tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48952445157651742012024-02-07T00:21:35.567-06:00Adventures in MommyhoodEvery day is an adventure. With 2 girls, I am always busy! I try my best to document our adventures, and share them with you, our family and friends. Enjoy!Rondahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09157304494908724714noreply@blogger.comBlogger442125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4895244515765174201.post-44158680931980800992012-11-03T21:07:00.000-05:002012-11-03T21:07:01.754-05:00Happy Halloween!Our Halloween happened early here in the rural mid-west. Our Trick or Treating happened on Saturday evening.<br />
I thought it was a fantastic idea to have it over the weekend. I figured the towns around here do that so the kids won't be so tired and sugar crazed for school on Thursday morning. Then I thought it might have something to do with farming and harvest.<br />
Whatever the reason, it was great fun and we didn't have to worry about getting up early for school the next day.<br />
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I told the kids early on that they would have to dig through the dress-up bin for a costume. They have so many things that could be used as a costume, that I refused to go shopping for anything new.<br />
They didn't mind one bit and were both able to find some pretty neat ideas in the bin...<br />
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We only went to about 8 houses but that was more than enough for the girls. They had a blast. Even the local police officers drove around and handed out candy from their squad cars. In fact, Tia bit into a piece of candy from the officer and out came her tooth! Good times.<br />
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I'm pretty sure we love living in Wisconsin.<br />
Happy Halloween!Rondahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09157304494908724714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4895244515765174201.post-42750257293844005032012-10-14T20:12:00.000-05:002012-10-23T20:19:14.825-05:00The Big 7We celebrated my big girl's 7th birthday this past weekend. I was having a hard time with her turning 7. I don't know why, I just think this is the age where they start to change. I'd like her to stay my sweet little girl forever, but I know she's growing up and soon won't need me any more. It happens. I'm trying to prepare.<br />
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So here's a recap of all the celebrating we did, because you know we do birthdays in a big way over here. It's not a birthday, it's a birth-week!<br />
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The Grand folks flew in for the birthday extravaganza. Can you imagine it any other way?<br />
I got them from the airport on Wednesday afternoon and we headed right to the school to surprise the girls.<br />
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Later we went out for a birthday dinner. Tia chose Japanese which made Daddy very happy and proud.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What's a birthday without cake?</td></tr>
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Friday was Tia's actual birthday. When she woke up she was greeted with lots of pink decorations and balloons all over the kitchen. I told her she could have any breakfast she wanted since it was her special day. Guess what she chose? Yogurt and pretzels. How exciting. She's a low maintenance girl.<br />
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We also let her open the presents from the family before school...<br />
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She got a new outfit from the Grand Folks, and chose to wear it to school for her special day...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking so grown up!</td></tr>
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Having to go to school on your birthday used to be such a bummer back in my day. Not anymore! The teachers and principal made such a big to-do about it being her birthday, she felt like Queen for a Day. The principal announced her name on the loud speaker in the morning, came to her class to wish her a happy birthday, and presented her with a sticker to wear that said "It's my Birthday". Her teacher put a balloon on her chair and made her a crown. So cool.<br />
I had to deliver the class treat so decided to go a little early and have lunch with Tia. I didn't tell her we were coming because she gets very anxious, so it was yet another surprise.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGBelRXgS2HCinO-4PUulDJoQ-50mktSSpEteNa3yyf8V3s9eIy1jJyfHw9GE_V6jGsIyDUL-syGPVWzfyUpqUWz8Qc0vSEl8mLEa1kpxIvbJJ4BkizbqvKPOq_ll9jYqOFopLRvdFBWco/s1600/Tia's+birthday+2012+018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGBelRXgS2HCinO-4PUulDJoQ-50mktSSpEteNa3yyf8V3s9eIy1jJyfHw9GE_V6jGsIyDUL-syGPVWzfyUpqUWz8Qc0vSEl8mLEa1kpxIvbJJ4BkizbqvKPOq_ll9jYqOFopLRvdFBWco/s320/Tia's+birthday+2012+018.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The two Teresina's</td></tr>
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For what I think must be the third year in a row, Tia chose a Princess birthday party. We were tempted to try to sway her decision, but then I figured this is likely the last year she'll be into the princess thing, because she'll be too cool for that, so we went with it!<br />
We had to have the party on Friday night because Daddy was flying out Saturday morning for work. Tia refused to have a party without her Dad, so we broke from the norm and had an after dinner tea party.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGDm97pg0ecY6A4uAj1HAsseTLuZaoX0dIg19gmMKqqxiaQVlcaw55pw85mKY4O0_0kzhkDfD0U1530NYRdBDg0Oi7X-JTvdtZjABVeF69uaznUodKQ6fKfl8O_nDBD6oRziq-bqPL4Hp3/s1600/Tia+cupcake+and+tea.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGDm97pg0ecY6A4uAj1HAsseTLuZaoX0dIg19gmMKqqxiaQVlcaw55pw85mKY4O0_0kzhkDfD0U1530NYRdBDg0Oi7X-JTvdtZjABVeF69uaznUodKQ6fKfl8O_nDBD6oRziq-bqPL4Hp3/s400/Tia+cupcake+and+tea.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pure Joy</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBWsmufXj9A_bJ5KndPtwj0icrEiIBkgEpRNIlxokIept_9BvYGOu34uF0w0mq6uNr0DIWocTMYK_iSZd5f1OLBlJFS72OkVl4hfvqDcuW-6JWdwMxZp5fdtWnqmGwObhNVpnBi5Ph7T6m/s1600/the+princess+table.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBWsmufXj9A_bJ5KndPtwj0icrEiIBkgEpRNIlxokIept_9BvYGOu34uF0w0mq6uNr0DIWocTMYK_iSZd5f1OLBlJFS72OkVl4hfvqDcuW-6JWdwMxZp5fdtWnqmGwObhNVpnBi5Ph7T6m/s320/the+princess+table.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The fancy table</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoNxUmgdZ2-PaJTgmyiqkN03pbAV5dzzQ4F96pMf8Ufe47IR5FKsypnE_LuFtQanBETn9idHwRdI12jGe-Ko8duFzFyELRYDpnhIVXHhTSyhaHcy862dQHhNRcGxf81F8lwwTJpVXsD_Nw/s1600/the+ladies.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoNxUmgdZ2-PaJTgmyiqkN03pbAV5dzzQ4F96pMf8Ufe47IR5FKsypnE_LuFtQanBETn9idHwRdI12jGe-Ko8duFzFyELRYDpnhIVXHhTSyhaHcy862dQHhNRcGxf81F8lwwTJpVXsD_Nw/s320/the+ladies.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">8 Darling Princesses</td></tr>
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It was a late night of dressing up and eating sugar, but everyone had a great time and Tia was happy.<br />
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On Saturday the hubby had to fly out so the kids, Grand Folks, and myself spent the day doing what Tia wanted to do. Her birthday, her choice.<br />
Lunch at Panera, WITH dessert (we never let them get dessert), then off to the movies to see Hotel Transylvania. Both good choices.<br />
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So it was another successful birthday. Another year of a happy girl loving life.<br />
May we be blessed with 100 more!Rondahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09157304494908724714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4895244515765174201.post-68451929344320776412012-10-08T09:19:00.003-05:002012-10-23T20:19:41.350-05:00Teach Your Children WellLast weekend I learned a valuable lesson. I learned that it doesn't take much to teach children important values. I also learned that it doesn't take much to give back to the community (and it can be fun!).<br />
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Our home backs up to a golf course. My husbands company has their annual golf outing at that course. One of his coworkers mentioned that it would be cute to have our girls set up a lemonade stand at the fence line, and sell to the golfers as they go by our property. We all thought that was a cool idea too and had been planning on it for months.<br />
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Then, that same employee mentioned our plan to the golf course manager. That one <i>tiny</i> conversation changed everything, and this little lemonade stand idea got bigger and <span style="font-size: large;">bigger</span>.<br />
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The manager insisted that we take our business right onto the golf course, not at our fence line. He promised us our own golf cart so we would have a place to sell our stuff. He referred to us in an email as "<i>the Cookie Girls</i>". Um, that means we better be selling cookies too, right?<br />
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During a subsequent conversation with my sister, she said "Why don't you get the kids to donate the proceeds to a charity. It'll teach them a great lesson". Well, hot dog! That's the best idea yet.<br />
While we were at church I checked out the bulletin board, scoping out the various organizations and events looking for funds. I brought the kids over and let them choose. It made them feel empowered, and part of the process.<br />
They chose the Lakota Sioux tribe in South Dakota. Tia was especially struck by the fact that many of the homes on the reservation don't have heat or running water, and that the kids don't always have proper winter clothing. Her exact response was <b>"Mom, we have to help these people!"</b>. O.K., then. We're on it.<br />
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The day before the golf outing I stayed home and <i>baked and baked and baked</i>. It was an all day project even though I chose 2 very simple recipes. I had gotten an email earlier in the day stating that there were about 100 golfers in our group, as well as another group of 15 who would be going by, and who would most likely buy from our cart. That meant LOTS of cookies.<br />
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Here are some of the goodies...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm5OW82PiI1_NrJ_VSUrNXz3lUj4e1GmXDSDJQ7RiEdH-AZVkl_ppaYZ9PZkph40xnVKCbdxq5aDkCW8FK-6nC80YqOilWy4gYpEnRcft3Zt2Uf3ZJ3z6wKY_kewJq3aZFUJabvZVXNLqC/s1600/lemonade+stand+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm5OW82PiI1_NrJ_VSUrNXz3lUj4e1GmXDSDJQ7RiEdH-AZVkl_ppaYZ9PZkph40xnVKCbdxq5aDkCW8FK-6nC80YqOilWy4gYpEnRcft3Zt2Uf3ZJ3z6wKY_kewJq3aZFUJabvZVXNLqC/s320/lemonade+stand+003.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">basic sugar cookies</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNHIV-3OyCodkReDBWHZdb-3tNJjzm2BlBjaOnWxJrKLu2Eu2RIsggjvvCCBWE5FxrjpFy6TwlQUgsgJig4Zp_QGco1QhIlRdfrQqRUWLuGMyo-8njPVzVTfyQPlIH17gnfB7JVEfqpHj5/s1600/lemonade+stand+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNHIV-3OyCodkReDBWHZdb-3tNJjzm2BlBjaOnWxJrKLu2Eu2RIsggjvvCCBWE5FxrjpFy6TwlQUgsgJig4Zp_QGco1QhIlRdfrQqRUWLuGMyo-8njPVzVTfyQPlIH17gnfB7JVEfqpHj5/s320/lemonade+stand+002.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The chocolate chips ready to go</td></tr>
