ4arETE4qJXlAPclsNep_tCx38ZsmuCiV3ltFYhCbN-Rt4htHbdUDfGirtl1VsU8GQkV7ga29-4rtN5n-wtMF4cm/s400/IMG_0680.JPG" border="0" />NatureMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03941764964611602733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-527957357713693424.post-73896176099715999782009-06-20T23:16:00.005-04:002009-06-20T23:56:08.361-04:00My Little Big Girl<div><div><div><div>Bella will be turning SIX in three months (and one day, but who's counting, right?). I can't call her my little girl, because I get in trouble for that, so I call her my little BIG girl. And here's the proof that the "big" is justly included...</div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349617573236065954" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKZS5161sOAFtZB20Y6kuL469VNyfhsBRJowX4r9B2uczaOmas5Gx8EFpUHVGPOuMiogYo2Im-ee6Appqe2sDxUJrF0SjiVP6wtutzJLdPGz1bi64uB40gRjETpIAereFv-GZKehoUjatK/s400/IMG_4723.JPG" border="0" /> <div></div><div></div><div>Yep, that's a loose tooth down there. She called me from Pap and Nanny's house a few weeks ago, thrilled beyond belief that she had a LOOSE TOOTH! Her friend had recently lost her first tooth, so Bella was totally ready. And here's some more proof that she really is big... That picture was taken just before she left with her GiGi, aunt, uncle and cousin for a weekend trip to North Carolina. I just knew that this tooth would not be there anymore when she comes home on Monday. And I was right. She called from NC to tell me excitedly that her tooth fell out in the car in Virginia. And to think just yesterday we decided she could go along to see her Uncle Lucian (Mikey to most of us) perform in CATS. She prepared and packed all of her clothes. Here she is, all dressed to go on "the biggest trip of her life." <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349617560647577554" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiePMgRlGXZNcov_cDNUjB5Vbn9zNGro1blz1Lq8ucHf5JqwOvSdKwtVRUJBXHAFuwFi4nsOyu3Z4sLpS_r_1VYvavCGp6tfefXU6w_LwjBQEA0IBF_K_fjlfE1dOur8M2ZJ0cxz3nSNiL5/s400/IMG_4713.JPG" border="0" /> </div><div></div><div></div><div>And here she is waiting nervously for the family to arrive. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349617566302744530" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu1Sdv67qiQQCD1Smlk4pKP24LeJZ_N_XN5jr29qyp12vkeNJ02iHv4XnWIO9BZZmhyphenhyphentu-RVQaLiFi2qm5IMnNUZ6HaHVomr7PUVxd35dOzALu9cQvJxqb3golc_DLqxHBavH2VTACSj22/s400/IMG_4719.JPG" border="0" />After breakfast, she was strapped in and on her way.</div></div></div></div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349617576433068210" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq1rNo1FMQLE6dcjDp2I6xwYsNwcJPfrT9bSWfqekRGIhMCiylLtQltfT4dcjIslh1S3IkupHi19YX0KpFXvKJGVkXvD1lqEVOGSYt_T7B-N6nA3EJBX-mg9nbx8PfEa8_NodN400sbNnm/s400/IMG_4722.JPG" border="0" /><br />A little nervous about going so far away, but more excited. So, this weekend, my little big girl went for her longest car trip, the farthest she has ever been away from me, lost her first tooth, went to two new states, saw the mountains for the first time, went to Aunt Emily's and Uncle Alex's house for the first time, AND saw her first Broadway show (the white cat was her favorite :-)), all without Mama. And if I went into detail about how I'VE been handling it all, I would be here all night. Let us just say that my girl is having a ball and dealing well. This Mama left behind... not so much. Although I am enjoying the time with my boys, I miss my little big girl, and I can't wait to see her, one less tooth and all, and here all of the stories she'll have to tell. I plan on letting here do some posts to share the pictures that she takes. So stay tuned for my girl's first blog posts!NatureMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03941764964611602733noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-527957357713693424.post-85572683431754921802009-06-18T23:42:00.003-04:002009-06-19T00:00:42.623-04:00Old picsI have been continually sorting through pictures from the last year, deleting what I don't plan on printing (yes, it's been a year since I ordered prints - gasp and sigh) or ones that I took just for a blog post. I have to widdle away at them until my computer has room to edit all my new pictures. I have found many a picture that was meant for this blog, and thought I would, here and there, share with you some old stories from the last year. These will be short snippets of a blog post, but what's wrong with that, right? I need to be able to do that more often - get my creative release, share with you, and NOT make it an hour long process. So, as I head to bed, here are pictures of my Max from this last January, sorting and playing with my old MAX2 water-soluble oil paints. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348881527787298226" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrKx1_PjVvSBdKC6cuv2_O4Tmz2mp23DpPs0oCuCkR1ZuGZFVzRuwQJDL3_kyW1GwEpcj3OLXHqSDcoiVODAW0pJeuBPmyvDooaZrfQLFMZ59RYm756-kroUZISA2nYXniAFsa2VAhV1GK/s400/IMG_8923.JPG" border="0" />I couldn't pass up that photo op... <div><div><div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348881522116197650" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyEQjWYYjIwad3CEmydW54_ndjU8xuTaetC-mcD03fZ4vh1huFDjqMTnxVrzEXOI6VEuLKob0U6nbKBMWXRQHHQQ8mmG8d3APKe6Gh4LinP8ni3kfgrR9YwAOhstYfR5iMOOUbLhJqHacg/s400/IMG_8921.JPG" border="0" /> <div></div><div>And ending that evening covered in spaghetti, which was, and still is, a norm for him. