tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-207344652024-02-21T01:53:23.666-05:00Barefoot FloorsRector Funhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08898580145735042579noreply@blogger.comBlogger385125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20734465.post-3077694776830094832014-05-21T23:54:00.000-04:002014-05-21T23:57:13.525-04:00Not such an expert after all<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hey, you know what seems fun but can actually drive you crazy?!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Picking paint colours.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was all cool because I thought knew what I was doing because I had such success with our old house (basically just told the awesome BM expert what I wanted and she picked out the colours) but have been stumped by our living room. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(Not to mention what's happening in the upstairs hall but let's ignore that for the moment, shall we?).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After much research and planning, I picked BM's Revere Pewter to go in this room.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It had everything going for it: Perfect mix of grey and beige (greige)! Stays true! Bestselling colour for Benjamin Moore!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was supposed to look like this:</span><br />
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<a href="http://media.benjaminmoore.com/WebServices/prod/ColorSwatch/HC-172.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://media.benjaminmoore.com/WebServices/prod/ColorSwatch/HC-172.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And instead it looked like this:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpiIRF5EhZnUaYaDHkgMXy8mdRAj3vFqa7DF5HkzVvNqyJGcK2aG0COsH0ZLaWAHizlDZp6SaSYpbmUOzv_irTci8dD7_b8UEIpLgZX_LA1siPMIZGuvzKHDedRmZEHn_uvfgWPA/s1600/IMG_2122.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpiIRF5EhZnUaYaDHkgMXy8mdRAj3vFqa7DF5HkzVvNqyJGcK2aG0COsH0ZLaWAHizlDZp6SaSYpbmUOzv_irTci8dD7_b8UEIpLgZX_LA1siPMIZGuvzKHDedRmZEHn_uvfgWPA/s1600/IMG_2122.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-jXr3uuYBqADmx0lMYrk88eNhCrEmxZcRzH9HMnlNf7NJFciA1RUmxifEo6-vgL8nFzPrU98zukeT7xzE2PjIAjpt0lEfZxwBGXE8EC3oQHfV08kVp6XIZ0JxS9h7UKp2oGbBcg/s1600/IMG_2123.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-jXr3uuYBqADmx0lMYrk88eNhCrEmxZcRzH9HMnlNf7NJFciA1RUmxifEo6-vgL8nFzPrU98zukeT7xzE2PjIAjpt0lEfZxwBGXE8EC3oQHfV08kVp6XIZ0JxS9h7UKp2oGbBcg/s1600/IMG_2123.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">See how, down at the baseboards, it looks lavendar??</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Not cool.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Blame it on the wood trim (I do) and the streaky test pint, and yes, I know it would look different if I'd done the whole wall. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So I painted the whole wall:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRV4JHRP33c6qXA4dwTHRR8DhyphenhyphenL7BN_RMOP0zaJVLj0qQ0lkN0xF31-UNp2ty4iA8rqpjcS8XqQy6M3S9wn03tMvdKS3LcyBoFB8Pd8yoHBe4EEwk2Z3QbG79v2Whdsk1tYJTmIw/s1600/IMG_2135.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRV4JHRP33c6qXA4dwTHRR8DhyphenhyphenL7BN_RMOP0zaJVLj0qQ0lkN0xF31-UNp2ty4iA8rqpjcS8XqQy6M3S9wn03tMvdKS3LcyBoFB8Pd8yoHBe4EEwk2Z3QbG79v2Whdsk1tYJTmIw/s1600/IMG_2135.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And it looked okay but it just didn't look great, you know? I felt it could look better and that the purpley undertone would always bug me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So I did some testing with Grey Owl because it has undertones of green (was surprised at how green it looked in our rec room at our old house).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And it looked better.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But when I painted a test wall today? I</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">cy blue. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiccyinz_ys1vAzKIqXsbU7lNcz4BXS8cUm50GPWc6i-D1TXMVF4cA_ckWSwlcaDiVwHqciP9MlsJzx2KICzk_WK7afONsv1NQCOPJiTEh4mGXExZwS4aJVqrFCqrODdKUylIlWVw/s1600/IMG_2150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiccyinz_ys1vAzKIqXsbU7lNcz4BXS8cUm50GPWc6i-D1TXMVF4cA_ckWSwlcaDiVwHqciP9MlsJzx2KICzk_WK7afONsv1NQCOPJiTEh4mGXExZwS4aJVqrFCqrODdKUylIlWVw/s1600/IMG_2150.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Which is fine if that's what you want but again, not what I'm going for.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sooo ... two days left to finish painting and I'm back where I started. (But with a gallon of super expensive paint in Grey Owl. Guess what colour the rec room's going to be?!) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, seeing as how the orangey trim colour makes everything look lavendar / blue, the key is to go closer to orange on the colour wheel, right, like yellow? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You can see in the above pic that I tested </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Straw (used it in my old living room and loved) but it looked WAY too bright surprisingly. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So I'm going to try "Gentle Cream" tomorrow ... wish me luck!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Benjamin Moore "Gentle Cream":</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
Rector Funhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08898580145735042579noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20734465.post-613093180472553682014-05-21T22:26:00.003-04:002014-05-21T22:38:28.638-04:00Bare Wood Floors<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When we looked at it, our new house had carpet on the stairs and second floor. The second floor was an addition and so they just put down plywood and covered it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The carpet was stained and faded so we initially said we would replace it but, as one quote led to another and I started really thinking about all the reasons I don't like it (harder to clean, have to replace it, gives off VOCs, harbours dust mites, etc), we realized for a bit more we could just put in hardwood to match the first floor.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And today it happened!!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It looks amazing. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Funny how much it can change the look of a room and that it never occurred to us in the beginning.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Kids Room:</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">BEFORE:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Check out the awesome hiding place - they have two in their room!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6JiLPH-i7QcYejSHKMm71OPER2YXn-BidFSn7QRkh9xEH9KFYJSyyQBNg8N4zhk9w5T_XOOcizhyLbNwI3FeEFP3h3ko6yihXSMT1d0MqrU2lJoA8vncfjCYgaptBfZ9GTHapTA/s1600/IMG_1257.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6JiLPH-i7QcYejSHKMm71OPER2YXn-BidFSn7QRkh9xEH9KFYJSyyQBNg8N4zhk9w5T_XOOcizhyLbNwI3FeEFP3h3ko6yihXSMT1d0MqrU2lJoA8vncfjCYgaptBfZ9GTHapTA/s1600/IMG_1257.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">AFTER:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now I don't have to worry about gum on the floor ... as much.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-r7vO9ztiKqQG6jXDa8ifcNYiAYAEsDKHf_EmEFmmnaNUtiVebBVkF2C9Ms9CqrXzuGjOtqDLz44ZNr9_vwb6nHC1drN2EhGEnyqC_FmKYCLBtaSsm9q8xCGFD-Zti0tJbeEmvA/s1600/IMG_2149.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-r7vO9ztiKqQG6jXDa8ifcNYiAYAEsDKHf_EmEFmmnaNUtiVebBVkF2C9Ms9CqrXzuGjOtqDLz44ZNr9_vwb6nHC1drN2EhGEnyqC_FmKYCLBtaSsm9q8xCGFD-Zti0tJbeEmvA/s1600/IMG_2149.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />Our Room:</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b>
BEFORE:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You could see where each piece of furniture was. They clearly had a double bed, with a chest or bench at the foot of it!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvslVO-VXbMCCcUr63qqAZvIyfSi8yX4CZXlsRvs50mWWLfR2sbhmZMWRNABxFCv6U9kv-NsACKuLov_ULS6ZVWK4FxH47S7bxZjKGUcQG5U-fPxqd_iZhE654AjbbuasBkyKYqw/s1600/IMG_1259.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvslVO-VXbMCCcUr63qqAZvIyfSi8yX4CZXlsRvs50mWWLfR2sbhmZMWRNABxFCv6U9kv-NsACKuLov_ULS6ZVWK4FxH47S7bxZjKGUcQG5U-fPxqd_iZhE654AjbbuasBkyKYqw/s1600/IMG_1259.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">AFTER:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This trim is SO getting painted. After I've recovered from the sun room, that is.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzV_HVJm_M7KnOWKHydOUlffrM56wmtl9k8vuQMIX0ViSQbDXv5nFdu4xJCQ6VcJSvPHjiqLSc1aqbjU_1csTiQFyZfuwHr0led-FrJGOCgVR7UHkg-7Y6s_ya40dbrp5cZS5QwA/s1600/IMG_2151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzV_HVJm_M7KnOWKHydOUlffrM56wmtl9k8vuQMIX0ViSQbDXv5nFdu4xJCQ6VcJSvPHjiqLSc1aqbjU_1csTiQFyZfuwHr0led-FrJGOCgVR7UHkg-7Y6s_ya40dbrp5cZS5QwA/s1600/IMG_2151.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We have a different dilemma now though.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We ripped up the carpet in the dining room today and discovered not just the great wood floor we were expecting, but also that there used to be a wall through part of the room. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And when the wall was taken out?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The lovely wood floor was patched with plywood.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So now we face the decision to:</span><br />
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<ol>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Put in carpet. (No!)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rip out the wood and put in cork (This is the option the wood flooring guys recommended. Cheaper but cork stains and it is a dining room we're actually going to eat in. Every night. And my kids are messy.)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pay to have the wood patched, which involves tons of fiddly work to weave the pieces of wood in naturally. (Seems like the only real option?)</span></li>
</ol>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Any thoughts?</span></div>
Rector Funhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08898580145735042579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20734465.post-63732969539626198612014-05-21T22:10:00.001-04:002014-05-21T22:14:04.843-04:00Good day, sunshine!<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Check out the progress on our (new) sunroom!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was instilled in me from a young age to respect wood trim (and never paint over it) but when I saw the sunroom of the new place (which I LOVE, by the way), the window mouldings were crying out to be painting. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lovely wood, yes, but distracting: all you noticed was the trim and not the world outside.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The first couple brush strokes were tough (felt my dad weeping somewhere) but I've been painting for a couple days </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">now</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(so much bevelling!) and it looks great! Makes the room seem so much brighter, the wall colour creamier, the outside view nicer, etc.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Either way, </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">can't wait to get rid of that track lighting.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">PS Check out the awesome cork floor!</span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">BEFORE:</span></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVUS7_WLv1MU3WQjSvfGs-jrnn2jD9EeLHcKW6l1fSamJgSTI5S3QAZsgDhATTcl3z1bSWKIMpRflNcbUILIMECZEQfKdx35D0XyAHwPjAhLe8Zy_qak6wKcQRq214IvwVA2zqDg/s1600/IMG_2125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVUS7_WLv1MU3WQjSvfGs-jrnn2jD9EeLHcKW6l1fSamJgSTI5S3QAZsgDhATTcl3z1bSWKIMpRflNcbUILIMECZEQfKdx35D0XyAHwPjAhLe8Zy_qak6wKcQRq214IvwVA2zqDg/s1600/IMG_2125.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">AFTER:</span></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEKXb28pm7oWHQOk_remaGUgQ7y6etFIh5z0FmiTC0M-xayNWA4N2CdCKOs_8leCu_j7wTaQJZxuhtJsF2-CxYvNsuma4Uyt0ZVa3EZkV-5c0ADqiTatqSCnwc26Sfq4ccq7zhsA/s1600/IMG_2138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEKXb28pm7oWHQOk_remaGUgQ7y6etFIh5z0FmiTC0M-xayNWA4N2CdCKOs_8leCu_j7wTaQJZxuhtJsF2-CxYvNsuma4Uyt0ZVa3EZkV-5c0ADqiTatqSCnwc26Sfq4ccq7zhsA/s1600/IMG_2138.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Still having a dilemma over what exactly to *do* with this room though. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was originally going to decorate it as a typical sunroom. Example:</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qebX15tfib8/Td1kTgxsV2I/AAAAAAABx74/yJmvErJyVeM/msl_0906_sunroom_xl.jpg?imgmax=800" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qebX15tfib8/Td1kTgxsV2I/AAAAAAABx74/yJmvErJyVeM/msl_0906_sunroom_xl.jpg?imgmax=800" height="320" width="257" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Not that we can afford all new furniture but you get the idea.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But then I got thinking about how wicker isn't super comfy and how great it would be to curl up in a comfy chair, drink coffee and read the paper here in sun (especially in the winter).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So that got me looking at loveseat / armchair options. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Something like this:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0FvjstsLmbP5-a3uI5yiB4U_L6e8BZaBj_kVZ-OyyPgjLlO3FroDMMLT_JNX_lWCV2PQS1Fu4JvvWtDy1ZEMtZUmZWKTh1eokmoyhPdVxtVtbXB4ZqvR1Wd1Nj5-Siidz_gJhsw/s1600/seaside+porch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0FvjstsLmbP5-a3uI5yiB4U_L6e8BZaBj_kVZ-OyyPgjLlO3FroDMMLT_JNX_lWCV2PQS1Fu4JvvWtDy1ZEMtZUmZWKTh1eokmoyhPdVxtVtbXB4ZqvR1Wd1Nj5-Siidz_gJhsw/s1600/seaside+porch.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />Or this:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCpwpHnZucR7J23KVjp9cymkiISeyr9trDrV_79jwtfdYqHfsbctL7Xc1oIWRslDyf6zuvpH2n9_iq0cRqnsEqdsRrxx9yN_EhiTM1HQjaNQCloOafkvpNw-9T6L_SrtdITXLn3A/s1600/sun+room+inspiration.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCpwpHnZucR7J23KVjp9cymkiISeyr9trDrV_79jwtfdYqHfsbctL7Xc1oIWRslDyf6zuvpH2n9_iq0cRqnsEqdsRrxx9yN_EhiTM1HQjaNQCloOafkvpNw-9T6L_SrtdITXLn3A/s1600/sun+room+inspiration.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But that's a lot of white and then we'd have two living rooms and I always swore I'd never do the formal living room / family room layout. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And this isn't counting the big rec room in the basement. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You only need one! (Or maybe two, once you have teenagers.)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then today we moved the dining room table in there temporarily (ripping up carpet in the dining room) and it was a lovely place to eat lunch! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Totally tempted now to use it for meals but then what would we do with the awkwardly-shaped (has 6 doorways!) dining room??</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Too many rooms dilemna = truly first world problem.</span></div>
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Rector Funhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08898580145735042579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20734465.post-43931097418544379872014-05-21T20:25:00.005-04:002014-05-21T20:29:40.850-04:00Van Deusen True<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We’ve been busy at work on the new house, now that we finally have the keys!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All of the rooms were painted off-white so I’ve spent the last month picking/obsessing over colours.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And now we finally get to see them on the walls!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The first room I started with was the study. It’s the boldest colour but also the one I was most sure of.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When I first saw the room I could easily picture it dark blue with framed maps and a leather reading chair.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It’s going to take a while to get a leather chair but the colour is just as nice as I’d imagined. It’s rare that a colour goes on and looks just like the chip sample but in this case (BM Van Deusen Blue!) it did exactly that.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(Shout out to Benjamin Moore Aura paint for going on thick with saturated colour in just one coat!)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">BEFORE:</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hard to get good shots of the room (because the amazing plant window makes photos too dark) but here’s a before shot of the corner:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCdwi9VD0DTT0LmQxmJ1mS22diq65y-7hOhGu01B_o4Ydv6UPK2CL2PoZ7tInXFHMOmPXJqxRnlAAJfD4fdpJ1060nWdHB5uCX7LQiBu37sJ8DJOMdn4BJltS2ca2kJ9N2-7ZepA/s1600/IMG_2127.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCdwi9VD0DTT0LmQxmJ1mS22diq65y-7hOhGu01B_o4Ydv6UPK2CL2PoZ7tInXFHMOmPXJqxRnlAAJfD4fdpJ1060nWdHB5uCX7LQiBu37sJ8DJOMdn4BJltS2ca2kJ9N2-7ZepA/s1600/IMG_2127.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>AFTER:</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Gorgeous! </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Don't you feel smarter just looking at it?</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPR0br0wPuESH54GPulwkpd4PnxltjNDv2x49OSYOhVCc3rLuA94Z62OqZDmgcsV6pAqQxo6ht0Nhx5DEUtD2BD10lwB9azrn6-qF-kSXSBJoHqg0ap2_mjkT5l6fSbK94_Gfzzw/s1600/IMG_2140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPR0br0wPuESH54GPulwkpd4PnxltjNDv2x49OSYOhVCc3rLuA94Z62OqZDmgcsV6pAqQxo6ht0Nhx5DEUtD2BD10lwB9azrn6-qF-kSXSBJoHqg0ap2_mjkT5l6fSbK94_Gfzzw/s1600/IMG_2140.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Rector Funhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08898580145735042579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20734465.post-85076245807604228512014-03-17T09:23:00.001-04:002014-03-17T21:13:16.434-04:00<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdnBzZt7IbDXrF8YjJJ25ZJdcgIZEk2rVLmTh5roXy-L5LBbUH0R3YANU7SxnrorIiEkeAmHJHhcvJ3Swe12Vd3F4D9J_T_lvrjbIiZI9KwDtz409BMOHXGi_NU9EAQWazWmXBPg/s1600/IMG_1646.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdnBzZt7IbDXrF8YjJJ25ZJdcgIZEk2rVLmTh5roXy-L5LBbUH0R3YANU7SxnrorIiEkeAmHJHhcvJ3Swe12Vd3F4D9J_T_lvrjbIiZI9KwDtz409BMOHXGi_NU9EAQWazWmXBPg/s1600/IMG_1646.JPG" height="200" width="150" /></a></div>
We're back!<br />
<br />
Have decided to document the selling of our current house and the move to our new house on this trusty old blog.<br />
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It's a ton of work and stress but sometimes you need to focus on the positive, right??<br />
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Now if only I can avoid getting bogged down watching videos of the kids when they were little ("Where did the time go? Sniff, sniff!") ...<br />
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This blog is mainly going to be about decorating, so if you're not a fan, consider yourself warned!<br />
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<b>This Old House Report:</b><br />
<br />
Four days left until the photographer is scheduled to come take pictures for the listing and the house is in chaos! Got some good packing done on the weekend although not sure how this whole living in a 1/2 packed house thing is going to work (Chris packed my cereal bowl!).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3vaW8j6OgQ2SlNpoe-c32JfigkB6zYsc_dcIvJr0w4jx_PC4XSsp7bbdN9C_uHvQf6RIm1T_l4r2k6DknDfLbbL1RZ_7IPPWwqZzIYqHNQcq7ZVIbnnSLLVfFfhEwe-QwZMfAsA/s1600/01d8c5b1b84c749e611df8d017a0f5ec83ca836817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3vaW8j6OgQ2SlNpoe-c32JfigkB6zYsc_dcIvJr0w4jx_PC4XSsp7bbdN9C_uHvQf6RIm1T_l4r2k6DknDfLbbL1RZ_7IPPWwqZzIYqHNQcq7ZVIbnnSLLVfFfhEwe-QwZMfAsA/s1600/01d8c5b1b84c749e611df8d017a0f5ec83ca836817.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a>One thing we *didn't* get rid of was the bookcase in our dining room. I've always liked it (solid wood!) but Stager said to move it out. Since it won't fit in our car so we were going to have to sell it.<br />
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But once it was cleared off and I took pictures to post, I noticed it's a lovely shade of grey, which matchs perfectly with the colour scheme for the new basement rec room!<br />
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So it stays, and is going to be balanced on the right with a lovely trio of bird pics (which somehow never got hung in the 4.5 yrs we've lived here).<br />
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<div style="text-align: right;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNHpPXmeFzkm76QZIE1hUqE9w4MCaPF5UxC4jzkoD_50mGovBNNjgYRN-U1w4CUtffBqWAZAk3c1eQJ61CJ2Z3pQ9d3lMdVEqjxxnV00q669FAtVefc-_kLDAzluTZ8qCjiU-jcw/s1600/IMG_1624.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNHpPXmeFzkm76QZIE1hUqE9w4MCaPF5UxC4jzkoD_50mGovBNNjgYRN-U1w4CUtffBqWAZAk3c1eQJ61CJ2Z3pQ9d3lMdVEqjxxnV00q669FAtVefc-_kLDAzluTZ8qCjiU-jcw/s1600/IMG_1624.JPG" height="200" width="150" /></a></div>
In other accomplishments, we got a replacement fridge (old one would periodically let out a loud clunking sound - not great for viewings), moved a TON of stuff to the in-laws place (hi, MJ!) and started painting over Mila's tree, which was a bit sad (for both of us).<br />
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Many promises of a new tree being painted at the new house. (And many coats of primer to cover up the dark paint! Is it just me or does it look like a ghost tree now?)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgratZfd4BpUiWYfhiApkpuYkVTEbarF0MfscOfwRKYYo5KvVJ3N46ZmHFKjUzOpHlKtZA7wxoMnwVf4G8oPuBME1PH0Lmzv15yYn4nxoDwk5suF7OWtFn1iKldiejms6T00ohaSw/s1600/IMG_1630.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgratZfd4BpUiWYfhiApkpuYkVTEbarF0MfscOfwRKYYo5KvVJ3N46ZmHFKjUzOpHlKtZA7wxoMnwVf4G8oPuBME1PH0Lmzv15yYn4nxoDwk5suF7OWtFn1iKldiejms6T00ohaSw/s1600/IMG_1630.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a>Also, staged a bookcase for the first time (harder than you'd think). Looks lovely but still prefer the functionality of just a whole whack of books.<br />
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The big news is that the new countertops are being installed today!<br />
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Yes, I am FULLY aware that I lived for four years without a counter on one side of the kitchen, only to get brand new ones just when we're about to move.<br />
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I picked out the countertop in about 5 minutes at the store (did I mention the photographer is coming on Friday?!) so was a little flip-flop-in-the-stomach nervous to see it in place.<br />