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I cannot tell you how excited the girls were for this day. That excitement doubled when we told them we would be getting a golf cart. I was a little scared to drive the thing, I kept feeling like I was going to tip over, but eventually got the hang of it...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilyjkWLSWuIilikgoTiCEc1iTSb_0kt_0pXKKhoc13NOKLDngl-He7jeXi0XgKdMJMGw6GjYSvAbGHLaecd-HDrPHbXkReOch3CpDh23f2ve1Z6sDK1ALpC9BTM2MvxWKR8-E8m_SCjSd8/s1600/cookie+girls.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilyjkWLSWuIilikgoTiCEc1iTSb_0kt_0pXKKhoc13NOKLDngl-He7jeXi0XgKdMJMGw6GjYSvAbGHLaecd-HDrPHbXkReOch3CpDh23f2ve1Z6sDK1ALpC9BTM2MvxWKR8-E8m_SCjSd8/s400/cookie+girls.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Cookie Girls!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4vVchtcdeyJKeDpyXbDbXJxxDbNv4m1PUekO_RNU64UqKMNW_j6hxiDFYK-cfxaiN0SzL1zHieh2gW_ab4OfGoenrRwpd2IPGy3GxN_j8Gq5ARysZiLJ-Bev7_ddZfhPvc7KGx5p0uYeV/s1600/lemonade+stand.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4vVchtcdeyJKeDpyXbDbXJxxDbNv4m1PUekO_RNU64UqKMNW_j6hxiDFYK-cfxaiN0SzL1zHieh2gW_ab4OfGoenrRwpd2IPGy3GxN_j8Gq5ARysZiLJ-Bev7_ddZfhPvc7KGx5p0uYeV/s400/lemonade+stand.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Get Your Lemonade!</td></tr>
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We had a fantastic time. The weather was perfect, the people were friendly, and we sold out of everything before the event was finished. We were invited to stay and have lunch with the golfers. Nice little bonus.<br />
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The very next day we went to church to make the donation. I introduced the girls to the woman who is leading the project. I had Tia give the woman the envelope of cash, and explain to her what we did to earn it. They were so proud, it just melted my heart!<br />
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At NO point did either of my kids suggest that we should keep the money. They never asked if they could have some, or buy something for themselves with it.<br />
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So my sister was right. The kids learned a valuable lesson. More than one, really. They learned that it can be easy and fun to help those in need. They learned that there are folks who are less fortunate and that we do have the ability to help them. They learned about advertising, marketing and sales. They learned the importance of making connections in the community (I bet we'll be asked back next year!). They learned about making change (in more ways than one).<br />
They learned that a kind word and a smile sells a lot of lemonade!<br />
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I'm glad we did this project. I bet our family will be doing more things like this in the future.<br />
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Charity and Compassion are taught at home.<br />
Teach your children well.Rondahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09157304494908724714noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4895244515765174201.post-60341369896338729352012-09-25T13:41:00.001-05:002012-10-23T20:21:15.176-05:00More ShenanigansI mentioned in my last post that my sister was in town for my birthday.<br />
I didn't post about her whole visit because that would have made for a very long and picture filled blog entry.<br />
So, here's the scoop on the rest of the time we had with the lovely Aunt Kimmy.<br />
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On Tuesday we sent the kids off to school as usual but we picked them up at lunch time. I had arranged it with the teachers ahead of time so that we could have a fun day together.<br />
We drove out to Pleasant Prairie for a visit here...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYRNNsJar19HBjWUcvZy-e21GM_Xd9duKfm9qFw59d-jquqcRk0AetJaWRAQLXwmLFz1LTyvsmPlmpQQReP4K_mSZlgJCdjJ2S78VUJhshwHYL5bwVznrjs-TIEKbRyZFw1e2zPTj0FrPs/s1600/jelly+belly.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYRNNsJar19HBjWUcvZy-e21GM_Xd9duKfm9qFw59d-jquqcRk0AetJaWRAQLXwmLFz1LTyvsmPlmpQQReP4K_mSZlgJCdjJ2S78VUJhshwHYL5bwVznrjs-TIEKbRyZFw1e2zPTj0FrPs/s320/jelly+belly.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Why do both my kids have their eyes closed?!</td></tr>
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The Jelly Belly candy company has a warehouse in our area and they offer free daily tours. The kids have been wanting to go there since before we even moved to Wisconsin, so they were super excited that the day had finally arrived.<br />
We took a ride on the jelly bean train around the warehouse and learned about the history of the jelly bean.<br />
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As you can see, our Aunt Wendie drove up to join us on our adventure. She also lives about an hour away from the warehouse, so it was a good meeting point for all of us.<br />
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The kids made fast friends with the sample man. We tasted all sorts of jellied confections (many, MANY times).<br />
The kids could have stayed there all day and eaten their weight in candy. However, the adults wanted some real food so we went out for an early dinner at one of our favorites.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mama loves good BBQ</td></tr>
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Sadly, the next day I had to send the kids back to school, and it was a miserably cold and dreary day.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ4weRI2_NVAYdALmTivhs3rz_RIMgOeF06EPfV1bsHKSvHZQP4iTlpFS3DZ4EAbF7PeAgZdUITdJM2Te2xiRtLX6sfFt0gMyNiHYFkkh3yHwMJTXkhpJFHCRlcfC53_-BpK_brKqhY2b3/s1600/fall.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ4weRI2_NVAYdALmTivhs3rz_RIMgOeF06EPfV1bsHKSvHZQP4iTlpFS3DZ4EAbF7PeAgZdUITdJM2Te2xiRtLX6sfFt0gMyNiHYFkkh3yHwMJTXkhpJFHCRlcfC53_-BpK_brKqhY2b3/s400/fall.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The sunshine didn't last long after this shot</td></tr>
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When they got back home there was lots of this going on...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin2GHIh-O3VR1lUzCxivDS0QCVyT3AM-o6XVlJS99uSkTXYM7jaJVTApij8YCzkcdHmI5kmhKFjr-BWzPykksbZj_0hhr2tk-kv0pcXVvbMyEfufSrzFrlNU5Ot_Wu83182-YJGrwFufQN/s1600/Gia+nails.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin2GHIh-O3VR1lUzCxivDS0QCVyT3AM-o6XVlJS99uSkTXYM7jaJVTApij8YCzkcdHmI5kmhKFjr-BWzPykksbZj_0hhr2tk-kv0pcXVvbMyEfufSrzFrlNU5Ot_Wu83182-YJGrwFufQN/s320/Gia+nails.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Every little girl needs a pretty manicure</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRrav-PtVxFTvGEmn78d1ixQzyXe3AnTA_Zl06bEyDR4lwWRDYyBGdGt6QvkqYSBeshDCc-ucxI9Yo4EYs_E2JPlP7vefuJGnB-TqEv9kEdqtWYY6bYzJJ9qwVijTyFMo0jrk3va8YvFy3/s1600/Tia+nails.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRrav-PtVxFTvGEmn78d1ixQzyXe3AnTA_Zl06bEyDR4lwWRDYyBGdGt6QvkqYSBeshDCc-ucxI9Yo4EYs_E2JPlP7vefuJGnB-TqEv9kEdqtWYY6bYzJJ9qwVijTyFMo0jrk3va8YvFy3/s320/Tia+nails.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">what better to do on a rainy day!</td></tr>
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And some of this...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOErAmeNFU2i6U_gKexPIe6tzel18Xw2bP5YB-nUmSDzTXRcqq0Gzro3RL_kXLE8hUHJwo_wgnLd6YElpONaRGxOrJpeJL-2Rgg7SF64MVii2cjX6AfL2Z1ec8ax09GfHZxTVmIxfvPKCj/s1600/fancy+nancy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOErAmeNFU2i6U_gKexPIe6tzel18Xw2bP5YB-nUmSDzTXRcqq0Gzro3RL_kXLE8hUHJwo_wgnLd6YElpONaRGxOrJpeJL-2Rgg7SF64MVii2cjX6AfL2Z1ec8ax09GfHZxTVmIxfvPKCj/s400/fancy+nancy.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More Fancy Nancy!</td></tr>
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This was our last night together so Aunt Kim had to soak up all the girl time she could get!<br />
She flew out the next day. I was certain the kids both understood that she was leaving while they were at school. Well, Giuliana came home from school, tossed her back pack and asked "Where's Aunt Kimmy?". The sad look on her face when I told her she went back to New York was enough to break a moms heart.<br />
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We had a great visit and can't wait to do it again.<br />
Let's hear it for Girl Power!Rondahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09157304494908724714noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4895244515765174201.post-55252255262951827152012-09-23T17:54:00.000-05:002012-10-23T20:20:44.359-05:00The Birthday ExtravaganzaI celebrated my 41st birthday last week. Admittedly, I haven't exactly been thrilled with the idea of officially being 'in my forties' instead of being 40. Turning 40 was fun and exciting, and I embraced it wholeheartedly. Leaving 40 wasn't something I was looking forward to.<br />
However, my family being who they are, made my birthday special, fun and exciting for me. I almost forgot that I was getting older.<br />
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We kicked off the weekend by going to the Family Dance night at our local elementary school. We got all dressed up and put our dancing shoes on. We were so overdressed it was funny, but the girls loved the attention compliments we were getting. They were on the dance floor until we dragged them off because it was past their bed time.<br />
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Saturday was the day I had been waiting for. For months I've said all I want for my birthday was to go to McD's and get a Rolo Flurry. I remember having Rolo's as a kid and they were always my favorite. I was so careful all week with limiting my sugar intake so that I could fully indulge in the ice cream treat.<br />
Believe me, it was WELL worth the wait!<br />
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After our delicious treat we headed out to a local arts and crafts fair and walked around for an hour and hopefully burned off some of the calories!<br />
That evening we went out to dinner at a Thai restaurant that we wanted to try. The food was great and Tia, my very picky eater, tried some new things. That always makes me happy!<br />
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On Sunday I got the best birthday gift EVER. My sister flew in from NY to spend a few days. She is awesome. She knew that D.R. was going to be out of town for work on my actual birthday, so she decided to come spend it with me!<br />
D.R. left on Monday morning (my actual b-day) so big sister and I headed into Milwaukee for the day. We had lunch at the Public Market.<br />
Then we went here...<br />
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We took a really cool tour and did some tasting. It was fun and I'm pretty sure I'll be bringing more visitors there in the future.<br />
When the kids got home from school we had an early dinner then we took them out for ice cream. I couldn't eat mine because I was too full from dinner. Tia had no problem finishing my share!<br />
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So even though I was dreading turning 41, it really turned out to be a great birthday with lots of celebrations. I was surrounded by family and love through the whole birthday weekend, and that's what's important.<br />