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348881531832986738" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPBJRPYsdKND8THFII36F3slOFZA-7Q2xmcvoBn7aB9YpSqexcxt-k2DWwRWrm3WLVMu9dnB97ni1buNfb3Mer3fNR72f8LYj6zt5P6Pvn8UeH-Q15FTqk4fDB5Y7ci-3gHbSqrsSSsaSw/s400/IMG_8930.JPG" border="0" />Because spaghetti is nearly as fun to play with as it is yummy to eat. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348881534904246050" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Ce1ATpDOpdvTcO5CjEXFS9RstsC3Yrhrfa4iNluOFqyhkn_QW2KXvDHgUfYNYGWaaDsc1xcrVBC1nyZIkwHHYHlxBSrOhBelAff9GgRYjI5EYynXrkDBHfYY1nopg67Lphszqp3SHyNm/s400/IMG_8938.JPG" border="0" />Oh, and to share a tip with you, I came up with the idea of adding mashed avacado to my spaghetti sauce awhile back, and now just can't imagine it without. It makes it thick, creamy and oh-so-tasty, not to mention adding those wonderful brain-important fats. Yum. Try it sometime. You might be surprised...</div></div></div></div>NatureMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03941764964611602733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-527957357713693424.post-54934278941484564762009-06-12T22:43:00.006-04:002009-06-13T00:46:25.778-04:00Painted Lady ReleaseTwo weeks ago we went to Columbus to visit family and the <a href="http://www.fpconservatory.org/">Franklin Park Conservatory</a>. We love this place, and visit at least once a year when they have the butterfly exhibit. We always bring back Painted Lady caterpillars to raise and release. We got them nice and small this time so we could watch them grow longer, one for each kid. Kane's changed into its chrysalis one day when we were occupied with friends here for lunch. We saw it in its J formation in the morning and then forgot to check until that evening. Bella's went into a J the evening before I was going to drive to Mom's and Dad's to pick Bella and Kane up from a visit. I watched and waited, determined to get pictures of its transformation since they would miss it. The next morning it was still in a J, so I stuck it in the car so the kids could watch it. An hour later, I pulled up to my parent's house and found a fully formed chrysalis. Sneaky little caterpillar... So, even though we didn't get to watch either transform, we prepared a big butterfly house from a cardboard box and plastic wrap and stuck the chrysalises to the top. Max's caterpillar is still munching away at its ground nettle - it was really tiny when we got it. But today we came home from leading the local La Leche League meeting to find a wonderful Painted Lady butterfly hanging from his chrysalis. I say HIS because, well, he was Kane's butterfly, and therefore he was named "BOY." Kane has a fascination of late with calling everyone "boy" and "girl," including me... So this evening we released Boy near our flower bed. We opened up the box and as soon as he felt the air he opened his wings. <div><div><div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346667721664462578" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_6lncLbIQdOUwu7Zoiia8wdVGlUpBVmj0oxLMcQW8sEy69cX6AyXlq4l0-WNyUmg6DyKm8e4uG3q_WYws0aeEfgBy6jJJJYIwpeOvW_1-1oAj8K23CgO88AAugETIIzmLAyV_Cn7jDUaR/s400/IMG_4483.JPG" border="0" /> <div></div><div>Kane reached down into the box and gently picked Boy up to bring him out into the soft breeze.</div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346667729402995954" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWARf3WNdvy8datG7AOTXEs7AxGVohSsRSTcksXWepabYOKvahzFYSg27z9vUCRPfd9gUKHncFOgsIc_1dAu4YILTwxton5Agsmlj2xotmrvkmC9Xt-dkJ9UxTqimkiUjBbCGu1CkcEai6/s400/IMG_4484.JPG" border="0" /> <div></div><div>He hung out for a few seconds, then took off. Of course, in the madness of three excited kids and friends over I missed that shot. But after a short loop out into the yard, he came back to hang out on our mulberry tree for awhile to get used to those new wings.</div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346667731347563618" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheoX9aKZx0Ry1xd8S3rscrjsusKUbrlnXJDVYVgOT1Qi08yEIEKaIb1yxWLjeo6jrxt6Hpzh1IVu9Nk5y2AhZG9P3s6eO2KcY-qcTnhtEdPnKpI9mPozq9hUM8LWxpAW91pF4Zfg2IlOMX/s400/IMG_4487.JPG" border="0" /> <div></div><div>A quick transition to the top of the leaves, and then Boy was off into the wide world. I'm sure we'll speculate for days where he is and what he's doing. </div><div> </div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346667735773476690" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFF8d_p-lo1QBcQg-uy3CkOJwgWjMRocJS7Erz1Ji-DfcO7BZ3Jt4Uf9OEIs1suHR8MeXgcHcTRieI4zr4Z8w0yHs784WthRWZBYPlgTgHTt3OyLzErPxnMPTj9VJmSaWgfZof-jX9eTg2/s400/IMG_4488.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div></div><div>What a wonderful process it all is, and what a joy to be able to be a part of it. There is something about letting that butterfly out into its natural environment that I love. It's a good feeling to know that because of us, there is one more beautiful butterfly out there filling its niche in the world. I've done it with turtles, frogs, snakes, birds, squirrels and one amazing red-tailed hawk, and it never gets old. It makes me feel peaceful and complete to know I'm doing my small part in taking care of a world that we are meant to be the stewards of, and teaching my kids to feel the same.