tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6924037478024549232024-03-09T18:59:44.701-07:00A Mom's Spare TimeWhen I relate random things said or done by my kids, pets, library patrons, or strange people I meet, someone always asks me "When are you going to write a book?" The answer is the same for every mom - "In my spare time!"Amihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04191114596338482173noreply@blogger.comBlogger1086125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-692403747802454923.post-42314986556705633862024-03-08T18:32:00.013-07:002024-03-08T19:34:30.411-07:00Review: 102 Days of Lying About Lauren<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiuXwE0XMLkZZhq2eyLVxfNrCJW2cGQqXx4NqWIYRZJSsnKZcjl_YyFO0HmXfehX7UEVQXO6Q3EpL92pEZPGWs3GVeaKuMFjWXGdpomt8KdmLPfCySaGqhkoPCJnRwFHKGcPqwUj_MPx3feR6ATt-UCzAReZEMr528L4h2JW3eRieGs6mphpYgzLWqMjM8/s445/102%20days.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="445" data-original-width="296" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiuXwE0XMLkZZhq2eyLVxfNrCJW2cGQqXx4NqWIYRZJSsnKZcjl_YyFO0HmXfehX7UEVQXO6Q3EpL92pEZPGWs3GVeaKuMFjWXGdpomt8KdmLPfCySaGqhkoPCJnRwFHKGcPqwUj_MPx3feR6ATt-UCzAReZEMr528L4h2JW3eRieGs6mphpYgzLWqMjM8/s320/102%20days.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">978-0823453627</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Twelve-year-old Mouse calls an amusement park home.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Nobody notices her, and that's the way she likes it. Mouse sweeps the streets and wears a uniform she “borrowed” and sleeps on the top floor of the Haunted House of Horrors. She knows which security guards to avoid, eats the bagel left out each morning for the Ghost of Summer (a popular theme park legend), and even has the taco guy convinced that her lunch is paid for. She has her special hiding methods down to a science.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>But one morning, a girl named Cat comes looking for Lauren Suszek. Cat notices her, and Mouse doesn’t like it. Mouse cannot let this nosy pest find out who she really is! If Mouse gets discovered living in the park, Mama might come back for her, and Mouse doesn’t want that. Or—even worse?—Mama might not come back at all.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Mouse knows she can lose this girl without blowing her cover. She just has to follow her rules. A carefully constructed life in the park is all she needs. Right?</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;">Adults may need to have a little suspension of disbelief, but we are not the target audience. The premise of living in an amusement park is sure to intrigue kids of any age, and Jortner gives plenty of details to make the ruse plausible. Mouse sometimes seems a bit younger than her purported age, which could be attributed to her background. That does make it harder to believe that she has passed for a 16-year-old for months, though. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Mouse's character becomes vivid quickly, and I started seeing her mannerisms and hearing her voice early on. Jortner does a great job of showing, not telling. The action and tension climb quickly, and even while I could predict what was going to happen, I teared up at the climactic scene (which actually happens after the action has slowed.) A strong debut firmly in the middle grade category. Trigger warnings of death, parental abandonment/alienation, and panic attacks. </div>Amihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04191114596338482173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-692403747802454923.post-67070882308631044242024-03-06T16:37:00.001-07:002024-03-06T16:37:34.368-07:00Fairy Sighting!<p style="text-align: center;"> We have spotted evidence of fairies on the library lawn! Obviously the tiny fae have been hard at work here.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0whqvvO6za3Z8LIuPsA7juvOIVmFVfA61tybvKcJYDbnIY8he03pg0YdEDywjODmHrUgqkNszJ2xwcHDNiK18W_iDvxiUvKE0KTP9L1xjiMGAK8JqLwNELz1tMyCInA19x5ETxhTMPu6e6Tu5PcjCOLYFvLrZzrOQBU0FRMVZ1_tMdG9BbTAUsHj1IIbC/s4608/100_0186.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0whqvvO6za3Z8LIuPsA7juvOIVmFVfA61tybvKcJYDbnIY8he03pg0YdEDywjODmHrUgqkNszJ2xwcHDNiK18W_iDvxiUvKE0KTP9L1xjiMGAK8JqLwNELz1tMyCInA19x5ETxhTMPu6e6Tu5PcjCOLYFvLrZzrOQBU0FRMVZ1_tMdG9BbTAUsHj1IIbC/s320/100_0186.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhag4tD3Hwo0PWzUXHjMMon655pTkHegsEGjyzc04s-WTXURjxuAOdBSwZvS7ChxnRMU5VRGjm_X2aJy6jzYk8FH0_xjMPrA0QtwjG0LJjOG3PviIUL0VFdIqlqbv5FME241u_iAe3Kl6RS9gLDcmv0qc46Tl_Htgzbq8A0yG-t4EajXnM62_S5VNvdO1-Q/s4608/100_0185.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhag4tD3Hwo0PWzUXHjMMon655pTkHegsEGjyzc04s-WTXURjxuAOdBSwZvS7ChxnRMU5VRGjm_X2aJy6jzYk8FH0_xjMPrA0QtwjG0LJjOG3PviIUL0VFdIqlqbv5FME241u_iAe3Kl6RS9gLDcmv0qc46Tl_Htgzbq8A0yG-t4EajXnM62_S5VNvdO1-Q/s320/100_0185.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p>Amihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04191114596338482173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-692403747802454923.post-35760100611539995312024-03-01T09:02:00.002-07:002024-03-01T09:02:31.240-07:00No Place to Sit<p style="text-align: center;"> Where did everything gooooooooo?</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcYVriH-UKfVnJ762PbBGXEeG6dfmZQ0iOZ2YNF0WnLEZsp7VwMa6so2WyPJmT7fhMy0CNSeScGf5Ab-ups-cZ9MMJI3eULa8vQRKz3RTroX_SU6yciHuuB9wJ118w8qixtuGQv3fbRfUpcz4_mZrhGsWlIPPmNs13NmN5S9oJpspzDkb97MOnrKD_mMX-/s4608/100_0175.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcYVriH-UKfVnJ762PbBGXEeG6dfmZQ0iOZ2YNF0WnLEZsp7VwMa6so2WyPJmT7fhMy0CNSeScGf5Ab-ups-cZ9MMJI3eULa8vQRKz3RTroX_SU6yciHuuB9wJ118w8qixtuGQv3fbRfUpcz4_mZrhGsWlIPPmNs13NmN5S9oJpspzDkb97MOnrKD_mMX-/s320/100_0175.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY_WerJk4f3ZUSNdBsdSmNZ6BFWUp2d-g1bR6wLPl6jlMkbdjlTLWDgxVG0mSDN4Dcwi98ntAJYT0A8XzaZVaTNcuihPNz6k8QLvyMk7zpxbSVJo7663fmmbeNyq7YFUHMKH5iYXFxrNid927AVyzv_HR4XRQfgeT0Z22mr4qY5D0lO2FvO4AyDlqXi9k-/s4608/100_0176.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY_WerJk4f3ZUSNdBsdSmNZ6BFWUp2d-g1bR6wLPl6jlMkbdjlTLWDgxVG0mSDN4Dcwi98ntAJYT0A8XzaZVaTNcuihPNz6k8QLvyMk7zpxbSVJo7663fmmbeNyq7YFUHMKH5iYXFxrNid927AVyzv_HR4XRQfgeT0Z22mr4qY5D0lO2FvO4AyDlqXi9k-/s320/100_0176.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Oh...there it is! </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcmAdeg3nbsO713LellcAntJZVHThZvlMXrzlr62ZiP6Qi6w4NKomeBoRImdY_eNqycejBYQh57Tsz9hynwW0sxGm_dSOwWRiVmHniwcWgoYXyJ71KxkEwUPLMfPC4hgq3q_tWjd8c3qFBZqcgfQ71kY4OdBQnETTeMm5z8L_Rl0UZLoCxOoE3ZqUjnJTm/s4608/100_0177.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcmAdeg3nbsO713LellcAntJZVHThZvlMXrzlr62ZiP6Qi6w4NKomeBoRImdY_eNqycejBYQh57Tsz9hynwW0sxGm_dSOwWRiVmHniwcWgoYXyJ71KxkEwUPLMfPC4hgq3q_tWjd8c3qFBZqcgfQ71kY4OdBQnETTeMm5z8L_Rl0UZLoCxOoE3ZqUjnJTm/s320/100_0177.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(And how long after this happened did it take me to realize I needed the sink? Five minutes.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It's carpet cleaning day! Come by tomorrow to see how fresh and new it all looks!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXX0gbhncmT4q0YBdIzoSAy5P6GDs2oUyGZF6RXI-c2pzapi0zDqiPBz4ugWb2Wxxq2AxuMzcO_fgq4bLX9OH79cPEVByxtg7AatpxYFxnvLJQq-l74pf20EikzJ-lRAbzTsTci7DPF-Jg96wFPbZk6DLtffSccoZ-RQ_U6EzVFYiWj81Hnzi81jr5JZcz/s4608/100_0178.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXX0gbhncmT4q0YBdIzoSAy5P6GDs2oUyGZF6RXI-c2pzapi0zDqiPBz4ugWb2Wxxq2AxuMzcO_fgq4bLX9OH79cPEVByxtg7AatpxYFxnvLJQq-l74pf20EikzJ-lRAbzTsTci7DPF-Jg96wFPbZk6DLtffSccoZ-RQ_U6EzVFYiWj81Hnzi81jr5JZcz/s320/100_0178.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Just take your shoes off* before you come in!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-kVFFzt_5WE5aqo3vY_pyI0KdIjmNyvgSQYyaJ2Yaz2wVw4Oe7b0erHlWD61kWzbuhok8O4L-QA_YHHGcQL3xJPGZ6IdTF_-wsvroJtK9SynTFqNcXdwccOf0QDIMxjcmdqLyFNjvXgF_5XnqTg8p7OqpyLImmdX85vUwPzEakNnVJ0tKXn9rSqfbCZ5v/s1936/muddy%20shoes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1296" data-original-width="1936" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-kVFFzt_5WE5aqo3vY_pyI0KdIjmNyvgSQYyaJ2Yaz2wVw4Oe7b0erHlWD61kWzbuhok8O4L-QA_YHHGcQL3xJPGZ6IdTF_-wsvroJtK9SynTFqNcXdwccOf0QDIMxjcmdqLyFNjvXgF_5XnqTg8p7OqpyLImmdX85vUwPzEakNnVJ0tKXn9rSqfbCZ5v/s320/muddy%20shoes.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">*Kidding. Maybe.</div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>Amihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04191114596338482173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-692403747802454923.post-11157732278730156522024-02-28T00:00:00.002-07:002024-02-28T00:00:00.159-07:00Review: The Black Queen by Jumata Emill<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxwuEvvZdLNnZ0_PcJbhgTpKhsBCjiECA9yfpD5UN_zr_PPFWOzMKc8yuCr5j4sq56W7TC9BCeufJPOUMf9q8kTEO2qH3TBDy8R70AjwzsP8q861OCdLZ8__Wa3sOm7g2mX4HzkGCXSd9Ik4uKI84J3eyr5CR7Xqw3mOmY3QVxhzRaUtX46HjlAxrvscbO/s2550/black%20queen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2550" data-original-width="1688" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxwuEvvZdLNnZ0_PcJbhgTpKhsBCjiECA9yfpD5UN_zr_PPFWOzMKc8yuCr5j4sq56W7TC9BCeufJPOUMf9q8kTEO2qH3TBDy8R70AjwzsP8q861OCdLZ8__Wa3sOm7g2mX4HzkGCXSd9Ik4uKI84J3eyr5CR7Xqw3mOmY3QVxhzRaUtX46HjlAxrvscbO/s320/black%20queen.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">978-059-356-8575 (PB)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-family: "Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: start;">Nova Albright, the first Black homecoming queen at Lovett High, is dead. Murdered the night of her coronation, her body found the next morning in the old slave cemetery she spent her weekends rehabilitating.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-family: "Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px; text-align: start;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-family: "Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-family: "Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: start;">Tinsley McArthur was supposed to be queen. Not only is she beautiful, wealthy, and white, it’s her legacy—her grandmother, her mother, and even her sister wore the crown before her. Everyone in Lovett knows Tinsley would do anything to carry on the McArthur tradition.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-family: "Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px; text-align: start;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-family: "Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-family: "Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: start;">No one is more certain of that than Duchess Simmons, Nova’s best friend. Duchess’s father is the first Black police captain in Lovett. For Duchess, Nova’s crown was more than just a win for Nova. It was a win for all the Black kids. Now her best friend is dead, and her father won’t face the fact that the main suspect is right in front of him. Duchess is convinced that Tinsley killed Nova—and that Tinsley is privileged enough to think she can get away with it. But Duchess’s father seems to be doing what he always does: fall behind the blue line. Which means that the white girl is going to walk.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-family: "Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px; text-align: start;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-family: "Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-family: "Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: start;">Duchess is determined to prove Tinsley’s guilt. And to do that, she’ll have to get close to her.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-family: "Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px; text-align: start;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-family: "Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-family: "Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: start;">But Tinsley has an agenda, too.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-family: "Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px; text-align: start;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-family: "Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-family: "Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: start;">Everyone loved Nova. And sometimes, love is exactly what gets you killed.</span></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Emill's debut YA novel catches the reader's attention and leaves them wanting to know what he has coming out next (answer: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Wander-Dark-Jumata-Emill/dp/0593651855/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=" target="_blank">Wander in the Dark, out last month).</a> The story line pulls you in and keeps your attention throughout. Going beyond the murder mystery thriller genre, it covers everything from racial bias and white savior syndrome to child sexual abuse to wealth/power disparity to teen pregnancy. Sound like a lot? It can be, at times. There is a lot going on, but then, there IS a lot going on in many teens' lives. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The many twists and turns keep the reader guessing, but leave little time to really flesh out many of the characters. Told in Duchess and Tinsley's alternating viewpoints, at the beginning I had to check the chapter headings to make sure I knew who was talking. Creating distinct narrative voices is difficult for any author, and writing from the POV of a different gender (all characters appear to be cisgender) can make it more difficult. By the end of the book, I had a strong sense of who Duchess is, but Tinsley still felt a bit one-dimensional, as did most of the secondary characters. I actually felt like I knew Nova better than anyone. I haven't found anything stating it definitively, but it looks like Emill's next book is also told in two viewpoints - half brothers - so I am looking forward to seeing how he hones this skill. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Current slang (no cap, booed up, lit) along with the secondary topics make it extremely relevant...right now. Three years from now, I can see teens picking it up and asking, "Who says 'no cap' any more"?? The story line and subthemes will continue to make it a great read, but the author might want to reconsider vocabulary that will make it feel outdated down the line.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My nitpicking aside, I found it a very enjoyable read, and immediately recommended it to coworkers. I will be ordering <u>Wander in the Dark</u> for the library, and <u>The Black Queen</u> will most likely make it into a few displays. I predict this will be an author to keep an eye on!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /></div><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div>Amihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04191114596338482173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-692403747802454923.post-49384119396579218302024-02-27T12:22:00.003-07:002024-02-27T12:30:16.409-07:00Toddler STEAM: Red, White and Pink<p></p><div style="text-align: center;">Valentine's Day is over, but the color scheme works so well for a lot of things - and I have been too lazy to take the decorations out to the shed. So, red, white and ink STEAM it is! Fortunately, just about any STEAM project can be made to fit a color scheme! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Our messiest centers are always next to the sink. We now have these handy-dandy tablecloths to make clean-up easier, too! I put them on our Amazon wish list a while back, and two patrons have each purchased one so far. This one just arrived yesterday, in perfect timing! You can find there<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B094ZQYTSH/?coliid=I1Q8R3WQM6CHCV&colid=91OEKQ9SWJ2C&psc=1&ref_=list_c_wl_lv_ov_lig_dp_it" target="_blank"> at this link</a> (I am not an affiliate and do not get anything if you buy one!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Fizzing Hearts</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoyFcqEJi9JV8E-vZNbId3etrrbM8Ev1ZwRpzUQ4PzOFKRsAY7UYxU-Laz5bb5Zoju2TjR9i9VQXXUrH5uMtgKyZT5gg99FkLUcqTEC-AtgT7ESJTZbsJ8Ant7cJ_J31ZMKOTzItmh0UDsWa4K00h60YzEt3P9vj43A_SNsjDVynL-G56eL0zlLcfkj8Bx/s4608/100_0145.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoyFcqEJi9JV8E-vZNbId3etrrbM8Ev1ZwRpzUQ4PzOFKRsAY7UYxU-Laz5bb5Zoju2TjR9i9VQXXUrH5uMtgKyZT5gg99FkLUcqTEC-AtgT7ESJTZbsJ8Ant7cJ_J31ZMKOTzItmh0UDsWa4K00h60YzEt3P9vj43A_SNsjDVynL-G56eL0zlLcfkj8Bx/s320/100_0145.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Good old baking soda and vinegar takes an artistic turn when you add liquid watercolors. I prefer liquid watercolors to food coloring, because it is less likely to stain, but I use both. Not pictured: old adult-sized t-shirts to slip on over kids' clothes first.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFbPJMaWPorRHZ9MvM56mW_mtJ3Xx1Qse1ASzQKYrPpmAVj7sbghx1aj5ohFx7rJIk6qlQJklpnxJ4MZ53wWf8xcOIwh39zv8QXNO7XoT2ujwvSnCZ6wVsL0QcHTwl840NdASZpiNv8zMjpOVbKI0b7OoUgKi_OnfZNrY0R5CaenckUcsz21-fAFdJGfWJ/s4608/100_0146.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFbPJMaWPorRHZ9MvM56mW_mtJ3Xx1Qse1ASzQKYrPpmAVj7sbghx1aj5ohFx7rJIk6qlQJklpnxJ4MZ53wWf8xcOIwh39zv8QXNO7XoT2ujwvSnCZ6wVsL0QcHTwl840NdASZpiNv8zMjpOVbKI0b7OoUgKi_OnfZNrY0R5CaenckUcsz21-fAFdJGfWJ/s320/100_0146.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Of course, while this young lady was very precise, many kids just poured on the liquid. No big deal to dump the trays, but that created a traffic jam at the sink. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJJlXVkj2Wh4bVcvGFuj09Z7a88V2HyEdbzyrtY-2hrvTp4e1_D0emOui3rxG5i2IChKmmq7Rw3g-uYx-jIs_X6UCkBHviAbO8G2BNqrw_y6fLkJ0eLbM2L1_RvtEriuIrkWR7R-9xc1t0qLIpNq80OmB4N7DdkhivN8YNpcEQQZBzKe2LahQTytydQHu6/s4608/100_0147.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJJlXVkj2Wh4bVcvGFuj09Z7a88V2HyEdbzyrtY-2hrvTp4e1_D0emOui3rxG5i2IChKmmq7Rw3g-uYx-jIs_X6UCkBHviAbO8G2BNqrw_y6fLkJ0eLbM2L1_RvtEriuIrkWR7R-9xc1t0qLIpNq80OmB4N7DdkhivN8YNpcEQQZBzKe2LahQTytydQHu6/s320/100_0147.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Next time I will put out a dump bucket and rags to dry with in the other direction.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Sweetheart Slime</b></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Slime is always a hit! I add red food coloring to the water from the start, for less mess (if there is such a thing as less mess when it comes to making slime).</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC_uf_e1WxPuwaipkOwZvjutbtl3OnhizJzEkRr-2uwqXwmIiFGTEAapvCgV7LDypMQntsrhiBEb5yeE7nAwnC61C7QVUgaVOFQf-usEGvikOEZvbsxnzUUkJcH9jmwO9yLxMD35-9nKXF0tBFo9U-LFPHnM7ZRiL0iieP544LgPe_gJCleLu8DOdFs6Fl/s4608/100_0143.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC_uf_e1WxPuwaipkOwZvjutbtl3OnhizJzEkRr-2uwqXwmIiFGTEAapvCgV7LDypMQntsrhiBEb5yeE7nAwnC61C7QVUgaVOFQf-usEGvikOEZvbsxnzUUkJcH9jmwO9yLxMD35-9nKXF0tBFo9U-LFPHnM7ZRiL0iieP544LgPe_gJCleLu8DOdFs6Fl/s320/100_0143.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP5oTzEZX8-Vewzac4ftsHax4bWj_DF2BBz0VaC4VkgYotwWLs4CDd5UTjgkFmP3fweRTzzRxo7Wv4V2_ihOz0GqrWwNhVDSFz3Mam6KdxsCp27oQ9MWMCnfGx8D9d80Wx1CkclxzzV2PnDmdbvtoqB89j_0Xeyy8Ox23VBMiG-zYRT9XTTw1IF4aSMyEw/s4608/100_0142.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP5oTzEZX8-Vewzac4ftsHax4bWj_DF2BBz0VaC4VkgYotwWLs4CDd5UTjgkFmP3fweRTzzRxo7Wv4V2_ihOz0GqrWwNhVDSFz3Mam6KdxsCp27oQ9MWMCnfGx8D9d80Wx1CkclxzzV2PnDmdbvtoqB89j_0Xeyy8Ox23VBMiG-zYRT9XTTw1IF4aSMyEw/s320/100_0142.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The table didn't stay that clean for long! Neither did the chairs. Or the floor...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO3H2bwm3aqtuwl9U3IDhV0T0p_nsz4DyS-t0bswNEp8cA1cxA4sgEwF1vCz0x57P_sT-P4RB5AjmEDI8oUC7e5hYQsunrfGjWFCay27xVVRwwuErYvjoAz-LNJw5w9ZIviyT3ojRxySV4LjN2HmNSMFnIjl1hh2U4L3n3cLuuIeHKFOrto-v098N2GhBa/s4608/100_0148.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO3H2bwm3aqtuwl9U3IDhV0T0p_nsz4DyS-t0bswNEp8cA1cxA4sgEwF1vCz0x57P_sT-P4RB5AjmEDI8oUC7e5hYQsunrfGjWFCay27xVVRwwuErYvjoAz-LNJw5w9ZIviyT3ojRxySV4LjN2HmNSMFnIjl1hh2U4L3n3cLuuIeHKFOrto-v098N2GhBa/s320/100_0148.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I usually mix up some Borax and water in a cup for the stubborn ones that just won't gel, and keep it out of kids' reach. A little drop of that, and everything starts setting up nicely!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>We Love Bubbles</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Every time we use bubbles I see this guy from Finding Nemo:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiTgwTmu3nKDeKeHE_GLgSl6pMfVLlm-bRlJe5I-KpdWqD_Jq-ZUndf0QZHKm-lBAE3-BmDO7cFgj-IXwS-aqP5Z9k58Ka9W-Mt62cw7N_JzRrHYTG2AWTgOqgrG05_QF4-sDd1tOuh8xScZWJuzVhuIfNT-ZhsSA7aE8saCzwlFG3MvuPV7yqbdvhS8I5r" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="244" data-original-width="207" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiTgwTmu3nKDeKeHE_GLgSl6pMfVLlm-bRlJe5I-KpdWqD_Jq-ZUndf0QZHKm-lBAE3-BmDO7cFgj-IXwS-aqP5Z9k58Ka9W-Mt62cw7N_JzRrHYTG2AWTgOqgrG05_QF4-sDd1tOuh8xScZWJuzVhuIfNT-ZhsSA7aE8saCzwlFG3MvuPV7yqbdvhS8I5r" width="204" /></a></div><br />Even before Covid, I made sure everyone had their own straw, because: ew. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbzdXTAgUvQMFCllabbT2QDvIYE4HpS2HqfAT_hBbcl4XZUGhSRqYQznlR3uayEkEBesHycCkUsK77Sq2IsmsYl2M6720VD7XtlBweFs2Ps4aALE8fURR1dxB8yLpAFVreu2LhHEWhukqFQjP5_FT8DGb_I8BjGfT1LKTrnj_-RC4QJoJhISOEUbPlKw2b/s4608/100_0141.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbzdXTAgUvQMFCllabbT2QDvIYE4HpS2HqfAT_hBbcl4XZUGhSRqYQznlR3uayEkEBesHycCkUsK77Sq2IsmsYl2M6720VD7XtlBweFs2Ps4aALE8fURR1dxB8yLpAFVreu2LhHEWhukqFQjP5_FT8DGb_I8BjGfT1LKTrnj_-RC4QJoJhISOEUbPlKw2b/s320/100_0141.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">You might station a trash can nearby just to make sure they don't get picked up and reused.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQaqWqiDAWRHTyh1vs8JKjmOqG70fj47Ji_ibiFrnv75VD_UB7NNN5gNEZFd6NIa4ozndXIZIbgmLYscef1ZzWGteOQFwWibIR-32MeiObY5tISiMc63c3XMRBq5q2-8Qd4SgcLRvv_AIEZqb4Da9S_mwS5yaCa3lAM8O9myPRUq_DLa_9cDYTgxK0llqY/s4608/100_0150.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQaqWqiDAWRHTyh1vs8JKjmOqG70fj47Ji_ibiFrnv75VD_UB7NNN5gNEZFd6NIa4ozndXIZIbgmLYscef1ZzWGteOQFwWibIR-32MeiObY5tISiMc63c3XMRBq5q2-8Qd4SgcLRvv_AIEZqb4Da9S_mwS5yaCa3lAM8O9myPRUq_DLa_9cDYTgxK0llqY/s320/100_0150.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">MY BUBBLES!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Rolling Along</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieV1voMwajG3VgJ8IL15rg2taabJXVvt0k7i4C_hH1pgWlvJhGd_gF4sMO6m6uPgIAA-dDGYWG8CK45uNappGBPhPbzWYkN7l98Kn-k8MUwW5WsCfLkiN-wNQh6rWHRJaQHbHAIFt37ALimVQbjhFkP1p32v7fKSN6Tv_N6Bf72Yq0eLnzCctDX0mCOVa2/s4608/100_0139.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieV1voMwajG3VgJ8IL15rg2taabJXVvt0k7i4C_hH1pgWlvJhGd_gF4sMO6m6uPgIAA-dDGYWG8CK45uNappGBPhPbzWYkN7l98Kn-k8MUwW5WsCfLkiN-wNQh6rWHRJaQHbHAIFt37ALimVQbjhFkP1p32v7fKSN6Tv_N6Bf72Yq0eLnzCctDX0mCOVa2/s320/100_0139.JPG" width="240" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">You did remember to save all those tubes from your wrapping paper, right?</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyF2kle5isAEETvnxz50LNyq7XNWokCg1Z5GUHPAFFWrASU8-gaLYFhekEbI49dg0xfohJvyYt9zSDdmRgNXm0U5soLi5Wmw0ETuC12ckMZrXPSN9s3cGM6vH-N9xsA_barZR8V5HZaSPemsjpzK12YQELdFfQSoGrp_xw-Q3dRyE_XJ7kuJYa2hz7zHwk/s4608/100_0140.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyF2kle5isAEETvnxz50LNyq7XNWokCg1Z5GUHPAFFWrASU8-gaLYFhekEbI49dg0xfohJvyYt9zSDdmRgNXm0U5soLi5Wmw0ETuC12ckMZrXPSN9s3cGM6vH-N9xsA_barZR8V5HZaSPemsjpzK12YQELdFfQSoGrp_xw-Q3dRyE_XJ7kuJYa2hz7zHwk/s320/100_0140.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Of course any sort of ball works, but I had these pearls for some as-yet-undetermined-purpose and thought they were just special enough to go with Valentine's Day.