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Here's to another wonderful year!Rondahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09157304494908724714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4895244515765174201.post-32101942349999844722012-09-05T12:44:00.000-05:002012-09-05T12:44:40.062-05:00Family Fun Day and A New School YearWe started a new family tradition last year of having a "Fun Day" on the last day of summer vacation. The kids tell us what they want to do, and we follow orders.<br />
This year the masses voted for a trip to the Milwaukee Zoo. No Problemo, I love the zoo...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCGD6sJClZ09B33Gy1JeP1FwjVxL9BAQPM9xMTgxGqCrwJGhK3tWemZ0juLlpUXKtuN1Byrli-iwgNNDer1ZAjOjD5Ln7XtmwSOhSbIe5qj0u2UNe2CDAvjKOpIpGAczHYM5n2KDx4mQth/s1600/Giraffes+at+the+zoo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCGD6sJClZ09B33Gy1JeP1FwjVxL9BAQPM9xMTgxGqCrwJGhK3tWemZ0juLlpUXKtuN1Byrli-iwgNNDer1ZAjOjD5Ln7XtmwSOhSbIe5qj0u2UNe2CDAvjKOpIpGAczHYM5n2KDx4mQth/s320/Giraffes+at+the+zoo.JPG" width="236" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ijGI-p5wWCB77zTKzrQqoKocd-zfGYw2osE9dmSI2qrrtqLN-jNNGvnDH36vYMDV6u7LSrxRwa9cp_junmyzmwRI3lin49qUJ3qe2P8dTOnpvYjvEzEGqOv7dGLBYpGv1JoVCjXymqpB/s1600/first+day+of+school+and+zoo+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ijGI-p5wWCB77zTKzrQqoKocd-zfGYw2osE9dmSI2qrrtqLN-jNNGvnDH36vYMDV6u7LSrxRwa9cp_junmyzmwRI3lin49qUJ3qe2P8dTOnpvYjvEzEGqOv7dGLBYpGv1JoVCjXymqpB/s320/first+day+of+school+and+zoo+005.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
We had a gorgeous day for it.<br />
Then of course there had to go out for an ice cream cone after the zoo. What kind of family fun would it be without ice cream?!<br />
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The next day was a big day in our house. Not only the first day of school, but the first day of Kindergarten for my little one. I think I was more nervous and sad than she was!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMVdXhVkmZ_vJK9BP0p5_kif6oEfU7FK48S6SoN4HTWaQN1sMWDeOYEbQx_emlZx6YqNztx9EC4K2VpwkZJtXdQS_hfZynh-0YgcpsMrdAcVc56mqKRtOWcjOHQA3FrnFyZFukGhqqHRT3/s1600/first+day+of+school+and+zoo+020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMVdXhVkmZ_vJK9BP0p5_kif6oEfU7FK48S6SoN4HTWaQN1sMWDeOYEbQx_emlZx6YqNztx9EC4K2VpwkZJtXdQS_hfZynh-0YgcpsMrdAcVc56mqKRtOWcjOHQA3FrnFyZFukGhqqHRT3/s320/first+day+of+school+and+zoo+020.JPG" width="226" /></a></div><br />
They decided to dress alike for the first day which I LOVE and know won't last as they get older.<br />
Tia was very nervous all morning. Of course little sister was not nervous at all and was just ready to get her school career started!<br />
I decided to follow the bus to the school just to make sure they knew where to go and what to do when they got there. I'm so glad I did because Tia was in tears and couldn't find her teacher. I made sure to get them to the right place, along with one of our neighbors kids who also couldn't find her way.<br />
Here they are headed into the building...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX3MV5zmZmT7i7Dfeo315Z3qy1xyZaI7_M2K7bSnVjor-BmF_lCFlyK6yrWIuhOlMyrtQPf7a18-U2PmjusIBPxJ-VxIJwWxidZM_2c1bxVnO1WMMQSQ2g-BjPEFh97F2I673oV7KNi0I3/s1600/Tia+going+in.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX3MV5zmZmT7i7Dfeo315Z3qy1xyZaI7_M2K7bSnVjor-BmF_lCFlyK6yrWIuhOlMyrtQPf7a18-U2PmjusIBPxJ-VxIJwWxidZM_2c1bxVnO1WMMQSQ2g-BjPEFh97F2I673oV7KNi0I3/s320/Tia+going+in.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A little teary eyed</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbk4pV0A_nGKyebNsY_X0najH0_7_Z6OB51KEVQ7u_nN0rUKDyl24bxRsIp3oJksI_bElCx_UeAYgiaAPW4pQTpAMGlKwksEOeUzyfuM0gGPHEedk-8UlpBvNbj1gZtPNvgAiHYrxbnvj0/s1600/Gia+going+in.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbk4pV0A_nGKyebNsY_X0najH0_7_Z6OB51KEVQ7u_nN0rUKDyl24bxRsIp3oJksI_bElCx_UeAYgiaAPW4pQTpAMGlKwksEOeUzyfuM0gGPHEedk-8UlpBvNbj1gZtPNvgAiHYrxbnvj0/s320/Gia+going+in.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So ready!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>When they got off the bus in the afternoon (8 LONG hours later), they were full of smiles and stories of what a wonderful day they had. I knew they would love it!<br />
Of course Mama had to make a big day about this huge milestone in their lives so I made them each their own mini-cakes. They thought the personal size cakes were awesome and I get points toward my goal of being Mommy of the Year!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyWF6mSVFHhlda70x9VHqM5lMG52k8Q8FP9LlMgiRiWyx985ybBLgIKM7n47lciB-CMGno9b1bZIMbR_6hov_lxta4H9mZEZT_09cuPOuCwz2AReqsnbA18PZtyz106x0cJVaT5SVUfVTF/s1600/after+school+treat+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyWF6mSVFHhlda70x9VHqM5lMG52k8Q8FP9LlMgiRiWyx985ybBLgIKM7n47lciB-CMGno9b1bZIMbR_6hov_lxta4H9mZEZT_09cuPOuCwz2AReqsnbA18PZtyz106x0cJVaT5SVUfVTF/s400/after+school+treat+001.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chocolate smiles!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Overall I'd say it the start of the new school year has been a big success. We are so blessed to have two kids who love school and look forward to learning new things every day.<br />
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School is Cool!Rondahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09157304494908724714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4895244515765174201.post-29988451395730508652012-09-02T13:47:00.000-05:002012-09-02T13:47:52.088-05:00Breakfast?It's 8am. and this is what my kids have chosen for breakfast...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNNapulXMVxAc2ciZR4g_88uSIWIkDRqXT2T_cQpl1plw8IGovYol6sO-5q6dGC16NIAb0A6wyix8ne_j_CXATdiJrxiEAanly2qZS382drLRBngWqgRn6qZUX7DyBVAcXrOc2Yj-PGMEt/s1600/yogurt+pops+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNNapulXMVxAc2ciZR4g_88uSIWIkDRqXT2T_cQpl1plw8IGovYol6sO-5q6dGC16NIAb0A6wyix8ne_j_CXATdiJrxiEAanly2qZS382drLRBngWqgRn6qZUX7DyBVAcXrOc2Yj-PGMEt/s320/yogurt+pops+001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
What, you don't let your kids eat pop-sicles for breakfast?<br />
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Well, typically I wouldn't either, but guess what these are made of?<br />
Plain Greek Yogurt (loaded with protein)<br />
Bananas (potassium)<br />
Blueberries (Vit C and antioxidants)<br />
a splash of grape juice<br />
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How can you go wrong? And they're purple which is a huge bonus for my girls!<br />
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My oldest loves popsicles and would eat them all day if I let her. However, they're loaded with chemicals that I'd rather she not consume.<br />
I've been getting creative with making our own and the results have been yummy!<br />
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What did your kids have for breakfast today?Rondahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09157304494908724714noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4895244515765174201.post-8033241209979175852012-08-27T18:34:00.000-05:002012-08-27T18:34:22.362-05:00Living LifeI realize it's been about 6 weeks since I've posted anything here about our adventures. I'm not usually such a bad blogger but quite frankly, we've been living life!<br />
We've had a fantastic summer. This is one summer I will be sad to see come to an end next week when the kids go back to school. I'm sure I'll be able to find plenty of things to do to keep me busy while the kids are gone for 8 hours a day, but still my days will feel empty without them around.<br />
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So, since they'll be starting back at school next week and I'm sure I'll be posting about that, why don't I do a quick catch up of the last six weeks...<br />
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We had a crazy, long heat wave and drought in our area. It was tough on everyone, especially the farmers. Even with the oppressive heat, we managed to get out and do some fun stuff around town.<br />
Our favorite was the local Lions Club Carnival. It was fantastic, good old fashioned fun.<br />
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Even in 100+ degree heat and drenched with sweat, they're smiling and being kids!<br />
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Both girls took swim lessons at the beach which was a great help with the heat...<br />
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Every day we brought our lunch and stayed at the beach after lessons and enjoyed the fresh air. I'm a firm believer that we should be outside as much as possible in summer because before you know it, the snow will be flying and we won't be able to go out!<br />
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Gia took soccer for the first time this summer. I can't say she loved it but it was a good start to learning about team sports, and not quitting what you start. She really started to get good at it towards the end...<br />
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Tia's summer sport was bowling but I don't have any pictures of that to share with you. She also didn't care for her chosen sport but went faithfully every week. We told her that Salerno's are not quitters!<br />
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D.R. and I celebrated our 8th wedding anniversary...<br />
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We chose to go out to dinner with our kids because they are an important part of our union. It was such a nice evening and I do believe we have started a new tradition. The kids LOVED getting dressed up and going out with us. They were very well behaved.<br />
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Then we spent quite a few days at the beach even after swim lessons were over...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiFgZ14Wvt0QCuDgVjohRqwwAwMsDqp5kg-HXH8ywpUtBA2ahlOvkWrIf78xvC2jMJRnKExTKL8MPalYQAu7_Fv4bPcbdeij00Rg8fONHl4ASoNS-pFzqm2ipZQSfiGTmXQZHAsXW3zNAG/s1600/Tia+water+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiFgZ14Wvt0QCuDgVjohRqwwAwMsDqp5kg-HXH8ywpUtBA2ahlOvkWrIf78xvC2jMJRnKExTKL8MPalYQAu7_Fv4bPcbdeij00Rg8fONHl4ASoNS-pFzqm2ipZQSfiGTmXQZHAsXW3zNAG/s320/Tia+water+2.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRFSObOAJmWS5xpphRaT4cm5RnSk6e3C9y-bbzsJjK3Heyaap4aaXdXN4cdihHA6PeK1YIbwgkhZpRz6cJCweIDE0a2Bsr0KvHJMsS-mMAtLzco696zTKqNhJ5dMTNvA1ha9kysHzO-OJG/s1600/beach+play.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRFSObOAJmWS5xpphRaT4cm5RnSk6e3C9y-bbzsJjK3Heyaap4aaXdXN4cdihHA6PeK1YIbwgkhZpRz6cJCweIDE0a2Bsr0KvHJMsS-mMAtLzco696zTKqNhJ5dMTNvA1ha9kysHzO-OJG/s320/beach+play.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lots of fun in the sun</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Last week D.R. participated in his first obstacle mud run. He had a great time, and the girls loved cheering on their Dad...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU_aTkZay68eQCx2CB-9L_CfRIxqu_TV_iXKJvYJyTt-MwuWB6MosY0PnoM7tZZ1he9OD1kjCBYyxAkIg1CnzghwtJ5xRkQ03aCa-rQW2Ljs48HjlCF5TedrSI4lzoFDIAwcLpwqio7o9j/s1600/at+the+end.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU_aTkZay68eQCx2CB-9L_CfRIxqu_TV_iXKJvYJyTt-MwuWB6MosY0PnoM7tZZ1he9OD1kjCBYyxAkIg1CnzghwtJ5xRkQ03aCa-rQW2Ljs48HjlCF5TedrSI4lzoFDIAwcLpwqio7o9j/s320/at+the+end.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All dirty and glad to be done!</td></tr>