</div></div></div></div>NatureMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03941764964611602733noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-527957357713693424.post-8592000090977000772009-06-10T22:35:00.005-04:002009-06-11T00:02:15.584-04:00Hiking, Peas and ShroomsFor the past several days I have been trying to get a hold on my house. Everything seems like a blur of laundry, cleaning, gardening and cooking, and I feel like the kids and I have been left out of the picture. I have also been dealing with the 700-some pictures that I took at my cousin's wedding nearly 4 weeks ago - oh, I had planned on getting them to her within two weeks, but it has been a year since I have managed any photos on this computer (and I'm pretty sure it has a virus that makes it <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">cantankerous</span>), so the download of those pictures onto my computer used up all of its memory, nearly crashing it. So for weeks I have been wading through old pictures, deleting shots by the hundreds, trying to get to where the wedding photos can be edited and burned to disc and trying NOT to lose my computer. I am almost there, but tonight I really felt like I just had to get the kids out of the house, and the events ended up needing to be blogged. I miss my blogging outlet, and as soon as the wedding pictures are done I will back on more frequently, but they have been my top priority. I'll share some soon. It really was wonderful.<br /><br />We're having a little soft-soled-shoe-ordering party here tomorrow (combining shipping for several friends and me will save us a bit!), so after dinner we ran to the store to get a couple of things to make <a href="http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/2009/05/sweet-potato-chili-vegan-crockpot.html">Stephanie's Sweet Potato <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Chili</span></a> for lunch tomorrow and Friday after our local La <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Leche</span> League meeting. A 15-minute run to the store ended up being an hour because the kids were C-R-A-Z-Y!!! So we came home at 7:15, grabbed my home-made Mei <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Tai</span> carrier and a hand-full of wormwood to help keep off the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">mosquitoes</span>, and headed for the Kroger Wetlands just 2 minutes from home. It's a quick and easy hike for us in the middle of town and the kids love it. And boy did they need it tonight. It is amazing what a 30-minute hike can do just before bed. There were no absolute fits about getting washed up for bed (that has become a usual for Kane - a screaming, kicking tantrum in the bath), everyone went right to sleep, AND Kane willingly jumped in his OWN BED and went to sleep, which was one of his punishments for his absolute refusal to stop running at the store. And if you don't know Kane, he NEVER sleeps in his bed. He starts in Bella's room, either with her in bed or on their little foam fold-out couch, and works his way in with Adam, Max and me in the middle of the night.<br /><br />When we got home from the Wetland (mosquito-bite free!), we went down to the garden for a quick sugar snap pea picking, loading up Bella's dress<br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345911435935596562" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixn_PovfoUN9Hmgr9AUgIgNnsGvGN5kctmlDZwfpeaeA0M2Hm7sgqGbMffN4fo5QbTYQfhek-IG3Yr41IixdSOtjU1FI4yPm-BBmI18FPsmZrXNAljN2xQ2onelr2sfjp2N-dgne9zV-U_/s400/IMG_4481.JPG" border="0" /><br />and Kane's shirt. </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345911427728726322" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD2vxNdaVxhrv66rx1vtZBCSYNCzBXvD8aNesV6KW45AokyqnnLoLeEiyvKxPzi0vT0S7ZZm8IKQtPfLMHyFRvQq-JJmhPBvebpQA6r1jHZg9xDpf9sfdJFGofYdsBVY6oB9n6hf-nrDI9/s400/IMG_4480.JPG" border="0" /></div><div>I had to take pictures, if for nothing but to show my dear friend <a href="http://juliezickefoose.com/blog/index.php">Julie</a> that her <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">children's</span> clothes are right at home here with us now. Then, in the schoolyard across the road, I noticed a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">humongous</span> mushroom <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">gleaming</span> white in the soft light, so we had to go investigate. I love fungus, but have no good field guide to ID them and no time to look online, so I'll leave you without a fun scientific name. Sorry about that. But it was a really beauty.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345909152586589650" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRujIZZZFwCULFSWImkSQPk6GtsO2PNhFlK20tETKxP4UqQT5tpWZrIp_G9ViHOT1fFw7BrfEocRlPcu-oCQMqEzj5zylNoHtp9jQNUvKCkQIHyGTFk8TduFjKmdO64vv-oQck6dRM5EGR/s400/IMG_4471.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div></div><div>Of course, Max had to touch it and smell it. </div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345909147933527554" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSuzLfo478lvshGmBsGtTQAp7Gz6vHr5MqyWaQ4RbYa5bO1Y3bYZsdIy7I6-QyLqfUCfu5hHEVxVBKw0l822xkGMsebHMSrt4mJmbc7nMmylqQbdGqKM-TrLsucBl5T2dN8ZSMxW4O0upL/s400/IMG_4468.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div></div><div>Then Kane smelled it, and this was as close as I could get him to it after that...</div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345909154648293170" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMAX_ihA674agv1qRaRpvSpuIW5Rvft-fvQrZNITAA6iaf4y7rslgBQWjSIpuLwdLoPiYbUKyh-L10ClQ_JAK0_GaLs5j8FUorr8mLBhlgRuB7rEXtGpPPguk3xQrpsURFisPY-zrf3SaG/s400/IMG_4473.JPG" border="0" /> <div></div><br /><div>Then it was a quick stop at one of the boys' favorite spots, the rock pile, before heading in for a late, late bedtime.</div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345911423168147362" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5QYDPNN-_b_NrJLLyvq_6hKcgVLv5VGNqZN90w1mqvaukpWeHzgq59y3PctwI1ktrFHf-IIwnDM28T9wCwXQVPWtTCpXWL42TMQDuKH105KQHQTUVA88H9Wcpi3YvLK52bd9c4JSx3gsz/s400/IMG_4479.