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So ridiculous to try and pick a pattern without comparing it to the colours in your kitchen!<br />
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I'm not a big fan of dark counters so went lighter, with some texture.<br />
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And now that it's in, it looks SO fresh and lovely, it brightens the whole kitchen. I can't believe it took four years ...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxZDqjDmP0r_2bMfqkekKk_2ej2vMafvYcJsc2KfPmam-NaMQuVfXKqqDTACTRGgbRjaFm-0cwsch-M3Ez2f-TdfRGeDMsTW7wa-_pDbkpT4K5lMnhEWQyjvtP-YCXX1LJrBvx8Q/s1600/IMG_1641.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxZDqjDmP0r_2bMfqkekKk_2ej2vMafvYcJsc2KfPmam-NaMQuVfXKqqDTACTRGgbRjaFm-0cwsch-M3Ez2f-TdfRGeDMsTW7wa-_pDbkpT4K5lMnhEWQyjvtP-YCXX1LJrBvx8Q/s1600/IMG_1641.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO0Sy3z9lQ9hcSHOxRrxbpK2C8m1I2F9srMYoxWgAto33svbIKNAFY-VLwjAw_tHcMKh_UfK-zYC7bpoy1KlLcl1-0jJaVQ7DVZKZqLzjuUzDeyUBmghfJrluv_XIoU8LSO-Rs9g/s1600/IMG_1633.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO0Sy3z9lQ9hcSHOxRrxbpK2C8m1I2F9srMYoxWgAto33svbIKNAFY-VLwjAw_tHcMKh_UfK-zYC7bpoy1KlLcl1-0jJaVQ7DVZKZqLzjuUzDeyUBmghfJrluv_XIoU8LSO-Rs9g/s1600/IMG_1633.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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Kind of mad.<br />
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<b><br />New House:</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1aNZGVTaaaB1071N_9Omv430hbV7bQBsU9vzaEmf6-M6a-P55jPi3_v8kfZUDtQ0307ywkyUCIsEffq_IknvbS9bB1w36ZU7U1NKINSKKpja9khdApCTe2gL43TbP_i0OAe04wA/s1600/IMG_1287.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1aNZGVTaaaB1071N_9Omv430hbV7bQBsU9vzaEmf6-M6a-P55jPi3_v8kfZUDtQ0307ywkyUCIsEffq_IknvbS9bB1w36ZU7U1NKINSKKpja9khdApCTe2gL43TbP_i0OAe04wA/s1600/IMG_1287.JPG" height="200" width="150" /></a></div>
Check out the counters at the new house. Not a huge fan.<br />
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Will someday redo (dreaming of walnut-coloured wood laminate and quartz countertops) but 'til then, I have to work with the colour scheme that's there.<br />
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Doesn't this picture just make your fingers itch to paint the cupboards white?!!<br />
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Brown tile floor: ugh.Rector Funhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08898580145735042579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20734465.post-68716662589912418712010-12-13T19:49:00.002-05:002010-12-13T19:52:06.008-05:00Countdown to crazinessI tried canceling Christmas this year but no one around me seemed to listen.<br /><br />So now we're trying to get in the spirit of the season in the like, two seconds a week we have to think about such things.<br /><br />So far, we have a wreath on our door (thanks Nana and Bopa!), a few lights in the window and a tree!<br /><br />Here's a little snippet from decorating the tree today:<br /><br /><object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/EZSP4Rte_Rg?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/EZSP4Rte_Rg?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object>Rector Funhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08898580145735042579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20734465.post-3855452992281982912010-11-30T18:22:00.008-05:002010-11-30T19:50:20.868-05:00Monthly Update: NovemberYou really should stop checking this blog. I have no time to add things! How about we make a plan to meet, like on the first of every month?<br /><br />That way you don't have to keep checking and feeling disappointed and I won't feel so guilty.<br /><br />Funny stories / quotes happen every day but like I said, no time to post. Store has been open about three weeks and all is well. Turns out talking about baby stuff all day is fun!<br /><br />Kids are in winter colds / lots-of-change-in-their-lives mode which is never pretty but we're getting through okay. Send groceries.<br /><br />One story to share:<br /><br />At bedtime tonight, Mela and I were talking about names and then, when we were lying quietly in the darkness, she said, "Mama, have you ever met someone named Amelia? Not me, another person?"<br /><br />And I said, yes I had. She asked, "Where did you meet her?"<br /><br />I said I'd met her in a bathroom, in a restaurant. There was a mama and a little girl and the girl's name was Amelia.<br /><br />Our Amelia the Precocious then asked a number of questions, including "did you know her?" (no, she was a stranger), "was she a baby or a big girl?" (big girl), "what did she look like?" (long yellow hair), "where was the restaurant?" (in Toronto), "were we with you?" (Daddy and baby Mela were but Nate wasn't born yet), and most importantly, after a long period of quiet thought ...<br /><br />"Was she a dinosaur stranger or a people stranger?"<br /><br />Important question to ask.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Say click:</span><br /><br />The substitute parents keep the kids company:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1szIEyz2P-LPyb-fWEs7q9SA6HltLuFpxsq9taBS5fuNpF42spxoF2QEaxEG4WPdHh1U8k2tyAQrTKUzxEHiGjN_GheqDJ4FHqb6QVfJ52t2NVT2CJie5xljOHuFclGaBRxey-Q/s1600/IMG_3302.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1szIEyz2P-LPyb-fWEs7q9SA6HltLuFpxsq9taBS5fuNpF42spxoF2QEaxEG4WPdHh1U8k2tyAQrTKUzxEHiGjN_GheqDJ4FHqb6QVfJ52t2NVT2CJie5xljOHuFclGaBRxey-Q/s320/IMG_3302.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545507745548711282" border="0" /></a><br />Nate the Tool Man "fixing" the dishwasher:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPbl05g6LqSW2xkKv1ekcpDJczAYn1cqi7CeCG0c1y5SM_ie7oR83IOU5GWLlsmwbrZPD-WVeotf1PL9sjW7-zpVdWQ2LhbV823NaaD7JxGVknLDQI4070pcPX8as5Mvs1ihS0xg/s1600/IMG_3305.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPbl05g6LqSW2xkKv1ekcpDJczAYn1cqi7CeCG0c1y5SM_ie7oR83IOU5GWLlsmwbrZPD-WVeotf1PL9sjW7-zpVdWQ2LhbV823NaaD7JxGVknLDQI4070pcPX8as5Mvs1ihS0xg/s320/IMG_3305.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545504366387439362" border="0" /></a>Could there possible be a fat baby inside that box?<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP9HTqSLvoNaGgs1XrqyREwInmz9TZnv-j3jT-12c_bC5XaPaqBmZ-S-RGpJDtughoUlpRSLAeSyqxJmhk3A_BduAoXxe6KDIZI6VrKt6DWD7Vl2kIn0o7hOxEUjQw5_KFR-stiA/s1600/IMG_3326.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP9HTqSLvoNaGgs1XrqyREwInmz9TZnv-j3jT-12c_bC5XaPaqBmZ-S-RGpJDtughoUlpRSLAeSyqxJmhk3A_BduAoXxe6KDIZI6VrKt6DWD7Vl2kIn0o7hOxEUjQw5_KFR-stiA/s320/IMG_3326.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545487827817672050" border="0" /></a>It's Nate!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-3A47kZBrxShi7m5-e6cpCeEmhaUpJj2_rNhdLxHzg7WRLwdKLRHc1btGiYcR65JItj7W2y5kyj_4ZJCKBMLPt0onCcGSWxm9_dSCfikbUNoTPQi2nQJPZN00Y5uZh2EFGAKn1w/s1600/IMG_3328.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-3A47kZBrxShi7m5-e6cpCeEmhaUpJj2_rNhdLxHzg7WRLwdKLRHc1btGiYcR65JItj7W2y5kyj_4ZJCKBMLPt0onCcGSWxm9_dSCfikbUNoTPQi2nQJPZN00Y5uZh2EFGAKn1w/s320/IMG_3328.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545504358010693186" border="0" /></a>Mela struts her stuff:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7jJP-gPMgX6VlsKkqKvGKuvTkRzoQtJicEMdwcQgD8e0imvNT-7qQCZoxTz35we3Pnmm9y2uPK7BZHz_kj0GxKPdmV6V-g2NBWOQtZAFBhx3y_9DhVXAwjWHKU-Xoh1IPwiS5Nw/s1600/IMG_3323.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7jJP-gPMgX6VlsKkqKvGKuvTkRzoQtJicEMdwcQgD8e0imvNT-7qQCZoxTz35we3Pnmm9y2uPK7BZHz_kj0GxKPdmV6V-g2NBWOQtZAFBhx3y_9DhVXAwjWHKU-Xoh1IPwiS5Nw/s320/IMG_3323.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545487817870865954" border="0" /></a>Close-up:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRtNjjK4rargDIyBI3eRkv717NhuqGq7bHKrSjUO56s_BdAKz4hWYsCE3R-FUQKRRQzeB7sGW6vye3FOadb7wHps-usRPQmRs2VJFOtRwvqyWDUoGCbJNU3JCXenLL7A6XD7FOBg/s1600/IMG_3346.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRtNjjK4rargDIyBI3eRkv717NhuqGq7bHKrSjUO56s_BdAKz4hWYsCE3R-FUQKRRQzeB7sGW6vye3FOadb7wHps-usRPQmRs2VJFOtRwvqyWDUoGCbJNU3JCXenLL7A6XD7FOBg/s320/IMG_3346.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545505165566445282" border="0" /></a>The most beautiful eyes:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpylTfVDS2vSnkzr-rJ0ML6ac0cL8t77UW_cJOBE0hMKs_23wKuSH249JhxJBcEDRlwBMzta3FgyVk6h2n_EddP0KrnqxMxDYMIbBjAdf1iZVodfCROYN60yu5bOG39yn12MSrkQ/s1600/IMG_3344.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpylTfVDS2vSnkzr-rJ0ML6ac0cL8t77UW_cJOBE0hMKs_23wKuSH249JhxJBcEDRlwBMzta3FgyVk6h2n_EddP0KrnqxMxDYMIbBjAdf1iZVodfCROYN60yu5bOG39yn12MSrkQ/s320/IMG_3344.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545505159912329602" border="0" /></a>Rector Funhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08898580145735042579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20734465.post-23800236497228526062010-10-26T08:34:00.010-04:002010-10-26T13:31:28.043-04:00Few quick shots of the weeds as they grow before our eyesIf you're still checking this blog, then here's a little reward.<br /><br />First time with hair totally in pigtails - it's getting long!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ILA-_oeZyOMrQbI-WPvQVGATxmVI7GR-0wZu2u5GZiDK8hcIl7UpdpqU2cGw52dQUrh5gEnc1UB4mCJeyIimjZoF2khJT0nmgnPDQcJofC3007WoWUW0zPIFDcBg4Qmo6WXWHg/s1600/IMG_3259.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ILA-_oeZyOMrQbI-WPvQVGATxmVI7GR-0wZu2u5GZiDK8hcIl7UpdpqU2cGw52dQUrh5gEnc1UB4mCJeyIimjZoF2khJT0nmgnPDQcJofC3007WoWUW0zPIFDcBg4Qmo6WXWHg/s320/IMG_3259.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532334231885836386" border="0" /></a>Do I have a three year old or 13 year old? You decide:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUMD0itIaY1WfHL9WuqtM0dLLGKQBwyBFYHtVtpmczQ_nouXFB_i0cbNzzA0oZmRKtErWy0LxQ6OOJVsqGNijNtUZPe2Yi7R-pGpZ3y7zuyoAwFIs-QJwtCx7oyrUAjpceZ5daZw/s1600/IMG_3256.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUMD0itIaY1WfHL9WuqtM0dLLGKQBwyBFYHtVtpmczQ_nouXFB_i0cbNzzA0oZmRKtErWy0LxQ6OOJVsqGNijNtUZPe2Yi7R-pGpZ3y7zuyoAwFIs-QJwtCx7oyrUAjpceZ5daZw/s320/IMG_3256.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532332818864978210" border="0" /></a>Pure boy:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaFzxHvRtxSpvDNkBDLH0-42V38sbYU9Qzm0qqvymuINaEOG74qtLMPbtnfZS-7ojYh9stgH9zbzJQYJ0EwJnfYaaE9lIHM859lkuJ4YWEN7hSfy-iRKH2Mh2reGTe6zWz3cjWWA/s1600/IMG_3241.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaFzxHvRtxSpvDNkBDLH0-42V38sbYU9Qzm0qqvymuINaEOG74qtLMPbtnfZS-7ojYh9stgH9zbzJQYJ0EwJnfYaaE9lIHM859lkuJ4YWEN7hSfy-iRKH2Mh2reGTe6zWz3cjWWA/s320/IMG_3241.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532333510686685874" border="0" /></a>Playing sleeping bunnies with Sophia - great way to get three kids to be quiet!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPOThqDCIaWCjIvc7zVGckCaLOKPdZFab9iaa2SNJIqb4TpmttR7TrkSd_HBLiD9rDNE7LZ99_cJuDBja2oQ13jN0kCBjl2GLnsHtQ7vlMILK6zUyCdvQfGaxR1tsk7w9ez8GkOw/s1600/IMG_3250.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPOThqDCIaWCjIvc7zVGckCaLOKPdZFab9iaa2SNJIqb4TpmttR7TrkSd_HBLiD9rDNE7LZ99_cJuDBja2oQ13jN0kCBjl2GLnsHtQ7vlMILK6zUyCdvQfGaxR1tsk7w9ez8GkOw/s320/IMG_3250.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532333930607272674" border="0" /></a>I went in his room to wake him up but really, how can you?<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4YD9_N9yHUkt-EJtiOYbwQM2U5H4qyxilj2vzDidR0klscMKGq4L7nrImhyAmxgcdE_Iv7-GzdY_YdvUN2YEG3Tutr3PWb83COCVFGb9LnDfgH4tyOtibVpC9zPoC3SCrJ3hd8Q/s1600/IMG_3243.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4YD9_N9yHUkt-EJtiOYbwQM2U5H4qyxilj2vzDidR0klscMKGq4L7nrImhyAmxgcdE_Iv7-GzdY_YdvUN2YEG3Tutr3PWb83COCVFGb9LnDfgH4tyOtibVpC9zPoC3SCrJ3hd8Q/s320/IMG_3243.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532333514753117970" border="0" /></a><br />And here's a video of our pancake eating monster:<br /><object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/hK122McnZDg?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/hK122McnZDg?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object>Rector Funhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08898580145735042579noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20734465.post-48309041117625081682010-10-03T18:38:00.013-04:002010-10-10T22:14:31.198-04:00Annual giving of the thanksI think its obvious why I should be thankful. <div><br /></div><div>We finally (FINALLY!) signed a lease at a place for our new baby store. We're hoping to open as soon as possible (three weeks?!) which sounds ridiculous except we have had nine months to prepare.</div><div><br /></div><div>The kids are finally in a much better day care situation. It's quiet (sometimes only 2 or 3 other kids in their classes!), they play together for hours in the shady outdoors and Nathan actually had a 2.5 hr nap there on Friday, he was so relaxed. </div><div><br /></div><div>The only downside is that I now have to face the (new) challenge of trying to convince them to leave!</div><div><br /></div><div>Good friends and good family, near and far. </div><div><br /></div><div>Two amazing kids. One amazing husband. Our own house in a friendly little corner of the world.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Good Wife on TV once a week. My iphone. Skinny jeans and over-the-knee black leather boots (apparently I think I'm 25). Pancakes with local maple syrup. A book club where I walk in the room and every single person there is someone I like and want to talk to. CBC Radio 2 Drive. A kick-ass perennial garden. The freedom and support to become an entrepreneur and take an entirely new path in life. Snuggles in a warm bed with a sweet snoring toddler.</div><div><br /></div><div>It is obvious why I am thankful.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Say click:</span><br />Corn maze farm:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjORwkZAAVNF1tWKrKRZyNzgkFHfbDryRUtw3Ri0mk5oIjp0rrYqOoKwo53nQ9Z-FFlDQB6k6CYh3mPMLHF7e0RdaAn0DKcCbCpojYSyR9Mv4yUM3psIKGDJTqq5njnjsJlme99Aw/s1600/IMG_3204.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjORwkZAAVNF1tWKrKRZyNzgkFHfbDryRUtw3Ri0mk5oIjp0rrYqOoKwo53nQ9Z-FFlDQB6k6CYh3mPMLHF7e0RdaAn0DKcCbCpojYSyR9Mv4yUM3psIKGDJTqq5njnjsJlme99Aw/s320/IMG_3204.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526587714290795778" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw3CyAPWZE9TSsG77haviq4ACIKhzZKRL8PCtACiePDhXH_0hvlb-sdVyLVMPr258j5z7kiVa4qswK0rDqSKIBnWIxCD5YZ1DIickoKS3VtZ_DmHewFsOQtklIYUwpWNqUQIP0xg/s1600/IMG_3206.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw3CyAPWZE9TSsG77haviq4ACIKhzZKRL8PCtACiePDhXH_0hvlb-sdVyLVMPr258j5z7kiVa4qswK0rDqSKIBnWIxCD5YZ1DIickoKS3VtZ_DmHewFsOQtklIYUwpWNqUQIP0xg/s320/IMG_3206.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526587721453307586" border="0" /></a>Which way do we go?<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGG9frgHzduEUChObuPtEWN37VZfaxu4AN4xstP2TCXCWD4ylgAk_EGFl_6YFp2tIJPIcGNdB8P_6gVSp8R_cd4esVdodr9iUP03gLee5o5HKMFtAF5rg7xzcNkHDIdbPEM6QM0g/s1600/IMG_3208.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGG9frgHzduEUChObuPtEWN37VZfaxu4AN4xstP2TCXCWD4ylgAk_EGFl_6YFp2tIJPIcGNdB8P_6gVSp8R_cd4esVdodr9iUP03gLee5o5HKMFtAF5rg7xzcNkHDIdbPEM6QM0g/s320/IMG_3208.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526590798985692178" border="0" /></a>Battle of the flags:<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlWgqRL5Im46UxLX2sCiMip0ABmgvYbUCt56491qu8DD8uqs96-UKEDynCj38oEDF4jv6WXrDsXX3mIbUDtmsZYrRPPwMBPnUAtsNc-Lx-A2V_Al42RVZNrvxHIgw-dXozupos8Q/s1600/IMG_3207.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlWgqRL5Im46UxLX2sCiMip0ABmgvYbUCt56491qu8DD8uqs96-UKEDynCj38oEDF4jv6WXrDsXX3mIbUDtmsZYrRPPwMBPnUAtsNc-Lx-A2V_Al42RVZNrvxHIgw-dXozupos8Q/s320/IMG_3207.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526590804510268626" border="0" /></a>Photo shoot: preparing (before I bribed Nate to take off his beloved hat)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCkFtXZ2S0znbc5MvDntk80bcfCMyB4xbH7tP507mcDgwdW938q3njvmN8iXtRRjA1gVvhPD9MIzUhSBIsqCjBAI6hwB1CI5dJVeZpW1aCTfEzS3JrFqgHBIvhhW593QwyCAfjVA/s1600/IMG_3209.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCkFtXZ2S0znbc5MvDntk80bcfCMyB4xbH7tP507mcDgwdW938q3njvmN8iXtRRjA1gVvhPD9MIzUhSBIsqCjBAI6hwB1CI5dJVeZpW1aCTfEzS3JrFqgHBIvhhW593QwyCAfjVA/s320/IMG_3209.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526591675996199202" border="0" /></a>Photo shoot: Take 1<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix_DSPuRfy2KTdMj38IbKltUkQBuOEcv7s25u6lK8Acq6-ESM7r6-_UKDh11eTw4g99DvfDoWBMjaPkI3AaqlK1bPylse7OtF91rKBWAjvtxjtNKZHgGAWvLha5CxTDrFO7REjtw/s1600/IMG_3225.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix_DSPuRfy2KTdMj38IbKltUkQBuOEcv7s25u6lK8Acq6-ESM7r6-_UKDh11eTw4g99DvfDoWBMjaPkI3AaqlK1bPylse7OtF91rKBWAjvtxjtNKZHgGAWvLha5CxTDrFO7REjtw/s320/IMG_3225.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526599252166157986" border="0" /></a>Photo shoot: Goofing around (check out the crossed ankles, cousin Jenny)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi08AJ_rno-dOcN6hQUa15feeqH11WZef-opdgn8ZAE6GftkV3iw86-muGvm4zGtZ-9Fj2t36kQs-uH_5o5thOlwIoojU5xITE0_rYhHtUJZ_5ZkB7EhTe-QpLnDLTuFnkIdu9MGg/s1600/IMG_3221.JPG"><br /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSY0JD-tmJkuac5Ln-yp9F-qyLF9ssnUweA8elszEmpjVGSlx0J3vgKYeLEG58616iAywQcMMvt8tITWl7UPhrzyx_wOY1su-uLyQ_FYaLqTo4BYWkCEVq9m6xwU-1h1hqCE_l8Q/s1600/IMG_3217.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSY0JD-tmJkuac5Ln-yp9F-qyLF9ssnUweA8elszEmpjVGSlx0J3vgKYeLEG58616iAywQcMMvt8tITWl7UPhrzyx_wOY1su-uLyQ_FYaLqTo4BYWkCEVq9m6xwU-1h1hqCE_l8Q/s320/IMG_3217.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526595291861580402" border="0" /></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi08AJ_rno-dOcN6hQUa15feeqH11WZef-opdgn8ZAE6GftkV3iw86-muGvm4zGtZ-9Fj2t36kQs-uH_5o5thOlwIoojU5xITE0_rYhHtUJZ_5ZkB7EhTe-QpLnDLTuFnkIdu9MGg/s1600/IMG_3221.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi08AJ_rno-dOcN6hQUa15feeqH11WZef-opdgn8ZAE6GftkV3iw86-muGvm4zGtZ-9Fj2t36kQs-uH_5o5thOlwIoojU5xITE0_rYhHtUJZ_5ZkB7EhTe-QpLnDLTuFnkIdu9MGg/s320/IMG_3221.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526599244574419634" border="0" /></a>Photo shoot: As good as it's going to get<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzP8Ch0sv32adC2IlKvVT2Jk9ZXwNk_PPZHtC9DQDELKZn5HnvnSr1yaWun5P-NFwDyqQrBAAGH_JsEqxcOXUvN7AmSZGikVKqZBCPM_miN0Ab3TI36q0QVg2dmViGTcm2on4GDw/s1600/IMG_3212.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzP8Ch0sv32adC2IlKvVT2Jk9ZXwNk_PPZHtC9DQDELKZn5HnvnSr1yaWun5P-NFwDyqQrBAAGH_JsEqxcOXUvN7AmSZGikVKqZBCPM_miN0Ab3TI36q0QVg2dmViGTcm2on4GDw/s320/IMG_3212.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526591683836684834" border="0" /></a></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQeDycO1RhW6jbEzm4AdpGSYHljhlVaQo9Jw_dh5U8sh8Vq8lOAwd1wFlrRqWJ8UcP5tJm7y4mrFht2NZB2FHVu43pnTXPhHLsxC8tScQfrZX9_e6auplI-iHHTpjKtrpAlTv_DQ/s1600/IMG_3235.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQeDycO1RhW6jbEzm4AdpGSYHljhlVaQo9Jw_dh5U8sh8Vq8lOAwd1wFlrRqWJ8UcP5tJm7y4mrFht2NZB2FHVu43pnTXPhHLsxC8tScQfrZX9_e6auplI-iHHTpjKtrpAlTv_DQ/s320/IMG_3235.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526600129239540658" border="0" /></a><div>Okay, now you can go crazy:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM5gycPIqUME0c9uW1FmSnB-YC7B8EBXio6b0MUOYzoJ7nx6Y-kn58b9B0fpyISdofmmmR7sfdlPpw9sOdjAHFipj6jQpTPfZOEtJCdPgGOvMhJx7VDjywFWGPKV1ZeEOajvDYIQ/s1600/IMG_3227.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM5gycPIqUME0c9uW1FmSnB-YC7B8EBXio6b0MUOYzoJ7nx6Y-kn58b9B0fpyISdofmmmR7sfdlPpw9sOdjAHFipj6jQpTPfZOEtJCdPgGOvMhJx7VDjywFWGPKV1ZeEOajvDYIQ/s320/IMG_3227.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526600123400216930" border="0" /></a><br /></div>Rector Funhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08898580145735042579noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20734465.post-3390081742620228472010-09-27T21:28:00.015-04:002010-09-27T22:18:41.777-04:00Three lessons for one momStill no time to post really but couldn't resist this. <div><br /></div><div>First of all, Nate recently did the big tranfer out of his crib. With Mela it was all fanfare and a gorgeous toddler bed (which she spurned) and song and dance and celebration. With kid #2, I carried him into bed one night and he said, "No crib." So I made a nest on the floor for him and that was that.</div><div><br /></div><div>I had known the day was coming and besides, it meant I got to snuggle him to sleep again, which I've been waiting for since he was six months old. </div><div><br /></div><div>What I didn't expect that was he wakes me up at 6:55 each day now. Turns out that's when he's probably been getting up all along but would play nicely in his crib. Now that he has his whole room to play in, he's decided to yell for me as soon as he's awake instead.</div><div><br /></div><div>Lesson #1 learned: with progress can come pain.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>The second lesson was taught last night. I've had the kids sleep in each other's rooms before because I wanted to prepare them for the day they'll share a room (since Mela is so brokenhearted to sleep alone every single night). It's always gone well. Then last night we did it and it was a disaster. They were up until 10 pm (so much giggling and plotting!) and then were hysterical when we finally had to separate them. Turns out that with Nate out of a crib, they spend the whole time having adventures instead of sleeping.</div><div><br /></div><div>So today was fun with two sleep-deprived little ones, especially one who refuses to take a nap even when her eyes are almost black underneath.<br /><br />Lesson #2 learned: no sleepover until we have beds for them to stay in.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>And the third lesson was learned tonight. We separated them from the start (and Mela was crying so hard she was almost incoherent and then promptly passed out) and it seemed to work well. Except Nathan had had such a monster-long nap, he was full of beans and spent the next hour learning how to open his door.</div><div><br /></div><div>Which he finally mastered.</div><div><br /></div><div>And then walked downstairs and said, "Hello!" in a very jovial tone. I put him back in his room repeatedly and it finally seemed to stick.</div><div><br /></div><div>Fast-forward to my bedtime (about 10 mins ago) and I decide to check on him. I crack open his door and peer into the darkness. No lump in the nest. I creep in and feel around on the floor. No sleeping body. I look everywhere and finally turn on the light. No Nathan. </div><div><br /></div><div>I run and look in our room but he's not there. For a minute I panic and think he's somehow climbed the stairs to the attic and is horrible trapped but then I remember to ...</div><div><br /></div><div>check Mela's room. And there he is. </div><div><br /></div><div>So now I know ...<br /><br />Lesson #3: just because a transition starts out seeming straightforward, doesn't mean it is.</div><div><br /></div><div>Funny that he loves her so much and still tries to hit her all day long.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Say click:</b></div><div style="font-style: italic;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="font-style: italic;">Back when it was still summer, the kids sweating it out on the couch:</div><div style="font-style: italic;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyMLSiKMD2hKiwLpJL6BhrD9BDQOL4vvXdBMq_A9cN7NmccdAdbOT1Qy5tGuRFl353s6kMbgWGTngBAZ6lBX5ZSQQc-2HpsI_zQiuyoomFCfnjustBeYKgORKiYaCjHDzmg480ig/s1600/IMG_3063.