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Then, my absolute favorite part of summer was going 'home' to Rochester for my family reunion. It was a near perfect week visiting family and friends...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQtBy_HdeBdRc_M6b1G-LWEJE4OpELxWYthyGC7wL2-BNDlUJTNTYQH0EoLVKH4zasNAJgscJKZ-Ri2yxVNdI3EpD5Re94bcP8mmWcO9zI3MW05FihBST3zpmqTGuW0bo26OkUHwFGrUqE/s1600/Acetos.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQtBy_HdeBdRc_M6b1G-LWEJE4OpELxWYthyGC7wL2-BNDlUJTNTYQH0EoLVKH4zasNAJgscJKZ-Ri2yxVNdI3EpD5Re94bcP8mmWcO9zI3MW05FihBST3zpmqTGuW0bo26OkUHwFGrUqE/s320/Acetos.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Aceto clan</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQxXE58CrbDdPeiBwhE9tpjgDM_APEcLB9DT5m-z5RDt1H1eiBoC2fWxDCmvDxLhwW2AH0Fk9lYve3DifwNE9IlyzyrtP_dKS9JDJYI3e0T6n_BMDUKfRHEi6RaOf7fW8O6CVt_eFPb1sk/s1600/all+at+girls+night.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQxXE58CrbDdPeiBwhE9tpjgDM_APEcLB9DT5m-z5RDt1H1eiBoC2fWxDCmvDxLhwW2AH0Fk9lYve3DifwNE9IlyzyrtP_dKS9JDJYI3e0T6n_BMDUKfRHEi6RaOf7fW8O6CVt_eFPb1sk/s320/all+at+girls+night.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Girls Night, with one boy!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0nCfEo0WGU_g5U4Jteqwy6HlhnBfYPvixsUTgnCPamXFUf-beu01wLI_XYx43ll2ObHqRZlEODWo2dzPO23MKGgX1cMgr1kMqAs2m5Q1iwBzKbKB1pWzRKTXDef2kEsq_X37tVgkwCxBO/s1600/both+on+tea+cups.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0nCfEo0WGU_g5U4Jteqwy6HlhnBfYPvixsUTgnCPamXFUf-beu01wLI_XYx43ll2ObHqRZlEODWo2dzPO23MKGgX1cMgr1kMqAs2m5Q1iwBzKbKB1pWzRKTXDef2kEsq_X37tVgkwCxBO/s320/both+on+tea+cups.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A trip to our local amusement park</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
I think that should pretty much bring us up to date. Phew, that was a lot of stuff and so many pictures!<br />
I promise to post again very soon with stories and pictures of the first day of school. My 'baby' will be going to kindergarten all day this year. Someone please send me a box of tissues!<br />
<br />
<br />
Rondahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09157304494908724714noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4895244515765174201.post-42848604939071750552012-07-18T07:33:00.000-05:002012-07-18T07:33:21.743-05:00Do You Cook When it's 100 Degrees?I don't know about you but when I encounter several days in a row of 100+ degree temps, the last thing I want to do is turn on the stove or oven.<br />
I'd been running out of 'no-cook' dinner ideas. There's only so many times you can let your kids have cereal and fruit for dinner without starting to feel guilty.<br />
<br />
My kids aren't really big on salads so I figured I had to make it fun if I was going to get them on board. We had done 'make your own pizza' and 'make your own taco' night before and they were both a big hit.<br />
<br />
I decided to do make your own salad this time since it required very little cooking, and qualified as a healthy meal.<br />
<br />
Here's our salad bar...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ27JCbQPysF1vj_eIZtAUCVOUukdqDWDWyn4cXQEShTwrzq4U-EFQpDTMxJXizUKO2xuhUOuBHNssAYDr-24pAbyxhyphenhyphen4VFoynVBZpVDlEd2owl-5lXrFBiySy4RKttrVViwixL6iWSPgc/s1600/salad+days+017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ27JCbQPysF1vj_eIZtAUCVOUukdqDWDWyn4cXQEShTwrzq4U-EFQpDTMxJXizUKO2xuhUOuBHNssAYDr-24pAbyxhyphenhyphen4VFoynVBZpVDlEd2owl-5lXrFBiySy4RKttrVViwixL6iWSPgc/s320/salad+days+017.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
We had lettuce, strawberries, grapes, blueberries, cucumbers, dried cranberries, avocado and grilled chicken. Yeah, I had to cook the chicken but it was fast and didn't heat up my kitchen like cooking an entire meal would have. There were also croutons and sliced almonds, not pictured.<br />
<br />
It was interesting to see what the little ones would choose to put on their plates. Oddly enough, Gia who loves chicken and avocado, chose to just do a fruit salad.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRz-ELoJRnDDhyphenhyphenbMhq51InWm1RrjkZBucndGYNBD_jSLX5U0sJOBYYSWu0CcdtG4v6kWTXBgYMFLSdSFAmifVVZdFcCZOm_CXaOsAmxmhxywja4qfIA6IOMrjg75XwbnSQxJkSsJb0INc8/s1600/salad+days+022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRz-ELoJRnDDhyphenhyphenbMhq51InWm1RrjkZBucndGYNBD_jSLX5U0sJOBYYSWu0CcdtG4v6kWTXBgYMFLSdSFAmifVVZdFcCZOm_CXaOsAmxmhxywja4qfIA6IOMrjg75XwbnSQxJkSsJb0INc8/s320/salad+days+022.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
She treated it like a piece of art. After this was gone she did have some cucumbers and some shredded cheese. At least she got in a little protein.<br />
<br />
Tia, my little (mostly) vegetarian made up this masterpiece...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA9VhAucfxqqo9vDhfN3GWLR2Rsp3CnTEKRaUxFX1aY3byHGIBqDBVLEt6SBw3OZAV3wGITDAFNsNk-zie5k1Nz_9q5pPgU3WZJX0cu6NNTF-0Wf_1xy6JKsklRt9Gp50kNfbqZs5HxBJF/s1600/salad+days+021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA9VhAucfxqqo9vDhfN3GWLR2Rsp3CnTEKRaUxFX1aY3byHGIBqDBVLEt6SBw3OZAV3wGITDAFNsNk-zie5k1Nz_9q5pPgU3WZJX0cu6NNTF-0Wf_1xy6JKsklRt9Gp50kNfbqZs5HxBJF/s320/salad+days+021.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No protein here!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I was a little disappointed that they didn't venture out a little more and try something new (like some protein!), but overall the idea was a hit. The kids liked having control over what was on their plate, and creating it themselves. Everyone got in a substantial amount of fruit and veggies, so that's always a plus.<br />
<br />
Oh, wanna' see my plate? How could I forget!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl-NDygSJEcfsoUveTFcwQk9T-hEd8y7I2ukxFbj5lLAnHiyzKeoJkT2fp60333xc_rYlOc74AdBfsEmkTsWJdMRvBfEzgzis2-bsfdAx92WFKf2sWB4ufSXUo3RRYzCcmZaHsdt8CEyAL/s1600/salad+days+020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl-NDygSJEcfsoUveTFcwQk9T-hEd8y7I2ukxFbj5lLAnHiyzKeoJkT2fp60333xc_rYlOc74AdBfsEmkTsWJdMRvBfEzgzis2-bsfdAx92WFKf2sWB4ufSXUo3RRYzCcmZaHsdt8CEyAL/s320/salad+days+020.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
This Mama's no fool. I know the health benefits of lean protein, avocado, and of course berries! It was dee-lish.<br />
<br />
Thankfully today the heat wave has broken. I guess that means I'm back to cooking regular meals at the stove.<br />
<br />
Happy Summer eating!Rondahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09157304494908724714noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4895244515765174201.post-12609402884061673482012-07-09T21:10:00.000-05:002012-07-09T21:10:17.026-05:00Another Sweet Treat (of the healthy variety)The girls and I have made these<span id="goog_1348304045"></span><a href="http://chocolatecoveredkatie.com/2012/06/26/cake-batter-energy-bars/"> 'cake batter energy bars'</a><span id="goog_1348304046"></span> TWICE this week. They're so delicious, you'll never know you're eating something that's actually protein packed, and good for you.<br />
<br />
We've been following "Chocolate Covered Katie" and her blog for some time. We've made many of her recipes and have loved them all.<br />
I do have to say though that all of her recipes are teeny tiny. We are a family of four. She is single and lives alone. I ALWAYS double or triple anything that I get from her site.<br />
<br />
That being said, here's the recipe as I have adapted it to satisfy our family...<br />
<br />
2C rice krispies<br />
1/2 C oat flour (grind oatmeal in food processor until it turns into flour)<br />
1/2 C protein powder (I use 100% Whey vanilla flavored)<br />
1/2 t. salt<br />
<br />
1/4 C honey<br />
1/4 C agave nectar (or just more honey)<br />
6 T nut butter (I use natural peanut butter)<br />
2 t. vanilla extract<br />
<br />
*optional-handful rainbow sprinkles.<br />
<br />
combine all dry.<br />
combine all wet.<br />
add wet to dry and mix well.<br />
press firmly into square baking pan.<br />
refrigerate for at least an hour<br />
cut into squares.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhncNpnwdZ_SNCcJQEnOlLWO8GFX_Di_aeyKWgqRd8sshnPvCtjiHPiFte8r6ing1qFL8MnGuXagJJEYw2q0aKq3xDQ6E30HY0lbLaT80P_kzARbwb4D98TcfENSbRwHz8CIlg9zxdAD6C/s1600/016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhncNpnwdZ_SNCcJQEnOlLWO8GFX_Di_aeyKWgqRd8sshnPvCtjiHPiFte8r6ing1qFL8MnGuXagJJEYw2q0aKq3xDQ6E30HY0lbLaT80P_kzARbwb4D98TcfENSbRwHz8CIlg9zxdAD6C/s320/016.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All mixed and ready to go in the pan</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The mix kind of looks like Fruity Pebbles!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAKnegPqqa8TqpL6dDnij0b_9Y69SUZMeY-V5V3FjzVrBfWPGjG5eS4ryvbTRGGgcy-0VMIK_nP26s1wyV240NWNZlKVMPPLPGTO7Lmq14joABOYUCciKA3eT7OGOK0RxfuqRB__fE0v-s/s1600/017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAKnegPqqa8TqpL6dDnij0b_9Y69SUZMeY-V5V3FjzVrBfWPGjG5eS4ryvbTRGGgcy-0VMIK_nP26s1wyV240NWNZlKVMPPLPGTO7Lmq14joABOYUCciKA3eT7OGOK0RxfuqRB__fE0v-s/s320/017.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">line the pan with wax paper or parchment for easy clean up</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
And here's the gloriously yummy finished product!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirs0TxPKQccm2XkH6V43KXRPoJ2g1a9yJFSIuUt-Z7uNZnPWlL8n_2OKcnzWijeg9f-ma29O7kl4stVkxTHeFYv6f-972ItgZNByhYQAykboDeMqYiAFVR4SIchuqjME00TxmDIGLA8E09/s1600/energy+bars+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirs0TxPKQccm2XkH6V43KXRPoJ2g1a9yJFSIuUt-Z7uNZnPWlL8n_2OKcnzWijeg9f-ma29O7kl4stVkxTHeFYv6f-972ItgZNByhYQAykboDeMqYiAFVR4SIchuqjME00TxmDIGLA8E09/s320/energy+bars+1.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh40dQ8kqy-1Pn0w7tZApvBaRvF_zsV4qxmpvaH7S6IaS_rXErhklIBZ66X8FtK3IbR56ueKp1XMHz6LdurPh1JadaMW_hZ6Jwt7PSFijI0K3R4NomrfPIe05TE3DjTAx4wlX5GwWYL25hR/s1600/energy+bars+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh40dQ8kqy-1Pn0w7tZApvBaRvF_zsV4qxmpvaH7S6IaS_rXErhklIBZ66X8FtK3IbR56ueKp1XMHz6LdurPh1JadaMW_hZ6Jwt7PSFijI0K3R4NomrfPIe05TE3DjTAx4wlX5GwWYL25hR/s320/energy+bars+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I cut off and ate all the rough edges. I'm sure those calories don't count at all!<br />
<br />
We LOVE these and can't stop eating them. I must say that we don't call them 'cake batter energy bars' like Katie does. They are absolutely delicious, but they don't taste like cake batter to me (and I've had a lot of cake batter in my lifetime!). Maybe because she used cashew butter and we used peanut butter? I don't know. We just call them rice krispie treats in our house.<br />
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These will definitely be on our road trip snack list for next months drive to NY state.<br />
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I hope you'll make them and enjoy them as much as we do.<br />
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Have a great day!Rondahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09157304494908724714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4895244515765174201.post-67236054758549562992012-07-06T16:52:00.000-05:002012-07-06T16:52:56.525-05:00Refreshing Summer TreatsIt's been hotter than I don't know what here in the mid west. I liken it to walking into a blast furnace whenever I go outside. We've gone out for the occasional ice cream cone, but mostly we make our own 'ice cream' at home. Nope, I don't have an ice cream maker, but I do have a food processor!<br />
<br />
A friend of mine found a blog of someone who had been making banana fake-out ice cream, so I gave it a try at home. The blogger calls it "one ingredient ice cream". We've gone far beyond the single ingredient. We've been trying all different flavors, and have never been disappointed.<br />
<br />
Here's what we do...<br />