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div></div><div>But it was a great evening, and all three are sleeping soundly now in their OWN beds. Now it's off for me to get my yummy <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">chili</span> in the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">slow cooker</span>. Hiking, blogging and cooking - what a wonderful end to a mismatched day. I love to share these moments with all of you. There are so many to come - camping this weekend, the wedding, my niece's senior pictures... So stay tuned!</div></div></div></div></div></div></div>NatureMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03941764964611602733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-527957357713693424.post-87955333433528836922009-05-17T22:19:00.004-04:002009-05-17T23:09:44.002-04:00And The Winner Is...<div><div><div><div>This has taken some major consideration, y'all. Everyone came up with great suggestions for my Name My Garden contest. I mean, she will definitely be Our Bounty, Jules, as well as our Pocketbook Protector, Denise. That's why I planted her! Sarah, I knew you'd come up with a good one, and Yapashi didn't disappoint! By the way, I LOVE Roxanne - cracks me up - can't wait to see some pictures of her! Hortensia - ooh, what a ring that has to it. Classy, Mrs. Boo Radley. Emily, I love the meaning of Beziwit, and love that it is an Ethiopian word. And don't you worry, I'll probably be pawning off extra harvest on you all summer! And Eric, my dear PITA, although all were ingenious, I have to say Bird's Eye is my favorite of your names - you had to remind me, but I do remember cooking "bird's eyes" for you when I was little :-). When it comes right down to it, I really wanted to go with something with a great meaning and a good feeling. Kind of like naming your baby or a new puppy - the name has to fit when you are looking at their faces. Well, I have looked at her face, and knowing in my heart that she is a "she" (I mean, come on, a male can't offer such fruitful bounty!), and after conferring with the fam, the big shout-out and virtual hug just have to go to.... <strong>drumroll, please</strong>.... Mrs. Boo Radley!!! It was such a close race, but Hortensia spoke to me and told me that is the name she wants in big black letters over her gate. So Hortensia it is! Right now, Hortensia is a fortress, as tonight's low is to be in the very low 30s - ARG! <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336993201499246146" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM9uTmdHVk3AW34HAWy7FMHuFJvXNNFzP7MxNhsVOUyqAEPUVEY3z37KUNcKhxGrsuwJiUBeGwFZ0StjJ3rlZ2DEP3bdnXVgJsRnBpFYQZcstfZPZ9D8pCEwfRZJVicUYrl3VsCW7I5uxn/s400/IMG_3911.JPG" border="0" />Way after the expected frost date for our area, and of course after I have all my tomatoes, peppers, broccoli, brussels, kale, cukes, etc. etc. planted out. AND after I moved all of my indoor plants out to my front porch <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336993207566867746" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-5FZThVa22_JN0Gm91-Y2-OJ6OFujrAXregZCJaG0qAhmDGZ1gAF_-IlrdxYgqPAuK_0HfypYnAeTvxZ4XWICTnnmZusTqZ-Vf2AjG6Q8iHICbuikq5EY2PK1GuGTcnnYwkpMXHoUnSm5/s400/IMG_3914.JPG" border="0" />and my herbs are all on the back deck... <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336993208722529650" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLdomtq2Hm8A5Ze4LPZPzYDZK_YfnHYa4oR4moFcl_9SZiPzo0sjtTVWRgxuq38Butuev0UtSjVxDeupCKV3aEzZz2kP6kawlm2I5IVH8KXe_EHIeYbmy29tLP52hHwm4m4xYa5TkzkV91/s400/IMG_3912.JPG" border="0" />Big fat sigh. So tonight it took me 2 hours to find enough supplies to fortify my babies to keep them safe. But everyone should hold out for the night, and bright and early tomorrow morning I will have to take it all down and hose down my flower beds. It will all be worth it, even though it will be a late night preparing for Adam's return from a 5 day business trip to sunny Hollywood. He won't get here until 2 am, but the kids and I have a big Welcome Home party planned for him for the morning.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336993209110535506" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-a2AbTgdJfJLjc3BDsCpTj0bhC9sONEtWSVvmVWZbWKdUxhNvjPNQxELRs5MGypcES56xm7Hwm83SjHUMtbtSajjTBCouFMm5gnOEf_7LDPaKtEFrN5jzu2tcOxEwj66skIQGm4MCyg8U/s400/IMG_3916.JPG" border="0" /></div></div></div></div><br />And my goal is for him to come home to a house with at least the important rooms nicely cleaned. So, while the brownies are most cruely smelling up the whole house (it would be noticed if they read "WE *heart* APA!," instead of "PAPA," in our fancy all-natural sprinkes on the top, wouldn't it...), I will be cleaning the counters and straightening the living room, waiting for our beloved Papa to get his rear home! I miss him! Thanks again for all of the name suggestions everyone!!!NatureMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03941764964611602733noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-527957357713693424.post-33852070312047065802009-05-05T13:59:00.004-04:002009-05-05T15:08:31.708-04:00Auto ReplyI feel like I need to set up an auto reply for my life. It would go a little something like this:<br /><br />Until further notice, Leslie will not be functioning at full capacity. Blog posts may be few and far between thanks to a temperamental computer that needs completely wiped clean and started fresh. Photos will not be updated at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Flickr</span></span> regularly (see above comment about stupid virus-ridden