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>I Ran Out of Cute Names Balance Center</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Anything with candy is going to be a hit! For this one you just need two kind that have different weights. Of course, you'll want to watch what goes into mouths - anything with tiny pieces I make sure to put on tables, so it isn't automatically in baby reach.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Rs2R0Q7opCQl1wklTSkiuBDbtV9laE02DAl2hEJfgncuCR0yRmd1oBg2Q5GD7zzbwrWUd02M6NT3l7QOwu9ldAbmgu13t_pxEjZwZjwJ-RpEx-OP0utcMN6HvB5s0cwp2wjS1NHqHzMjO73MQdfLmQD0_GNDSwVi4L71oKMO9Em24P9gJDy2aqiZnfHB/s4608/100_0138.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Rs2R0Q7opCQl1wklTSkiuBDbtV9laE02DAl2hEJfgncuCR0yRmd1oBg2Q5GD7zzbwrWUd02M6NT3l7QOwu9ldAbmgu13t_pxEjZwZjwJ-RpEx-OP0utcMN6HvB5s0cwp2wjS1NHqHzMjO73MQdfLmQD0_GNDSwVi4L71oKMO9Em24P9gJDy2aqiZnfHB/s320/100_0138.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Does having the same number (ooh, counting practice!) on each side balance it out? Why do you think that is? How many red hots do you need to balance out one hard candy? (ratios and fractions at 3 years old!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Tower Time</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Simplest center ever. We use these tiny cups throughout the year to hold small craft items like sequins or googly eyes. Great investment.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_gRHj_UpaEC7vS9vrdw3TOcLLdM1ub2lEzpFy6yTWSTwsWdgz0dRrPg-Wb5jJvnvev1Q1chyuLZq-VTJAbMbRJ7BpA3JClJrLYewRqtDP5l2vpvR5V-f2nInBKGFx27lDugCFR0TE3HO0haStvHb4jfKkuiol0_axouNeYC0r_NzxbhujC8cDlyO5XPdF/s4608/100_0137.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_gRHj_UpaEC7vS9vrdw3TOcLLdM1ub2lEzpFy6yTWSTwsWdgz0dRrPg-Wb5jJvnvev1Q1chyuLZq-VTJAbMbRJ7BpA3JClJrLYewRqtDP5l2vpvR5V-f2nInBKGFx27lDugCFR0TE3HO0haStvHb4jfKkuiol0_axouNeYC0r_NzxbhujC8cDlyO5XPdF/s320/100_0137.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlFVr3VzQR73cgM5hnaRTn1RpzWJxAJljiZ8blY6T-GZDkelSxgbcXAEgeclIHX6QFWzexrELqH1kEoOcIYfUtn7jmDpfuWMqdyHE3CXq8sGJZ0oAchyphenhypheniWzfCTvpvpW9IA-M-1ZoCZGsFfDM-8GQNiFM1Q6qEQBrj_n6jphZ-lm0oDzsgUz-OFwNjwQya9/s4608/100_0154.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlFVr3VzQR73cgM5hnaRTn1RpzWJxAJljiZ8blY6T-GZDkelSxgbcXAEgeclIHX6QFWzexrELqH1kEoOcIYfUtn7jmDpfuWMqdyHE3CXq8sGJZ0oAchyphenhypheniWzfCTvpvpW9IA-M-1ZoCZGsFfDM-8GQNiFM1Q6qEQBrj_n6jphZ-lm0oDzsgUz-OFwNjwQya9/s320/100_0154.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>I Suppose I Could at Least Have Called it Pretty Patterns or Something</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Pony beads are always a hit (parents seem to like to play here, too!) They do go everywhere, which means keeping an eye out and scooping them up before the crawlers do.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggrwytwmH_kEtlVZbTr7wMxCnNJ9KAuTf4UPZlnAD0yYdczG0wGflNkSwu5UY-F-0uNcXQTKysKebZ-hqPJLleyJ7UoDuvaGU0juoGSuFWIaB9r4i1LeAcEDyI-KrrVUxYLd_vr1omdI_Orvnvb08syR7ziEq7dY-Woxy3UoweY20FGBsqL6gMzItS8peb/s4608/100_0136.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggrwytwmH_kEtlVZbTr7wMxCnNJ9KAuTf4UPZlnAD0yYdczG0wGflNkSwu5UY-F-0uNcXQTKysKebZ-hqPJLleyJ7UoDuvaGU0juoGSuFWIaB9r4i1LeAcEDyI-KrrVUxYLd_vr1omdI_Orvnvb08syR7ziEq7dY-Woxy3UoweY20FGBsqL6gMzItS8peb/s320/100_0136.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Many kids just liked stacking them on the skewers, which was fine - still getting that fine motor practice in!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEDqN7xFkKMRjoGKPz2AXprPyzOzKdnksmUZ-Qw7o6zDLjW-jE2c9TugRObd61SS3TcruglbTVzkEZS0NdDqVmwzLEXndIvtgSvqmQ3SjQS1KvvQVfxhTOU0EuVtm3y7VSOc6F4gq4XuYPZGiTl-JrL34cVrBcBk40gSsKc6ORqHDpTxE2HDjibmjWb9-Y/s4608/100_0156.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEDqN7xFkKMRjoGKPz2AXprPyzOzKdnksmUZ-Qw7o6zDLjW-jE2c9TugRObd61SS3TcruglbTVzkEZS0NdDqVmwzLEXndIvtgSvqmQ3SjQS1KvvQVfxhTOU0EuVtm3y7VSOc6F4gq4XuYPZGiTl-JrL34cVrBcBk40gSsKc6ORqHDpTxE2HDjibmjWb9-Y/s320/100_0156.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Sweetheart Sort</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Again, very simple center, just grab everything red, white or pink you see in your craft stash. Sorting and classifying are huge in both math and science, and there are so many ways to build vocabulary here!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXCLOH7zFB3Nl4K2gIVxA-bOfxBF8Vp_eVlUZHyHb3t-yk3Z2zRpYhbwYf8OIN-GNzEaYbbRassb38KsGwjUMoyQvidyBKyN1eIK5KnmMEffzsOQ0ksu9qCsJqcfqz_Y7a4pQLtYFGHxoJPchUMJ0mDCqKfqtkD-lQxws5xJHji7033ZByIJ7P0vOzxYOC/s4608/100_0135.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXCLOH7zFB3Nl4K2gIVxA-bOfxBF8Vp_eVlUZHyHb3t-yk3Z2zRpYhbwYf8OIN-GNzEaYbbRassb38KsGwjUMoyQvidyBKyN1eIK5KnmMEffzsOQ0ksu9qCsJqcfqz_Y7a4pQLtYFGHxoJPchUMJ0mDCqKfqtkD-lQxws5xJHji7033ZByIJ7P0vOzxYOC/s320/100_0135.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We had a lot of fun, and those tablecloths really helped with clean-up! What are your favorite crafts or activities to do with Valentine's Day?</div><br /><p></p>Amihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04191114596338482173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-692403747802454923.post-28300347539861711822023-10-21T20:44:00.008-06:002023-10-21T20:44:59.631-06:00Mad Scientist Training<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Been a little while, hasn't it? I have just been posting things to various Facebook pages, but this would have been a rather large post, and I want to be able to share it with people, so...here's your photo dump! Does this mean I will start blogging regularly again? Who knows? It's not as if I have anything else taking up my time :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Several years before Covid, we shifted our Halloween program to a Mad Scientist Training. That allows families who aren't comfortable with Halloween to participate, and gives us an excuse to explore some messy STEAM projects...all over the library!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We had 18 stations throughout the library. Each center was designed around a Halloween-type picture book. When kids completed 13 or more (or not, I wasn't checking), they got a bag of goodies from me and a certificate declaring them an official Mad Scientist. Based on number of bags given out, I would say we had about 200 kids and grown-ups.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">In no particular order:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9veWwE1kXCzyDO7mXV4CAY9rVbKQ7OrYffgjnspHs5S7vN-kTjV31S7lPvGzCzhCAT9Vey7mWCcUSDq1sAYDvI7HOH5jGWMKzSsWO_biaZgVU1JWkzgou-j1G1yNYd1A8iGF3d8SSgjCHESnjOnNWqNcfFmYWdH6XozGreabu6tAhEopJI95_YzOa7-Zo/s4608/101_1130.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9veWwE1kXCzyDO7mXV4CAY9rVbKQ7OrYffgjnspHs5S7vN-kTjV31S7lPvGzCzhCAT9Vey7mWCcUSDq1sAYDvI7HOH5jGWMKzSsWO_biaZgVU1JWkzgou-j1G1yNYd1A8iGF3d8SSgjCHESnjOnNWqNcfFmYWdH6XozGreabu6tAhEopJI95_YzOa7-Zo/s320/101_1130.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><u>Skeleton Hiccups</u> by Margery Cuyler. Kids used his bones (Q-tips) to make pictures. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4tMjvzRIXYuOYeq9x8nqpEWt__PLEL7iemmMpUaq3HFjc-8J61-_tBhfnXpPo8mqwGMEPHxl6lzrnT9GKbFT-QSUqCS15-tS9bftDY5vaCsbaHmNrbvdoFOeke2RupJh7HyeiU21YNlWNvmLR-ROUi7D06KA92pY7yegkAdHVI-zATeLpYpAo0ZrxGIiv/s4608/101_1162.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4tMjvzRIXYuOYeq9x8nqpEWt__PLEL7iemmMpUaq3HFjc-8J61-_tBhfnXpPo8mqwGMEPHxl6lzrnT9GKbFT-QSUqCS15-tS9bftDY5vaCsbaHmNrbvdoFOeke2RupJh7HyeiU21YNlWNvmLR-ROUi7D06KA92pY7yegkAdHVI-zATeLpYpAo0ZrxGIiv/s320/101_1162.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Next to it we had a "Bonus Center"...because I forgot to include it in the checklist, and I wasn't reprinting them all.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuRyoXyjyMc6G9W1XDfjlrgldrpyOFEGArUGvRQiobXTXkCTB66dPsozSTFCBY-Abksqcw9lJNv-ZbtfA3UeVg9Q40_gLmtFsDWnl2vSBzLig41WFC35p_sXKQLBujdFnggvBcgoQS5AowwZODvxwsHTw09nZfI91_C2kvQQ-0igXdrO2xjDf0rMhOXcQd/s4608/101_1131.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuRyoXyjyMc6G9W1XDfjlrgldrpyOFEGArUGvRQiobXTXkCTB66dPsozSTFCBY-Abksqcw9lJNv-ZbtfA3UeVg9Q40_gLmtFsDWnl2vSBzLig41WFC35p_sXKQLBujdFnggvBcgoQS5AowwZODvxwsHTw09nZfI91_C2kvQQ-0igXdrO2xjDf0rMhOXcQd/s320/101_1131.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Last year Kevan Atteberry posted a different monster drawing every day in October, and they were so abso-freaking adorable I had to print them all out. He is doing the same this year! They make fabulous story starters:</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip0XXBunQMllRF2liixFuuFQhzd2qnYz8anrluOCj5qMb4ZgNkj4LohmZaZmycDigL62V_q36ca5YhMoPGdFguRdhGdEnU1CA9soFIkILvdQYnRHas_8Geu6jKclU4Iye8uafNRU79S59mtkXT16nP5ostMGXCUmHutiubLpSW3YjtI40d2NOzszUKQ6LO/s4608/101_1132.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip0XXBunQMllRF2liixFuuFQhzd2qnYz8anrluOCj5qMb4ZgNkj4LohmZaZmycDigL62V_q36ca5YhMoPGdFguRdhGdEnU1CA9soFIkILvdQYnRHas_8Geu6jKclU4Iye8uafNRU79S59mtkXT16nP5ostMGXCUmHutiubLpSW3YjtI40d2NOzszUKQ6LO/s320/101_1132.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We live in a heavily Hispanic area, and I am always careful to make sure people understand Dia de los Muertos is NOT "Mexican Halloween". BUT, we do want to commemorate it, so we have an ofrenda featuring authors and illustrators who passed away this year, and these awesome sugar skull pictures/masks. (<u>Daniela's Day of the Dead</u> by Lisa Bullard)</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjwvyrAmQf-7JuZqqUmS1cPj688oQeKEJWAHogi0T-kTQXKGIGsV4pxFcu_8LyTailrbHIT2B8Mz4VWeyRquMa1Z28F2wEJkVR9QzjFRmvVJc9vmaq2uQQzxF9hYI78Hodi2x6_sulsqC8nPfQ47ZmMqlnrItYTXTCuirlhc4Xws4k92HB5Fua_DSqvF3_/s4608/101_1133.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjwvyrAmQf-7JuZqqUmS1cPj688oQeKEJWAHogi0T-kTQXKGIGsV4pxFcu_8LyTailrbHIT2B8Mz4VWeyRquMa1Z28F2wEJkVR9QzjFRmvVJc9vmaq2uQQzxF9hYI78Hodi2x6_sulsqC8nPfQ47ZmMqlnrItYTXTCuirlhc4Xws4k92HB5Fua_DSqvF3_/s320/101_1133.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0anvxkHdq7KEM7B0LvA9p-tDB2Lfyl-R7FervuXPub4_IIJAUVks7uNfAd9DDL1CqzXm1bgDNCwZqxmIVfu3KxK-XsDQJK4NRl7aCZvHLRt2Cc4RL59rXXH_A7gisImNxPqEIcTUY-QdKzK2PQqAZvSl7Uyy2mPUJl-Gt47bnCvial1HfQmxQjrLiGCzL/s4608/101_1182.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0anvxkHdq7KEM7B0LvA9p-tDB2Lfyl-R7FervuXPub4_IIJAUVks7uNfAd9DDL1CqzXm1bgDNCwZqxmIVfu3KxK-XsDQJK4NRl7aCZvHLRt2Cc4RL59rXXH_A7gisImNxPqEIcTUY-QdKzK2PQqAZvSl7Uyy2mPUJl-Gt47bnCvial1HfQmxQjrLiGCzL/s320/101_1182.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><u>Pumpkin Trouble</u> by Jan Thomas is a fun read-aloud, and lends itself to some coloring - don't let the same colors touch!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxSGIAbzxDLw8qcLmU13KMKYxiLVGPlgARW9XWPvi_fsCyhLPAX8fNqropSS9q6hTumKywGdNHaPxcCvUns4OcK6trUexOQznO2DIVfGPBCTi8zHf2ToLYmOx3yED99GA_KIzjaL4-wEc9n22PY5hBPa3WCWPOTbGt2_4lOpvGEZCTpbMfOlIJ6EtlTsBi/s4608/101_1134.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxSGIAbzxDLw8qcLmU13KMKYxiLVGPlgARW9XWPvi_fsCyhLPAX8fNqropSS9q6hTumKywGdNHaPxcCvUns4OcK6trUexOQznO2DIVfGPBCTi8zHf2ToLYmOx3yED99GA_KIzjaL4-wEc9n22PY5hBPa3WCWPOTbGt2_4lOpvGEZCTpbMfOlIJ6EtlTsBi/s320/101_1134.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><u>A Very Witchy Spelling Bee</u> by George Shannon. How many words can you make out of the letters in Happy Halloween? This and the previous two centers were in our reference area - they were the quietest and least messy!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXWAyDluFB2VSRaKs8NA3h5bIwtI9igm97vHq7WqoVR2SpI0qpdC0PGI0cvrxMmU7jhST2mQ27aK8h3Z-UVgbZwXvGBGV6y8EoGq_O5FHdW1jpSFwGpbt2vRlU02nL0Q-2U_fkvntS6EBN0Rf3iassrhtZDi-VKt1giZCVLzf2t4rj17VzW0aMisesCwiq/s4608/101_1135.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXWAyDluFB2VSRaKs8NA3h5bIwtI9igm97vHq7WqoVR2SpI0qpdC0PGI0cvrxMmU7jhST2mQ27aK8h3Z-UVgbZwXvGBGV6y8EoGq_O5FHdW1jpSFwGpbt2vRlU02nL0Q-2U_fkvntS6EBN0Rf3iassrhtZDi-VKt1giZCVLzf2t4rj17VzW0aMisesCwiq/s320/101_1135.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">These ghosties had either red, blue or green dots on the bottom of the sticks. Kids had to guess which theirs would have before picking it, and they got a prize if they were right. Either way they got the sucker! </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2i4RLN6vdrn7btOwX5_4X_TACsdQ7f1PY7PbBpO08YQQCcLRtpIbJcCxCYIzZMWqm814Bqj83eQHumaQXq3qxYCBLWSLlpRIIo_gd-KWB0G_cfK-DW85zA1p6S1ugy2R98e3jRn_5ZvCrypnpM_hOYO4gIcjD6e3hvx7-0Jvmu2003Zi8nqP8QDH_9Pbl/s4608/101_1137.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2i4RLN6vdrn7btOwX5_4X_TACsdQ7f1PY7PbBpO08YQQCcLRtpIbJcCxCYIzZMWqm814Bqj83eQHumaQXq3qxYCBLWSLlpRIIo_gd-KWB0G_cfK-DW85zA1p6S1ugy2R98e3jRn_5ZvCrypnpM_hOYO4gIcjD6e3hvx7-0Jvmu2003Zi8nqP8QDH_9Pbl/s320/101_1137.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><u>The Little Old Lady Who Wasn't Afraid of Anything </u>by Linda Williams is another favorite for story time. What are you afraid of? Participants wrote their answers on post-its and added them to the posterboard.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHEuuNf8kkwVd9uXOiKY2FlrDYDM33DztneL6xyjdHl1p0J6c56CIP9Yz8IQNSEVzZFYRWTA_iVmWCYDxOJ6Xlwnmj4oanZQtG1bfeLAmstDBvNe3WaWcfuX8MIqflAqfLDG3QjhmxK3DvGAkxJ0DL-wIpIe_wxbYiH5vbMwaR36YTOl-FPDJVEsunhjgN/s4608/101_1138.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHEuuNf8kkwVd9uXOiKY2FlrDYDM33DztneL6xyjdHl1p0J6c56CIP9Yz8IQNSEVzZFYRWTA_iVmWCYDxOJ6Xlwnmj4oanZQtG1bfeLAmstDBvNe3WaWcfuX8MIqflAqfLDG3QjhmxK3DvGAkxJ0DL-wIpIe_wxbYiH5vbMwaR36YTOl-FPDJVEsunhjgN/s320/101_1138.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I went first:</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2pjhKWwBjeTERiMq5SuNTC3ax2_D1aRNVnSGlzvvQPAM3E3yqHGI2q33JfwC0xoOZ6YYcwqZbow1yUO7bboAwQhIoE7PtkuUvCk90EbsDbmNXgyAZTNIjXOd6wT_R_5sPdDGb9-hCPA6FKmSEMZAhGQG4cVN3l_0vPRV4Dvp4i_qh58ZS4BFwfHTO3Tg2/s4608/101_1139.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2pjhKWwBjeTERiMq5SuNTC3ax2_D1aRNVnSGlzvvQPAM3E3yqHGI2q33JfwC0xoOZ6YYcwqZbow1yUO7bboAwQhIoE7PtkuUvCk90EbsDbmNXgyAZTNIjXOd6wT_R_5sPdDGb9-hCPA6FKmSEMZAhGQG4cVN3l_0vPRV4Dvp4i_qh58ZS4BFwfHTO3Tg2/s320/101_1139.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">but others had plenty to say:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihfPrG0SPJzFvRjTziPrBY_GCItldEkJwJh1IUBaZ7KWXhrE_memlS9nMm6s4QfsqBvE2tzlx-2hE3SOniED2em6QJ7FBBnaaxHrqhB5Cg5ynfB-Nr4V3pgh-d1SEg763b8vyXgE2POyrJAomfSeQfBQZsVvPaCgAb9hJIDZf4uySzYeB2vpuVW75meKd-/s4608/101_1194.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihfPrG0SPJzFvRjTziPrBY_GCItldEkJwJh1IUBaZ7KWXhrE_memlS9nMm6s4QfsqBvE2tzlx-2hE3SOniED2em6QJ7FBBnaaxHrqhB5Cg5ynfB-Nr4V3pgh-d1SEg763b8vyXgE2POyrJAomfSeQfBQZsVvPaCgAb9hJIDZf4uySzYeB2vpuVW75meKd-/s320/101_1194.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLQlfbXN5SOTdsPl6jqKtiyjwvNFeFdWtB2D8OocMCkLLxW6ka8FmA3qvc-DdVkxK0PI7x8c1jv3FED9JyN6eftxaYzMnN56QiubeAWoJ5ybZ20JBUGKuiJHtYWpgHcbFqQwH52gPrGqIPuGzZvsdM2oFXeh_13HFr1YvBN6vyPLRl1yUBbyoAhHo3prGA/s4608/101_1195.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLQlfbXN5SOTdsPl6jqKtiyjwvNFeFdWtB2D8OocMCkLLxW6ka8FmA3qvc-DdVkxK0PI7x8c1jv3FED9JyN6eftxaYzMnN56QiubeAWoJ5ybZ20JBUGKuiJHtYWpgHcbFqQwH52gPrGqIPuGzZvsdM2oFXeh_13HFr1YvBN6vyPLRl1yUBbyoAhHo3prGA/s320/101_1195.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsYa4ErIrJZCJtNTKVRTBdW2y2aF83MGfH7dY00qB7q-j8OBHZxqXUMSAuXvJZI06U7RMJwUHuCGNTkEo95g45HntGXYJfurkQJSs3fFa-17L1_iPjoipIbeuTVjKDQW0BF-Do9ubfhhSmD4s_v74wB7GXd4sztNtCPUj8CTGHWZGtckLxpRozuuUdQPYZ/s4608/101_1196.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsYa4ErIrJZCJtNTKVRTBdW2y2aF83MGfH7dY00qB7q-j8OBHZxqXUMSAuXvJZI06U7RMJwUHuCGNTkEo95g45HntGXYJfurkQJSs3fFa-17L1_iPjoipIbeuTVjKDQW0BF-Do9ubfhhSmD4s_v74wB7GXd4sztNtCPUj8CTGHWZGtckLxpRozuuUdQPYZ/s320/101_1196.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizGmx6QeSeV9aMSmHYyfuunO3u8HN8P8msniZT8HQtnFwhN986bL6I65lNJZryLfuEHOalgMqgo8zGUnH0diZCmST5QRiD_rP8VOBD4RVj7yoeNEg22_yskM0HLwbDFFycQT5DaXLuIfWBy26J_ppDhkAhB1f5T9phU509JvWirBDyKbDcAokpysPRhP7K/s4608/101_1197.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizGmx6QeSeV9aMSmHYyfuunO3u8HN8P8msniZT8HQtnFwhN986bL6I65lNJZryLfuEHOalgMqgo8zGUnH0diZCmST5QRiD_rP8VOBD4RVj7yoeNEg22_yskM0HLwbDFFycQT5DaXLuIfWBy26J_ppDhkAhB1f5T9phU509JvWirBDyKbDcAokpysPRhP7K/s320/101_1197.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><u>Otter Loves Halloween</u> by Sam Garton. Catapults! Those candy corns went EVERYWHERE. A couple kids got them into the buckets, but I mostly nailed parents every time I tried to demonstrate.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL6aS3rYWxtCtGJUNJV2Ex6m9LpyNZrnPdNc00yF_NGrnhW-bydXWUSs6Yg9r-a5H-7eb1nrWCgsuy3OFu4ewNJ0svIdk72tQPnA9HnjUC1EkLssNSnZrzy-CYLh0jbQTIqZLA7GIyLHhDiGOytlDjljkmeVDXO2Q2mSUBMpUduAmnqtDytiVitdjM-wzp/s4608/101_1143.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL6aS3rYWxtCtGJUNJV2Ex6m9LpyNZrnPdNc00yF_NGrnhW-bydXWUSs6Yg9r-a5H-7eb1nrWCgsuy3OFu4ewNJ0svIdk72tQPnA9HnjUC1EkLssNSnZrzy-CYLh0jbQTIqZLA7GIyLHhDiGOytlDjljkmeVDXO2Q2mSUBMpUduAmnqtDytiVitdjM-wzp/s320/101_1143.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk6RXhGFPVXNT_986UP1sN4O-j29iUiegbe_cg9nd_4lz2SqV5WNy1gY39ldG3QC8MJOuSimTMn-vF2dfC-lqqEPWCLPHjtQbLNgqxFALDk3T_PVS7SQ5h78hD0oZ3ZMks0mHABLx-Of_WCDoRgxzWx6HDkGSxuR2ADkDwuD50Iaoha3Wu7X90nGvh5GZl/s4608/101_1158.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk6RXhGFPVXNT_986UP1sN4O-j29iUiegbe_cg9nd_4lz2SqV5WNy1gY39ldG3QC8MJOuSimTMn-vF2dfC-lqqEPWCLPHjtQbLNgqxFALDk3T_PVS7SQ5h78hD0oZ3ZMks0mHABLx-Of_WCDoRgxzWx6HDkGSxuR2ADkDwuD50Iaoha3Wu7X90nGvh5GZl/s320/101_1158.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><u>Ghost Library</u> by David Melling. We have hundreds of tiny ghosts (styrofoam pellets) trapped under plastic! Charge them up by rubbing a balloon across the top, then use one finger to chase them around. You are so scary, even ghosts will run from you!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMS2g7_ZmhZ6DkbNWrWc7h_FDZqbiY2ek59bfbW2fs9mFTRqw41EwYMnalNfkildGfyCg6iwpJFUMGmh0qcAZO4lx-eJav2nbIj9K2FnEpJy8gXEg496ArogLelyHxSYuT0tpUkycQO5Zop06v2KJQn2QEcZbAm7lwYdRZPE6nSumyGhJsxZBM4-RbR59N/s4608/101_1144.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMS2g7_ZmhZ6DkbNWrWc7h_FDZqbiY2ek59bfbW2fs9mFTRqw41EwYMnalNfkildGfyCg6iwpJFUMGmh0qcAZO4lx-eJav2nbIj9K2FnEpJy8gXEg496ArogLelyHxSYuT0tpUkycQO5Zop06v2KJQn2QEcZbAm7lwYdRZPE6nSumyGhJsxZBM4-RbR59N/s320/101_1144.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRizeT0wVpprTHgQxz23HShm30nTcT2W1W8udEU-0wJa-MqxjrXmJ5HOxJ66f2P1W68ApImKCWZwVs8R6Y_gs6YttdJH_qAX8o_PHK-HD4lUlpDjlpI-HMbenxCAQOS0ZTd31iBapOcQn1yfrSG1TewWzNOw4s5MmqKdRTLthALFxU64OqjIJrJCcZQgh0/s4608/101_1193.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRizeT0wVpprTHgQxz23HShm30nTcT2W1W8udEU-0wJa-MqxjrXmJ5HOxJ66f2P1W68ApImKCWZwVs8R6Y_gs6YttdJH_qAX8o_PHK-HD4lUlpDjlpI-HMbenxCAQOS0ZTd31iBapOcQn1yfrSG1TewWzNOw4s5MmqKdRTLthALFxU64OqjIJrJCcZQgh0/s320/101_1193.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><u>The Teeny Tiny Ghost </u>by Kay Winters left us some secret messages (written in white crayon). Kids painted over the papers with watercolors to reveal the message.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCgGURgFbG5ThazXiydq4fR6hSle-bYydEiByekfIWkIGgGnimr7dDT1nJK2gDSFJL8BZx1j4WqnhRLFnI03eCoOBF6MgHBfMjMZIcP7RE5FwL0__wyY_Sp951anNGTUIDgRb5bwEbYRzCLOfa_TMBG33o3rgDfRTzt3jD-Ry7uGRsp1nx7Olm0fP5EHOY/s4608/101_1145.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCgGURgFbG5ThazXiydq4fR6hSle-bYydEiByekfIWkIGgGnimr7dDT1nJK2gDSFJL8BZx1j4WqnhRLFnI03eCoOBF6MgHBfMjMZIcP7RE5FwL0__wyY_Sp951anNGTUIDgRb5bwEbYRzCLOfa_TMBG33o3rgDfRTzt3jD-Ry7uGRsp1nx7Olm0fP5EHOY/s320/101_1145.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjucoYbuoJxOFdqZAWOPu_PVk1_XkNRpjVysKnM6wdzVaUv40Hs4gQklcY5VmrKsjjcFT43aHZsph_GwKkHW90wwNubX37NTBrlMbH3orEF7tOSM66Q0p1C49FM_Lz6NEbHzduIumVNROD_Iagr6h-mIVD_ypUSZOlgPFiwoniw8QWsx0XioXeo-SO7IqW2/s4608/101_1161.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjucoYbuoJxOFdqZAWOPu_PVk1_XkNRpjVysKnM6wdzVaUv40Hs4gQklcY5VmrKsjjcFT43aHZsph_GwKkHW90wwNubX37NTBrlMbH3orEF7tOSM66Q0p1C49FM_Lz6NEbHzduIumVNROD_Iagr6h-mIVD_ypUSZOlgPFiwoniw8QWsx0XioXeo-SO7IqW2/s320/101_1161.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><u>Too Many Pumpkins </u>by Linda White - another story time classic. What can you make with them? </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB22Bw-jBZxd2vINr30HeEx_IkL2FYo22XlhRbax8WBeUKo9pQsESN5lcWDEobCnQYUtfYU03FP44-x9J3najYBFtZ8aHuifSePq-62HIuDi6PDmMdwvERujI8_nZI_KNltrBzW2SAtjN9uVh9QyBoZoM97Xr0cKA3DOXwiNcqlsdEKq7bgTff8x4f5Q9Y/s4608/101_1146.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB22Bw-jBZxd2vINr30HeEx_IkL2FYo22XlhRbax8WBeUKo9pQsESN5lcWDEobCnQYUtfYU03FP44-x9J3najYBFtZ8aHuifSePq-62HIuDi6PDmMdwvERujI8_nZI_KNltrBzW2SAtjN9uVh9QyBoZoM97Xr0cKA3DOXwiNcqlsdEKq7bgTff8x4f5Q9Y/s320/101_1146.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I kept several bags aside and changed them out throughout the program, because this one got quite sticky! But fun.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAC__n0qOH0FmqPbk5qF1oeJWoI7k8ub8AQdc6QB0VpPxMSOc4tq6DDBUJR_IJDQU72U-zUIw-ygS3rAai15A2_j0YUlahZ9NmAQL9gvQtVKRzrV2ztl_2DIBN7PRQ70KBUoE2Pd1ma915aKrwhtw8fvKxOiZuTMfya2TAufN-AETFTDgsz2_4OukKsmhS/s4608/101_1155.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAC__n0qOH0FmqPbk5qF1oeJWoI7k8ub8AQdc6QB0VpPxMSOc4tq6DDBUJR_IJDQU72U-zUIw-ygS3rAai15A2_j0YUlahZ9NmAQL9gvQtVKRzrV2ztl_2DIBN7PRQ70KBUoE2Pd1ma915aKrwhtw8fvKxOiZuTMfya2TAufN-AETFTDgsz2_4OukKsmhS/s320/101_1155.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We talked a bit about different shapes and how triangles are stronger than squares.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiy79Ji3aipekSqnRu47J6xjjkERwRCGtgpylewG8WFSj2TV9ILDwxNwArnFt2YfSen4nt70csy0zNVPkczADiLEA-xhHNjmd4IDAxcYHi8hoJ91duV1LWcpmfvciFn5Zp5FjpEa7vMIm1dm-W_Ffhj4TwamYnbSrhpTQc3nIvUFA1zxr-bsWiTLYMJa6c/s4608/101_1188.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiy79Ji3aipekSqnRu47J6xjjkERwRCGtgpylewG8WFSj2TV9ILDwxNwArnFt2YfSen4nt70csy0zNVPkczADiLEA-xhHNjmd4IDAxcYHi8hoJ91duV1LWcpmfvciFn5Zp5FjpEa7vMIm1dm-W_Ffhj4TwamYnbSrhpTQc3nIvUFA1zxr-bsWiTLYMJa6c/s320/101_1188.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><u>Frank Was a Monster who Wanted to Dance</u> by Keith Graves. Except he didn't. No matter how many alka seltzers we put in with the dried spaghetti, it wouldn't move. It worked in practice! Ah, well, that's science - sometimes things don't work the way we expect them to.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0B1iX8fIxYVPeBbSo-U8pxjsiSGNYCrnFwnDZZgf6Ra4FDZXoW0xuaxaU0b6prwRiSF_Twu8OqSdSjOUWnMNP1R-Dwg7Br-apQEyU6nON-ysI8zXBHkYfkEJkEEgc4-jd2ElXcOt_AG6lKVXYLUC8XLEBqYOOvwvZW1UeF7_r81gV0NKzvAITKxEaAmJA/s4608/101_1147.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0B1iX8fIxYVPeBbSo-U8pxjsiSGNYCrnFwnDZZgf6Ra4FDZXoW0xuaxaU0b6prwRiSF_Twu8OqSdSjOUWnMNP1R-Dwg7Br-apQEyU6nON-ysI8zXBHkYfkEJkEEgc4-jd2ElXcOt_AG6lKVXYLUC8XLEBqYOOvwvZW1UeF7_r81gV0NKzvAITKxEaAmJA/s320/101_1147.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><u>Aaaargh! Spider! </u>by Lydia Monks. We looked at different types of spider webs and made some with glue and glitter. There. Is. Glitter. Everywhere.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvXY6IDzuW5MAkHNa06OB7bpM1y_bky01H2qyyEOeDimIUraaGisKTFGhjNYmihsLqdp4ArUkVMJ1cVdF9sfynEXbif-VwKpih_zXttG2NOEt1PruqCs237QRJGojWEW9NHRmIMwH4-sqyE3PX8pFslKp6_gb3Cl_xFPd9rvEGV6dYecjoVQoUbhPTsxQn/s4608/101_1148.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvXY6IDzuW5MAkHNa06OB7bpM1y_bky01H2qyyEOeDimIUraaGisKTFGhjNYmihsLqdp4ArUkVMJ1cVdF9sfynEXbif-VwKpih_zXttG2NOEt1PruqCs237QRJGojWEW9NHRmIMwH4-sqyE3PX8pFslKp6_gb3Cl_xFPd9rvEGV6dYecjoVQoUbhPTsxQn/s320/101_1148.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD1-tY9l_fC8hnDfs_hMerHcbQO5d4DaooQ0waJE7OXC-s3Yw3-tPBsQBLGDZ7AYhgDG5aHrEYhaumOIEP-5baVOIbOmbj2EYPdTq8-FzFSzDhIzah4WzIFnM8D3FlT22p8ZDkkA2cK0ACMdU1LTPpYXodRmFvk6UsBHxbfv3nUq1fxfOIwIJyzd_gCz-k/s4608/101_1156.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD1-tY9l_fC8hnDfs_hMerHcbQO5d4DaooQ0waJE7OXC-s3Yw3-tPBsQBLGDZ7AYhgDG5aHrEYhaumOIEP-5baVOIbOmbj2EYPdTq8-FzFSzDhIzah4WzIFnM8D3FlT22p8ZDkkA2cK0ACMdU1LTPpYXodRmFvk6UsBHxbfv3nUq1fxfOIwIJyzd_gCz-k/s320/101_1156.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A drying table (or two) is highly recommended!