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Peel, slice, and freeze a bunch of ripe bananas.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1X25V9I6fToBkkB0G4Vo8U6lwPjacF3vdzLKxrG0Vi5YsbnIbN2BjC3EVSVbkF9kmv_lI8xZoJ9djl-TwVQt8915U5utzIWLXplrObPRN_qXgU9Oh-B1AwdM5lg0TlFvGLLbhUNviyMVF/s1600/bananas.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1X25V9I6fToBkkB0G4Vo8U6lwPjacF3vdzLKxrG0Vi5YsbnIbN2BjC3EVSVbkF9kmv_lI8xZoJ9djl-TwVQt8915U5utzIWLXplrObPRN_qXgU9Oh-B1AwdM5lg0TlFvGLLbhUNviyMVF/s320/bananas.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Bananas have been priced about .39/pound here, so I've stocked up and keep lots of them in the freezer for whenever we get the urge for some ice cream.<br />
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Place frozen bananas in a food processor and blend. After a minute or two scrape down the sides and blend again until you get a creamy texture with no lumps. That's it! You've got banana ice cream.<br />
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I like to add a tablespoon or peanut butter to mine to make peanut butter ice cream. Who doesn't like peanut butter and banana?!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkr4Q7pC42Qn_RAUdd7LtJkBXiT67tkW7yS8wD-k-puPu92u_FJJasFFERMwuMKWHmkJ_FDneb-rcyG_paKHS4ynWz9duojjqirvePM4cN3J2Uqmlgmd5xYmRkKrB45vfNkKuCkWz3JYbN/s1600/006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkr4Q7pC42Qn_RAUdd7LtJkBXiT67tkW7yS8wD-k-puPu92u_FJJasFFERMwuMKWHmkJ_FDneb-rcyG_paKHS4ynWz9duojjqirvePM4cN3J2Uqmlgmd5xYmRkKrB45vfNkKuCkWz3JYbN/s320/006.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinltrDUQ_aRnwA5cqgVg3vU2tRK6SygWe7FCvo0ROvxTFK1gZ7l0QmDxZDLv6aR806qWku_yAhPxf9RokAv5x6POmrNysdbnj_sZyMkd8eawknil1CMIWDRbw2MSAob08_VBqWgVNsXfqg/s1600/banana+ice+cream.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinltrDUQ_aRnwA5cqgVg3vU2tRK6SygWe7FCvo0ROvxTFK1gZ7l0QmDxZDLv6aR806qWku_yAhPxf9RokAv5x6POmrNysdbnj_sZyMkd8eawknil1CMIWDRbw2MSAob08_VBqWgVNsXfqg/s320/banana+ice+cream.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
My kids and husband are partial to berry-banana ice cream. I just add a handful of frozen wild berries and the mixture becomes bright pink! <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgslPtZeNAAuS1FMxgk3RMAawL8cDZWImWbT9aL0jLh2gbaOSee7WhqoLVuHAtAahBb5P7D63JFfCUbbI8CfkWW5QSyJPCkzk0ATmP3c_BhbxgdSxrz-w8MnDK-2VbWwtAqzFPl4OpsMXTD/s1600/004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgslPtZeNAAuS1FMxgk3RMAawL8cDZWImWbT9aL0jLh2gbaOSee7WhqoLVuHAtAahBb5P7D63JFfCUbbI8CfkWW5QSyJPCkzk0ATmP3c_BhbxgdSxrz-w8MnDK-2VbWwtAqzFPl4OpsMXTD/s320/004.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
The possibilities are endless.<br />
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Dairy free, fat free, no added sugar, full of potassium.<br />
That's a sweet treat you can feel good about.Rondahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09157304494908724714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4895244515765174201.post-83189900380917044672012-06-26T14:43:00.000-05:002012-06-26T14:43:05.654-05:00The Grandparent's VisitThe grand folks came up to Wisconsin to visit for 10 days. It was the first time they'd seen our new home.<br />
With all the craziness of changing jobs and moving to a new state, we hadn't seen each other in 6 months! That's not the norm for us.<br />
<br />
Needless to say the kiddos were beyond excited to see Nonna and Papa. Here they are headed off to the airport to pick them up...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyuxVrZAJAfVd_pLaWsuguuVJjk2oDzg4hDikFcb9gSy5q9xrfpQNDulHTpiNGyQ6U07GKzmTdHDrdSadYJAEp5CNHHGA0nfJs_zc-EvrX-ck9Ywv4Tf2WfAIj_dO-EQ7cqZgMs7jmQm0a/s1600/going+to+the+airport.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyuxVrZAJAfVd_pLaWsuguuVJjk2oDzg4hDikFcb9gSy5q9xrfpQNDulHTpiNGyQ6U07GKzmTdHDrdSadYJAEp5CNHHGA0nfJs_zc-EvrX-ck9Ywv4Tf2WfAIj_dO-EQ7cqZgMs7jmQm0a/s320/going+to+the+airport.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">from our own yard!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
We celebrated Nonna's birthday when they arrived (we missed it by 6 days)...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQbMOXeg88qkaN3cOIYYxnRCFSxLSwMgAKiLd11weZ0m5WGUx5l03viwzC04ghVFu8NUdZnoqpJf1q3KWiPZE4jNwc-FppdMvKhXZCeItmXg9s78bdUS7tH_VyPBOEg1JnMo5s_MKjLjHF/s1600/fathers+day+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQbMOXeg88qkaN3cOIYYxnRCFSxLSwMgAKiLd11weZ0m5WGUx5l03viwzC04ghVFu8NUdZnoqpJf1q3KWiPZE4jNwc-FppdMvKhXZCeItmXg9s78bdUS7tH_VyPBOEg1JnMo5s_MKjLjHF/s320/fathers+day+001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
We celebrated Father's Day at one of the many local beaches...<br />
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We had a few picnics...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpL4JdzX4ZLh6s5hjLpxtoFyuxf8PNlOzSpI2zvxIKtfzZFgkd1z5hefB4w2MPrTDrLT701ajQ-tUrOwTq6Uvo8Xf35jRg1cXOXn_rkRRcb8TbBCY5_MB2ZY_acIuVyfiqF2BugiaqrjGm/s1600/nonna+and+girls+at+concert.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpL4JdzX4ZLh6s5hjLpxtoFyuxf8PNlOzSpI2zvxIKtfzZFgkd1z5hefB4w2MPrTDrLT701ajQ-tUrOwTq6Uvo8Xf35jRg1cXOXn_rkRRcb8TbBCY5_MB2ZY_acIuVyfiqF2BugiaqrjGm/s320/nonna+and+girls+at+concert.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">concert in the park</td></tr>
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We toured a cheese factory (Yum-O!)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4VJ6fIA98k0ZU8EEtfwoDseUU5nUYld8mZ_Yei-QQUMaKq0JTNcWBlYAwywunhQO0XZNR2ZIRH1P-C49LkDCNwhXOzTM6zhUEm-Z4pO_n_NOOVSY3y-24-CkJwuP2-rnc_qu0IQj7vnep/s1600/D.R.+hair+net.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4VJ6fIA98k0ZU8EEtfwoDseUU5nUYld8mZ_Yei-QQUMaKq0JTNcWBlYAwywunhQO0XZNR2ZIRH1P-C49LkDCNwhXOzTM6zhUEm-Z4pO_n_NOOVSY3y-24-CkJwuP2-rnc_qu0IQj7vnep/s320/D.R.+hair+net.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">no hair in the cheese, please!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>We checked out a hundred year old church and monastery, and climbed up to the top of the tower...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2XUxtdQnTdz9FHXliS0-9sZExFKWB65trw6__kIoN1x-2tj9o_m0FZhiErp6SxbwreyVVYsFtmiXzRn3a_LnNnMr5c5Gdi07DzN0DnIbKZQOTr-0lJaWMre2hveo3GpP8SRbGwI6fPuby/s1600/top+view+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2XUxtdQnTdz9FHXliS0-9sZExFKWB65trw6__kIoN1x-2tj9o_m0FZhiErp6SxbwreyVVYsFtmiXzRn3a_LnNnMr5c5Gdi07DzN0DnIbKZQOTr-0lJaWMre2hveo3GpP8SRbGwI6fPuby/s320/top+view+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">it was a long climb!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>We even found a town named after Nonna!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLTspTdrgeKYw7ySfuPdMOGgrUx9xVdEg9oo6c1BTeeJHwc-63S3TM7dPuWkP2mlttM2O3ybTm6PSxjLHDE-vl5dCkU0Eb_WckFS74JdWy1G1JaxMEsUqPoEIc1Tm3z1VfOpL__gB5Kztg/s1600/theresa+wisconsin.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLTspTdrgeKYw7ySfuPdMOGgrUx9xVdEg9oo6c1BTeeJHwc-63S3TM7dPuWkP2mlttM2O3ybTm6PSxjLHDE-vl5dCkU0Eb_WckFS74JdWy1G1JaxMEsUqPoEIc1Tm3z1VfOpL__gB5Kztg/s320/theresa+wisconsin.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">even though they spell it with an 'H'</td></tr>
</tbody></table>And on our last day together we went to the Milwaukee Zoo...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkLaYzlxxVXRF0uBqs2N9KCwz3qNMhaHEvS04fBsR1QSvPSH86dabXB0_gqj908NY4oDW9MYkQknwQE3mcqLuozTqBDDbVWaXpL8zDS-cV7b4CQpBPaGuCDhhvzDVh83U50HP-Dawr84zn/s1600/at+the+zoo+waterfront.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkLaYzlxxVXRF0uBqs2N9KCwz3qNMhaHEvS04fBsR1QSvPSH86dabXB0_gqj908NY4oDW9MYkQknwQE3mcqLuozTqBDDbVWaXpL8zDS-cV7b4CQpBPaGuCDhhvzDVh83U50HP-Dawr84zn/s320/at+the+zoo+waterfront.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Not to mention the soccer practice, ice skating lessons, bowling, dinners, marshmallow roasting, gardening, walking...<br />
We did a lot in 10 days. It was a fantastic visit and went by way too fast.<br />
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Now the count down begins for our trip back East to see them at their house. Six weeks until we go 'home'!Rondahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09157304494908724714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4895244515765174201.post-11672952564336144542012-06-12T07:46:00.001-05:002012-06-12T07:46:13.389-05:00Our Little BallerinaLast weekend was Gia's dance recital. She worked hard to get to this point. We almost stopped dance lessons once our house sold and we moved 2 hours away, but she wanted to finish out the season, so we made it happen.<br />
It wasn't easy driving back to Illinois week after week for the lessons, but it taught her some very valuable lessons.<br />
Through this experience she learned that we are not quitters. She learned that we finish what we start. She also learned that hard work and dedication are important, even when it's not convenient. And almost as important as those things, she had FUN!<br />
I had fun too. It's just so precious to watch all those little people up on the big stage, all dolled up with make-up, showing off their moves.<br />
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Here she is with her class before the show...<br />
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Aren't those costumes adorable. And that gaudy make-up...they told us to make it super bright so it would show while on stage, so we did!<br />
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They were all so cute and did a great job. We're proud of our little dancer.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHf6A7W-8OYNS55O1cMLoPiEbIULAhcJG5CZC25YsMAmZPpV9guGruRzY85ZkeNvmdTtuUWz9cxAwD7gsrQT5DlL0p4fltafdKeGPmtPaUNDJh0PAQi1-ZIlxQ3TVeQ5Gg7JJQ4a_UxGIn/s1600/Gia+with+trophy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHf6A7W-8OYNS55O1cMLoPiEbIULAhcJG5CZC25YsMAmZPpV9guGruRzY85ZkeNvmdTtuUWz9cxAwD7gsrQT5DlL0p4fltafdKeGPmtPaUNDJh0PAQi1-ZIlxQ3TVeQ5Gg7JJQ4a_UxGIn/s320/Gia+with+trophy.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She's a winner!</td></tr>
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Congratulations little Gi Gi!Rondahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09157304494908724714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4895244515765174201.post-5086170880215058762012-06-07T16:58:00.002-05:002012-06-07T16:58:28.121-05:00Celebration DayOur new school puts on a big to do at the end of the year. It's sort of like "Field Days" but here they call it Celebration Day.<br />
I was happy to hear they needed lots of parent volunteers for the preschool classes. I signed right up! I love to have the opportunity to see my kids at school, interacting with their friends, and learning!<br />
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The first big deal of the day was that Gia (the preschooler) was able to eat lunch in the cafeteria 'like a big kid'. Since preschool is half day, they are home at lunch time. It was so cool to see her go through the line and eat a school lunch, (even though it was a hot dog). She's just growing up way too fast.<br />
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Then I snuck out for a minute to run over and catch Tia having lunch with her class. Of course she packed because there was NO WAY she was going to eat a hot dog. Here she is with her new best friend Bree...<br />
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The rest of the day was spent outside playing games and having lots of fun. Here's a little glimpse...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">tag!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">snack time</td></tr>