computer). Due to the garden in the back yard, which is the size of a small house, many tasks will not be completed until well after autumn harvest and canning/freezing is DONE. If you happen to live close enough to stop by, you are always welcomed, but do NOT expect a clean and tidy house for the next, oh, 17 years, give or take another child or two. And while Leslie is trying her hardest to stay impartial to what others may think about her shortcomings (which are probably all self-imposed and unrealistically imparted onto unsuspecting friends and family), she may be constantly apologizing for all above-mentioned issues, even though she is thrilled with where her life is. What she will NOT apologize for, however, is dishes half-done if it means nursing a cranky 1-year-old, or piles of mail unsorted if it means listening intently to a 3-year-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">old's</span></span> in-depth 10 minute story, or bag-mountains of clothes and items to be taken to the storage unit if it means looking up the answer to a random question of an ever-curious 5-year-old.<br /><br />If I could only record that and have it start off every conversation, every meeting with friends, every entry into a room 15 minutes late, every time my door opens to family or friends, maybe I wouldn't always feel like I'm falling short. I'm sure, with just that simple explanation of our everyday trials, most would never think all the things I think they do. Maybe my nerves wouldn't be quite as frazzled from not keeping up with the standards I keep for myself - standards that are not at all appropriate for a home-all-day, homeschooling group of Mama and 3 children under age 6 in a house with no maid, no usable storage space, no play room, no spare room to hide all of the embarrassing piles of stuff in, and a Papa gone 6 days a week from around 11 a.m. until around midnight.<br /><br />Enough of the wallowing! I am going to go take my B-vitamins, brew a cup of chamomile and get to rearranging my living room space. But since my computer has finally let me upload all of my recent pictures off of my camera for the first time in 2 weeks (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">YAY</span></span>!), I want to share a picture of our new "addition."<br />Out with the old:<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332413198898250178" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPw4D9DycDa4fBqCVyFZijHuGp7ML8N_tHe5ULCxWOZp3gf4umNRPenvyR0LwkPGn8WF7xEn6aJ3hhDG5qXs5b4Cuk3nAUy4VCjwj93JMfgsFeUF7ifFSebsUag4m_-mTuBlS5hFHhyjef/s400/IMG_0755.JPG" border="0" /><br />In with the new:<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332413194575077090" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtBbCwRoTSRtiiI171w1D2g0wqy9nAblDcb7GZBFLcMFXj7fOVpBFmVlrkT2x4SbOZNT-g73no3kUIgSEY-j4hU5DjjnR-jHW8jVhe1qH2svAi6gozzkMemdFFr1pJP8G2DEfHI6ekDJsX/s400/IMG_2605.JPG" border="0" /><br />Isn't she beautiful? What is surrounded with the orange fence was last year's plot, now planted with peas, beans, onions, lettuce and strawberry spinach. She still needs her walls secured against our friendly neighborhood deer and rabbits, which should happen tomorrow morning, but for the most part she's done. And I have to brag, because Adam and I did the entire fence in two days with a big 2-man auger, which means I am incredibly sore today... I think she needs a name. All suggestions are welcomed. Heck, let's make this a contest! Out of the whole handful of you who check these ramblings occasionally who haven't given up on me ever posting again, I challenge you to come up with a good name for my garden. Anything that beautiful deserves a fitting name, don't you think? Her name will be voted on by my panel of experts (Adam, the kids, and me :-)), and the winner will receive a big <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">ol</span></span>' <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">virtual</span> hug from me and a shout out on this very blog! Woo-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">hoo</span></span>! Help me exceed my expectations (I'm thinking I'll get 2, maybe 3 comments). It's easy to comment, even if you never have before. Just click on the part right at the bottom of this post that tells the number of comments, write what you want to say, choose your identity (Name if you don't have a blogger account) and hit Publish your Comment. I know there is family out there who has never commented before but reads the posts. So bring on the name suggestions!!NatureMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03941764964611602733noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-527957357713693424.post-52249223242335982262009-04-22T14:57:00.008-04:002009-04-22T15:33:21.029-04:00I Am A TulipThe kids are finally at the end of a nasty upper respiratory tract infection. It was just one of those viruses that everyone was getting, and we weren't spared. But after several days of fever and croupy nights for all three fought off with homeopathic remedies, they are down to just that lovely left over cough and occasional runny nose that will last for another couple of weeks, I'm sure. I finally feel like I have some energy rebuilding, and am happy to get back on this computer to update on recent happenings and Easter fun. Bella and Kane have gone to Nan and Pap's house for a few days, and with Maxwell and Baylee (for those who don't know, she is the darling little golden-blond princess who I babysit) soundly sleeping on this cool, blustery spring day, I am taking a little me time to post before it is off to the sewing machine to finish some projects still lagging behind. After all, it is windy, cloudy and rainy, and I have realized lately that I am like a tulip.