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyMLSiKMD2hKiwLpJL6BhrD9BDQOL4vvXdBMq_A9cN7NmccdAdbOT1Qy5tGuRFl353s6kMbgWGTngBAZ6lBX5ZSQQc-2HpsI_zQiuyoomFCfnjustBeYKgORKiYaCjHDzmg480ig/s320/IMG_3063.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521774989517421410" border="0" /></a>Enjoying the outdoors:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsYHCju9QZHUWLFC3aQXLQC-I1GrQCvXK9fB_qW6gWfkyY8wmxckwNsDCVWfwqZvHvKJel8y2c1x3dOQ55NJDuVcP1CcoSONPShllFLHBkxYVqqrEaco2ss7jqpZ_Ogyu9InOIxg/s1600/IMG_3056.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsYHCju9QZHUWLFC3aQXLQC-I1GrQCvXK9fB_qW6gWfkyY8wmxckwNsDCVWfwqZvHvKJel8y2c1x3dOQ55NJDuVcP1CcoSONPShllFLHBkxYVqqrEaco2ss7jqpZ_Ogyu9InOIxg/s320/IMG_3056.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521774306706843938" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi48GqfkyaAP3mBfK8TsqgZOzWuczARTM1UroDELwEtwrqy8Jlr087cWkMWvZ8mNoFhlpCazpL2c3uPPTR0VBiqmFEpvPmd9a4Dih5o_kdkefiwSbbzdIuYlqvDQvViWFvqbSbo7g/s1600/IMG_3059.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi48GqfkyaAP3mBfK8TsqgZOzWuczARTM1UroDELwEtwrqy8Jlr087cWkMWvZ8mNoFhlpCazpL2c3uPPTR0VBiqmFEpvPmd9a4Dih5o_kdkefiwSbbzdIuYlqvDQvViWFvqbSbo7g/s320/IMG_3059.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521774977725215794" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWudOtKl2fmA-YUF2mVHXT7FrpEHCPzDpcoxA-voEJ07P_8FiasmeQZzxiOZr1ZeEt9orI8da6P79JA3AQqec38goFMqFS1L9XYOb1OI5Om5kF4kFVtgeCGEWkVVneJLI9CA8gQw/s1600/IMG_3052.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWudOtKl2fmA-YUF2mVHXT7FrpEHCPzDpcoxA-voEJ07P_8FiasmeQZzxiOZr1ZeEt9orI8da6P79JA3AQqec38goFMqFS1L9XYOb1OI5Om5kF4kFVtgeCGEWkVVneJLI9CA8gQw/s320/IMG_3052.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521774300766110466" border="0" /></a></div><div style="font-style: italic;">After several consecutive days of no nap, sometimes she just crashes:</div><div style="font-style: italic;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-TvIJ8752qweO6I8CUHv3J6YW3AVjJpY7ZXv_E6q2y9Df4wvJWh9K2WxY6JrDOUXLTQ4CepDCJA0hdG97ccokskuOjSVNSrmMYscrfZpnOC-DA1uxeX3w64YPxyMLvfKDLLICfQ/s1600/IMG_3072.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-TvIJ8752qweO6I8CUHv3J6YW3AVjJpY7ZXv_E6q2y9Df4wvJWh9K2WxY6JrDOUXLTQ4CepDCJA0hdG97ccokskuOjSVNSrmMYscrfZpnOC-DA1uxeX3w64YPxyMLvfKDLLICfQ/s320/IMG_3072.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521776310880434882" border="0" /></a></div><div style="font-style: italic;">This is what it looks like when a hurricane is trying to blow my neighbours' tree over (check out the quality of the light - the oranges seem weirdly intense):</div><div style="font-style: italic;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijzgJSUWW9dF7RU6-SMbsv09VM-cUIhBheWuIze3tkV1jWBGWaMTNxm378cDZflmogLs19vXMZjw0Gy6Y5T27H4G5xDo2O2hOsHRj4OIzNRyrFRCUyttJ4SCE9NEiZPPU4oXNfCA/s1600/IMG_3068.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijzgJSUWW9dF7RU6-SMbsv09VM-cUIhBheWuIze3tkV1jWBGWaMTNxm378cDZflmogLs19vXMZjw0Gy6Y5T27H4G5xDo2O2hOsHRj4OIzNRyrFRCUyttJ4SCE9NEiZPPU4oXNfCA/s320/IMG_3068.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521775607796970786" border="0" /></a></div><div style="font-style: italic;">Daddy made homemade sushi (and tempura) - wow!!</div><div style="font-style: italic;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUkGJIbwpm7wx13It98LR2P8dEi4OizFqZ8YyHWkYT76UAn_-NBWEmMiq3DRIQvl5ZHXDe0mRx2GVNjFJeU3NEHoYaAN0RtTzMcLaywmV0CbIxxprijkVUQSc4cy9sVfFex1_7hw/s1600/IMG_3088.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUkGJIbwpm7wx13It98LR2P8dEi4OizFqZ8YyHWkYT76UAn_-NBWEmMiq3DRIQvl5ZHXDe0mRx2GVNjFJeU3NEHoYaAN0RtTzMcLaywmV0CbIxxprijkVUQSc4cy9sVfFex1_7hw/s320/IMG_3088.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521776314873220386" border="0" /></a></div><div style="font-style: italic;">It disappears quickly, seaweed and all:</div><div style="font-style: italic;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTLk_Rv1gsJ7CukLx6Z3g_rKrPnThkFTBxqH7GKQkk0CtQWtY-mCFugOlh9Guk6lOyhAI5z001Sm4rTyh4_NXafpFicEUCf5aT5canpkqFBJAgksNSuvi7qNTjIZV2GCoJLljbYA/s1600/IMG_3089.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTLk_Rv1gsJ7CukLx6Z3g_rKrPnThkFTBxqH7GKQkk0CtQWtY-mCFugOlh9Guk6lOyhAI5z001Sm4rTyh4_NXafpFicEUCf5aT5canpkqFBJAgksNSuvi7qNTjIZV2GCoJLljbYA/s320/IMG_3089.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521777044286628274" border="0" /></a></div><div style="font-style: italic;">Sister hugs:</div><div style="font-style: italic;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhybcSJuXNyZjckYr0ldndmNQT8zKgcS6xQD5ZBWYb6vU9_j90DTdJJr4Ogo4MKBWwpiS9redUkOSf7dc7U8lxEbruJ4Gz1VmumGe0NrQ6aEvX_dJChnoIK-aLh89Meo_4PMyjBgA/s1600/IMG_3098.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhybcSJuXNyZjckYr0ldndmNQT8zKgcS6xQD5ZBWYb6vU9_j90DTdJJr4Ogo4MKBWwpiS9redUkOSf7dc7U8lxEbruJ4Gz1VmumGe0NrQ6aEvX_dJChnoIK-aLh89Meo_4PMyjBgA/s320/IMG_3098.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521777054994589394" border="0" /></a></div><div><span style="font-style: italic;">Speaking of crashing ... (check out the undies!!!):</span><br /><a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfXv8CZRkEDJAFxXM3EIT6UJ0kihTY20qIBZiSS4QzZRNZ4JdSBwZDn3iU_S-inKGBIJCdM7n2oZ3GZajfDU7FP-I6EzR1wMg6ECVWXW-dSNsTHbFu26ZA68Kiv6cLFQm-4amvlw/s1600/IMG_3103.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfXv8CZRkEDJAFxXM3EIT6UJ0kihTY20qIBZiSS4QzZRNZ4JdSBwZDn3iU_S-inKGBIJCdM7n2oZ3GZajfDU7FP-I6EzR1wMg6ECVWXW-dSNsTHbFu26ZA68Kiv6cLFQm-4amvlw/s320/IMG_3103.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521777662869327330" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Two kids with colds = no rest for the Mama:</span><br /><a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn_QUxR4UmhS50wPo1KeIOXwPap4jqZ59qF8WBWa9I8zzObSf_e00qqHUN6ckDOfdHJnD_WOnh3RkcslfRmrLSVrkUDOUNRaixN4YuJ7cg-O8k_oknPXAyu59gwrcc0_LyEtEcvw/s1600/IMG_3107.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn_QUxR4UmhS50wPo1KeIOXwPap4jqZ59qF8WBWa9I8zzObSf_e00qqHUN6ckDOfdHJnD_WOnh3RkcslfRmrLSVrkUDOUNRaixN4YuJ7cg-O8k_oknPXAyu59gwrcc0_LyEtEcvw/s320/IMG_3107.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521777669447029122" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Big boy with his present from Great-Grandma Martha!</span><br /><a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipwzZ585ouvIDCy1llM75xCaubEVev-zPzcereAjm6Wh4BVMzu8a63h8Jjyskbd9NZHzjzOSv4PRLsL6X-MEjZskeNad5zgeHONIpdc4sOqplLmmJ-FqBLjiFu7yU9sT4T_LMjVA/s1600/IMG_3110.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipwzZ585ouvIDCy1llM75xCaubEVev-zPzcereAjm6Wh4BVMzu8a63h8Jjyskbd9NZHzjzOSv4PRLsL6X-MEjZskeNad5zgeHONIpdc4sOqplLmmJ-FqBLjiFu7yU9sT4T_LMjVA/s320/IMG_3110.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521778733731634146" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Planning his strategy:</span><br /><a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjefAp1RomTtC7sOKniNrtpD-umedOFfovBhR3o97TcaT7etUDdImIs0WPlEdo9VKbmgkScT7nO115m6b17IfWojW7W27zCe8l3I5pqZ9nn7BHtFqlG3c3rOMGSxekkSDwN2EZNA/s1600/IMG_3152.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjefAp1RomTtC7sOKniNrtpD-umedOFfovBhR3o97TcaT7etUDdImIs0WPlEdo9VKbmgkScT7nO115m6b17IfWojW7W27zCe8l3I5pqZ9nn7BHtFqlG3c3rOMGSxekkSDwN2EZNA/s320/IMG_3152.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521779456279258098" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Score!</span><br /><a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtuzx-EgLV2T_01xAMKKr03dYDTPfXX-S46YiWHRzjZnhx7nmsm4ZRSVwDAT7aCZ4BIzkrc0DKf5ypDHwMchvqMQyT9WcQCH182dpiXVUgDmsd4p4qnkATJi8SDGZihF7unZ-PoA/s1600/IMG_3137.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtuzx-EgLV2T_01xAMKKr03dYDTPfXX-S46YiWHRzjZnhx7nmsm4ZRSVwDAT7aCZ4BIzkrc0DKf5ypDHwMchvqMQyT9WcQCH182dpiXVUgDmsd4p4qnkATJi8SDGZihF7unZ-PoA/s320/IMG_3137.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521779446034502834" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Nate gives up and starts to play golf:</span><br /><a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFhfGqjwY1jtnx-LRM3tB2qnFPWaQRNtDDEO94mag9l4nxapJs7frsFNgeOG82hEve0Qz1QF4_3H8MnJEgXV_Qa-dBM1rldMzXypBJEmqk-JNjmEtLcmq_MRQn_5-egB9bHVZhPg/s1600/IMG_3158.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFhfGqjwY1jtnx-LRM3tB2qnFPWaQRNtDDEO94mag9l4nxapJs7frsFNgeOG82hEve0Qz1QF4_3H8MnJEgXV_Qa-dBM1rldMzXypBJEmqk-JNjmEtLcmq_MRQn_5-egB9bHVZhPg/s320/IMG_3158.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521780046824805522" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">... and basketball:</span><br /><a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie5FOZP7ujhH7fxgWRrKUu6kZ3rPEBmz__15c_XEjyUj8wSPsRYlG9bVtl9chulQLfURW3W7B9SQg8fZdbB5ElicTBbDSNFAdCvCzaY_yQj-cNb8Si2AeMyXkLpiE5wpzxn1luZQ/s1600/IMG_3180.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie5FOZP7ujhH7fxgWRrKUu6kZ3rPEBmz__15c_XEjyUj8wSPsRYlG9bVtl9chulQLfURW3W7B9SQg8fZdbB5ElicTBbDSNFAdCvCzaY_yQj-cNb8Si2AeMyXkLpiE5wpzxn1luZQ/s320/IMG_3180.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521780564912508386" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">The boy and his Mom:</span><br /><a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNGYjOkzj0S2UXbJem4b8Gfa8QgT85RU3VhJtnfSuY7BV6RNRHeLb684KznshXHRosZAtdIBzBcFOuIeaJ6963nQZ56yVzjzBeXKwEHdqkYj3NcQEOtn_bfXSAdAuCr-0pQq1NHA/s1600/IMG_3177.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNGYjOkzj0S2UXbJem4b8Gfa8QgT85RU3VhJtnfSuY7BV6RNRHeLb684KznshXHRosZAtdIBzBcFOuIeaJ6963nQZ56yVzjzBeXKwEHdqkYj3NcQEOtn_bfXSAdAuCr-0pQq1NHA/s320/IMG_3177.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521780054614491522" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">After months of rinsing hair with kids screaming bloody (and thinking the whole time that these things would be a waste of money), I finally broke down and bought the stupid bath visors. And they work!!!</span><br /><a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz3IsmMfg9RKvBWIQ94avdP3SDe-1pbrML8GAfRKX_2k1PlZ9OJPfW0oaLa56DJiKlLavXbkJ0iMZcwlBNqwGejek34-OIu5C4xuFXQM8oyAwm25M2qXsV5kd04cn7rkH3UqvyFw/s1600/IMG_3193.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz3IsmMfg9RKvBWIQ94avdP3SDe-1pbrML8GAfRKX_2k1PlZ9OJPfW0oaLa56DJiKlLavXbkJ0iMZcwlBNqwGejek34-OIu5C4xuFXQM8oyAwm25M2qXsV5kd04cn7rkH3UqvyFw/s320/IMG_3193.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521780570990439794" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Mela diligently rinsing her frog:</span><br /><a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo4dsZhCt5dw1ioq4iFk4oo86TC_QTchyphenhyphenFEfsAilHV6E8toqfQwKid4Ik0mIdolPRxd0GGshGd_6otGSSG6CbFP28osc_M21oosKahCMuvJxXgEwSTRzEopEKkZKNFQjPoxOxreA/s1600/IMG_3198.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo4dsZhCt5dw1ioq4iFk4oo86TC_QTchyphenhyphenFEfsAilHV6E8toqfQwKid4Ik0mIdolPRxd0GGshGd_6otGSSG6CbFP28osc_M21oosKahCMuvJxXgEwSTRzEopEKkZKNFQjPoxOxreA/s320/IMG_3198.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521781099174860018" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">And finally ... caught in the act:</span><br /><a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBYYHljP8gQ0OytQDMAIRjmYPUqumN-3KVwP4VJHPU5N0AFX0NLvi6AtSjj4g2h5nNIMTlNr33y1NV7fsqqg54B8j9ml5N8lztAjCCFSh_tZbt5YPk7ybSgqzVzwavXsHgg0fkeA/s1600/IMG_3201.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBYYHljP8gQ0OytQDMAIRjmYPUqumN-3KVwP4VJHPU5N0AFX0NLvi6AtSjj4g2h5nNIMTlNr33y1NV7fsqqg54B8j9ml5N8lztAjCCFSh_tZbt5YPk7ybSgqzVzwavXsHgg0fkeA/s320/IMG_3201.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521781109853096498" border="0" /></a><br /></div>Rector Funhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08898580145735042579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20734465.post-62881611538829231692010-09-13T14:15:00.002-04:002010-09-13T14:32:55.814-04:00Having it all<div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><span class="Apple-style-span" >As most of you know, it appears as though there is an increasingly good chance that my business partner and I are opening a children's retail shop this fall (what the WHAT?!).</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><span class="Apple-style-span" >Never really something I wanted to do (don't like, 98% of retail stores go out of business?) but I do have a deep and abiding love of baby products and really do believe that you have to carpe the diem if you don't want to spend your entire life in a taupe cubicle working on projects that proceed at the glacial rates and have a good chance of never actually doing any good.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><span class="Apple-style-span" >And if you actually want to see your kids a bit while they're growing up.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><span class="Apple-style-span" >So in case you're wondering, here's a day in the life a mom entrepeneur: </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><span class="Apple-style-span" >Woken up by 60 lbs of elbows and knees "hopping on mama," cook breakfast while starving children wail about intense hunger, </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; font-size: 15px; ">gulp a microwaved cup of yesterday's coffee, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; font-size: 15px; ">change everyone out of pjs, change stinky Nate, clean up oatmeal blast radius, take quick shower (with Nate standing in bathroom calling me the entire time), towel off in time to break up a fight, discover kids have dumped almost an entire bag of raisins on the kitchen floor, change stinky Nate again, blow dry hair for the first time all week while referring battle over precious marbles by yelling from bathroom, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; font-size: 15px; ">try to find a magical outfit that looks professional, stylish, and weather appropriate but also hides the flab from having two kids, make a lightening-fast lunch the kids might actually eat, hold sobbing mela for 10 mins due to some minor squabble, change Nate again and just stop putting his pants back on, take out now-full garbage full of rank diapers, dig through purses and briefcases full of animal crackers, wiki stcks and dinky cars to find sole tube of lipstick, clean up blast radius from lunch, change noodle-covered outfit, read books to kids, put Nate down for nap, frantically try to tidy most offensive clutter for babysitter, babysitter arrives, hunt for heels, drive to important presentation, rehearse in waiting room ... </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><span class="Apple-style-span" >And was just told that we don't actually need to appear in front of the committee after all. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><span class="Apple-style-span" >Now heading home to put on Robin Hood and sweatpants ...</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /><br /></span><br /></div>Rector Funhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08898580145735042579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20734465.post-23041033794078966422010-08-22T19:23:00.022-04:002010-08-22T20:32:25.083-04:00Party Time!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkS1ena6rxApRgLXn-1p07frmlCgHSyKyBht2jMkC_npDgXcd1iut7V_ovdNkKilhGfONhBKuH5PZ1_J_Bwn4fmu0_4Dt3IbjgXgEZl06N_4htMOJ9llONPLKshjEJW2hnWeHVSw/s1600/IMG_3003.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 172px; height: 258px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkS1ena6rxApRgLXn-1p07frmlCgHSyKyBht2jMkC_npDgXcd1iut7V_ovdNkKilhGfONhBKuH5PZ1_J_Bwn4fmu0_4Dt3IbjgXgEZl06N_4htMOJ9llONPLKshjEJW2hnWeHVSw/s320/IMG_3003.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508395151965206594" border="0" /></a>Had Nate's birthday party this afternoon.<br /><br />Instead of our usual big bash, though, we stuck with beer and pizza with family on the patio. We were supposed to start our lease on the shop today (if it hadn't fallen through) so wanted to keep it very low-key. <div><br /></div><div>As it turns out, you still have to clean your house and all that stuff (make an ice cream cake!) so you really don't save that much work.<br /><br />But it was nice to have it a little more calm than usual, especially since we stuck to the only-invite-as-many-kids-as-your-child's-birthday-number (e.g. 2). Nate still had a couple fits but who wouldn't, when your arch-nemesis touches your birthday digger.<br /><br />All in all, it was a wonderful day in the sun.</div><div> </div><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Say click:</span><br /><div style="font-style: italic;">Nate unwraps his birthday present from his buddies (with a little help):</div><div style="font-style: italic;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJXY1oziDdARe0WjxESNAfo4CHl-ve6boYLftp0Qg-Z-OHP0_kwoUKabEnyuZxhWF8ZelLqsb8_Yk1FzbwGuLBG0yAtWE4OsLuTRomAXisD44qGINsfhdU8insWWpyKfXf2n4iDg/s1600/IMG_2996.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJXY1oziDdARe0WjxESNAfo4CHl-ve6boYLftp0Qg-Z-OHP0_kwoUKabEnyuZxhWF8ZelLqsb8_Yk1FzbwGuLBG0yAtWE4OsLuTRomAXisD44qGINsfhdU8insWWpyKfXf2n4iDg/s320/IMG_2996.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508380156713807986" border="0" /></a></div><div style="font-style: italic;">Clearly a good choice:</div><div style="font-style: italic;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd7gwNkJMzlnYbqToFoEw-agcxJpjZ14e9rNA3jbKw1aRrZfuyoRNpYDv3fkVd6VxjN7WvbvDtASyvmdeDW0twYObr1pAqjmHmPbArVSMEvIPJ7_un931L0Nb-kRBTpk0ezOrZbA/s1600/IMG_3008.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd7gwNkJMzlnYbqToFoEw-agcxJpjZ14e9rNA3jbKw1aRrZfuyoRNpYDv3fkVd6VxjN7WvbvDtASyvmdeDW0twYObr1pAqjmHmPbArVSMEvIPJ7_un931L0Nb-kRBTpk0ezOrZbA/s320/IMG_3008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508381595302857458" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyqdUjYdw4LJhZW6nS8e9fhcl0GXZEohX_9fT1Q6JFeYqVhPNIV6Knt4dkSd59lUMj9HoTWiZTw6qTAbW4oj4w8A4LoI6I_ehkSowzzJFWu8rMxlpqpZQm5Cx8t24KlzPABWyHHQ/s1600/IMG_3009.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyqdUjYdw4LJhZW6nS8e9fhcl0GXZEohX_9fT1Q6JFeYqVhPNIV6Knt4dkSd59lUMj9HoTWiZTw6qTAbW4oj4w8A4LoI6I_ehkSowzzJFWu8rMxlpqpZQm5Cx8t24KlzPABWyHHQ/s320/IMG_3009.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508381605051120258" border="0" /></a></div><div style="font-style: italic;">While the men assemble the basketball net from Grammie & Grandad:</div><div style="font-style: italic;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ZNPeGvwrf1jHROqEkPwBYiiNY39Q6uQkMpMjxMKWFIbIib_dtnkB5c-f68x4xEejQB_sIQM02Jrmwo3eBk1YooOvv7zyIx9O9yeVTFMoc84_j5KJ_t7yngnXMv_IUeOgcqJGMg/s1600/IMG_2999.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ZNPeGvwrf1jHROqEkPwBYiiNY39Q6uQkMpMjxMKWFIbIib_dtnkB5c-f68x4xEejQB_sIQM02Jrmwo3eBk1YooOvv7zyIx9O9yeVTFMoc84_j5KJ_t7yngnXMv_IUeOgcqJGMg/s320/IMG_2999.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508380148209512210" border="0" /></a></div><div style="font-style: italic;">Hours of fun with the new net (and enough balls for all the kids!):<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi30R_kasIxk2hUQjSmaeSdi9KB0M2aM-Xfi1NHiJYG2o_DDhf-FJSbHUHriURhErEtDM2n6vXptL7YueKvvepnRsHKI02IlmY-4lOIbfc_yohYO2BG28znix-tKLdi7mHvnv_xrA/s1600/IMG_3013.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi30R_kasIxk2hUQjSmaeSdi9KB0M2aM-Xfi1NHiJYG2o_DDhf-FJSbHUHriURhErEtDM2n6vXptL7YueKvvepnRsHKI02IlmY-4lOIbfc_yohYO2BG28znix-tKLdi7mHvnv_xrA/s320/IMG_3013.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508381614484426434" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIYqtZhn5DwSzqdJHvn3VD4ZKnGSEAV8wrr-wWVnVib2AKGNblPpjVyHgMyMvaNC5YaQNvxPNSpEhUelrOQ5Pec2EsOSRMkV34K70pVWkGyL_00GgHZANi9xRPcn_x1VIZMNEbhQ/s1600/IMG_3015.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIYqtZhn5DwSzqdJHvn3VD4ZKnGSEAV8wrr-wWVnVib2AKGNblPpjVyHgMyMvaNC5YaQNvxPNSpEhUelrOQ5Pec2EsOSRMkV34K70pVWkGyL_00GgHZANi9xRPcn_x1VIZMNEbhQ/s320/IMG_3015.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508383613681834626" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7WxLlXrj_p3GLut5YxxOYFUHU3g00HH8uK-edwZNskKfuwsOJLyvGZvZ1M_g75KMvhBo5Ma-mE8dPS3-jkXWx50JfTNVx6e3-zjgwlOsCqRq73NPSyS7TKZwWGseENfwrUQ0TBA/s1600/IMG_3017.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7WxLlXrj_p3GLut5YxxOYFUHU3g00HH8uK-edwZNskKfuwsOJLyvGZvZ1M_g75KMvhBo5Ma-mE8dPS3-jkXWx50JfTNVx6e3-zjgwlOsCqRq73NPSyS7TKZwWGseENfwrUQ0TBA/s320/IMG_3017.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508383622425587842" border="0" /></a>Party on the lower deck:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTZRWMWZAQHSy8jc63yEckUp4Q_jadBeQ3-_u31r0x42vj8YAg5KRezWDtaF3U8zKBy9oUUjH6We7BQrtW11YfLrP5IxeApz0imWnaU8mX2SyNJj17UiYA73rcTWzOwxtVKpKLsA/s1600/IMG_3024.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTZRWMWZAQHSy8jc63yEckUp4Q_jadBeQ3-_u31r0x42vj8YAg5KRezWDtaF3U8zKBy9oUUjH6We7BQrtW11YfLrP5IxeApz0imWnaU8mX2SyNJj17UiYA73rcTWzOwxtVKpKLsA/s320/IMG_3024.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508385275678484386" border="0" /></a>I think it was around this time that Cohen told Mela he'd marry her:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLcf4X1puIwA6mNdlE3LxLGvhIn8cdVC3eAy0LQcQYrdBtkUQ4JlZdwY-lHfSzcAv0Gfhh6JcHTJ6OC38lAL-6-7HSba_HRiOIyW-TUYXtZTy-dZE5kEr-01KSZeToQvd_u4UZ3A/s1600/IMG_3019.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLcf4X1puIwA6mNdlE3LxLGvhIn8cdVC3eAy0LQcQYrdBtkUQ4JlZdwY-lHfSzcAv0Gfhh6JcHTJ6OC38lAL-6-7HSba_HRiOIyW-TUYXtZTy-dZE5kEr-01KSZeToQvd_u4UZ3A/s320/IMG_3019.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508393065385014594" border="0" /></a>Perfect weather:<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm6VVHz96sCD1_-qTBMhQVEvX7FiUqz3S19W5mhsJWDeaaJYf7scPbKXYUqG8ugqKC23WvCbEU9uyRrRhUhIMhZJwTCXKpGOrOjI_7ZdaKBm5TGuQXNOqVY_EeWO1UzV5XF3avuw/s1600/IMG_3030.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm6VVHz96sCD1_-qTBMhQVEvX7FiUqz3S19W5mhsJWDeaaJYf7scPbKXYUqG8ugqKC23WvCbEU9uyRrRhUhIMhZJwTCXKpGOrOjI_7ZdaKBm5TGuQXNOqVY_EeWO1UzV5XF3avuw/s320/IMG_3030.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508387202521630802" border="0" /></a>The couple discusses their plans while the monkey hams it up:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYwmd1ZydGny0W1J2ndZVeEc7hkMqIuSwdR6Ayb6Ol1cUhIvwEIfkX21EF26KQe3cfDl2u5XPO0Pl9O50FnuU7AsnK9_3h1Wfn0PyilnZ1cu0_xDCLhhn-COR4Qk-o7VbSqX_Kow/s1600/IMG_3021.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYwmd1ZydGny0W1J2ndZVeEc7hkMqIuSwdR6Ayb6Ol1cUhIvwEIfkX21EF26KQe3cfDl2u5XPO0Pl9O50FnuU7AsnK9_3h1Wfn0PyilnZ1cu0_xDCLhhn-COR4Qk-o7VbSqX_Kow/s320/IMG_3021.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508385268528094482" border="0" /></a>A tiny caterpillar shows up just in time to console Mela from a tumble:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF9WodC_TRD0jSRlajLQ5kS4tjKIvUKJPaMTzJwgisuOE9siSWMk1QSGD0eqv1yVJIDHx2tpKo9gP6MR1e4XE9XkYhXEb91kpZZq4f_T2OvbCLIUiW8-zydUFfOBviMFQU0Ci0Jg/s1600/IMG_3027.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF9WodC_TRD0jSRlajLQ5kS4tjKIvUKJPaMTzJwgisuOE9siSWMk1QSGD0eqv1yVJIDHx2tpKo9gP6MR1e4XE9XkYhXEb91kpZZq4f_T2OvbCLIUiW8-zydUFfOBviMFQU0Ci0Jg/s320/IMG_3027.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508386085952187090" border="0" /></a>Fascination:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMLx6FSrg95X8Z-YxJkGLoSwxG5ibq59Bc_8PooDqpXEZ-o2HvN04AukjPHEVKmCKJp9i4zQZufFYyMqTgAcEgxWrGpw1Svjdv-X5buAB0WZQM8nytqbPndqphGnM9CakLxKn-tg/s1600/IMG_3029.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMLx6FSrg95X8Z-YxJkGLoSwxG5ibq59Bc_8PooDqpXEZ-o2HvN04AukjPHEVKmCKJp9i4zQZufFYyMqTgAcEgxWrGpw1Svjdv-X5buAB0WZQM8nytqbPndqphGnM9CakLxKn-tg/s320/IMG_3029.