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Look at that face! I think we can safely say these kids have adjusted nicely to their new school and new friends. I just couldn't ask for anything more.<br />
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Of course this little olive skinned angel did fine out in the sun all day with a little sun block on her nose and cheeks. Her big sister and myself however got burnt to a crisp! Tia got the worst of it on her cheeks, but I got it all over my neck and chest. I can't even remember the last time I've been sun burned.<br />
I've been to the equator, no sun burn. I've been to Italy in the August heat, no sunburn. Take me to an elementary school picnic in Wisconsin...Burnt!<br />
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A great time was had by all. And, after all that fresh air and exercise, they slept like little angels.<br />
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Happy last day of school!Rondahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09157304494908724714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4895244515765174201.post-28513688613307077932012-05-31T07:02:00.001-05:002012-10-23T20:20:17.443-05:00They Really Do Love Each OtherMy kids fight about everything, and it's constant. It drives me nuts. I can't believe the ridiculous things they will argue about, like who gets the yellow cup at dinner and who has the better pen. It's maddening.<br />
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Then, one of them gets sick, and this happens...<br />
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Tia was sick with a very high fever. Gia could see how uncomfortable she was, and I'm sure she sensed my concern. All on her own, she made little get well notes and left them in various places around the house.<br />
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All day long I heard things like "Tia, are you OK?" and "How is your throat now, is it better?".<br />
That just melts my heart, and reminds me that they really DO love each other.<br />
I must be doing something right.<br />
<br />Rondahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09157304494908724714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4895244515765174201.post-70712943466006332062012-05-25T20:27:00.000-05:002012-05-25T20:27:51.482-05:00Around The HouseThere's a saying that goes something like "When you're a home owner, there's always a project". I'm here to say "Ain't that the truth!". It never ends.<br />
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I kept saying I just wanted ONE room in our new house to be truly complete. That's it, just one. Well, I think it's official, both the kids rooms are just as they want them, which in my mind means they are complete.<br />
Of course the rooms have been liveable for some time, but we needed to do some finishing touches. <br />
This was the last of it...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAQZmu-B6ugkRJXDf4C32JnKur1P_EejuZXdYCSI6-41h_byrcou-mFcji8I56O4FK_-X3G9yI5qCZUDP-8zZXyflpsFq-cuYxsOrvXQt7IrNG9UqTrJd4V26xcaW-_zIUFhK7Hj_vPA8U/s1600/Gia's+flowers+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAQZmu-B6ugkRJXDf4C32JnKur1P_EejuZXdYCSI6-41h_byrcou-mFcji8I56O4FK_-X3G9yI5qCZUDP-8zZXyflpsFq-cuYxsOrvXQt7IrNG9UqTrJd4V26xcaW-_zIUFhK7Hj_vPA8U/s320/Gia's+flowers+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A garden under the windows</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautifully tall flowers next to the bed</td></tr>
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We ordered these wall decals well before we even put in an offer on this house. We just knew the girls would love them, and would add an extra little something to their rooms. We were right. Tia said "I think I love my room more every day".<br />
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I've taken on quite a few projects myself, which I'm pretty sure qualifies me as insane considering that the basement still is not unpacked!<br />
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We were given this very '80's looking piece of furniture when we were first married. We used it in our first house, and then it sat in the basement in the last house, collecting dust.<br />
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Well, since we have a finished basement here, we needed a TV stand. I don't like buying new if we already have something that can be used. So, here's what I did...<br />
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I stripped the heck out of that thing. It has so much polyeurethane that it took forever, and lots of chemical to get it all off. I sanded and sanded until I was covered in dust. It was a big mess. I even had to email my friend <a href="http://the-little-moments.blogspot.com/">AmyJo</a> for advice (she's the resident expert on such things).<br />
Then I bought new hardware, and there you have it!<br />
I think it turned out pretty well for a basement TV stand, don't ya' think?<br />
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The girls and I also planted a vegetable garden and are already seeing some sprouts. I was sure they'd be super excited about the whole process, and sadly I was wrong. They're not really into it. Tia got excited when she saw her lettuce sprouting, but she's over it. I'm hoping once we actually have a harvest to show for our (and by our, I mean MY) labor, they'll get into it.<br />
I'm just happy that we'll have fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots, lettuce, squash and peppers, and I won't have to pay these ridiculous grocery store prices for a couple months!<br />
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We've been checking out the gardens around the property, seeing what's coming up. I've enjoyed all the colors that are sprouting up all over the place. I almost don't even mind the gigantic weeds that go along with the gigantic yard. Almost.<br />
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I'll leave you with a few pictures from around the yard.<br />
Enjoy!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIRlphq1NhLKZIcYNcHwiwRvmh3CcnPAiBrTss8yTSt0X_bynUjm1e0d2h2R0I5ByjBulpA7DSjqA8ZkBemp4DnobVFKP12wpjl49EHT5FnEPR3IE-s-0MnT6sh-y-tkuE78Q-6a_HV37a/s1600/peony.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIRlphq1NhLKZIcYNcHwiwRvmh3CcnPAiBrTss8yTSt0X_bynUjm1e0d2h2R0I5ByjBulpA7DSjqA8ZkBemp4DnobVFKP12wpjl49EHT5FnEPR3IE-s-0MnT6sh-y-tkuE78Q-6a_HV37a/s320/peony.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Rondahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09157304494908724714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4895244515765174201.post-13942387771439351442012-05-15T07:47:00.000-05:002012-05-15T07:47:23.373-05:00A Very Happy Mother's DayWe actually had a whole weekend devoted to celebrating Mother's Day this year.<br />
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On Saturday we took the kids to the Milwaukee Zoo for a few hours. We typically do something like that on both Mother's and Father's day, so that's just what I wanted to do this year. It was a little chilly but we really enjoyed our time there, and got a lot of walking in. Great bonus for me since I haven't joined the gym here yet.<br />
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On Sunday morning I was awakened at 5:45am. by a bright, smiling face and a great big <b>"Happy Mother's Day"</b> from my 6 year old. She told me she was too excited to sleep, and couldn't wait to tell me. I love her enthusiasm for life!<br />
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The only thing I wanted for Mother's Day was a family trip to Culver's for ice cream. OK, I lied, I also asked for a park bench to put on the front porch, but we haven't found the right one yet, so that's on hold for now.<br />
So, the <i>most important</i> thing I asked for was that we all go out for ice cream together as a family.<br />
Daddy doesn't eat ice cream but us 3 girls each ordered something different and we all tasted each other's. It was divine!<br />
It was the first nice weather weekend we've had since we moved in. So when we got back from ice cream we all got to work in the yard. We were out there for a couple hours and then the hubby suggested we go out for Chinese food. I had expected to have to cook dinner (yes, even on Mother's Day!) so it was a pleasant surprise to go out. We just went to a little 'hole in the wall' place that we've been to before, but it was so nice to not have to cook or clean up, and to be surrounded by the people I love the most!<br />
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The girls wanted to get a little dressed up for the occasion, and I'm glad they did because we got some nice pictures.<br />
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I have to say it was a great weekend and I definitely felt the love. The girls said the only things that would have made it better is if their Grandmother's were here. I have to agree with that one.<br />
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I hope you all had a very happy Mother's Day too!Rondahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09157304494908724714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4895244515765174201.post-35997520012532544732012-05-09T10:46:00.002-05:002012-05-09T10:47:09.751-05:00Saying Goodbye...Starting OverIt's been a while since I've had even a minute to sit down and post something. We're officially in our new house, and it's starting to look like home around here.<br />
A lot has happened in the past couple of weeks, so let me see if I can catch you all up.<br />
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The movers arrived on a Sunday morning and hauled all of our worldly possessions away in a big white truck. Since we weren't closing on our Illinois house for another few days, the girls and I stayed back in a hotel, while hubby followed the truck to the new house. We figured there wasn't much sense in going to Wisconsin only to have to turn around and come back a couple days later.<br />
This way they got to finish out a few things at school and say goodbye. They LOVED staying in the hotel. It was like a mini vacation for them, except that we had to get up and go to school every day.<br />
While they were at school, I was able to get into the old house and clean. I wanted to leave it in great shape for the new folks.<br />
Gia's last day of school was that Wednesday. I was the parent volunteer that day too, which worked out nicely. I loved being able to see her in action at school.<br />
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They made a nice goodbye poster for her, and all the kids signed it. At the end of the day I got to take some pictures of her with her favorite people.<br />
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These ladies are just the best! We've had such a good preschool experience because of their love and dedication. We will surely miss them, and their smiling faces every day.<br />
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Thursday was Tia's last day at her school. The teacher invited me in at snack time so I could take pictures, see the baby chicks that had just hatched, and say goodbye.<br />
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It was a bitter-sweet goodbye. We've had a great Kindergarten experience. Tia loves school and has made such progress with her anxiety issues since September. It was hard to leave.<br />