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVATIMsHi7kRWaAiDsfhFeIwcJ3v3hIHZmyatmANOFwfOYymKAzS8lP9yfTiGt6p3pDkxhak8svqSUIwHrlHzzKzCk6Bi9IWpq_KaC7aTVftYc_v13UhdPUcZHg2i7SYAi8A_vWu8rkuOAvozrXArrDs30x2PnKBA-za6Ya_TwzTGEuhziPDxeTf4qDaYU/s4608/101_1163.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVATIMsHi7kRWaAiDsfhFeIwcJ3v3hIHZmyatmANOFwfOYymKAzS8lP9yfTiGt6p3pDkxhak8svqSUIwHrlHzzKzCk6Bi9IWpq_KaC7aTVftYc_v13UhdPUcZHg2i7SYAi8A_vWu8rkuOAvozrXArrDs30x2PnKBA-za6Ya_TwzTGEuhziPDxeTf4qDaYU/s320/101_1163.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1UP4b7GcsBGXs3Tq9fkRIM5R4lLHv2NtnZN65vHiIidp7cvfbR0tJaM8f3-yegeuXLwUAkCaM-eOZms2wxCVG8_lyKOYjg-nzfEpk-iR8Wx9Toc0Kp5wYFv3TpdvEzfYDpYcqVxgLrcI-YaCS-JSwFsVFmEx7iLBH-uuL4G9j6V_MkKGVB9uQE6kCUwIt/s4608/101_1177.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1UP4b7GcsBGXs3Tq9fkRIM5R4lLHv2NtnZN65vHiIidp7cvfbR0tJaM8f3-yegeuXLwUAkCaM-eOZms2wxCVG8_lyKOYjg-nzfEpk-iR8Wx9Toc0Kp5wYFv3TpdvEzfYDpYcqVxgLrcI-YaCS-JSwFsVFmEx7iLBH-uuL4G9j6V_MkKGVB9uQE6kCUwIt/s320/101_1177.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><u>Creepy Carrots</u> by Aaron Reynolds. Mega Blocks to build something to keep the carrots contained! </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8fIq5S8jlWog9JL69xaL86TBuNJJSfclcpk_C7TMZcZQecWpDlQlnJQ8ZtGgkegI0D8wHbxmB8p8Ox62RwJfjSJGWMuAHOTiNacQVAcUG0q377DewutXb9BNXkoHhFs19PorVOTt6MRt3oB0qKV1wpVX6svjP96VzdYB8Z2FTKnEQkkLGMuJtprTyKpqz/s4608/101_1149.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8fIq5S8jlWog9JL69xaL86TBuNJJSfclcpk_C7TMZcZQecWpDlQlnJQ8ZtGgkegI0D8wHbxmB8p8Ox62RwJfjSJGWMuAHOTiNacQVAcUG0q377DewutXb9BNXkoHhFs19PorVOTt6MRt3oB0qKV1wpVX6svjP96VzdYB8Z2FTKnEQkkLGMuJtprTyKpqz/s320/101_1149.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The carrots.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0EaHYmpXigL77jrCteBhzr4RtwcMAIJ6GNRaml5cLJBPZDZpVwMUbMt7txrXwRtjGQMinbx9urkQZS2x7U4eFe9kf49-6JVVevz5J59eGvM8cpkIeMYrjnPtt3h9bF5PkaUvimsRxEX-fOgIe-DIJX3sgHb-HSJkMes9rZO3sntDSWgYfc6udWmRQbQHk/s4608/101_1150.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0EaHYmpXigL77jrCteBhzr4RtwcMAIJ6GNRaml5cLJBPZDZpVwMUbMt7txrXwRtjGQMinbx9urkQZS2x7U4eFe9kf49-6JVVevz5J59eGvM8cpkIeMYrjnPtt3h9bF5PkaUvimsRxEX-fOgIe-DIJX3sgHb-HSJkMes9rZO3sntDSWgYfc6udWmRQbQHk/s320/101_1150.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6_8anVtnbC4LSPcnj5hXhyphenhyphen6xNxUb8DVYyTY2pCN7j7qlWO26dfDMkYQirL2G-gekB4juHFlxXNFcipggyRatDe9rCvAFmssr8IWU0ncfWeSokMpS_IhELZKMUFBugasqO5WqKaLOkJQ_hQrtDVVW1HYw4SBolHMAY3OfLgecNBAkL5d9wL6kZ__0YwCpK/s4608/101_1172.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6_8anVtnbC4LSPcnj5hXhyphenhyphen6xNxUb8DVYyTY2pCN7j7qlWO26dfDMkYQirL2G-gekB4juHFlxXNFcipggyRatDe9rCvAFmssr8IWU0ncfWeSokMpS_IhELZKMUFBugasqO5WqKaLOkJQ_hQrtDVVW1HYw4SBolHMAY3OfLgecNBAkL5d9wL6kZ__0YwCpK/s320/101_1172.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Before mermaids do construction, they sing a song or two.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS-iMLwW4i1WexmkJUQP0F3PRDo6UA_BPNsq5CpnRU9CvYQXtW4rSq7Kwk3oovIQeCQ0rqvf4zlhtUyfUOjbeYen4ayCrFYeEgSCjAXlAPqFts1EWMVUVDwvuemn88bN_bIEnRYS_ER-Mr588y5vDINlzVk9R0s8cBc95_eBnRLcpQ72p5zYfdd6fsxXaO/s4608/101_1189.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS-iMLwW4i1WexmkJUQP0F3PRDo6UA_BPNsq5CpnRU9CvYQXtW4rSq7Kwk3oovIQeCQ0rqvf4zlhtUyfUOjbeYen4ayCrFYeEgSCjAXlAPqFts1EWMVUVDwvuemn88bN_bIEnRYS_ER-Mr588y5vDINlzVk9R0s8cBc95_eBnRLcpQ72p5zYfdd6fsxXaO/s320/101_1189.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">For <u>Boo-la-la Witch Spa</u> by Samantha Berger we gave our brooms a makeover - and worked on patterns.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7BDufgyvcVi6Nu78EcyF87mh-Jrem9GEQCQA7saRGNDldyrWW5oRVj3A1hGzigY9ou-Nxo_5UaNPH1gmZWZaLqpEXdpM5v8CFYQoVsSdFDGig2eDLIZqjK51UfPsVTUKzsFnyClfkmGsbmgDVFLod0LeL95fKwvSswPloyNWPJmalQtkaWmaVFsIKaHGN/s4608/101_1151.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7BDufgyvcVi6Nu78EcyF87mh-Jrem9GEQCQA7saRGNDldyrWW5oRVj3A1hGzigY9ou-Nxo_5UaNPH1gmZWZaLqpEXdpM5v8CFYQoVsSdFDGig2eDLIZqjK51UfPsVTUKzsFnyClfkmGsbmgDVFLod0LeL95fKwvSswPloyNWPJmalQtkaWmaVFsIKaHGN/s320/101_1151.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><u>Bats at the Ballgame</u> by Brian Lies. Using wind power to make our bats fly.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqKvXDmHi4a575vWWsRlMnWse4NRbOrlWYTIyUQnRmpeXMvhjqjf8a1mqiG2WbIro6R-pfUH1HogaiNOhVby_QNqXRWEuZz357F0lwaQCWTjyQA1S1r-DhvNAqqZrIaqQtW8EyoIF3w3WAECCfOlnVeYSMajJO0LkS0TjMzaNTgUl6mkerig2Saa203CJm/s4608/101_1152.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqKvXDmHi4a575vWWsRlMnWse4NRbOrlWYTIyUQnRmpeXMvhjqjf8a1mqiG2WbIro6R-pfUH1HogaiNOhVby_QNqXRWEuZz357F0lwaQCWTjyQA1S1r-DhvNAqqZrIaqQtW8EyoIF3w3WAECCfOlnVeYSMajJO0LkS0TjMzaNTgUl6mkerig2Saa203CJm/s320/101_1152.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><u>Anancy and the Haunted House</u> by Richardo Keens-Douglas: spider races! All you need is some plastic spiders and straws.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfxC6u8uhan3LtfFZdCw3d26LpfMO8T_YaVd3mcieewvloeBCGUFogBaj8JBM3dn3rm0fpUVM9fKD6kSarU1IdaDRIXtE6zL2jWDNr6eltHzG8sEsAZ9L2Pd4WcsShhd_gIMEHGEziwse4O1az3kkuKoaT69DE4HpicxQs08vYtfit8pwH7O48-oyTofFK/s4608/101_1153.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfxC6u8uhan3LtfFZdCw3d26LpfMO8T_YaVd3mcieewvloeBCGUFogBaj8JBM3dn3rm0fpUVM9fKD6kSarU1IdaDRIXtE6zL2jWDNr6eltHzG8sEsAZ9L2Pd4WcsShhd_gIMEHGEziwse4O1az3kkuKoaT69DE4HpicxQs08vYtfit8pwH7O48-oyTofFK/s320/101_1153.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieqqEs-CyP8V83DiM6ZFHMdAP6BovU1x2R1IgSY0bSwtggWyu3gAa6OuuvVGZLSvrHsP2ofywB7x9T2rKiW7Cgx0fyN1QdpZQXT4iG8bHeOXiY1iZn6tBHB2iNp_NA__aIN6S9xnIsZglktBG0XqtDF5cSbcaDkvyLZNTbp7ueOti9AXUHwL8E8tPInJeM/s4608/101_1159.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieqqEs-CyP8V83DiM6ZFHMdAP6BovU1x2R1IgSY0bSwtggWyu3gAa6OuuvVGZLSvrHsP2ofywB7x9T2rKiW7Cgx0fyN1QdpZQXT4iG8bHeOXiY1iZn6tBHB2iNp_NA__aIN6S9xnIsZglktBG0XqtDF5cSbcaDkvyLZNTbp7ueOti9AXUHwL8E8tPInJeM/s320/101_1159.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><u>How Big Could Your Pumpkin Grow?</u> by Wendell Minor. Two pumpkins with scales, rulers, protractor, and some nontraditional ways to measure such as string and paperclips.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuN1X1r1eD9I5TUbmJcIDFLNRBHfuTMPPZO8p0Y6slOVDGJSFV67E8w2NzOxjCLQqD1rzbvOelDoiuhZwBqqdjtYlOQZsT8nyEOn5LbcBUsExmliNFCTOHwJo7BbWrthS7sSj8ol4uf5v3n7g-Sgzn-Ud0aB08fIcvYnjD9T5cpI_FPxnbiTN-34yKGPPK/s4608/101_1181.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuN1X1r1eD9I5TUbmJcIDFLNRBHfuTMPPZO8p0Y6slOVDGJSFV67E8w2NzOxjCLQqD1rzbvOelDoiuhZwBqqdjtYlOQZsT8nyEOn5LbcBUsExmliNFCTOHwJo7BbWrthS7sSj8ol4uf5v3n7g-Sgzn-Ud0aB08fIcvYnjD9T5cpI_FPxnbiTN-34yKGPPK/s320/101_1181.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We had a photo op station set up on the stage:</div><br style="text-align: left;" /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCY-gb0J-nD0nysRqzK6ZlD_hxfK3V1JWEypC4jVr_8qtitlgwe2_CV_p4bAnmg0ptqc4pwJfDiZh568GbgPJOfKWusGBY9ycI8WuKutz7eQan6x2eFFkUJHRMZFBHNuQV8tCRNwQBHBJlwBa4Esvgsg1rTrAX7Oj5kQTs-jgsB8rY2qCkm4K9_tmleHll/s4608/101_1140.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCY-gb0J-nD0nysRqzK6ZlD_hxfK3V1JWEypC4jVr_8qtitlgwe2_CV_p4bAnmg0ptqc4pwJfDiZh568GbgPJOfKWusGBY9ycI8WuKutz7eQan6x2eFFkUJHRMZFBHNuQV8tCRNwQBHBJlwBa4Esvgsg1rTrAX7Oj5kQTs-jgsB8rY2qCkm4K9_tmleHll/s320/101_1140.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">With the treat bags and extra craft supplies hidden under black tablecloths. One of the best investments I ever made.</div><br style="text-align: left;" /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXJZv7IQlMvdoyO3O3lUEgrzknJdbMTgNGTSJX836h-L4VP36dFiV1Trn0df2fqgpvWi9N_13u2wedKAD3hV1wOO4DBl3UXm6dlHRf-jGffrK1Cl_Dfmh9JOj1ff5jMjriVs4Zj95adgXAKokmor59_2FFrm5acp9NtcmDSi3RF0UzX3C97cxuRUga885A/s4608/101_1141.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXJZv7IQlMvdoyO3O3lUEgrzknJdbMTgNGTSJX836h-L4VP36dFiV1Trn0df2fqgpvWi9N_13u2wedKAD3hV1wOO4DBl3UXm6dlHRf-jGffrK1Cl_Dfmh9JOj1ff5jMjriVs4Zj95adgXAKokmor59_2FFrm5acp9NtcmDSi3RF0UzX3C97cxuRUga885A/s320/101_1141.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br style="text-align: left;" /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And of course, plenty of volunteers! I put out a call to the teens who volunteered all summer, and ten of them showed up! Pizza 9 donated three large pizzas and we had a snack and drink station set up in my closet for them. I put them in pairs so they could trade off when they wanted to run and get something. They helped kids with projects and kept utter chaos from reigning while I was pretty much stuck in the meeting room with the messiest/loudest activities. They stayed after and helped clean up. Some of them were there for 4-5 hours! Many were in costumes...and I didn't get good pictures of any of them :(</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We all had a great time. I hope this can help anyone else working on activities for their library or school! If you would like the files I have for these projects, message me with an e-mail and I will send them along. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><br /> <p></p>Amihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04191114596338482173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-692403747802454923.post-8238407051245322292021-03-01T18:53:00.004-07:002021-03-01T18:53:51.111-07:00Mysterious Chimney<p style="text-align: center;"> We live on just under three acres. Not a huge amoount of property, but somehow I had never noticed this: what appears to be a chimney poking up out of the ground at the top of a hill! In my defense, this area is covered with undergrowth and blocked by trees much of the year...</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfVjI_CiQgSHSJtbBtEue0Y5spFtdTN_jG-OoD2R5cFGzEXRySgYZBr86oH8GjTrnQcQOTbjNXWXza1VXdXHCEawqxQbB6NjB401n8ekoJ-SOz4bxxa2xxGLaWzzRV1RMWxmIIyvuC7j0g/s2048/117_5271.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfVjI_CiQgSHSJtbBtEue0Y5spFtdTN_jG-OoD2R5cFGzEXRySgYZBr86oH8GjTrnQcQOTbjNXWXza1VXdXHCEawqxQbB6NjB401n8ekoJ-SOz4bxxa2xxGLaWzzRV1RMWxmIIyvuC7j0g/s320/117_5271.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisi25NFC4YTWHQaQpTU_UV76eck3c3LRJmXbHL8lO8WqQ6IQOT_Vx0-qxvpHWDFKe5kc29LM2-C5ZW7M1yt8C4a98kVFgzlzabQdSBHnU93lxWIulMb-LsD_PWSm5SO-PbPlNiOMSj3ZdW/s2048/117_5274.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisi25NFC4YTWHQaQpTU_UV76eck3c3LRJmXbHL8lO8WqQ6IQOT_Vx0-qxvpHWDFKe5kc29LM2-C5ZW7M1yt8C4a98kVFgzlzabQdSBHnU93lxWIulMb-LsD_PWSm5SO-PbPlNiOMSj3ZdW/s320/117_5274.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Obviously, this is the perfect fun story starter! (Unless you have seen or read "It", in which case it would be a different kind of story.) Here is what the kids came up with.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Shane</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">One day, I went for a walk with Mom. We saw a chimney in the ground. I looked in and I leaned too far and I fell down, down, down!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">When I landed, I saw a whole bunch of kittens that tried to eat me. I climbed the chimney and the followed me. I went up our chimney and then they tried to follow me but they could not because my Dad started a fire in the fireplace. The end.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(Okay, maybe Shane was thinking of It after all.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Logan</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><span id="docs-internal-guid-4b8dbe0a-7fff-9c58-baa1-0f32ac7427da"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">At the top of the hill next to our garden is a chimney. Inside of the chimney are some little gremlins. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Whenever the gremlins get turned to slime they reappear there in the little gremlin prison. Then the little troll guards yell, “We got another one!” </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Then the troll king comes and says, “Good job, but there are still twenty more. Once we get them we will release them at night time so they can destroy more stuff. Then when they touch light they will come back here and we will do it all over again.”</span></p></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Sheridan</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Up on a hill by our house, there is a chimney that leads down to a house. The house is buried, and only the chimney is above ground.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">In the little house that is underground, there is a family of little dwarves. They have a tunnel that leads to our pantry so they can have food. They probably don't think we know about the hole, because they covered it up with a wooden plank, but we know it's there because every time we step there it wobbles, and it isn't like the other boards.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So, yeah...we are neighbors with dwarves who have a secret tunnel to steal food from our pantry. But we are fine with it because we have plenty, and it's not like the dwarves can just go to Walmart and buy food!! So we let them have some of the food.</div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>Amihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04191114596338482173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-692403747802454923.post-1890955776213860892021-02-25T13:54:00.010-07:002021-02-25T18:21:12.041-07:00Mars Perseverance Stories<p> From Logan:</p><span id="docs-internal-guid-a179e220-7fff-80f8-fb99-34fb39cd2228"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When the robot landed on Mars it started to collect rocks. Then an alien kid came up and snatched the rock from the robot and said,” That's my Mom's favorite rock! He walked off and the robot turned around and there was a huge city of aliens flying cars everywhere and the alien was giving the rock back to its mom. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The people who sent him were still at home sleeping so they had no idea that there was life on Mars. Since he couldn't be told to do anything he was not taking pictures. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The robot went after the rock. He climbed into the house and looked around. There were five other robots just like him, but they were acting like puppies. Then the robot fell in through the window. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Then the boy said, “Feeding time puppies!” and the other robots went over to their bowls. The robot went to a bowl where there were rocks in it. He started to collect them, he looked over and the other robots were eating the rocks he had collected all the rocks in his bowl so he started taking them from the other robots but he did not know they were like robot dogs. The other robot that he was taking rocks from growled but the robot kept going. The robot dog knocked him over and growled the robot got up and ran away until he ran until the city was out of sight. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The people that sent him there woke up and said it looks like He hasn't found anything yet besides rocks. That is SO boring. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> THE END</span></p></span><p><br /></p><p>From Sheridan: </p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Pacifico,cursive; font-size: 21pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Pacifico,cursive; font-size: 21pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Pacifico, cursive; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As the new rover was driving around Mars picking up rocks and recording the scene live to NASA and the world she heard a voice.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Pacifico, cursive; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Pacifico, cursive; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Pacifico, cursive; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“HEY!!! That’s my mommy’s special rock, give it back!” </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Pacifico, cursive; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The rover turned to see an alien and a whole city right by him. The alien looked pretty close to a human. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Pacifico, cursive; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Pacifico, cursive; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Pacifico, cursive; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Well…” the little alien said with her arms crossed and tapping her foot. The rover set the rock down and the little alien grabbed it and ran off. Everyone on earth just stared and stared.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Pacifico, cursive; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Pacifico, cursive; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Pacifico, cursive; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Then the little alien came back but this time there was a group of other aliens with her. They oohed and aahed and eeked and screamed and went to change their pants… </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Pacifico, cursive; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Pacifico, cursive; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Pacifico, cursive; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The little girl that had discovered the robot first picked it up and said, “Mommy can I keep it please please please!!!” </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Pacifico, cursive; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“uh I guess?” said her mom. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Pacifico, cursive; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“YAY We are gonna have so much fun!” she said as she ran off carrying the rover in her hands. </span></p><p><span id="docs-internal-guid-62ca5f67-7fff-8e25-25c9-bfb966a55114"></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Pacifico, cursive; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">While she was at her house playing with the rover, everyone on earth was still staring, wondering what the heck just happened. The little girl on Mars was dressing up the rover. “You are such a cute little puppy! I am gonna name you Flarfy! BTW my name is Felicia. This city you are in is called Carclosafludose. My mom says it’s a mouthful to say but it would be a lot more than a mouthful if someone tried to eat the sign that says what our city is called, so I don’t know why Mommy said that ''.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Pacifico, cursive; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><br /></p>Amihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04191114596338482173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-692403747802454923.post-32335498724929794462021-02-09T14:30:00.000-07:002021-02-09T14:30:02.405-07:00Viking Adventure by Logan<p> <span> </span><span> </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; text-indent: 36pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">This might sound crazy, but I stole an elevator and just ripped it off the wires. I brought it home.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span> </span><span> </span>It all started when I read the book </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lift</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. I decided to look in the trash can for some buttons but I just found trash. So I decided to take one of the elevator buttons but I could not get it off So that's why I took the whole elevator. </span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-78673fab-7fff-a824-7235-03fdbedf4a05"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There were twenty buttons so last night I pressed one of them. That's when the elevator went crazy, it spun in circles and when the door opened I was in the middle of a Viking village. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Two Vikings looked at me and said “Catch him!” </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I ran and the two Vikings followed a turn around a corner and dived in a boat. The boat started to sail off so I went over to some barrels and hid. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I fell asleep and I woke up to shouting. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I looked around and Vikings were running around a small island chasing people with gold and jewels. I got up and hopped onto land. Then a Viking spotted me and started chasing me. I ran up some stairs and saw a rack of weapons. I quickly grabbed two daggers and a small ax and ran into a room. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Viking walked in. Before he saw me I ran out of the room, closed the door and locked it. Then I made sure I had the weapons and ran. There were Vikings stealing and killing people. Then I saw the elevator. The two Vikings from before were looking at it. They were going to steal it.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I ran towards it and pressed a button. They came racing at me. I stabbed one with the dagger and the other one was not close enough to get to me. The door closed and I dropped the weapons as the door opened. I was back in my room. I left my weapons there for the next time I went somewhere and went to sleep. </span></p><div><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div></span>Amihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04191114596338482173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-692403747802454923.post-60576557512274945232020-06-16T19:30:00.000-06:002020-06-16T19:30:06.849-06:00Peculiar Children Annex - Camper Remodel<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Back in the 60's my in-laws, Jack and Jean Jones, were living in El Paso with their three small children. They bought a beautiful spot of property in the mountains of southern New Mexico, and whenever they had a minute - weekends, vacation time, etc. - they traveled up to the mountains to build their new home there. Pretty amazing, when many adults these days can't build a simple shelf! While they worked on the house, they lived in this little camper.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkLvSIfkX1lDlUqekNIdTN-jc91Y-YW8_bbZ4j4NcDHX7rfZcL91HoDxRM3ZgS2FB-allklz8DVt2EW0pfEA8Nm9S0QWKkgaEPWaT-eMniWbiEaoacyv33o3WCg94DhiSqekwrJyVBENxx/s1600/115_3225.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkLvSIfkX1lDlUqekNIdTN-jc91Y-YW8_bbZ4j4NcDHX7rfZcL91HoDxRM3ZgS2FB-allklz8DVt2EW0pfEA8Nm9S0QWKkgaEPWaT-eMniWbiEaoacyv33o3WCg94DhiSqekwrJyVBENxx/s400/115_3225.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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All of them. Two adults, three children. I still can not wrap my mind around that.</div>
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In the years since then, the camper has been used for various storage purposes, and the trees that were tiny saplings 50+ years ago are now tall and solid...and have cut off any chance of removing it easily. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvzefgp3kEKsOw5IrGPOWJUSJGvEeRsvsqaIa-tTsW8JtB0qKw9pOPa8-n6jFjUF_4CJWcdjq7TUdfBWHMy3AKKbkePgGFkXW4aO7BWjz2DaWbFo6PMzlzu4K72T-clu9Y2EqIlenBnIJG/s1600/115_3247.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvzefgp3kEKsOw5IrGPOWJUSJGvEeRsvsqaIa-tTsW8JtB0qKw9pOPa8-n6jFjUF_4CJWcdjq7TUdfBWHMy3AKKbkePgGFkXW4aO7BWjz2DaWbFo6PMzlzu4K72T-clu9Y2EqIlenBnIJG/s400/115_3247.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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It sits maybe 30 feet off our back door. I stuck my head in once shortly after we moved in, and decided to pretend it just didn't exist until we could get rid of it.</div>
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Then, while we were taking a walk one night and I looked up at it from the road, the thought popped into my mind that it might actually make a cute play house. I made the mistake of thinking out loud, and the kids pounced. PLEASE, Mom??? I needed another project, right?</div>