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508386092164077938" border="0" /></a>Pizza picnic:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirAAPg6hnGQGoEuSMFEIw1t9ShoD8oLCcy44THrotKD5FR8ATUcXZAKr_Q4Ma3yl7rZskssAkIHO7e4N-h6qWnZEBIQmbGr6aL_3uWP2cg35OuqKTTz7W5fNT2uNVQYbNM7DXPEA/s1600/IMG_3034.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirAAPg6hnGQGoEuSMFEIw1t9ShoD8oLCcy44THrotKD5FR8ATUcXZAKr_Q4Ma3yl7rZskssAkIHO7e4N-h6qWnZEBIQmbGr6aL_3uWP2cg35OuqKTTz7W5fNT2uNVQYbNM7DXPEA/s320/IMG_3034.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508387209408085250" border="0" /></a>Cake time!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Bjp7-vIm67unWgk0-OBQbnRXB-PJhOJoEvipROGZMVRBkPlBN82cim7AyWIo2-_Mn1ac2kPuuuloVbYLIjAmjffZFFl06AbIMz2a75CHQ271erq4iVEzs1vUZkToz6KWOJsvAA/s1600/IMG_0834.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Bjp7-vIm67unWgk0-OBQbnRXB-PJhOJoEvipROGZMVRBkPlBN82cim7AyWIo2-_Mn1ac2kPuuuloVbYLIjAmjffZFFl06AbIMz2a75CHQ271erq4iVEzs1vUZkToz6KWOJsvAA/s320/IMG_0834.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508390618691937666" border="0" /></a>Nate spots the cake:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVSyEl4Rj0s3P2SiIN_kexcvR_WkNoLa9doWj-1jL-xxByzZHDYh2d24sNuSAK4C53uhjbAC5G1Akd28SkRDnqDEEMblGC9swPQnNFHdT3qQfGHIWpr2EJVIZU5oLQItXYMNe_Ug/s1600/IMG_0840.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVSyEl4Rj0s3P2SiIN_kexcvR_WkNoLa9doWj-1jL-xxByzZHDYh2d24sNuSAK4C53uhjbAC5G1Akd28SkRDnqDEEMblGC9swPQnNFHdT3qQfGHIWpr2EJVIZU5oLQItXYMNe_Ug/s320/IMG_0840.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508396502727874690" border="0" /></a>Finger dipping:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho0MbdRxLAUk0Q01pZJpfFX9Xq9G2v0FPxF4BMZzJqE7pjeiBeYMPwhhAzGDitzC5D6-Y9wZUBUZNmd_AOlbP-KPFepZ9oPTvPsCvWfQjZGrCYdK8mH79HsBdju6zeZzI3WArblw/s1600/IMG_0845.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho0MbdRxLAUk0Q01pZJpfFX9Xq9G2v0FPxF4BMZzJqE7pjeiBeYMPwhhAzGDitzC5D6-Y9wZUBUZNmd_AOlbP-KPFepZ9oPTvPsCvWfQjZGrCYdK8mH79HsBdju6zeZzI3WArblw/s320/IMG_0845.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508389570908087826" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXJY0nzs0X2Mr9PqWlsVRafhNgt-ufHIEJjrUKvJXWwpw4BCMOx_9CspB1jO6VC0qihHa9DVEMsm1IA8c4JqZ0TP338T1gieCSjkvIJxBNHUI5pcW8J99C_KPtDMdS7ikB1NMZyA/s1600/IMG_0848.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXJY0nzs0X2Mr9PqWlsVRafhNgt-ufHIEJjrUKvJXWwpw4BCMOx_9CspB1jO6VC0qihHa9DVEMsm1IA8c4JqZ0TP338T1gieCSjkvIJxBNHUI5pcW8J99C_KPtDMdS7ikB1NMZyA/s320/IMG_0848.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508390090941289586" border="0" /></a>Nate checks out his new counting book from Nana:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFFxKKGVVNNJ8DAupsXuRcEUy4NCYNOfOBQFW6w9JD0vMc3X4av1QSY1FcwukRmBW2Ri4UbdL7GGTiDK3ELoWBV752fbprYMdVyMMdIZ408UrVun4ZfTERj9HBRSB1C6bi-z59aA/s1600/IMG_0856.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFFxKKGVVNNJ8DAupsXuRcEUy4NCYNOfOBQFW6w9JD0vMc3X4av1QSY1FcwukRmBW2Ri4UbdL7GGTiDK3ELoWBV752fbprYMdVyMMdIZ408UrVun4ZfTERj9HBRSB1C6bi-z59aA/s320/IMG_0856.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508390629936241346" border="0" /></a>Nate is instantly satisfied with his new mp3 player:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_XN-FNvwFLLCxMb5cd4VO5rr3ZzUm0H2j55AjaIIMGfJCaYfLR62sPeHhgRfaYDF27zLHkeMzK-ZenrxNOZ-OJa-vzm_8e0ZVRvOxVcZf1PffPliFMBDpU2LqyG3G-lUoLvmwhw/s1600/IMG_0865.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_XN-FNvwFLLCxMb5cd4VO5rr3ZzUm0H2j55AjaIIMGfJCaYfLR62sPeHhgRfaYDF27zLHkeMzK-ZenrxNOZ-OJa-vzm_8e0ZVRvOxVcZf1PffPliFMBDpU2LqyG3G-lUoLvmwhw/s320/IMG_0865.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508392593355256018" border="0" /></a>Mela and Cohen combine forces to transport the two year olds:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKr8NOy5K4x2HMWaXwfSSr6TzwNAka-YbsQKBdiu7mD1z-hF7FhyphenhypheniHsxRxTVNuCvvJMectM_4QDPDmU1j0gaWI9I7ZeW8H8Xpf8xI2UhvMaMZduaCdXp09-VMuO4n2h9zuKXUcpQ/s1600/IMG_3036.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKr8NOy5K4x2HMWaXwfSSr6TzwNAka-YbsQKBdiu7mD1z-hF7FhyphenhypheniHsxRxTVNuCvvJMectM_4QDPDmU1j0gaWI9I7ZeW8H8Xpf8xI2UhvMaMZduaCdXp09-VMuO4n2h9zuKXUcpQ/s320/IMG_3036.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508388314927891026" border="0" /></a>More play time:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm-vmb6wVuQuo10SrxwNchACGdm2-gnrBFEMC_1t93TTypoyhwmtq7_y7n9R1OM65FE86lGu5YM_gKg4aLVdQScF6wMD8nvFKrfCHVkKVI9GLi2GlhdmX3hE_o57WufEGWERZokA/s1600/IMG_0857.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm-vmb6wVuQuo10SrxwNchACGdm2-gnrBFEMC_1t93TTypoyhwmtq7_y7n9R1OM65FE86lGu5YM_gKg4aLVdQScF6wMD8nvFKrfCHVkKVI9GLi2GlhdmX3hE_o57WufEGWERZokA/s320/IMG_0857.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508391234682630034" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjavRKp-FViYbSC4bEHRzqBYcK9Bfy9J9kSSnBC3ZYdCGNav8VVnI5XgKvseYhYsOYZAVDfw3hVOHcufi380oVn9LRr8odKnZZmRN1uQV757Xh4J4EqLJjnBwrABhJHrYYd3IfAVw/s1600/IMG_0861.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjavRKp-FViYbSC4bEHRzqBYcK9Bfy9J9kSSnBC3ZYdCGNav8VVnI5XgKvseYhYsOYZAVDfw3hVOHcufi380oVn9LRr8odKnZZmRN1uQV757Xh4J4EqLJjnBwrABhJHrYYd3IfAVw/s320/IMG_0861.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508391242810904370" border="0" /></a>Any day is a success that ends with watching "fishes" with your sister:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy5gFKziDPA4b38GguiKnynbTinhBShxZFgDFluyVgbKdQnw1XHaY4xx4Dpg9u0dtwj9UhxdFK8wk4zs2mB9ysfZmsYiOlPOAWzaNvswihroCX_OcTUQKkv4v70SU9tPA64NHA_A/s1600/IMG_3042.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy5gFKziDPA4b38GguiKnynbTinhBShxZFgDFluyVgbKdQnw1XHaY4xx4Dpg9u0dtwj9UhxdFK8wk4zs2mB9ysfZmsYiOlPOAWzaNvswihroCX_OcTUQKkv4v70SU9tPA64NHA_A/s320/IMG_3042.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508388919072336018" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeGmReI-nECci37mTbxPYJzjnKhlkXD84s-ZuwoqcpYzs_91PGnG6h9s4aRmBphBs4SBXMlmRO7Nt3xveKN9IGE5-GBWpemI1JTaDM4MUo9ke2oG7Z6Z2os_tM__Kox6XOZ3wYcw/s1600/IMG_3040.JPG"><br /></a><br /></div>Rector Funhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08898580145735042579noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20734465.post-25798042326843991732010-08-18T20:42:00.008-04:002010-08-18T21:57:39.978-04:00Who exactly is growing here?On his birthday, Nathan gave <span style="font-style: italic;">me </span>a present. <div><br /></div><div>Every night when I tuck him in, I ask who loves him. "Mama do," he dutifully replies and I whisper that I do love him so much. </div><div><br /></div><div>Tonight in return, he actually said, "Love you." Which he has never said before (especially unbidden). Of course, it touched me. </div><div><br /></div><div>And then he added, "Love daddy." too which was nice!</div><div><br /></div><div>I always think that I'm not going to be another sentimental mom on my children's birthdays but then the day arrives and I look at them and think, "Where did you come from? Where's the baby?? How could two years have possibly gone by that quickly?!"<br /><br />And I'm that typical mom crying over baby shoes.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>As I was rocking big boy (still my baby) Nate in the dark tonight, I marveled at the difference between the aging of the first versus the second. </div><div><br /></div><div>With the first, she was the sun from the moment she was born, causing tears in my eyes from her brightness. As she's grown, I've struggled sometimes to hold on to that feeling as the defiant two year old started her campaign of resistance.<br /><br />A little hard to remember the overwhelming elation when your kid is throwing a full-blown fit.<br /></div><div> </div><div><br />With the second, though, he was the pale moon in the demanding day of a toddler. Not exactly ignored given his rage issues but definitely less engaging (babies = lumps). It seems that over time though, as I've gotten to know him, my love has slowly grown to the point now where I'm surprised at how deep it is and what a joy it is to get to know him as he changes.<br /><br />Funny that I didn't know it could happen like that.<br /><br />Happy birthday, my boy. Mama does love you so much.</div><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Say click:</span><br /><br /><div><span style="font-style: italic;">Cleaning out the kitchen cupboard: no more babies in this house</span> <a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg11v8cubRdjezV2kXN-bDn99-yvPLxr-5kofAs-dMyEs9eeDaHbP9mxmEY1jde1Bswns-SPeVFFl6AC9ywsapShWFqTspQ8IwE_CoralcitOOwkwYsKTsGQyjX80llvEpWDeWRTA/s1600/IMG_2952.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg11v8cubRdjezV2kXN-bDn99-yvPLxr-5kofAs-dMyEs9eeDaHbP9mxmEY1jde1Bswns-SPeVFFl6AC9ywsapShWFqTspQ8IwE_CoralcitOOwkwYsKTsGQyjX80llvEpWDeWRTA/s320/IMG_2952.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506921021829095602" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Birthday treats:</span> <a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8aAF2csSuY1QgMn_CYMXwMT9BwA2nh9roByDG09_IoYu_hqnDyg0guhe16nByp31DesCxrLdL-CqFaZRNQV_d7JYlP5tjYz66k_ALUSTAOzowoePIAni85QkuN3yOTMpM0mI6Zg/s1600/IMG_2957.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8aAF2csSuY1QgMn_CYMXwMT9BwA2nh9roByDG09_IoYu_hqnDyg0guhe16nByp31DesCxrLdL-CqFaZRNQV_d7JYlP5tjYz66k_ALUSTAOzowoePIAni85QkuN3yOTMpM0mI6Zg/s320/IMG_2957.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506921031342590802" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Mela tells Nate, "Come to bed right now!"</span> <a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgprAs4Zoibu7tf6tBga10YHhaAoDGRLb0sJuuYU5cRBqB-7H3CCajYQle3X5ZjTua5tzUygSiCL-AyB_qkbnZP3OgR6A97ohD3Ud-VzQbcZOGm3kvAZImO9Zg_h91G47he4JQnXw/s1600/IMG_2964.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgprAs4Zoibu7tf6tBga10YHhaAoDGRLb0sJuuYU5cRBqB-7H3CCajYQle3X5ZjTua5tzUygSiCL-AyB_qkbnZP3OgR6A97ohD3Ud-VzQbcZOGm3kvAZImO9Zg_h91G47he4JQnXw/s320/IMG_2964.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506921040419921442" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Playing with Bopa:</span> <a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOTsy33S-29kY094_Y0rd2ZhZXtTUSyP6g4h9kZnvn0Dg3WUDDq8v_g8b3bbVoRRLluEHpLyTJM4l8oJSZlWkzXBceOnoNBsZywaL5bqsq5o3YdAs2xcXOC3IfHI1MBrWmCJzSaQ/s1600/IMG_2965.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOTsy33S-29kY094_Y0rd2ZhZXtTUSyP6g4h9kZnvn0Dg3WUDDq8v_g8b3bbVoRRLluEHpLyTJM4l8oJSZlWkzXBceOnoNBsZywaL5bqsq5o3YdAs2xcXOC3IfHI1MBrWmCJzSaQ/s320/IMG_2965.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506923968459044050" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Lounging:</span> <a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirbU2mAStihp0H8F1XCCqDUWWWfoZfzs31EB3MfIpE5GvCEsi5AYKOXmruAhlYxlAeYb8SRS51jdDgTMX5aZ743lDR4dh1q5pRdkjS-M_K8StP1BDYYH0du_BZBBzRKtjX4JPwnA/s1600/IMG_2978.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirbU2mAStihp0H8F1XCCqDUWWWfoZfzs31EB3MfIpE5GvCEsi5AYKOXmruAhlYxlAeYb8SRS51jdDgTMX5aZ743lDR4dh1q5pRdkjS-M_K8StP1BDYYH0du_BZBBzRKtjX4JPwnA/s320/IMG_2978.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506925158069982578" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Handstand!</span> <a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQDq2n2kqKg5iJo5vT4kZnu4eT4jhiWGJRmQcdXcRY0KbTSGmMnc9zOGpYbPYNrqUb1lWsxceFq7LszszP1jR4WJV2kbeYZzsiWiUviZmvTITFdIuoEaY5BUl3YcZbgKtQMLfbIA/s1600/IMG_2968.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQDq2n2kqKg5iJo5vT4kZnu4eT4jhiWGJRmQcdXcRY0KbTSGmMnc9zOGpYbPYNrqUb1lWsxceFq7LszszP1jR4WJV2kbeYZzsiWiUviZmvTITFdIuoEaY5BUl3YcZbgKtQMLfbIA/s320/IMG_2968.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506923984527068338" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Mr. Hazel Eyes / Needs a Haircut:</span> <a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHgWeqZau_zvJaTxXFlMZs54APEHkMnihJTTD-LbfZYlEMfPX9ArIkKnkx2vsx8xnXnC5AfLVJbKYv_zOx6tmg_ncToKvaKxs_RrAr0rf6YnVH4oDxzxYB49mQD9BX4X9aWhvwSA/s1600/IMG_2980.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHgWeqZau_zvJaTxXFlMZs54APEHkMnihJTTD-LbfZYlEMfPX9ArIkKnkx2vsx8xnXnC5AfLVJbKYv_zOx6tmg_ncToKvaKxs_RrAr0rf6YnVH4oDxzxYB49mQD9BX4X9aWhvwSA/s320/IMG_2980.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506925166800211202" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">One year ago:</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPU013gAFgYDqd76TBn_jS1MbRL_yMiLv52Vy-2ZjCvwQqypmVp23opLA8NP9s7tzKQh5p1bjLPn3MB_B65AYR19hdwTiDv_UOIUZLmWGAEUAjn14ZZUayfZUi66FMPwnvviVm/s1600/IMG_1034.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 344px; height: 257px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPU013gAFgYDqd76TBn_jS1MbRL_yMiLv52Vy-2ZjCvwQqypmVp23opLA8NP9s7tzKQh5p1bjLPn3MB_B65AYR19hdwTiDv_UOIUZLmWGAEUAjn14ZZUayfZUi66FMPwnvviVm/s1600/IMG_1034.JPG" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">In the beginning ...</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKO8hx17fBEBa7fY_z2Mop0HwOQIdOV9-nBkpIst9hV6vsyFBLY2YdhfbNVuaZ5BKqT2Nb02Ep9Vnb67MHG2eWlTnO3uq040FBvg-Tu1cD4SbcljT3GHMFhBLP_azk-JoHEQQ19Q/s1600/IMG_6560.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKO8hx17fBEBa7fY_z2Mop0HwOQIdOV9-nBkpIst9hV6vsyFBLY2YdhfbNVuaZ5BKqT2Nb02Ep9Vnb67MHG2eWlTnO3uq040FBvg-Tu1cD4SbcljT3GHMFhBLP_azk-JoHEQQ19Q/s320/IMG_6560.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506932528329920498" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div>Rector Funhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08898580145735042579noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20734465.post-8854095827132734262010-08-15T12:06:00.001-04:002010-08-15T12:07:40.470-04:00In which the baby becomes a little boy<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6OapCYK5f0DKVAqX9VfjmJnKAYY0nzBzxM_vcF7-ImxMEVxaJ3HYQpOIt2LE0fuZyFxVv3avg3hx_h1sV81HD1Ggg7UAOUnqp6gj9eMEvg4ybc1xZLnfqh_e2VMewUbVPj1rYMA/s1600/IMG_0395cp.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 238px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6OapCYK5f0DKVAqX9VfjmJnKAYY0nzBzxM_vcF7-ImxMEVxaJ3HYQpOIt2LE0fuZyFxVv3avg3hx_h1sV81HD1Ggg7UAOUnqp6gj9eMEvg4ybc1xZLnfqh_e2VMewUbVPj1rYMA/s320/IMG_0395cp.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505668853219341602" /></a><br />Can you believe that BaNa (Baby Nate) is now a two year old boy?<div><br /></div><div>'Cause I can't.</div>Rector Funhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08898580145735042579noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20734465.post-66774983146475659452010-08-02T21:14:00.007-04:002010-08-02T21:40:56.755-04:00Happy Birthday, Dartmouth!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXMr9AsmRZoUSfTGtYj5PUnMUVnSyQR5XCiJV0VJiNXbyozFdqqqw3ttkRxraELtdvcYyKrsX39vRDNNM3_S80YU9yEd7ny3rAnM3P3tW6OFr2lYfHWAmIFB78hKO8cUcIMd60oQ/s1600/photo+%286%29.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 153px; height: 204px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXMr9AsmRZoUSfTGtYj5PUnMUVnSyQR5XCiJV0VJiNXbyozFdqqqw3ttkRxraELtdvcYyKrsX39vRDNNM3_S80YU9yEd7ny3rAnM3P3tW6OFr2lYfHWAmIFB78hKO8cUcIMd60oQ/s320/photo+%286%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500991267033991842" border="0" /></a>Had a lovely weekend!<br /><br />In Ontario, the August long weekend is usually called "the August long weekend" or the plain old "civic holiday" but apparently in Nova Scotia, it's "Natal Day Weekend!!" <div><br /></div><div>Supposedly, this has something to do with celebrating the birthday of Halifax and/or Dartmouth, though all the locals seem a little fuzzy on the details.</div><div><br /></div><div>Either way, it's a big party.</div><div><br /></div><div>Festivities at the d-mouth waterfront on Saturday (hamburgers!), then off to a family BBQ (more hamburgers), then downtown again for a rockin Matt Mays concert and fireworks.<br /><br />Then on Sunday, picked up kids (who had a great sleepover with Grammie & Grandad), went home for naps and then time for another ... BBQ!<br /><br />I've never eaten so many hamburgers in one weekend.<br /></div><br /><div>Then today we went to even more festivities (Natal Day Parade, "Pirate Party"). The kids couldn't exactly join in the bouncy castles fun (only went in the lame toddler "bouncy farm" and still ended up crying to get out) but were ecstatic to just get out of the house so much. And have endless treats.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>So who knew?? Natal Day = good, clean family fun. Although I think we all need to go through some serious veggie detox this week.</div><div><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Say click:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Sooo many people:</span><br /><a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYjbbvXUXVUvqCCXWXKEDinJiQfegzBEEoheGdu4jYl7DyGosm8JsC0PxJ5QIUkdgsB3SnDtufRoX-0hPLceWyAu54pwk_HL0IpWfv8H1ZJe9r5UGv1ryyArb-UQpdTAhdD6PWCQ/s1600/photo+%284%29.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYjbbvXUXVUvqCCXWXKEDinJiQfegzBEEoheGdu4jYl7DyGosm8JsC0PxJ5QIUkdgsB3SnDtufRoX-0hPLceWyAu54pwk_HL0IpWfv8H1ZJe9r5UGv1ryyArb-UQpdTAhdD6PWCQ/s320/photo+%284%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500990702779633058" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Mela's like, "Seriously? This is too crowded."</span><br /><a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj__qr3LHfWgqBjUbxXsKDb3dKbCZy-KrkmsvIiUd-MPVRQwuEZv1CvkGD5_i9bULYr4t3vqHlOkH-niNU3h-52I4xUFfG709EtGViQK8WlfKGZfmVbuv3yRaclK0dzdQ_QZEtoNQ/s1600/photo+%285%29.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj__qr3LHfWgqBjUbxXsKDb3dKbCZy-KrkmsvIiUd-MPVRQwuEZv1CvkGD5_i9bULYr4t3vqHlOkH-niNU3h-52I4xUFfG709EtGViQK8WlfKGZfmVbuv3yRaclK0dzdQ_QZEtoNQ/s320/photo+%285%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500991052903700274" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Matt takes the stage at the free outdoor concert:</span><br /><a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyQOCnTjys4ZfqccCgh8Cink-wehOj3ZMI8nV7pL00cuX0w6wue5hVqBhjRRkE0B_YTTUU56Tu92WaZlh0_CDtr-7CUGVPx3E21FKQZGBAh9GT-Ae8NHRVXeJDxjlUexo0zo-RlQ/s1600/photo+%287%29.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyQOCnTjys4ZfqccCgh8Cink-wehOj3ZMI8nV7pL00cuX0w6wue5hVqBhjRRkE0B_YTTUU56Tu92WaZlh0_CDtr-7CUGVPx3E21FKQZGBAh9GT-Ae8NHRVXeJDxjlUexo0zo-RlQ/s320/photo+%287%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500990723966735170" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Real fireworks!</span><br /><a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi2gVbiWpEF0AviAM6oJZOXSnIkoGG20V2elp-RoeEs7hp-0T2Al9IZTW8mOUEq4MgPHK7eK34-WB2XGLDnwHKowR1KIjxjC2ryASbGoBU28TqonrB53e2ns5wmZR9llnilDi85Q/s1600/photo+%288%29.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi2gVbiWpEF0AviAM6oJZOXSnIkoGG20V2elp-RoeEs7hp-0T2Al9IZTW8mOUEq4MgPHK7eK34-WB2XGLDnwHKowR1KIjxjC2ryASbGoBU28TqonrB53e2ns5wmZR9llnilDi85Q/s320/photo+%288%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500991056500273314" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Rockin out like old times with the Snows' music makers:</span><br /><a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoVLi_gkP-fMCIaeBJbSjQnkzNDOxV-OwOTDycFp8ZeoOYl1nohrvtKN9purtZmzGzjO2eriKK8eVOza5c0bxxomFST-NNM1yN6uQCxgn8glOLLdej4_B0UrnE-0EvSGafZ65hvw/s1600/photo+%289%29.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoVLi_gkP-fMCIaeBJbSjQnkzNDOxV-OwOTDycFp8ZeoOYl1nohrvtKN9purtZmzGzjO2eriKK8eVOza5c0bxxomFST-NNM1yN6uQCxgn8glOLLdej4_B0UrnE-0EvSGafZ65hvw/s320/photo+%289%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500991069523576210" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">The whole town lines up for the parade:</span><br /><a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd3oE_4YCJF_evhpA6Ntq_g0JAgHQ8LhO6MTsgQMBPxePGzusgymn5aJEK6i8gMgcrt-DofWHoWV6txy6BA7DGCyn9WSweDueMIgU89XSazsqraelafNdqwC1mS7LJmWTpPJY3ZQ/s1600/photo+%282%29.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd3oE_4YCJF_evhpA6Ntq_g0JAgHQ8LhO6MTsgQMBPxePGzusgymn5aJEK6i8gMgcrt-DofWHoWV6txy6BA7DGCyn9WSweDueMIgU89XSazsqraelafNdqwC1mS7LJmWTpPJY3ZQ/s320/photo+%282%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500986830262163666" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Nate checks out the town criers:</span><br /><a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwN9ubW_eF4GBGsVkXIavw47WU7R9_wgBEagsi5EZNxeByznXVBZdH4-iU7j7mM5rP8SJWZSHRTH5IWB86qq8c2t7Fadja1cVX4mRoAjSEN1HWYozOrAsjrWWqjbClVZ8MefNEjw/s1600/photo+%283%29.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwN9ubW_eF4GBGsVkXIavw47WU7R9_wgBEagsi5EZNxeByznXVBZdH4-iU7j7mM5rP8SJWZSHRTH5IWB86qq8c2t7Fadja1cVX4mRoAjSEN1HWYozOrAsjrWWqjbClVZ8MefNEjw/s320/photo+%283%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500990697898490642" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">The second best entry (#1 goes to the comic convention crew):</span><br /><a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh38faylw1CctBrZhvRhOWD0JCDoeSFBupVyo6NA7yg_JcqY6HHl2k73dyF6_IaK8GiySjttg_mq3w4cBOGU9QC6BJhozzGbOziElGY9ZFMqXBzJH6cglWaQ3HWV0WTWuqRpb3Yvw/s1600/photo+%281%29.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh38faylw1CctBrZhvRhOWD0JCDoeSFBupVyo6NA7yg_JcqY6HHl2k73dyF6_IaK8GiySjttg_mq3w4cBOGU9QC6BJhozzGbOziElGY9ZFMqXBzJH6cglWaQ3HWV0WTWuqRpb3Yvw/s320/photo+%281%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500986823066098914" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">So done with the bouncy farm:</span><br /><a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_RWYyrwzG8NDDoS1ZFpTkK6KlDHb3soJuZTpuPgiLkbUSr2WI8zeUAUCxoZL-Qx0n4zUH4x6YluwXmVJzqRyR2pCIP7s6V_5L9HWCfJKHLNsEaHIuLQs8nsmvQxPZ61tKwotNxQ/s1600/photo+%2810%29.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_RWYyrwzG8NDDoS1ZFpTkK6KlDHb3soJuZTpuPgiLkbUSr2WI8zeUAUCxoZL-Qx0n4zUH4x6YluwXmVJzqRyR2pCIP7s6V_5L9HWCfJKHLNsEaHIuLQs8nsmvQxPZ61tKwotNxQ/s320/photo+%2810%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500991077642550738" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Unsure of the pirate tunnel:</span><br /><a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTxH4SAXAM3GH8mRxfZO8XZYQwDVzFuG28xqQ23mIaypIe51w7b-di34XPIRVeMMao3tKUcoJV79w6s4JNfmZkthXxeUHVVw6stH-kXQUGdW-OFksqnPOtJihUG9IUjMkCfzIYYw/s1600/photo.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTxH4SAXAM3GH8mRxfZO8XZYQwDVzFuG28xqQ23mIaypIe51w7b-di34XPIRVeMMao3tKUcoJV79w6s4JNfmZkthXxeUHVVw6stH-kXQUGdW-OFksqnPOtJihUG9IUjMkCfzIYYw/s320/photo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500986812031917730" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Making memories on our first NS Natal Day ...</span><br /></div><div style="font-style: italic;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1pi_ZdzF7fqhHUSOn1gV7lxUnel2xCbJktZ2i7SsmZVcmR6YazssmFsSVv4U3qoTiBuAeZt79_QjydIcKn7GopnRnG3d6OmGd5QadkF6nOqG7iCgD2IeTLD3TsXRDk8GU6e7DGg/s1600/photo+%2811%29.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1pi_ZdzF7fqhHUSOn1gV7lxUnel2xCbJktZ2i7SsmZVcmR6YazssmFsSVv4U3qoTiBuAeZt79_QjydIcKn7GopnRnG3d6OmGd5QadkF6nOqG7iCgD2IeTLD3TsXRDk8GU6e7DGg/s320/photo+%2811%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500986836949624642" border="0" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Rector Funhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08898580145735042579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20734465.post-40484136576381648402010-07-27T17:51:00.009-04:002010-07-27T20:25:07.772-04:00Overdue UpdateSo apparently it's vacation for everyone, including this blog. Turns out that having two kids (who are just starting day care for the first time in their lives) and starting my own business (crunch time here right now) takes up about 99% of my time ... with 1% spent lying in bed worrying that I'm not asleep.