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327596314584274818" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGaHmWt7zIS5JznpnBPxnlsVtENRe71jkGtGqcjX-j9cLKv-nRmxIgQWQ38H6VDy01h9__5dNNRlptL2wxifUNW0uKAsMlJok1awE7tYhzn7ZqJQrmQonQyvqLG5o_MSA4q8ZfVDHlbwSY/s400/IMG_1367.JPG" border="0" />On this dreary day, I am all closed up, protecting myself from the doom and gloom.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327596315472539394" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWK-yNixXjxRq-LqVIQ9DNyp-_xPnZ8z6oDHRhyB6EqrtT2moS1ArFBayc9iGOe9zSvyaJV1glTvJas9rSjbZq62NomqWoY0FUj3ivKEEws_gAUWXSE-a0FIha5SILzht3MLuaj3JVZjSR/s400/IMG_1371.JPG" border="0" />Without any sun to open my petals, I just can't bring myself out.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327596319870400210" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-WVUS-r3HmiOewTy1WXCUKxI-VrcHB69bN5bv_bIZKVzzPxEbtBu0BrTklbK9oZ6PMD3_0WFBHXvW21dxAi9coSZxnu3MlswZn_W2iHdsjI9hIf65QudCn_QCXTEWeDgf6EhS7A0AKyV7/s400/IMG_1369.JPG" border="0" />The sun doesn't always have to be physical sun, though. I have had some emotionally cloudy days lately, and they have kept me closed up, too, even when it was sunny outside. There are some stormy things clouding up my head, which can block the sun right out. Ah, but the next few days are supposed to be gloriously warm and sunny.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327597764466209570" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUPDPpe-Vhppwb_Dl3mjDxeSyUoQaCviQFnMJ2tZdLVWQr52BPDjih86-hzSRs9tjuRdHrwn8xT3NxBXN5phQTATWHMi73-Yb4HjcTZyWca16LEWQNrCUY_Os3oDyD-bskGtpscnE4WOxZ/s400/IMG_1390.JPG" border="0" /><br />I'll be out there with my arms open wide, soaking up as much of it as I can.<br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327597756335463090" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRmd0O_12FLO_5FhKfqHgj6nXmvqTv7q9SbHyVxlk0iB-hBnF_P8RO4bJDCcwM0cbybhOQmhlaeD5vYZYENty777WS0a8YPMWggsaLMVQwTVpj0TQkpUfUTryq8-oDrFC6b_UN4AFJE6-t/s400/IMG_1378.JPG" border="0" /> The shorts are coming out of hiding, and the tank tops, too.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327597758072687154" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnn8cByfgcem_gp0a8ExhfQLwM1R7CtXzCzJojtE0fZgJAyuMPNBjM8zn48iGEgGHtsI05s6zmRQ1XCaAXPALW1gQKIC22uRgRh-iq-nhTxyobFzKt7cPoO_1vOkA69n5l1VKaRzEudMbc/s400/IMG_1384.JPG" border="0" /><br />I can't think of a better spring weekend, with projected highs in the 80s (!), for my niece's prom. Oooo, I can't wait. I'll leave here Friday for Mom and Dad's and stay through Saturday. There will be much primping, giggling, acrylic-nail-applying, hair-fixing, make-up-applying, photo-taking, girly fun, and I'm going to be loving it!! Even if it were gloomy outside, it would be all the sun I would need to open up and have some fun. So here's to you - I hope your weekend is filled with whatever sun you can find, even if it is gloomy outside. Let that inner tulip open up and soak up whatever sun or happiness you can find, even if it is in the middle of a storm.NatureMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03941764964611602733noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-527957357713693424.post-51038279326473305822009-04-01T22:50:00.000-04:002009-04-01T22:55:11.111-04:00Slow DayToday has been a slow day. Not a planned slow day, but a forced slow day. And sometimes those forced slow days are exactly what we need, even if we don't want to admit it. Last night I came down with a healthy case of mastitis - a breast infection for those non-breastfeeding folk who may read this. Nasty things, breast infections. Fever, aches, shivers, flu-like symptoms along with swelling, redness and pain at the site of the infection. And all of this after one of those <a href="http://nature-mama-and-the-threeshiningstars.blogspot.com/2008/08/off-days.html">off-days</a> that I have talked about before - this one including, but not limited to, dinner that I had worked on all day burning. But sometimes an infection is our body's way of telling us to slow down. I have been working overtime lately with this year's garden. I'm expanding it about three fold, which means tons of digging, planting, planning... I do get a lot of help from my little digger, though.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319905824584608290" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1PZJgCrjU2AgwWYegBLrPEP-aenP6NohzxjaS08Iqh0pO4kkpvn1Nzxyxzx13TfNBrH3YsjdMy0Eko0c5k_RiNcoaF3IPW6k2Xztziad_DfP_pr3ZnKwhMlgvSl_3kGl86bNJoMq1wv_I/s400/IMG_0772.JPG" border="0" /> <div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div>He earned his own little-man sized shovel after working so hard with this regular one. I do love this springtime activity. Planting rows of seeds in peat.</div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319905832586918114" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMhmveczT-cbd2YYTlJwDv2bylsQ9in5-XYR1Sn7dQhyphenhyphenb-Fxh96-dMpUZPLgDZpgrHKiKhYmYz1cDrZxy05O36amHXrdfd19eSzGBfGIRZO1CLz0Ev3AP0luECy2MQAN9_r3_b3eSMRvht/s400/IMG_0813.JPG" border="0" /></div><div>Anticipating, watching, until that first little sprout raises its frail self out of the soil and toward the sun.<br /></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319905834039510402" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJU2itNplO0wB2NGYFEDIcJ7d5LZuVgQ_BYpnBxnJc-PfF-xi30SLmPGanzFYTbvGL2p6iTcJcpRV_YUSXoGFaF6N6SF3SJ7SIG5KplKQXXLkuQs-Blb6yYkWqOu8WPXRrdhMy8Nx131fC/s400/IMG_1217.JPG" border="0" /></div><div>Watching my little cucumbers turn from this, just days after they sprouted...