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First to take stock of the situation.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxdBymJ1tZX2n4z5k1g9A6iJZiLMQBj-Wv-odf48GHs7_rU8YhCcHMRX5Amoe6eM88NtNEetlWLTtn1xltlCxfVls6LTCXZBPdtyXu4mu5R5OnjmTP2iydT_2M8q4daOWPyw_Kv0ZRFT2R/s1600/115_3222.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxdBymJ1tZX2n4z5k1g9A6iJZiLMQBj-Wv-odf48GHs7_rU8YhCcHMRX5Amoe6eM88NtNEetlWLTtn1xltlCxfVls6LTCXZBPdtyXu4mu5R5OnjmTP2iydT_2M8q4daOWPyw_Kv0ZRFT2R/s400/115_3222.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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Hmm.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1CW3rsLHlG1CvNBHFPmX2JOQw3thpBqPrOpK8fkOumK5if8XksJrqSRjq7RmoE6dxv3NWijlaA8PpCBdRm7IAjkvN3MW283Oyfnjn0S054qSnHY6PTxvT2HlZipZMqIfMD1jl8CqRTWP_/s1600/115_3223.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1CW3rsLHlG1CvNBHFPmX2JOQw3thpBqPrOpK8fkOumK5if8XksJrqSRjq7RmoE6dxv3NWijlaA8PpCBdRm7IAjkvN3MW283Oyfnjn0S054qSnHY6PTxvT2HlZipZMqIfMD1jl8CqRTWP_/s400/115_3223.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Erm.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOmS_lg9EsODl1wQ5OsUsExg-TtzIHT4PXKVz3chQDjJ1YyGPRXW7PvFF7rm8gZP4-VcMhruSBlweyZDIXMhQPzX6dvrCYdrV4mtXn2YCbrLKvXjE-vpMyY70j6IphKyH7PdDUhHayK1MP/s1600/115_3224.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOmS_lg9EsODl1wQ5OsUsExg-TtzIHT4PXKVz3chQDjJ1YyGPRXW7PvFF7rm8gZP4-VcMhruSBlweyZDIXMhQPzX6dvrCYdrV4mtXn2YCbrLKvXjE-vpMyY70j6IphKyH7PdDUhHayK1MP/s400/115_3224.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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Is that a saddle?</div>
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Okay, obviously the first thing to do is empty it out. Considering all the other creatures that have obviously called it home, I didn't let the kids help, but they were fascinated. I had to draw an imaginary perimeter for them to stay outside of, but they stood with toes at the edge, watching and commenting. </div>
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My first thought was to tear out the old appliances, but then I thought what's a play house without a play kitchen? And the old fridge is just so cute!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikWMBzIeHZlK_JdJUPXh3Uyf9pa0r0Kw52C_8VYvyFqFuSeCLDXZnDAkG55REaksmx0Nj1A41xMH7PuIXDUVXSEH91wdeBs6qxDB51Au43rgweyMMQqQICGa0VrpAkJV_xnUpZVTWHiijf/s1600/115_3230.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #0066cc; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikWMBzIeHZlK_JdJUPXh3Uyf9pa0r0Kw52C_8VYvyFqFuSeCLDXZnDAkG55REaksmx0Nj1A41xMH7PuIXDUVXSEH91wdeBs6qxDB51Au43rgweyMMQqQICGa0VrpAkJV_xnUpZVTWHiijf/s400/115_3230.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Well, it could be...with some scrubbing...and fresh paint...and if I can fix that bottom part...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwWy_oDTOgmNZvHXwkLOkgQ4EjEj7nTLmrzjsbUuMd5AzWCOt17rz_me1fKS69_yVB8nzUJ4nUlr8g0-IaHcfhgpPCQci1HnL464w53_ycc3P6z9imlaiYAVKq7X5jC2BrsAFHJoPqNvcP/s1600/115_3229.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwWy_oDTOgmNZvHXwkLOkgQ4EjEj7nTLmrzjsbUuMd5AzWCOt17rz_me1fKS69_yVB8nzUJ4nUlr8g0-IaHcfhgpPCQci1HnL464w53_ycc3P6z9imlaiYAVKq7X5jC2BrsAFHJoPqNvcP/s400/115_3229.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Yes, I wore PPE!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXkqha2Rf8gzmkfHi6f3tOWqHvVULgSmgKzfk-EPcpgRLonN1dfZjrMjC822Nm3F1-RqfkjjzV6M7Mq3UK8YNA_CZv2Cc-Jqf0BSkHkx-_KqlZXx-I7skSr-ey6n7mwrZdPW0CWOTCK8S-/s1600/115_3228.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #0066cc; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXkqha2Rf8gzmkfHi6f3tOWqHvVULgSmgKzfk-EPcpgRLonN1dfZjrMjC822Nm3F1-RqfkjjzV6M7Mq3UK8YNA_CZv2Cc-Jqf0BSkHkx-_KqlZXx-I7skSr-ey6n7mwrZdPW0CWOTCK8S-/s400/115_3228.JPG" width="300" /></a><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
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Yes, that is somebody's old nest, with inches-thick layers of poop and pee underneath. Every enclosed area (and several not enclosed) were like that. LOTS of scrubbing to do. </div>
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And I see those pink leggings, young lady - bringing my camera to me does not give you permission to stay inside the imaginary perimeter. Scoot.</div>
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Oh hey, look, masks!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRrmBySwpVncLCgBv1CVqzsuwQ2lTjHIlvKrS2A0QtqrNc55AwrHgqh1hsd_FFWcUty9WomchqhKifKBuwPqqgNmJ4DJJokY9Cgsl367X6Iiy8qidLlaAv9mnjoJTFaXcn7BqySqWDmBZr/s1600/115_3231.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRrmBySwpVncLCgBv1CVqzsuwQ2lTjHIlvKrS2A0QtqrNc55AwrHgqh1hsd_FFWcUty9WomchqhKifKBuwPqqgNmJ4DJJokY9Cgsl367X6Iiy8qidLlaAv9mnjoJTFaXcn7BqySqWDmBZr/s400/115_3231.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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HOW are those still white? I'll just use my own, thanks.</div>
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Now this box is worth sorting through:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk1aF1sYIMtxtNW4-pqAL1G1x7uOZIozp0rE5OfOOm4RmjMYwBuK5cK7RWsIPm-QuAP0NWzfnwbbjb36r6O6XnCTOxde6QscKmJY52QfJnX7K2e4mrQsVnjT9rpiG3M26no5ijHSvDR0FQ/s1600/115_3232.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk1aF1sYIMtxtNW4-pqAL1G1x7uOZIozp0rE5OfOOm4RmjMYwBuK5cK7RWsIPm-QuAP0NWzfnwbbjb36r6O6XnCTOxde6QscKmJY52QfJnX7K2e4mrQsVnjT9rpiG3M26no5ijHSvDR0FQ/s400/115_3232.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #000120;">Some useful treasures gleaned from the piles:</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2cZkuhtTJ0_Fot9wnlQI9b1yw4YtpzZJWoyATdtcyAjGV_NXT0mbDAeRQI0Lagfya4D_kZ_b2MQRa9m7bfm_Fk2Ytn9kfJXDgf5Pi0qZj_3iIJJICysEdM1squ9FnRVbki0J2IMHocFHx/s1600/115_3236.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2cZkuhtTJ0_Fot9wnlQI9b1yw4YtpzZJWoyATdtcyAjGV_NXT0mbDAeRQI0Lagfya4D_kZ_b2MQRa9m7bfm_Fk2Ytn9kfJXDgf5Pi0qZj_3iIJJICysEdM1squ9FnRVbki0J2IMHocFHx/s400/115_3236.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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And at the end of stage one we have:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGOVv49L80Sh5H_sco2BbBk_LsIQD3IZD33N2WBjMnE86rJfGEMDzFOPGj6b1FFxKZNJKlkP_oZPKKCN4DOQIe3gu6rtyglF7CPYxzP6smGDAfEwBYVX_tJUOEw4nQsrkSayKRsY9kpIXq/s1600/115_3237.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGOVv49L80Sh5H_sco2BbBk_LsIQD3IZD33N2WBjMnE86rJfGEMDzFOPGj6b1FFxKZNJKlkP_oZPKKCN4DOQIe3gu6rtyglF7CPYxzP6smGDAfEwBYVX_tJUOEw4nQsrkSayKRsY9kpIXq/s400/115_3237.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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Needs a new floor, and I think I will add shelves. May as well cut the pipe out and seal it, we won't be running anything through it.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4W-pA3GRAuMGKn7bqOhzvIJg876vq8-79lD3039bCoee-5z-_GD6vXQxCzXDB-R3ka4t4URU-89k8TmGn7tpTR-VvsRlqTQHY8pCWAXQZupBdb7L8LEZYrx7XJDrhcT0MgTwMLOQQceM1/s1600/115_3238.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4W-pA3GRAuMGKn7bqOhzvIJg876vq8-79lD3039bCoee-5z-_GD6vXQxCzXDB-R3ka4t4URU-89k8TmGn7tpTR-VvsRlqTQHY8pCWAXQZupBdb7L8LEZYrx7XJDrhcT0MgTwMLOQQceM1/s400/115_3238.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Drawers all removed for scrubbing/bleaching. Seat cushions tossed, springs and all. Table seems usable but needs new hinges. Lots of windows!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6H60jwSkvGdgTKsJ8CROw_0fkUaTD73SJMYZnAwfS4UjS2_1LTpdsbnypa7LQA6b-i2Uj48rLs2WrGFM-ZXKoLS3s9XeZvxEYYjuEzA8Yac7R79DrHrc-YY4If63_QaG4NoSosDHekJyt/s1600/115_3239.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6H60jwSkvGdgTKsJ8CROw_0fkUaTD73SJMYZnAwfS4UjS2_1LTpdsbnypa7LQA6b-i2Uj48rLs2WrGFM-ZXKoLS3s9XeZvxEYYjuEzA8Yac7R79DrHrc-YY4If63_QaG4NoSosDHekJyt/s400/115_3239.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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The bathroom...is another story. Here I unearthed the only actual mouse. She was displeased. Lots of floor damage. If all else fails I may just seal the whole thing off. But...it would make a cozy reading nook...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5j-RqW4Tr_waKUoIRDCKIRwK9PHrRvJiRQAjtiZ87tuqIb5_vRSNS5ngWXOzxK3eK108Fcf7llrePKwIz81E22T4cOwTOlyf5ylu4RaymZkde1P9FUpvZPukMqDd_LajiZA2fAwf8B0pX/s1600/115_3241.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5j-RqW4Tr_waKUoIRDCKIRwK9PHrRvJiRQAjtiZ87tuqIb5_vRSNS5ngWXOzxK3eK108Fcf7llrePKwIz81E22T4cOwTOlyf5ylu4RaymZkde1P9FUpvZPukMqDd_LajiZA2fAwf8B0pX/s400/115_3241.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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Next up...dump run!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEighCxB7SDkPjc07BjXxsDbpDecnxTF51DLC-LZNzFMnWtFktQSFe01uM9CsylQd-7TSoTvlzWOgyy4ds66NRA_ZBK1E8JBmztD8h2DNVXwhU1k_zxWmiyIhhnFvWPgL6s6PSLqjCDEmezV/s1600/115_3242.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEighCxB7SDkPjc07BjXxsDbpDecnxTF51DLC-LZNzFMnWtFktQSFe01uM9CsylQd-7TSoTvlzWOgyy4ds66NRA_ZBK1E8JBmztD8h2DNVXwhU1k_zxWmiyIhhnFvWPgL6s6PSLqjCDEmezV/s400/115_3242.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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Several dump runs, actually (thanks Daddy!) Christopher was a huge help moving trash to the driveway, en route to the dump, but I still wasn't ready to let the kids do more than peek inside. It would be a bit ironic to miss coronavirus only to come down with hantavirus! </div>
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I filled the shop vac twice with mouse turds and acorns, which was just a start. All of the drawers were scrubbed, soaked in bleach water, and then painted. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSA_mXmOUd7tJ3zoJmk-fptw85jhSsmWGuIrR62FAYkGz6xdTbqHsfXDF6MfkCWvQXzQ5r1-8v-uL8zFX3-_OSHKHAUFtBzgIr3rQQeBYqoE8zWzRSXwDMqPkGplj0ER6ryr-KhpKrSOGB/s1600/115_3249.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSA_mXmOUd7tJ3zoJmk-fptw85jhSsmWGuIrR62FAYkGz6xdTbqHsfXDF6MfkCWvQXzQ5r1-8v-uL8zFX3-_OSHKHAUFtBzgIr3rQQeBYqoE8zWzRSXwDMqPkGplj0ER6ryr-KhpKrSOGB/s400/115_3249.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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Blue? Why not. I happened to have a can of blue spray paint, and the kids are already planning a tie-dye color scheme!</div>
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I didn't get a 'before' of this cute stool, but it was already a faded yellow, so I just brightened it up.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq4Hm5orBCwzulV6yvCTRGUy_M_SZ-hxdXhwjGyOEJ3jGI91AW1kiBwLRKBKSvMzKUkhjOHP6XDIKvMcm68iI5U7MG8MO3TLhvKm87XH3SGbO7iJ6SlEoNEDwJM0tq3RNENSdX8mOnZYyP/s1600/115_3250.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq4Hm5orBCwzulV6yvCTRGUy_M_SZ-hxdXhwjGyOEJ3jGI91AW1kiBwLRKBKSvMzKUkhjOHP6XDIKvMcm68iI5U7MG8MO3TLhvKm87XH3SGbO7iJ6SlEoNEDwJM0tq3RNENSdX8mOnZYyP/s400/115_3250.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Note supervisory chickens.</td></tr>
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It immediately became The Favorite Chair. As in, the one everyone keeps fighting over...</div>
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Next up inside was tearing out the old flooring. I think it used to be some type of linoleum...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5OVdeYMKxxD_SMctlN1zGWDgN_8iDwcuxs78cQ5usnYxWc0wy367wAtzYvuCk_14qmgEYwEgyt1lffrLI1wriZYbG3XhL313Tq32RevLMTKEAhuwm1sAth_sKSE9LJcU5ZBtjqrkFDRsL/s1600/115_3251.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5OVdeYMKxxD_SMctlN1zGWDgN_8iDwcuxs78cQ5usnYxWc0wy367wAtzYvuCk_14qmgEYwEgyt1lffrLI1wriZYbG3XhL313Tq32RevLMTKEAhuwm1sAth_sKSE9LJcU5ZBtjqrkFDRsL/s400/115_3251.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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Sigh of relief that the floor underneath was in pretty good shape! Some of the lino came up in good-sized chunks. Other parts came up in teeny. tiny. chips.</div>
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I decided to remove as many pipes and wires as I could to make cleaning and remodeling easier - we won't have water or gas run to it, and any electricity will be battery powered or via extension cord. Of course, everything was on there TIGHT! After struggling with the line to the stove, we decided to just go ahead and cut through it all. By "we" I mean I decided, and Mike got to cut.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglNKt9JGJZlLv1Hcocqd_JmV6Xe6cZ52hTpMZNJjrtcMqWOdb8YeVifsbLwVKGpPQXcRtoOk0QwTUYrSI7hHlAnroF7FfhKOa7kAa26Z_5q1dMqyp7Bp3UPZPbuJwHNQ3ygL9sNsBRYDIc/s1600/115_3252.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglNKt9JGJZlLv1Hcocqd_JmV6Xe6cZ52hTpMZNJjrtcMqWOdb8YeVifsbLwVKGpPQXcRtoOk0QwTUYrSI7hHlAnroF7FfhKOa7kAa26Z_5q1dMqyp7Bp3UPZPbuJwHNQ3ygL9sNsBRYDIc/s400/115_3252.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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There was an earlier water leak over the stove that damaged ceiling and wall. Since the cabinet there was out of kids' reach anyway, I decided to take it out. I forgot to get a 'before' picture, but despite it being crumbly it took a bit of work to remove. I started out with a flat bar, but the wall was too spongy to get any purchase. I ended up using a combination of screwdriver and good old hit-it-with-a-hammer. The screws were all, of course flat heads.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj07kOft90wq6GntKcpyzb9E64fGlMgD6pKMcAOJb1tDeH8tE3vsKNpIpamTq6pZ38ajSv5e54ts3AFKNG1a-2T0lGhfPzHTZQAazuPPZodp3GFp11XRHptaKXUiVVIRTfBXmwBLjcPfpKm/s1600/115_3255.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj07kOft90wq6GntKcpyzb9E64fGlMgD6pKMcAOJb1tDeH8tE3vsKNpIpamTq6pZ38ajSv5e54ts3AFKNG1a-2T0lGhfPzHTZQAazuPPZodp3GFp11XRHptaKXUiVVIRTfBXmwBLjcPfpKm/s400/115_3255.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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I hate flat head screws. With a passion. And, of course, it was open to the cabinets on the other side, so I will need to seal that up, but it's not as bad as...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqACb6fxU2WZrt8yCCwDGl_DWK6W_gyO7APKZj5lU-rHrzFiulHTXsjlxFRI3QVpJfUBgM37Snq326g03SxpsqhPySMMwTFF2kEoa6hpmf1CGloG5SIq0-IjIxUBxnxI84-oCjINW4iEXb/s1600/115_3254.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqACb6fxU2WZrt8yCCwDGl_DWK6W_gyO7APKZj5lU-rHrzFiulHTXsjlxFRI3QVpJfUBgM37Snq326g03SxpsqhPySMMwTFF2kEoa6hpmf1CGloG5SIq0-IjIxUBxnxI84-oCjINW4iEXb/s400/115_3254.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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Yeesh. Looks awful, but a pretty easy fix. I ripped out the worst parts (guess I shouldn't have bothered washing my hair this morning), and later we will put new wood over the old.</div>
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Another issue area is the far end of the camper. Slight water damage, but mostly the gap open to the outside is the problem! The curve of the wall made simply filling it in a bit tricky, so I decided to put in a low bench and just cover/seal it all that way. That also takes care of the hole in the side of the cabinet where the piped ran through.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS6iMfJKF01-L-g1FvJyFBQHh1BgW5FrtURls_1No5zB54eUKK6cN_ttNabZzokVObmhTvgEXjmOTPQq98tvQrspOXy4zHhqVUMum-IlmICk_BoegS-OEziOfTi-p-SVLbVibvl-sy6zbV/s1600/115_3256.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS6iMfJKF01-L-g1FvJyFBQHh1BgW5FrtURls_1No5zB54eUKK6cN_ttNabZzokVObmhTvgEXjmOTPQq98tvQrspOXy4zHhqVUMum-IlmICk_BoegS-OEziOfTi-p-SVLbVibvl-sy6zbV/s400/115_3256.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Like my flyaway hair in the corner? And the egg sacs on the wall. I did relocate one black widow who was living in the kitchen area, but we don't mind other buggies.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhee32fCeUiTU_oXp-2kFfGx_wBkXeIVfsBAvVGyDZfrqr3oMzXE-j0cyoA7wYnEAsxO0___biwNDN3FtCK8R6wd1lwOnJkF2SuPXE1L_JFIPvOc2ZCHJwpb4rGWAGtZ3XZ9kq7yR5m7-in/s1600/115_3263.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhee32fCeUiTU_oXp-2kFfGx_wBkXeIVfsBAvVGyDZfrqr3oMzXE-j0cyoA7wYnEAsxO0___biwNDN3FtCK8R6wd1lwOnJkF2SuPXE1L_JFIPvOc2ZCHJwpb4rGWAGtZ3XZ9kq7yR5m7-in/s400/115_3263.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Much better!<br />
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And then there was this thing, just begging to smack someone's shins.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI44h5yeyL6qabtJBeFte3vNuccO_cp9f0tqBF4M7SdyTEsOueDVFUoDOLA5cv7BtKgdwS99Ke_yFYVpMgMp4W62UFfdqO7M30xHHcdLOsJ3Lv1noPVELMuGlqrqdVuStkwOdcV78ViZW7/s1600/115_3264.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI44h5yeyL6qabtJBeFte3vNuccO_cp9f0tqBF4M7SdyTEsOueDVFUoDOLA5cv7BtKgdwS99Ke_yFYVpMgMp4W62UFfdqO7M30xHHcdLOsJ3Lv1noPVELMuGlqrqdVuStkwOdcV78ViZW7/s400/115_3264.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Why????</div>
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I cut that off and then sealed the insides of the cabinets and the floor with a coat of elastomeric.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiapqzvywUnYwV3f1xx7m9l1bPAC4FpoBOp6hJYU9kLIi8aQdJT5Cs5tWcT2mWbWWxY3iEr1a8pqUKUtmk_1bWhFcpQ9jgccXE3TQg1sdPZmhe-fgDVTsHtJHKjzbcS5ojU_IKRLLh7IrVr/s1600/115_3269.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiapqzvywUnYwV3f1xx7m9l1bPAC4FpoBOp6hJYU9kLIi8aQdJT5Cs5tWcT2mWbWWxY3iEr1a8pqUKUtmk_1bWhFcpQ9jgccXE3TQg1sdPZmhe-fgDVTsHtJHKjzbcS5ojU_IKRLLh7IrVr/s400/115_3269.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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I can tell you one thing, it sure smelled a lot better in there at this point! </div>
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At this point (I had also been scrubbing with disinfectant over and over), I decided it was safe enough for kids to come in. They were SO excited!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggunjaVTg1nS9yIoUDdygqgqKpnDYkEZ0Ek-jHWeJ6v0Z0W5WBPCQNMLMLvS2RzQCc3BScFwysob4_P8u-WPS5gYI8My0YKRzLLHXLoGHtoddOxLDHhkrAKkRSAcXZHupe0NGwRpWibL7W/s1600/115_3270.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggunjaVTg1nS9yIoUDdygqgqKpnDYkEZ0Ek-jHWeJ6v0Z0W5WBPCQNMLMLvS2RzQCc3BScFwysob4_P8u-WPS5gYI8My0YKRzLLHXLoGHtoddOxLDHhkrAKkRSAcXZHupe0NGwRpWibL7W/s400/115_3270.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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And immediately left their stuff all over.</div>
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Now that they can come in, I can put them to work.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVoB6ZOho_Oo9ubObdXYvMFEuMOu9DJErLP5dIAeFztapLyxCCVIg1R-7AORyCn8QJWTMLZLZPawUemVGOGGOfaScpsHTCcH0DDMoX2SDJeeKAKFX4iecLdnnJZr1fDUbhKshjO5J3niFr/s1600/115_3285.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVoB6ZOho_Oo9ubObdXYvMFEuMOu9DJErLP5dIAeFztapLyxCCVIg1R-7AORyCn8QJWTMLZLZPawUemVGOGGOfaScpsHTCcH0DDMoX2SDJeeKAKFX4iecLdnnJZr1fDUbhKshjO5J3niFr/s400/115_3285.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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I scrounged the 2x8s at the local Restore. Not pretty, but sturdy enough for my purposes.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3VHHfl0WTvFlw5obQ8eHi5IvlV58A8tsyD7Q1oBEhSxlv38CEHmIcbEZNQNxUtz5tiaycY3MRrz4J4ZebrQ7jQQtdEk8XhnS-lkKye6ejjRVT1M1_O5zwmHCbQWgl4B5Vsxf52M7dICqJ/s1600/115_3287.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3VHHfl0WTvFlw5obQ8eHi5IvlV58A8tsyD7Q1oBEhSxlv38CEHmIcbEZNQNxUtz5tiaycY3MRrz4J4ZebrQ7jQQtdEk8XhnS-lkKye6ejjRVT1M1_O5zwmHCbQWgl4B5Vsxf52M7dICqJ/s400/115_3287.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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The counter top had seen better days. </div>
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I may go through and put linoleum over it later, but for now another good scrubbing and contact paper will do.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ucKIckm4NNmWBtc-pWkwrGH0r81WaPpt81toZmSAt_5TIVxIwl9n6e0sOfhXpJmco0voT0rIvfD1SGDFL2efkGspcn0EbROFRhkdOqqHut5M3IzmMbFLVIqkIB6fZ_UILtgowktcslgn/s1600/115_3294.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ucKIckm4NNmWBtc-pWkwrGH0r81WaPpt81toZmSAt_5TIVxIwl9n6e0sOfhXpJmco0voT0rIvfD1SGDFL2efkGspcn0EbROFRhkdOqqHut5M3IzmMbFLVIqkIB6fZ_UILtgowktcslgn/s400/115_3294.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Don't you love how much face cuts bleed?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinDryi5Sn-dR1vRFmS4h7ZwTEaOgHmtbzVR1blYKmSlakNaNn5itKUJTlpe9av7aJjxpcFgbDIK4CFz3eHLBr7U0Wx6VxLVGUuuB1SwFenWB8cBWPV1b79-dOUyZEc7vbbJN32pTS9kzsV/s1600/115_3289.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinDryi5Sn-dR1vRFmS4h7ZwTEaOgHmtbzVR1blYKmSlakNaNn5itKUJTlpe9av7aJjxpcFgbDIK4CFz3eHLBr7U0Wx6VxLVGUuuB1SwFenWB8cBWPV1b79-dOUyZEc7vbbJN32pTS9kzsV/s400/115_3289.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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Don't ask.</div>
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Now for a little wood...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl456J5N7IgRWGhLI83J2VEMjoiCA7toPFCH16x7egPfUoSu6gZYK_O0uzNtUCE-0emh_GIlMqp8aCOY-QQfEDpIoW2b5OIQvn_7ovBdVtr7xISHOOlCoLnxsqaI2JVooIAjF56mMYICmP/s1600/115_3296.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl456J5N7IgRWGhLI83J2VEMjoiCA7toPFCH16x7egPfUoSu6gZYK_O0uzNtUCE-0emh_GIlMqp8aCOY-QQfEDpIoW2b5OIQvn_7ovBdVtr7xISHOOlCoLnxsqaI2JVooIAjF56mMYICmP/s400/115_3296.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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A little primer...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxom6egbbjR2RJWvTiLIZ_hS6erwM0arDBCfjLGXnse0y2NjX5ZRIFhfv5fDA7t2hbLBrHMbMP9g3-QZxFsP3dx19x6H1dr1noYwGzYBbFYj_idOGSP_bTT9KPaSuxzRcTAOdf9wW_OXMl/s1600/115_3297.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxom6egbbjR2RJWvTiLIZ_hS6erwM0arDBCfjLGXnse0y2NjX5ZRIFhfv5fDA7t2hbLBrHMbMP9g3-QZxFsP3dx19x6H1dr1noYwGzYBbFYj_idOGSP_bTT9KPaSuxzRcTAOdf9wW_OXMl/s400/115_3297.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Some finishing touches...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8neMM4mkTrcUOm2fHdVmYYZWncLMw2qLWMJZXoDOb83_09aY2zA_W7qeJYWGcyhhaslbvJVH-1OLh8G-WJEanOMwBNb29U2kJkMq8bV2sZSdHeEMsWbZmjAdv9QSAKtnuZPJCfYBAoAPf/s1600/115_3300.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8neMM4mkTrcUOm2fHdVmYYZWncLMw2qLWMJZXoDOb83_09aY2zA_W7qeJYWGcyhhaslbvJVH-1OLh8G-WJEanOMwBNb29U2kJkMq8bV2sZSdHeEMsWbZmjAdv9QSAKtnuZPJCfYBAoAPf/s400/115_3300.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVVhsXr9T9An7rCyfa8rLUu16I7vuQYQiKMQn8doauUHk4A-6ynC3ejEv0gTsIp8H3PZNrjzsVBdRdIWskh8d8UG4wfiEMajNNRo6UdxNavcs6uwMykvPWapA0VL4pmMb2eCV4WKF6ofPJ/s1600/115_3305.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVVhsXr9T9An7rCyfa8rLUu16I7vuQYQiKMQn8doauUHk4A-6ynC3ejEv0gTsIp8H3PZNrjzsVBdRdIWskh8d8UG4wfiEMajNNRo6UdxNavcs6uwMykvPWapA0VL4pmMb2eCV4WKF6ofPJ/s400/115_3305.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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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/AVvXsEi-AZghC6CZBtoS34mB1mSM_9kZyaoPlvtZRfdEsYk57BCxt-f_CPReDwjcDg5BulBii24lLOU8dQz79NG0v9IOGnApgrc_KLZdpsyknLEI5pn3kPE-y32aDQi7RmFY7AFenErDghDpuveO/s1600/115_3310.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-AZghC6CZBtoS34mB1mSM_9kZyaoPlvtZRfdEsYk57BCxt-f_CPReDwjcDg5BulBii24lLOU8dQz79NG0v9IOGnApgrc_KLZdpsyknLEI5pn3kPE-y32aDQi7RmFY7AFenErDghDpuveO/s400/115_3310.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All items found while we were emptying the camper out.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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And...(drumroll please)...<br />
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Before again:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkLvSIfkX1lDlUqekNIdTN-jc91Y-YW8_bbZ4j4NcDHX7rfZcL91HoDxRM3ZgS2FB-allklz8DVt2EW0pfEA8Nm9S0QWKkgaEPWaT-eMniWbiEaoacyv33o3WCg94DhiSqekwrJyVBENxx/s1600/115_3225.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkLvSIfkX1lDlUqekNIdTN-jc91Y-YW8_bbZ4j4NcDHX7rfZcL91HoDxRM3ZgS2FB-allklz8DVt2EW0pfEA8Nm9S0QWKkgaEPWaT-eMniWbiEaoacyv33o3WCg94DhiSqekwrJyVBENxx/s400/115_3225.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