<div><br /></div><div>So no blogging. Other hobbies that have fallen by the wayside include frivolities like cooking meals, cleaning the house and visiting with friends. </div><div><br /></div><div>It's kind of like having a newborn: all the normal parts of your life have to be put on hold for a period of intense work. But at least without all the crying and leaky boobs.<br /><br />In case you're wondering, the kids are okay. They are somewhat miserable because the transition to day care is so different for them. You'd think that having had a nanny for the past three months would've prepared them but it really is a much different world.<br /><br />With rude kids who knock you down to get your plastic cucumber.<br /><br />And of course, they got sick right away, which was to be expected but still makes everyone miserable. We spent the weekend in Feverville which is always good for at least 5 awakenings a night. You know Nate's sick when he just lies on the couch for hours; it's good for rest but I'm going to lose it if I have to listen to <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0070608/">Robin Hood</a> one more time.<br /><br />In developmental news, Mela is now about 5 feet tall and still only 2 inches wide ... I'm going to start wrapping duct tape around her waist to keep her pants on. Nate is a linguistic genius who broke out some 5 word sentences this week ("Get flies out my house!") but is appalled at the idea of sitting on the potty without a diaper.<br /><br />So anyway, we probably won't be able to post much for the next little while. I know you're brokenhearted but you're probably at the cottage right now anyway, so it doesn't really matter.<br /><br />In the meantime, here are some pics:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Say Click</span><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-style: italic;">Practicing piano at Nana & Bopa's house:</span><br /><a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5WoIEQ5t1jDTPYoFkWy9x5lM53hTBNDihNzPqooeVkmsPNjQ2Y57vqntDf0fu7GdSEqSWW7czKCcZtzLO7Vt3rxXkb6YuEdLTLLSRG9pNruxOEAkIF_aHMzRmXfAu4DyBUTYcMA/s1600/IMG_2937.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5WoIEQ5t1jDTPYoFkWy9x5lM53hTBNDihNzPqooeVkmsPNjQ2Y57vqntDf0fu7GdSEqSWW7czKCcZtzLO7Vt3rxXkb6YuEdLTLLSRG9pNruxOEAkIF_aHMzRmXfAu4DyBUTYcMA/s320/IMG_2937.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497110976468768706" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Aunt Cathi and Jenny give it a try:</span><br /><a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXGufH7tlmJUMMs-Kq1kOmFednP4UFVgaVGFX4q7cf2jstUmZsCzME9IbgPOWwzxUy5vCgo3vSdgNIqrPSSuJEvsx11ezlmJxYoHv154zHfCrC2SwDbCxkSCYQTXF_VM29h5i59w/s1600/IMG_2930.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXGufH7tlmJUMMs-Kq1kOmFednP4UFVgaVGFX4q7cf2jstUmZsCzME9IbgPOWwzxUy5vCgo3vSdgNIqrPSSuJEvsx11ezlmJxYoHv154zHfCrC2SwDbCxkSCYQTXF_VM29h5i59w/s320/IMG_2930.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497110961339671554" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Snuggles at the cabin:</span><br /><a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxAqSzoghseJkCcVfBdRntzEq-aKFSy4m1Gk2Kd5n4k9JUJD80YkYMAIGGUN9gXSXTcjnz4S6N2djhrXQadmMCQykkeg4lARQ8j2puZhCzUCQUao0SJNK1USTwAAyY57N1MG5jDQ/s1600/IMG_2940.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxAqSzoghseJkCcVfBdRntzEq-aKFSy4m1Gk2Kd5n4k9JUJD80YkYMAIGGUN9gXSXTcjnz4S6N2djhrXQadmMCQykkeg4lARQ8j2puZhCzUCQUao0SJNK1USTwAAyY57N1MG5jDQ/s320/IMG_2940.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497121423559107026" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">A turtle invasion:</span><br /><a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtTwwNmNiqc8bCK4FSy-lNudfzfAmk5racKP_cN-cXBw_ycRJrpiUqyOSlEaost40P9quBKIaomiWRTcDbvpeQC7wJwTjnhn6tKixzhfZ2JCT1RVdkVlqN1HzcoDgXDl1mFSzGYw/s1600/IMG_2929.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtTwwNmNiqc8bCK4FSy-lNudfzfAmk5racKP_cN-cXBw_ycRJrpiUqyOSlEaost40P9quBKIaomiWRTcDbvpeQC7wJwTjnhn6tKixzhfZ2JCT1RVdkVlqN1HzcoDgXDl1mFSzGYw/s320/IMG_2929.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497121415141506754" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">This is what we do when we're not in jail (day care): explore nature together.</span><br /><a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho5GO9HtNEy8GUvxx9f46brhxuqAmgnCme_JOzKJDng7rt2TFvtxrKmtLTAiGLmO0DkR9BNHLsfb6IVL2U3VV0Q_APTHlpkCuqrG7JzQf2lI_uA_uuY4WglgNPCjRDxGkkLbGZLg/s1600/IMG_0255.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho5GO9HtNEy8GUvxx9f46brhxuqAmgnCme_JOzKJDng7rt2TFvtxrKmtLTAiGLmO0DkR9BNHLsfb6IVL2U3VV0Q_APTHlpkCuqrG7JzQf2lI_uA_uuY4WglgNPCjRDxGkkLbGZLg/s320/IMG_0255.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498740430090852354" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">... and splash with awesome whale sprinklers:</span><br /><a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizzlMQdA4FCLJvSZOtnzarbZM36LZuYmt_vdw9tygvJSifLszCjZdjVcH0RwSx80_2b6Oa1lK-QMxsWlch-iM6ADtB1VS549aV5d-g6hsOwloOLad_XBp2jyxRKujoLGQDnw2hqg/s1600/photo+%289%29.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizzlMQdA4FCLJvSZOtnzarbZM36LZuYmt_vdw9tygvJSifLszCjZdjVcH0RwSx80_2b6Oa1lK-QMxsWlch-iM6ADtB1VS549aV5d-g6hsOwloOLad_XBp2jyxRKujoLGQDnw2hqg/s320/photo+%289%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498740422120826898" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Who's that peeking in my door?</span><br /><a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvX6VSbGgTqurPQNrj1HnGoK5a4Wj2ViC3gYiKQkElcMTj0nqH-wJffcfAUunKP_yFZUFQA8vtBwEi0NyP2uG9Ck7Zp-AQSFRjAW05zVKzcpQVcqcceNe6fz-P2hkd8nttmvZ5fw/s1600/photo+%288%29.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvX6VSbGgTqurPQNrj1HnGoK5a4Wj2ViC3gYiKQkElcMTj0nqH-wJffcfAUunKP_yFZUFQA8vtBwEi0NyP2uG9Ck7Zp-AQSFRjAW05zVKzcpQVcqcceNe6fz-P2hkd8nttmvZ5fw/s320/photo+%288%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498740415787359602" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Happy girl:</span><br /><a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJLjobxRc_vwWkQXeVahN665mtnz0qnaY5iGeY5EHhAkynziDqncqMZmCLw0Td0JW8l3Z5DAI2dsSJC5cyjEft-fNFnD_2qNK-STNtak5rpCwyyY3DjffcaX77220WTWZ6XpeWcw/s1600/photo+%2810%29.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJLjobxRc_vwWkQXeVahN665mtnz0qnaY5iGeY5EHhAkynziDqncqMZmCLw0Td0JW8l3Z5DAI2dsSJC5cyjEft-fNFnD_2qNK-STNtak5rpCwyyY3DjffcaX77220WTWZ6XpeWcw/s320/photo+%2810%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498741029089260658" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Aunt Mary is truly welcomed to Nova Scotia:</span><br /><a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjcSKCQigu9gVqUz91iWGCc27LWnTgrZY84b-ZvrZWhaUKLqJF6UEOqZnoF0rVe-g7BsCU238v3NAPCQjyHHeVpcWO15NVZd9z6npN0a0AvjXKHXqqEu88Pewu_Zs88cYBBi8CUg/s1600/photo+%286%29.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjcSKCQigu9gVqUz91iWGCc27LWnTgrZY84b-ZvrZWhaUKLqJF6UEOqZnoF0rVe-g7BsCU238v3NAPCQjyHHeVpcWO15NVZd9z6npN0a0AvjXKHXqqEu88Pewu_Zs88cYBBi8CUg/s320/photo+%286%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498740403269461602" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Another invasion (spiders?):</span><br /><a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzWdScHStTISxSimeMdfz6AYlsOgx6EjraLVSVwU3gC3UgYDoIlIXzbglzSBdswOr57sUn91B_fcjY7MtmvmuaGiLOyDjIzhYgmzXSPzn8xshsvFLI4lsZScA3RTCpwAiGfG9Yvw/s1600/IMG_2919.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzWdScHStTISxSimeMdfz6AYlsOgx6EjraLVSVwU3gC3UgYDoIlIXzbglzSBdswOr57sUn91B_fcjY7MtmvmuaGiLOyDjIzhYgmzXSPzn8xshsvFLI4lsZScA3RTCpwAiGfG9Yvw/s320/IMG_2919.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497108842273807122" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">This is what Nate thinks of day care (a second before this photo was taken, he was so tired, he was actually holding his head in his hands):</span><br /><a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf5uV7aHNel12aFYAiYV1r3_jQr-mzs9n6lwtIs9nlUIqBEVuGSQ-a6Tw9a4s63q0UUWz6mY8Zj2UIGn3j4pIjpiNLUm7XoHv5-pmRe1DJHsNJV01s8zmPDxDXoX7gqcY3F6Sp4Q/s1600/photo+%287%29.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf5uV7aHNel12aFYAiYV1r3_jQr-mzs9n6lwtIs9nlUIqBEVuGSQ-a6Tw9a4s63q0UUWz6mY8Zj2UIGn3j4pIjpiNLUm7XoHv5-pmRe1DJHsNJV01s8zmPDxDXoX7gqcY3F6Sp4Q/s320/photo+%287%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498739632907536242" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Wild children in Andrew & Jenny's awesome backyard:</span><br /><a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9YIVKyXe3e2fH-6qQQabBQu0BuGPJUwIZc2N21y16-ilMeLgSjuKQcScrcXr4vKJ4cXQwjDnxI0PIG2qXtJLueTwHmszsgrnoMGxS8pgff_NJDD0uha8vdcV9UwvC11FIlEog5g/s1600/photo+%283%29.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9YIVKyXe3e2fH-6qQQabBQu0BuGPJUwIZc2N21y16-ilMeLgSjuKQcScrcXr4vKJ4cXQwjDnxI0PIG2qXtJLueTwHmszsgrnoMGxS8pgff_NJDD0uha8vdcV9UwvC11FIlEog5g/s320/photo+%283%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498739629762822018" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Ice cream with an old friend (Nuala!)</span><br /><a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLLKwh4f8NkVcqaVzCsO0tBVbH5p11E3_0UZ7eo0MSxkCUgsQXfONC7pdkGznTj5QizkFgw86275JKdYD8cQ2AlESNOSdLR6MvLj2icmSTSj1KvJG5iplf_ypBtBmtWZUQAaccLA/s1600/photo+%284%29.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLLKwh4f8NkVcqaVzCsO0tBVbH5p11E3_0UZ7eo0MSxkCUgsQXfONC7pdkGznTj5QizkFgw86275JKdYD8cQ2AlESNOSdLR6MvLj2icmSTSj1KvJG5iplf_ypBtBmtWZUQAaccLA/s320/photo+%284%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498740394410596530" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">A sick boy (thank you, day care):</span><br /><a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh21bwjz_uKwlDyGu3utcE977I3fvIKY_a45Uhd6MuAVAoJilIPxFTICD2sGDTjNkveRgHbTJqTe6CASjR-g1h8Hg8LFLAtBGnqimlK8o9-87JbsXTnNsx0oisdgI83WuYeTHOawg/s1600/IMG_2943.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh21bwjz_uKwlDyGu3utcE977I3fvIKY_a45Uhd6MuAVAoJilIPxFTICD2sGDTjNkveRgHbTJqTe6CASjR-g1h8Hg8LFLAtBGnqimlK8o9-87JbsXTnNsx0oisdgI83WuYeTHOawg/s320/IMG_2943.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497119450198375666" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Feeling better, Nate gets "busy" (love the tongue):</span><br /><a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEithKyHjBNrHDusOVfVcBjJl8Vntb7GR1Naoey2g-UtS_W0BF8kOhvJsYZJfVM51MOIcsp2yz7-MOZ6GstX_ShwkJW11XSH9d0kE4fno7I6Vx6l0XyOx-MhWy_y0psCR3GNWdW00Q/s1600/photo.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEithKyHjBNrHDusOVfVcBjJl8Vntb7GR1Naoey2g-UtS_W0BF8kOhvJsYZJfVM51MOIcsp2yz7-MOZ6GstX_ShwkJW11XSH9d0kE4fno7I6Vx6l0XyOx-MhWy_y0psCR3GNWdW00Q/s320/photo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498739455294628306" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">The view from our new patio set:</span><br /><a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj04xGIqXOCbOXqKsLfmfP4VnXWuiXW5rNOSbasTW4oE_ySavzU5KmLGYUZ2DJfG8dLJnp3gfzqqpewIKFa_43frbIbjqDzrb6L4xrJKt0y3fjAfHC8yDrjkDdTCjbkIWF5Phe_vA/s1600/photo+%281%29.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj04xGIqXOCbOXqKsLfmfP4VnXWuiXW5rNOSbasTW4oE_ySavzU5KmLGYUZ2DJfG8dLJnp3gfzqqpewIKFa_43frbIbjqDzrb6L4xrJKt0y3fjAfHC8yDrjkDdTCjbkIWF5Phe_vA/s320/photo+%281%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498739457859591554" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div>Rector Funhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08898580145735042579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20734465.post-72001413667869400522010-07-13T12:57:00.011-04:002010-07-14T12:38:27.356-04:00Home Sweet Home<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1gaKmwn_w4ZC8cS8QLx5ezLfUSI2JWEglwmlG8DrpZeUbcJiiSQtjzkRzqtdAmYFUr6AyCK7JOKyv8Ak8z5kj7aw23ma6_xveAzCU9knixfJwM1Wen_rRtt_qZM9D89aB42-xXw/s1600/IMG_0225.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 198px; height: 198px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1gaKmwn_w4ZC8cS8QLx5ezLfUSI2JWEglwmlG8DrpZeUbcJiiSQtjzkRzqtdAmYFUr6AyCK7JOKyv8Ak8z5kj7aw23ma6_xveAzCU9knixfJwM1Wen_rRtt_qZM9D89aB42-xXw/s320/IMG_0225.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493588204443792050" border="0" /></a>If you want to feel real and deep affection for a new house, try spending 21 hours in the car with a one year old and a three year old.<br /><br />They were great on the drive but by the afternoon of the second day (with little sleep at the motel the night before), I was ready to chew my foot off to get out of our moving prison.<div><br /></div><div>And then, it finally happened: we got home.<br /><br />We leapt from the car and raced into the backyard. Everything that had been in bloom when we left was gone and there were entirely new flowers. We raced in circles and Mela and I shrieked in delight at each new bloom. It was pure joy.</div><div><br /></div><div>And then we went into our house (formerly known as "not our Toronto house") and ran from room to room, discovering familiar toys and and soft beds. </div><div><br /></div><div>And I learned a valuable lesson: turns out that what makes the bond to your house is the memories you have from living there. When I walked past our old place in TO last week, I realized that it doesn't really look like much. What I see, though, is the kids drawing with chalk on the sidewalk and learning to climb down the stairs and friends coming to visit in our backyard.</div><div><br /></div><div>We are slowly starting to make those memories here. Now I have the memory of feeling so much love for our house when we got home. And Aunt Mary ("have you seen my collection of hat pins?!") is visiting us currently so I now have the memory of drinking a bottle of wine on our lower deck as the sun sets. And today I sat with the kids in the sunshine and Mela sprinkled rose petals on our heads. </div><div><br /></div><div>There may never be babies born in this house or first foods or first steps but there will be lots of other great new memories. </div><div><br /></div><div>Like coming home from a long trip away.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Now on to the next big challenge ... day care!</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-weight: bold;">Say click:</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Tousled kid:</span><br /><br /><br /><a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXAABvsMnItKTL4XtqFmVrDh08KLCJCaMUmmCNm4P9oeocnCwDuoIvZfEiI0sXPbq3QPGbtYKMB2ut4i7lHFNwE1EsmlElqk58qkb0Y3lzLKqiZEu2bONKrmzgHeHaZqU0D0Jchg/s1600/IMG_0195.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXAABvsMnItKTL4XtqFmVrDh08KLCJCaMUmmCNm4P9oeocnCwDuoIvZfEiI0sXPbq3QPGbtYKMB2ut4i7lHFNwE1EsmlElqk58qkb0Y3lzLKqiZEu2bONKrmzgHeHaZqU0D0Jchg/s320/IMG_0195.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493587376234745474" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">It was so hot, you could barely breathe:</span><br /><a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhzJ55EnAzFhH0apbUxr_svkpR-BFxRGaVPis3vz8_jgiwpB9XWNffakk-eXNJa_YuqtoSjPg2ED8Z4_BG61qn1G3hfqMwl4y4T2f92xVhi2j3P6ekFO09s-0DAjbcrj8iYFdurw/s1600/IMG_0179.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhzJ55EnAzFhH0apbUxr_svkpR-BFxRGaVPis3vz8_jgiwpB9XWNffakk-eXNJa_YuqtoSjPg2ED8Z4_BG61qn1G3hfqMwl4y4T2f92xVhi2j3P6ekFO09s-0DAjbcrj8iYFdurw/s320/IMG_0179.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493587347747606946" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Mela feeding chipmunks at Nana & Papa's trailer (before the rains came):</span><br /><a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRl78gx_F2122Ymdf_mJuud7kLudt8HoSi_XNH2dAMSctqzih6MeBVZH5I019PcVGLAsfuifF_pDVqvmj2wRsVgDiydC2V5LIHz3vzaTmP8n8wCHwaxo7Msvc8S3-5jDjM8ecS1A/s1600/IMG_0187.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRl78gx_F2122Ymdf_mJuud7kLudt8HoSi_XNH2dAMSctqzih6MeBVZH5I019PcVGLAsfuifF_pDVqvmj2wRsVgDiydC2V5LIHz3vzaTmP8n8wCHwaxo7Msvc8S3-5jDjM8ecS1A/s320/IMG_0187.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493587357882233266" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">It rained so much, we almost got flooded out:</span><br /><a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDRqqU4Ryw25EcFNOhzOkCuNAPtcmquTbWneHG5UqRmZ5Yup7BYWlDNzpv2OtvQC_eXYz-mI92brcZYTbP4ln9QZDq2QHEoBQpdHPLMPS-ai-t-5NsCnvOMoVb1SqE_XWTPe1Gyw/s1600/IMG_0189.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDRqqU4Ryw25EcFNOhzOkCuNAPtcmquTbWneHG5UqRmZ5Yup7BYWlDNzpv2OtvQC_eXYz-mI92brcZYTbP4ln9QZDq2QHEoBQpdHPLMPS-ai-t-5NsCnvOMoVb1SqE_XWTPe1Gyw/s320/IMG_0189.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493587365581995074" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Back on the road headed home ... </span><br /><a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIb951b7pSpWc-1Fyec_2yv0ACLOzUL9nRT3cJgxVN9I6ZFJ5iUQQUpUb4xA6pHVBRKMappgiThK7MEvZiAbpqZVyIvJ6SjdZyUL34bA0kHSqEV4XrWhLOS3oRHuuKdPxRWVKXSw/s1600/IMG_0197.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIb951b7pSpWc-1Fyec_2yv0ACLOzUL9nRT3cJgxVN9I6ZFJ5iUQQUpUb4xA6pHVBRKMappgiThK7MEvZiAbpqZVyIvJ6SjdZyUL34bA0kHSqEV4XrWhLOS3oRHuuKdPxRWVKXSw/s320/IMG_0197.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493587594856623570" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">We were stuck behind this truck for a while. It was oozing some kind of dough-like mixture and dripping on the road. Weird.</span><br /><a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJPy4Jlvb4uui8N3e8fSblFT0TPiJwYwEgKRkT1tojVOTv86BOG3l8Nq1zX2QRzFEfkycoMKFZskIqECbcv78F57hG2ilz3xKGj4FbuANY9sZgbfOTNV1pRY0ZM1run_vEXFitBg/s1600/IMG_0206.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJPy4Jlvb4uui8N3e8fSblFT0TPiJwYwEgKRkT1tojVOTv86BOG3l8Nq1zX2QRzFEfkycoMKFZskIqECbcv78F57hG2ilz3xKGj4FbuANY9sZgbfOTNV1pRY0ZM1run_vEXFitBg/s320/IMG_0206.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493587605995417826" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Rest-stop picnic:</span><br /><a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil2u6NcvhGlCri0uBNs4XsCse3YDtOG0Av5hzDDTyHFHw4IXlzYJB20Zqo61sqCjg4a7CJu8M74mfSSiZRCeBEMhMlN4a34XJVBqipvpYQipiUwuwM32lSIt7_Lfe14Id9xhycIw/s1600/IMG_0200.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil2u6NcvhGlCri0uBNs4XsCse3YDtOG0Av5hzDDTyHFHw4IXlzYJB20Zqo61sqCjg4a7CJu8M74mfSSiZRCeBEMhMlN4a34XJVBqipvpYQipiUwuwM32lSIt7_Lfe14Id9xhycIw/s320/IMG_0200.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493587598796398482" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Thoughtful girl:</span><br /><a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyzslaiuka1pRSaNsntPBzoKfyKfXAofRG-qT9BZ3kal9hsc2z4wjny_DH4wgeqtmz7uGlWbpb7ietGnrb92wAA-x-KuYZwEfBbia1bt1hmypQK0cGiRXAabUqMHKyUH0YgL18Og/s1600/IMG_0219.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyzslaiuka1pRSaNsntPBzoKfyKfXAofRG-qT9BZ3kal9hsc2z4wjny_DH4wgeqtmz7uGlWbpb7ietGnrb92wAA-x-KuYZwEfBbia1bt1hmypQK0cGiRXAabUqMHKyUH0YgL18Og/s320/IMG_0219.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493587609765058674" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Someone was excited to eat at a restaurant (ice cream!)</span><br /><a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg06E51QrbuxPpcxHEuJbw6JHpQRfB7blJ28JpnJNwrmCKSF7F6vpgtOms2_p_y6tLl6mGF6WlcJVncUuMDu3PKAMc2Zj0BJnYKbpM_NY5MSsc7_-Jjq5xbkL6dq4Hk3v0MnPeScQ/s1600/IMG_0240.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg06E51QrbuxPpcxHEuJbw6JHpQRfB7blJ28JpnJNwrmCKSF7F6vpgtOms2_p_y6tLl6mGF6WlcJVncUuMDu3PKAMc2Zj0BJnYKbpM_NY5MSsc7_-Jjq5xbkL6dq4Hk3v0MnPeScQ/s320/IMG_0240.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493588553143033538" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">I mostly just took pictures when they were sleeping (I was so happy!). Like when they both fell asleep at the same time ...</span><br /><a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj2w4lPRnx-btx6vY92RqjCn7Rw2fP-4waRc5wmdJP9WiTY9A1UpO-PpUgX5t8_Y1lTIvBW-oVOaZwASmqwImNi6wB-zbkcYAdTvc_PZT4-OSEf_a_nUKXLnKi2ACgVB42cMrfag/s1600/IMG_0244.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj2w4lPRnx-btx6vY92RqjCn7Rw2fP-4waRc5wmdJP9WiTY9A1UpO-PpUgX5t8_Y1lTIvBW-oVOaZwASmqwImNi6wB-zbkcYAdTvc_PZT4-OSEf_a_nUKXLnKi2ACgVB42cMrfag/s320/IMG_0244.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493588560503024978" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">... and when Nate fell asleep still holding his cheese and crackers package:</span><br /><a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihETX1gBDjS7HDO0PHHaZxNGIm2Q9kAsFpWGcEydWPvmemWzRGlDZZOwY4eAd01E56tEtNkannB5uoXQlwbBMaQPdPKeTwXsBz9fQrdDrEjMnOeXimEK_3Hm47xVQJcWcQkfiQBg/s1600/IMG_0245.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihETX1gBDjS7HDO0PHHaZxNGIm2Q9kAsFpWGcEydWPvmemWzRGlDZZOwY4eAd01E56tEtNkannB5uoXQlwbBMaQPdPKeTwXsBz9fQrdDrEjMnOeXimEK_3Hm47xVQJcWcQkfiQBg/s320/IMG_0245.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493588569537698034" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Home at last, Mela models the latest fashions:</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN6KkFWMqRNruaKooWHJheV5KPEqwPkbZqFsSE3UiZT339J7Is_PuHLh8kKamLyrjGePHzvKD_WMxCxwU5cfdwuKtTrjH4y8P3XhvPs6I6kh11tUneiRWABfXGNHBzrnn0s2gMOg/s1600/SL378700.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 185px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN6KkFWMqRNruaKooWHJheV5KPEqwPkbZqFsSE3UiZT339J7Is_PuHLh8kKamLyrjGePHzvKD_WMxCxwU5cfdwuKtTrjH4y8P3XhvPs6I6kh11tUneiRWABfXGNHBzrnn0s2gMOg/s320/SL378700.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493797519797079250" border="0" /></a><br /><a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTs_AKH_QW_BCGwMpQL6DWFlzL6qOMHqqx5x1_ZYaVVZnSxrDfwEqxpqkaREHQlvXR5QVMmufyuTQTWtHnS8LeqejLd94U3pNfR1IKGeiJ4jR6LKQGb0DIvCVutYbUf-LGijyQdQ/s1600/IMG_0248.JPG"><br /></a><br /></div>Rector Funhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08898580145735042579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20734465.post-26569101394823504322010-07-07T16:10:00.016-04:002010-07-07T21:36:40.662-04:00Plus de vacances (ice cream, bouncey houses and a trip to the big TO)<span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" ><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Zzv_OfSXuAPffJt3y6hUVAZjmULg24rGUJz_gKqhZw6br6dCX7ev9Kpi2s9Zi0-VWjP2vrY3pCBkoc5aLCXQ-MIu2rZpnGWjms30sLtjgUCYLoGpaVK-jVoXw-4KZwatildsoA/s1600/IMG_0172.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 144px; height: 192px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Zzv_OfSXuAPffJt3y6hUVAZjmULg24rGUJz_gKqhZw6br6dCX7ev9Kpi2s9Zi0-VWjP2vrY3pCBkoc5aLCXQ-MIu2rZpnGWjms30sLtjgUCYLoGpaVK-jVoXw-4KZwatildsoA/s320/IMG_0172.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491339612365304210" border="0" /></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-family:georgia;">The institutional tiles, the crush of bored commuters, the sound of the chimes ...<br /><br />walking down the steps to the TTC almost made cry.<br /><br />I thought that maybe 11 months would be okay. I thought it was enough time to heal the ache of missing MY city and the sudden tears at familiar landmarks (my park, my subway stop, my starbucks!).<br /><br />But it didn't feel like I was visiting. It felt like the past 11 months were a strange, anxious dream and now I'd finally woken up, safe at home.<br /><br />(Albeit a VERY hot and smoggy home.)<br /><br />But it was only for two days. Only a temporary restoration. Now we're on our way back to a perfectly lovely town where I still feel like permanent visitor.<br /><br />Someday it won't feel like this, right?