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Later that evening was the school art show. It was important for Tia to attend. They'd been talking about it for weeks, and she had several pieces on display. We made it to the show and then hit the road to Wisconsin immediately after.<br />
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Phew, it was a crazy week for all of us, but we made it safely to our new home. We've got almost all the boxes unpacked and things are slowly getting back to normal. Gia said the other day "Mom, it's starting to look like home here". That makes me smile. Kids are resilient.<br />
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The girls had a few days off before starting at their new school. I think they appreciated being a part of the moving in process, and having some time to adjust.<br />
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They're both doing great in their new school. In fact they both go to the same school now which is great! They are adjusting so well, it amazes me every day.<br />
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So, here we are in Wisconsin, hopefully to stay for a <b>very</b> long time. I think I can speak for us all when I say we don't want to move again!<br />
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This is it. This is home.Rondahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09157304494908724714noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4895244515765174201.post-69207072534044077892012-04-16T21:34:00.000-05:002012-04-16T21:34:50.626-05:00Part 2 of The Birthday Extravaganza!I'm a little late in posting this but Thursday was Gia's 5th birthday and we spent the day together doing fun things. She planned every detail, like the little boss that she is!<br />
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First stop was the bowling alley. I told her I didn't think it would be all that fun since it was just the 2 of us, but she insisted.<br />
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It started out OK but she quickly grew frustrated and bored since she wasn't getting any strikes! She's super competitive and it really bothered her that she wasn't 'winning', even though she wasn't playing against anybody. One day she'll be an Olympic gold medalist and we'll look back on this and say "ahhh, that's how it all started!".<br />
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After bowling it was off to the mall for lunch. She had originally wanted lunch at McD's but changed her mind when I told her they weren't giving away little ponie's in the kids meals this week. It was never about the food for her, it was all about the toy! Since we needed to pick up her new ballet shoes at the mall anyway, we went there for her favorite meal of soft pretzel sticks.<br />
Of course, there had to be ice cream afterwards because, in her words, "It <i>is</i> a special occasion Mom". This kid knows how to work it.<br />
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She did NOT want me to take her picture eating the ice cream but hey, I'm a blogger. These things must be done.<br />
After spending way too much time and money at the mall, we headed to the local grocery store to pick up some flowers. All her idea mind you! She loves to look at the flowers every time we go grocery shopping, so she got it in her head that when it was her birthday, she could pick some out for herself. Daddy wanted to be the one to pick them out and bring them home to her after work but, NO WAY. She told him he wouldn't know which ones she wanted, and she'd rather pick them out herself. Quite a strong minded woman, wouldn't you say?!<br />
With the flowers picked out, we headed off to the hairdresser. Gia chose a hot pink feather for her hair. I completely forgot to take a picture of that, but it's cute and she loves it.<br />
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Later, after Daddy got home from work and Tia was home from school, we decided to go for dinner at Chuck E. Cheese. Gia had received a gift card for her birthday and was ready to go spend it! Since it was a week night, the place wasn't really busy and they had a blast.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daddy winning tickets for the girls</td></tr>
</tbody></table>As you can see, even Daddy got in on the action and won a bunch of tickets for the kids.<br />
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It was a fun day, and even more fun for me to see what Gia chose to do on her special day. She's quite a character! Hopefully this is the start of a nice little family tradition.<br />
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We'll see in October what Tia chooses for her special day!Rondahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09157304494908724714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4895244515765174201.post-11229084822918901802012-04-11T20:16:00.000-05:002012-04-11T20:16:58.216-05:00Easter Fun!Easter is my absolute favorite holiday. Traditionally we would invite a bunch of friends over for brunch or a BBQ and have tons of fun all day entertaining guests.<br />
This year had to be a little different. The clock is ticking and we're running out of time before we have to be out of this house, so we decided to put all our energies toward packing and getting ready for the move.<br />
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We did still set aside some time for coloring eggs, and I have to say this has been the best year yet for that. The girls are getting older so the messes are getting smaller!<br />
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Easter morning was full of excitement as the girls tried to find their baskets. This year the bunny decided to <i>really</i> hide them since the girls are older and wiser. They actually get 2 baskets each. One is an Easter Bag that they got years ago from my friend Sheila, which is filled with non-candy items. The other is a basket for the good stuff. Um, I mean the candy items!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfb_ubkY2Ujx409dXC3-PJPZOuUFuN6Wl4Nb__UaT3FDUh3FX8bIPYBdrgMbrTEizX9sC2RQip7hzg78lMV0muR3skqoo_UcZGWjftaVIylFe_FK7CMMFvZVeUBdZaEf2hh80ZXbCZyYLd/s1600/candy+baskets.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfb_ubkY2Ujx409dXC3-PJPZOuUFuN6Wl4Nb__UaT3FDUh3FX8bIPYBdrgMbrTEizX9sC2RQip7hzg78lMV0muR3skqoo_UcZGWjftaVIylFe_FK7CMMFvZVeUBdZaEf2hh80ZXbCZyYLd/s320/candy+baskets.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">mmmm, candy!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>We had a nice family breakfast and then it was right into the basement for some serious packing and organizing. We spent several hours doing that, and then I decided it was time for a family dinner. Tia kept asking "Why do we have to take a shower and get dressed if we're not <i>going</i> anywhere?". My answer to that was "Because it's Easter!".<br />
We had a pretty non-traditional meal of fish, potatoes, cous cous, and salad. It was the easiest thing to make that we would all eat.<br />
What matters most is that we were all together at the same table enjoying the meal time conversation and being a family. That's what it's all about.<br />
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I hope you had an Easter filled with joy and little blessings too.Rondahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09157304494908724714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4895244515765174201.post-78630569652915034372012-04-09T20:07:00.000-05:002012-04-09T20:07:11.188-05:00Gia is Turning 5!My 'baby' is almost 5 years old. I'm not sure how the heck that happened but man that was fast! I swear I just brought her home from the hospital.<br />
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Leading up to the big day we were discussing her options for a birthday party. I actually encouraged her to invite some of her friends to one of my least favorite places (McD's) and have the party there. We're up to our eye balls in boxes here at the house and as most of you know, moving is an arduous task. It sucks all the energy from your body, and your house looks like a disaster area. My preference would NOT be to have a house full of preschoolers 2 weeks before our big move. However, the kiddo insisted that we have a Princess party at the house, and since she is the #1 Princess, I let her have her own way!<br />
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There was a total of 6 girls so it wasn't all that bad. I had it after lunch so I wouldn't have the added task of feeding everyone an actual meal. Keep it simple is my new motto.<br />
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Here are a few pictures from the party day...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFzylRSmiW4tGgPuyBULdgQWJjdByHAI9Hso167FwQGr3Cl5f9-2v4Dp0BLLDiNREHroYNWW1qtaWp3yXmKKTMVgwDD3PITs5fjQK2scfwQWOayr97IgWC5iaE_vH8reA9FdWouopRBnhO/s1600/Dad+and+Gia+on+her+birthday.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFzylRSmiW4tGgPuyBULdgQWJjdByHAI9Hso167FwQGr3Cl5f9-2v4Dp0BLLDiNREHroYNWW1qtaWp3yXmKKTMVgwDD3PITs5fjQK2scfwQWOayr97IgWC5iaE_vH8reA9FdWouopRBnhO/s320/Dad+and+Gia+on+her+birthday.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Birthday Girl with her favorite Guy</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gia with her Pink Princess Cupcakes</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAyyl8eH1ZifyjTV1FtxFFIf1DNYjEVQFut3X2LxDtaSHjHtfNVp7flylLNInANNPe6-tuokpm2voSTj5qNrv_ZRtSHjNc3wXp9P5qWGTEg1CxnqEoR3NS52Y2VXVfkd_tFYYcljaWLWXq/s1600/B-day+party+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAyyl8eH1ZifyjTV1FtxFFIf1DNYjEVQFut3X2LxDtaSHjHtfNVp7flylLNInANNPe6-tuokpm2voSTj5qNrv_ZRtSHjNc3wXp9P5qWGTEg1CxnqEoR3NS52Y2VXVfkd_tFYYcljaWLWXq/s320/B-day+party+005.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hunting for Eggs</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCPtyVO90lYw6TTeOgWttzoJOXJ3ZPU0BGTxluisC_0qh_o3HbmZd7gKZhIwJSkp0rZiAcfzB8-p5qMRYwAdBovnZkqo74xWWyNySU8-NvdAG0EceWqSPc4YSVsA7CV3JvZH1UWLyfi549/s1600/all+the+girls.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCPtyVO90lYw6TTeOgWttzoJOXJ3ZPU0BGTxluisC_0qh_o3HbmZd7gKZhIwJSkp0rZiAcfzB8-p5qMRYwAdBovnZkqo74xWWyNySU8-NvdAG0EceWqSPc4YSVsA7CV3JvZH1UWLyfi549/s320/all+the+girls.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All the Lovely Ladies</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Since her birthday was so close to Easter this year, we decided to have an egg hunt. We've done this before at her parties and it's always a big hit. This year was no exception.<br />
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It was a lovely afternoon and Gia fully enjoyed being the center of attention.<br />
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Her actual birthday is later this week when she will once again be showered with attention. She has chosen bowling and lunch (at that least favorite place!) for her special day.<br />
I'll be sure to write up a part 2 to the birthday celebration post.<br />
Until then...Rondahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09157304494908724714noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4895244515765174201.post-90041412397805826072012-03-31T20:41:00.000-05:002012-03-31T20:41:05.410-05:00Moving Right AlongWe've been pretty busy around here lately that blogging has been the last thing on my mind. So sorry for that.<br />
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We had an offer on our Illinois house which happened a lot sooner than we ever expected, so things are moving right along. Looks like we'll be moving up to Wisconsin <u>before</u> the end of the school year, and that means lots of phone calls and preparations on this end to make that happen.<br />