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And after:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwrkiLcJor3bMkAtypJIqkUVx9zqf15dZe97BO-BOZAnF6NhTNvzcXzikjCxrk72IA2gAJ0NkqLFNUdbzXQUm5rCa598RhHVEsSA2rg_e6cJiOfTt2Z96827TVYevzPklYRSUhDn5-FZfB/s1600/115_3334.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwrkiLcJor3bMkAtypJIqkUVx9zqf15dZe97BO-BOZAnF6NhTNvzcXzikjCxrk72IA2gAJ0NkqLFNUdbzXQUm5rCa598RhHVEsSA2rg_e6cJiOfTt2Z96827TVYevzPklYRSUhDn5-FZfB/s400/115_3334.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Before:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1CW3rsLHlG1CvNBHFPmX2JOQw3thpBqPrOpK8fkOumK5if8XksJrqSRjq7RmoE6dxv3NWijlaA8PpCBdRm7IAjkvN3MW283Oyfnjn0S054qSnHY6PTxvT2HlZipZMqIfMD1jl8CqRTWP_/s1600/115_3223.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1CW3rsLHlG1CvNBHFPmX2JOQw3thpBqPrOpK8fkOumK5if8XksJrqSRjq7RmoE6dxv3NWijlaA8PpCBdRm7IAjkvN3MW283Oyfnjn0S054qSnHY6PTxvT2HlZipZMqIfMD1jl8CqRTWP_/s400/115_3223.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
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After:<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/AVvXsEilmRr74hhfZm0hxGRZtgFFam9tMgMTkyqGIoXNXhmq3uTmSa8vcYpQSWsqOKaAD5AYOUQ9QTd7h0kLRM0sc8y0WZsT7Pc4VctkcAN81Oe6rWj-QGa9sH7LcFTGQ-qSq8cc4ut2NisQqre8/s1600/115_3319.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilmRr74hhfZm0hxGRZtgFFam9tMgMTkyqGIoXNXhmq3uTmSa8vcYpQSWsqOKaAD5AYOUQ9QTd7h0kLRM0sc8y0WZsT7Pc4VctkcAN81Oe6rWj-QGa9sH7LcFTGQ-qSq8cc4ut2NisQqre8/s400/115_3319.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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Needs curtains (ordered on Amazon). Isn't the phone awesome? Yard sale find!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjufYKSRcVVqLFFcm6GHPSokalw9Y5-F28WFo0LcIsxGX_IOFiEPMTyhQEr8WhxK06XhZoxiSKQrt5Za18MZ6LsbsqfU4MftQcKKxyDLfeBL3TBbtFugnRBi8lrQS1YHgoLILCaRFfoUBZj/s1600/115_3327.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjufYKSRcVVqLFFcm6GHPSokalw9Y5-F28WFo0LcIsxGX_IOFiEPMTyhQEr8WhxK06XhZoxiSKQrt5Za18MZ6LsbsqfU4MftQcKKxyDLfeBL3TBbtFugnRBi8lrQS1YHgoLILCaRFfoUBZj/s400/115_3327.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
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Grace's artwork: sky, sun, flowers, grass. And the brown is...because it's raining poop.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXrqiEHdlexsqZ7K2fsoiqz6i4Z5dTgn_WuyydcASzGfymSDWUHW3aHsLBrP9GBwhQ3k3qU82CxN1niKMZgOup_OauWjgF59Rol2kdekVzyI7C3QZpVcIZOhYhss21bZ0WIXxiArVhBz_k/s1600/115_3328.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXrqiEHdlexsqZ7K2fsoiqz6i4Z5dTgn_WuyydcASzGfymSDWUHW3aHsLBrP9GBwhQ3k3qU82CxN1niKMZgOup_OauWjgF59Rol2kdekVzyI7C3QZpVcIZOhYhss21bZ0WIXxiArVhBz_k/s400/115_3328.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
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I need to remove the white paint on the cabinet, and curtains are coming for this window too. The kids are having a BLAST pretending to cook things!<br />
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Before:<br />
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqACb6fxU2WZrt8yCCwDGl_DWK6W_gyO7APKZj5lU-rHrzFiulHTXsjlxFRI3QVpJfUBgM37Snq326g03SxpsqhPySMMwTFF2kEoa6hpmf1CGloG5SIq0-IjIxUBxnxI84-oCjINW4iEXb/s400/115_3254.JPG" /><br />
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After:<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/AVvXsEhbEIQc1lrmItjDd2q9QmYmENNYpnyayvdfddlVxKJLcXA1Z_m0ZPF32D8v0Fijmj5YSoiXO2XuNurrgyyAWydmVAuDAQehxXlFmD67GXsu4zp80pLAkSZszyMlPyYyElonONlGqmyHa3gJ/s1600/115_3306.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbEIQc1lrmItjDd2q9QmYmENNYpnyayvdfddlVxKJLcXA1Z_m0ZPF32D8v0Fijmj5YSoiXO2XuNurrgyyAWydmVAuDAQehxXlFmD67GXsu4zp80pLAkSZszyMlPyYyElonONlGqmyHa3gJ/s400/115_3306.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christopher's artwork. Chickie nuggies!.</td></tr>
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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/AVvXsEgo3efXqC-XGick00WPiUjPi4EB_TBOm2x4FwMuvfH2jBPxHKgwo0fcmKmITewJ7h3pxjVmQuZI4EOlggocLF3hl64UtxQeIB2KJE1ux9vc-VvQ59RjXj_dh9KOZ6UoErDmZsGVKe3gDl_b/s1600/115_3307.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo3efXqC-XGick00WPiUjPi4EB_TBOm2x4FwMuvfH2jBPxHKgwo0fcmKmITewJ7h3pxjVmQuZI4EOlggocLF3hl64UtxQeIB2KJE1ux9vc-VvQ59RjXj_dh9KOZ6UoErDmZsGVKe3gDl_b/s400/115_3307.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sheridan's artwork (latest obsession).</td></tr>
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4W-pA3GRAuMGKn7bqOhzvIJg876vq8-79lD3039bCoee-5z-_GD6vXQxCzXDB-R3ka4t4URU-89k8TmGn7tpTR-VvsRlqTQHY8pCWAXQZupBdb7L8LEZYrx7XJDrhcT0MgTwMLOQQceM1/s400/115_3238.JPG" /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSeN8b9PwxYvB7BDDUZWCCP3Q6keuwgN6rWTzfuFTOaoDzMICc0EZkKA7BCcxSGW3NCIOimeoPD7gZtYmDLD1jxTrzpnDF8K_vtghdKPTKZmf_XRhA6ZoCcayycFHTiI7oPLSV8S9hVxKq/s1600/115_3317.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSeN8b9PwxYvB7BDDUZWCCP3Q6keuwgN6rWTzfuFTOaoDzMICc0EZkKA7BCcxSGW3NCIOimeoPD7gZtYmDLD1jxTrzpnDF8K_vtghdKPTKZmf_XRhA6ZoCcayycFHTiI7oPLSV8S9hVxKq/s400/115_3317.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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That's the drive-up window for the taco truck/cafe/whatever it is this week.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijZqoCO0iLku-joWlK4rv_fs-ps4dgCU267Ehau6YFKrtXZk1G0wAtEb9Kr0T43nn7IY1oSe0qAkXFm-Jjqri7mt-GfgjQeXgo4EeGeMXPsEdK1hyRf8gkxZ-Kukxd5n0P6KKejc1e8B1p/s1600/115_3318.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijZqoCO0iLku-joWlK4rv_fs-ps4dgCU267Ehau6YFKrtXZk1G0wAtEb9Kr0T43nn7IY1oSe0qAkXFm-Jjqri7mt-GfgjQeXgo4EeGeMXPsEdK1hyRf8gkxZ-Kukxd5n0P6KKejc1e8B1p/s400/115_3318.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Logan's art, and the phone number for the kids' taco shop!</td></tr>
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And finally, the bathroom, which I came close to sealing off and ignoring:<br />
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Before:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6H60jwSkvGdgTKsJ8CROw_0fkUaTD73SJMYZnAwfS4UjS2_1LTpdsbnypa7LQA6b-i2Uj48rLs2WrGFM-ZXKoLS3s9XeZvxEYYjuEzA8Yac7R79DrHrc-YY4If63_QaG4NoSosDHekJyt/s1600/115_3239.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6H60jwSkvGdgTKsJ8CROw_0fkUaTD73SJMYZnAwfS4UjS2_1LTpdsbnypa7LQA6b-i2Uj48rLs2WrGFM-ZXKoLS3s9XeZvxEYYjuEzA8Yac7R79DrHrc-YY4If63_QaG4NoSosDHekJyt/s400/115_3239.JPG" width="300" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDp8g43IINiwLXbDVfqHpRendn8SrvFnZdKnDt5lZctcc5lQNDklm4XcBB5iwK3kum8TiFdie_42vZEbmQZ7aXEP_2U7zmVhggUeusZtKnRn4PLHOlo4Vk6WROl9reXoJRbhL-8nRA5C4j/s1600/115_3314.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDp8g43IINiwLXbDVfqHpRendn8SrvFnZdKnDt5lZctcc5lQNDklm4XcBB5iwK3kum8TiFdie_42vZEbmQZ7aXEP_2U7zmVhggUeusZtKnRn4PLHOlo4Vk6WROl9reXoJRbhL-8nRA5C4j/s400/115_3314.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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My plan is to decoupage the walls with pages from discarded books, but it is already quite easily the favorite spot - and pretty comfy (of course I had to try it out first!)<br />
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So, it's pretty much done except for some finishing touches! What ever will I do with all my time now?<br />
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Cue child yelling from the back porch...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI0z4R3weQilWkqNCESZEjckIRTM3q7UIMoyUCunSAB9aTcIlF1yG6A8-ZdLP6m-NLGZVEUVQTcsU5ozcQKVdD2DSZ341-LQP8ZXex2dL-FBCCp5LuTVtvnviA0h_HT9oLYLMxACx_hJlp/s1600/115_3316.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI0z4R3weQilWkqNCESZEjckIRTM3q7UIMoyUCunSAB9aTcIlF1yG6A8-ZdLP6m-NLGZVEUVQTcsU5ozcQKVdD2DSZ341-LQP8ZXex2dL-FBCCp5LuTVtvnviA0h_HT9oLYLMxACx_hJlp/s400/115_3316.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Sigh.<br />
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Amihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04191114596338482173noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-692403747802454923.post-32914115001533394932020-05-27T11:33:00.000-06:002020-05-27T11:33:09.990-06:00Treasure Hunt<div style="text-align: center;">
We had been tossing around the idea of some sort of hike or picnic today, then last night out of the blue our friend Mr. F. messaged that he had set up a scavenger hunt for the kids on a local trail! What a fabulous thing to do, and such perfect timing!</div>
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We didn't tell the kids anything about the hunt, just the hike. We packed our backpacks and set off, warning them to watch for rattle snakes. </div>
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These holes were a bit too tiny for snakes, so we're going to say ants. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVnxRAa4_J4KhlxOMYH1iOe5L5XpC6J_YYswoifMD5ltf_qF-6neCtmToTEhulTLNsabpzl2eVUPBwRsdHgOY_1kLAK-ndvbIybB8uHnuDcm_Nig1wy7U6njsYo1X8Tx-mG6BTF0H9Kxfa/s1600/115_3120.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVnxRAa4_J4KhlxOMYH1iOe5L5XpC6J_YYswoifMD5ltf_qF-6neCtmToTEhulTLNsabpzl2eVUPBwRsdHgOY_1kLAK-ndvbIybB8uHnuDcm_Nig1wy7U6njsYo1X8Tx-mG6BTF0H9Kxfa/s320/115_3120.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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A heart!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbloKNTq9GAPA9Zsxf0kOeI_at_DcU0M1aww_ay9d-_BZRA4pcRLwiB6gdwdwzpTexHtw_JYjV3M616v4UtgnlG7rSYr9iEKge0cpfNokM7EcEecAH9L6ypVD3Hf9nhM_QAMJnGxn-QCjI/s1600/115_3121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbloKNTq9GAPA9Zsxf0kOeI_at_DcU0M1aww_ay9d-_BZRA4pcRLwiB6gdwdwzpTexHtw_JYjV3M616v4UtgnlG7rSYr9iEKge0cpfNokM7EcEecAH9L6ypVD3Hf9nhM_QAMJnGxn-QCjI/s320/115_3121.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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When we got to the spot where Mr. F. had told us to start. I told the kids I thought I saw something go under the flat rock. Remembering the snake warnings, they all backed away! Logan got brave, though, and lifted the rock to find...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYvF7YgDaiP8lMD2jyM45tqPrtGn9_qxu04dpSYjFim9XN4XwEClbn_OWb6JgsGNISqh5boKgqSK55OEIa8LHH3hrTMztab4Zq48zvkihOlf5d62mg6hR3Z0KanvevrXtTe2MjpXle4FeB/s1600/115_3122.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYvF7YgDaiP8lMD2jyM45tqPrtGn9_qxu04dpSYjFim9XN4XwEClbn_OWb6JgsGNISqh5boKgqSK55OEIa8LHH3hrTMztab4Zq48zvkihOlf5d62mg6hR3Z0KanvevrXtTe2MjpXle4FeB/s320/115_3122.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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A clue! The hunt was on, and the kids immediately spotted the dead tree in the distance.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrTLfFndRDKj17NrbWUGwdFBCpYBeFipcAYC8yCKWgBJnyhFy4-HX7asQ2TNANEyurYG5NMtkCF3JSXDXrjDDtdJGBiNpLX2taumVDkRFZfYKGRAM_XFyLJx5RRJnF4t8FSACu9O_LYqZP/s1600/115_3123.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrTLfFndRDKj17NrbWUGwdFBCpYBeFipcAYC8yCKWgBJnyhFy4-HX7asQ2TNANEyurYG5NMtkCF3JSXDXrjDDtdJGBiNpLX2taumVDkRFZfYKGRAM_XFyLJx5RRJnF4t8FSACu9O_LYqZP/s320/115_3123.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Sheridan's turn to retrieve this one.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKjSLrI8NY9YgtqvYq-aVVU_OQ2gBTzgWj9UI-nIOxOVkAb0ZsczZSny06r1srFNbMyvL5iwDMOu3OTifQ7oTdAEvHoFN5V13CBXp4i-dP_D49YIDToMNxTb3d5Ucch2z3LG4XLOIkHoRv/s1600/115_3124.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKjSLrI8NY9YgtqvYq-aVVU_OQ2gBTzgWj9UI-nIOxOVkAb0ZsczZSny06r1srFNbMyvL5iwDMOu3OTifQ7oTdAEvHoFN5V13CBXp4i-dP_D49YIDToMNxTb3d5Ucch2z3LG4XLOIkHoRv/s320/115_3124.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Ooh, we had to count steps! She was very excited, as she was wearing the (fake) Fitbit she got for her birthday.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw0c_6nHuR1RE5rsYI9unc2aml99Z5AVVb9RQbd1XsKOMi2htFAicG0aYvHzrI6j_4JeCancVt62MRkImXJlgsPulpnWowzUTe5JjTtwkJm1aF0pzQ1wbYexiIo43DWJHJgTbpLYEOQsOh/s1600/115_3125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw0c_6nHuR1RE5rsYI9unc2aml99Z5AVVb9RQbd1XsKOMi2htFAicG0aYvHzrI6j_4JeCancVt62MRkImXJlgsPulpnWowzUTe5JjTtwkJm1aF0pzQ1wbYexiIo43DWJHJgTbpLYEOQsOh/s320/115_3125.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Some cool plants along the way...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT7w5FsPgEi3tvqtWFYf0UDDR6eE5OPka7vtJe2mgFBIK9K5BjjBafY6ig0aqeWDSiEX86WXoA19oE3eeDZdW5i2JqB3YpW73fFBAOViCS9BbWsM0do_Vto7rfCkPB4KSxlOqVlln7hhdi/s1600/115_3126.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT7w5FsPgEi3tvqtWFYf0UDDR6eE5OPka7vtJe2mgFBIK9K5BjjBafY6ig0aqeWDSiEX86WXoA19oE3eeDZdW5i2JqB3YpW73fFBAOViCS9BbWsM0do_Vto7rfCkPB4KSxlOqVlln7hhdi/s320/115_3126.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Christopher's turn...big yucca above the old board!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ6D5vE77S7YJQX2BxNogG__1ktScCrms3tECPzIQ9OaMqMsXmVp5EExGGUT6xogkZQt58QZczI3-LEhhezBcMkjcLz9vtHRWvmJennWMaTDJwB-vAqKuN5PO19AG6XA_64KEOuHThYJIT/s1600/115_3128.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ6D5vE77S7YJQX2BxNogG__1ktScCrms3tECPzIQ9OaMqMsXmVp5EExGGUT6xogkZQt58QZczI3-LEhhezBcMkjcLz9vtHRWvmJennWMaTDJwB-vAqKuN5PO19AG6XA_64KEOuHThYJIT/s320/115_3128.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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But there were TWO piles of three rocks. What happened if he chose the wrong one? Was there a trap??? His siblings, of course, came up with all sorts of dire predictions...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCI6rBAaXLHcXAGmpcwuWKRgDMofJOT2pNIJnRYBkP4OHMvdeVpeCIf_nZRMCRBJCMntCJN0qaR7XBsMxqNexL74oioN4BRlBfrzdm-T12lrJgTIhRIc4LDTCxPsGcBI4Km9Ai5Kq-cDCH/s1600/115_3129.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCI6rBAaXLHcXAGmpcwuWKRgDMofJOT2pNIJnRYBkP4OHMvdeVpeCIf_nZRMCRBJCMntCJN0qaR7XBsMxqNexL74oioN4BRlBfrzdm-T12lrJgTIhRIc4LDTCxPsGcBI4Km9Ai5Kq-cDCH/s320/115_3129.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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...so he leaned in close and spotted the paper sticking out of the first one. Then, of course, he lifted the other anyway. No booby traps - much disappointment.</div>
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The next clue said to look for the alligator head.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0kHc50IKxgfFrh_NmT5XfEYWkxlveMyWWjO3vP6vjcZUxU-zTuqoJWmi7YOixIodh9UZF0mLk7d7X0QkLHZvOU-mxsqRXygm0LKAGKooR6iVDTfL76NI5SuePYywoLRLbT7rzLhjLXMOE/s1600/115_3130.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0kHc50IKxgfFrh_NmT5XfEYWkxlveMyWWjO3vP6vjcZUxU-zTuqoJWmi7YOixIodh9UZF0mLk7d7X0QkLHZvOU-mxsqRXygm0LKAGKooR6iVDTfL76NI5SuePYywoLRLbT7rzLhjLXMOE/s320/115_3130.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Do you see it? He's kind of smiling, so we deemed it safe to approach.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip67MpW0DxcEA2pEqBLgV1VabOydQ0sTYMq54vx-ARUuk_z6PSTI4PInM05L1cbStJZfIqGnQrQ99eUs2IUVboKgA7OBKE77aPa2IvFswEhePuVFXwPR-lVpFspEL5EI3ZuncUEeGJu7sS/s1600/115_3131.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip67MpW0DxcEA2pEqBLgV1VabOydQ0sTYMq54vx-ARUuk_z6PSTI4PInM05L1cbStJZfIqGnQrQ99eUs2IUVboKgA7OBKE77aPa2IvFswEhePuVFXwPR-lVpFspEL5EI3ZuncUEeGJu7sS/s320/115_3131.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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For the next clue we had to walk until two telephone poles became one.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtzgiYs0DKeWGmX7gsEKXLuSQ88ggr_SnYqEiz7GY_r4k_ODlH_gMs2KHymaL0nFTjmMNjXlAlxRAChL3aZZo38e_0oLYu3p1udPimJ8PO-MHcCtbuPz4f0qKvaf0N39eKtYoSRCFrNDid/s1600/115_3137.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtzgiYs0DKeWGmX7gsEKXLuSQ88ggr_SnYqEiz7GY_r4k_ODlH_gMs2KHymaL0nFTjmMNjXlAlxRAChL3aZZo38e_0oLYu3p1udPimJ8PO-MHcCtbuPz4f0qKvaf0N39eKtYoSRCFrNDid/s320/115_3137.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Can you see the second behind this one? No? Must be the right spot!</div>
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Next clue: Turn around and follow the trail of seashells (now how did THOSE get there?)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmp7tx3x61WM-W6V-u2h-eaalOfJaAYkwulmuecO5o6Y0RJCPeAMhTekZ67vQFkc5-2c6Kgovc3fZ1p4hRU0KKydVQqLRSIA5J0UjFvIyER_2FZZrvxDu_86c4qxlSHFiiLQIBVlc4OFgU/s1600/115_3138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmp7tx3x61WM-W6V-u2h-eaalOfJaAYkwulmuecO5o6Y0RJCPeAMhTekZ67vQFkc5-2c6Kgovc3fZ1p4hRU0KKydVQqLRSIA5J0UjFvIyER_2FZZrvxDu_86c4qxlSHFiiLQIBVlc4OFgU/s320/115_3138.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJoddoMFuWUwgQ731-TRyTWLgrut_TmkUTYMyM6gvPNazTj5tZlcS-vhCLvt7JCb-zVWjCpH4UIRXYDi241U7kUBl9GhdcEsIvY5-9BdA2l8AF93Id_EjsUoebP-o6m5sMv7OqYHnE0V6n/s1600/115_3140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJoddoMFuWUwgQ731-TRyTWLgrut_TmkUTYMyM6gvPNazTj5tZlcS-vhCLvt7JCb-zVWjCpH4UIRXYDi241U7kUBl9GhdcEsIvY5-9BdA2l8AF93Id_EjsUoebP-o6m5sMv7OqYHnE0V6n/s320/115_3140.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Treasure!!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiEBrT76-13SByUEABRn5hLIr8GZ1BIicHFY6yg_b39Yg0Fl14AW9a-ucIFaymmkwO7upcTi-0as1OuexrK0OLFhVre0bhOlohEqujwDfaKMThIPY0wetTZK2B0i7D9xmr-BQsFbcbLGAm/s1600/115_3141.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiEBrT76-13SByUEABRn5hLIr8GZ1BIicHFY6yg_b39Yg0Fl14AW9a-ucIFaymmkwO7upcTi-0as1OuexrK0OLFhVre0bhOlohEqujwDfaKMThIPY0wetTZK2B0i7D9xmr-BQsFbcbLGAm/s320/115_3141.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMTucoEzfLx9qsHF04JvLYSw9NNhY3FumPpmrEnRfNo__yxxHMpaIi4hRWJnDjKK3coRCgD3EWA0eQibaUQHvM1BgkzY6EueEEKGfFkhUiGUQ_Vt8fRYP98YmxBJQ1eIIlA4plEbIvYL-D/s1600/115_3142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMTucoEzfLx9qsHF04JvLYSw9NNhY3FumPpmrEnRfNo__yxxHMpaIi4hRWJnDjKK3coRCgD3EWA0eQibaUQHvM1BgkzY6EueEEKGfFkhUiGUQ_Vt8fRYP98YmxBJQ1eIIlA4plEbIvYL-D/s320/115_3142.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Very much so!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5VNFj_Qb-qRRRLrjvcJ622v26KxXi5qkXUUPDhZOy19aukjWDs3kfaPxXjl5qPc37vWK4oajR-aueiYikOUI_EgqQ0R4u9zCsQBPTcoDmMJVWaApjFEqqYwCS6CwLy-bSzH4IM0s7Sa5b/s1600/115_3144.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5VNFj_Qb-qRRRLrjvcJ622v26KxXi5qkXUUPDhZOy19aukjWDs3kfaPxXjl5qPc37vWK4oajR-aueiYikOUI_EgqQ0R4u9zCsQBPTcoDmMJVWaApjFEqqYwCS6CwLy-bSzH4IM0s7Sa5b/s320/115_3144.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Fossils, pyrite, serpentine, petrified wood...SO COOL!!!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjOkbo__fUduyNuyCsk1CZjWurfatI_YRAM3J-qtxZZvNg_CmOP2VekAvB8MQreoavj9R2ZwnPaI32X6rnQGaxK0BY8TIYmFBbZz3MMVKUoWCea1put3ERUi5fgbijlCwQQ4ruZ6ls5j30/s1600/115_3145.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjOkbo__fUduyNuyCsk1CZjWurfatI_YRAM3J-qtxZZvNg_CmOP2VekAvB8MQreoavj9R2ZwnPaI32X6rnQGaxK0BY8TIYmFBbZz3MMVKUoWCea1put3ERUi5fgbijlCwQQ4ruZ6ls5j30/s320/115_3145.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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We explored them for a few minutes, then put them in Mom's backpack for safe keeping, and finished the rest of the trail.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvi79-iq_hyphenhyphen3UeeBjE5f3hGAGkClhLkO_6ND8Vw2oFFZBPzHSi6_gdda5ErtMiMXooYlnSChrYjxHfUtxcUyV6_6ndmkh8NxBn4UuGawvAmI1jPa26nRt8aKKndy0Wz32qSWdW7jDIVWgn/s1600/115_3146.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvi79-iq_hyphenhyphen3UeeBjE5f3hGAGkClhLkO_6ND8Vw2oFFZBPzHSi6_gdda5ErtMiMXooYlnSChrYjxHfUtxcUyV6_6ndmkh8NxBn4UuGawvAmI1jPa26nRt8aKKndy0Wz32qSWdW7jDIVWgn/s320/115_3146.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Shane spotted these cactus plants clinging to the edge.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggfGjJWBPbF380_liCioi1DIFq_lw7wQznBsaS4wooICBtqoeIXSSB8455iikA0sBCN7-_GkT3Xw5PsYT4RpokEenxhXCtugrEoX_4-6RN1qZKMXfvWtdS5rxBs_RnJ_4AyqXctVaVzvvU/s1600/115_3147.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggfGjJWBPbF380_liCioi1DIFq_lw7wQznBsaS4wooICBtqoeIXSSB8455iikA0sBCN7-_GkT3Xw5PsYT4RpokEenxhXCtugrEoX_4-6RN1qZKMXfvWtdS5rxBs_RnJ_4AyqXctVaVzvvU/s320/115_3147.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Do you see the turtle?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWVtoBu1ADaq6aUcz5AY4NIYQZGNmFseFlAltSGYQpIqA4msMVceRbHU7hRKGaUztxxEanYiRiN4NadcYyZSCveicvSiMSEiE3G4MYn671raqJLY3Lrso8L0i81gz6KP4JlYb840D-A4Fq/s1600/115_3148.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWVtoBu1ADaq6aUcz5AY4NIYQZGNmFseFlAltSGYQpIqA4msMVceRbHU7hRKGaUztxxEanYiRiN4NadcYyZSCveicvSiMSEiE3G4MYn671raqJLY3Lrso8L0i81gz6KP4JlYb840D-A4Fq/s320/115_3148.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Spidey hidey hole</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSC3ZUYPj5FcCk2W5TCAvUPAb_bEJgiPcfhHk6U6N4D5KDTEQZBXPaFdeDeT1bW0JrP_vYo6Q0iSw45qxh59BOnFxCGxd0oKU6ysY1VDumPqwUA8HeF2GnmlQJeAzqkCpjgDvn24fqYCsm/s1600/115_3150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSC3ZUYPj5FcCk2W5TCAvUPAb_bEJgiPcfhHk6U6N4D5KDTEQZBXPaFdeDeT1bW0JrP_vYo6Q0iSw45qxh59BOnFxCGxd0oKU6ysY1VDumPqwUA8HeF2GnmlQJeAzqkCpjgDvn24fqYCsm/s320/115_3150.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Hmm...Mr. F.? Were you here too? We left it for others to find!</div>
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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/AVvXsEgRXLeImoNB_HketkUcRhlw5LMtphtGbWPVMNWdfRuKZ__zMO47xZQm7eiTI5f9eZr_9dB-s7NFy86igXqo07mGj4PZY5J2j-Ybu0tC_teG9emio8M5r7UFdRueXXszb_fheRJ2P7_vDbrE/s1600/115_3154.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRXLeImoNB_HketkUcRhlw5LMtphtGbWPVMNWdfRuKZ__zMO47xZQm7eiTI5f9eZr_9dB-s7NFy86igXqo07mGj4PZY5J2j-Ybu0tC_teG9emio8M5r7UFdRueXXszb_fheRJ2P7_vDbrE/s320/115_3154.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The lighting doesn't do it justice - pretty rich red striped rock!</td></tr>
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Snack break! (And time to look at the rocks some more)</div>
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The yucca flowers have died off, but the seed pods are starting to look like pickles!</div>
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We started seeing signs Mr. F. had been busier than we thought.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDb69ZTn4So569rrxsDxnO-_PmjnJhYOQErKdSA53EDsCesbMj6YVGDD2uPj4ikoPdexqd5KaVZ-YoDtwIh63ouU8dViIM0mFSIyXxN7GR9l5_sdSMzQB2haRR2GXw75bD1OgKUBqww_TX/s1600/115_3164.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDb69ZTn4So569rrxsDxnO-_PmjnJhYOQErKdSA53EDsCesbMj6YVGDD2uPj4ikoPdexqd5KaVZ-YoDtwIh63ouU8dViIM0mFSIyXxN7GR9l5_sdSMzQB2haRR2GXw75bD1OgKUBqww_TX/s320/115_3164.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdP8a_XAORmMkQFi9rmsnG6gc1N2n6IekUQac3nP-VhSK_6zea5c06_4BYsyszDURgSCxX86sqkJF_q80wRt9eypelJChWrTltUGvqIZLfQ1sSGXsGgyjpISqKT74_Hbmye-2-T_4AANVz/s1600/115_3166.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdP8a_XAORmMkQFi9rmsnG6gc1N2n6IekUQac3nP-VhSK_6zea5c06_4BYsyszDURgSCxX86sqkJF_q80wRt9eypelJChWrTltUGvqIZLfQ1sSGXsGgyjpISqKT74_Hbmye-2-T_4AANVz/s320/115_3166.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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We had our treasure, so we left these for others to find!</div>
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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/AVvXsEh_VAoc9gy34r1qUB5TWU1NWmqwDZ_uP8d0B0dIstd-vVR9ma-wFxzu9SUhakBvS9x8Y0QCuokzYgKmLQ2mxLScq3uOUOQydzy5BzE7hMIt-pEfPDT1hjR_VP5qg3MU9GPJn7CahaeN_jrw/s1600/115_3167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_VAoc9gy34r1qUB5TWU1NWmqwDZ_uP8d0B0dIstd-vVR9ma-wFxzu9SUhakBvS9x8Y0QCuokzYgKmLQ2mxLScq3uOUOQydzy5BzE7hMIt-pEfPDT1hjR_VP5qg3MU9GPJn7CahaeN_jrw/s320/115_3167.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I don't think he put any up there, Sheridan.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg96pAO1Yo3hAzDh7K7y_3XNPxpAqL_E2MQ5ifYMjLGe-Jzp7JRfgqeh-Mr2JCgtBNx-IIeeuYs_XUtiB6xaWSTGU9YSf471A2gmnqOCYGUCwylc6vttRBxJZtvwjITGJeE3mK6ILFavssW/s1600/115_3169.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg96pAO1Yo3hAzDh7K7y_3XNPxpAqL_E2MQ5ifYMjLGe-Jzp7JRfgqeh-Mr2JCgtBNx-IIeeuYs_XUtiB6xaWSTGU9YSf471A2gmnqOCYGUCwylc6vttRBxJZtvwjITGJeE3mK6ILFavssW/s320/115_3169.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another not-a-good-picture, but those three rocks were a bit shinier than the others in the area!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCfe7RSNCjcdW9mE-keO83b06NYScmFAKntw6pE-AqLUrMg_TgVPmA3lDkWyDFt3U7hqyYxBYTwDN3YdG23FH_VFBeh8F9S9pLuO7t-eeWyughyphenhyphenlJbtwuC7XEZ8ShLSqu2Un-AX9JHrOJv/s1600/115_3170.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCfe7RSNCjcdW9mE-keO83b06NYScmFAKntw6pE-AqLUrMg_TgVPmA3lDkWyDFt3U7hqyYxBYTwDN3YdG23FH_VFBeh8F9S9pLuO7t-eeWyughyphenhyphenlJbtwuC7XEZ8ShLSqu2Un-AX9JHrOJv/s320/115_3170.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Who might be living in there?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbqd54w3KsEmj9n9y6CD_zdBQqj49HFGGcwXamwrgI0gAx5dQuFWIUIDF__hDJqt8wBrP8x3Q8qmstner2-L73Sd9yu6vE4Je6-gxjjtanYsUWWzDveDnHiJhYj-51xA0MJrPhWXuRWknP/s1600/115_3172.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbqd54w3KsEmj9n9y6CD_zdBQqj49HFGGcwXamwrgI0gAx5dQuFWIUIDF__hDJqt8wBrP8x3Q8qmstner2-L73Sd9yu6vE4Je6-gxjjtanYsUWWzDveDnHiJhYj-51xA0MJrPhWXuRWknP/s320/115_3172.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hmm...</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji7Eyrx_7sPIeoRVCtorOKKqhPvpwl5GQ3oWOZM81tF8FgePiVwf1omOpR3Pvv0pCXDR7gqHc5iJEZtIydiWl4c8_dlXzCQStrMv5fXh6f3N5k2EZwHwyuXim5JUDo_4yspKgALYd4u0av/s1600/115_3175.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji7Eyrx_7sPIeoRVCtorOKKqhPvpwl5GQ3oWOZM81tF8FgePiVwf1omOpR3Pvv0pCXDR7gqHc5iJEZtIydiWl4c8_dlXzCQStrMv5fXh6f3N5k2EZwHwyuXim5JUDo_4yspKgALYd4u0av/s320/115_3175.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Now this one we think arrived here naturally, but the shape was cool!</div>