<br /></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Say click:</span><br />Still at the cottage, there are a lot of people on this couch:<br /></span><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" ><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho2zvS42FbyfzbvHjtAP3e6u_aFNP8kvXLZ3pWkyoQGkICxzuyBUIhk5YBkW8iIAQPbTnGvYJbwP09UOLNfgo_N5HRkaOyJPQU5nM-1_SRxK1d95kZOeifAwWKNXZ1lIqRm1SBjQ/s1600/IMG_0143.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho2zvS42FbyfzbvHjtAP3e6u_aFNP8kvXLZ3pWkyoQGkICxzuyBUIhk5YBkW8iIAQPbTnGvYJbwP09UOLNfgo_N5HRkaOyJPQU5nM-1_SRxK1d95kZOeifAwWKNXZ1lIqRm1SBjQ/s320/IMG_0143.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491263687215468114" border="0" /></a></span><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" >Canada Day Fun Fair. We don't waste any time and head straight for the ice cream.<br /></span><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" ><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRRWeJ-HdC7n_UCuBl5_eLNKBccQfu9SdPiGXiraEvXPdJp060r1_Rt2zA0Eb9qS4cZBpvxJvgQwRr-CgoVITHHB-IoqM-puT_aPZo_XV5f2VpMoKjVO9hEhtauc-d7IvKC9_Tqw/s1600/IMG_0110.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRRWeJ-HdC7n_UCuBl5_eLNKBccQfu9SdPiGXiraEvXPdJp060r1_Rt2zA0Eb9qS4cZBpvxJvgQwRr-CgoVITHHB-IoqM-puT_aPZo_XV5f2VpMoKjVO9hEhtauc-d7IvKC9_Tqw/s320/IMG_0110.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491261434858404434" border="0" /></a>Reluctant sharing with cousins:<br /></span><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" ><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_RlsvipV9acJM6juQGH-Wrd9nAuo-UknrkK7XjZ-J9ac4JTkRiEHDPgwxSm4HuaVjiBBJVYoBcl-eA6ut0XPJbHAHxNbF4F7v_sbP1GF05WDdt4mxvfWmc0rBvEEj5X2vR_z8kQ/s1600/IMG_0108.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_RlsvipV9acJM6juQGH-Wrd9nAuo-UknrkK7XjZ-J9ac4JTkRiEHDPgwxSm4HuaVjiBBJVYoBcl-eA6ut0XPJbHAHxNbF4F7v_sbP1GF05WDdt4mxvfWmc0rBvEEj5X2vR_z8kQ/s320/IMG_0108.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491261425661605698" border="0" /></a>I love how toddlers always stick their tongues out when encouraging others to eat.<br /></span><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" ><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg5mhiIR-FGax0pj5UUkf9_oNc_5YJLRO5A2fRer3eXHQFTjQMPPiYUSjYflQ6ZrqHJ7frosATUNOBNJGnejHn98_zciizbUEUY14z_76Qu82zdXvCyYVQWMfnLkH6k84x7rhZIQ/s1600/IMG_0106.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg5mhiIR-FGax0pj5UUkf9_oNc_5YJLRO5A2fRer3eXHQFTjQMPPiYUSjYflQ6ZrqHJ7frosATUNOBNJGnejHn98_zciizbUEUY14z_76Qu82zdXvCyYVQWMfnLkH6k84x7rhZIQ/s320/IMG_0106.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491261418788059730" border="0" /></a></span><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" >Happiness is chocolate ice cream.<br /></span><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" ><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx37KrYicMeTNDIP2V3ojM4_fKF9P3Yp2CIqrIxithMLkMFF4Boz6GgxleF7g4CyDTGmaDAJ0iRs4ZqKIptaohMxYseP2bK0kztkMbGYVp-yoMV2vhr4GGuh1gISoGKqtD9p5-QQ/s1600/IMG_0118.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx37KrYicMeTNDIP2V3ojM4_fKF9P3Yp2CIqrIxithMLkMFF4Boz6GgxleF7g4CyDTGmaDAJ0iRs4ZqKIptaohMxYseP2bK0kztkMbGYVp-yoMV2vhr4GGuh1gISoGKqtD9p5-QQ/s320/IMG_0118.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491262538354069378" border="0" /></a>Jenny enjoys her lovely ice cream cone with her mom ...<br /></span><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" ><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioBxPqlIK_7vPk2scbah15pSOiLd-ATHdiLpKo-hemidUiqzTFGPYLMF2cUIdfNg1d4zKAKx-c5MAXLDUVVwvRr3IWJ_qTLMaNhFYN29GtV_KMloThgRzOfpXfj70y8ZkyZtZRYg/s1600/IMG_0111.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioBxPqlIK_7vPk2scbah15pSOiLd-ATHdiLpKo-hemidUiqzTFGPYLMF2cUIdfNg1d4zKAKx-c5MAXLDUVVwvRr3IWJ_qTLMaNhFYN29GtV_KMloThgRzOfpXfj70y8ZkyZtZRYg/s320/IMG_0111.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491262524276010882" border="0" /></a>... until she spills it.<br /></span><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" ><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9TuYcL3VGTFc5L4jjXX_KuU72iemxUgBRmzoGshmBkrOWTHtWKcJTN5mprn4qbCG05V60eTx5C7xlFyL1VnQW63qy78WsY9l-KNPevEHMrBK0o5fNqc3bl_nSi39fJOKGBRHQVg/s1600/IMG_0112.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9TuYcL3VGTFc5L4jjXX_KuU72iemxUgBRmzoGshmBkrOWTHtWKcJTN5mprn4qbCG05V60eTx5C7xlFyL1VnQW63qy78WsY9l-KNPevEHMrBK0o5fNqc3bl_nSi39fJOKGBRHQVg/s320/IMG_0112.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491262530507121570" border="0" /></a>Toddler bouncey house: Nate actually tried it out (notice the lack of Mela):<br /></span><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" ><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlVS3jKpittNDdX-Exj1z74nfjNb-ZCEB8lSuMDULtaw2FHHC8CvDzav7dvPFr6SSBFjF4cAQMt-ZBe4IVpg68fWWx96PzZU9DA-rDXLyuGav6wX3Veppk2CSmzHTRPQW_3S3Thg/s1600/IMG_0104.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlVS3jKpittNDdX-Exj1z74nfjNb-ZCEB8lSuMDULtaw2FHHC8CvDzav7dvPFr6SSBFjF4cAQMt-ZBe4IVpg68fWWx96PzZU9DA-rDXLyuGav6wX3Veppk2CSmzHTRPQW_3S3Thg/s320/IMG_0104.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491261410090739154" border="0" /></a></span><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" >Little boy sitting on a big carving.<br /></span><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" ><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1AMehJkRs78hXCcaxo13EG3MV2wnwr4TH143wmQum_43VVa42wLvFH85IgfYl2nUbtEpcbDBVXb4yxiGFRojmEPJSz59gQq0Hf4UwNgcMnIVwUy6B9eDCFurnRqrNfNzgGl1F0Q/s1600/IMG_0121.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1AMehJkRs78hXCcaxo13EG3MV2wnwr4TH143wmQum_43VVa42wLvFH85IgfYl2nUbtEpcbDBVXb4yxiGFRojmEPJSz59gQq0Hf4UwNgcMnIVwUy6B9eDCFurnRqrNfNzgGl1F0Q/s320/IMG_0121.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491262545629322578" border="0" /></a>B</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:100%;" >ig-boy bouncy house: Nate gets stuck inside and panics. But at least he tried.<br /></span><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" ><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjajoinWaOsndXwGEatKNmf4WH0zN8YAw_wMK3OueJTTJvJmplp7ZfqQGpmOY_dM-P8Nh25WczROWYlKeF5Wlpx6d383TvicQAdzsQsYr_xHo1tPhhfFH8mvrzdyUn39ET2oDgX5Q/s1600/IMG_0123.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjajoinWaOsndXwGEatKNmf4WH0zN8YAw_wMK3OueJTTJvJmplp7ZfqQGpmOY_dM-P8Nh25WczROWYlKeF5Wlpx6d383TvicQAdzsQsYr_xHo1tPhhfFH8mvrzdyUn39ET2oDgX5Q/s320/IMG_0123.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491263241975055234" border="0" /></a>Nate runs toward his new friend ... and then realizes that it is all very, very wrong.<br /></span><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" ><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRgKy8TmE6wDmsUrEUTIHYDHArXatyJoukvOq2Q5o0UKuQkOKXZ1m6T2pT2mfioyTFoV8d_L5eAwokj73PlLUhWbYfmZumwG8AEwCW4RIvWjjJmWFaMigUqw5j17ihW3twNWu4jA/s1600/IMG_0122.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRgKy8TmE6wDmsUrEUTIHYDHArXatyJoukvOq2Q5o0UKuQkOKXZ1m6T2pT2mfioyTFoV8d_L5eAwokj73PlLUhWbYfmZumwG8AEwCW4RIvWjjJmWFaMigUqw5j17ihW3twNWu4jA/s320/IMG_0122.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491263236340562642" border="0" /></a>Speaking of bravery, guess who rode a pony?!<br /></span><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" ><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLwCFyiD-WGdVNCt9157lK_NemzEMx-gjSd2vGoQSjUHX_7U10s9VuRqLenr5lnI0rehsdv9e55z7fz7jqv4BR1lm0s0in-OQVHz4hH1nPyOcszfErBgM08pZ5tT9FAXZOYN5ftA/s1600/IMG_0129.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLwCFyiD-WGdVNCt9157lK_NemzEMx-gjSd2vGoQSjUHX_7U10s9VuRqLenr5lnI0rehsdv9e55z7fz7jqv4BR1lm0s0in-OQVHz4hH1nPyOcszfErBgM08pZ5tT9FAXZOYN5ftA/s320/IMG_0129.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491263675708533138" border="0" /></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:100%;" >Oh, look. It's meltdown time already ...<br /></span><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" ><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9WZQwgwAejUpX4Xl35agP7HsyvIlqnMzg0kX4uMa_Bxb8OCI99INr7Y8pdVpaqulfXx0myHhQYPcwvqE9sO7OuY7x06PnrRqhD-TzFqnY1G5TGSZ9mGA0FeDz8sy5PAT6LGxrhA/s1600/IMG_0125.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9WZQwgwAejUpX4Xl35agP7HsyvIlqnMzg0kX4uMa_Bxb8OCI99INr7Y8pdVpaqulfXx0myHhQYPcwvqE9sO7OuY7x06PnrRqhD-TzFqnY1G5TGSZ9mGA0FeDz8sy5PAT6LGxrhA/s320/IMG_0125.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491263252639668146" border="0" /></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:100%;" >Missing the fresh fruit markets in TO:<br /></span><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" ><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9wFyz5Z-h4qKlTDLI5JMLUxBfY9Ta6go5aEfAouyxW0nKUJMDws9wJhyphenhyphenHjdfP8uJCdYJbrDK8ICsU2MaDvB3tLwD8Qed4hf7Sl79x7GLC__6wVJ1xwtE6j1KYwyX9t-Z_4cZtQA/s1600/IMG_0149.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9wFyz5Z-h4qKlTDLI5JMLUxBfY9Ta6go5aEfAouyxW0nKUJMDws9wJhyphenhyphenHjdfP8uJCdYJbrDK8ICsU2MaDvB3tLwD8Qed4hf7Sl79x7GLC__6wVJ1xwtE6j1KYwyX9t-Z_4cZtQA/s320/IMG_0149.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491339229977182370" border="0" /></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:100%;" >Back home at my parents, we broiled in the heat ...<br /></span><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" ><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuA9Iqf89o6ZeI9bK8CH-ReFeVSuzEIlpJ9rNcw3estsWeyHSDtRgH-fBG2VPwnGNlyBCeSmxkFtkGoa53NIpyFQ-R1D-hHEPHM9kNwIiQ9L2hLnu_UqBHEyy4NeEsnQ2eDAT4Ew/s1600/IMG_0178.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuA9Iqf89o6ZeI9bK8CH-ReFeVSuzEIlpJ9rNcw3estsWeyHSDtRgH-fBG2VPwnGNlyBCeSmxkFtkGoa53NIpyFQ-R1D-hHEPHM9kNwIiQ9L2hLnu_UqBHEyy4NeEsnQ2eDAT4Ew/s320/IMG_0178.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491338482550034418" border="0" /></a></span><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span>Rector Funhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08898580145735042579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20734465.post-49757928822280358582010-07-01T13:03:00.011-04:002010-07-01T14:02:01.860-04:00Summertime ... (mostly)Lovely time vacationing.<br /><br />My family rented a cottage (in the same park as their trailer) and we spent a week enjoying the bounty of nature, including a good amount of wind and rain. We got one nice sunny afternoon though so are ultimately grateful. And sitting in a cottage sipping warm coffee and looking out a lake is never a really a hardship, even if it is 6 am (damn toddler).<br /><br />Highlights include my birthday (although Nate did have a tantrum during dinner), Cathi's birthday and good old small town shopping (dollar store!). I've gained 8 lbs since arriving here (chili dogs, ribs, pizza, steak and dessert every night!) but it's worth it.<br /><br />Heading off to Canada Day at the local fairgrounds - can you say "high school flashbacks?"<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Say click:</span><br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><br /><div style="font-style: italic;">Aunt Cathi accepts my bet and wears the shower cap from the dollar store to the parking lot. As it turns out, it was raining and served her well.</div><a style="font-style: italic;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLQumFU6QMxO_xTdnbnHGBAsqIiidgD_pVtUVrw3T1xVTUPE-VVOjHOB9MD-eHRg7osCpsOjqUy2sW2tX-P3FetQo0uAMP2DNrRjywrNC5QS9DYj6zaZYsqeATEGs5oumA0K7GKw/s1600/IMG_0006.JPG"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 240px; display: block; height: 320px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488986295807830642" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLQumFU6QMxO_xTdnbnHGBAsqIiidgD_pVtUVrw3T1xVTUPE-VVOjHOB9MD-eHRg7osCpsOjqUy2sW2tX-P3FetQo0uAMP2DNrRjywrNC5QS9DYj6zaZYsqeATEGs5oumA0K7GKw/s320/IMG_0006.JPG" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">No bed is as comfortable as a blanket on the kitchen floor: </span><a style="font-style: italic;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyyINtYbtBohD1LTr4iBop607aUWwXVUS2rfGXiszjCNpkx8aCCXs5R_OatLLIANrsFKTNmJciT-2y6FguAr5tmcVty7thfZgrNXK2taocP7-QYralSS08HwT0xLAmtXDVsb50Xg/s1600/IMG_0025.JPG"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 240px; display: block; height: 320px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488986303243809826" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyyINtYbtBohD1LTr4iBop607aUWwXVUS2rfGXiszjCNpkx8aCCXs5R_OatLLIANrsFKTNmJciT-2y6FguAr5tmcVty7thfZgrNXK2taocP7-QYralSS08HwT0xLAmtXDVsb50Xg/s320/IMG_0025.JPG" border="0" /></a>iphone apps rock:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMsGtcEJeqCpwZG5G8IZwNEJlAZ1MRy8b7lt0RaU9EvWTSgYa0XWMQ_OAJ10jdQG-TTQmRp0YUYJQGQu-W24VP-8GFfo58c2VcN53hy_Z3lqHyCLKp9Ahy9sQUiOJFgZUuRW3iLg/s1600/old+nate2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMsGtcEJeqCpwZG5G8IZwNEJlAZ1MRy8b7lt0RaU9EvWTSgYa0XWMQ_OAJ10jdQG-TTQmRp0YUYJQGQu-W24VP-8GFfo58c2VcN53hy_Z3lqHyCLKp9Ahy9sQUiOJFgZUuRW3iLg/s320/old+nate2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488996448779595954" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI8ut5-LyAw-UkOqCFbafg_Bn2fiwK0yzPKgi8O-Oxjq8pfe4oL4OCRs5tejLMiEkGEf767KD3713fz62vuYraopt6ifXIdDSBxHBYOLP6qgR9eW-babu9e7vbvb7TiZAye5TWGg/s1600/oldtime+nate.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI8ut5-LyAw-UkOqCFbafg_Bn2fiwK0yzPKgi8O-Oxjq8pfe4oL4OCRs5tejLMiEkGEf767KD3713fz62vuYraopt6ifXIdDSBxHBYOLP6qgR9eW-babu9e7vbvb7TiZAye5TWGg/s320/oldtime+nate.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488996445109610786" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Nancy's Mother:</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyCzi5TIzxblNnq9X7Jqi6KtVmwG6O3Rp2oNrSMr6SdSOCGXQEycZVBJ2Yf8WYo7dQ9LWjqlLlbxKjCSqmpdgytByUHStLAJ4Jmpr2qMeen808MjFBop40sV1XUWWLXK2dUVcHUw/s1600/IMG_0102.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyCzi5TIzxblNnq9X7Jqi6KtVmwG6O3Rp2oNrSMr6SdSOCGXQEycZVBJ2Yf8WYo7dQ9LWjqlLlbxKjCSqmpdgytByUHStLAJ4Jmpr2qMeen808MjFBop40sV1XUWWLXK2dUVcHUw/s320/IMG_0102.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488999513118357090" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Fresh air means long, long naps:</span><a style="font-style: italic;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioXS_T-OcKK55-xFWLDLNnKwwNtULMDG1vdEDRp1Z0_cLxz9xKUAaFTjQX5BzLO5Wp3nhVZgTx5PfVg-thOm9hEVjLaEym5Dim0NLVjCrKCdcahESw854FhhiiWHFTmD1aF-i_NQ/s1600/IMG_0026.JPG"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; display: block; height: 240px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488986310432004162" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioXS_T-OcKK55-xFWLDLNnKwwNtULMDG1vdEDRp1Z0_cLxz9xKUAaFTjQX5BzLO5Wp3nhVZgTx5PfVg-thOm9hEVjLaEym5Dim0NLVjCrKCdcahESw854FhhiiWHFTmD1aF-i_NQ/s320/IMG_0026.JPG" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Serious sand time:</span><br /><a style="font-style: italic;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFyL9ad-yEPkMS6M4fvs_GKFT9TmApW9WHKK3Jk0FVqhw1FBBwdwHL4xEszeg7mXhpJzq-aR0kA9tDJRe2QznoCrdGUwnGZwCBjCVgw1niuzroq5V-O8HYNg7Vy3iyLsmurDPbag/s1600/IMG_0029.JPG"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 240px; display: block; height: 320px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488987080263765074" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFyL9ad-yEPkMS6M4fvs_GKFT9TmApW9WHKK3Jk0FVqhw1FBBwdwHL4xEszeg7mXhpJzq-aR0kA9tDJRe2QznoCrdGUwnGZwCBjCVgw1niuzroq5V-O8HYNg7Vy3iyLsmurDPbag/s320/IMG_0029.JPG" border="0" /></a><a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq-NVNwf0FHBY1heYZURZYMn6rF9skbpbY8P8ej0CAgqhkhodIzMqjzlmaOLf7JR1UVh04SXhyphenhyphenhnnVLHlSneZEjPLH7HJHm83MXrJslQxHWs_qEekEOPDrIODJwuj3avU5iLI3BQ/s1600/IMG_0043.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq-NVNwf0FHBY1heYZURZYMn6rF9skbpbY8P8ej0CAgqhkhodIzMqjzlmaOLf7JR1UVh04SXhyphenhyphenhnnVLHlSneZEjPLH7HJHm83MXrJslQxHWs_qEekEOPDrIODJwuj3avU5iLI3BQ/s320/IMG_0043.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488989150890323922" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Jenny playing in the surf:</span><br /><a style="font-style: italic;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb3uep0gtWYY5Ht3UTC6P0kJFOyGWLvZayxLJ3ilsDQxIzx8FtYghK23GO1q3EIir_fOPJOudr_lsHuOU1_G7Ynavo8XYixnfA_NF2KwP59XU6pGdrT0ToYhMvHIJLpyHcYdU7UQ/s1600/IMG_0030.JPG"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 240px; display: block; height: 320px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488987085260969826" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb3uep0gtWYY5Ht3UTC6P0kJFOyGWLvZayxLJ3ilsDQxIzx8FtYghK23GO1q3EIir_fOPJOudr_lsHuOU1_G7Ynavo8XYixnfA_NF2KwP59XU6pGdrT0ToYhMvHIJLpyHcYdU7UQ/s320/IMG_0030.JPG" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">The girls:</span><span style="font-style: italic;">:</span><br /><a style="font-style: italic;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaYEXS6a_GsJgRQUsD1-2bqoEskI-n1Q4dSgDDFR9RpcBhwFqq8kh3zwTfIA-xCJrJ36STrcG56-U8qcS8S7CrnvEmUMkurDnkYG8eF_aZLZZa2SqS3FiWNagO7yeqcJGjuhvssA/s1600/IMG_0037.JPG"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 240px; display: block; height: 320px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488987101047361730" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaYEXS6a_GsJgRQUsD1-2bqoEskI-n1Q4dSgDDFR9RpcBhwFqq8kh3zwTfIA-xCJrJ36STrcG56-U8qcS8S7CrnvEmUMkurDnkYG8eF_aZLZZa2SqS3FiWNagO7yeqcJGjuhvssA/s320/IMG_0037.JPG" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">A bit windy:</span><br /><a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUKDsMU6UUTjmez_ZwjMGXg6gZLub2_zjLM8eCBG39Fz90Mxpo30y5Ewrhyj3Ig7WcV5QjBLzDZ5kbmiv4TZ3A2d9Ka4fH1sVLWxuOL_BLCe40YVRVlIaWVti5hjsRGTzHZynT0w/s1600/IMG_0042.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUKDsMU6UUTjmez_ZwjMGXg6gZLub2_zjLM8eCBG39Fz90Mxpo30y5Ewrhyj3Ig7WcV5QjBLzDZ5kbmiv4TZ3A2d9Ka4fH1sVLWxuOL_BLCe40YVRVlIaWVti5hjsRGTzHZynT0w/s320/IMG_0042.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488989175294374626" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">The ladies do lunch in Coby:</span><br /><a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju-rj0Ul-cuCvAMV3U3zght3xML9oeyyri7Zev83rGWP0zrDM9jZTJizqPBjd_8bJO2FPYZg5ZvgRxeOYJ6s9T_zrlHsEx31EeUg91dAlVwxd9-KkRbgvXdinGm0910V_VtP4-yg/s1600/IMG_0049.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju-rj0Ul-cuCvAMV3U3zght3xML9oeyyri7Zev83rGWP0zrDM9jZTJizqPBjd_8bJO2FPYZg5ZvgRxeOYJ6s9T_zrlHsEx31EeUg91dAlVwxd9-KkRbgvXdinGm0910V_VtP4-yg/s320/IMG_0049.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488989172259429746" border="0" /></a><a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkmDEaV9hGyhlndGEhAoV2G75q2C9SNH64LryIqra3UB1Y9gCPBiujJVvtIgsUlLZbmHR7gaq0Oa4mieuoifB4jhShYIFyNwLr3hZc84LfR3diXAlMckaGufyV6iByOdEUmhncDQ/s1600/IMG_0051.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkmDEaV9hGyhlndGEhAoV2G75q2C9SNH64LryIqra3UB1Y9gCPBiujJVvtIgsUlLZbmHR7gaq0Oa4mieuoifB4jhShYIFyNwLr3hZc84LfR3diXAlMckaGufyV6iByOdEUmhncDQ/s320/IMG_0051.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488989842757554738" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Early morning snuggles:</span><br /><a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIQ-InIQmrNj5r6UKbKq4PL55dL99UxZSseTETW_qX7LdovFIGDkt4s-FOORBBsJvxjtdQ4XiDZ3rxC5MI8BXrQYZhqcpEEpbtEDyC8LLyOV7Dg3g_ZPTCfNQwfXUzK50zaCSGOw/s1600/IMG_0060.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIQ-InIQmrNj5r6UKbKq4PL55dL99UxZSseTETW_qX7LdovFIGDkt4s-FOORBBsJvxjtdQ4XiDZ3rxC5MI8BXrQYZhqcpEEpbtEDyC8LLyOV7Dg3g_ZPTCfNQwfXUzK50zaCSGOw/s320/IMG_0060.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488989871697903426" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Trying to fit in both the soother AND the toast:</span><br /><a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwr2DhJlZK3x6hvyEbSVQDjedlMkRPsxN8jyvy40usJVxzRHuh9LT0UGEIJCrrWF5zjr8xccy9tkUiW57wmYBoEaORkB8xJrx52PCTQUxcpNTHTnY2R8haeJgs4M6I5R65ci_URg/s1600/IMG_0055.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwr2DhJlZK3x6hvyEbSVQDjedlMkRPsxN8jyvy40usJVxzRHuh9LT0UGEIJCrrWF5zjr8xccy9tkUiW57wmYBoEaORkB8xJrx52PCTQUxcpNTHTnY2R8haeJgs4M6I5R65ci_URg/s320/IMG_0055.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488989860437109138" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Cold weather means riding the dolphin inside! (still need the shades, though)</span><br /><a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuTgA19zJnK_nzv3Qmr-J1WtAhd6HmkwwvXEbBsY_WyTGDgskMzF_rvhbMNvd2nCX-_UdBt-_3X3szJTa60dwj8vMWn_heONda5c7ZlCZtsOq73BPao5BzwT-ftDQb2Q0YUKMBXQ/s1600/IMG_0077.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuTgA19zJnK_nzv3Qmr-J1WtAhd6HmkwwvXEbBsY_WyTGDgskMzF_rvhbMNvd2nCX-_UdBt-_3X3szJTa60dwj8vMWn_heONda5c7ZlCZtsOq73BPao5BzwT-ftDQb2Q0YUKMBXQ/s320/IMG_0077.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488990594526180226" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Keeping the shades going:</span><br /><a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz1moYrP001L9waeD-yd_XeAA-qVIeAPF3NW669F_ZIY0Thdr9wmc41Hkk9Ki-qojwOglRZ6Elb7lYtruEYEM50E_1Thbhs90l69B7KNenzPeZE3tLVk0uRQRGTgkgxa1hjg35dg/s1600/IMG_0073.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz1moYrP001L9waeD-yd_XeAA-qVIeAPF3NW669F_ZIY0Thdr9wmc41Hkk9Ki-qojwOglRZ6Elb7lYtruEYEM50E_1Thbhs90l69B7KNenzPeZE3tLVk0uRQRGTgkgxa1hjg35dg/s320/IMG_0073.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488990588420855554" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Good ole watermelon:</span><br /><a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUnFFtFPymx9Y_eh-GSne_KEmqPeq4-EAyPNTlbXOxylD2WkicCfrRNI9F86MIn3QEr-r-lrxouIkS7ucevANGRT5yG-CbIwYlcd2UdVl5CrMNxSF2uwKSN-OpZtv3lUppRc_uyA/s1600/IMG_0052.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUnFFtFPymx9Y_eh-GSne_KEmqPeq4-EAyPNTlbXOxylD2WkicCfrRNI9F86MIn3QEr-r-lrxouIkS7ucevANGRT5yG-CbIwYlcd2UdVl5CrMNxSF2uwKSN-OpZtv3lUppRc_uyA/s320/IMG_0052.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488989852443898962" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Boy on a dock:</span><br /><a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7xFFlCcNYOqWa0_DLPhMvtwMTsL5fFpu3gJHRh1zfG0FhBacvSZDVSA2-oLxPFFoIhs7ZhtQg7lDkW8b463LPaG3_b1G7iLfD3cnQxcn4BVeQUhyUysfDiFXGPXtHtotpCqqMHA/s1600/IMG_0088.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7xFFlCcNYOqWa0_DLPhMvtwMTsL5fFpu3gJHRh1zfG0FhBacvSZDVSA2-oLxPFFoIhs7ZhtQg7lDkW8b463LPaG3_b1G7iLfD3cnQxcn4BVeQUhyUysfDiFXGPXtHtotpCqqMHA/s320/IMG_0088.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488990622757189298" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">... and a swing:</span><br /><a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS6gbHWa3mqKV2Rzc1k5nUJlVJmAa_itmsvzifRF7RfnGM3EapC_WdVfJNCjdkaGxrCHHW4CgqSCLFzG0Vl51MbR2RKoPEV8xbHK44NAMSKrGupudOFmmNSgXjDwyjWCQY_WlJrQ/s1600/IMG_0080.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS6gbHWa3mqKV2Rzc1k5nUJlVJmAa_itmsvzifRF7RfnGM3EapC_WdVfJNCjdkaGxrCHHW4CgqSCLFzG0Vl51MbR2RKoPEV8xbHK44NAMSKrGupudOFmmNSgXjDwyjWCQY_WlJrQ/s320/IMG_0080.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488990606146866306" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Girl on a slide:</span><br /><a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiEq9nmp87vrKAhn8Kkd52Hupaqm10mQ4Z6O_G4iY7QzvCUu0Dn6hbd_TmteH8lzmAV9gnbb6n8Di5mJ8utw0ZidhuGyZMCcD5rbJDamaDc_tgmukX5oAPqomGFNtegkap2yteDQ/s1600/IMG_0081.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiEq9nmp87vrKAhn8Kkd52Hupaqm10mQ4Z6O_G4iY7QzvCUu0Dn6hbd_TmteH8lzmAV9gnbb6n8Di5mJ8utw0ZidhuGyZMCcD5rbJDamaDc_tgmukX5oAPqomGFNtegkap2yteDQ/s320/IMG_0081.