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The kids were on spring break from school this week so it was the perfect opportunity to head up to the new house and get some stuff done.<br />
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There was some of this...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0gamKSgFD_RGWW7cKNb0ZG1qY6AlUVQ0rXo_xCWotjJIyAtDPIZ-JWPpdTUcPf1Ea_RsvLif96v8282t1yACM8PE_ASZhxOmenTnuVK4_DGFigJxt2Mzp0XsS12NrS_VdA3E2jjRuYJ1r/s1600/Tia's+room+'before'.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0gamKSgFD_RGWW7cKNb0ZG1qY6AlUVQ0rXo_xCWotjJIyAtDPIZ-JWPpdTUcPf1Ea_RsvLif96v8282t1yACM8PE_ASZhxOmenTnuVK4_DGFigJxt2Mzp0XsS12NrS_VdA3E2jjRuYJ1r/s320/Tia's+room+'before'.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tia's new room</td></tr>
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And a bit of this...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO6Y16jGtj9TgoVaV3_FmVnT7dacpYVgy_W-_bDldKHKWLXzyeMqahOSqLK7N-woU2hs-d2mh1tnLItzZqhd6uHtD7IehCBaHsPxKJyX87PSQvDvf4k7qFoiLkovwdd00D3MuYREAZ37pD/s1600/Gia's+room+before.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO6Y16jGtj9TgoVaV3_FmVnT7dacpYVgy_W-_bDldKHKWLXzyeMqahOSqLK7N-woU2hs-d2mh1tnLItzZqhd6uHtD7IehCBaHsPxKJyX87PSQvDvf4k7qFoiLkovwdd00D3MuYREAZ37pD/s320/Gia's+room+before.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gia's new room</td></tr>
</tbody></table>And new toys to be played with...<br />
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And of course Mommy has her (way too many) cupboards to organize...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDeUz4haa76sjS8yg3mURUw-eyswjB8u6Nchdp5Lch51U46CiJoxdhr5RtH5lTT2EE7ufGTdbeI42CV107Ye0-ZOWKaqLhNsAo4VlWPibl9s-gqsiEO892mRnPM-6pR0XEiQ_to2yqTvyj/s1600/will+it+stay+this+neat.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDeUz4haa76sjS8yg3mURUw-eyswjB8u6Nchdp5Lch51U46CiJoxdhr5RtH5lTT2EE7ufGTdbeI42CV107Ye0-ZOWKaqLhNsAo4VlWPibl9s-gqsiEO892mRnPM-6pR0XEiQ_to2yqTvyj/s320/will+it+stay+this+neat.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How long will it stay like this?</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This section is all done!</td></tr>
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We even had a surprise birthday dinner for Daddy, of which I took no pictures!<br />
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We toured the kids new school and met some teachers. The girls are nervous and excited all at the same time. I can't blame them.<br />
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And then we had lunch with the Easter bunny hosted by the local recreation department...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj0amQKcQLIKWT6JO0gMq7Jmu5vrLFzTYHrilJpbvI2F8mUFuKblg7zaGr4FNcBtYNO_1hceJkpV08MuCCXbkaYbLU6wCWdUYC_DEOIxNSw7VjnPl_cONX5q_EG_P5HlC-h4gdpyJLKMB5/s1600/with+the+bunny.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="279" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj0amQKcQLIKWT6JO0gMq7Jmu5vrLFzTYHrilJpbvI2F8mUFuKblg7zaGr4FNcBtYNO_1hceJkpV08MuCCXbkaYbLU6wCWdUYC_DEOIxNSw7VjnPl_cONX5q_EG_P5HlC-h4gdpyJLKMB5/s320/with+the+bunny.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggX4BkjCeKsryBnD-YLNTMqlGSsIkb2JPgzP7fTdCwuka9HZD_a7JEekxk5kSwChs69IrAoQs6_zBKvBTFvKSb6WelgNVKWlcb3HI6xsa5olAmhYM2DY53m4Af94ASf19MP58RS4UFpRJ_/s1600/my+2+bunnies.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggX4BkjCeKsryBnD-YLNTMqlGSsIkb2JPgzP7fTdCwuka9HZD_a7JEekxk5kSwChs69IrAoQs6_zBKvBTFvKSb6WelgNVKWlcb3HI6xsa5olAmhYM2DY53m4Af94ASf19MP58RS4UFpRJ_/s320/my+2+bunnies.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lots of cute craft projects</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I think we accomplished a lot on our week 'off'. The best part was when Tia said she didn't want to leave. For a kid who has anxiety and resists change, I'd say that's some pretty great progress!<br />
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Now I'm heading into a few weeks of intense packing and cleaning to get the Illinois house ready for closing. It's also almost time to say goodbye to good friends. Not my favorite part of this process.<br />
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If I ever feel like I might want to move again, I hope I remember how hard this was!<br />
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Until next time.Rondahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09157304494908724714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4895244515765174201.post-50851804705469268542012-03-11T19:47:00.000-05:002012-03-11T19:47:03.935-05:00Fond Memories, New BeginningsAfter five wonderful years of living in our home here in Illinois, we're ready to move on. Honestly, if it were up to me, I could stay here forever.<br />
My baby was born here. Tia learned how to walk and talk here. They both experienced their first day of school here. It's been a great place to raise kids. We've met some wonderful friends.<br />
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Now we're preparing to move up to Wisconsin. I never imagined myself living even farther North than we do now, but somehow it's meant to be.<br />
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Last week the girls and I drove up and met D.R. so we could close on our new home. It had been such a long and arduous process, we were all excited to finally seal the deal!<br />
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We went out for Chinese the night before the house closing and this was Gia's fortune...<br />
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Pretty appropriate, huh?<br />
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So here she is, our new home. She's a beaut isn't she?<br />
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So far we've been loving her from a distance. We haven't spent even one night there because the kids are in school. We'll be heading up this weekend for a big sleep over, and the kids are beyond excited.<br />
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I look forward to making lots of new memories in our new home.<br />
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Here's to the next chapter in our lives!Rondahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09157304494908724714noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4895244515765174201.post-67330300505048417652012-03-01T08:45:00.000-06:002012-03-01T08:45:04.251-06:00While Mom's Away...The kids don't miss her at all!<br />
In fact, they don't ask where she is or when she's coming back. They won't even speak to her on the phone!<br />
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At least that's what happened when I went to Las Vegas for a few days last week. I believe that's a good sign that they have a fantastic Dad who takes care of everything. Nothing changed in their little lives because he was on top of it all. And, most importantly, they had fun.<br />
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You see, Daddy does things like this...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrWfsOaNeOcGEhxPNPb4YUVq0W7Jhq6akDery-g-75lMx_IocI07Z7q2BKkt5LFB63csAYTVOcozOkqUXaLwgQ6Ob3k0YwI7hiwQ3_cppw2pMQrEbs60J46ofwwKmRKEMHA5y26Lg_W2UL/s1600/snow+man+and+Dr.+Seuss+day+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrWfsOaNeOcGEhxPNPb4YUVq0W7Jhq6akDery-g-75lMx_IocI07Z7q2BKkt5LFB63csAYTVOcozOkqUXaLwgQ6Ob3k0YwI7hiwQ3_cppw2pMQrEbs60J46ofwwKmRKEMHA5y26Lg_W2UL/s320/snow+man+and+Dr.+Seuss+day+004.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7OEqqkOpFyiO5glJcqrfNnEM05Z02CCqv_-xChBXYC-uaiuW-yUVBvua1PZSrSvzPv8YQ2mXf6TvJl4DvstnRlCoVJoW2jDp3SqMTjxOnw_7mAQfs5zKqunIRA5NCait1CWGFSmsm6jh3/s1600/snow+man+and+Dr.+Seuss+day+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7OEqqkOpFyiO5glJcqrfNnEM05Z02CCqv_-xChBXYC-uaiuW-yUVBvua1PZSrSvzPv8YQ2mXf6TvJl4DvstnRlCoVJoW2jDp3SqMTjxOnw_7mAQfs5zKqunIRA5NCait1CWGFSmsm6jh3/s320/snow+man+and+Dr.+Seuss+day+005.JPG" width="240" /></a><br />
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Mama doesn't like snow. Or cold. Or wind. So these things don't happen very often with me.<br />
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Tia has decided she'd like me to go to work, and have Daddy stay home with her every day.<br />
Slight crush to the ego. I'll get over it. Needless to say I won't be going away again any time soon!Rondahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09157304494908724714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4895244515765174201.post-72063842790493826752012-02-20T08:51:00.000-06:002012-02-20T08:51:06.824-06:00TWO SuperstarsLast week both girls came home with a note from their teachers stating they had been chosen to be the class Star of the Week. I can't even describe the excitement level in our house that day!<br />
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Gia's school does a one day 'make the kid feel super special' thing. The star student has to bring in a poster about themselves, and an item for show and tell. Oh, and lest I forget, they get to be the line leader for the day. Now <i>that's</i> pretty darn important when you're 4!<br />
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Here she is with her poster...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgje6p4U1Tv58qP6skJXWE2I8aKrLHqo-_UvXS7ZSFGMBXu4kxcizYmmpYAOKJxgNo_KU0s0ljTuqEkuyHIk777U4rVnWZLlfe2nOn6l07We31Zdovl2RfsH-FjhFrzZFW-C65yM_lmxX7-/s1600/Gia+star+of+the+week.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgje6p4U1Tv58qP6skJXWE2I8aKrLHqo-_UvXS7ZSFGMBXu4kxcizYmmpYAOKJxgNo_KU0s0ljTuqEkuyHIk777U4rVnWZLlfe2nOn6l07We31Zdovl2RfsH-FjhFrzZFW-C65yM_lmxX7-/s320/Gia+star+of+the+week.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
She chose which pictures to use and what to write, and even wrote most of the words herself. Did I mention she's only 4?!<br />
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Tia's school makes the entire week a big deal.<br />
On Monday she got to bring in a sharing bag full of things from home to tell the class about.<br />
Tuesday she had to bring in her favorite book from home and the teacher read it to the class during circle time.<br />
Wednesday the teacher read a letter from Mom to the class. I hand wrote the letter so I don't have a copy of it but will ask the teacher to send it back home so we can save it!<br />
Thursday I got to go have lunch with her at school. She was so proud. When she was shoving her lunch in her face, I told her she could slow down and that she had plenty of time. Her response was "I have to leave time for kissing!". She's a kisser, my little 6 year old, and she doesn't care who's watching!<br />
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Here she is on day one of her week of being a star...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheR-JBDj9IHeWb1A-PqpbJRJoi2mTCIdvnnewm4hLgahPM5Otzq5bwqqF-I2rRQmvmNf6wH6Yp32OunCHJbXx8EPTetBYjVDXVCWEgq-IuUKl83qLC8yUoJZ8MTf0uJJ4HCpH-ecJO953p/s1600/Tia+star+of+the+week.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheR-JBDj9IHeWb1A-PqpbJRJoi2mTCIdvnnewm4hLgahPM5Otzq5bwqqF-I2rRQmvmNf6wH6Yp32OunCHJbXx8EPTetBYjVDXVCWEgq-IuUKl83qLC8yUoJZ8MTf0uJJ4HCpH-ecJO953p/s320/Tia+star+of+the+week.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br />
I'm the proud Mama of not one, but TWO superstars at school.<br />
Great childhood memories in the making.Rondahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09157304494908724714noreply@blogger.com1