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As was the shape of these little wispy plants.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU-8pAH8a6NVYkqvLi8d2C1RXhLghzIJue7AZwEIHyR6t5hY3vNaWE1N8aiMxM_S9jEwdfdYUuacbCqcT5NopOQHAswS8ejErZdntNqYl9EavkATA2MyCzo42QJCU_lDEHN70SphsyaNad/s1600/115_3178.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU-8pAH8a6NVYkqvLi8d2C1RXhLghzIJue7AZwEIHyR6t5hY3vNaWE1N8aiMxM_S9jEwdfdYUuacbCqcT5NopOQHAswS8ejErZdntNqYl9EavkATA2MyCzo42QJCU_lDEHN70SphsyaNad/s320/115_3178.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #000120;">Cool rock AND pottery!</span></div>
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Almost missed these!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoVsUuURQfzHZ20pw5uGuvZXL5GY_4u3JKaZ7gKCQrEScbWPmiZansi21EVguKxN4UJEai9Z2uN97ZiiMkDcw5zER7lOXK6SyTWYM1yek0hmBFmv1LCnCmQInMYf7DCVdm-eYn_jp3gdcf/s1600/115_3182.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoVsUuURQfzHZ20pw5uGuvZXL5GY_4u3JKaZ7gKCQrEScbWPmiZansi21EVguKxN4UJEai9Z2uN97ZiiMkDcw5zER7lOXK6SyTWYM1yek0hmBFmv1LCnCmQInMYf7DCVdm-eYn_jp3gdcf/s320/115_3182.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Spot for Brer Rabbit to hide:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8MECsJRjKjhFhjQ_EdIknXEc_8vZvoAjM83GUOeHLbUZucKuP8ZlHHneoFkwzKYA6DUymKpxVn5XW6lCaYvfgRsiWtYI8Hi75ocFdGYGih6R5LIcKk8GJUbt_4Cfjk_KBp-pCuMypIEdI/s1600/115_3183.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8MECsJRjKjhFhjQ_EdIknXEc_8vZvoAjM83GUOeHLbUZucKuP8ZlHHneoFkwzKYA6DUymKpxVn5XW6lCaYvfgRsiWtYI8Hi75ocFdGYGih6R5LIcKk8GJUbt_4Cfjk_KBp-pCuMypIEdI/s320/115_3183.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Water break! And perhaps a little more sunscreen for Grace.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg47VMM9C909sByn7X4q6396UZnnPhOSUnaiSBp_uwBL3JXA9xsFRsNIu1vDFznAW9yGGFm5xEiKTtqNWIlXCAsqgf3p0LdhSHa5Y2Ot1ionjQCNGL_-jg9yDG6r0Og5i8aca2dtvHT-0Sh/s1600/115_3186.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg47VMM9C909sByn7X4q6396UZnnPhOSUnaiSBp_uwBL3JXA9xsFRsNIu1vDFznAW9yGGFm5xEiKTtqNWIlXCAsqgf3p0LdhSHa5Y2Ot1ionjQCNGL_-jg9yDG6r0Og5i8aca2dtvHT-0Sh/s320/115_3186.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Scared up a lizard or two</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinxRZCCtc02MnZyDOqEqVpDLERGXmEeslDl1tL1GEV9uHh5iEUm_wmAQFL_n1OvCrx34wNqsIhsuh2QhJz30Pq_mYV4e-bf1GJzVGZ9UmIRMtwbJcO-CSKYYYIMz7tmD9Oz7DJPrgdWLmT/s1600/115_3187.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinxRZCCtc02MnZyDOqEqVpDLERGXmEeslDl1tL1GEV9uHh5iEUm_wmAQFL_n1OvCrx34wNqsIhsuh2QhJz30Pq_mYV4e-bf1GJzVGZ9UmIRMtwbJcO-CSKYYYIMz7tmD9Oz7DJPrgdWLmT/s320/115_3187.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #000032;">Then back to the car just as it started getting really hot! Thank you SO MUCH Mr. F. for a fabulous start to the day! If anyone needs us, we will be poring over some rock books...</span></div>
Amihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04191114596338482173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-692403747802454923.post-86513026963128764912020-03-27T02:00:00.000-06:002020-03-27T02:00:05.650-06:00Adventures of Mo and Jo and Other Short Stories by Sheridan Jones<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-ehTJInCIH8WHecu27srV57CAYHW3fojVwiYHVevXjynkZKXHuaxficZ5Un6ZP2edIMYRdFPfNwVBk-hm3jfazQczU9bseB7zgsIW_Wn4DziJzjBe2fpI4qQs624p_PecebjKWid8wVs3/s1600/115_2699.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-ehTJInCIH8WHecu27srV57CAYHW3fojVwiYHVevXjynkZKXHuaxficZ5Un6ZP2edIMYRdFPfNwVBk-hm3jfazQczU9bseB7zgsIW_Wn4DziJzjBe2fpI4qQs624p_PecebjKWid8wVs3/s320/115_2699.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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One day Mo and Jo were up in the attic right after their mother told them not to go up there. They found their mother's old dress-ups. They put them on and went outside. They knew their mother would kill them, especially because it was muddy and snowy.</div>
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After a while of playing they saw their mother with a knife. She chased after them and caught them because they were slow and she slit their throats and ate them for supper and lunch.</div>
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The end.</div>
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One day as a lady was walking past a jelly bean shop she went into labor and gave birth to a baby. It was snowing outside so to keep the baby warm she stuffed the baby in her jacket and walked home just like that.</div>
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One day a little boy and his grandpa went camping. That night when the grandpa was asleep the little boy took the grandpa's tobacco! He had so much of it that he got very very sick and passed on.</div>
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Amihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04191114596338482173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-692403747802454923.post-54844951373398208872020-03-26T12:26:00.000-06:002020-03-26T12:26:33.882-06:00Story Writing: Christopher<div style="text-align: center;">
After the first attempt, I told Christopher his story needed to be a liitttttle longer than a paragraph! He chose one of my favorite pictures from the file, and must have been thinking about it all day, because he finally sat down at the last minute and wrote this:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw6npR8xhmL_TTyvlLjUdStFm-39i3-vB0Jg2VCIHXEtyZWhG8YflPz1KEfP5GRAukU7M_N4TDTpPQ_mW9k_05_mF4GIhtKcMC3Sl9ByexRXDiBWZ_s1Um_dzbzi8Jeqsi4KSepQTjT2Xb/s1600/115_2698.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw6npR8xhmL_TTyvlLjUdStFm-39i3-vB0Jg2VCIHXEtyZWhG8YflPz1KEfP5GRAukU7M_N4TDTpPQ_mW9k_05_mF4GIhtKcMC3Sl9ByexRXDiBWZ_s1Um_dzbzi8Jeqsi4KSepQTjT2Xb/s320/115_2698.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Once upon a time, there was a man who loved to paint. Every day he painted and painted. Everyone loved his work.</div>
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One day he met a woman. He paused for a second. His heart was pounding hard. He said, "Do you want to get dinner some time?" She said yes. They went out lots of times, then got married.<br />
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60 years later his wife got sick. He tried to make her better. One day she gave him a necklace then she died. He was very sad. For months he didn't paint. Nothing made him happy.<br />
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One day, a man came to his house. He knocked on the door. He answered it. The man gave him a cat - a pretty cat. He thanked the man, took the cat in, set it down and looked at it and said "Why would he give me a cat?"<br />
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The cat looked up at him. The eyes of it made him see her in it. He could see his wife in the cat.<br />
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That made him happier than ever. Then a few days later he started to paint again. More pictures than ever.<br />
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Then he got old. In time, some of his family had to take cared of him. Then he was dying, but he was happy. He was going. Then it happened: it was dark for a minute, then light started to appear. Then he saw his wife, and they lived happily ever after.<br />
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The end.</div>
Amihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04191114596338482173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-692403747802454923.post-60959716117105688952020-03-22T20:07:00.000-06:002020-03-22T20:08:22.456-06:00A Boy, a Frog and...an Alligator?<div style="text-align: center;">
Mercer Mayer they ain't.</div>
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One of our school-at-home activities involves me picking two pictures from my picture file at random, and the kids have all day to choose one picture and write a story to go with it. (Yes, fellow Mt. Vernon Education students: I still have the picture file we were assigned to create our sophomore year!)</div>
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Today Sheridan and Christopher both chose this picture:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2rLawfvcoWaUvPGYHRTWZXCKKJok2KcSSloHyc_PDAftwi-qyd4PR1626mpCbS-EgNjmw0cbEVgC4EnP8M9WX6mjEnySau09MtYMhJjEcWtDsGhlRVaMhZ-FjfXuA4HI82CJc4b_663Ok/s1600/115_2677.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2rLawfvcoWaUvPGYHRTWZXCKKJok2KcSSloHyc_PDAftwi-qyd4PR1626mpCbS-EgNjmw0cbEVgC4EnP8M9WX6mjEnySau09MtYMhJjEcWtDsGhlRVaMhZ-FjfXuA4HI82CJc4b_663Ok/s320/115_2677.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Christopher's story:</div>
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There was a boy called Mo. </div>
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He always said Mo.</div>
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One day he was walking down a road then he heard a croak and another and another.</div>
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He looked around and found a frog and looked at it.</div>
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The frog ate him.</div>
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The end.</div>
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Points for brevity?? We'll work on fleshing his stories out a bit...</div>
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Sheridan's version:</div>
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One day, a little boy went to a swamp for a camping trip. There at the swamp the boy ran over to look for frogs so they could have frog legs for supper. After a while the boy caught a frog.</div>
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The frog was a magic frog and the frog knew what the boy wanted to do with him. The boy went down the side of the swamp to the deeper end to catch more frogs. </div>
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Then the magic frog got an idea. He turned himself into a giant alligator and ate the boy in two giant bites.</div>
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***</div>
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I'm sensing a theme, are you?</div>
Amihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04191114596338482173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-692403747802454923.post-3117267220948070622020-01-25T16:24:00.000-07:002020-01-25T16:33:25.613-07:00Pet Themed Birthday Party<div style="text-align: center;">
Is it me, or is Pinterest getting a little more 'real'? I mean, you still have those ridiculously expensive, meticulously decorated parties for one-year-olds who just want to chew on the streamers. I'm also seeing more my-budget-is-$50 posts, though, and that's where this Mom is headed! In that vein, here is what we did for Sheridan's tenth birthday - much of it stolen liberally from the latter Pinterest posts.</div>
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<b>FOOD</b></div>
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Logan asked me what my favorite part of birthday parties was, and as this one was over and I was stuffing a third piece of pizza into my face, I answered "leftovers". Rule #1: don't make anything you don't mind eating for the next three days, but then make lots of it! Sheridan wanted pizza, and since there is no delivery here that meant cooking from frozen. I bought 8 or 10 and baked them this morning, cut them into slices, put the slices back on cookie sheets, and just warmed those up when people arrived.</div>
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For pet-themed treats we had:</div>
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Snakes!</div>
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The dog food bowls will go to our favorite local rescue after the party.</div>
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One of my friends won't come unless I make meatballs, so:</div>
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For her cake, Sheridan decided on a dog bowl. Daddy always does the decorating! The icing to write her name ended up too runny, so he did it in candy bits instead.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLoeZvvolP3Jrw5VaIz6cZpV4PGERtU1FZpI1TLb4iuKrQ91FewfvBxBRk17cUwnDdNPEJHaw4KV-Tki62sDUtsBc4qtYG2NlwyE4gJRrzDDz4btQgo62kaB-wRgQYGhk6juYArw0dVxWy/s1600/115_2377.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #0066cc; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLoeZvvolP3Jrw5VaIz6cZpV4PGERtU1FZpI1TLb4iuKrQ91FewfvBxBRk17cUwnDdNPEJHaw4KV-Tki62sDUtsBc4qtYG2NlwyE4gJRrzDDz4btQgo62kaB-wRgQYGhk6juYArw0dVxWy/s320/115_2377.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="240" /></a><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
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Lemon cupcakes for those who didn't want chocolate cake:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj94zXu0hQ10RA5zFpX_-X5Bo4oqsmIccxjyjzO2j69V9LCSd0HyGvgmqzvbipUQu69W91qcDhYWMJ49h9xJ7s67M_9suZa24tgoMC5npkUg7QYg5vNIej5JJN21Ghji__FTl4N5mnKJb-e/s1600/115_2378.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #0066cc; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj94zXu0hQ10RA5zFpX_-X5Bo4oqsmIccxjyjzO2j69V9LCSd0HyGvgmqzvbipUQu69W91qcDhYWMJ49h9xJ7s67M_9suZa24tgoMC5npkUg7QYg5vNIej5JJN21Ghji__FTl4N5mnKJb-e/s320/115_2378.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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She liked it!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqEDT7YI_3tF8iHAo95odHNNHmy2SHsJfMORRSCOqKTzMuJWn5PPNPW-MtNfeE8C6ERMH0NOAR6cMZh55GDnPFGzOygAmeeXXJqBdoTyGBpv0VWgbe3Kb7i9MIWW40cLrJH1BT0sz6DuXz/s1600/115_2383.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqEDT7YI_3tF8iHAo95odHNNHmy2SHsJfMORRSCOqKTzMuJWn5PPNPW-MtNfeE8C6ERMH0NOAR6cMZh55GDnPFGzOygAmeeXXJqBdoTyGBpv0VWgbe3Kb7i9MIWW40cLrJH1BT0sz6DuXz/s320/115_2383.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="color: #000032;">DO</span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #000032;">When kids first came in we invited them to make dog toys for that same rescue. Plastic bottles (lids removed) in a sock, tie it shut and decorate it with markers. Jeans cut into strips and braided, some with a tennis ball added partway down.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKShNCrM7f16Td1Nr4PXgU4o3ztNIQGEgHfFQ2Yqpft99QxVNbBID6eunL0dnmvWQeYg2CuwOvwMNqnRQ_7YARzShQ2LRJJuKz8b1FTMjssG7HlDpYEIAb041k6aq1HmcOxWSpJ08xX8O-/s1600/115_2395.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKShNCrM7f16Td1Nr4PXgU4o3ztNIQGEgHfFQ2Yqpft99QxVNbBID6eunL0dnmvWQeYg2CuwOvwMNqnRQ_7YARzShQ2LRJJuKz8b1FTMjssG7HlDpYEIAb041k6aq1HmcOxWSpJ08xX8O-/s320/115_2395.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #000032;">With Valentine's Day coming up, it was easy to find a bajillion stuffed animals at the dollar store. But how do we decide who picks first? Let's have them draw numbers.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #000032;">From the bottom of the litter box.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVnvGAgUnpNHWZxU1Qi-Eq_tFKPGEjm0VunPQu_0W1O4CjsiCACV7263r0zG1RIYkYeeWH3HqHPwfqeA7F_fOXqafwUSFvdb5I8DZJhyPJriC5P-KMxdBiUkoK0-O6mWGAxrnAw0xboPU2/s1600/115_2370.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #0066cc; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVnvGAgUnpNHWZxU1Qi-Eq_tFKPGEjm0VunPQu_0W1O4CjsiCACV7263r0zG1RIYkYeeWH3HqHPwfqeA7F_fOXqafwUSFvdb5I8DZJhyPJriC5P-KMxdBiUkoK0-O6mWGAxrnAw0xboPU2/s320/115_2370.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="240" /></a><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
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Many people thought this was one of those cakes made to look like kitty litter.</div>
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Nope, just kitty litter.</div>
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Once they drew their number and picked their pet (which kind of turned into a madhouse just because of the sheer number of kids we had here), they filled out an adoption certificate and made a collar for their pet.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs18c7VUH91xLvV-NUNwVFKqSSPhjyW4x2f5gGiQxTpIdYedEFlJ6edt0vBYRq2mAujfBXQ98p0wTtT8h45QSvLDHTbbHz0srKCS9L_jRmhxHzA6lBgSFLMBkfmu9NQOWe1zA7310Nbcl_/s1600/115_2394.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs18c7VUH91xLvV-NUNwVFKqSSPhjyW4x2f5gGiQxTpIdYedEFlJ6edt0vBYRq2mAujfBXQ98p0wTtT8h45QSvLDHTbbHz0srKCS9L_jRmhxHzA6lBgSFLMBkfmu9NQOWe1zA7310Nbcl_/s320/115_2394.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Personally I think pinatas are weird, but Sheridan insisted, so we took turns beating the tar out of a cute dog and then scrambled for its guts.</span></div>
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Of course, baby cuddling is also a popular pastime! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKea6S6HAfs67FQdc_gMCzfY1lFDPFWgtPuWUfUFJZRcge447idV3l43V6fg1sZ__4BHhk-BhBD8qUlinfXHUVWZ4WLAJ1JUUpv7FWFuMioAUL76JRWDFZS8jTQbWvGE0QQP7l2s4EyDOw/s1600/115_2387.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #0066cc; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKea6S6HAfs67FQdc_gMCzfY1lFDPFWgtPuWUfUFJZRcge447idV3l43V6fg1sZ__4BHhk-BhBD8qUlinfXHUVWZ4WLAJ1JUUpv7FWFuMioAUL76JRWDFZS8jTQbWvGE0QQP7l2s4EyDOw/s320/115_2387.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="240" /></a></div>
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Make sure your bathroom is labeled - there's nothing like trying to find the toilet in a hurry in a strange house: </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguxLYsSvhP-6Xu9GW6P_FxmFWZsIbdndVfOFI167U8oQ04oFnceO1ncCoMPFX3k-ox0yyUR2t6jvVfATPgNZlKwmD4kFg946uvDbO1A8N7ZGixU5AaafQ0IqWRquP3f_owp10GsJQymhym/s1600/115_2388.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #0066cc; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguxLYsSvhP-6Xu9GW6P_FxmFWZsIbdndVfOFI167U8oQ04oFnceO1ncCoMPFX3k-ox0yyUR2t6jvVfATPgNZlKwmD4kFg946uvDbO1A8N7ZGixU5AaafQ0IqWRquP3f_owp10GsJQymhym/s320/115_2388.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="240" /></a><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
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And ours is certainly a strange house. Some of the gifts were strange, too!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEbZOlhOjfxgWVEhBLdf7exqKlidpqHRZ6souJHy35sm_Pl4fM2FVG3ajkjLQOQweIkNXWhzS0V4sE1yJ0WW0iiiMeBVbktb4zDL9RRbEmEJLCRPSk6FJszOXt9gj7rmWSi-k4iNeYRJHU/s1600/115_2390.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #0066cc; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEbZOlhOjfxgWVEhBLdf7exqKlidpqHRZ6souJHy35sm_Pl4fM2FVG3ajkjLQOQweIkNXWhzS0V4sE1yJ0WW0iiiMeBVbktb4zDL9RRbEmEJLCRPSk6FJszOXt9gj7rmWSi-k4iNeYRJHU/s320/115_2390.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="240" /></a></div>
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Here, big sister apologized to Mom before she opened it.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1uv7hcuCrT10TgpzQCP_yLvV28l2ryc0x7n9_qqDkDroJumSeJTVHRjsueWCVmI39mlNQgajKyViPmh1UigK0-ZYHlAE24Esqg8olR3JsG7WsxDrGf2mzAcd9eYxorjNVFxlKdJT67zsR/s1600/115_2391.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #0066cc; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1uv7hcuCrT10TgpzQCP_yLvV28l2ryc0x7n9_qqDkDroJumSeJTVHRjsueWCVmI39mlNQgajKyViPmh1UigK0-ZYHlAE24Esqg8olR3JsG7WsxDrGf2mzAcd9eYxorjNVFxlKdJT67zsR/s320/115_2391.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="240" /></a></div>
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MORE DUCKS! This may bring the total to 400. I've kind of lost track.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpaAzEV-SFZzUfxVIvV9UV1IBKbvaFA1cL5hjf6j1Q3oSkhZ281cebRHzZwaj-3U7xTtJT1-tIcyn_14SqHqHmgR2CjNbE2JdVER8lD6sLDr9o8AylyI2RcdQxKdoOJrVHvCTwyb1IkqjD/s1600/115_2392.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #0066cc; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpaAzEV-SFZzUfxVIvV9UV1IBKbvaFA1cL5hjf6j1Q3oSkhZ281cebRHzZwaj-3U7xTtJT1-tIcyn_14SqHqHmgR2CjNbE2JdVER8lD6sLDr9o8AylyI2RcdQxKdoOJrVHvCTwyb1IkqjD/s320/115_2392.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div>
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But, the best gift was for me. In three years I will have a 13-year-old daughter. Enough said.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTrOxhMjpjnC10Jw0zYI7tjzMvy2mmSyRAnSfOaAFhWa_XtHzyr18M5GtedZUT7ppIntuBal4QHPNqUoSwrY0H4265xS4BXQ0zGi5BovfW8xakgv9Z1Kg5rk_9BA0VfeCe0FthnMKdSphN/s1600/115_2393.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #0066cc; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTrOxhMjpjnC10Jw0zYI7tjzMvy2mmSyRAnSfOaAFhWa_XtHzyr18M5GtedZUT7ppIntuBal4QHPNqUoSwrY0H4265xS4BXQ0zGi5BovfW8xakgv9Z1Kg5rk_9BA0VfeCe0FthnMKdSphN/s320/115_2393.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
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Happy Tenth Birthday Sheridan!!!</div>
Amihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04191114596338482173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-692403747802454923.post-28403315808480133362020-01-01T15:35:00.000-07:002020-01-01T15:35:16.685-07:00Happy New Year!<div style="text-align: center;">
So I had absolutely no intentions of being up past 9 on New Year's Eve, but the kids begged, and I hate to keep saying "no" to things that really don't cost money or add additional animals to the house, so...</div>
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I made a quick list of New Year traditions in other countries, and after picking the kids up at Zoo Camp we went through it over lunch at McDonald's (courtesy of gift cards from big sister, so even that was free!) We discarded anything that involved breaking dishes or getting wet, made a quick run through Walmart for supplies, and we were set.</div>
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One of my traditions is to start the year with a clean(ish) house. It so happens that Sheridan's science fair project this year requires 6 floors starting off very clean at the exact same time. She helped me with those, and we called it good!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr60-sfDKNYYi2KA6eX-XcDck3xPSRnXLcWvOjBH2CtIkpZkItuoggD_-loI5sUTNUUY6ELfuDqbMnym751UOZRIPbBSM88acKmMkPhT5hqU6f0eTDTdSveoRaFYnYt8BS-ss_8gyr0tBF/s1600/115_2230.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr60-sfDKNYYi2KA6eX-XcDck3xPSRnXLcWvOjBH2CtIkpZkItuoggD_-loI5sUTNUUY6ELfuDqbMnym751UOZRIPbBSM88acKmMkPhT5hqU6f0eTDTdSveoRaFYnYt8BS-ss_8gyr0tBF/s400/115_2230.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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After supper everyone brought blankets to the living room and we watched "Fantastic Beasts: Crimes of Grindlewald" (one of their Christmas gifts).</div>