<br /></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319905840106122402" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0REP7sy-1mvfx6BFoVlFoEdMDL8y3y9HVVlhYvj7i78l9IVW_MbIfARFMyyL2YYKTeeNuI1PzBWD7yt3i5ocF0gZ1YXFED3pjkslXVD78QxzS_EnQrTDtzEnin4qVO8_sNwONO_Iq2Qkx/s400/IMG_1212.JPG" border="0" />to this, just 9 days later (pardon the flashiness of these pictures - I despise flash, but wanted you to see how they have grown!). </div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319916544368885234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-JNysW0uqRyU481GJOFZfT38P7nhEulvfV7dclEoGAsU8XVPJLw_c-6599S-NUGP6CGB6S8gwYlsfHz_Iw9J3kuK9XEXwBT2pNZRO1ihitiyIA5Jdl0c8SeRhOwpUw-_GgnZOdUKCzs47/s400/IMG_1360.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>Look at their little cucumber leaves popping out between their sproutling ones. My babies are growing up...</div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319916540978160546" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX1OAQGl0rb-fy4J9gulbncXSWXt4h7-4xJPai9XSO_-g6InaLdXczIYV6JPdmvHZPYxwDrb4ntilVgCX4Gbk4BG1TxeHS8wHZ3rM-1GCbvJ8495ngam7TJ55EW1YjJ8gQOBATds6t7xgI/s400/IMG_1365.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>But as much as I love all the work that goes into my gardening, I have been a little obsessive about it. So even though I really wanted to be out there digging today, putting my peas, strawberry spinach, and the rest of my onions in the ground, I couldn't. And I think that's just what I needed.<br /></div></div><div>Today, then, was spent hanging out inside, reading library books, watching a big truck and a cat documentary, and setting Maxwell up with his new bed. He is making an early move into the mattress-on-the-floor stage, just like his brother did. When Kane was about 18 months, I tore down his crib one afternoon in a fit of frustration, after my third attempt at getting him to sleep only to have him pop up the second I tried to lie him down in his crib. After I got the crib torn apart, I put the crib mattress on the floor, laid down beside him, and nursed him right to sleep. Max is to the same point. If I put him in his crib, he wakes up every half hour to an hour. He has been in his new bed for two hours now, happily sleeping away on a double mattress on the floor. We spent some time this evening, with the soft light pouring through the window, sitting on the edge of his bed looking for birds. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319911027458959378" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBtexXLhK7XsfvzUxIjXkHXyqdwpiJzKYP3ticFzLhzlPBpHo7ExQxb8lNTlvYCbfFzx4KKrhoLhoQvZvs8OQvZkvJC6BAEGdsymfQVLkuCm2plfx-TTuhFaAvzam3HryPvoQ_x6S9Q5L9/s400/IMG_1343.JPG" border="0" />Looking for birds is his favorite past-time, and once he sees one, he doesn't let it out of his sight. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319911018756652914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXMJD7xDoLzp8uOC3Vi00ZQhpO7s4JnBOX8QO62IkQL2dmXUBKv2xvL8TUMJTNoivL9-Lq1_0rWhxLHZX1QPeit0dIVHbUo7mRfyfw5zC48C0aDx7Ks4ltTd-C8wKZrlW3D_WuzdxxZMMS/s400/IMG_1323.JPG" border="0" />My big boy, sitting on his bed watching for birds out his window. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319911028627832706" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyAvRoh7pEcE-FoMMBquZgyexTa3h9sIL3P45Vnc0Mk05FfaAiESagsCB144oYbdBmwAASjriC8P3OH7DDtGzaf-pDApILpxejKaE40WypLVQwEZ4p26VlP9Go2IriF3M7neaYS4IW9QIU/s400/IMG_1349.JPG" border="0" />Sticking his sweet little toes up on the unpainted sill, telling me all about the "BIR!" that he saw - his first blue jay. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319911020770369506" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZwjk-Zah2SNZwBa5LxuMPAC-f0jPHADFOHEy20i01Neb7oCdlEgsG-zhLNWgOE7atouMJVGm0Lw7Ceqc7SKSaBBjnO_GOTMblpYbUFUvCFf_Wj3MqIFDNJF71cUacJv40vEOhLEjpOAM0/s400/IMG_1326.JPG" border="0" />Is it a little soon to start his birding Life List? And while he slumbers on his new bed, and his brother and sister do the same on Bella's bed, having fallen asleep to Max Lucado's wonderful book <em>You Are Special</em> on CD (I love the library!), I am going to do a little bit of knitting while relaxing in my bed with a cup of Echinacea tea and a hot compress on my nursey. Maybe tomorrow I'll feel well enough to plant the peas, onions, and strawberry spinach. Only a good night's sleep will tell me if this infection is going to budge yet. Happy April Fool's day - I've never been any good at the fooling thing. I always feel too bad for fooling someone, because I don't like to get fooled :-). Hope your April is full of SPRING!!!</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>NatureMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03941764964611602733noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-527957357713693424.post-44757213460345587312009-03-28T21:53:00.007-04:002009-04-01T22:53:43.936-04:00Chicken Pox!!!A warm cup of chamomile tea, some yummy dates, and three sleeping babies - my recipe for a blog post. After a beautifully cloudy day with my parents down to visit, a 2-hour walk/jog on the biking trail thrown in the mix, I can think of no better way to end my day. I will be posting about our wonderful biking trail soon, as it is one of our favorite places to be and I have so many memories to share. But today I thought I would take you back to the..... (suspenseful music...) CHICKEN POX (this to be said in a loud, scary theatrical voice). The poxy days, although weeks past, are still fresh in my mind as I look at Kane and Max's marks and wonder how many will scar. They, thankfully, didn't pick at any of the scabs - they all fell off on their own - but some were still so big and so deep that they have left quite a mark for now. I guess we'll see...