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488990612904048466" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Poor cold, Daddy:</span><br /><a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNfWWniVyZqGxxAXJ5DKCHS5o9OiRxQnMiAv15hX6l8k8DNKQYq1IlUPDdblpJ8kRcDKjTNavAIwIjr3oRunq5xdXiu_jItozQiyBFYH-zr0vkQfEFn_ylP2Cd3j7xDhCmP-jF_g/s1600/IMG_0091.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNfWWniVyZqGxxAXJ5DKCHS5o9OiRxQnMiAv15hX6l8k8DNKQYq1IlUPDdblpJ8kRcDKjTNavAIwIjr3oRunq5xdXiu_jItozQiyBFYH-zr0vkQfEFn_ylP2Cd3j7xDhCmP-jF_g/s320/IMG_0091.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488991951774568066" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">"Mela likes to run in circles on the dock ..."</span><br /><a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7qoj8noHP_57VVQ4ppUSK5qxeCsxjkNztczHWb_NjSAaCqtz2Ort8Sec-NwQYqYoYBpbgAQtgCeNzcmFcT4_8j-xDYjn9zPt3abH7-BeC8Su4CfbxwP2lt-I7K_Tj8K1zG_9tgQ/s1600/IMG_0095.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7qoj8noHP_57VVQ4ppUSK5qxeCsxjkNztczHWb_NjSAaCqtz2Ort8Sec-NwQYqYoYBpbgAQtgCeNzcmFcT4_8j-xDYjn9zPt3abH7-BeC8Su4CfbxwP2lt-I7K_Tj8K1zG_9tgQ/s320/IMG_0095.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488991959044649474" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Siblings:</span><br /><a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs76TlK67bUG9a6IJVg8IUzKOEnHSRArlFcAvXsrLYs9prP8uGXBjhaNyU_8ojx7ndtsb65EmUi6uh7DC0kgQcpRH5k8Ji8jsmrBiw0OYaMtqKC3TKMQSJHXhFlABTCjXoaSmSxw/s1600/IMG_0099.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs76TlK67bUG9a6IJVg8IUzKOEnHSRArlFcAvXsrLYs9prP8uGXBjhaNyU_8ojx7ndtsb65EmUi6uh7DC0kgQcpRH5k8Ji8jsmrBiw0OYaMtqKC3TKMQSJHXhFlABTCjXoaSmSxw/s320/IMG_0099.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488991966623965234" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">A man's gotta nap when he can these days:</span><br /><a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhltaMGfFbd_GSJxtwrsNjZ_kB4PnfrJyWZMTE1jv9D7LuGq3Bqk63EqNcJFNO7iCxTVYNssBRk6H6e5dOsJPm6WDGlbMujsSqGUA201wzP4KfP3WasTqGox_SCDbdd-yOqi6S8Cg/s1600/IMG_0100.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhltaMGfFbd_GSJxtwrsNjZ_kB4PnfrJyWZMTE1jv9D7LuGq3Bqk63EqNcJFNO7iCxTVYNssBRk6H6e5dOsJPm6WDGlbMujsSqGUA201wzP4KfP3WasTqGox_SCDbdd-yOqi6S8Cg/s320/IMG_0100.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488991970305239506" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Lovely lady on the beach:</span><br /><a style="font-style: italic;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim81orbJnkdkqQcbvbtvA_9kzEeYCIrCKPuZcCAgGaqutBkHiGOVFIXQk3Kf0GF92E6jep0cWCKxivxNnourgGt0MbqKJQqiNtfJmMqbXO-dPhhTgM4w1Jg2yVrTIjz9Dosv4I7w/s1600/IMG_0039.JPG"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 240px; display: block; height: 320px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488987105835532146" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim81orbJnkdkqQcbvbtvA_9kzEeYCIrCKPuZcCAgGaqutBkHiGOVFIXQk3Kf0GF92E6jep0cWCKxivxNnourgGt0MbqKJQqiNtfJmMqbXO-dPhhTgM4w1Jg2yVrTIjz9Dosv4I7w/s320/IMG_0039.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Rector Funhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08898580145735042579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20734465.post-59323286775602410332010-06-13T19:21:00.017-04:002010-06-13T20:42:55.161-04:00Le JardinWhen you go looking for a house, the garden is never really a factor. It's one of those "nice to have's" that are never going to make or break the deal.<br /><br />But oh, how nice when the house you buy has an extraordinary garden. There were some pictures of it when we looked at the place and all the neighbours told us that it was lovely but we moved in during the winter so have been waiting to see the full show.<br /><br />And now the warm weather is here and the garden is booming. There are about a hundred different plants and they're all colourful and interesting and some, I've never even seen before.<br /><br />It's like living at a botanical park!<br /><br />The best part is, it's all perennials and all low-maintenance, although I did get scolded by an old lady neighbour today for not weeding enough!<br /><br />If you're not into plants and gardens, it's all just plants but if you are, it's a rare gift and a continuous source of pleasure.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Say click:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Keep in mind that our last garden looked like this, so anything was going to be better:</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfbDdwskfqIYWFFxXQWcsn9S5aBvQ1SJ5YyMALFqDEkSeZRsRVyRjcBCuSRw6wlcAIRV9qjsUA6pQwGTv8fxH91E42vYx7ngkydHHKbYGBSy3ULITIhUHnpjxfaVEUhbEYdKkBJQ/s1600/IMG_0109.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfbDdwskfqIYWFFxXQWcsn9S5aBvQ1SJ5YyMALFqDEkSeZRsRVyRjcBCuSRw6wlcAIRV9qjsUA6pQwGTv8fxH91E42vYx7ngkydHHKbYGBSy3ULITIhUHnpjxfaVEUhbEYdKkBJQ/s320/IMG_0109.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482421278221496322" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Of course, the first thing that everyone notices is the big showoff, Mr. Rhododendron (which may actually grow so large that it creeps into our bedroom one night and smothers us):</span> <a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKADSYLDrew44qsjr130GuG7kue0lN4AxUxs5iFjYyVkXCpIg0Ihyphenhyphenr-PPa7t5A-TdOwNTLVFuliIE7EpfZqBNubPpyd5oyhWmmwvImZ6cnCyHOCKPf00JeuiuvyK3ygnUlrcwPoA/s1600/IMG_2852b.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKADSYLDrew44qsjr130GuG7kue0lN4AxUxs5iFjYyVkXCpIg0Ihyphenhyphenr-PPa7t5A-TdOwNTLVFuliIE7EpfZqBNubPpyd5oyhWmmwvImZ6cnCyHOCKPf00JeuiuvyK3ygnUlrcwPoA/s320/IMG_2852b.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482407534969923042" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">This is one of my current favourites. Came out of nowhere and exploded with lovely scented flowers. Mom, can you tell what this is? (p.s. shortly after this picture was taken, we heard a cry and Mela was face-down in the dirt. That's what you get for being a monkey.)</span> <a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFPaH05oUmCYss6BFXP3-b4eoPyaendgug_FmhiaZtiB1tbS2KhjCkcVklwGQYwPQHNanaL0ZyRgDOjf5qAkCHdUEP477GIX-tdFjnKvN9zg903TYNxzY-qULNEwc-n9N-E9GEQw/s1600/IMG_2855.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFPaH05oUmCYss6BFXP3-b4eoPyaendgug_FmhiaZtiB1tbS2KhjCkcVklwGQYwPQHNanaL0ZyRgDOjf5qAkCHdUEP477GIX-tdFjnKvN9zg903TYNxzY-qULNEwc-n9N-E9GEQw/s320/IMG_2855.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482403378512553266" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Millions and millions of lovely flowers:</span> <a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgly-w8cOVAyZmuSgwHkUHEn1ztEpT8JSTlA6i26wbNhG11loVLkY-ovKMvmNAIasamZQTUXLcxzuJcX45jFlBlck0TfCcdDxEeWhNj_3kSll-i950q8DhkwagdHgbdFcKew9TAUg/s1600/IMG_2861.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgly-w8cOVAyZmuSgwHkUHEn1ztEpT8JSTlA6i26wbNhG11loVLkY-ovKMvmNAIasamZQTUXLcxzuJcX45jFlBlck0TfCcdDxEeWhNj_3kSll-i950q8DhkwagdHgbdFcKew9TAUg/s320/IMG_2861.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482405095585386834" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQMk9bzdqpUcJSWgZ1Img0EzM7CDdVR3b827s3MLDWspt_0vgdBE9FPejrxhuY4SDqNEZBcnss-6edWASNiKVbep8-fnatmwL8nhaESOyGw3KRIJByJUv6KjbG4UahJsS67OVuZw/s1600/IMG_2912.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 229px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQMk9bzdqpUcJSWgZ1Img0EzM7CDdVR3b827s3MLDWspt_0vgdBE9FPejrxhuY4SDqNEZBcnss-6edWASNiKVbep8-fnatmwL8nhaESOyGw3KRIJByJUv6KjbG4UahJsS67OVuZw/s320/IMG_2912.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482417711456184818" border="0" /></a><a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXGrb6zXwIZpENIIkznhUEJHR9fFApP8JWfaazOPQnHMZOBaxw6Ahq6XiMA_EZvGyvKs4Dta6ROF83cuAKeMRDOHHG_9Sq-pLg9NL6kT_Il_MT6mFgie8r82oa2nYP-UDDiZkjjA/s1600/IMG_2917.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXGrb6zXwIZpENIIkznhUEJHR9fFApP8JWfaazOPQnHMZOBaxw6Ahq6XiMA_EZvGyvKs4Dta6ROF83cuAKeMRDOHHG_9Sq-pLg9NL6kT_Il_MT6mFgie8r82oa2nYP-UDDiZkjjA/s320/IMG_2917.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482416237763144786" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Lovely shaded areas:</span> <a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEJUyqU2O5LNges3bDyye8sS9g1lP6xvcMVbM2jzHYcaGQNxIrBWv6Ki5xnIDXgvxm6exQXeP-0yLexdhBXTS90K5opNuBpltFgHDYV4Yl_HHqmKNCbQLYEudawkPYX2x3u6p-yQ/s1600/IMG_2874.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEJUyqU2O5LNges3bDyye8sS9g1lP6xvcMVbM2jzHYcaGQNxIrBWv6Ki5xnIDXgvxm6exQXeP-0yLexdhBXTS90K5opNuBpltFgHDYV4Yl_HHqmKNCbQLYEudawkPYX2x3u6p-yQ/s320/IMG_2874.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482409041638759522" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Of course, the mailbox is a little house that can be converted to a planter in the summer time:</span> <a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCRW5FWSDNkQWkVoJ4cRyvFax4PpZ88Vy_HPb6JKhK9-zmhQ4a5XLj3W_JuPkAbubG5xAOWMght3YDNQ115KWQjEQ5iXxAlLST5to8-xly8MxdjKB-fkbMqgrwyP1pDVrL8L6YNg/s1600/IMG_2869.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCRW5FWSDNkQWkVoJ4cRyvFax4PpZ88Vy_HPb6JKhK9-zmhQ4a5XLj3W_JuPkAbubG5xAOWMght3YDNQ115KWQjEQ5iXxAlLST5to8-xly8MxdjKB-fkbMqgrwyP1pDVrL8L6YNg/s320/IMG_2869.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482416226296363714" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">... and a there's a little house for gardening tools, too! (which, of course, has a winding vine around it)</span> <a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCSleN7FKjM-Cjt00BkHrZX8KebSSu9QCsh-J6RdWFbwjLtkPPseyElKX13_z2StKBoFBgkh28K7xks9BlycALMTz6QYgNxSRE0OuVQEI3j8VHOK0NdVsONa89pv1y7PuaVWyTzg/s1600/IMG_2858.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCSleN7FKjM-Cjt00BkHrZX8KebSSu9QCsh-J6RdWFbwjLtkPPseyElKX13_z2StKBoFBgkh28K7xks9BlycALMTz6QYgNxSRE0OuVQEI3j8VHOK0NdVsONa89pv1y7PuaVWyTzg/s320/IMG_2858.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482405084420618802" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">The vine and arbor over the lower deck are starting to do their thing:</span> <a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjSCenOzVF9QVKSym_zn1lSCuSxqlfBQ5RuKoHi_nN_Wl8gn8OXW7gJhum_iuzH3eitV_c467vjuInr35epdjvq_cK2vB_FXb2VCnMEq5vCBSIVFO68SurBk6sq3VGqepgVdwh5w/s1600/IMG_2866.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjSCenOzVF9QVKSym_zn1lSCuSxqlfBQ5RuKoHi_nN_Wl8gn8OXW7gJhum_iuzH3eitV_c467vjuInr35epdjvq_cK2vB_FXb2VCnMEq5vCBSIVFO68SurBk6sq3VGqepgVdwh5w/s320/IMG_2866.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482405874677153154" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Nice little corner with some lovely flowers and a vine that's totally taken over the fence (and is actually crushing it):</span> <a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMi1mWZSQrBgAlSe-3qSq0bF-GddkUxsHUf628ywr_88P4UNYGF0u4p9uSEFNSY6oXx3tAgP8uKKD-n_htINODy0jvlPmwzn07WS5Yv7EowvcE44kRTQduStMnADWprKTH1KyCnw/s1600/IMG_2863.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMi1mWZSQrBgAlSe-3qSq0bF-GddkUxsHUf628ywr_88P4UNYGF0u4p9uSEFNSY6oXx3tAgP8uKKD-n_htINODy0jvlPmwzn07WS5Yv7EowvcE44kRTQduStMnADWprKTH1KyCnw/s320/IMG_2863.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482405867761476706" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-style: italic;">This cool little tree is on the far side of the house but has some issue with its lower needles. Any suggestions?</span> <a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-4puOQBP0kic2PLSQzmbVEAiapWG27g2tcxHkAMdj-mBYf8RL9fKOZ7t7BYzPOGjImAPXwJ0ieJGR0Ay3gkGS6Qr7nOO44M7sfsuugO_hQmBslyg1yrLIjiD-ThqJO1lqsGFPvg/s1600/IMG_2870.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-4puOQBP0kic2PLSQzmbVEAiapWG27g2tcxHkAMdj-mBYf8RL9fKOZ7t7BYzPOGjImAPXwJ0ieJGR0Ay3gkGS6Qr7nOO44M7sfsuugO_hQmBslyg1yrLIjiD-ThqJO1lqsGFPvg/s320/IMG_2870.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482407549590794642" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">I've never seen this kind of plant before. And then one day, pop, it's full of awesome orange flowers.</span> <a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxyd8mitum_OTeD9qTSwEqDvPlpUZQ54qcjZAWr8xJwPjG8UaMzXvjpbkY2gxK2TXuxbLYWkmHVHHKvdPDKo1N_vAAcALNoqedBKWFtwepFyDmT3KvFrYW0u_TyqMxzWi-jPi-2g/s1600/IMG_2872.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxyd8mitum_OTeD9qTSwEqDvPlpUZQ54qcjZAWr8xJwPjG8UaMzXvjpbkY2gxK2TXuxbLYWkmHVHHKvdPDKo1N_vAAcALNoqedBKWFtwepFyDmT3KvFrYW0u_TyqMxzWi-jPi-2g/s320/IMG_2872.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482408272912976578" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">I always thought that when I owned a home, I'd plant my favourite plants: peonies, lilacs, bleeding hearts, some roses and lily of the valley. Guess what is planted at this house? All of those and more!</span> <a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-U_1Il3xJ6uMdo8b7mENMU5yYa2Qmo78LNcBWLjyoFkfbg28zR9YvEQcqrMOrjk0gT02Q6TuknUgjsnTAnU6grFRBYBoQOSz5CSwgW_hYQMD8rCl3rZzH8I9sKmlopOUwRm4f1A/s1600/IMG_2880.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-U_1Il3xJ6uMdo8b7mENMU5yYa2Qmo78LNcBWLjyoFkfbg28zR9YvEQcqrMOrjk0gT02Q6TuknUgjsnTAnU6grFRBYBoQOSz5CSwgW_hYQMD8rCl3rZzH8I9sKmlopOUwRm4f1A/s320/IMG_2880.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482410363827154626" border="0" /></a><a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirPpw_HhDQ9io3yUJW0thqh6kL0VzDO3PVEJovUN609qQkPTJ6aKVzPFMA64wXouG8iJj0owzhIkwdLFvV9Cync-5wc-cyicfQSSrcSU17jK9EFpNte8JdYMTNEgHNCaFMDS584g/s1600/IMG_2875.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirPpw_HhDQ9io3yUJW0thqh6kL0VzDO3PVEJovUN609qQkPTJ6aKVzPFMA64wXouG8iJj0owzhIkwdLFvV9Cync-5wc-cyicfQSSrcSU17jK9EFpNte8JdYMTNEgHNCaFMDS584g/s320/IMG_2875.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482409577057030050" border="0" /></a><a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzbikPoTNaeqF873lwTV2y8agRUQZlJYsNNkBxHyUHe2GCs3-poLbpJvGb5q5632-Tism1jOV36WE2ezbDYRrwIaIKTDmWU83mgfmVYSEpbAhAZFw6OegBNiziT1DqhGvVNaZdCA/s1600/IMG_2879.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzbikPoTNaeqF873lwTV2y8agRUQZlJYsNNkBxHyUHe2GCs3-poLbpJvGb5q5632-Tism1jOV36WE2ezbDYRrwIaIKTDmWU83mgfmVYSEpbAhAZFw6OegBNiziT1DqhGvVNaZdCA/s320/IMG_2879.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482409587166834178" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">There's a mulberry bush, for god's sake!</span> <a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixFyaT6BdlOuSr3YAgx0_R-myG4OxD77TpQC734WjHrcqn4ndciOnEK7xKbXCafPyiC0lXSApoOO_aPLyxj8Vt7sPPAS5fEvCiP6-yK1wcsAP5lKpszr-bdUpqmQRHzeP0kDprKw/s1600/IMG_2873.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixFyaT6BdlOuSr3YAgx0_R-myG4OxD77TpQC734WjHrcqn4ndciOnEK7xKbXCafPyiC0lXSApoOO_aPLyxj8Vt7sPPAS5fEvCiP6-yK1wcsAP5lKpszr-bdUpqmQRHzeP0kDprKw/s320/IMG_2873.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482409020870298162" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Great colour and it's kind of curly! This guy wins for coolest evergreen shrub.</span> <a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyvEzVM-D5z4NPpOIUv-eMzbQeu9iF4_gCerVe0c3Dup_DWZQU_pl7_-_aG9nNnmvNlt0V77lglaNpPVFhHdXqj8-9q0kKRXZ3PrOQGMbsQXHwuz29FrdgyAFDfPogvqqueqftaQ/s1600/IMG_2871.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyvEzVM-D5z4NPpOIUv-eMzbQeu9iF4_gCerVe0c3Dup_DWZQU_pl7_-_aG9nNnmvNlt0V77lglaNpPVFhHdXqj8-9q0kKRXZ3PrOQGMbsQXHwuz29FrdgyAFDfPogvqqueqftaQ/s320/IMG_2871.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482408261040831154" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Our garden has a LOT of bumblebees. Like, millions. If they really are <a href="http://www.hww.ca/hww2.asp?id=411">dying out</a>, just come to my yard to replenish the population. I figure it's because there are so many freaking flowers, you need that many bees to keep it all going!</span> <a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXqrriAJq5spugX-rsu-49d-TFlBXea3KN8aylpzPVhBwCixmkSKJZLm-hXnx53Q5w9RBVcAxS-gn_6OBsVRXm9y3XYt4sNdwBVb2453hiVa2T3BVpPGeW_8ngEsYkGDgqhC1JRA/s1600/IMG_2898.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXqrriAJq5spugX-rsu-49d-TFlBXea3KN8aylpzPVhBwCixmkSKJZLm-hXnx53Q5w9RBVcAxS-gn_6OBsVRXm9y3XYt4sNdwBVb2453hiVa2T3BVpPGeW_8ngEsYkGDgqhC1JRA/s320/IMG_2898.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482411946296276770" border="0" /></a><a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDcSD8o5CEbzWaS-GRp2wSyWLQS3wMcbhciOZcNvUXYd42qn8217A-cPzxVH9pIGY4v2pYJmj_GX4JBFWp2LJS8cW2TI7Jg3pGJoe4ApsA401UzFibe6q4SdlnXiF6HFLE-AKmbg/s1600/IMG_2903.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDcSD8o5CEbzWaS-GRp2wSyWLQS3wMcbhciOZcNvUXYd42qn8217A-cPzxVH9pIGY4v2pYJmj_GX4JBFWp2LJS8cW2TI7Jg3pGJoe4ApsA401UzFibe6q4SdlnXiF6HFLE-AKmbg/s320/IMG_2903.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482410370880775586" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">And finally, this is my current favourite plant. Up until today, it had pods that I thought individual flowers would slowly expand from. But all of a sudden, they burst open their condom-like casings and a whole bunch of flowers burst out like fireworks. Love it!</span> <a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmkNP10oHsx0P_cE3ijsci3j2gDZwN9jKwSqJSwcZhwbnncE8WAmG_NNHw2ESL2ISfXtUbH0S02JfEYubXOZnEGwy13ojjtos3RscUBI3qtBKbtBTRHF1Yw0TdFwha_RH-zcOOew/s1600/IMG_2913.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmkNP10oHsx0P_cE3ijsci3j2gDZwN9jKwSqJSwcZhwbnncE8WAmG_NNHw2ESL2ISfXtUbH0S02JfEYubXOZnEGwy13ojjtos3RscUBI3qtBKbtBTRHF1Yw0TdFwha_RH-zcOOew/s320/IMG_2913.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482413829977275090" border="0" /></a><a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ-ecomtMtX3QemfKhCuy8YsrTOg4sRTxOejc6wJiEZ-x7Q74D357f2cQy77tPNYRE9MDjrgbfSuEM235olpXCAyZH2h2NqNZx2XiubsIiiU42ccf95SPLq016Vlh2_uFwiGLIzg/s1600/IMG_2915b.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ-ecomtMtX3QemfKhCuy8YsrTOg4sRTxOejc6wJiEZ-x7Q74D357f2cQy77tPNYRE9MDjrgbfSuEM235olpXCAyZH2h2NqNZx2XiubsIiiU42ccf95SPLq016Vlh2_uFwiGLIzg/s320/IMG_2915b.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482413838557691938" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Of course, there are some things more important than gardens. Like World Cup! Draw the drapes and let the action begin. Dinner's being served in the living room from now on ...</span> <a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX7dUzpr27nNOVgqBxqZz7m8X-pzxk5qlS7IJtZiUYBsQOL7z9Glvofvasz9fvX0TIW0P0RaqMxwMRzXw_dY-6rfJW0W7M_unQtSCDFYTTaIT-zqJmuRQPZ_k7U1z0tj6NsFf5UA/s1600/IMG_2851.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX7dUzpr27nNOVgqBxqZz7m8X-pzxk5qlS7IJtZiUYBsQOL7z9Glvofvasz9fvX0TIW0P0RaqMxwMRzXw_dY-6rfJW0W7M_unQtSCDFYTTaIT-zqJmuRQPZ_k7U1z0tj6NsFf5UA/s320/IMG_2851.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482402997704144546" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX7dUzpr27nNOVgqBxqZz7m8X-pzxk5qlS7IJtZiUYBsQOL7z9Glvofvasz9fvX0TIW0P0RaqMxwMRzXw_dY-6rfJW0W7M_unQtSCDFYTTaIT-zqJmuRQPZ_k7U1z0tj6NsFf5UA/s1600/IMG_2851.JPG"><br /></a>Rector Funhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08898580145735042579noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20734465.post-71495160467302460642010-06-11T15:43:00.007-04:002010-06-11T16:05:36.046-04:00Friday UpdateExcuse the lack of posts. <div><br /></div><div>Some sad events here lately and can't seem to write about anything happy or mundane. I should probably report on the kids' latest developments more (Mela shows a greater understanding of the world every day, Nate continues the great language burst: "bumped head so much!") but can't really be bothered. <div><br /></div><div>On top of everything, Mela has been sick this week (burning fever, croupy cough) and I've been up all night lately trying to comfort her. (Good reminder of how much newborn sleeplessness sucks.)</div><div><br /></div><div>Luckily, I'm a seasoned parent now and not stricken to the bone when they get sick anymore. You do still worry a bit though.</div><div><br /></div><div>The good news is that we're going on "vacation" soon (to visit my family and swim in the lake!). Not sure how we're going to manage a cross-country drive (better or worse ages than last summer?) but at least I don't have to pack baby food this time.</div><div><br /></div><div>Mamas, hug your babies. Even two (and 21 months and just over 3) isn't that terrible in the scheme of things. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Funhouse stories:</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Mela:</div><div>I read a helpful <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Parenting-Purpose-Progressive-Discipline-Birth/dp/0836267680/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1276284986&sr=8-1">parenting book</a> this week. It's had a good effect, mostly by helping me be more patient and give them lots of positive attention, which means they're less crazy. I sometimes wonder if I've gone too far, though.</div><div><br /></div><div>We were lying in bed yesterday morning (after having been up all night due to burning fever) and Mela was trying to get me up.</div><div><br /></div><div>Mela: Mama, wake up! Mr Sun is up!</div><div><br /></div><div>Me: Hmmphugh</div><div><br /></div><div>Mela: Mama, wake up! </div><div><br /></div><div>Me: Mmmmmhmmgh</div><div><br /></div><div>Mela: No, Mama. Use your words.</div><div><br /></div><div>Me: What did you say?!</div><div><br /></div><div>Mela: Good job, Mama. You used your words! High five! <i>(and actually tried to high five me)</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>***</i></div><div><br /></div><div>Nate:</div><div>As it turns out, a toddler asking to watch TV gets a "no." A toddler demanding "TV on now!" gets a "no." </div><div><br /></div><div>A toddler getting out a cushion, setting it up on the floor, getting his water bottle, sitting down sweetly and singing "Ready TV Mama!" gets ... a "yes." </div><div><br /></div><div>Who knew?</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Say click:</b></div></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div style="font-style: italic;">This is Hillary a few weeks ago ... and baby still isn't here! Being overdue should be illegal.</div><div style="font-style: italic;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIFKPHMSo5b8vvBFewclQQiomYiq0tn3VeIsauMGa60tkGDfclEgMQZBLcf2KCCaw9DUZ0E22Hy1okr3L43rcr1Watn0EnuCdEYAv17IZWTza3Ahcp3DMBrZxpa40MoMAq8sEHYg/s1600/IMG_2820.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIFKPHMSo5b8vvBFewclQQiomYiq0tn3VeIsauMGa60tkGDfclEgMQZBLcf2KCCaw9DUZ0E22Hy1okr3L43rcr1Watn0EnuCdEYAv17IZWTza3Ahcp3DMBrZxpa40MoMAq8sEHYg/s320/IMG_2820.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481605556883325474" border="0" /></a></div><div style="font-style: italic;">A recent weekend BBQ ended with a rousing game of Ring Around the Rosie. Hilarious for all.</div><div style="font-style: italic;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx_-n1fhlOQv_zOPtO09CD4OZctuxRFu79nwGDxkJvQPoThAUYjq5co34eRIP5F-LnV32Iy4jbQB9hD9tesiY0SWrpVWUf1ZILWZjnlLotp4fWmQpUD7WPvkAbo-NHH7lPDCOBKg/s1600/IMG_2823.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx_-n1fhlOQv_zOPtO09CD4OZctuxRFu79nwGDxkJvQPoThAUYjq5co34eRIP5F-LnV32Iy4jbQB9hD9tesiY0SWrpVWUf1ZILWZjnlLotp4fWmQpUD7WPvkAbo-NHH7lPDCOBKg/s320/IMG_2823.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481607057898737138" border="0" /></a></div><div style="font-style: italic;">Group pic. Note that Nate has someone else's juice. It was taken away right after this so every other shot has a very sad boy.