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It started out like this, but by the end of the movie more blankets and pillows had been added, and it was wall to wall bedding and kids. </div>
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So, a Greek tradition is to hang onions from your door. They appear to make pretty ristras with them, but I lacked the motivation, so we just poked a hole in the mesh bag they came in.</div>
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In the morning you get to tap an onion on each child's head to wake them. How hard you tap depends on how late they made you stay up the night before.</div>
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Not being sure how late they would actually stay awake, we spread out several things you are supposed to do right at midnight. In Russia you are supposed to write a wish for the New Year on paper, burn it in a champagne glass, and then drink champagne out of it. Gross, plus small children with fire. We modified to toss our wishes into the fireplace,</div>
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then drank our Shirley Temples.</div>
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Wit hthe movie over, we moved on to our never ending game of Alamogordo-opoly.</div>
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Which I am apparently playing with Nazgul.</div>
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In Turkey, you sprinkle salt on the doorstep,</div>
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<span style="color: #000120;">and in Japan you ring a bell 108 times. (We did it quietly inside - you are welcome, neighbors.)</span></div>
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In Spain you eat 12 grapes.</div>
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Not all at once, Grace!</div>
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End the year as you mean to continue the next one:</div>
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Then jump into the New Year (Denmark), landing on your right foot (Facebook memes).</div>
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They actually made it until midnight! All but Daddy, who went to bed after 10, and Logan, who went upstairs at 11:45 telling me to come get him at midnight - and who was sound asleep ten minutes later. I told the others they could sleep in the living room as long as I didn't have to come downstairs and kill anyone. They actually settled in pretty quickly!</div>
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And at 6:30 Shane bounced right out of bed (or sleeping bag) and started going a million miles an hour as usual.</div>
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Jam-filled donuts for breakfast (Germany)</div>
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and we couldn't find marzipan pigs (Austria), so we ate bacon.</div>
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Close enough!</div>
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We were supposed to communicate with the animals (Romania) yesterday, but we tried this morning instead. </div>
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Food is their love language, I'll say it worked.</div>
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We tapped bread against the wall to drive away evil spirits (Ireland), but Sheridan was disappointed to find her little brother was still here.</div>
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In Estonia you need to eat at least 7 times New Year's Day, so then we ate the bread with honey butter (left over from Shane's cowboy party).</div>
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If I was a good Armenian mother, I would make the bread myself, kneading wishes for the new year into it.</div>
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I didn't do that.</div>
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I did join the kids on a walk around the block with an empty suitcase (Colombia).</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVs2-iuIOY4x0Y_YQTUpHrfayrwOFdA3rUh8GNplwzhF2Q8CD5NUsvFX1HobJbzsGjC_54aZcrgxuwT3ogz3VoM_Vh5DiLW20urEBbbgD03LzoacCQDwbbEuT4Op5PuQT7KIcKp6uNx0-w/s1600/115_2258.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVs2-iuIOY4x0Y_YQTUpHrfayrwOFdA3rUh8GNplwzhF2Q8CD5NUsvFX1HobJbzsGjC_54aZcrgxuwT3ogz3VoM_Vh5DiLW20urEBbbgD03LzoacCQDwbbEuT4Op5PuQT7KIcKp6uNx0-w/s400/115_2258.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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That was actually supposed to happen yesterday, but whatever. I told the one neighbor outside that I was trying to run away, but the kids kept following.</div>
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In the Philippines you eat round foods, so we snacked on oranges.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrxhY7fHRjHyaRfQyjgXvy2VislHb7sQr_TfZR9HPam9Opq8cWmd6xY_MqyrF4o5qhEknm6hSC97I0FeMxd6h9D10MxjXFTDvADwSuhaWHMyjNbD9lzzWvv6RzIQgVSOKrI7LyOx8UAZlV/s1600/115_2259.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrxhY7fHRjHyaRfQyjgXvy2VislHb7sQr_TfZR9HPam9Opq8cWmd6xY_MqyrF4o5qhEknm6hSC97I0FeMxd6h9D10MxjXFTDvADwSuhaWHMyjNbD9lzzWvv6RzIQgVSOKrI7LyOx8UAZlV/s400/115_2259.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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and Sheridan made cheesy meatballs. </div>
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Of course, in the southern US, you have to eat your black-eyed peas. I prefer mine mashed up, though, with a LOT of cheese, sour cream, and salsa! The Pioneer Woman's recipe, found <a href="https://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/zannies-black-eyed-pea-dip/" target="_blank">here</a>, is so yummy I make it other times as well. You can switch up the salsa type or jalapenos - sometimes I use my jalapeno jam instead, this year I used some salsa verde.</div>
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We are all making goals for the year. Some we are still working on, but two of mine are to read together more, and to teach the kids to cook more. I know people who do things like employee evaluations are fairly rabid about "measurable outcomes", but I know if I say something like "Each child will cook one dish per week throughout the year," I am setting us all up for failure and discouragement. "More?" I can do more. One time counts as more. Success! </div>
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However you chose to celebrate, I hope 2020 is your best year so yet!</div>
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Amihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04191114596338482173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-692403747802454923.post-59741433101814912692019-12-11T14:13:00.003-07:002019-12-11T14:16:19.648-07:00Review: A Wish in the Dark by Christina Soontornvat<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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978-153-620-4940</div>
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$17.99</div>
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Sometimes when you are in the middle of a book and people ask you what it's about, you can give them a simple description that sums it up quite nicely. Perhaps it makes them think of similar books they have read, and they nod and smile and say they might want to read it when you are through.</div>
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Other times, you look up, clear your thoughts a moment, and say, "It's a Thai fantasy based on Les Miserables."</div>
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Blink. Blink. Crickets.</div>
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Need a more detailed description?</div>
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<i><span style="background-color: #f2f2f1; box-sizing: border-box; color: #21282d; font-family: "lato" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.8097px; font-weight: 700; outline: 0px;">A boy on the run. A girl determined to find him. A compelling fantasy looks at issues of privilege, protest, and justice.</span><br style="background-color: #f2f2f1; box-sizing: border-box; color: #21282d; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 13.8097px; outline: 0px; text-align: start;" /><br style="background-color: #f2f2f1; box-sizing: border-box; color: #21282d; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 13.8097px; outline: 0px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: #f2f2f1; color: #21282d; font-family: "lato" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.8097px;">All light in Chattana is created by one man — the Governor, who appeared after the Great Fire to bring peace and order to the city. For Pong, who was born in Namwon Prison, the magical lights represent freedom, and he dreams of the day he will be able to walk among them. But when Pong escapes from prison, he realizes that the world outside is no fairer than the one behind bars. The wealthy dine and dance under bright orb light, while the poor toil away in darkness. Worst of all, Pong’s prison tattoo marks him as a fugitive who can never be truly free.</span><br style="background-color: #f2f2f1; box-sizing: border-box; color: #21282d; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 13.8097px; outline: 0px; text-align: start;" /><br style="background-color: #f2f2f1; box-sizing: border-box; color: #21282d; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 13.8097px; outline: 0px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: #f2f2f1; color: #21282d; font-family: "lato" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.8097px;">Nok, the prison warden’s perfect daughter, is bent on tracking Pong down and restoring her family’s good name. But as Nok hunts Pong through the alleys and canals of Chattana, she uncovers secrets that make her question the truths she has always held dear. Set in a Thai-inspired fantasy world, Christina Soontornvat’s twist on Victor Hugo’s </span><span style="background-color: #f2f2f1; box-sizing: border-box; color: #21282d; font-family: "lato" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.8097px; outline: 0px;">Les Misérables </span><span style="background-color: #f2f2f1; color: #21282d; font-family: "lato" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.8097px;">is a dazzling, fast-paced adventure that explores the difference between law and justice — and asks whether one child can shine a light in the dark.</span></i></div>
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While it is not likely that many middle school readers are familiar with the plot twists and characters of Les Miserables, as an adult reader I enjoyed the twists. The basic themes - redemption, class disparity, power, changing perspectives, etc. - are still there, but (small spoiler) Gavroche does not end up riddled with bullets! </div>
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Sontornvat weaves a deft tale of realistic fantasy that will please readers of all ages, whether they have never heard of Les Mes, or whether they have had the entire score memorized since college. Three-dimensional characters are seldom all good or all bad (notable but still interesting exceptions in Father Cham and the Governor). A welcome addition to middle grade fantasy fiction, which has long been filled with Caucasian characters centered in Europe or the US.</div>
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Amihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04191114596338482173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-692403747802454923.post-5715217774309645542019-11-15T08:34:00.000-07:002019-11-16T07:08:10.640-07:00Jones Kids on the Loose, 2019 Edition - Day 4 and 5<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
While we were on the road, Gracie was having a blast with Grandma! She really seemed to enjoy being an 'only child' for a while. Saturday they had a special day together that included brunch at The Friendship Tea House:</div>
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<img alt="Image may contain: 1 person, sitting, indoor and food" height="300" src="https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/71765765_2535192506587795_5416687735807148032_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&_nc_eui2=AeFkmcPnXimSCunkGqtjoVkJIjr3UpT0Ol3AGAagSM3fjsLF12fTv7XILGkDMN0zs-vvDhVgO3Qgi_OTy2wRnE2TwDlfuoE35PZLI4QDHsbj8A&_nc_oc=AQn1yvowEHkOItx1oT9fSezJYOFTjbX6SpdoXNf_rYc9QbkSFQQm3SswtefBkUdduJM&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=4a616dc4992f095b2420564a18f99ff6&oe=5E48D201" width="400" /></div>
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A trip to our favorite rescue to help socialize the pups:</div>
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<img alt="Image may contain: 1 person, dog and outdoor" height="300" src="https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/p720x720/76702321_10212779267511230_6348090280578646016_o.jpg?_nc_cat=110&_nc_eui2=AeHo5YCZTT8atTQ3rAq2-fMwHjxRow6jo9zwjI2vuYqcwml8b1Fk7_PIGXQlDUpxDalJolG4aOh-2KyRJOvpg-mdIMmAe8rqUBnoEGVx6bLNiA&_nc_oc=AQmcBQK4mlDI4wqPkSs8HhKlknSWcTJQ54K9hSN2MySTl16mdAwerSDNdU7K1xWn1x0&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=270924ccb281d341062c54d84f1f272f&oe=5E5A1C0E" width="400" /></div>
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And an afternoon of thrift shops, where she scored a ton of Barbies and Barbie DVDs! </div>
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Back in Texas, we went out exploring again in the morning.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzU6IrjtNqs6N6ApDigOnNt5vAhp4R_Qf_r9JZ4Qf8tz_cl1NZdYQUMIKk8DX3h6HOcZiX6t4r9BeGOLULZfRCt-shI181L2-7McKaLPoi1mttz3CNOawyC2a-LFpka7OxHJW5nWTbx3iP/s1600/115_1821.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzU6IrjtNqs6N6ApDigOnNt5vAhp4R_Qf_r9JZ4Qf8tz_cl1NZdYQUMIKk8DX3h6HOcZiX6t4r9BeGOLULZfRCt-shI181L2-7McKaLPoi1mttz3CNOawyC2a-LFpka7OxHJW5nWTbx3iP/s400/115_1821.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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Of course it was Logan who was noticing and picking up the tiniest interesting rocks.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2cKhS6sCXSoqMGbazeYf3xzBWra-ictpoG_RshDu_5LoWyJV8XqzrnSBC83ttmFzFkXQlO8k3CdxOe91_NSfe9sTro-BK0Jx6x_RDimznWNCsnEd_cVtUYvNFNEVDl2OmOf0v46khD5yT/s1600/115_1822.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2cKhS6sCXSoqMGbazeYf3xzBWra-ictpoG_RshDu_5LoWyJV8XqzrnSBC83ttmFzFkXQlO8k3CdxOe91_NSfe9sTro-BK0Jx6x_RDimznWNCsnEd_cVtUYvNFNEVDl2OmOf0v46khD5yT/s400/115_1822.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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I think we got them all out of the cabin again...apologies to the staff if we missed any!</div>
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There was this very exciting family thing in the morning...but it hasn't hit Facebook yet, so I'm not going to tell you about it ;) </div>
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Instead, here's a gigantic walking stick the cousins found:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVPcSnUW9pY8x4tWuJdGWYWTc18cBULDahgrJkM-Shhi7I-H0CK32PIIKKdPXV1XgS4SZff1ywzCrVJxSe5Y-5TyhiVJe4-A7YIxagpf0e5nqU-ZGVtQsdp7VGBNPegCq4IjGSyB_OVd1k/s1600/115_1830.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVPcSnUW9pY8x4tWuJdGWYWTc18cBULDahgrJkM-Shhi7I-H0CK32PIIKKdPXV1XgS4SZff1ywzCrVJxSe5Y-5TyhiVJe4-A7YIxagpf0e5nqU-ZGVtQsdp7VGBNPegCq4IjGSyB_OVd1k/s400/115_1830.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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He kept going around people's backs when I tried to get a picture!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOoGGoguDZWuENTR_9ygRqTzU-JsB8rGphv_5DaPl46KrqarwYvI12x2JBdzTX7hj2Pq9VfUBdjv1Q467WIqgql0vk0PUop8VKfUUex-vNakesRCwMIxR2A0DQobkcYSz0_I2cfw3VOoto/s1600/115_1831.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOoGGoguDZWuENTR_9ygRqTzU-JsB8rGphv_5DaPl46KrqarwYvI12x2JBdzTX7hj2Pq9VfUBdjv1Q467WIqgql0vk0PUop8VKfUUex-vNakesRCwMIxR2A0DQobkcYSz0_I2cfw3VOoto/s400/115_1831.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Oh, right, much better.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMycX5q2KhOES9Ojt5IeUBDBMAAGriB6-N-DiZCcDRkLRy3vxqyTVEEvH4JDyT9Vex6ESxXeaDcAcopWq0Df_Rl9g0-fWeTJS_A7NKwUnBeNkY0aCX7shOTCUmENWk9qw4ya9CgJ3gBCEq/s1600/115_1833.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMycX5q2KhOES9Ojt5IeUBDBMAAGriB6-N-DiZCcDRkLRy3vxqyTVEEvH4JDyT9Vex6ESxXeaDcAcopWq0Df_Rl9g0-fWeTJS_A7NKwUnBeNkY0aCX7shOTCUmENWk9qw4ya9CgJ3gBCEq/s400/115_1833.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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After he was safely relocated to some trees, we hung out one last time as everyone started wandering home.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUK82UjcAkyeCBJGMkSTQn-z_6oqPjfx_cKHHP8AvbMpBQjMhYKnjsvLqp7ugMhc0dcMeRjTVPdna7n6GRcgRzTxr5yfRNvUbVX0sgVcXT0Vegvfeyxx8Vcv-sqNTv2cYMAFKJ1BM3M-w2/s1600/meg+wedding+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="360" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUK82UjcAkyeCBJGMkSTQn-z_6oqPjfx_cKHHP8AvbMpBQjMhYKnjsvLqp7ugMhc0dcMeRjTVPdna7n6GRcgRzTxr5yfRNvUbVX0sgVcXT0Vegvfeyxx8Vcv-sqNTv2cYMAFKJ1BM3M-w2/s400/meg+wedding+1.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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Our newest cousin, Aurelia (and her Daddy). Isn't she gorgeous?</div>
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Fists of fury!</div>
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Cool tunnels by the pond...</div>
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More frog catching (and releasing, despite pleas to take some home)</div>
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And then they wanted to go back to "Kids' Kingdom".</div>
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This park is also a great place to meet dogs! It includes a disc golf course, and many area pups like to join in. I got slobbered on by a very excited German Shepherd, an adorable bulldog, and a smooshy hound puppy who just wanted to be carried and have her belly rubbed.</div>
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We had one last surprise for the kids in the evening. While we were making plans, I discovered one of my favorite people - and one of the kids' favorite authors - lived only an hour away! We made arrangements to meet for dinner. Sheridan caught her first name when I was talking to Mike, and started turning it over in her head. When we met up outside the restaurant and she gave me an advance copy of her next book, you could see her connect the dots.</div>
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"Is she...is she the lady who writes the Chickies books???"</div>
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Why, yes. Yes, she is. We brought this new copy of our favorite (because the old copy has been read to pieces), and look how adorably she signed it! The kids were so tickled that she knew them so well (and as Sheridan mentioned several times, how to spell their names!)</div>
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If you do not have <a href="http://www.trasler.com/" target="_blank">Janee Trasler's books</a> in your library, you need to order them right now. And if you ever get the chance to spend time with her, take it! She is every bit as funny and sweet in person as she is online. We talked so much I hardly ate any of my food (or does that just mean I talked too much? Did I talk too much? Oh dear...)</div>
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About twenty minutes after we left, we both realized about the same time...we never took any pictures! We were just having too much fun! Oh well, that just means she has to come to New Mexico now.</div>
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Janee also gave each of the kids a bag for the ride home, and mean old Mom wouldn't even let them look until we were on the road the next morning. There were fun snacks greeted with cries of "Oh I love her!!!". Sheridan literally broke into song when she saw the Dove chocolate, her favorite. And then there was Flarp.</div>
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Flarp, for the uninitiated, is fart putty. When you make air bubbles and squish them, or squish it against the side of the container, it makes a farting sound. At first we just played with it in the container while on our tablets.</div>
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Then we started getting creative.</div>
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There were fart jokes. There were fart songs. And from farts, there isn't much of a leap to snot.</div>
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Such a proud Mommy moment.</div>
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I won't complain, though, because it kept them occupied pretty much the entire trip! The beautiful weekend weather was gone again, and we drove home in rain that froze to the windshield and heavy winds trying to toss us off the road.</div>
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Yuck.</div>
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We made it home after 9PM, the inside of the car pretty much trashed at that point, and somehow at least three children had Flarp in their hair, but we just tossed everyone into bed. I ended up taking the next day off to bathe children, unload the car, and do laundry...</div>
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Lots and lots of laundry!</div>
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Amihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04191114596338482173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-692403747802454923.post-44044790187280576842019-11-14T08:19:00.000-07:002019-11-14T08:19:02.378-07:00Jones Kids on the Loose - 2019 Edition - Day 3<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Saturday was when the fun really began! The Silver Spur Resort has a couple ponds with turtles, fish and teeny tiny frogs to check out.</div>
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We had to run to Walmart there because Christopher had outgrown the shirts I packed for him JUST LAST WEEK. Sheridan had some spending money and decided to get a baby carrier for Judith (since mean Mommy didn't let her bring the car seat).</div>
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A friend had recommended the Dairy Barn for lunch. There were two trucks with baby goats outside, so we almost didn't make it past the parking lot. These helped move them along:</div>
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Then we went to a local park for a bit. </div>
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Oh my goodness. I will give Alamogordo locals a moment to wipe away a tear.</div>
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This looks JUST like a park we had here, which burned down a little over a year ago, and has since been replaced with generic playground equipment :(</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkIdQwcERc9TbQYLTInUtjH0fZTUOB9SGVuseXAQ9DZduqe4jCHwuXKBciU3dpZtv15UJTCKl0t9aGvizxl4CyFJJ6EpdpO-uCVnNx9Q0zGrpHlaRD71Z0EOUVWg-mgkoJ_JUofyep7Kde/s1600/115_1795.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkIdQwcERc9TbQYLTInUtjH0fZTUOB9SGVuseXAQ9DZduqe4jCHwuXKBciU3dpZtv15UJTCKl0t9aGvizxl4CyFJJ6EpdpO-uCVnNx9Q0zGrpHlaRD71Z0EOUVWg-mgkoJ_JUofyep7Kde/s320/115_1795.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Where's Logan now? Oh! Off by himself, as usual...</div>
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Needless to say, the kids referred to it as "Kids' Kingdom" throughout the rest of the weekend.</div>
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Back at the resort we explored the garden, and found a painted rock!</div>
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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/AVvXsEg6HNcVdkuHjWv_NnO1Enm19tkEntZnRIkUj_Ko4IzpQi5X5BovU4IXgaWJn_pivlKwTjntK0Bam5oA1RfMjHTp89-HFfFKJOWbxfpyglwTaEWMTWfUPjzeb-UDNy0ZDI3dq5WljZJErfcE/s1600/115_1784.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6HNcVdkuHjWv_NnO1Enm19tkEntZnRIkUj_Ko4IzpQi5X5BovU4IXgaWJn_pivlKwTjntK0Bam5oA1RfMjHTp89-HFfFKJOWbxfpyglwTaEWMTWfUPjzeb-UDNy0ZDI3dq5WljZJErfcE/s320/115_1784.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Stache Rocks" on the back.</td></tr>