<br /><br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div>The first few days of itchiness I put them in baths with goat milk powder and vitamin E capsules. With their food allergies, we just can't do oatmeal baths, so that was my substitution. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318424545839980354" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBKL4AcEeGApuRbP7DcZ76gRZRp1rgMxGMZkXAz4Buwm8pT7S2HQin7Mnquh54ndgzNjmUjhrcVGNtSKEGg-2wn52YWARaNoVJFg6BeVFye2aC3maAcd6sger_kyNkffylkX4JYBdZtG3F/s400/IMG_9801.JPG" border="0" />After three days of those I did have to wash them as they started to, well, smell like goat milk :-). But it was a nice, soothing treatment for those <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">itchies</span>. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318424543711776754" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgau1-QIvmzfoaD-WB_6YUgi-w4cxfgpy6asM2Gl91TQARIkamD0N-yPzyMWCkPIxMIZSI0-PtbU1PJVqLoITxEZdEGA4JPf9Ltbj_xLafsl22XgZ2XWZjX7Fum-giAwf_IlRHFpW5Sdb4F/s400/IMG_9799.JPG" border="0" /></div><div></div><div>Between baths they were covered in a mixture of colloidal silver, lavender <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">calendula</span> salve from our wonderful friend at the local Farmer's Market, and tea tree oil. They probably would have smelled like goat milk sooner had the tea tree and lavender not covered it up so well! Uncharacteristically, Bella ended up getting them the least of the three. She had a few on her face and head, a few on her tummy and back, and some in her mouth and throat. That was it for her. </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318424557813031026" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF491l3RGDYj4si6eK6BG3hlPspqfR5TNs7Fs5D_nqJU6O0AB5AuGoieHN5gXM6hurEDawy34ID9EuGUIKSDo6EHYj1NCLv2dLCX2Jje2vGj9iLdSRfquDNpIsjxSWOMMJdQONGkrN2sXr/s400/IMG_9767.JPG" border="0" /></div><div>The older you are the worse the case, supposedly, but Max really got them the worst. Kane had the most pox. One day I sat Kane down to count the ones on his face and there were 45. Ugh. He was miserable. </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318424557392478338" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ4kGknj4M0Vk_l1Hl5Wy0LU67FJQH7vXSHVGcYofVxYMuEFNToo1gTUpN0uoSmglh7mQNv0DMOBwsdmquL1EOJAY3AEjZeSgfPmKf_7kEM_5Q74kdCV-yVzKCdA3Ya-iZSFS2srbbsLfp/s400/IMG_9762.JPG" border="0" /></div><div>But his didn't get as big and scabby as Max's did. And while Kane's seemed to just stop bothering him after about three days, Max had so many in his hair that his bugged him for much longer. At first I didn't want to admit how miserable it really was for all of us. After all, I DID purposely expose them to the virus. But I will freely admit now that there were a few days that were really hairy. Thankfully Bella didn't get them as bad, and hers broke out about 2 days after the boys, so that made it easier than it could have been. They all had them in their throats and mouths, though, which I think made them the most miserable. It was kind of cute, though, to ask Max to show you his chicken pox and see him hang that tongue out for you.</div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318426680843066690" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhExVQR-kjqolajoiX_eeDu6GEbqb60vxODnxJGBIEP6R1L1zsWhcnXC-7b-aVjgc5xfp0jHNGSi8EDh88L3rjMC7mnmY3-9xMML_n5y421rV2dp6DrIMr8-_zd4JcWWriyOrN_mdZTVeBh/s400/IMG_9796.JPG" border="0" />Can you see the one right in the middle of his tongue? He also had his bottom <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">incisors</span> coming in, so that didn't help matters. For about a week he was either doing this:<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318428586547142146" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV6j9uL4R71OVm5tK3UQ2Uz4p02hapRqwQaSclt6drWqrVFg_CY2oXN1EZZ9m76I0urLhzGO9iJuJ80PZSnvoPRaZXDHcCZfWzcbemUGXPWvMbcxITVj2W_cIjGYFjXlCQs6F6m3_KgnfB/s400/IMG_9875.JPG" border="0" />Or this:<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318428598472035922" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5UofeCDcnHr-loqhYAv2iiv1ALjlSy7ptBhS7GsHGrF2-pmlC063hU-bdd1FGnvj3LZphOZ0mUK5GmLXBIcFTngeCUONOgUsQSyUz0j1N5kuA3lBq-KbmGCJUrXdSTqmpPJ311BYbe8hw/s400/IMG_9880.JPG" border="0" />Or this:<br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318428603609460306" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-zmm-qvwj6D0Jwxk9g3h1L7WWLO-Kh020VIvWhTnpBYdWRQRjsB737ni700kZ5Od8o2IvXqhFFhRDzhYsVI-gB3I1TbF8NWz5kjyqIgGf4uUWgy30kDMiYzX6A_uT5K3f4rixJ2sot3LR/s400/IMG_9886.JPG" border="0" />Ah, but it is all over with now, and there is always that silver lining. For us, that silver lining is called Lifelong Acquired Immunity, so I have three children who should never have to worry about the chicken pox for the rest of their lives. I am happy that it is behind us, but I am still thrilled that we went to our Pox Party, shared that juice box, and did what will be best for them in the long run. Now, the cup of tea is gone, as is the bag of dates - it was NOT full when I started this - and those three shining stars of mine are still snoozing away. So I am going to go join them and sleep off those aches that will set in tomorrow from having jogged farther today than I have in, oh, 5 years or so.NatureMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03941764964611602733noreply@blogger.com3