</div><div style="font-style: italic;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTzzDjHlB5sLtSnkmt4Q78dvywtDBB1-B_806mKoQVWY5MsUnFy8f4AZqETaCbceLx3iiODaX-HXLex5AoRd80OrjEEhtxatJFVQEs32dCAZ2Lk8IuECmGeGk1hvZYM32NZnstYw/s1600/IMG_2825.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTzzDjHlB5sLtSnkmt4Q78dvywtDBB1-B_806mKoQVWY5MsUnFy8f4AZqETaCbceLx3iiODaX-HXLex5AoRd80OrjEEhtxatJFVQEs32dCAZ2Lk8IuECmGeGk1hvZYM32NZnstYw/s320/IMG_2825.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481606298255596162" border="0" /></a></div><div style="font-style: italic;">Hey look, Nate's got a spotting scope (telescope)! I'm not sure that's how you use it, though.</div><div style="font-style: italic;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8_xWLcn7nqlhlNec41eXwjeFVEPgrS6ITONG20ZITFI_x5BEWLtbUE2R9kl2Dg-kvbcr3Axc0leDfuLDGwodd8J6VFBvfDWb_6er0icpGoMQqPnSvmxctHTv7ZlibKUBvEa8gwA/s1600/IMG_2841.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8_xWLcn7nqlhlNec41eXwjeFVEPgrS6ITONG20ZITFI_x5BEWLtbUE2R9kl2Dg-kvbcr3Axc0leDfuLDGwodd8J6VFBvfDWb_6er0icpGoMQqPnSvmxctHTv7ZlibKUBvEa8gwA/s320/IMG_2841.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481606309554328690" border="0" /></a></div><div style="font-style: italic;">He spots a ball.</div><div style="font-style: italic;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi15Pooy0WA6dITnJuASEK7bImDphDeIamTrF8_HnDgPW1PvJhShzGHSp50rjERPp4zeBrWO5Ena9oyuorJ86WF0omI8DF1Fq2vrc-e_04feezpbICj7gtEJsjTu3GyOjRwWp7CBg/s1600/IMG_2845.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi15Pooy0WA6dITnJuASEK7bImDphDeIamTrF8_HnDgPW1PvJhShzGHSp50rjERPp4zeBrWO5Ena9oyuorJ86WF0omI8DF1Fq2vrc-e_04feezpbICj7gtEJsjTu3GyOjRwWp7CBg/s320/IMG_2845.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481607070366658034" border="0" /></a></div><span style="font-style: italic;">On the search for new treasure ....</span><div style="font-style: italic;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN5XzXrsj8QLbBKQjNLDfvgNieiBEHOjKPEmLpyBw-sZewva-winWwdlU7s8BTVMFS3HiU7DwS2RjJcF51xJDZxcBaqN_mXop4ku_IXAWa5Mf05lfNtfB3-JlNjmg6QUyl6w5Gwg/s1600/IMG_2848.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN5XzXrsj8QLbBKQjNLDfvgNieiBEHOjKPEmLpyBw-sZewva-winWwdlU7s8BTVMFS3HiU7DwS2RjJcF51xJDZxcBaqN_mXop4ku_IXAWa5Mf05lfNtfB3-JlNjmg6QUyl6w5Gwg/s320/IMG_2848.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481607078231229554" border="0" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Rector Funhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08898580145735042579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20734465.post-57279624799446149342010-06-04T17:58:00.005-04:002010-06-04T21:29:26.554-04:00Mela Jane quote of the week<i>Nap-time today:</i><div><i><br /></i></div><div>Me:<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"> Sweetie, I'm not going to "snuggle" you to sleep for naps anymore. I'm going to go downstairs and do some work. You need to practice going to sleep on your own at nap-time.</span> </i></div><div><br /></div><div>Mela: Hmm. Mama, I have a present for you [<i>she says this when she's stalling for time</i>]. And if you go downstairs, you won't get it. But if you stay and snuggle me, you can have it.</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Genius, right? And</i><i> then, the best part ...</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div>Mela: [<i>Looking very serious</i>] It's your choice, Mama. It's your choice.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><br />Say click:</b></div><div>Here's a tip. If you're tired of being with the kids all day and have run out of things to do and Daddy's stuck at work, just get them to line up one end of your house and race. They burn energy and all you have to do is sit in the kitchen and yell, "Ready, set, go!" every couple minutes. The fun can last for hours!</div><div><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">On your marks ...</span><br /><a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC746JnSytVlfA7LanBuxfJ-c5FGWYoyvPlrIFmB7CGQZSNR6VQXc4YJg7Y6ZP_1rhMEC_vrouc3bkgnSvLaQ48_d-e4cQA-IWw5S6Dr7Eqdyi21XXvsq1jr9tG1BsyqWBM9xgvw/s1600/IMG_2580.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC746JnSytVlfA7LanBuxfJ-c5FGWYoyvPlrIFmB7CGQZSNR6VQXc4YJg7Y6ZP_1rhMEC_vrouc3bkgnSvLaQ48_d-e4cQA-IWw5S6Dr7Eqdyi21XXvsq1jr9tG1BsyqWBM9xgvw/s320/IMG_2580.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479090241491323570" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">How can you compete with those endless legs?!</span><br /><a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwAY8ouVRjVVUczl4wwDHeMSgzoQyju8xreO7rsUtvgLLoO-K_WoVfnrX-4weCowKK_G1oZl-SNEnxRjLvX84h32EZQnRRAhNOrkvaNTfsZ4viuuj-_oXoTrgpuG_xBlaYozHWmA/s1600/IMG_2583.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 216px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwAY8ouVRjVVUczl4wwDHeMSgzoQyju8xreO7rsUtvgLLoO-K_WoVfnrX-4weCowKK_G1oZl-SNEnxRjLvX84h32EZQnRRAhNOrkvaNTfsZ4viuuj-_oXoTrgpuG_xBlaYozHWmA/s320/IMG_2583.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479090250851596514" border="0" /></a><br /><a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikWAj95IG4hTYJ1mGEBw8QuK6rc5XoOLuXB4Lsa3Ghqg4G2I4aFy8tNtMZh4XeYjyUWEN3uFd-bNCLXKpNIqAr_Eq2H-fy1Shmor-7v3vYOd6HwhBGCcJ2mPFQrj3eDFTHUcuGQg/s1600/IMG_2586.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikWAj95IG4hTYJ1mGEBw8QuK6rc5XoOLuXB4Lsa3Ghqg4G2I4aFy8tNtMZh4XeYjyUWEN3uFd-bNCLXKpNIqAr_Eq2H-fy1Shmor-7v3vYOd6HwhBGCcJ2mPFQrj3eDFTHUcuGQg/s320/IMG_2586.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479090252941204626" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Nate finally wins one!</span><br /><a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj8izssQEUTeV6JYmIgsxyoUVuiOz0PqtleBSrLhDZjja-GgJp1QzqJXnfHP_yqSrcTV92-Foz8hfMQ0ukT1llw1FNBcFO0DTp6Nswtk-pgEjknMcQzgr6vm8YejUSIL_9HfTrxQ/s1600/IMG_2587.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj8izssQEUTeV6JYmIgsxyoUVuiOz0PqtleBSrLhDZjja-GgJp1QzqJXnfHP_yqSrcTV92-Foz8hfMQ0ukT1llw1FNBcFO0DTp6Nswtk-pgEjknMcQzgr6vm8YejUSIL_9HfTrxQ/s320/IMG_2587.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479094020521310402" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Who is this handsome tan man??</span><br /><a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9X8rqXAGgAo96GCqTIy5Aer09nDz09sXw1tBWPEkZm-rUUuLJzOFuoR5dlNg6CMlSoMSyMVn9zq0j6leppsYiiUndaKbPTRBSTYd4Pv9sZM3_uTrG86BHEzELwhWVkr_Px02waQ/s1600/IMG_2590.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 241px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9X8rqXAGgAo96GCqTIy5Aer09nDz09sXw1tBWPEkZm-rUUuLJzOFuoR5dlNg6CMlSoMSyMVn9zq0j6leppsYiiUndaKbPTRBSTYd4Pv9sZM3_uTrG86BHEzELwhWVkr_Px02waQ/s320/IMG_2590.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479094020055549746" border="0" /></a><br /></div>Rector Funhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08898580145735042579noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20734465.post-75359935095344665212010-05-26T18:05:00.003-04:002010-05-26T19:20:49.868-04:00Victoria Day!We had a lovely long weekend!<br /><br />Dinner with family, two BBQ's, a hot summer day with a lovely walk in the park and lots of water play.<br /><br />Who knew it could be so hot in Nova Scotia in May??<br /><br />Loving the warm weather and the playing outside. <div><br /></div><div>In terms of daily life, we're still slowly adjusting to the Mama working a few days a week, although really what we're doing is still going about our regular routine and then each time, panicking the night before.<br /><br />It's the meals that are the hard part. Technically, I'm supposed to be preparing both lunches and dinners for the kids in the evenings but really? After I've fed myself and Chris, put the kids to bed and cleaned the kitchen, the LAST thing I want to do is cook another meal for the next day!<br /><br />So they're eating a lot of noodles these days.<br /><br /><div>In kid news, all is (relatively) well.</div><div><br /></div><div>Nate is still a language parrot and coming out with new words and combinations every day. "Go Mama's house" was a good one today. He is really at the point now where he can communicate most of his wants and needs.</div><div><br /></div><div>Thank god.</div><div><br /></div><div>The best part is that it means he and Mela can actually (kind of) play together now! Instead of just caveman fighting, they actually kind of pretend play. It really started a few weeks ago and has meant all the difference. We can go the whole day without having to turn on the TV because Mama's having a meltdown!</div><div><br /></div><div>Mela is still adjusting to the nanny-thing ... she wakes up sometimes with nightmares at night, which is sad (she's so sensitive!) but has a ton of fun when the nanny and other little girl are here.</div><div><br /></div><div>She's getting wily, though. For example, today:</div><div><div><br /></div><div>Me: Mela, I need three kisses. </div><div><br /></div><div>(Mela looks pensive)</div><div><br /></div><div>Mela: And then what?</div><div><br /></div><div>Me: Uh. We hug?</div><div><br /></div><div>Mela: And then I get a banana.</div><div><br /></div><div>Me: You drive a hard bargain, kid.</div><div><br /></div><div>***</div><div>On the weekend: We were watching S-Street together and the number of the day was 2. Mela was curled up with her mama cats and I pointed out that she has 2 cats, just like the number of the day. </div><div><br /></div><div>Mela looked at me contemptuously and pointed to her kitten on the coffee table. </div><div><br /></div><div>"No, Mama. I have 3 cats." </div><div><br /></div><div>Duh.</div><div><br /></div><div>***</div><div><b>Say click:<br /><br /></b><span style="font-style: italic;">We went for a walk in a park and it was NEXT TO AN OCEAN!</span><b style="font-style: italic;"><br /></b><a style="font-style: italic;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj70pbjZ4DonRwCheIj4NI7PkZyAwKNpa9kDzqaWE56HDvPWxA8gfN2RACkBefgB37-1_hw25rp7iRfGVg4j4FWScXGXyye1xXrUMisnXUftV_K7-MKJNlea4GSALYY2fwK1clXPA/s1600/IMG_2555.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj70pbjZ4DonRwCheIj4NI7PkZyAwKNpa9kDzqaWE56HDvPWxA8gfN2RACkBefgB37-1_hw25rp7iRfGVg4j4FWScXGXyye1xXrUMisnXUftV_K7-MKJNlea4GSALYY2fwK1clXPA/s320/IMG_2555.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475362522817733586" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Nate tries to evade the energetic little girl:</span><br /><a style="font-style: italic;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy6NurxSjyW2c3Js4vDqS_UpRUcpOfOP3YLOuIvrnhYsfhOnWMHda0BlfRd-BIBvlXrZAGJ0enFaW0j1dalc-tySUCR5PDmtR38rQ9ir2CcgfLW-LC53szABeQ6kKNLroEg2TW5g/s1600/IMG_2558.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy6NurxSjyW2c3Js4vDqS_UpRUcpOfOP3YLOuIvrnhYsfhOnWMHda0BlfRd-BIBvlXrZAGJ0enFaW0j1dalc-tySUCR5PDmtR38rQ9ir2CcgfLW-LC53szABeQ6kKNLroEg2TW5g/s320/IMG_2558.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475362530607932050" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Mom, this is fun!</span><br /><a style="font-style: italic;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeOx9A41qhSnH0yZPbW8-bT7VnZzxnAAclgeuH0qIvi0cshf2PiL46DjmjSgi-2AyvBlxt6x_Fd56K3Ek83HDDFfx-eaPcmxIFpvjyuxN3682UHKxnkpG93jtzSzV0-JNHQPVXog/s1600/IMG_2559.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeOx9A41qhSnH0yZPbW8-bT7VnZzxnAAclgeuH0qIvi0cshf2PiL46DjmjSgi-2AyvBlxt6x_Fd56K3Ek83HDDFfx-eaPcmxIFpvjyuxN3682UHKxnkpG93jtzSzV0-JNHQPVXog/s320/IMG_2559.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475362542229358018" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">On such a hot day, we had to come home and break out the water table!</span><br /><a style="font-style: italic;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnPxFkb0b-WvlfTjX6rZbMrEfHw4wsC0NoqBDy5TJprmFBtxo9IlC5VORn3HGhnZ8xPX-tSWZxBvNQqEM2g5JLySz3h0zm5XkqHLZc5Ja6bAHrHVJ1GQmqDY_EjCZVW1whl3vG1g/s1600/IMG_2563.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnPxFkb0b-WvlfTjX6rZbMrEfHw4wsC0NoqBDy5TJprmFBtxo9IlC5VORn3HGhnZ8xPX-tSWZxBvNQqEM2g5JLySz3h0zm5XkqHLZc5Ja6bAHrHVJ1GQmqDY_EjCZVW1whl3vG1g/s320/IMG_2563.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475363655855034306" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Back in the routine, it's ballerina time!</span><br /><a style="font-style: italic;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQzWNhIYhnXa2qNTAaE8wHBx24U7TS3oDbspNd1W24Lb4mAu7IFUVytyhFoa6FapQN0UUJJIirrlFuIQu0q2wVqi37jwoJwnuIAOOFbhhYjCbIBWD8pkG2ecp90Eoq5LcvZimz6A/s1600/IMG_2571.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQzWNhIYhnXa2qNTAaE8wHBx24U7TS3oDbspNd1W24Lb4mAu7IFUVytyhFoa6FapQN0UUJJIirrlFuIQu0q2wVqi37jwoJwnuIAOOFbhhYjCbIBWD8pkG2ecp90Eoq5LcvZimz6A/s320/IMG_2571.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475364502680937970" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Mela and Isobel get the party started:</span><br /><a style="font-style: italic;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKXx1T0YqUFDywpHe6Xh0NaTb4Nwj6APOmMIRJ6srOcx6D8HKOcsJ4781WTpTotbHlTNG_u7sRnuVb7rKYj1UnXc_ziRe7hrW9KGgNFr5gwbG6ZRR2nMvfY1PElXWZJSuFc-m5aA/s1600/IMG_2567.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKXx1T0YqUFDywpHe6Xh0NaTb4Nwj6APOmMIRJ6srOcx6D8HKOcsJ4781WTpTotbHlTNG_u7sRnuVb7rKYj1UnXc_ziRe7hrW9KGgNFr5gwbG6ZRR2nMvfY1PElXWZJSuFc-m5aA/s320/IMG_2567.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475363659678450962" border="0" /></a><a style="font-style: italic;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8VDfKchnkhRZeSf11Jwe1EuE5oLDGe0oezoeI2jZtu2TPu-HPKFeFmRyXvthSM1LH3659EMthvJOAzriZBgSzEPDXMGcxqWPnmxZBRDhBZZIejTE68QNr71-mIR5f2hRac0DU_A/s1600/IMG_2569.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8VDfKchnkhRZeSf11Jwe1EuE5oLDGe0oezoeI2jZtu2TPu-HPKFeFmRyXvthSM1LH3659EMthvJOAzriZBgSzEPDXMGcxqWPnmxZBRDhBZZIejTE68QNr71-mIR5f2hRac0DU_A/s320/IMG_2569.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475364497273372642" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">And then guess who just HAD to be a ballerina?</span><b style="font-style: italic;"><br /></b><a style="font-style: italic;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAZIxulbZtRhHx0U9nMlwp3va0r5CBDT6FP21p3CZenZLTipzRaf17P5Dn2zgg9ntQrCQ7Xk8XEdXK_6BEW79OsRfWvsS59TbclgUHCWiTKIJTzvTGDUNHLNNlth2vBSk0CvKqYQ/s1600/IMG_2578.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAZIxulbZtRhHx0U9nMlwp3va0r5CBDT6FP21p3CZenZLTipzRaf17P5Dn2zgg9ntQrCQ7Xk8XEdXK_6BEW79OsRfWvsS59TbclgUHCWiTKIJTzvTGDUNHLNNlth2vBSk0CvKqYQ/s320/IMG_2578.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475364778101532242" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">The next Mikhail? </span><br /></div><div style="font-style: italic;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTtQmgSiPrSrs2m3O8eDxR4fipuEvF6Umqhg0G5H_8ikSoR-5_Fi6VXtwVftOFCdtj40xijseqBzEXjsrYaLlRB2wEDBUlQvQteOyrtK1tTvUTvmK4OaCeYqnx7XBCAUYSYRl0Ew/s1600/IMG_2577.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTtQmgSiPrSrs2m3O8eDxR4fipuEvF6Umqhg0G5H_8ikSoR-5_Fi6VXtwVftOFCdtj40xijseqBzEXjsrYaLlRB2wEDBUlQvQteOyrtK1tTvUTvmK4OaCeYqnx7XBCAUYSYRl0Ew/s320/IMG_2577.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475364507876421970" border="0" /></a></div></div></div>Rector Funhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08898580145735042579noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20734465.post-74366657381331387212010-05-16T07:56:00.008-04:002010-05-16T08:33:09.261-04:00Models of consumptionNate just ate FIVE full pieces of french toast for breakfast! It was delicious but seriously, even I stopped at four.<div><br /></div><div>Both of my children are physical marvels when it comes to eating. Mela can exist (with high energy) for days on little more than a nibble on some fruit and a bit of cereal. It's like she's a terrarium, constantly recycling her own resources. </div><div><br /></div><div>Nate is also selective but when you hit the sweet spot, he's a black hole of consumption. Like Mela, he's a mystery: on the outside he looks the same but can somehow absorb 10 times his size in any carb-heavy dish (e.g. spaghetti, mac 'n cheese, pancakes). </div><div><br /></div><div>Amazing.</div><div><br /></div><div style="font-weight: bold;">Say click:</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Mela introduces her whales to the pictures Nana sent<br /></i><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1e9XQMOAsxV83HURLbgxW0uHtXuijF4iyliAjM8rdAMSLhTFecL1tcXLrvoYbuALGVg2RnzsF1NR_xNaKb7CHyYTp2HQ1ltUj6aikNcJIBz5DKSjuYiqunxMSy2p-1Oacn8WRDg/s1600/IMG_2785.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1e9XQMOAsxV83HURLbgxW0uHtXuijF4iyliAjM8rdAMSLhTFecL1tcXLrvoYbuALGVg2RnzsF1NR_xNaKb7CHyYTp2HQ1ltUj6aikNcJIBz5DKSjuYiqunxMSy2p-1Oacn8WRDg/s320/IMG_2785.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471840905230128754" border="0" /></a></div><i>Nathan is run off his feet from his demanding newborn. Hahaha!</i><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFgZ9hy7eMfF-Bh66zyM-FAN4pqA8J_5_-H3Abp9o7Ly7aXqrAqRjGUtEcBRS0MlUphtKRHpzN0yg4BOF7EDNBrQhe4eOeEXtHQnM2sQqz7TuWXJpi-2quRyC669Me6Rz8c3k6qQ/s1600/IMG_2788.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFgZ9hy7eMfF-Bh66zyM-FAN4pqA8J_5_-H3Abp9o7Ly7aXqrAqRjGUtEcBRS0MlUphtKRHpzN0yg4BOF7EDNBrQhe4eOeEXtHQnM2sQqz7TuWXJpi-2quRyC669Me6Rz8c3k6qQ/s320/IMG_2788.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471841478584003986" border="0" /></a></div><div><i>Blossoms raining down from the Flowering Awesome tree:</i></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_VMzHMRpPIi12-PzqKkEUZe86T3aHaCgFnfUrB7XOLZXG61iidl_VgkpcugvEjC0t-UlZZ00gZA9Tl7fTo7EMRDLHfhxTLJNIf5Fp4m6EffeGzhMUcFJjejWsaocuyHKpghnGNA/s1600/IMG_2800.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_VMzHMRpPIi12-PzqKkEUZe86T3aHaCgFnfUrB7XOLZXG61iidl_VgkpcugvEjC0t-UlZZ00gZA9Tl7fTo7EMRDLHfhxTLJNIf5Fp4m6EffeGzhMUcFJjejWsaocuyHKpghnGNA/s320/IMG_2800.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471841484490140978" border="0" /></a></div><div><i>Thinking deep thoughts:</i></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ6EBkXMjEkcmZ-Cea1Da_Ru0UC8Lq8ji63aG57IZ1E1DbeDj7_LY9OocMdJPHgUvNfzgLOKGEIuC2VeTyktP2IyRz8vCyTyhS6MDealoapnFl0oZjN9QmjMkxsvfgyo1p274Gow/s1600/IMG_2802.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 229px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ6EBkXMjEkcmZ-Cea1Da_Ru0UC8Lq8ji63aG57IZ1E1DbeDj7_LY9OocMdJPHgUvNfzgLOKGEIuC2VeTyktP2IyRz8vCyTyhS6MDealoapnFl0oZjN9QmjMkxsvfgyo1p274Gow/s320/IMG_2802.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471842707273753058" border="0" /></a></div><div><i>Springtime fun:</i></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy4kPNF_zCk2i_RBVFaaTDMpjYSkmvq1zQgw-a00BHWwrlWsLIeO4ZHw9uQWtYO0J0DV9Ofzj1q0-eLWetsrrIKlRyNgmFKsLOflHTuZc_p0iI_esRW9Wj56VJUca5z5xrsJu4ZA/s1600/IMG_2813.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 229px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy4kPNF_zCk2i_RBVFaaTDMpjYSkmvq1zQgw-a00BHWwrlWsLIeO4ZHw9uQWtYO0J0DV9Ofzj1q0-eLWetsrrIKlRyNgmFKsLOflHTuZc_p0iI_esRW9Wj56VJUca5z5xrsJu4ZA/s320/IMG_2813.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471843402315409314" border="0" /></a></div><div><i>Yeah, I ate a lot. So what? (p.s. if you find your footie pajamas a little slippy in the morning, here's a fashion tip: add Crocs!)</i></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSoiEioEnJtSYs-vh4ITKE1rzXAyMtKjqIvSww84Soi16sL88RlU2H8FsoqbZ8v75PAUQ71crZZyZh8R7lggvhO-Rssw9reGPjvo-n3OX0ldbb8WmMP8QLKkztHzPQiAw7CphNZQ/s1600/IMG_2816.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSoiEioEnJtSYs-vh4ITKE1rzXAyMtKjqIvSww84Soi16sL88RlU2H8FsoqbZ8v75PAUQ71crZZyZh8R7lggvhO-Rssw9reGPjvo-n3OX0ldbb8WmMP8QLKkztHzPQiAw7CphNZQ/s320/IMG_2816.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471844202117794706" border="0" /></a></div><div><i><br /></i></div>Rector Funhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08898580145735042579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20734465.post-59871817510256060212010-05-15T20:47:00.004-04:002010-05-15T21:41:50.631-04:00Goodnight moon<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.nurulizzah.com/site/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/600677-crescent-moon-luna-creciente-0.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 127px; height: 127px;" src="http://www.nurulizzah.com/site/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/600677-crescent-moon-luna-creciente-0.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://afryn.blogspot.com/2010/05/mama-go.html">As I've mentioned</a>, Nate's started having a bit more trouble falling asleep at night lately. <div><br /></div><div>He goes into bed fine but then a little while later, starts to cry and call out, "Mommy! Mommy!"</div><div><br /></div><div>I try to be tough but he's so good about sleeping most of the time that it's almost always legit when he cries.</div><div><br /></div><div>Tonight I was a little fed up, though. We read the fire truck book and the digger truck book and the "Go Dogs Go" and the "Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear?" and everything was fine but then about 10 minutes after I put him to bed, it was the same, "Mommy! Mommy!"</div><div><br /></div><div>So I go in to check on him, and as usual, he says, "scared. scared." </div><div><br /></div><div>(The first time he said that, it broke my heart a little bit, to see his cute little boy face peering up worriedly and I sat in the chair in his room until he fell asleep (just like "Goodnight Moon" since all my parenting is learned from children's books)).</div><div><br /></div><div>But tonight I was tired and starting to suspect that maybe he was playing me. Maybe the nana-papa-leaving thing has worn off and now he's just saying it because he's learned it will keep me there. Maybe I had to be firm and retrain or else I'd be sitting in that hard glider rocking my life away for years to come.</div><div><br /></div><div>This is where I waver and I worry. How do you know? How can you tell? Too firm? Not supportive enough? And if you waffle between them, you're inconsistent, the worst parenting crime of all. </div><div><br /></div><div>Luckily I have a 21 month old who can talk. Who as of this weekend, now says amazing things like "Don't want to!" and "noggin!" and "googly eyes!"</div><div><br /></div><div>And when I went into his room, looked up at me with giant eyes and said ...</div><div><br /></div><div>"scared. walrus. scared, mama."</div><div><br /></div><div>Yes, there is a somewhat scary (in retrospect) walrus in "Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear?" And apparently nighttime fears can start to appear around this age, especially if there is daytime stress, such as separation from a parent (helloo?!). </div><div><br /></div><div>And so I explained that the animal in the book was actually friendly (and Nate laughed in relief) and I sat in the chair and I listened to the lullaby CD for the ten millionth time while my baby stared at the ceiling and slowly fell asleep.</div><div><br /></div><div>Just another example of trying to find the balance between an approach that promotes toughness and firm limits (often with great success lately!) but also values attachment and empathy. <a href="http://www.parentingscience.com/nighttime-fears.html">Quote</a>: "[Kids] need a helper who is sensitive to their developmental stage and individual temperament." </div><div><br /></div><div>If only they came with a manual ... </div><div><br /></div>Rector Funhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08898580145735042579noreply@blogger.com0