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We left it for others to find, but I will look up their Facebook page shortly.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil5CsGIZGTaFeU7kcQDV-5BlzbLdNFGVDYxe98XHvq9W1AhfkfkkS6Sxe3oL71oUbe1nMI8wmx5aTf2kdFM3CAuOH4BSzQcAmDHEMHb1g_m42SHZus5BX7bynSZEnFYPW8bgYkXlk-Wnio/s1600/115_1785.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil5CsGIZGTaFeU7kcQDV-5BlzbLdNFGVDYxe98XHvq9W1AhfkfkkS6Sxe3oL71oUbe1nMI8wmx5aTf2kdFM3CAuOH4BSzQcAmDHEMHb1g_m42SHZus5BX7bynSZEnFYPW8bgYkXlk-Wnio/s320/115_1785.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cousin Jaxon, who grows six inches every time I see him.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuzTZ_zrQ_yk6JOLFErJ8-yZiLRSbzssc1DzIMaglpzBdy8UrZ4pWWxTRGLxrnpvBYssJwKQnYi5XWFvSM08KTllw-nLcKLd3SLxghDRgx59dTfYgUL6YRKB6WV7qSwIYo8wtUEDwzSW5A/s1600/115_1786.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuzTZ_zrQ_yk6JOLFErJ8-yZiLRSbzssc1DzIMaglpzBdy8UrZ4pWWxTRGLxrnpvBYssJwKQnYi5XWFvSM08KTllw-nLcKLd3SLxghDRgx59dTfYgUL6YRKB6WV7qSwIYo8wtUEDwzSW5A/s320/115_1786.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Logan wanted to know, "Can we live here???"</td></tr>
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Sheridan and Abigail really hit it off! We hadn't seen her since she was barely walking. She definitely got that walking/running thing down since then!</div>
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Time to get spiffed up!</div>
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And look at cool spiders.</div>
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Abi found a rock, too!</div>
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Getting closer to time...palling around with cousin Lily...</div>
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Shane, of course, understood the solemnity of the event.</div>
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And then they were married! And I am not posting any pictures until the bride does. But it was beautiful and perfect and the weather could not have cooperated more.</div>
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<br />Amihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04191114596338482173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-692403747802454923.post-88919490622169214312019-11-13T07:00:00.000-07:002019-11-13T07:03:14.299-07:00Jones Kids on the Loose - 2019 Edition Day 2<div style="text-align: center;">
We had a good breakfast at the hotel, very nice lady working the kitchen - we will be giving staff high marks when the e-mail survey comes through! Had an entertaining time trying to explain cable TV to the kids, and how the channel they watched at "Grandpa Bob's house" (i.e. The Hampton Inn where they stayed in Alamogordo) will not show the same things in Abilene, Texas.<br />
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Of course I forgot a few things (earrings - I wasn't even wearing any! - socks for me, etc.), but there was a Big Lots right across the street. I picked up what I needed and also managed to find a Christmas present, which I then had to figure out how to hide in the car. The cashier there was also super nice - everyone I encountered in Abilene was very nice, there was a variety of shopping from what I could see, pretty brick buildings, everything very clean and green. If I ever had to live in a big city, I would be inclined to choose Abilene based on what little I saw.<br />
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But I don't ever want to live in a big city!</div>
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We started the morning off at the Frontier West museum, which I highly recommend for any age. Shane was smitten by the time we reached the lobby:<br />
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You begin the tour in a room with a short, engaging video about the area and what the museum covers.</div>
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Which Sheridan video taped. </div>
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Then you go through several rooms with exhibits run by...</div>
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...holographic people! My pictures aren't going to do them justice, but you could really make yourself believe they were actually standing in front of you. Pat Garrett was especially good - although, living in the Lincoln County area, we have our doubts as to his claim that he shot Billy the Kid.</div>
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The kids loved it!</div>
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I forgot this lady's name, but she led quite an interesting life. She even invited us in for dinner.<br />
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After seeing this, though, we weren't so sure about sharing a community meal.<br />
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When you come in, you get a laminated card with the name and basic stats of a real person who lived on the early frontier. At the end you slide it into a machine to find out what your fate was! Turned out to be another lady with an interesting life.<br />
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Of course, this was Mike's (and Christopher's) favorite spot.</div>
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The last room is a surround theater where you go through a prairie storm, Comanche attack, buffalo stampede, and gunfight.</div>
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Shane AND Sheridan may or may not have ended up in my lap a couple times.<br />
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Here you guess how much each item would cost you in the general store.</div>
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We heard everything was bigger in Texas, but I have a suspicion this was exaggerating.</div>
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After the museum we headed just a few blocks into town to start the children's literature statue tour. </div>
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Perfect quote for Logan!</div>
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Another slight exaggeration, I think.</div>
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David is one of our favorite characters, but where are the kids?</div>
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Of course. Looking at a bug.</div>
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I sent this book to one of my favorite new babies!</div>
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Santa!</div>
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Don't forget to look up!</div>
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Not a children's lit statue, but way cool.</div>
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Back out of town, pausing to point out the closest thing we have seen to a skyscraper - one of the travel items they were supposed to spot, hard to find in southern NM.</div>
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We switched drivers, which put Christopher behind Mike. The two people with the longest legs. That didn't work out too well, so we stopped to switch kids around!</div>
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Quick stop for fruit and cheese - and lots of running - at a rest area. </div>
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Travelling went well until we hit a traffic snag outside of Dallas, and everything looked like this for about an hour.</div>
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Finally, Canton! We checked into our little cabin for the weekend. We shared it with Mykela and Bradley, who got the main bedroom:</div>
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Sheridan and Logan immediately claimed the bunk beds,</div>
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And the rest of us shared the pull-out bed and an air mattress in the living room. There was a little kitchenette, perfect for vacation cooking.<br />
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Once we were settled in we went o the "Big House" to see the rest of the family - cousins and their kids gathered from all corners of the country, including a new cousin-in-law and a baby we hadn't met yet. </div>
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The kids were shy around each other at first, but I herded some of them outside to play on the porch, and pretty soon they were chasing each other up and down the hill. </div>
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Big family dinner, then an early bedtime!</div>
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Amihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04191114596338482173noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-692403747802454923.post-83391318418188443022019-11-12T02:00:00.000-07:002019-11-12T02:00:00.266-07:00Jones Kids on the Loose - 2019 Edition<div style="text-align: center;">
It has been YEARS since we have gone on any sort of family vacation - YEARS. Time work and funds and a million other things just keep getting in the way. We were long overdue, so when my niece Meghan announced her wedding would be on a three day weekend, we decided to make it five days, and pull the kids out of school for a couple.<br />
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But we didn't tell them! They tend to fret and over plan and drive us crazy, so we waited - and told them they would just be staying with Grandma. That let me pack a suitcase with their clothes, without suspicion. We even told them she was taking them someplace special, so they would need one nice outfit each!<br />
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The night before the trip, when I picked them up after school, I told them Grace was going to have a sleepover at Grandma's, since it was her turn. She was thrilled! For numerous reasons (which are not anyone else's business - especially if they have never experienced fasd - but which I promise were in her best interest) we decided Grace would stay at Grandma's and not miss school. She had a BLAST and got spoiled rotten.<br />
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Over dinner, we told the kids they would actually be coming with us.<br />
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Sheridan cried. She wanted to go to school and Grandma's. Sigh.<br />
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I ran them through baths and showers, and got the car packed up. Space was pretty tight, so I told them they could each pick one book and one toy to bring. The next thing I knew, Sheridan had two bags packed plus a baby doll and all her paraphernalia, including a car seat! I ordered her to pare it down, and thought she had, until we were pulling out and I glanced back at her seat.</div>
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hjeridan explained that the bunny was baby Judith's toy for the trip. Has anyone else read <a href="https://amomssparetime.blogspot.com/2014/05/betty-bunny-readsbetty-bunny.html" target="_blank">Betty Bunny</a> Wants Everything? That was her nickname for the longest time...</div>
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Started with card game of things to find along the way...and then there was this.<br />
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"I saw a cat!" "You did not." "I'm supposed to find an open convertible."<br />
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Sheridan has become a diva who won't pee on a tree. Even if we offer her a whole forest!<br />
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Lunch at Casey's in Hobbs. Okay burgers and fries, great chicken strips. Massive Coca-Cola collection for such a small space. No credit or debit cards, though! That took much of the cash I had brought.<br />
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The fog had cleared by then, but it stayed 37 degrees, drizzly and windy everywhere we went. Before the trip I prepped these shoe holders to hang on the backs of the seats:<br />
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I didn't take a pictures at the start, but there was a wrapped surprise in each pocket, and for every hour they went without bickering, they got to open one. Playing cards, activity books, chocolate eggs with toys inside, and those sticky guys that flip down the wall - perfect for car windows! Every hour seemed to be perfect, and then they had things to bring into the hotel room.<br />
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We reached Abilene around 5PM our time - the kids got a kick out of going an hour into the future! What can I say, we don't get out much.<br />
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We had planned on an Italian place for lunch, but ended up at Golden Corral because we knew where that was, and we had had enough with Google directions. Better food than the one we used to have in our town, very sweet waitress. Since everyone was a different degree of hungry after travelling (and snacking) all day, it worked out well.<br />
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We stayed at Comfort Suites. The gentleman at front desk was very nice, room was comfy and clean. We couldn't even hear noises from outside, and we were right on the highway.<br />
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Cable, wow!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not sure where Mike and I are supposed to sleep.</td></tr>
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Got on wifi to catch up on messages. There was a video from the mom of one of my young patrons at the library, complaining that he KNOWS I don't live at the library, but that I am still supposed to BE THERE.<br />
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We tried to turn in fairly early, thinking everyone would be wiped out. Not so much.<br />
Out of the darkness:<br />
"Mommy?"<br />
"Yeeeeees?"<br />
"Can rubber catch on fire?"<br />
"Go. to. sleep."<br />
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And so on.<br />
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Amihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04191114596338482173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-692403747802454923.post-59274365774169735142019-11-06T02:00:00.000-07:002019-11-06T02:00:10.734-07:00Review: The Moose of Ewenki by Gerelchimeg Blackcrane and Jiu Er<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://prodimage.images-bn.com/pimages/9781771645386_p0_v1_s550x406.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="406" data-original-width="420" height="309" src="https://prodimage.images-bn.com/pimages/9781771645386_p0_v1_s550x406.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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9781771645386</div>
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$19.95</div>
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<span style="background-color: #f2f2f1; color: #21282d; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 13.8097px; text-align: start;"><i>When a Mongolian elder named Gree Shrek hunts a female moose by mistake, her young calf is left behind. Saddened by her loss, Gree Shrek names the calf Xiao Han (“Little Moose”) and the moose and man form an authentic attachment. Xiao Han accompanies Gree Shrek as the hunter-gatherer herds reindeer, sets up camp, forages for food in the forest, and visits his peoples’ village, where many fun adventures happen. But as the little moose grows bigger, Gree Shrek knows he must return his companion to the forest.</i></span></div>
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We try to have books to represent all different cultures at the library, but I think it's safe to say we haven't had any about the indigenous people of Mongolia. My guess is that children will have many questions both during and after this book (don't reindeer come from Finland?), so there is great opportunity for further exploration here.</div>
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The story itself is thoughtful, at times humorous, at times sad, but always with an overlying quiet. That quiet may come from the sense of the vast wilderness, or from the subdued but intricate illustrations. This is the perfect addition to a collection that needs "something different".</div>
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<b>Gifting Ideas: </b>Pair it with a moose, of course! Probably not a real one, but maybe a stuffed moose, a puppet, or even a sponsorship of a real one. You can <a href="https://www.alaskawildlife.org/product/adopt-a-moose/" target="_blank">click here to sponsor a moose in Alaska</a>, or <a href="https://gifts.worldwildlife.org/gift-center/gifts/species-adoptions/moose.aspx" target="_blank">here to sponsor one through the World Wildlife Fund.</a></div>
Amihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04191114596338482173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-692403747802454923.post-81216514420640305712019-11-04T02:00:00.000-07:002019-11-04T02:00:06.293-07:00Review: Hello, Crow! by Candace Savage and Chelsea O'Byrne<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://prodimage.images-bn.com/pimages/9781771644440_p0_v1_s550x406.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="406" data-original-width="325" height="320" src="https://prodimage.images-bn.com/pimages/9781771644440_p0_v1_s550x406.jpg" width="256" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: #f2f2f1; color: #21282d; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 13.8097px; text-align: start;"><i>Franny has a new friend—a crow who brings her presents in its beak. Like a red button! And a silver heart! Franny’s dad doesn’t believe her. He says crows and kids can’t be friends. But Franny knows better. How will Franny prove her new playmate is real? And what will the crafty crow bring next?</i></span></div>
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Kids will get a chuckle out of Franny's absent-mindedness (shown in the illustrations even more than in the text), and adults may recognize a young dreamer in their life. The story line is a bit formulaic, but younger readers and animal lovers won't care, and will find the ending quite satisfying. Illustrations match Franny perfectly - a little bit messy and scattered at first glance, yet oh so interesting when you look more closely. An afterward gives a little more information about identifying and befriending crows. Gift this one to the budding naturalist or misunderstood dreamer in your life!</div>
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<b>Gifting Idea: </b>Pair with an age-appropriate book about birding, or a shadow box to hold some tiny treasures like this adjustable one from Amazon:</div>
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Amihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04191114596338482173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-692403747802454923.post-24615820462168833072019-11-01T02:00:00.000-06:002019-11-01T02:00:05.013-06:00Review: Turnabout Shapes by Agnes Baruzzi<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: #f2f2f1; color: #21282d; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 13.8097px; text-align: start;"><i>In this clever book of die-cut shapes, you can see how a watermelon changes into a bird’s beak—or how a tulip becomes a mermaid’s tail. The pages connect to each other not only with their die-cut holes but also with zippy, rhyming text that makes for loads of fun. Filled with colorful art, this is a book that’s pleasing to the eyes, the ears, and the fingers.</i></span></div>
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I have <a href="https://amomssparetime.blogspot.com/2017/03/review-opposite-surprise-by-agnese.html" target="_blank">reviewed and enjoyed </a>Baruzzi's books before, and one even became a <a href="https://amomssparetime.blogspot.com/2017/01/2016-cybils-award-finalists.html" target="_blank">Cybils finalist</a>. Unfortunately, this one came as a disappointment.</div>
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The text is extremely small for a board book, with choppy rhymes and in unrelated pairings. It seemed very forced in areas. The pictures are cute, but there is a lot of dead space that could be confusing. Generally in peek-through books like this, the area you can see on the next page is part of the next picture: instead, here you see through to a solid or patterned page, with the next picture on the opposing side. I'm afraid this one just isn't as attractive or kid-pleasing as her previous titles, although the high quality of the binding and color is the same.</div>
Amihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04191114596338482173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-692403747802454923.post-71513498527710309092019-10-31T12:37:00.000-06:002019-10-31T12:37:01.248-06:00Review: Peek-a-Who Too? by Elsa Mroziewicz<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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$11.99</div>
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<i><span style="background-color: #f2f2f1; color: #21282d; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 13.8097px; text-align: start;">A triangular board book may seem unusual, but </span><span style="background-color: #f2f2f1; box-sizing: border-box; color: #21282d; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 13.8097px; outline: 0px; text-align: start;">Peek-A-Who?</span><span style="background-color: #f2f2f1; color: #21282d; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 13.8097px; text-align: start;">, with its cleverly shaped lift-the-flaps, garnered fans from across the children’s book world. This follow-up to the acclaimed original is full of hidden animals, each making different sounds. Can you figure out who each one is? Lift the unique shaped flaps to see who peeks out!</span></i></div>
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I reviewed the <a href="https://amomssparetime.blogspot.com/2018/09/review-peek-who-by-elsa-mroziewicz_26.html" target="_blank">predecessor for this book</a> last year, and said that it might be an exception to my lift-the-flap ban in the library. I wanted to take a picture of it, still holding up nicely despite circulating once a month on average, but...it's checked out!</div>
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Not only have the flaps help up perfectly, the shape makes the book stand out on the shelf - without causing a problem for shelvers, like a certain round book did. It is super easy for little fingers to pull it out by the top corner, making me wonder why all board books aren't shaped this way!</div>
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As with the first book, the illustrations are beautiful pieces of art, with the bright colors and large eyes that catch a baby's focus. Animal sounds and easy guessing games are always a sure bet with the littles. This would be a fun book to include in someone's stocking!</div>
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<b>Gifting Ideas: </b>Pair this with some brightly colored hand or finger puppets of different animals, like these (click <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Finger-Puppets-Animal-Favors-Fillers/dp/B07XRHM52F/ref=sr_1_3_sspa?keywords=animal+hand+puppets&qid=1572546912&sr=8-3-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEzOE5RVVJROUJGRFQ4JmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwMDYzNTA4QjE1U0xNMkM3RTg3JmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTAyMjk0NzAxN0VZWUM3SVdDSFhTJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==" target="_blank">here </a>for Amazon link).</div>
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Amihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04191114596338482173noreply@blogger.com0